Giving a self-deprecating chuckle, he turned around, pushed through the glass doors of the lobby, and headed back out into the cool night air to complete his remaining deliveries.
Qiao Meixia carried the heavy paper bag back inside her apartment. Setting the parcel on the dining counter, she unboxed her late-night order, a simple, balanced meal consisting of fresh steamed rice, a savoury meat dish, and a warm bowl of vegetable soup.
She sat down and quietly ate her dinner. Within twenty minutes, she had finished every last bite. Without wasting a single second, she cleared the table, disposed of the empty food containers in the trash bin, and headed straight back to her workspace.
