After Yu Shan was pulled out, he collapsed to the ground as if his soul had been ripped out, his mouth agape but unable to utter a sound, his eyes blankly staring at the ever-growing flames.
Everyone stared blankly at the horrific scene before them, standing there helplessly, their eyes filled with despair.
Without high-pressure water guns or advanced firefighting equipment, everyone could only watch helplessly as the raging fire mercilessly and rapidly devoured all the wheat.
A gust of north wind blew, and the flames, like an enraged beast, burned even more fiercely, resembling a ferocious fire dragon that instantly devoured everyone's hopes for the year.
That night, half the sky above Xiliu Village was dyed an eerie red, as shocking as blood, and the fire alarmed several nearby villages.
All night long, everyone stared in disbelief at the raging fire dragon, watching helplessly as it devoured everything, until the sun slowly rose the next day.
Golden sunlight shone on the scorched ground, its blinding light forcing people to close their eyes as if in mourning for the disaster.
It was unclear which family's young child was crying and looking for his mother. His innocent cries seemed to have turned on a switch of sadness, and suppressed sobs gradually filled the surrounding area.
Although these cries were not loud, they seemed to be weeping blood, filled with endless grief and despair.
Xie Yan covered her eyes with trembling hands, tears slipping through her fingers.
Why? Why is this happening?
Just yesterday, everyone's faces were beaming with the joy of a bountiful harvest.
Yesterday, when we passed the wheat field for the thank-you banquet, Zhang Hu was still there with a stack of wheat, and everything was fine.
Zhang Hu's gruff voice drifted over from afar as he warmly greeted Xie Yan.
Zhang Hu seemed to have inexhaustible energy. Although he spent the whole day loading wheat, unloading it from the truck, and stacking it on the wheat stacks, working even harder than people working in the fields, he was always smiling.
Whenever he sees someone passing by, he greets them loudly, his hearty laughter seemingly able to dispel all fatigue.
Even those who were so tired that their legs felt like lead and they could barely move when they got home at night would greet Zhang Hu from afar.
Despite being exhausted all day, no one complained.
After a good night's sleep, they would be back to work full of energy the next day.
Even the elderly folks who usually slack off didn't slack off at this crucial moment.
Everyone is working so hard, and we're just one step away from the finish line. We only need to wait one more day. If we harvest the last bit of wheat today, we can start threshing tomorrow. Starting tomorrow, this place will be guarded day and night.
Then nothing will happen.
Why today? Xie Yan just wants to find the arsonist and tear him to pieces right now.
Li Tuzi, the brigade leader from the neighboring village, also rushed over, but remained silent upon seeing the situation.
He patted Yu Shan on the shoulder with a serious expression, then turned to Yu Yuehua and said, "Keep an eye on your father."
Yu Yuehua's eyes were red and swollen, full of bloodshot veins. He nodded silently with red eyes.
Li the Bald looked again at the scorched ground and flying dust behind him, and sighed heavily.
He had to rush back and hold a meeting to arrange for several people to take turns guarding the wheat stacks. He absolutely could not allow any open flames or unauthorized personnel to appear in the wheat field, and he absolutely could not allow the tragedy to repeat itself in his village.
Soon, the people from the surrounding villages left one after another, leaving only the villagers, who sat on the ground, looking utterly dejected, as if all their strength had been drained away, unable to get up.
Yu Shan's lips trembled, and he opened his mouth several times, but couldn't utter a sound.
Xie Yan immediately understood that his father-in-law had lost his voice due to excessive anxiety last night.
He quickly gestured to Yu Yuehua to take the person back to rest and prevent them from being further agitated.
Yu Yuehua turned her head, looked at the villagers around her who looked desperate, and said loudly, "Everyone should go back and rest today. We can talk about anything else when I get back from the police station."
"As for the arsonist, don't worry. Even if we can't find him, we have the police. They're professionals at investigating cases, and they definitely won't let him get away!" After saying that, she carefully helped Yu Shan walk home.
Xie Yan quickly jogged after him, saying, "I'll go with you later."
Yu Yuehua forced a bitter smile and shook her head. "Just lend me the car. You stay home and take care of Yue. She's quite far along in her pregnancy, and she's been through a lot this time."
Xie Yan nodded, he was also worried about Yu Yuehui, "Okay, if you need anything, just let me know."
Yu Yuehua tried hard to force a smile, but ultimately failed. She could only nod slightly and turn to leave.
When Xie Yan returned home, he entered the room and saw Yu Yuehui still lying on the kang (a heated brick bed), staring blankly at the ceiling. She was still in the same position that he had forced her to lie in when he left last night, without even turning over.
Xie Yan was startled and hurriedly went over to help her sit up. He said in a rare stern tone, "You're really being ridiculous! You haven't slept all night and haven't even turned over. What are you trying to do?"
"You want to fly to the heavens, huh!" he said, reaching out to gently pinch her already stiff half of body.
Yu Yuehui slowly raised her head and asked in a hoarse voice, "Is Father alright?"
While massaging her leg, Xie Yan comforted her, "It's alright, Dad was just too anxious and lost his voice a little, but don't worry, he'll recover in a couple of days."
"Don't worry, it's nothing serious. Big brother has already helped Dad back to rest."
“You need to rest now. Look at your dark circles, you're almost like a panda. No matter what happens, it will be resolved. Besides, this is a matter for the whole village, and there are more village officials than just your father.”
"If the sky falls, the tall ones will hold it up, why are you in such a hurry?"
Yu Yue's eyes reddened, and she said with a hint of grievance, "But I just can't sleep. Every time I close my eyes, all I see are towering flames."
"I can't sleep!"
"Is your body still numb?" Xie Yan looked up at her.
Yu Yuehui gently shook her head.
Xie Yan took off his coat and said gently, "Okay, lie down now, I'll sleep with you."
"Don't think about the fire anymore. Your brother has already reported it to the police. The police are professionals; they'll definitely find the arsonist."
"The brigade will definitely make arrangements for what happens next, so don't think about anything right now, just close your eyes and go to sleep."
Yu Yuehui wanted to fall asleep, but when she closed her eyes, the terrifying image of the fire kept replaying in her mind.
Xie Yan gently patted her back and softly sang a lullaby:
Little baby, sleep peacefully. The stars are low, the breeze is gentle, the moon is bright, lingering outside the window. Little baby, sleep peacefully...
This was the only lullaby Xie Yan knew, and she only remembered the first half; she had long forgotten the second half and could only repeat the first half over and over again.
Gradually, Yu Yuehui's breathing became even.
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