The oil-paper package was opened, revealing wound medicine and wound ointment. The eye-catching red seal of "Imperial Hospital" on it was particularly eye-catching. Su Jinli looked at the medicine and couldn't help but think of Jiang Yan's hands with blisters, and her heart ached. Her eyes searched the tent, and suddenly, she put down the straw rope in her hand, grabbed a charcoal pencil, and began to draw carefully on the oilcloth. After a while, a fox carrying a medicine box appeared on the oilcloth. The tip of the fox's tail was still stained with ointment, and it looked playful and cute. Next to it was neatly written: "For Jiang Yan only."
"Miss Su's fox painting can heal!" The children clapped their hands excitedly and laughed, their clear laughter echoing throughout the tent. The little girl with pigtails was even more delighted. She carefully copied the painting onto the fragments of a storybook, then gently folded it and carefully tucked it into her arms, as if it were the most precious treasure in the world. The elderly women, looking at the painting, also smiled for the first time in a long time. The clinking of silver bracelets brought a touch of warmth and hope.
Jiang Yan, standing on the embankment, suddenly sneezed, nearly dropping his hoe. Seeing this, the soldiers burst into laughter. He, however, gently touched his straw rope wristband, his gaze involuntarily darting toward the dock. In the pouring rain, the tarpaulin tent seemed like a lotus leaf floating on the raging waves, so small, yet so resilient. And beneath this lotus leaf, his wife, weaving life-saving honey with straw rope, was the warmest harbor in his heart.
When the setting sun finally pierced through the heavy rain clouds, casting a golden afterglow, the first batch of straw sandals was finally ready. Su Jinli watched as the elderly women clutched their coins tightly, their eyes gleaming with hope as they eagerly ran to the rice shop. Children, wearing their new sandals, leaped happily in the mud, their faces filled with innocent smiles, as if they had forgotten all their hardships. Watching this scene, she suddenly felt a sweetness tinged even with the mud, and her heart was filled with comfort and satisfaction.
Cheers echoed from the distant embankment. Jiang Yan, accompanied by his soldiers, approached with determined steps, carrying hoes. The crane patch on his official robe was now stained with mud, but it didn't affect the bright smile on his face. He smiled like a child, his eyes filled with the joy of victory.
"Madam," he said, walking up to Su Jinli and shaking the straw rope in his hand, his voice filled with pride and joy. "The soldiers said that when the water recedes, they want to learn how to make straw sandals from you and sell them for money."
Su Jinli looked at the blisters on the back of his hand, her heart aching, yet also filled with admiration. She suddenly remembered the brave and fearless heroes in the storybooks, and wasn't Jiang Yan in front of her the hero in her heart? She bent down slightly and picked up a pair of the smallest straw sandals, which were still wrapped with a fox charm drawn by a little girl, full of childish fun. "Jiang Yan, do you think these straw sandals can be considered the honey of our marriage?" She raised her head, her eyes gleaming with anticipation, and looked at Jiang Yan.
Jiang Yan gently crouched down, reached out his hand, and gently wiped the mud off her face. His fingertips touched her warm skin, as if he could feel her burning heart. "Alright." His voice was soft but firm. He picked up the straw sandal. The thorns of the rope pricked his palm, making it itchy, but it felt so real. "This is the sweetest honey I have ever received in my life." His eyes met Su Jinli's, filled with deep affection and love.
The setting sun after the rainstorm gently fell on the canal, dyeing the embankment and the straw sandal workshop golden, as if covering this land that had suffered so much with a veil of hope. Su Jinli watched Jiang Yan carry the last bag of rice. His strong back seemed to be able to bear all the difficulties. She also watched the old women counting copper coins, with deep wrinkles on their faces, which was the satisfaction and gratitude for life. She suddenly understood that the best kind of unity is not those romantic vows under the flowers and the moon, but to be able to stand hand in hand with her lover in this muddy disaster, and weave all the suffering into life-saving sweetness. And this pair of mud-stained straw sandals, carrying their love and hope, will eventually crush all the disasters, walk out a broad road paved with honey, and lead people to a better future.
As time passed, Yangzhou City gradually began to recover thanks to the efforts of everyone involved. Jiang Yan and his soldiers stood guard on the dike day and night, continuously reinforcing the levee to prevent further flooding. Su Jinli, in her straw sandal workshop at the dock, continued to lead the people in weaving straw sandals. Besides straw sandals, she also organized the people to create simple handicrafts using local materials. These were sold throughout the city through Jinyun Bookstore, increasing income for the people.
More and more people are joining the effort, no longer simply waiting for rescue but actively participating in self-help and rebuilding their homes. Children are no longer helplessly playing in the mud; under Su Jinli's guidance, they are learning to read and draw, using their childish brushstrokes to depict their aspirations for the future.
Throughout this process, Jiang Yan and Su Jinli's bond deepened. Whenever Jiang Yan returned from the dike, Su Jinli would prepare hot water and clean clothes for him, carefully tending to his wounds. Jiang Yan would accompany Su Jinli, teaching the locals how to better craft their handicrafts, improving production and quality. Their presence, seen through the streets and alleys of Yangzhou, became a beacon of hope for the people.
As the floodwaters gradually receded, the streets of Yangzhou began to dry up, and houses were gradually being rebuilt. Residents, wearing their own straw sandals, walked along the newly paved roads, their hearts filled with confidence for the future. The land once soaked by the floodwaters was once again planted with crops, and the tender green seedlings swayed gently in the breeze, as if proving the tenacity and perseverance of life.
Su Jinli and Jiang Yan watched the changes in Yangzhou with a wave of emotion. They knew that while this disaster had brought immense trauma to the city, it had also revealed the beauty and strength of human nature. Their actions exemplified the true meaning of a husband and wife united in overcoming adversity, and revitalized the city.
On a bright and sunny day, Yangzhou City held a grand celebration to celebrate the city's rebirth and recovery. Citizens took to the streets, singing and dancing, thanking Jiang Yan, Su Jinli, and all those involved in disaster relief. Su Jinli and Jiang Yan walked hand in hand among the crowds, their hearts filled with happiness and satisfaction as they watched the smiles on the people's faces.
"Look, this is the result of our joint efforts." Jiang Yan looked at the lively scene and turned to Su Jinli and said.
"Yes, all this is inseparable from everyone's joint efforts." Su Jinli smiled, tears flashing in her eyes.
"From now on, no matter what difficulties we encounter, we must face them together." Jiang Yan held Su Jinli's hand tightly with a firm look in his eyes.
"Yes, let's face it together." Su Jinli nodded vigorously. Their figures looked so firm and beautiful under the sunlight.
And those pairs of mud-stained straw sandals will forever become the memory of Yangzhou City, witnessing this journey full of love and hope, and inspiring future generations to forge ahead bravely and never give up when facing difficulties.
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