When a yawning Jake emerged from the cabin, Li Yang was busy attempting to clear enough ground for the vegetable patch. It was chilly enough for his breath to steam as he worked. But he was hot enough to feel sweat trickle down the back of his neck, even though he was wearing just jeans and a T-shirt.
Jake stopped in front of the doorway, rubbed an eye with his fist, and stared at Li Yang. After a moment, he said:
"Man, you're like a fucking steam engine. Puff puff puff."
"You want to eat?" asked Li Yang, without taking his eyes off his spade. He drove it into the ground and pushed it further in with his foot.
"Sure," said Jake. "Yeah, I'm feeling a little—"
"Then grab that pick and help me," Li Yang interrupted.
"Pick? You mean the spade?"
"No. You need to loosen the soil with a pick before a spade can bite. It's packed tight and there's this whole immense network of roots. Come on! Help me."
