The rain stopped.
Ye Jingtang carried a small package and walked back to Dye Workshop Street. It was already past dinner time.
It had been more than 20 days since he left the capital. The old and dilapidated street was completely unrecognizable. He could see sheds erected everywhere and half-rebuilt stores. The ground needed to be relaid with blue bricks. The old and broken bricks had been pried off, leaving potholes and puddles all over.
He jumped left and right on the street and arrived at Double Osmanthus Alley. Before he got close to the courtyard, he heard a voice coming from behind the wall.
"Wipe it well. You can only eat after you're done."
"Coo."
"What coo? You've grown round after eating all day long…"
"Chirp…"
It was the familiar elegant and gentle voice of the big sister and the aggrieved cries of the bird.