There was never a shortage of pitiful wails from children by the soda stall.
But today, nearly every parent gave in. The kids stood in a neat row against the wall, clutching their sodas, squinting as they took small sips.
Siblings with different flavors would swap to have a taste of each other's drinks. Their burps went off like a string of firecrackers, making the summer evening feel especially festive and lively.
The goods on the shelves were visibly dwindling; for some items, Zhao Jinming even had to fetch more from the storeroom.
They were busy straight through until nine o'clock, when the crowd of customers outside finally started to thin.
The hospital director and the others had left long ago, but the parents of the three youngsters waited to the side, holding their dinner containers.
Chi Yun'er and the other two were too exhausted to speak. Every muscle ached. They just lowered their heads and shoveled food into their mouths.
