As moonlight began to rise, it was soft like down.
But the young men in camouflage, were feeling on fire all over.
Winter's end, the verge of spring, brought nightfall early, by seven-thirty, the sky had darkened.
Lights along the wide roads gradually came to life, food stalls started to light their stoves, some already beginning to grill meat.
Students working to make a living also began to emerge, setting up their stalls on the adjacent sidewalks.
The slogans chanted by the accompanying old soldiers, were quite socially awkward:
"Are the streets of Guiyang beautiful?"
"Beautiful!"
"Is the barbecue next door fragrant?"
"Fragrant!"
"If it's fragrant, have a good sniff! Want to come again later?"
"Want to!"
Fang Huai followed with half-closed eyes, shouting along. The pickup truck ahead with a pole harnessed rapidly moved forward, giving him no chance to rest.
