Chapter 23

“Comrade Xiao Wei, are you home? Something big has happened!”

Wei Yanzhen instantly recognized the voice—it was Militia Captain Feng Zhijun.

He walked over and opened the courtyard gate.

Deng Zhilan followed close behind and saw Feng Zhijun’s face filled with urgency as he stepped inside and got straight to the point:
“Comrade Xiao Wei, the dam has collapsed!”

“You used to be in the army. I figured you and I could lead a team together to help repair the dam.”

“Don’t worry, it won’t be for nothing. Anyone who helps repair the dam will get a free sack of grain and three fish.”

Wei Yanzhen was moved. He turned to Deng Zhilan and said,

“Don’t worry, sweetheart. I’ll be back soon.”

And with that, the two men left together.

But as Deng Zhilan watched the sky pour down even harder, showing no sign of stopping, unease grew in her heart.

Qin Ping saw her still standing under the eaves by the courtyard gate and came over holding an umbrella.

“Lanlan, ease your mind—don’t worry about him.”

“In the past, Yanzhen went on countless missions, even wrote farewell letters. This time, it’s just dam repairs.”

“Come on, let’s go inside.”

Deng Zhilan looked back at Qin Ping and had no choice but to reassure herself not to be too nervous.

Seeing how tense she was—even after sitting inside, still glancing out at the rain—Qin Ping took out a roll of yarn and sat down beside her.

“Lanlan, Yanzhen is a soldier of the people. We raised him and sent him to the army precisely so he could serve the people.”

“Besides, when he was in military school, he studied water conservancy and engineering. With him leading the team, the repairs will surely be more efficient.”

Qin Ping had already knitted a small portion of a sweater—it was clearly for a baby.

Deng Zhilan picked up a knitting needle as well, trying to follow along and untangle the yarn.

“Alright, I’ll listen to you, Mom. I won’t worry about him.”

Even so, Deng Zhilan kept mulling over the plot of the original novel.

In the original story, Wei Yanzhen never participated in the dam repair. During this period, Mother Wei’s health was poor, so the Wei family rarely interacted with the commune—mostly going home straight after work.

But now, Wei Yanzhen was helping fix the dam. This part wasn’t in the original plot.

“Lanlan, a man should stand tall and bear hardships. Only then can he truly grow.”

Qin Ping said earnestly.

Deng Zhilan didn’t say more and continued knitting alongside her mother-in-law.

…

Meanwhile, at the Luo household—

When Old Madam Luo heard the news about the dam collapse, she immediately stopped Luo Yisen, refusing to let him go.

“You think dams are that easy to fix? It’s pouring outside! I only have you and your brother—Yisen, listen to your mother for once.”

But Luo Yisen didn’t agree.

As the production team leader, he was supposed to lead by example and be at the forefront.

Besides, the family had two sons—his younger brother, Luo Yilei, had always been sheltered by him.

If other young men in the village were going, how could their family sit out?

“Mom, I can’t listen to you this time.”

“Even Comrade Wei from next door is going. How can I not?”

Song Yitao, who overheard the argument in the main room, chimed in.

The dam had collapsed, and those who went to help would get a free sack of grain and three fat fish.

She didn’t care about the grain.

But those three fat fish—she was definitely interested!

“Auntie Luo, Brother Luo is right. He’s the production team leader—he has to set an example.”

Old Madam Luo immediately picked up a feather duster and chased after Song Yitao, swinging it.

“You glib-tongued freeloader!”

“You sponge off our food and drink every day, and now you’re eyeing our fish and grain too, aren’t you?”

Song Yitao ran as she was being chased. Luo Yilei, the younger son, tried to mediate:

“Mom, if big bro wants to go fix the dam, let him. So many people are going—nothing will happen!”

Luo Yilei, of course, was also thinking about the food and fish.

If big brother didn’t go, what if they tried to send him instead? No way was he going to lift a finger.

“Alright, Mom!”

“I need to head out now—Captain Feng and Comrade Wei are waiting outside.”

Luo Yisen grabbed the raincoat from the table, threw it on, and rushed out the door.

Old Madam Luo’s face darkened.

She turned around, went back to her room, pulled out a string of prayer beads, and knelt on a cushion, praying for her son’s safe return.

Just then, a loud thunderclap rolled across the sky.

The roof tiles trembled from the shock, and her eyelids twitched—her fingers spun the beads even faster.

…

The rain kept pouring.

At the nearby educated youth housing near the dam, water began seeping through the door cracks.

Zhu Qinghan felt increasingly uneasy.

She pushed open the window and stared at the rain hammering down on the eaves without any sign of letting up.

The downpour from her dream had come true.

Again, her dream had become reality.

She turned to her two roommates and said:

“Zhenzhen, Fangfang—should we pack our things and find somewhere else to stay?”

“This rain’s just getting heavier. If the house collapses tonight, we’ll be buried alive!”

Sun Fangfang and Li Zhenzhen weren’t concerned and thought Zhu Qinghan was overthinking.

“Move out? Where would we even go?”

“The relocated folks before us had nowhere to live and had to squeeze in with the Luo family. Where would we go?”

“Qinghan, just stop worrying.”

Sun Fangfang waved it off.

Li Zhenzhen, however, brought up some news she’d heard earlier.

“Did you hear?”

“Captain Feng of the militia is recruiting people to go fix the dam.”

“Anyone who joins gets a free sack of grain and three fat fish.”

The moment she said that, Sun Fangfang perked up and put down her tea mug.

“Are you serious?”

“A whole sack of grain and three fish?!”

Li Zhenzhen nodded, “Of course. I saw some male educated youth already leaving with Captain Feng. Fangfang, want to go?”

Sun Fangfang immediately nodded.

Life at the commune had been tough—she hadn’t had a proper bite of meat in forever and looked pale and thin.

Fixing a dam wouldn’t be that bad—there’d be plenty of men. As girls, they wouldn’t be asked to do anything too strenuous.

“Then let’s go grab our raincoats! We’ll go together!”

Zhu Qinghan immediately protested, “No!”

The two of them asked in unison, “Why not?”

Zhu Qinghan felt her roommates were being downright foolish—heading into such a storm for some grain and fish?

“This rain is too heavy. If the dam bursts and you get swept away, it’s a death sentence.”

“Is a sack of grain and three fish really worth risking your lives?”