A touch of sweet lightness blew between my legs. All tiredness and tension had naturally gone like the release of lovemaking. The contrast between parting from Mei and meeting this stranger was a surprise. Some trivial chat on the way to the most popular restaurant nearby was relaxing. By foot, we came to a wide carved door with two big bright lanterns. Viny lights decorated a great glass window. Two or three elegant characters meaning lamb with the same calligraphic print were encircled by the luminous vines. Above the characters was a bold name printed yet more elegantly. It said Beijing Lamb Spine Hotpot. By the door was the reception desk. A friendly waitress in an orange suit led us to our seats after confi rming with Guo that there was a reserved round table in the middle row of the center isle. Beside our table, two impressive northern women in their twenties or thirties were face to face drinking Chinese rice wine from bottles and laughing wild. It was rather noisy. But the general atmosphere was cheery with joyful curls of steam whirling. The table was small but big enough to seat fi ve people. Around it, we formed a perfect circle.