Chapter 155

Li Wen looked at Fan Jin with hopeful eyes.

Unlike the adobe houses in the village or the brick houses in his own family, Fan Jin’s residence was even larger and better than the homes of the workers he had seen in the provincial capital!

As he walked, only Fan Jin’s property had no standing water. When he entered the courtyard, there was only rainwater on the ground, which quickly drained away.

Fan Jin must be capable, more capable than all the villagers combined.

Surely, he would know what to do.

Fan Jin stood tall and elegant in the corridor, with a hint of confusion in his gentle demeanor: How would he know?

He was literate and educated, but literacy did not equate to omniscience.

There were indeed flood control methods in books, but they were generally theoretical. How to apply them specifically to their village was uncertain.

He gazed helplessly at Li Wen, dripping wet under his raincoat, not wanting to disappoint him, but truly ignorant and powerless in this matter.

Just as he was about to speak, he saw Shuiqing coming through the rain-soaked corridor.

Li Wen also noticed and recalled his other reason for coming here. He quickly asked Shuiqing, “Elder sister, my father sent me to ask if you still have any burlap bags? If you do, could you lend them to us? We might not have time to make them from flax this year, so we’ll repay you next year. Can we?”

The management of these household items usually fell to the women, and whether they had enough and were willing to lend them out was often decided by them.

She considered and replied, “Yes, we have some leftover from when we bought potatoes. How many do you need? By the way, Brother Li, what do you need the burlap bags for?”

She had bought them at the market, with various sizes and thicknesses at different prices. She needed to know their purpose to decide which ones to offer.

Li Wen chuckled and repeated what he had just said to Fan Jin.

Then he asked, “Elder sister Shuiqing, do you think it’s more dangerous to try to block the flood if the embankment breaks? But if we don’t block it and the flood comes in, won’t our houses be flooded?”

Firewood, fodder, grain, livestock, furniture—all would be ruined?

It was rare for men to consult women about village matters, especially such significant issues. However, Li Wen felt that Shuiqing seemed different now compared to before.

He couldn’t quite put his finger on how.

Perhaps it was related to the constant praise he heard from his mother about how capable and effective Shuiqing was, always improving their family’s life.

He just felt that anyone who could improve their family’s life was remarkable!

Shuiqing used to be a businesswoman and wasn’t particularly knowledgeable about flood prevention.

However, thanks to the dissemination of information and vigorous propaganda in Hua Country, she had learned about some remarkable individuals and methods of flood resistance and self-rescue in other villages.

She wasn’t very knowledgeable, especially about the river course in Shanshui Village. She only recounted what she knew simply: “We should block, but not blindly. It’s better to clear than to block. We need to see the direction of the river and guide the water downstream. Any places prone to sedimentation and blockage should be cleared as soon as possible. In our village, we should block the particularly low-lying areas like road intersections to prevent flooding and ensure everyone’s safety. Other areas will have to bear some flooding.”

She couldn’t consider much more at the moment.

Besides, other places could also share the burden of the floodwaters, which wouldn’t all accumulate at the road intersection.

Li Wen never expected that a casual question would elicit such a serious and useful answer from Shuiqing!

He exclaimed in surprise, “Elder Sister, you’re really amazing! No wonder my sister Guifen praises you every day!”

If he weren’t a man, he’d be praising her too!

What’s rare is that Elder Sister Shuiqing doesn’t hold back. Even though she lives up here, even if the whole Shanshui Village is flooded, her family will be safe.

But she willingly lends out sacks and doesn’t hide any methods to deal with the floods. She’s straightforward and decisive!

Shuiqing: … Did she really not say anything particularly useful?

Brother Li and his whole family are honest people.

For the sake of Shanshui Village, they borrowed sacks during such heavy rain, and they are thinking of ways to deal with the floods.

It’s not even their village, but they’re treating it as their own affair.

Shuiqing added, “There are plenty in the storehouse. Brother Li, you won’t be able to carry them all by yourself. Just tell me how many you need, and when it’s time, bring people to help carry them.”

Li Wen estimated roughly and gave a number.

Shuiqing had an idea in mind and planned to buy more based on that number.

Fan Jin quietly waited beside, his eyes full of admiration for Shuiqing, unable to hide his admiration.

Li Wen looked at the couple and suppressed a smile at the corner of his mouth.

They have such a good relationship.

After thanking them again, Li Wen was about to leave when Shuiqing suddenly said, “Oh, Brother Li, I need you to help me deliver a message to Big Uncle.”

Fan Jin glanced at Shuiqing in surprise.

He knew she was going to talk about recruiting Zhaodi.

Indeed, he had to inform Big Uncle and Big Aunt. They needed to know that Zhaodi had been taken into their home.

However, Zhaodi still had injuries. If he went back now, Big Uncle and Big Aunt would only worry about their four sons, and they might not care about their daughter. There might be endless chores waiting for Zhaodi at home.

Li Wen was a bit annoyed by Fan Jin’s previous anger, but that was between him and Fan Jin, and shouldn’t involve Fan Er’s family.

After all, when they closed the door, they were still family.

“Okay, go ahead! I’ll make sure they know,” Li Wen assured.

“Yesterday, in the strong wind, Zhaodi went up the mountain to chop wood and got injured. My parents and the head of the family saw him on their way back and rescued him. It seems he has a bone injury and can’t move. These days with the strong winds and rains, we haven’t been able to send him over. Please tell Big Uncle and Aunt that if they want Zhaodi, send two people to carry him back. They must understand that he might have a bone injury and can’t walk on his own, so he needs to lie down and rest for two or three months,” Shuiqing briefly explained the situation and emphasized the severity of the injury.

Fan Jin’s smile grew broader, and he quickly lowered his head to hide it.

Shuiqing, how could she be so clever?

How did she come up with this?

Li Wen understood the situation and said decisively, “I thought it was something else. I’ll definitely deliver the message!”

Nowadays, food is precious.

Besides, Fan’s family has already split up. When Fan Er’s family left, they didn’t even get a piece of brick or tile, and the villagers saw it all.

Although Fan Er’s family is doing well now and doesn’t care about their daily sustenance, saving someone’s daughter is already quite commendable. They can’t keep her forever.

Thinking of the current situation of Fan Qian’s family, Li Wen sighed, “Even if Zhaodi goes back, he will suffer. Fan Damu and his whole family are living in her house. That house, hall, kitchen, everywhere is crowded, and it’s hard to turn around!”

Shuiqing became spirited upon hearing that Fan Da Mu and Fan Qian were squeezed together.

Seeing someone who treated her badly now living a difficult life, why did she feel so happy?

Hmm, she admits her thoughts are not right, and her realm is not high, but she’s just so happy!