"Watch your step, the road is slippery in the rain. Hold the children tight and support the elderly. If you can't carry something, give it to me. If you really can't carry it, you can make another trip later to get the elderly and children up first. The elderly and children are inside the cave, so don't rush."
Xu Zijiang was shouting nonstop through a megaphone, carrying a lot of things in his hands, and even helping to carry chickens.
When the others saw the chicken in Xu Zijiang's hand, they were immediately filled with regret and frustration.
"Oh dear, I should have brought our chickens with me! If there's a flood, our chickens will drown!"
"Hey, you actually believe in floods? Look, I only brought some food, nothing else. What are you afraid of?"
Even though everyone listened to Xu Zijiang and went up the mountain, most people still didn't believe there would be a flood, including the old man who had experienced the flood more than ten years ago. The last flood was caused by rain that lasted for more than half a month, which eventually caused the river embankment to collapse. The water level had already risen very high before the flood came.
How long has this rain lasted? Today is only the second day! In typhoon weather like this, the rain usually stops after three or four days, and there can't be any accidents.
Braving the wind and rain, everyone chatted as they struggled to make their way to the back of the mountain. Yu Jiu carried food and followed the group, slowly moving forward. Li Nannan was among them, but she was empty-handed, carrying nothing. She was holding up her trouser legs, afraid of getting splashed with mud. She was a bit careless and almost tripped, but Zhao En helped her up.
Her face darkened, and she became even more unhappy, her little mouth pouting so much it seemed to stretch for miles.
Xu Zijiang immediately spotted the prettiest young educated youth in the crowd, but he was busy leading the way for everyone and couldn't go to her side to take care of her. He could only help her carry the things in her hands.
"I can..."
Yu Jiu didn't want to cause him any trouble, and was about to say that she could carry it, but Xu Zi had already snatched the things and walked to the front without giving her a chance to refuse, and picked up the megaphone to shout again.
"Watch your step, stop chatting, let's talk up on the mountain!"
"Wow, this is so much fun!"
Unlike the adults who were sighing and complaining, the children clapped their hands with joy, thinking that it was wonderful to be able to come out in the rain and spend the night in the cave. They liked it very much and cheered all the way there.
Upon arriving at the cave, Xu Zijiang casually divided the people into two groups and sent them to two caves. One cave couldn't hold so many people, and even two caves were barely enough. There wasn't even a place for everyone to sleep, so everyone had to sit back to back, which was indeed very crowded.
Xu Zi frowned as he looked at the scene, but there was nothing he could do. If they went outside, there would be nowhere else to shelter from the wind and rain, so he could only make do for a few days.
"Also, all of you better keep your hands and feet clean. Young men, be considerate and sit away from the girls. Family members, remember to let the girls sit in the middle and not near anyone else!"
"Captain, how can you not believe us!"
"That's right, who would dare to do something bad right under the captain's nose!"
One by one, they began to cry out their innocence, but Xu Zijiang ignored them and turned back to his work.
The first night passed peacefully, despite some complaints. They just sat there and got through the night. But the next day, although the wind and rain continued, there was still no sign of flooding, and people couldn't take it anymore.
"Captain, can't we go back? What are we doing hiding here? Even going to the toilet is such a hassle!"
"You bet I almost peed my pants last night! Captain, please let us go back. Even if there's a flood, I won't blame you, okay?"
"No way! You're all staying put, and no one is allowed to run back! Gouzi, Uncle De, remember to count the number of people, don't let them sneak back!"
Xu Zijiang instructed several people to keep a close eye on the number of people and to inform him immediately if anyone was missing.
"Boom, boom!"
Suddenly, lightning flashed and thunder roared outside. The lightning almost struck the person closest to the cave entrance. The sound was so loud that it seemed as if the sky was about to collapse and the earth was about to cave in. Everyone screamed in terror.
"Captain, I think instead of worrying about the flood, we should think about what would happen if the mountain collapsed! Is it really safe here?"
"Don't worry, even if you collapse this mountain, it won't collapse. If you have nothing to do, chat, sing, or do whatever you want. Just stop stirring up trouble here, or I won't let you off the hook!"
