Zhang Hujun suddenly shouted: "Oh no, the gap in the field has not been dug yet, go dig the gap quickly..."
Some of the millet in the fields of Daping Village has been saved, and it will be harvested in about half a month. If it is washed away by water, won’t it be destroyed?
The villagers also reacted, and then all ran home in the heavy rain to get hoes, and dug gaps in the ridges of their fields to release the water.
Li also carried a hoe to help, and Zhang Hulan quickly pulled her back and snatched the hoe away, "Sister-in-law, you stay at home, I'll go help my brother."
Zhang Hulan put on a straw raincoat and a bamboo hat and rushed into the rain.
Zhang Hubing also carried a hoe and went to the fields. Now that the family's fields had been divided up, if he didn't work on them himself, the rice in the fields allocated to him would be in danger.
It was raining heavily. Although I was wearing a straw raincoat and a hat, my clothes were still all wet.
Some villagers didn't even wear straw raincoats or hats, and just ran and walked quickly on the edge of the field in the rain.
The rain blocked Zhang Hulan's view, and she could vaguely see two figures, one old and one young.
Zhang Hulan immediately ran over and asked, "Aunt He, why don't you wear a bamboo hat?"
Zhang Hulan put her hat on He's head, and He quickly said, "Hulan, wear it yourself, don't worry about me."
"You are so old, your body can't stand the rain, but I am young and fine."
Zhang Hulan pulled Shanzi to He's side to take shelter from the rain, and then asked, "Which fields are yours? I'll help you dig them."
Shanzi pointed quickly and said, "These fields are all ours."
Zhang Hulan started digging immediately. Shanzi did not hide from the rain and also started digging with a hoe.
After Zhang Hujun finished digging the gap in his own rice field, he helped Zhang Hubing dig a gap.
The villagers also helped each other. If they saw someone's family had not finished digging, they would help out.
The rain was getting heavier, and the water flowing into the fields was getting bigger and bigger, mixed with many dead branches and rotten leaves. Zhao Guoliang shouted loudly: "Come with me and dig the big ditch, otherwise the water from the mountain will flow through our fields and our fields will be destroyed."
Many villagers went there. The place where the ditch was blocked was already full of shrubs washed down by the flood. Zhao Guoliang and his men took great pains to dig the ditch through.
When it's not raining, everyone hopes for a heavy rain. When it really rains, everyone hopes it won't be too heavy.
The weather had been dry for so long, if the heavy rain continued, it would be easy for landslides to occur, and many people would suffer. Fortunately, the heavy rain did not last long, and it gradually subsided after more than half an hour.
The villagers went home to change their clothes, and then stood at the door of their house watching the rain outside. After this rain, the drought should be over.
The rain fell intermittently from the afternoon to the evening.
Late at night, the gate of Zhang's courtyard was slammed loudly.
The Zhang family was awakened. Zhang Hujun got up and walked to the door, asking loudly, "Who is it?"
Shanzi's voice rang out from outside, "Uncle Dajun, my grandma, my grandma is dying..."
Zhang Hulan also got up. After hearing Shanzi's words, she immediately opened the gate and asked anxiously, "Shanzi, what happened to your grandma?"
"Auntie Lan, my grandma is dying. She asked me to come and ask you to come over."
It was still raining outside, and Zhang Hulan didn't even have time to put on his hat. He pulled Shanzi and ran towards Shanzi's home, and Zhang Hujun followed him.
He was lying on the bed with her eyes closed. When she heard the noise, she opened her eyes slightly.
"Aunt He, what's wrong with you? Do you have a fever?" Zhang Hulan asked anxiously and reached out to touch He's forehead, but there was no fever.
He looked fine, and her breathing was even. She smiled at Zhang Hulan, "Alan, you're here..."
Zhang Hulan asked hurriedly, "Aunt He, what's wrong with you?"
He said slowly, "I'm not feeling unwell. My time is up. Shanzi's grandfather is here to pick me up."
Hearing what He said, Zhang Hulan felt nervous.
Many elderly people seemed to know they were going to die when they passed away. They all said that their spouse had come to pick them up.
He said again: "Alan, I want to ask you a favor."
"Aunt, you said that I would not refuse anything as long as I can do it."
He looked at Shanzi and said, "What I am most worried about is Shanzi. I know you have a kind heart, so I would like to ask you to help me take care of Shanzi."
"I'm not asking you to support him. He can work and cook, and he can take care of himself."
"But he's still too young, and I'm afraid he'll be bullied. So I'd like you to help me keep an eye on him, as long as he's not bullied."
Zhang Hulan's eyes were a little sore, he nodded and said: "Don't worry, auntie, I will take care of Shanzi and make sure he won't be bullied."
He smiled again, "Thank you, I trust you. You are the only one I trust in this village. I feel relieved that Shanzi is under your care."
He waved to Shanzi, "Shanzi, come here."
Shanzi walked forward, perhaps because of his experience last time, or perhaps because he knew that grandma was really going to leave this time. He did not cry this time, but his eyes were red, and his two fists were clenched tightly in his sleeves.
He said, "Shanzi, you should listen to your Aunt Lan more in the future, okay?"
Shanzi nodded, "Well, grandma, don't worry, I will be obedient."
"Don't be afraid, grandma and grandpa will be watching over you and blessing you in heaven."
"Don't worry, grandma. I'm not scared. You and grandpa don't have to worry about me. I'll be fine."
Tears fell from the corners of He's eyes, and she held Shanzi's hand tightly. She looked straight at Shanzi's back, her pupils dilated, and she whispered, "Old man, don't rush me, I'll come right away..."
After He said this, she loosened her hands and slowly closed her eyes.
Shanzi couldn't hold back any longer and cried out loudly: "Grandma..."
Zhang Hujun went to call Zhao Guoliang and his wife, and Wang also rushed over.
But when they came over, He had already died.
Wang said, "Gone?"
Zhang Hulan nodded, "Yes, I just left."
Wang sighed, "Ah...why is it so sudden?"
Zhang Hulan said, "It's not sudden. Aunt He was probably already exhausted last time, but she was worried about leaving the mountain, so she held on for these days."
Zhao Guoliang and Zhou also sighed, and then comforted Shanzi, "Shanzi, your grandma passed away peacefully without suffering, which is a good thing. Don't be too sad, everyone will have this experience."
Shanzi lay on He's body, not saying a word, not crying anymore. He just lay on his grandmother's body, as if he was asleep.
Zhang Hulan said to Zhang Hujun, "Brother, after daybreak, go to the county town to buy a coffin for Auntie and some blue cloth... Forget it, I'll go with you."
More villagers came over, and Wang and Zhou called a few women to help He wipe her body. Zhao Guoliang called a few people to help set up the mourning hall.
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