After some time, Han Yu comes out of the tiny kitchen carrying a tray with three steaming bowls of rice.
The children immediately rise to attention. The youngest boy finally drops the chicken bone he has been gnawing on the entire time.
"I could only make rice with some dried mushrooms as garnish, everything else was spoiled."
He deposits each bowl in front of the children and hands all of them a pair of chopsticks, although neither of them is able to observe proper table etiquette.
Han Yu's expression grows more somber as he watches them eat ravenously.
Xi Zirui tells him what A-Jiu said.
"That doctor again, the waiter at that roadside inn mentioned them too."
Xi Zirui nods, drumming his fingers against the scarred tabletop. "Maybe we should pay the good doctor a visit."
A-Jiu's little head snaps up from her bowl the moment the words leave Xi Zirui's lips. "Please, gege, don't go. You'll disappear just like mama and papa."
