oswallowlargeobjects,“heexplained,hisvoicefullofconviction.“Butthewidthofthatopenmouthvariesfrompersontoperson.“

    LiNing‘seyessparkledwithamusementasshewatchedXuéSānpacebackandforthacrosstheroom.Shehadnoideawherethiswasgoing,butshecouldn‘thelpfeelingdrawninbyhisintensity.

    “So,“XuéSāncontinued,hisvoicegrowingmorepassionatewitheachpassingmoment,“ifweassumethattheaveragemouthwidthisroughlyequivalenttoasmallchild‘sfist...ah,yes!Tencentimeterswouldbeareasonableestimate.“

    LiNingcouldn‘thelpbutlaughagain,thistimeattheabsurdityofitall.Whomeasuredasmileusingmathematicalformulas?XuéSānseemedcompletelyserious,though,hiseyesshiningwithanunsettlingintensity.

    “Exactly,“hesaid,hisvoicedrippingwithauthority.“Tencentimetersisaperfectlyreasonableestimate.“

    LiNingshookherhead,stillchuckling.ShehadnoideawhatkindofgameXuéSānwasplaying,butshewasdeterminedtoenjoytheride.

    Astheycontinuedtodiscussthefinerpointsofmeasurementandestimation,LiNingcouldn‘thelpbutfeelasenseofexcitementbuildinginsideher.Whoknewthattalkingaboutsmilescouldbesothrilling?Andyet...therewassomethingmoreatplayhere,somethingthatwentbeyondmerewordsandnumbers.

    Somethingthatspoketoherverysoul.

    XuéSān‘seyeslockedontohers,hisgazepiercingthroughtheveilofherdoubts.“Yousee,LiNing,“hesaid,hisvoicelowandhusky,“thekeyisnotinthemeasurementitself,bu