The rice porridge in the porcelain bowl was steaming, and the white steam hit Lu Jinyan's chin. He handed the spoon to the person at the front of the line. The man was wearing tattered linen clothes, with black edges at the cuffs, and his hair covered most of his forehead.
The man stretched out his right hand, his fingers hanging over the edge of the bowl. Lu Jinyan noticed a bulge in the man's sleeve. That's a packet of medicinal powder.
Lu Jinyan did not take back the spoon, but pushed the bowl forward another two inches. The man stiffened for a moment, then continued to stretch out his hand. Lu Jinyan suddenly stretched out his left hand and grabbed the man's wrist tightly.
The man tried to break free. Lu Jinyan's fingers exerted force, and the knuckles rubbed together loudly. He lowered his body and leaned close to the man's ear.
The collar is crooked.
Lu Jinyan wiped his fingers along the man's collar. There was a layer of fine white powder on his fingertips, which he had just popped out of the man's cuffs. He applied the powder to the skin of the man's neck.
