It was true. In the days when Chen had first become a member of the Writers’ Association, being the only writer capable of speaking English at the time, he was frequently chosen by Qiang as a representative to meet with Western writers, which meant good opportunities for Chen to practice English with them and to enjoy the government-sponsored lavish banquets in honor of them too. He was grateful to Qiang for these arrangements, and Qiang also came to trust Chen. At one point, Qiang had suggested that Chen should succeed him at the office after his retirement, representing Chen as a perfect candidate. With Chen’s rise in the police bureau, however, the idea was dropped.

With those memories flashing back, Chen pulled out the white plastic gift bag from the train.

‘Here’s something I bought on the train. Some Wuxi specials. Nothing but a token of my gratitude to your help for all these years.’

‘Thank you, Chief Inspector Chen. So you’ve been to Wuxi again,’ Qiang said. ‘It’s so kind of you to think of a retiring old man like me.’

It was a decision made on the spur of the moment. But those Wuxi products were what he had intended for his mother. Later, he had to buy something else for her.

‘I’ve just been too busy, you know. You told me you’re going to live with your son in Hangzhou. Like in a proverb: high up there, there’s the heaven, and down here, there’re Suzhou and Hangzhou. That’s surely wonderful, but—’

‘But we won’t be able to see each other like before—’

‘Director Qiang,’ a woman in her early thirties burst into the office with a folder in her hand. ‘Sorry, I did not know you had a guest. Here is a printout for the office schedule for the week.’

‘Chief Inspector Chen of the Shanghai Police Bureau is no guest here, Meiling.’

‘Yes, Chief Inspector Chen, I’ve just recognized you,’ the office assistant named Meiling said, smiling before turning to Qiang. ‘Take your time reading it.’

As Meiling stepped out of the office, Qiang too stood up and said, ‘You have brought me these specials all the way from Wuxi, so I have to accept them. But let me buy you a cup of tea downstairs, that’s the least I can do.’

The association had recently had one section of its red brick wall pulled down, in which place an elegant-looking café was built. The café enjoyed good business because of its locale, brought in some extra income for the association, and also made it convenient for the editors to receive their visitors there.

But it was not a day for Chen to talk long with Qiang for old times’ sake. The inspector looked hesitant.

‘Just for a cup of tea, Chief Inspector Chen. It won’t take you much time.’

With Qiang leading the way, the two of them headed into the café.

The young waiter at the door knew both of them, took them to a corner table looking out to the street, and placed a pot of tea between them.