Winter gave way to spring, spring turned to summer, and half a year passed in a flash. By July, the weather was blazing.
Nanjing in the height of summer was anything but cool. Those prone to sweating would be drenched after just a few minutes outside, while those who could not stand the sun had visibly darkened several shades. Everyone was sluggish and drowsy, and even the crowds on the streets had thinned considerably.
"I really admire you. How can you still go out taking pictures in weather this hot?"
Erqiang wore nothing but baggy shorts, bare-chested as he ate watermelon in the shade.
Wang Yan was dressed much the same. "I didn't go out, did I?"
Sanli chimed in from the side, "That's impressive enough. Your little darkroom is stuffy as hell, yet you can stay in there for so long. I'm really afraid you'll collapse in there."
"Not anymore. The chemicals are temperature-sensitive, so they won't develop properly when it's too hot. I have to do it at night."
Wang Yan took big bites of watermelon. He had chilled it at a nearby market, and taking a bite in this scorching weather felt absolutely fantastic.
Simei sat nearby, her face covered in watermelon pulp as she gnawed away. "Brother Yan is still the best. We don't even have a refrigerator at home, but we still get to eat chilled watermelon."
"The uncles and aunties at the market are looking after me. Watch yourself—you've already eaten nearly half of one. Don't blame me if you get a stomachache."
Whenever Wang Yan had nothing to do, he took his camera and wandered around. Naturally, he was not wandering around for nothing. He had become familiar with all the areas around his home, and he knew quite a few people by