As I left the office, Secretary Xiao Li gave me a look that was peculiar and extremely strange. Even Xu Jing couldn't meet Xiao Li's eyes; she flusteredly instructed the secretary not to discuss any business that afternoon, and then the two of them hurried out.

As we walked downstairs, Xu Jing tugged at my arm. "This time is terrible. Xiao Li probably heard everything I said just now. We were in there for so long; it’s a wonder she wouldn't think the worst."

I laughed. "Next time I come, I'll just tell your secretary, 'Go grab a cup of tea and close the door properly—I need to spend some time in bed with your boss.'"

"You wouldn't dare!" Xu Jing feigned an attempt to pinch me. Pinching is a universal female tactic, no wonder they all keep long nails; otherwise, where would they get their weapons?

Before the two of us even reached the gate of the Iron Bull Tofu production area, we could hear the sounds of fierce argument wafting from inside.

"Meat Bun, are you even a man? If you make a wrong move, you should admit it. Calling back a move is for cowards."

"Big Potato, who doesn't ever take back a move? Damn it, you took back five moves in the last game! Can’t I take back just one move in this one?"

"In short, no. Otherwise, you pay back the money you won last round."

"The hell, Big Potato, you’re bullying me! You won eighty bucks from me this morning, and I only won ten from you last round. You want me to pay it back!"

"Or you treat me to dinner next time. There must be conditions, one way or another."

Xu Jing pulled my arm as we entered. "Who is arguing with Brother Zhu?"

I sighed. "Another mountain of flesh. I give up on those two; they’ve never been quiet when they meet."

"Mom, we’re back," Xu Jing called happily toward the house.

Mother Xu and Father Xu came out to greet us. The elderly couple froze in the courtyard, staring. I followed their gaze and saw that Xu Jing was still holding my arm, which startled them. I subtly shifted my arm to remind her.

Xu Jing blushed, let go of my arm, and ran into her room. I said to the elders, "Auntie, Uncle Xu, sorry to bother you all again."

"No trouble, no trouble at all. We truly hope you come every day. The chickens we’ve raised this year will certainly be enough for you all."

In one corner of the courtyard stood a tall poplar tree, under which was a chicken coop filled with quite a few roosters and hens; it looked like there were even more than the last time we visited—they must have added another batch.

Not far from the coop, in the cool shade, was a small square table where Zhu Da and Cai Bao’er were playing Chinese chess. Seeing me arrive, the two merely waved a hand before resuming their argument.

Han Fen emerged from the production workshop wearing a white work uniform. She smiled at me. "Little Zhao is here! I called Old Li earlier; he said he’s rushing back for lunch too, so he should be on his way now. It’s been a while since you two brothers got together; have a good drink at noon."

The matter between Comrade Li Tieniu and Ms. Han Fen was pretty much settled. The window paper had already been pierced by Father and Mother Xu; they were just waiting to set a date for the wedding. The little girl was already in school and eating lunch there today.

Just as we were talking, Comrade Li Tieniu drove back. The old man now had a cell phone and a car—it seemed he had entered modern times too.

As soon as Zhu Da saw Li Tieniu return, he swept the chessboard clean with a loud hiss. "No more playing, no more! Time to eat. Don’t you dare fight me for a chicken leg later, or I’ll have it out with you."

Cai Bao’er glared at me in frustration. "Commander Zhao, you have to keep Old Zhu in line. If this keeps up, he’s going to bully me to death sooner or later."

They cleared the chessboard and brought out a larger table. Dishes of food and drink were served like flowing water—there was baijiu and chilled beer. Cai Bao’er pointed at the cured beef, ham, roast duck, and pork knuckle. "I bought all of this. Don't let Big Potato say I only came here for a free meal."

Zhu Da scoffed, "You, Meat Bun! Where did you get the money to buy all this stuff? You borrowed money from me to buy things, trying to count it as your favor. You’re really clever with your arithmetic."

We were used to their noisy bickering. Li Tieniu opened a chilled beer and handed me a bottle. He preferred baijiu, but I couldn't stand the harsh taste; it gave me a headache. Father Xu also had a bit of baijiu, but his tolerance wasn't as high as Li Tieniu's.

"Hey, where are the chicken legs? Auntie, didn't you braise a chicken without legs today?" Zhu Da asked after finishing his rant, poking through the plate of whole chicken with his chopsticks.

Mother Xu, busy serving food, replied, "That's impossible. I prepared it myself; both legs are here."

Zhu Da fished around in the chicken soup a few more times with his chopsticks but found nothing except soft meat. Cai Bao’er was eating this delicacy for the first time and didn’t care about legs or wings; he scooped up a piece and ate heartily, gulping down beer. "Delicious! My dad’s Hualong Fast Food place can’t braise a hen like this."

Father Xu chimed in, "Today I added ginseng and goji berries. The flavor and nutrition should be higher, but don't drink too much of the soup; it heats you up in the summer."

Zhu Da and Cai Bao’er’s plump figures were naturally related to their love of eating. They didn't care about whether it was too heating or not, especially with the chilled beer cooling them down. The more fragrant the soup, the more enthusiastically they drank it.

Xu Jing sat next to me and quietly pushed a bowl in front of me. I looked down: two perfectly whole chicken thighs! So that's where they were; no wonder Zhu Da couldn't find them.

This secret naturally couldn't be kept from Zhu Da. He put down his beer and exclaimed, "Jingjing, you are so biased! Brother Zhao is my sworn brother, but am I not your Brother Zhu? I often bring you flowers, but has Commander Zhao ever given you any?"

Xu Jing replied, "Commander Zhao has given me flowers in his heart; I know that. Besides, Brother Zhu, you are so fat—let Brother Zhao build himself up a bit, okay?"

Mother Xu laughed. "Look at you two fighting. I braised two chickens today, and there wasn't enough room on the table. I’ll bring the rest in later."

Zhu Da laughed. "Auntie is the best! Commander Zhao, this time you absolutely can't use connections to get extra. I couldn't sleep for days after eating Auntie's braised old hen last time."

Father Xu took a sip of baijiu with Li Tieniu. "Then you two should come often from now on. This place is your second home."

Just as everyone was eating merrily and happily, a car horn suddenly blared from outside. Xu Jing said, "You all eat; I'll go see what that is."

A black Audi was parked near the entrance. Xu Jing walked closer and took a look. The car window rolled down, and a large, fat face leaned out that made Xu Jing instantly feel nauseous.

"Jingjing, I finally found you! Why did you throw the money away and not contact me for half a year? Do you know how much I missed you?"

Xu Jing replied coolly, "Director Xiao, thank you very much for your help before, really. That ten thousand yuan you provided in a pinch that day was vital. I sincerely apologize; I was a bit impulsive then, doing something foolish to treat my mother’s illness. I have already returned the money, and with triple the amount. Can we consider ourselves square from now on? I’ll say it again: I am grateful to you because no one else helped me at that moment. If you ever have difficulties in the future, feel free to ask me; I promise I will help you wholeheartedly."

"Heh, Jingjing, you sound quite assertive now. Have you latched onto a sugar daddy again? I’ve been promoted—transferred to the head office to manage credit card consumption. It took a huge effort to track down where you’re living. Why not invite me in for a chat? Don't forget our agreement!"