“I seem to be veritably surrounded by strong and intelligent women,” he said. “Nothing of the sort,” Maamei replied. “It’s simply that they’re the only ones who can get close to you.” The remark wasn’t self-deprecating. Jinshi and Basen traded a look, both of them clearly feeling outmatched. Jinshi found himself having to take back what he had thought a few minutes earlier: Maamei understood politics very well.”
