Jiangbei Suburb, Hidden Cloud Cottage.
The afternoon wind carried a dry heat, swept over the walls, stirring the rustling of turning leaves.
The courtyard gate was half-open, and the ground paved with green bricks was meticulously clean, with several bamboo chairs scattered under the grape arbor.
In the corner, two metal barbecue grills accumulated a thin layer of dust, several iron skewers scattered in a tray, evidently unused for quite some time.
Li Dingjian stood at the door, holding a half-burned cigarette between his fingers.
That usual reckless face now seemed to be covered with frost.
He squinted slightly, his gaze passing through the expelled smoke, staring at the winding dirt road in the distance, seemingly waiting for something.
Under the hallway of the main house, Fatty Hu, Fei Ying, Xu Kuan, and others were either standing or sitting.
