The July heat in Beijing was already scorching enough.
Even now, close to midnight, the temperature showed no sign of dropping.
The BBQ stand was bustling with noise. The owner, shirtless, was busy grilling with loud grunts, and the waitstaff were scurrying around serving beer and food, seemingly desperate to split themselves into eight parts to handle it all.
Su Tiankuo sat at a small table in a short-sleeved shirt and baggy shorts, downing a bottle of chilled beer, his expression increasingly dejected and despondent.
"I've decided to go back home tomorrow."
Perhaps emboldened by the alcohol, or maybe it was the beer talking, his eyes reddened and he began to curse, his voice abruptly loud, drawing unintended attention from those dining at the neighboring tables.
Zhu Yuwen was at a loss for words and could only open another bottle of beer for him, trying to offer some feeble consolation:
"Bro, just take it easy..."
"I can't take it easy!"
