At 8:50 the next morning, the morning light was just right.
Political Commissioner Li and Mr. Qin came by private car and arrived on time at the hotel where Jiang An and Director Hou were staying.
The hotel lobby was spacious and bright, with morning light streaming in through the floor-to-ceiling windows, illuminating the fine dust motes in the air.
Political Commissioner Li lowered his head, took his phone out of his pocket, glanced at the time on the screen, then deftly found Director Hou's number and dialed.
The call was answered almost the moment it rang.
"Hey, Political Commissioner Li, this early?"
Director Hou's voice came through the receiver, with a trace of sleepiness that hadn't fully dispersed.
"Morning! Mr. Qin and I are already in your hotel lobby, we'd like to invite you to have breakfast together."
Political Commissioner Li's tone was warm, his voice carrying a hint of laughter.
