They really got started, then. Kuang Xia was suddenly drinking with abandon, as though she were downing water, their glasses clinking with solemn determination. Drink, drink, she said. Two bottles later all she could say was drink, as she slowly slumped onto the table.

"You all right?" Dunhuang asked.

"Fine, drink. Drink." Kuang Xia spoke as if she had a fishball in her mouth. Suddenly she began to weep. "I want to go home, take me home."