An Ning found Sun Dazhuang. After collecting her tools, she didn't get to work. Instead, she stood to the side and watched him.
Sun Dazhuang wasn't sure why, but he got the message.
"Liu, you get started on your own for now."
With that, Sun Dazhuang went over to An Ning's side.
"What's up? Go on, tell me."
An Ning's eyes sparkled, and the corners of her mouth turned up.
"I wanted to ask… with this drought, what's our next step?"
Sun Dazhuang fanned himself with a straw hat. He spoke with a world-wise air, "I knew you were after something the second I saw you looking at me."
He'd learned that from past experience with her.
"This damn weather… If it doesn't rain in the next couple of days, our only choice is to haul water to the fields. We can't afford to go without water at a time like this."
Sun Dazhuang was worried too, but what could they do? Their livelihoods depended on the weather.
