Before the month had even ended, the tail end of the spring rains started to fall, with the exception of a brief spell of clear weather on the second day of the second month when the Dragon raises its head. Other than that, it was either raining or brewing to rain.
The spring seemed to come exceptionally early this year and with considerable vigor.
After the spring rain and a gust of spring wind, the grass in the fields grew as if it had consumed the nutrients Keke spoke of, shooting up rapidly. The weeds on either side of the path, which barely showed before Manbao went to sleep, were a verdant green by the time she awoke.
Then, Manbao would set off for school with her small book box on her back and carrying an umbrella much too large for her.
The Zhou brothers weren't so fortunate; though the sky drizzled with fine rain, they also had to go out to the fields.
Donning straw raincoats, they shouldered their hoes and plows and went down to the land.