By the time he finished talking with the supplier, it was completely dark. It was past six.
Wang Xiaoliang stood by the road. The traffic before him had practically frozen, the red taillights forming an endless stretch of long and short lines.
At this hour, the roads across the city were nothing but parking lots divided into sections. Taking a cab would only mean asking for frustration. He was better off taking the subway.
The evening rush had yet to subside. The carriage was packed, with barely anywhere to put a foot. Swept along by the crowd, Wang Xiaoliang finally managed to claim a spot by the doors where he could lean against something.
After an hour of jolting along and changing trains, Wang Xiaoliang finally emerged from underground. Breathing the air aboveground, mixed with exhaust fumes as it was, he felt considerably lighter all over.
Wei Zijin's apartment was nearby, only a few minutes' walk away.
As he walked, he took out his phone and called Wei Zijin.
"Hello, the person you have called is not answering at the moment. Please try again later..."
Listening to the cold, mechanical female voice, Wang Xiaoliang thought little of it.
She probably tossed her phone into her bag again and didn't hear it.
Putting away his phone, he turned into a nearby snack street with familiar ease.
In the darkness, the braised-meat shop's illuminated sign stood out.
"Half a jin of duck necks, half a jin of chicken wing tips, and two pig's trotters, please."
"Coming right up!"
Wang Xiaoliang pointed at the glass display case. "And one of those mixed cold platters."
After a moment's thought, he headed next door to the fried rice noodle shop and specifically ordered a portion with two eggs and ham sausage added. Finally, at a