Chapter 123

August in Hangzhou was as hot as molten gold. Following a light rain, the sky had cleared, but the sun blazed down, drawing vapor from the ground. The resulting humidity was stifling, giving the surroundings an almost surreal, dreamlike quality. Despite the uncomfortable climate, the banks of West Lake were teeming with people at midday. As one of the seven ancient capitals and a premier tourist destination, Hangzhou welcomed over 70 million visitors annually. During holidays, the major scenic spots became practically impassable. Crowded yet beautiful—that was Lu Chen’s deepest impression of his home province’s capital, a place where he held countless cherished memories.