The cold lake is far more bearable when you are not merely treading water, and in the shallower parts, the sunlight can sink deep enough to bring it to a comfortable temperature. Wei Wuxian has moved to a spot where his feet can touch bottom if he stands on his tiptoes, ducking beneath the water's surface to see what he might find in the silt and sand of the lake bed.

He pops up in a shower of droplets, shoving his hair from his eyes. The instant he spots Lan Zhan, he beams.

"Lan Zhan!" he calls as he waves an arm overhead.