Chapter 40 : No Drink, No Leave

I don’t know if it was because his aura was too intimidating, but Shen He only raised his hands twice, and the people in the room suddenly quieted down.

“Dear fellow villagers, listen to me.”

Shen He’s commanding voice echoed throughout the spacious hall.

I’m not sure whether it was because his military uniform looked so reliable or his voice was so steady, but the villagers who had been restless began to calm down. The entire hall fell silent.

“Everyone has been busy with the harvest these days. I know you’ve worked hard. I understand your desire to go home and rest.”

Upon hearing his understanding words, the villagers’ expressions softened, and their tone became gentler.

“Shen He, Aunt Niu has watched you grow up. Now you’re a soldier and have achieved something. I just want to ask you, will it really rain? Will the flood really come? Don’t fool us and delay farming here!”

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone stared at Shen He, eagerly awaiting his answer.

But Shen He was not the Dragon King, how could he know when it would rain? He couldn’t even confirm whether it would rain at all. The only information he had was that his wife had dreamed of a flood in the village, and some meteorological experts in the province had predicted heavy rainfall.

This conclusion, however, was still controversial.

But no matter what he thought inside, his face gave nothing away.

His eyes swept over the burning gazes in the room, and after a pause, Shen He spoke “I don’t know whether it will rain or not.”

As soon as he finished, the room erupted in noise. But before anyone could speak further, Shen He continued.

“But what I do know is that if the rainstorm really comes, our rice will be flooded, we will starve, and if the rain is heavier, some people may even lose their lives.”

Upon hearing this, everyone fell silent.

They knew firsthand how terrifying a flood could be, having experienced it over ten years ago. The food was all soaked in water, and even though relief supplies came, they were of little use. Many people died from drowning or starvation during the flood.

Even now, they still had lingering fears when they spoke of it.

Seeing them quiet, Shen He continued, “If there had been no heavy rain, we would have lost only a little labor and a handful of grain, but this loss would be insignificant compared to a flood. It would have been great if there were no heavy rain, but we should be prepared for the worst. What would you do if the heavy rain really came tonight and you had already gone home?”

By this point, continuing to cause trouble would truly be ignorant.

The villagers had only become restless because of the heat and the lack of rain.

After hearing his words, they calmed down one by one.

Seeing that they had settled down, Shen He’s voice softened.

“It’s indeed very hot here, and everyone has worked hard. You can get up and move around freely, but it’s best not to leave the house, so you don’t face difficulties when the heavy rain comes and you’re far from here.”

After hearing this, the villagers were completely persuaded.

“Shen He is right. It’s just a little hot. I can wait. It’s better than being flooded.”

“That’s right. What if it rains heavily on the way back? How could we get back?”

After all, it was a downhill path. When it rained, the water could wash away the road, making it slippery and hard to climb.

Seeing that the villagers in the hall were no longer causing trouble, the soldiers who had come with Shen He couldn’t help but admire their commander.

They didn’t know which war zone he was from, but his strength was undeniable.

Earlier, while everyone else was carrying sandbags, he not only carried two at a time, but did so effortlessly, without even a hint of fatigue.

Now he had managed to calm the villagers who were causing trouble.

Such talent would have an unlimited future in any station area!

Su Ranran didn’t know what the other soldiers thought. At this moment, Shen He was like a shining light in her eyes, burning directly into her heart. She hadn’t expected him to handle this situation so perfectly.

From finding a meteorological expert, to issuing an order to harvest early, and finally to sending the troops to reinforce the levee, every step seemed inseparable from his leadership.

Even when the villagers were causing trouble, he had been able to calmly persuade them.

It was hard not to be moved by him.

Su Ranran had questioned herself countless times in her previous life since her rebirth. How could she have ignored such a charming man?

Looking at his resolute face under the military cap, Su Ranran’s heartbeat had never been normal. It was thumping, as if it would jump out at any moment.

The villagers were reassured, but Shen He was not idle.

After inquiring which families had just left, Shen He prepared to lead a team out to bring those people back.

When she heard that he was going to find those people, Su Ranran couldn’t help but feel nervous again.

“Don’t worry, I’ll be back soon.”

Looking at her pale face, Shen He vaguely guessed the scene from her dream. It seemed that every time she mentioned this heavy rain, she was especially nervous and scared. But her nervousness didn’t seem to be about the flood, it was more like she was afraid something might happen to him.

How could Su Ranran not worry?

He had already calmed the people, but now he had to go out again to find those wayward people.

What if it rained heavily on the way?

What if those people refused to go with him?

Su Ranran wanted to persuade him to stay and not go. But when she met the man’s firm eyes, she knew that he would not stay because of her persuasion. Gritting her teeth, she picked up her kettle and handed it to him.

“Drink some water before you go.”

Looking at the kettle in her hand, Shen He’s eyes narrowed, and he guessed that she must have added something to the water.

But Su Ranran did not back down or yield, as if she wouldn’t let him leave unless he drank it.

The couple looked at each other for a moment, and finally, Shen He took the kettle and drank several large sips.

While he was drinking, Su Ranran took something from the warehouse under the cover of her bag and stuffed it into his trouser pocket. Shen He almost choked on the water when he felt the strange object in his pocket.

Before he could figure out what it was, he heard the woman’s low voice, “If you are in danger, take it out and press the button on it.”

Where did this thing come from? Shen He was shocked.

But now wasn’t the right time to ask.

After taking a steady look at her, Shen He nodded and said, “OK,” before leading the other soldiers out the door.

Watching the army-green team gradually leave, Su Ranran’s heart, which had been pounding wildly, gradually calmed down. What she had just stuffed into his pocket was a portable anti-drowning float.

As soon as the switch is pressed, the float would pop out. The buoyancy is enough for an adult man to float on the water. Such products were only produced in the 21st century, and would never appear in this era.

But she couldn’t care less. She couldn’t bear to see him get into trouble in front of her again.

Su Ranran knew that she definitely couldn’t stand it!