The heavy rain soon poured down.
The three stood by the window, looking at the world, which had become hazy due to the rain.
"Before this day, people thought it was just an ordinary rain," Chen Zhenzhen said in a deep voice, "But no one expected that this rain would never stop."
"Until it rained for a full ten years, flooding Mount Everest and wiping out 99.99 percent of life on Earth..."
"This setup is outdated," Zhang Zhaomu interrupted her speechlessly. "Besides, even if it rained for ten years, it wouldn't flood Mount Everest."
"Why not?" Chen Zhenzhen immediately retorted.
Zhang Zhaomu said, "First of all, a yellow alert indicates rainfall exceeding 50 millimeters within six hours, which means a maximum of only two centimeters per day."
"That's 730 centimeters a year, so even if it continues for ten years, it'll only be a little over 70 meters."
"It can't even flood the mountains around our county, let alone submerge Mount Everest."
Chen Zhenzhen retorted, "Your calculation method is too simplistic. Climate is a very complex system, and besides, I didn't set the rain to prevent it from getting heavier."
Zhang Zhaomu curled his lip. "Let me tell you another little-known fact. There's a famous Carnian Pluvial Event in geological history that occurred during the Late Triassic period, about 100 to 100 million years ago. That flood lasted for almost two million years, but the Earth wasn't completely submerged because of it. Instead, it unexpectedly paved the way for the rise and dominance of the dinosaurs."
Chen Zhenzhen: "... Zhang Zaowan, you've changed. You've become boring."
"You weren't like this before. You should have been discussing settings with me, brainstorming ideas, instead of giving me a serious lecture!"
Zhang Zhaomu shook his head. "There's nothing I can do. I guess this is what it means for a man to grow up. I can't go back."
He sighed deeply, adopting the air of a poet. "I wish to buy osmanthus blossoms and share wine with you—"
"Stop acting crazy here."
Chen Zhenzhen interrupted him directly, then pulled Xiang Qing back to sit on the sofa.
"Since it's started raining, I'll call my mom first." She picked up Zhang Zhaomu's phone and skillfully dialed the number.
Perhaps because Xiang Qing had visited her home before, the call went very smoothly.
Then it was time to call Xiang Qing's family.
Xiang Qing appeared very nervous. She took out her phone, opened WeChat, and then glanced at Chen Zhenzhen.
Don't worry, there won't be any problems this time!
"Yes!" Xiang Qing nodded vigorously.
Then the two of them looked at Zhang Zhaomu.
"It's my house, why do I always have to crawl into the toilet?" Zhang Zhaomu said with a wry smile.
"My mom is quite suspicious," Xiang Qing said apologetically. "I'm worried she might want to visit or something."
"If I find out there's a boy... I'm dead!"
"Alright."
Zhang Zhaomu shrugged, went into the bathroom, but didn't close the door, peeking out to eavesdrop.
The video call connected quickly, and a slightly hoarse female voice came from the other end. " Qingqing? It's raining heavily, did you get wet?"
"No, I'm at Chen Zhenzhen's house."
Chen Zhenzhen made a brief appearance in the video. "Hello, Auntie."
" Zhenzhen, could you please tutor my Xiang Qing?" Xiang Qing's mother said in a very friendly tone, "Come to my house for dinner sometime, I'll cook you something delicious."
"Okay, Auntie." Chen Zhenzhen, with an honest and obedient demeanor, brought up the topic. "Auntie, I saw the weather forecast, and this heavy rain is going to last until late at night. I'm a little worried about Zhenzhen safety of Zhenzhen taking a ride home alone."
"Don't worry, I'm just about to head out," Xiang Qing's mother replied. "I'll take a taxi to the county town to pick up Qingqing. Zhenzhen, what's your address?"
Chen Zhenzhen was stunned for a moment.
Is this really going to be so unpredictable?
"Auntie, you're so good to Xiang Qing, coming all the way to pick her up in this heavy rain." She first delayed the topic, then Xiang Qing's waist frantically off-camera.
Xiang Qing chimed in at the opportune moment. "Mom, there's no need to take a taxi to pick me up. The round-trip fare is so expensive, and with this heavy rain, they might not even accept my fare. Or..."
She pursed her lips, initially wanting to suggest staying the night, but ultimately lacking the courage to say it, instead saying, "How about I take a ride home myself later?"
Chen Zhenzhen panicked immediately. "I'm still racking my brains, how come this person has already surrendered?"
She quickly interjected, " Xiang Qing, you shouldn't take a ride back. In this weather, it would be very dangerous if there were a landslide or something."
"Stay at my place tonight."
"That won't do!" Xiang Qing's mother reflexively refused, "It's too much of a bother for you. I'll take a taxi to pick her up."
"Auntie," Chen Zhenzhen tried to find an excuse, "It won't bother you. I live alone anyway."
She nudged Xiang Qing again. "Besides, it's dangerous for Auntie to take a taxi alone. Xiang Qing will worry."
"That's right!" Xiang Qing finally realized and quickly said, "Mom, today is a yellow rainstorm warning. What if something happens to you on the way?"
"You silly child, what could possibly happen to me?" Xiang Qing's mother chuckled, but her tone softened slightly. "However, staying at someone else's house is ultimately not a good idea..."
"No, no!" Chen Zhenzhen hugged Xiang Qing's arm and said:
"Besides, I was scared to be alone outside with all the thunder and lightning. I'm grateful to Xiang Qing for being with me."
"Well..." Xiang Qing's mother hesitated for a moment, "Then I'll trouble you, Zhenzhen."
" Qingqing, be polite in other people's homes. Don't go out in this heavy rain. If anything happens, call me anytime."
Xiang Qing's eyes lit up with ecstatic joy, but she quickly tried to hide it, replying, "Don't worry, Mom, we'll both stay home and study today."
"Um."
After chatting for a couple more minutes, the video call ended, Xiang Qing jumped up immediately. "Yay!"
"You actually convinced my mom! Zhenzhen, you're amazing!"
"Auntie is a bit hard to convince. Even in this weather, she still thought of coming all the way to pick you up," Chen Zhenzhen said. "Besides, I feel like she's not completely at ease; she'll probably video call to check up on me later."
"Definitely." Xiang Qing nodded. "Given my mom's personality, the fact that she's willing to back down like this is already because Zhenzhen is a good student."
"What if it were Zhang Zaowan instead?" Chen Zhenzhen asked with a mischievous grin.
"I can't imagine it." Xiang Qing shrank back slightly. "Maybe you'll never see me again."
"You're really afraid of Auntie," Chen Zhenzhen sighed. "I thought she was quite kind, so how come you were so scared that you gave up halfway through? I almost forgot the excuse I had prepared."
Xiang Qing said softly, "I'm sorry."
"As long as it doesn't violate any principles, my mom is usually quite gentle."
"What's the matter of principle?" Zhang Zhaomu asked curiously as he emerged from the toilet.
"For example, studying." Xiang Qing raised her finger. "Or you."