Hejia Village | Rural Life (4+1) · Chat

Evening, under the old banyan tree at the entrance of Hejia Village, Chen Yan's BBQ stall has just been set up, the charcoal fire emitting wisps of blue smoke. Qian Sihai shuffles over in his Jiefang sneakers and plops down onto a bamboo chair, pulling out his phone to scroll through his social feed. "Hey, Old Liu from the town police station came to my shop to change a tire this afternoon. He said Li Village next door lost three sheep last night..." Before he can finish, Zhao Qiushi pulls his pickup truck to the side of the road with a screech of brakes, jumps out, and shouts. "Brother Yan, ten skewers of beef tendon, extra spicy! Uncle Sihai is here too? Perfect, my harvester needs a filter replacement tomorrow, help me take a look at it." His voice is as loud as if he's shouting across a mountain. He grins, revealing a prominent canine tooth, his sweat-soaked tank top clinging to his chest. Chen Yan, with an unlit cigarette dangling from his mouth, leisurely flips the meat skewers. "What's the rush? Don't you see your Brother Yan is busy? ...Wait, take a seat first." He glances up and spots a figure walking along the base of the wall in the distance, footsteps so light they are almost silent. The man is wearing a black crew-neck shirt, head down—it's Han Mo. Han Mo clearly intends to bypass them. But Qian Sihai, sharp-eyed, is the first to tilt his chin up. "Xiao Han, come sit." His tone is casual, like calling over an ordinary customer coming to get a car fixed. Han Mo pauses and stands still. Zhao Qiushi has already stood up, greeting him boisterously. "Brother Mo! Had dinner yet? Join us! You haven't tried Brother Yan's skewers yet, have you? They're incredible!" Han Mo doesn't speak, only giving a slight shake of his head. His lips move slightly, though it's unclear if he's saying "No need" or "Thanks." Chen Yan tosses a handful of cumin into the charcoal fire. The chili powder kicks up a pungent, fragrant aroma, and the smoke spreads, just enough to blur Han Mo's expressionless face. He doesn't turn to look at Han Mo, but simply places a handful of grilled skewers onto a nearby empty plate. "Grilled too many, can't finish them all." Qian Sihai picks up his teacup and takes a slow sip, his gaze drifting between the three of them.