No sooner had I warmed the seat than the strange woman said goodbye. Pushing fi fty, she was short but sturdy. Her pumpkin-like face was unremarkable. But her farewell was a sudden conspicuous bird shit dropping on my arm. Guo instantly rose from the table. Embarrassment was written across his face. He kept apologizing and insisted seeing her to the gate. His raging eyes indicated that it was my fault. When he shortly returned, he stood right in front of me, looking frustrated while spacing the words for emphasis.