Chapter 67: Raining

Zhang Chenjun pondered for a moment before speaking. “What Chief Li said should be true. In my previous life, plants grew exceptionally well, and fruit trees had very high yields globally after the rain. Scientists could never find the reason.”

Furrowing her brows, she continued, “Perhaps no one paid attention back then, or maybe there was an issue with the research. It’s also possible that those in power figured it out but never publicized the results. Whatever the reason, there wasn’t a video like this back then.”

She smiled wryly. “So in my previous life, not only did I miss out on knowing about the energy rain, but everyone else did too. No sane person would go out in a storm like that at night.”

Father Zhang patted her shoulder. “Don’t worry, we’ll test this tonight. We’ll get soaked and find out for ourselves.”

Suddenly, he paused, eyes widening with realization. “Nini, could Xiao Fei have gotten his space by being out in the rain?”

Zhang Chenjun stared back, speechless. “Dad, have you been reading too many fantasy novels?”

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As 11:30 PM approached, Shen Yanming and Bi Qiao’an prepared to head downstairs and enjoy the mysterious “sweet nectar” rain.

“Let’s go empty-handed tonight, just like everyone else,” Shen Yanming suggested. “Let’s feel things out first.”

Bi Qiao’an poked his cheek playfully. “You sly fox!”

He grabbed her hand with a grin. “No one can be sure if anyone saw us out in the rain before. Even if they did, it was dark, rainy, and from a distance—they might recognize shapes, but not our faces.”

“So if we brought containers, we’d give ourselves away? They’d catch us, add it to today’s news, and we’d have no way to explain ourselves,” Bi Qiao’an finished his thought.

“Exactly! They’d definitely say, ‘You knew this rain was good, why didn’t you tell us? How selfish!'” Shen Yanming chuckled.

Bi Qiao’an rolled her eyes. “If we’d told them earlier that getting rained on was beneficial, they’d totally think we were nuts. Who’d believe that?”

“That’s how people are, unfortunately. We can’t change them, only do our best to stay out of trouble.”

Bi Qiao’an nodded and shifted the topic. “Speaking of, is Zhang Heping home? Maybe we could all go out and chat.”

“Let me call him!”

A few minutes later, Shen Yanming reappeared, arm around Bi Qiao’an. “Zhang Heping left right after coming back. He’s been at the hospital for the past two days. Doesn’t sound good, whatever happened back then.”

“We should treat him to a meal soon,” Bi Qiao’an suggested with a smile. “Neighbors gotta look out for each other, mind and body.”

“Yep. I even mentioned tonight’s rain to him,” Shen Yanming chuckled. “That guy would’ve totally missed it otherwise.”

“How so?”

“The hospital’s been a madhouse lately; he’s swamped with work. Someone told him this morning, but it didn’t register. I just called and he was already in bed when he remembered!”

“Well, what luck for him!”

As Shen Yanming and Bi Qiao’an ventured into the rain, nobody else seemed to follow. Still, they noticed a few curious glances from the balconies above.

Looking up at the silhouettes, Bi Qiao’an felt a pang of self-consciousness. “Suddenly, I feel like a zoo exhibit!”

Shen Yanming chuckled. “Think of it as a performance. You’re the star, they’re the audience.”

She pouted, then grinned. “Alright then, let them stare! Not like it hurts us.”

“Hey, down there! How’s it feel?” someone finally called from a balcony, curiosity getting the better of them.

Bi Qiao’an tugged Shen Yanming’s arm. “Should we answer?”

“I’ll do it,” he whispered. Raising his voice, he shouted back, “Nothing special at all!”

“Thanks, guys!” the person upstairs shouted back. The man pursed his lips, pondering, ‘Is this ‘rain that strengthens the body’ thing legit? If this special energy’s real, maybe you just don’t feel it right away?’

He couldn’t let it go. Checking his phone—23:55—he stood, grabbed an umbrella, and headed out.

“Going somewhere?”

“Mom, just downstairs for a bit.”

“But didn’t that guy said he didn’t feel anything?”

“Maybe the timing’s off. I gotta try it for myself. Chief Li wouldn’t lie, right?”

“Alright, alright. But if anything happens, you yell!”

He nodded and hurried downstairs.

Approaching Shen Yanming, the man grinned from under his umbrella. “Hey, you folks are out early without cover! Getting soaked must be rough.”

“Young lady, take my umbrella. Don’t want you catching a cold!” He tilted it towards Bi Qiao’an.

She smiled. “It’s okay. We’re actually here to get drenched on purpose.”

Shen Yanming nodded. “Yup, umbrella’s unnecessary. We’re taking our chances with the rain.”

Hearing this, the man didn’t press the issue. Instead, he asked, “Married so young? You two look like you just came of age!”

Shen Yanming shifted a bit uncomfortably. “Nah, we just have youthful faces!”

The man’s lips quirked up. “I get it, bro. No worries, I won’t pry.” He chuckled. “So, how are you sure this energy rain thing is real?”

Bi Qiao’an thought, ‘Bro, what random nonsense are you alluding?’, but kept a sweet smile on her face. “Absolutely! Chief Li’s announcement was all over the web. How could it be fake?”

The man nodded. “True, Chief Li has our best interests in mind.”

Closing his umbrella, he braced himself. The icy rain hit his skin and he shivered violently. “Damn, you two are brave! This rain is—”

He trailed off, the words “so uncomfortable” dying on his lips, staring at Shen Yanming with wide eyes. The man blinked rapidly, completely speechless.

Bi Qiao’an giggled at his stunned expression. “What’s wrong, mister?”

“You, you two… how are you so calm?” The man steadied himself, patting his chest.

Bi Qiao’an rolled her eyes playfully. “Chief Li said it was energy rain, so naturally, it would be different. Why be surprised?”

Shen Yanming patted her head affectionately. “Exactly. If the research results are officially announced in public, then it must’ve been verified. We just need to trust and follow the instructions.”

“You two are remarkable. I need to learn from your trust in Chief Li’s leadership!” The man nodded. “Right, I’m gonna call my mom down. Let’s catch up later.”

He dashed back upstairs.