"Honestly, after all these years, that habit of touching his nose whenever he lied hadn't changed one bit." Zhang's Mother watched Zhang's Father's car drive away along the road in front of the house.
"Want me to follow him and see where he goes?" Zhang Heng asked. "I'm very good at tailing people. He won't notice me."
"That won't be necessary. Men always have a few little secrets." Zhang's Mother poured a glass of water from the faucet and handed it to Zhang Heng. "As long as it doesn't involve another woman, I'll let him be."
"You have that much faith in him?" Zhang Heng took the glass.
"No, I just trust my own judgment in choosing people." Zhang's Mother winked. "Never mind that he's gone. Let's eat first. Come help me carry the dishes. You look quite a bit darker. You must have gotten plenty of sun on the way here. Your father said you came by ship. So, did you see any whales along the way?"
While Zhang Heng and Zhang's Mother ate and chatted, Zhang's Father pulled over at the roadside as well.
The usual gentleness and calm had vanished from his face. His gaze turned cold as he stared at the billiards hall across the street, lost in thought.
About half a minute later, he switched off the engine, got out, and walked around to the trunk. Opening it, he pulled aside the moisture-proof mat at the bottom, revealing a locked toolbox. He unlocked the small case with a key and took out a SIG Sauer P365. It was a micro-compact pistol, only 147 millimeters long and extremely convenient to carry. Unlike other handguns, its magazine could hold ten rounds, and could be upgraded to hold twelve if necessary.
Zhang's Father took out the SIG