Mal glances from Simon to Kaylee and back, and decides he's not quite ready to leave. He steps forward carefully, tilting his head a little to try to catch her eye. "Kaylee. I'm... sorry. It'll be okay, xiao mei mei."

Simon shifts a little unhappily, glaring at Mal and rather wishing he'd leave. But when the initial order didn't work so well with Mal, he doesn't hold out hope for a second doing the job.