The sun still hadn't set in Hotan, but the open-air night market was already bustling, and the aroma of grilled meat filled the air.
Xiaobei drooled over the huge skewers on red willow branches sizzling over the charcoal. Even Xiao Nan couldn't help swallowing.
"Want a few skewers?" Li Yichen asked with a chuckle.
"Yeah..." Xiaobei nodded like a chick pecking at grain.
"Ten skewers for us, please," Li Yichen told the vendor with a smile.
The skewers were ready in no time, crisp on the outside and tender within. One bite filled their mouths with rich juices. The fresh scent of red willow mingled with the aroma of meat, without even a trace of mutton's gamy smell.
The four of them ate as they wandered, sampling food wherever they went.
Just then, a police SUV rolled slowly up and stopped at a corner of the night market. Its doors opened, and two uniformed officers hopped out.
"What do you think Captain Liu was thinking? He had a perfectly good job as captain, and he just up and quit." The younger officer offered the other a cigarette as he spoke, then continued, "I admit those two young people were really powerful, but however strong they are, surely Captain Liu didn't need to be that scared? What authority could they possibly have over us?"
The other officer took the cigarette, glanced at him, and said with an air of mystery, "That's what you don't know. Those two young people have some seriously powerful backing. Never mind Captain Liu—even our bureau chief would have to tread carefully around them."
"Seriously?" The younger officer's eyes lit up, and he hurriedly pressed him. "Wang, you're a veteran officer. You must know more than I do. Tell me, who exactly are they? Broaden my horizons