Barbecue Night Snack Stall

The master flips skewers of meat over the charcoal fire. Mutton fat drips onto the coals, billowing white smoke; with a flick of his wrist, cumin seeds burst into a golden haze amid the steam.
In the freezer, skewers are neatly sorted by type: carnivorous ones like beef and chicken wings lie in the red-grid section, priced 5-12 yuan; vegetarian options such as corn and mushrooms occupy the green grid, their 3-6 yuan tags still beaded with moisture. The greasy price list shimmers with street-food aroma, making mouths water.
Clattering plastic stools and cries of "Boss, ten skewers!" sizzle the thickening night. We clink glasses with an old friend unseen for 23 years, toasting the years that shaped us.