He passed a cigarette to the scruffy man, who accepted it.
Zheng Fan stood up and lit the scruffy man's cigarette with a match. The man accepted.
The woman was cooking, while the two men sat there, puffing out clouds of smoke.
A little while later, the dumplings were ready.
"Siniang, do we have any wine?"
Siniang nodded. "Yes."
"Bring it over. Dumplings and wine, a classic pairing—the more you drink, the merrier!"
"Right away."
Siniang fetched the Baijiu, which A Ming had brewed as a byproduct when he was making perfume; it was quite potent.
Zheng Fan personally poured the wine, first for the scruffy man, then for himself. The scruffy man raised his cup and was about to take a sip when he noticed Zheng Fan had also lifted his. A hint of a smile touched the corner of his mouth as he clinked glasses with Zheng Fan.
When they clinked glasses, Zheng Fan held the rim of his cup below the other man's.
