The cobblestone path leading into the garden had been restored; Hua Xiaomai found rustic charm more interesting and did not arrange the stones too neatly. The moist mud was not yet fully dry, seeping out from between the stones and emitting an earthy scent that was not at all unpleasant.
Following the path further in, one could see that the fish pond was also properly dug, appearing quite spacious. Craftsmen were busy laying stones around the perimeter, with the constant tinkling and clanking of their work filling the air; after walking around it and heading to the northeast corner, there was a lush green bamboo forest. The bamboo was neatly planted, clusters here and patches there, isolating any noise from the outside world.
