Late August, 2022, an unprecedented heatwave engulfed the historic city of Xiaoshan in southern China, which was undergoing a major transformation in anticipation of the upcoming Asian Games. Young boys Yu Jiajia and Zhou Chengcheng had just started middle school that year. On the final three days of summer vacation, their homework answers and electronic devices were suddenly confiscated. Faced with an overwhelming amount of summer homework they hadn’t even begun, they had no choice but to pack their backpacks, brave the scorching heat and sunlight, and traverse the streets, bridges, parks, and rivers of Xiaoshan. Along the way, they played and laughed, searching the streets and alleys of the water town for classmates and friends who could offer assistance.
