rain

     It didn't look like it had just rained. The sky was still a deep, clear blue, with fluffy white clouds resembling large chunks of cotton candy. The lush trees and shrubs along the roadside looked much cleaner, like newly replaced screens. The ground was wet underfoot, and the sounds of laughter and footsteps drifted by. But it was just a thunderstorm, and soon the clear sky was soaked into a pale gray sheet of rice paper. The clouds transformed into a freehand, unrestrained ink wash painting, and colorful umbrellas appeared out of nowhere on the street, like tiny mushrooms with legs.

    Busy people rarely have the time or inclination to listen to or appreciate the rain these days, and I only occasionally have that leisure and inclination. I remember living in the countryside when I was a child. In the rain or after the rain, a group of us kids would always run outside the village to play, especially as evening approached. The moonlight was hazy, a gentle breeze caressed our faces, and the long, rainbow hanging high in the sky was enough to make our necks ache. Even the incessant chirping of insects and croaking of frogs didn't seem so annoying at that time. Thinking back now, that pastoral feeling is truly nostalgic.

    I love rainy days, I love the feeling of walking in the drizzle—it washes away the hustle and bustle of the world, leaving me with enough tranquility. I remember when I was in college, I especially loved the misty, rainy evenings. The orange streetlights quietly illuminated the wet paths of the campus, even the ginkgo leaves seemed to shimmer with a crystal-like luster, the moon hung faintly in the sky, and the stars appeared and disappeared. Walking slowly on the path, alone or with friends, felt wonderful. Escaping the hustle and bustle of the outside world, I felt the rhythm of life with my heart…

    Although the university I attended wasn't highly ranked, in my opinion, it was the most beautiful university in Dalian. There, flowers bloom year-round, beautiful sycamore trees abound, and the streetlights cast a lovely orange hue. At dusk, a light drizzle falls, creating a pure and beautiful atmosphere as you walk through the campus. I once wrote about rainy days during my university years: "After a spring rain, the sweet fragrance of locust blossoms permeates the entire campus. There are no stars, no moon at night; the soft orange of the streetlights blends with the rising mist, creating a hazy scene. The asphalt gleams like amethyst, and one feels as if wandering in another world. Strolling from the library to the old main building, I suddenly saw a firefly, like a small winged asteroid, fluttering gracefully like a butterfly, reaching the treetops, flying up the mountain, and finally disappearing…"

    Today, I found many dandelions on the Harbin Institute of Technology campus, which made me think that the dandelions on Jade Mountain must be taking flight by now. My alma mater has a small mountain called Jade Mountain, covered with many wild dandelions, the very large kind. Carefully picking them and blowing on them with a gentle breeze, they would fly very, very far…