With nang in one hand and a meaty bone in the other, Li Long found himself a wooden stump and sat down, tearing into his food.
What an appetite I have these days, he marveled inwardly. Forty years from now, a little food would leave me bloated and unable to eat another bite.
I'd better look after my teeth. The old man lived past eighty with a full set, while I barely had any left by sixty.
No comparison. None at all.
As his thoughts wandered, Sana came over, leading her grandson Talihaal by the hand.
Both held nang. Talihaal dragged over a log and sat beside Li Long. Li Long hurriedly greeted Sana. He remembered this elderly woman: she had been the first to claim the cabinet and chest earlier.
Li Long guessed she had come to discuss furniture again.
Sure enough, Sana spoke at length. When she finished, Talihaal translated:
"Li Long, my grandmother asks whether it's true that you'll bring more furniture later. Also, can we tell you what furniture we want? And how much will it cost?
"My grandmother wants to prepare beforehand. We can trade things from home directly. We still have some things we picked up in the mountains-some deer antlers, jade, and that... naturally occurring gold..."
Li Long was taken aback, then hurriedly waved his hand.
"No, no, there's no need for that much."
He steadied himself before answering the questions one by one.
"I've already brought all the Kazakh-style furniture from the Woodworking Factory I visited. But if you need more, I can place an order with them. I think they'll keep making it.
"That's why I wanted you to tell me what you need. I can write up a list and discuss it with them.
"As for the price, it really