Nineteen Black Umbrellas, None of Them His

When the rain began to fall, Steward Qi had just reached the doorway. He looked up at the sky.

There had only been a few drops moments ago, but in the blink of an eye, a curtain of rain hung beneath the eaves. He rolled up the map he had just unfolded. Halfway through, he unwillingly glanced west once more.

That side was dark and overcast. It probably would not clear up anytime soon.

"We can't go today," he said.

Xia Che was moving a plate of pastries away from the window. Without even looking up, he said, "Copperajah has already settled down for the moment."

"I even brought a measuring tape."

"It knows."

"I've even figured out how to take the second turn."

Xia Che finally glanced at him. "If you have nothing better to do, you can make the first turn rounder."

Steward Qi looked down. The line on the map did indeed turn a little too sharply. He laughed as well, put the measuring tape into his pocket, and sat down by the table.

Rainy days had their advantages.

At least Xia wouldn't be able to hide in the yard and sleep today. Whatever he wanted to ask, the man was right in front of him.

The thought had barely crossed his mind when Xia Che hugged a cushion and moved to the chair farthest inside.

Steward Qi's smile stalled.

A-Li had already pushed her cart to the street corner when the rain suddenly intensified. She hurriedly turned back and parked the cart beneath the eaves. Lillipup had barely entered when Yamper ran over from beside the chair and circled it once.

Hearing Steward Qi and Xia Che's exchange, A-Li laughed too. The two little ones by her feet were staring at a trail of water flowing