Night.
Thick black clouds churned across the sky, blocking out the stars and moon. Occasionally, lightning slashed through the darkness.
The scenery around the River Dam looked especially hazy beneath the dim yellow streetlights. The distant trees, farmland, and river seemed to melt into the darkness.
An Electric Bike passed through the scene. Xue Yuantong, sitting on the back, raised her hand and felt the wind slipping through her fingers. She called to Chuchu, who was riding:
"The wind's picking up!"
The girl's crisp voice rang through the night.
Xue Chuchu twisted the throttle all the way open. Strands of hair fluttered beneath her safety helmet. "It's probably going to rain."
Xue Yuantong giggled. "No, it won't. Jiang Ning said it wouldn't."
Just keep believing him! Xue Chuchu was speechless.
Tongtong used to have strong opinions. Whenever they went out together, Tongtong was usually the one who made the final call and decided where to go, while she handled the details.
Yet as she grew older, Tongtong seemed to be getting more foolish. The once independent girl now only listened to Jiang Ning.
Whatever Jiang Ning said went.
That included going out for Spicy Hot Pot tonight. The sky had been overcast since morning. Though Xue Chuchu was craving Spicy Hot Pot, she worried it might rain at any time, so she initially refused.
But Tongtong repeatedly assured her that it definitely would not rain that night and told her to come eat without worry.
Xue Chuchu thought she was bragging. Weather forecasts were not absolutely accurate—Moji Weather on her phone was often wrong.
So why was Tongtong so certain that it would not rain?
Because Jiang Ning had told her so.
Xue Chuchu found it strange beyond belief. Tongtong actually claimed that anything Jiang Ning said had to be