Chapter 8: Saving Someone

Lin Yiran and Sister Hua (Hua’er)  accompanied their mothers shopping in town. Wang Fang and Aunt Yang carefully selected things, while the two young women chatted nearby.

“I heard that Lin Jianshan was arrested. About time too. That disgusting man—he’s been rotten since childhood. Back in school, he always bullied others.”

Hua absolutely hated Aunt Zeng’s family. During the time when her engagement was broken off, Aunt Zeng spread gossip and mocked her.

Later, when Hua brought her husband home, that shameless Aunt Zeng even dragged her daughter, Lin Yun, in front of Hua’s husband, parading her around and saying all sorts of inappropriate things.

Now, with Lin Jianshan arrested, Hua wore the expression of someone who had finally gotten her revenge. Lin Yiran was happy too—at least her eldest brother’s leg was safe.

Wang Fang and Aunt Yang finally squeezed out of the crowd with their purchases. The department store had some items that didn’t require ration coupons today, so everyone had been rushing to grab them.

With their shopping done, they prepared to head home. Lin Yiran checked the time—her useless uncle was probably gone by now. She took the things from her mother, but Wang Fang wouldn’t let her daughter carry anything too heavy, so she handed her a bag of snacks instead.

Since Aunt Yang was having lunch at her daughter and son-in-law’s home, she didn’t go back with them. Hua warmly invited Wang Fang and Yiran to her house for a meal.

Wang Fang politely refused. “Good child, another time. We’ve already cooked at home today.”

So the group split up. Lin Yiran and her mother returned to the village, where her sister-in-law had already prepared lunch, waiting for them.

Her sister-in-law’s cooking was excellent—whatever dish she touched seemed to taste twice as good. She also loved cooking. Rumor had it her family had once been renowned chefs, with heirloom recipes passed down.

Lin Yiran and her mother put their things away and came out for lunch. Afterward, Yiran and her second sister-in-law washed the dishes.

“So, did that person show up?” Since awakening to her past memories, Lin Yiran could no longer bring herself to call him “uncle.”

“Yes. He barged in, asking to borrow a hundred yuan, and even threatened your dad and Weimin. But your dad and Weimin scared him off.”

Her sister-in-law chuckled, remembering the sorry state Wang-uncle had been in that morning.

But he did say that next time their mother visited her natal home, he would complain to her.

Thinking of this, Lin Yiran felt a headache coming on. When the farming busy season ended, her mother would surely want to visit her family.

“At that time, we’ll act accordingly. Mama loves us—while Grandpa and Grandma always treat us coldly. If things get too much, Mama will definitely side with us.”

Lin Yiran was confident. Her mother might care deeply about her natal family, but in her heart, her own children were what mattered most.

After washing the dishes, Yiran felt tired. When she woke from a nap, her sister-in-law was tidying the house, her second sister-in-law was sewing, and her mother had gone out to chat with the villagers.

That day, the educated youth compound was repairing their kitchen. They had hired a craftsman, and her father had gone to check on things. Her older brothers were busy elsewhere, and the younger children were playing outside.

Feeling a little bored, Yiran noticed that all the dogs were in the courtyard. Strange—her nephews usually took them along when they played. Could they have gone to the river to swim?

“Big Sister-in-law, Second Sister-in-law, I’m going for a walk in the village. I’ll call the boys back.”

“They should be back anyway. Those three rascals have been playing all afternoon. Aren’t they afraid of getting heatstroke? It’s almost time for dinner.” Her sister-in-law nodded.

Lin Yiran strolled toward the village. A river passed by the front of Lotus Village, with a small section cutting through the village itself. Many villagers went there to do laundry.

Summer was hot. Parents forbade their children from swimming there, but many kids who knew how to swim couldn’t resist the temptation.

On the way, Yiran met some uncles and aunts heading home to cook. She greeted them politely.

“Yiran is getting prettier and prettier. It’s nearly dinner. Where are you off to?”

“Hello, Uncle, Auntie. I’m going to fetch Zhiqiang and the others. They’ve been playing outside all afternoon.”

“Yes, my grandchildren just came back too.”

After a short chat, Yiran continued to the river. Most adults were cooking at home now, so the riverbank was empty.

There she saw her two older nephews splashing around in the water. Beside them was another boy—probably Xiaohu—while her youngest nephew clapped at the shore.

Yiran frowned. With no adults around, it was far too dangerous.

She had just walked closer, ready to call them back, when she saw Xiaohu suddenly cramp up and thrash in the water.

Her two nephews started swimming toward him, but Yiran’s expression hardened. “Zhiqiang, take your brother ashore! I’ll go save Xiaohu!”