Xu Zi reprimanded the troublemaker again. He sat cross-legged at the cave entrance, his brow furrowed as he watched the rain outside. The water level had risen again and wouldn't recede. Although it hadn't reached the critical point yet, a sudden unease gripped him; he felt a flood was imminent.
He could even smell the floodwaters. At that time, he was almost swept away by the flood and struggled in the water for a long time. The unique earthy smell of the floodwaters was deeply etched in his mind and he could never forget it.
"Captain, have something to eat, don't think about it for now."
Just then, Yu Jiu suddenly squeezed out and handed the food to Xu Zijiang, urging him to eat some. Xu Zijiang's cooking was still delicious even when it was cold. When Yu Jiu ate slowly that morning, countless people stared at her meat and eggs. Even Li Nannan's mouth was watering and her stomach was growling with hunger.
But Yu Jiu ignored her. Did she really think she should share the food Xu Zijiang made with that annoying Li Nannan? Was she crazy? Did she seem that magnanimous?
Thinking of Li Nannan, Yu Jiu suddenly frowned, stood up abruptly, and hurriedly squeezed back into the area where the educated youth were staying, asking anxiously.
"Where is Li Nannan? Have you seen her?"
"Li Zhiqing? Didn't you just say you went to the toilet? Oh, it seems like you've been gone for almost half an hour. Why aren't you back yet?"
The group of educated youth suddenly became restless when they realized that Li Nannan had been gone for too long.
"She should be alright, right? She probably just went back to the educated youth settlement to cook, right? I don't think she brought any food with her. If she could hold out until noon, she must be starving. How could she possibly wait any longer?"
"But the captain said to bring food, and she didn't bring any herself, so it's her own fault."
The educated youth discussed in hushed tones.
Xu Zijiang had already sensed something was wrong when Yu Jiu hurriedly left. He stood up with a grim expression and shouted loudly.
"Li Nannan, is Li Nannan still in the cave? Give me an answer!"
Naturally, no one answered, and Yu Jiu came over with a grim expression.
"I guess they went back to the educated youth settlement. They've been missing for about an hour."
She said she was going to the restroom, so no one paid much attention. They just closed their eyes to rest or chatted. Who would have thought she would be so bold? Xu Zijiang had repeatedly emphasized that she was not allowed to go down the mountain, but she still went down!
"That wicked person!"
Xu Zijiang was speechless. He didn't even have time to eat before preparing to go down the mountain to capture her.
"You eat first, don't wait for me. Go back inside and sit down, it'll rain outside, don't catch a cold."
He quickly stroked Yu Jiu's hair to comfort him, and then hurried down the mountain. His tall, broad, and solid back gave people a great sense of security. Even those who disapproved of his actions couldn't help but admire him. He was busy running around, and his clothes were never dry. Everything he did was for the team members.
"Xu Zijiang, can you not go?"
Yu Jiu stared blankly at his tall back, muttering to herself. The reason she didn't say anything was because she knew he would definitely go, and it would be useless to say anything. She just hoped that he could bring that troublesome Li Nannan back soon.
She stood at the cave entrance praying, oblivious to the wind blowing in raindrops that soaked her trouser legs. After about ten minutes, she stretched her neck, intending to relax her stiff body, when suddenly, a roaring wave echoed from the dim distance.
Immediately afterwards, a colossal wave rapidly spread from the distance to the foot of the mountain. The sheer size and speed of the wave caught everyone completely off guard! It was as if a misty, rain-swept painting had been plunged directly into the sea, instantly submerged!
"Oh my god! Water!"
"The flood has really come!"
The people inside the cave couldn't help but squeeze out, clinging to the entrance and exclaiming in awe—it was too shocking! The dim light of day was enough for everyone to see clearly how the flood had swallowed their houses. While everyone was grateful for their good fortune in escaping the flood, they also lamented their misfortune, having lost their homes and belongings!
"If I had known, I would have brought all the valuables with me! My chickens! My grain!"
"My money! Oh my God!!!"
Everyone wept and wailed as they watched the flood, but Yu Jiu's face turned deathly pale in an instant, and she couldn't utter a single word.
She clenched her fists, her heart clenching. How could it have happened so fast! Xu Zijiang, Xu Zijiang hasn't returned yet!!!
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