Chapter 39: Braving the Rain, No Matter What

Gu Xixi said with a smile, "First, now is not the best time to transplant fruit trees."

"Second, those relatives upset him, and he won't sell even a single tree."

"If I rely on having helped him and propose to buy saplings, how would I be any different from those who exploit the fire?"

Zhang Shen nodded repeatedly, "You've thought of everything."

"This child is pitiful enough; we can't let him suffer any further."

Recently the nights in the small mountain village have begun to feel a chill of autumn; for dinner Zhang Shen stewed a pot of soup noodles.

The clear broth made from boiled wild bamboo shoots and dried fungi is so fresh it could make your eyebrows fall off, even without any meat.

Hand‑rolled noodle strips, diced bok choy, and radish are boiled in the broth to absorb flavor, then a handful of fragrant scallions is sprinkled on top.

Zhang Shen was unusually generous today, placing a poached egg in each person's bowl.

Lao Langzhong kept praising how delicious it was.

Seeing his cheerful expression and hearty appetite, Gu Xixi knew that Mu Nan Zhao was probably fine.

Lao Langzhong ate two big bowls, saying, "Mrs. Zhang, your cooking is beyond praise."

"Not only is the broth delicious, but the hand‑rolled noodle sheets are tender, thin, and smooth."

Zhang Shen's cheeks flushed from the praise, "Oh, I just know how to make these everyday home meals; it's not nearly as good as you say."

Lao Langzhong sighed, "It's exactly like the taste of my hometown; I haven't had it in years."

Zhang Shen asked, "Isn't your hometown Shitou Village? I've never heard you talk about your past."

Gu Xixi and Mu Nan Zhao also looked over curiously.

Lao Langzhong chuckled vaguely, "It's been too long; I can't remember clearly."

Gu Xixi and Mu Nan Zhao exchanged a glance.

It seems Lao Langzhong is also someone with a story.

Sure enough, in the second half of the night the sound of drizzling rain was heard, and when Gu Xixi woke in the morning it was still raining.

Outside the sky was overcast, inside the light dim—perfect weather for sleeping in.

Gu Xixi turned over in bed and asked, "Zhang Shen, Gu Qingye didn't come, did she?"

Such weather is clearly unsuitable for going into the mountains.

Zhang Shen put down the washbasin and said, "I just stepped out and took a look—she didn't come."

Gu Xixi comfortably curled up and said, "Then I'll keep sleeping."

Zhang Shen smiled indulgently, "All right, sleep as long as you like. I'll call you at lunchtime."

This child is always busy running about; today, thanks to the rain, it's a rare chance to rest properly.

Gu Xixi soon drifted back into sleep.

But this time she couldn't stay asleep for long.

Lao Qian's anxious shout echoed through the small courtyard, "Has my great‑niece not gotten up yet?"

"Oh dear, I can't wait—whoever in your household can dig right now, grab a pickaxe and come with me!"

In her hazy consciousness, Gu Xixi heard Zhang Shen ask, "What's going on? Why are we digging in this heavy rain?"

Lao Qian said, "A landslide occurred on the other side of the mountain, and several little kids are buried underneath."

"I just heard about it myself and was on my way to check."

The Qian family headed toward the other side of the mountain, happened to pass Gu Xixi's home, and Lao Qian came in to call for help.

Upon hearing that children were buried, Zhang Shen immediately went to look for a pickaxe and a shovel without a word.

Hearing the door move, Lao Qian turned around and saw Gu Xixi come out fully dressed.

"Uncle Qian, how large is the landslide area, and is the collapse soil, rock, or a mud‑rock flow?"

Lao Qian said, "They say it's at the bottom of the western cliff slope."

"People used to dig for pottery clay there, leaving a cavity in the mountainside."

"This time, loose soil was washed away by the heavy rain, collapsed, and buried the opening."

Gu Xixi took a shovel from Zhang Shen's hand and, without bothering to grab an umbrella, hurried outside.

"If it's just loose soil, we can still dig it out in time if we hurry."

At that moment, Mu Nan Zhao appeared at the west room's doorway, saying, "I'll go with you."

"No way!" Lao Langzhong and Gu Xixi exclaimed in unison.

Gu Xixi said, "Your cough has just improved—you can't go out in the rain again."

She smiled at Mu Nan Zhao, "The whole village has turned out; we don't need you."

Lao Langzhong also urged, "Just in case a child is hurt and brought here, I'll still need you to lend a hand."

Gu Xixi explained to Lao Qian, "My maternal uncle knows medicine."

"Later we can send the injured children to my house for treatment."

Lao Qian, too caught up to feel surprise, simply hurried over and clasped his hands to Lao Langzhong, saying, "Thank you!"

On the western side of the rear mountain, when Gu Xixi, Lao Qian, and Zhang Shen arrived, many villagers were already digging in the rain.

Qin Dasao was supported by two women, her eyes full of sorrow, her face wet with rain or sweat indistinguishable.

Gu Xixi whispered to the person beside her, "Is Qin Dasao's son also here?"

Several people nodded and sighed sympathetically.

Qin Dasao is a warm‑hearted person; she gets along well in the village, and when something like this happens, everyone feels awful.

Gu Xixi said no more, stepped forward, and joined the digging line.

Zhang Shen hurried after her, "Xixi, go slow—be careful!"

The rain grew heavier; Lao Qian tilted his head, wiped the water from his face, and shouted up at the cliff wall:

I see the soil and rocks above are also loosening a bit; everyone needs to hold on tight!

Upon hearing this, everyone quickened their digging.

Everyone knows that if there is a second collapse, not to mention the danger to those outside, any later attempt to rescue the children inside would be even more hopeless.

The faces of the several families searching for their children instantly turned ashen, and sobs and wails rose again in unison.

Gu Xixi was also anxious, wondering what could be done to speed things up a bit.

She glanced around and noticed that the muddy water beside her right foot was swirling and seeping downward quickly.

In the blink of an eye, Gu Xixi quickly moved her right foot and dug hard at that spot.

One, two—suddenly a small pit collapsed in the mire.

Gu Xixi stared excitedly at the small pit, waving her hand and shouting loudly, 'The soil layer here is thinnest! Rainwater can flow in; the entrance is likely right ahead.'

Lao Qian trusted Gu Xixi's judgment and made a quick decision, 'Get two strong people to come dig here with me!'

Everyone dug with all their might, not even bothering to wipe rain from their eyes.

Suddenly, amid the rain and digging sounds, a faint child's cry came through: 'Mom!'

The few people digging alongside Gu Xixi all froze.

Zhang Shen asked uncertainly, 'Did you hear anything?'

Qin Dasao, whose face had been ashen, suddenly shoved aside the person supporting her and lurched forward.

'Tie Dan! That's my Tie Dan's voice!'

Those farther away heard nothing and thought Qin Dasao had gone mad from grief; several women stepped forward to pull her back, lest she hinder the rescue.

At this moment, several clearer cries came through.

Lao Qian's face lit up with joy, 'It's crying—the babies are crying!'

'Exactly!' someone exclaimed happily, 'We hear more than one cry—they must all be safe!'

Qin Dasao splashed through the mud, lunging toward her husband who was still digging elsewhere, laughing and crying.

'You Qin, did you hear? Our son is here—come over and help quickly!!'

Including Gu Xixi, everyone's vigor redoubled.

The rain grew heavier, and no one paid attention to the movements above...