Then I'd conform, [he says, shrugging, happier talking about it in the hypothetical rather than dwelling on how he'd had to survive life with Zhang. He'd hated the man - still does - but if he'd been any more impudent and any less useful, he wouldn't be here right now.] For as long as it took for me to escape the situation. There are worse fates.

[Gene gives a bit of a start at her other words.] Now that I've found to be true, [he says wryly.] Cynical, but true. But it's worth it, I think. You end up weaker in some ways, stronger in others. [When you love, your heart is vulnerable, but you gain someone else to help you protect it. Those walls are stronger, in the end.]