Xiao Man was returning to Wancheng by helicopter. Meanwhile, in a city in H Province, inside a slightly run-down apartment, the living room was so dim the lights had to be kept on even during the day. A round table and a square table were pushed together, laden with an array of bowls and plates. There was every kind of chicken, duck, fish, and meat, along with dried seafood. Two bottles of aged liquor had been opened. Over a dozen adults and children were crowded around the table, but they had all managed to find a seat.
The rich aroma of food and liquor filled the air. Faced with such a sumptuous feast, the adults managed to restrain themselves, but the children couldn't keep their chopsticks from darting out. The sounds of men making toasts and encouraging everyone to eat mingled with women smacking and scolding their children, creating a constant, overlapping din.
