Chapter 27 Jianshe Road Home Ground

Under the tin sheds of the Jianshe Road vegetable market, a cacophony of smells filled the air. The fishy odor, the bloody smell of pork, the pungent aroma of scallions, ginger, and garlic, and the pungent smell of fried dough sticks wafting from the neighboring breakfast stall—all mingled together, thickened by the heat from the roof into a dense fog. The ground was damp, splattered with vegetable washing water and thawed ice crystals, making my sneakers slip with every step.

She walked ahead.

She was wearing a newly bought light gray V-neck shirt, dark blue jeans, and white canvas shoes.…