The bright sunshine only lasted for a brief time; by noon, clouds had once again gathered in the sky.
It's early February now, and it's not normal to have clouds accumulating day after day.
He Ao withdrew his gaze from the sky and looked towards the towering high wall beside him.
Instead of returning to Hope Building, he had been wandering around the city, and at the moment, he was in front of the southern gate.
A guard on duty spotted him but only glanced over before redirecting his attention elsewhere.
This was a quiet time, with fewer people coming in and out; the guard looked around, pulled a cigarette from his pants pocket, placed it between his lips, and then lit it with an electronic lighter.
Wisps of smoke began to spread around him.
The passing merchants paid him no attention, as if they were used to it.