Without exception, every year when May and June rolled around, Fire Knife Village was destined to endure nearly half a month of rainy season.
The sky seemed to have sprung a leak, drizzling incessantly all day long, from dawn till dusk, without a moment's respite. Just when it seemed as if the sky might clear up a bit, anyone daring enough to venture out would, within less than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, be guaranteed a thorough soaking.
Spring busywork had ended, yet the peasants of Fire Knife Village could not settle down just yet. They still worried that excessive rain might flood the grains in the fields or too heavy downpours might damage their rooftops. Though they were tired from the prior work in the fields, they felt secure; now that they were idle, their hearts felt unsettled.
Hua Xiaomai also felt her mood dampen because of the rain.
