Neither Yang Bo nor Li Long drank too much that evening. Once they had talked enough, finished a bottle of liquor and a plate of fish, they called it a night before eleven.
As Li Long saw Yang Bo out, he asked whether he was all right and needed a ride home.
Yang Bo waved a hand. "I've weathered plenty of drinking sessions. This little bit is nothing. I really enjoyed our talk today. When winter comes and we have nothing to do, let's find a chance to continue. Next time, come to my place. My treat. We won't stop until we're drunk."
Li Long stood at the gate and watched Yang Bo walk without staggering or swaying, keeping to a straight line. Once he was sure Yang Bo really had not drunk too much, he relaxed.
After Yang Bo disappeared from view, Li Long returned to the courtyard and locked the gate. He was about to tidy the kitchen when he discovered that his wife, Gu Xiaoxia, had already put away their leftovers and was washing up. He went over to help.
Gu Xiaoxia told him to go inside and drink some honey water.
"Why aren't you asleep yet?" Li Long asked.
"You two were still awake, and I didn't have anything else to do, so I waited. I thought if you drank too much and needed looking after, I'd be right here."
Li Long smiled and waited for Gu Xiaoxia to finish tidying the kitchen before they went inside together. He saw a cup of honey water on the coffee table, picked it up, and took a sip. It was warm. He drained it, set down the cup, and said with a smile, "Delicious. So sweet."
After drinking the honey water, he went into the inner room to