Chapter 314 - 314: Living a Good Life
Everyone came out of the dining room and walked towards the dormitory happily. Dashui let out a long sigh at Ah Cai and the others. “In the past, our days were really difficult to endure on rainy days like this! It was raining heavily outside, and there was no place in the straw shed that wasn’t leaking. Sometimes, it’s better to bang our heads to death.”
Ah Cai agreed. “That’s right! Thanks to Master and Madam, our lives are even better than those in the village.”
Old Zou recalled that Boss Liu had found him and said that the magistrate’s manor wanted to take in some homeless widows. He even said that the magistrate’s criterion was that they had to be good and dutiful. Boss Liu reminded him to behave himself and live a good life so he would not let the magistrate and Madam down.
Although he was very grateful to Boss Liu at that time, he still muttered in his heart. He felt that those officials had always done things on account of their reputation. Who knew what kind of days they would live once they had moved? Now, it seemed that he had really misjudged the magistrate couple.
Old Zou looked at them and said, “Among them, I’m the only one who’s older. We’ve been together for a while and know that we’re all honest people. Now that we’re living a stable life thanks to Master and Madam, everyone can’t forget our duty and do those things that embarrass Master and Madam.”
When everyone heard this, they agreed. “Brother Zou, don’t worry. Everyone knows how to cherish their blessings and won’t do anything heartless. We will live a good life.”
The rain continued for more than two hours before gradually subsiding. Zhou Jia lay on the bed and listened to the rain lessen. He finally heaved a sigh of relief. He looked at the sleeping Li Yu and Yangyang and closed his eyes to sleep.
The light rain continued until dawn. Everyone had just felt that the heavy rain was good. After the cold subsided, the heat was not so uncomfortable.
Suddenly, there was a rumbling thunder in the sky. In the blink of an eye, the rain became heavier again. The raindrops landed on the ground and splashed. Li Yu woke up and realized that Zhou Jia had already woken up. She looked at Yangyang, who was sleeping soundly. She pulled the thin blanket he had kicked off over and covered him. She put it on and walked out. She stood under the roof and frowned at the heavy rain.
Zhou Jia washed uD and walked to Li Yu’s side. He instructed, “Yu’er, don’t
worry. I’ve already asked Ah Wei. The water can’t reach the ditch. Your injury hasn’t recovered yet. Don’t get wet.”
Li Yu looked at him and smiled. “I know! You’re nagging!”
Zhou Jia also smiled. “You won’t remember if I don’t nag. After dinner, I’ll go back to the government office and bring people to look at the river. If I’m not back before dark, don’t wait for me and sleep early.”
Li Yu reminded worriedly, “Yes! Be careful by the river. Be careful.”
Zhou Jia looked at Li Yu and said gently, ‘You’re also nagging.”
Li Yu looked at his gentle gaze and smiled gently.
In the workshop, everyone was worried to hear that it was raining heavily again. Old Zou, Dashui, and the others put on their raincoats again and picked up their hoes. They rushed to the edge of the field. They were relieved to see that the water in the ditch had not overflowed the field. The water in the field was still flowing into the ditch.
Uncle Chun realized that big fish were swimming down the ditch from time to time. “Look! The big fish is rushing down.”
Zou looked at the mountain in the distance. “Maybe the fish in the mountain stream were washed down by the flood.”
Everyone suffered because they did not have any tools in their hands. They could only watch helplessly as a few foot-long big fish were washed away by the rapid water.
Dashui looked at the fish in the ditch and smiled. “Every time it rains, fish will be washed down the mountain. I came out in a hurry just now and forgot to bring a fish basket.”
Ah Cai teased, “You’re young and stable. There’s still time to make a trip.”
Old Zou smiled and said, ‘You have to pass by the farm to see the cornfield. Later, shout at the door for the children to fish. Those children can run faster than you!”
“That’s right! Let’s go and watch the cornfield.” Dashui pulled Uncle Chun, who was standing beside him, away.
When they arrived at the entrance of the manor, Da Shui shouted loudly. Little
Loach ran out barefooted. “Uncle Da Shui, where’s the big fish?”
The water pointed in the direction of the ditch. “In the ditch. They were washed down from the mountain. You have to be careful not to be washed down and get fed to the fish.”
“Aye! I understand.” Little Loach turned around and ran inside.
Old Zou and the others arrived at the cornfield and saw that a stalk of corn had been blown to the ground by the wind. Everyone split up and went in to help the corn up. They found small branches and tied them up with grass.
Uncle Chun looked at the corn and said to Zou, “Brother Zou, what kind of crop do you think this is? Why haven’t we seen it before?”
Old Zou looked at the corn that was swaying back and forth from the wind and rain and shook his head. “I’ve never seen it either. I only heard from the young steward that the yield of this corn is high and it’s even resistant to drought.” Zou looked at the corn and sighed. “Literate people are better! They’re so
Imowledgeable that they’re even better than us in farm work!”
Ah Cai said, “I heard from the chief steward that these seeds were planted by Madam. Also, those seedlings in the field were planted by Madam. This is the first time I’ve heard that Madam knows how to farm. She’s even stronger than those farmers.”
Dashui threw a piece of mud at Uncle Zou. “Brother Zou, we can only be blind in this life. Let’s repair ourselves and reincarnate into a good family in our next life. That way, we can also sit in school and learn a few words.”
A group of old men chatted and laughed loudly in the heavy rain. They were no longer as sad and uneasy as before.
Zhou Jia brought Tiezhu, Scribe Zhao, and Bodyguard Chen to the river through the rain. The muddy yellow river water surged past. To Zhou Jia’s relief, the river was still a distance away from the dam. Although the rain had slowly lessened, there were still dark clouds in the sky.
The village chief of the village near the river also rushed to the river. He walked up to Zhou Jia and the others and bowed. “Sirs, as long as the rain continues at this level, the river will be fine according to today’s situation. It’s just that the dark clouds above our heads haven’t dispersed yet. I’m a little worried!”
Zhou Jia looked at him and asked, “Old man, how was the rain when the rainy season came in the past?”
The village chief thought for a moment. “In the past, it didn’t rain heavily when the rainy season came. It would clear in an hour at most.” The village chief looked up at the sky and frowned. “In my opinion, there’s still rain. Let’s see if it’s as heavy as last night and this morning.”
“I hope the rain will ease up.” Zhou Jia led his men around the dam and did not find anything dangerous. He instructed the village chief to report to him if he realized that something was wrong in time before leading his men back. When the group returned to the government office, the rain still kept falling. The rain did not increase at night, but it did not stop.
The next day, the rain continued to fall intermittently. Old Madam Wang braved the rain and brought Madam Lin to the manor. She took out a visiting invitation and a red sandalwood box to Ji Xiang, saying that it was to apologize to Li Yu and calm down..