Ancient Town in the Rain: Savoring the Rain with You

Spring rain is lingering, autumn rain is forlorn, summer rain is exuberant, winter rain is piercing.

Rain in the mountains is serene, rain on the open plains is free-spirited, rain on travelers is urgent, but rain on the ancient town is full of allure.

The nature of rain depends on the season, the place, and one's mood.

I love rain—summer rain in particular, and above all, the rain in the ancient town.

The weather forecast said it would rain today. In the afternoon, dark clouds began to gather, the wind picked up, and a rainstorm descended right on cue.

Like countless fingers strumming the earth's strings, dispelling the heat, ushering in coolness, and playing a grand, sweeping symphony;

like a giant net falling from the sky, shrouding the distant hills and the ancient town, painting a vast, misty panorama;

pitter-patter, the raindrops, like pearls, pelted on the upturned eaves, on the grey tiles, shattering into tiny blossoms of water; those splashes then cascaded down, slipping into the cracks between tiles, merging with the rainwater there, forming little waterfalls that tumbled into the town's courtyards;

thickly, like countless brushes, the raindrops brushed over the flowers, making them more vivid; brushed over the grass and leaves, making them a deeper green; and as they brushed over the Yishui River, the river rose in a hazy mist;

majestically, the rain's footsteps were like a mighty army, galloping through the ancient town's streets. From Jingke Road to Binhe Road, from Yanfeng Square to Babai Tower, from the smoke of battle on the southern frontier to the imperial capital's triumphant return.

I captured that instant of joy! The joy came from the collision of icy coolness and blazing heat. — After days under the scorching sun, the tiles must have been burning hot; they were opening their pores, relishing the rain's coolness.

I captured that faint shiver! The shiver came from the silent soaking. — After a long drought, the plants must have been parched; they were parting their lips to drink the sweet nectar falling from the heavens.

I captured the echoes of history! A rainstorm makes the ancient town even more solemn and profound. On the banks of the Yishui, two thousand years of vicissitudes, those men of old are long gone, but a new town has risen, bringing us tangible stories and breathtaking views...