Splash! Yiran dove into the river.

At the same time, another splash sounded—someone on the opposite bank had also jumped in.

As evening approached, the current in the river grew stronger. Lin Yiran swam over to Xiaohu, trying to pull him toward the shore.

But Xiaohu was terrified and kept thrashing around, making it impossible for Lin Yiran to get a good hold on him. She finally managed to grab him, only for Xiaohu to cling to her tightly.

Though he was only six, Xiaohu still had some weight, and he was clutching Lin Yiran with all his strength, leaving her unable to swim back to shore.

Lin Yiran grew anxious. She was afraid that if this went on, both of them might end up drowning.

Suddenly, the burden on her body lightened. A pair of hands pulled Xiaohu away and even gave her a steadying push.

When Lin Yiran turned around and saw that it was Xiao Ziyi, her heart instantly settled, and she finally felt safe.

Together, they brought Xiaohu back to shore. The nephews were all frightened. They knew they had made a mistake and were terrified that they had nearly gotten their aunt killed.

Once on land, Xiaohu coughed a few times and spat out the water. Fortunately, thanks to Lin Yiran and Xiao Ziyi’s quick actions, he was unharmed.

Panting heavily, Lin Yiran glared at the children. “Will you dare to play in the water again?”

“No, we won’t. Never again,” the children mumbled, heads hanging low.

Xiao Ziyi looked at Lin Yiran’s stern face. To him, she didn’t seem fierce at all—just incredibly cute.

Still, he didn’t dare look at her for long. Her clothes were soaked, clinging tightly to her body.

His ears reddened as he quickly lowered his head, but then he noticed bloodstains on her pants.

Worried, Xiao Ziyi immediately asked, “Comrade Lin, are you alright? Do you feel unwell?”

Lin Yiran, who had just finished scolding the children, turned at the sound of his voice. Her eyes fell on his chest and abs—good heavens, his body was perfect! No, don’t stare!

She forced herself to shift her gaze upward, meeting his face—wet hair, innocent eyes, flushed ears. So handsome.

“Thank you, Comrade Xiao. I’m fine,” Lin Yiran quickly snapped back to her senses, reminding herself not to be swayed by appearances.

“But… your back…” Xiao Ziyi’s gaze shifted downward. Lin Yiran followed it and instantly flushed scarlet. Her period had started.

Seeing her expression, Xiao Ziyi immediately understood—so this was what the books described as a woman’s menstruation.

He quickly bent down and apologized. “Comrade Lin, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to.”

“It’s alright, Comrade Xiao. Please take Xiaohu home and let his family know what happened.”

“Of course, right away.” Xiao Ziyi turned quickly, and Xiaohu obediently followed him home.

“Zhiqiang, hurry home and ask your mother or grandmother to bring me a change of clothes.”

“Alright, Auntie, we’ll go right away!” the three nephews shouted, dashing back home.

Lin Yiran went behind a large boulder by the riverbank, leaning against it with her face burning red. Too embarrassing! She wished she’d never have to face Xiao Ziyi again.

It wasn’t long before her sister-in-law arrived with clothes. One glance at Lin Yiran’s back was enough to understand, and she quickly wrapped her up. “Put this on. Tonight I’ll make you some brown sugar water.”

She helped cover Lin Yiran, thankful that at this hour most people were at home eating dinner, so no one else had seen.

Meanwhile, Xiao Ziyi returned Xiaohu safely and declined the family’s invitation to stay for dinner. Only after seeing Lin Yiran’s sister-in-law arrive did he feel relieved.

Back at the educated youth compound, the construction workers had already left. Liu Qingang saw Xiao Ziyi returning and called out, “Brother Xiao, you’re back. Why are your clothes all wet?”

“Nothing, just went for a walk by the river.”

“Alright, dinner’s ready. You should change first.”

That night, after his bath, Xiao Ziyi sat with a book but found himself distracted. He recalled what he had read—that women suffered during menstruation, mustn’t catch cold, and could ease the discomfort with brown sugar water.

He decided that tomorrow he would go to town to buy brown sugar and some supplements.

At the Lin family’s courtyard, Lin Yiran was already drinking brown sugar water. In the yard, her three nephews had just been scolded by their older brothers and had their palms smacked. Now they stood crying against the wall in punishment.

No one in the family spoke up for them. Playing by the river was far too dangerous—if Yiran hadn’t been there today, something tragic could have happened.

That evening, Xiaohu’s family came by to thank Lin Yiran, bringing gifts of gratitude. Xiaohu himself had also received a stern scolding at home.