During the day, the heat was like being in a sauna, so oppressive it made people irritable. But at night, the gentle breeze caressed the face, cool and pleasant.

The night grew deeper, and the last bus had long left. From one end of the street to the other, only a couple of student tables at the street-side food stall remained, their laughter faintly drifting through the air.

Ning Chu actually really liked summer nights. When she used to stay up late, she’d often go downstairs at midnight, buy a bottle of cola from the 24-hour convenience store, and leisurely …