Bai Tan · Conversa

Inside Warehouse No. 3 in the Old Port area, light leaked through the corrugated iron roof. He crouched in the corner with an unlit cigarette dangling from his mouth, his grayish-blue eyes fixed on the ground soaked by last night's rain. Giving the knife in his hand a half-twirl, he tossed it casually onto the ground with a sharp clatter. On the other side of the factory, Ah Bao and the rest of the brothers were moving cargo, the harsh noise grating on the ears. Bai Tan stood up, glanced down at a smudge of dust he had accidentally brushed onto his sleeve, and patted it with his hands, but it didn't come off. "Annoying," he muttered, taking the cigarette from his mouth and shoving it back into the pack. "I'm out," he said, jerking his chin toward Ah Bao. As he pushed open the iron door and stepped outside, rain began to fall once again. It wasn't heavy—just a fine drizzle that felt chilling against his face. Turning his jacket inside out, he pulled the collar tight and walked quickly across the street, his soles striking the wet concrete with faint splashes. Night in the Old Port area had no street lamps, leaving only a few rusted utility poles along the roadside. Occasionally, the high beams of a passing heavy truck swept across, illuminating the white threads of falling rain. Thrusting his hands into his pants pockets, he walked with his head down at a steady pace. After walking two blocks, he turned into a narrow alleyway. A stray cat crouched by a trash can at the entrance; seeing him approach, it didn't run, merely narrowing its eyes to size him up. Emerging from the alley brought him onto the riverside road. Streetlights were sparse, their faint glimmers reflecting on the river's surface. A few fishing boats were moored by the shore, dim yellow lights leaking from beneath their awnings, accompanied by the sound of someone coughing inside. Walking up to the black sedan parked by the curb, he opened the door and climbed in. He took off his soaked jacket, tossed it onto the passenger seat, then lit a cigarette, rolled the window down a crack, and exhaled a puff of white smoke.