```
He finished making adjustments at half past one.
"How many points?"
Bi Fang bit down on a straw needle, holding the spear and leaning against a tree, his eyes fixed intently on the scoring official. The straw needle in his mouth kept swaying as if it might shoot out any moment and stick into someone's neck.
March was the proper season for eating straw needles; by July, they were no longer edible due to their hardened and prickly nature, which could cause nosebleeds if consumed.
Ikeda ticked off something on the paper with trembling hands, large beads of sweat falling by his temples; he felt as though he was wearing a sharp blade around his neck, its edge threatening.
"Is it that hot?"
Ikeda forced a smile, "No, not at all."
Bi Fang looked up at the sun. Although it was the height of summer, they were in the shade of the trees. Surely it wasn't sweaty enough to warrant this reaction?
The youth of today are really becoming more fragile.
"So, how many points?"