Chapter 279: Heavy Rain

The thing Yang Qing least wanted to happen still happened.

The weather in late August is like being punctured; this is no longer just rain, it's as if Wangmu Niangniang's washbasin was overturned, a big basin of water splashing.

Boom—rumble, the violent rain mixed with lightning, lightning tearing apart the black clouds, the black clouds churning, pressing down on the roof.

Boom—crack, the glass window trembled from the vibration, clattering, as if it might shatter at any moment.

Rou Dan was startled by this apocalyptic sight, then excitedly pointed outside.

Chen Hong was even more frightened by the thunder, clinging to Yang Qing's waist and refusing to let go.

The thunder's noise was truly too great, shaking Yang Qing's head until it buzzed.

The air even felt ionized, becoming thin.

Chen Hong's stiff, trembling body made Yang Qing also become tense.

"Wife, what's wrong with you?"

Chen Hong hugged Yang Qing's waist, gripping it tightly, her face a little pale.

"I don't know what's going on, I feel a bit short of breath."

"This thunder is also strange, as if it struck the back of my head; when it sounds, I can't help but tense my body, tremble, and a chill runs over me."

"This thunder is really eerie."

"Eerie? Yang Qing didn't think so, but he also felt that the lightning might strike him at any moment."

"Maybe the clouds are too low; the thunder sounds like it's right above my head."

The oppressive atmosphere contributed to all of this.

Yang Qing took out cotton and stuffed it into Chen Hong's ears.

Rou Dan howled beside them, but Yang Qing ignored him.

"Dad, dad, outside, outside…"

Yang Qing replied irritably.

"Outside, pfft—be quiet, kid, can't you see Mom is suffering?"

Chen Hong was now covered in cold sweat, her face pallid.

Yang Qing truly feared she would scare the baby away (she was pregnant again).

He then pulled out winter ear protectors and put them on her.

Rou Dan also noticed Chen Hong's listlessness, crawled over, and from behind her gave her a hug.

"Mom, don't be scared, Mom be good."

Perhaps encouraged by her son, Chen Hong felt a bit better; Yang Qing took the opportunity to turn her around so she could hold the son.

He himself then gave her a massage from behind.

Her tense body, under Yang Qing's continual effort, gradually relaxed.

Afterward, Chen Hong's mouth began to emit comfortable moans.

Although she still trembled a little with each thunderclap, she no longer had that stiff feeling.

No matter how strong a person is, there are times of weakness; who would have thought that this thunder would frighten Chen Hong like this?

Perhaps she was too tired; slowly, Chen Hong fell asleep holding Rou Dan.

Only then did Yang Qing go out.

The old lady wasn't scared at all, sitting by the window watching the heavy rain outside.

Upon seeing Yang Qing, the old lady tapped the nearby stool with her cane, indicating for him to sit.

"Is Rou Dan okay?"

Yang Qing brewed a cup of malted milk for the old lady before replying.

"Nothing serious, just stay spirited; Chen Hong was indeed startled, but she's already asleep now."

The old lady looked at the house ahead and worriedly said,

"With such heavy rain, I'm afraid many houses will leak again."

"When the rain eases a bit, go check; Red Red and you are ultimately people of the Jiedao, you can't ignore them."

Yang Qing nodded.

"Grandma, rest assured; I'll go once the thunder stops."

"Otherwise I'm afraid I'll get struck by lightning as soon as I go out."

As Yang Qing's words just fell, the main house ahead was directly struck by a bolt of lightning.

"Oh dear, your jinx—this lightning struck the roof of my old sister's house."

"I saw tiles blown off; I'm afraid her house will leak."

Seeing her anxious appearance, Yang Qing stood up.

"I'll go take a look."

The old lady reached out and pulled him back.

"You don't want to live? If her house leaks, it leaks—no one will die."

"What if you go out and get struck by lightning?"

"Just sit still and don't move."

Compared to the deaf old lady, this old lady dotes more on her own grandson.

Yang Qing was pulled by the old lady to sit down, and he obediently sat properly.

"Okay, okay, I won't go."

"But I need to boil some ginger soup; later when I go out I'll surely get soaked in the rain, and drinking it when I return will prevent a cold."

"When I boil it, I'll add brown sugar; Grandma, you also have a drink later."

If Chen Hong wakes up, also let her have a drink.

The rain is falling so heavily; the house may be rather damp these two days.

The grandma thinks the good grandson is very thoughtful.

"Then go brew some."

"It's still your thought that's thoughtful."

By the time Yang Qing finishes brewing the ginger soup, the thunder has already passed.

Only the big water bucket is splashing.

Yang Qing greets the grandma.

"Grandma, I'm going out to take a look."

The grandma hears the voice and advises.

"Pay attention to safety; with such heavy rain, some people's houses may not hold up. If you see danger, run. Stay farther from the walls; the courtyard wall is also unsafe."

"Also watch the electricity; if the leak is severe, there may be places with electric leakage."

Yang Qing clicks a sound, flips the light bulb switch, but the bulb shows no reaction at all.

"Grandma, look, the power's out again."

(The old power lines were rather crude, using utility poles; thunder, rain, and strong winds would cause outages.)

The grandma praises.

"The good grandson is still clever, go ahead."

Yang Qing, wearing a raincoat, goes out; just stepping outside, he feels a massive stream of water striking his body.

He only feels a heaviness on his body, showing how huge the rainwater is.

Going down the steps, the water has already risen over his ankles.

Yang Qing, wading through water, arrives at the backyard.

Looking over, the deaf old lady is pouring water out with a basin.

Yang Qing takes the basin from the deaf old lady; her clothes are already soaked through.

"Grandma, you wipe yourself first, I'll handle it."

Seeing Yang Qing, the deaf old lady's anxious heart instantly calms considerably.

"It was just a small leak at first; who knew the roof tiles would suddenly burst."

"A big hole has opened in the roof."

Yang Qing enters and sees that the grandma's kang is completely soaked.

The pouring water is fiercely washing the grandma's kang.

Yang Qing tosses the basin aside and quickly moves the boxes and blankets on the grandma's kang onto the table.

That huge roof opening can't be blocked at all; the basins are useless— the few basins the grandma placed are already full, and a layer of water covers the floor.

"Grandma, this kang is beyond saving..."

"This water also has no need to be collected."

"First wipe yourself, change your clothes."

"When the rain stops, go to Sha Zhu's place to make do for a while."

"Your house, after the rain stops, do Household Chores once more before living again."

The deaf old lady feels extremely heartbroken.

"It can only be like this; if you don't come over, I can't even drag the boxes, I can only use a basin to pour out the water."

"Now the boxes and blankets are saved; let this big opening leak."

"A hole this big, I'm afraid the house can't be lived in anymore."

Yang Qing comforts.

"When the rain stops, I'll go to Jiedao to register for you; Jiedao will help you repair it."

After all, you're a five‑guarantee household.

The grandma waves her hand.

"Forget it, don't trouble Jiedao."

"I've saved over a hundred yuan; when the sky clears, I'll find someone myself to fix it."

"Re‑lay the tiles, that should be enough."