Outside was neither raining nor windy. Thick, heavy clouds pressed on thin, placid clouds. Somewhere, the sun was wandering. The wetness on the ground between two sloppy bamboo fences was a clear sign that the rain hadn’t stopped long ago. The water drops looked frail on the corn leaves sticking out from the fences. The fl owerless lotus pond with a better higher fence was a grip of loneliness, yearning for the climax of summer. Between one side of the pond and one side of the house was a short small track that led straight to the door of a brick shed with a tiled roof. Above the shed was cloudy grayness. Walking towards it, Mei sensed maybe soon it was going to rain again.