With his wife gone for the competition, Qi Taiguo could only settle dinner in the canteen. Summer had long set in, and after dining, returning alone would just mean facing four walls, so he might as well wander around the base.
Walking circles around the playground, Qi Taiguo saw Chen Shouwang sitting on the steps smoking, with an iron lunchbox beside him.
Qi Taiguo paused, thought for a moment, and walked over.
Chen Shouwang saw him coming, stood up, nodded, then sat down again, looking troubled.
Qi Taiguo saw that the lunchbox had only half the rice eaten, and some meat and vegetables still left.
"How come you're eating out here in this heat?" Qi Taiguo sat beside him, took out a cigarette, and handed it to him.
Chen Shouwang took it and tucked it behind his ear, saying, "It's even hotter indoors, too stuffy, at least there's a breeze here."
"Got something on your mind?" Qi Taiguo asked after taking a few puffs.
