"It was not a screening," Yang Ruoqian said.
He had said the sentence four times before the meeting began, twice during the meeting, and once more after Lu Shuyuan opened his notebook.
"It was a maintenance light test."
Director Chen nodded. "The clip lasted under one minute."
"No seats."
"Some seats remain in the hall, but no one used them."
"No tickets."
"No tickets."
"No announcement."
"No announcement."
"No audience."
Director Chen hesitated.
Yang's eyes narrowed.
"The movers and vendor watched for a moment."
"Workers are not audience."
"Correct."
"Write that."
Chang Zhiqing looked at him. "Do you want an official definition?"
"No."
"Then where should we write it?"
Yang stopped.
Definitions became policies. Policies became training. Training became brand texture. He had been injured by enough texture.
"Do not write it," he said. "Remember it privately."
Everyone wrote nothing, which somehow made the silence feel more official.
