He Ping busied himself with the skewers, all the while stealing glances at the customers behind him. He dreaded the thought of someone getting drunk and going crazy again.
Over several evenings, he had come to understand the origins of these out-of-towners. They all seemed to be defendants. He figured their gloominess stemmed from the uncertainty and unpredictability of what lay ahead.
"Your skewers are ready."
Having finished grilling a batch, he personally brought the plate to the table of two customers. Just as he was about to turn away, one of the customers suddenly called out, "Hey, boss, let me ask you something. Do you barbecue here often?!"
He Ping was taken aback for a moment. He grinned and said, "Of course. I've been barbecuing here for several years, and my customers mostly come back time and again."
