Chapter 39: Braving the rain, regardless of everything
Gu Xixi smiled and said, "First of all, now is not the best time to transplant fruit trees."
"Secondly, he was provoked by his relatives and refused to sell any trees."
"If I ask to buy the saplings because I helped him, how would I be any different from those people who took advantage of the situation to rob people?"
Aunt Zhang nodded repeatedly, "You've thought it through."
"This child is pitiful enough. We can't make things difficult for him any more."
The nights in the small mountain village have begun to feel the chill of autumn recently, so Aunt Zhang cooked a pot of soup noodles for dinner.
The clear soup made with wild bamboo shoots and dried mushrooms is so delicious that it makes your eyebrows fall in love with it even without any meat.
Hand-rolled noodles, chopped cabbage and radish are boiled in the soup for a few times to absorb the flavor, and finally sprinkled with a handful of green garlic for flavor.
Aunt Zhang was particularly generous today and put a poached egg in everyone's bowl.
The old doctor praised the dish repeatedly for being delicious.
Seeing that he looked happy and had a good appetite, Gu Xixi knew that Mu Nanzhao was probably fine.
The old doctor ate two large bowls of the dish and said, "Mrs. Zhang's cooking skills are incredible."
“Not only is the soup delicious, but the noodles are also thin and smooth.”
Aunt Zhang's cheeks flushed as she was praised. "Well, I can only cook these home-cooked meals. They are not as good as you say."
The old doctor sighed, "It tastes just like my hometown. I haven't eaten it in many years."
Aunt Zhang asked, "Isn't your hometown in Shitou Village? I've never heard you talk about your past."
Gu Xixi and Mu Nanzhao also looked over curiously.
The old doctor smiled and said vaguely, "It was so long ago that I can't remember it clearly."
Gu Xixi and Mu Nanzhao looked at each other.
It seems that the old doctor is also a man with a story.
Sure enough, the sound of rain could be heard in the second half of the night, and it was still raining when Gu Xixi woke up in the morning.
The sky outside is gloomy and the light inside the house is dim. It's a perfect day for sleeping in.
Gu Xixi turned over in bed and asked, "Aunt Zhang, Gu Qingye didn't come, right?"
This kind of weather is obviously not suitable for going into the mountains.
Aunt Zhang put down the wash basin and said, "I just went out to check, she's not here."
Gu Xixi curled up comfortably and said, "Then I'll continue sleeping."
Aunt Zhang smiled indulgently, "Okay, go ahead and sleep. I'll call you at lunch time."
The child is busy all day long. Today he has some free time because of the rain, so he should have a good rest.
Gu Xixi soon fell asleep again.
But this time she didn't sleep for long.
Old Qian's anxious voice echoed throughout the courtyard, "My niece hasn't gotten up yet?"
"Oh, I can't wait any longer. Who in your family can dig the ground now? Bring your shovel and follow me!"
Gu Xixi was half conscious when she heard Aunt Zhang ask, "What happened? Why are you digging in the rain?"
Lao Qian said, "There was a landslide over there, and several children were crushed underneath."
"I just heard about it, and was about to go over to take a look."
The Qian family was walking towards the mountain and happened to pass by Gu Xixi's house. Old Qian came in and asked for help.
When Aunt Zhang heard that a child was buried, she went to find a shovel and a hoe without saying a word.
Hearing the door open, Lao Qian turned around and saw Gu Xixi coming out neatly dressed.
"Uncle Qian, is the landslide large? Is it soil, rocks, or a debris flow?"
Lao Qian said, "They said it was at the bottom of the western cliff."
"Someone dug clay there in the past, leaving a hole in the mountain."
"This time, the loose soil must have been washed away by the heavy rain, and collapsed, covering the cave entrance."
Gu Xixi took a hoe from Aunt Zhang and walked out quickly, holding an umbrella.
"If it's just loose soil, there's still time to dig it up quickly."
At this time, Mu Nanzhao appeared at the door of the west room, "I'll go with you."
"No!" The old doctor and Gu Xixi said in unison.
Gu Xixi said, "You just recovered from your cough. You can't get wet in the rain again."
She looked at Mu Nanzhao and smiled, "The whole village is out, we don't need you."
The old doctor also advised, "If any child is injured, send him here, I still need your help."
Gu Xixi explained to Lao Qian, "My uncle knows medicine."
"You can send the injured child to my house for treatment later."
Old Qian didn't care about being surprised at the moment, he just hurriedly bowed to the old doctor and said, "Thank you very much!"
To the west of the back mountain, when Gu Xixi, Lao Qian, and Aunt Zhang arrived, many villagers were already digging in the rain.
Mrs. Qin was supported by two women. Her eyes were filled with sorrow and it was hard to tell whether the water on her face was rain or sweat.
Gu Xixi whispered to the person next to her, "Is Sister Qin's son here too?"
Several people nodded and sighed sympathetically.
Mrs. Qin is a warm-hearted person and is popular in the village. Everyone feels bad when she encounters something like this.
Gu Xixi said no more and stepped forward to join the digging team.
Aunt Zhang hurried to catch up, "Xixi, slow down and be careful!"
The rain was getting heavier. Old Qian looked up and wiped the rain off his face, then looked up at the cliff and shouted:
"I think the soil and rocks up there are a little loose, so everyone needs to hold on tight!"
When everyone heard this, they dug faster.
Everyone knew that if there was a second collapse, not to mention the danger to those outside, the hope of rescuing the children inside would be even slimmer.
The faces of several families looking for their children turned pale in an instant, and sobbing and crying were heard again.
Gu Xixi was also extremely anxious. Was there any way to make it faster?
She looked around and found that the muddy water next to her right foot was swirling and seeping down.
With his mind racing, Gu Xixi quickly moved his right foot and dug hard towards that spot.
One, two! A small pit suddenly appeared in the mud.
Gu Xixi stared at the small pit excitedly, waved her hands and shouted loudly, "The soil layer is the thinnest here! If rainwater can flow in, it may be right in front of the hole."
Lao Qian believed in Gu Xixi's judgment and made a prompt decision, "Come here with two strong men, dig here with me!"
Everyone dug desperately, and did not even bother to wipe their eyes when the rain blurred them.
Suddenly, amid the sounds of rain and digging, a child's faint voice cried out, "Mom!"
The people who were digging with Gu Xixi were stunned.
Aunt Zhang asked uncertainly, "Did you hear anything?"
Mrs. Qin, who originally looked as pale as death, suddenly pushed away the person who was supporting her and stumbled forward.
“Tiedan! It’s my Tiedan’s voice!”
The others who were a little further away didn't hear anything and thought that Mrs. Qin was so grief-stricken that she went mad. Several women came forward to pull her back to avoid delaying the rescue.
At this time, several clearer cries were heard.
Old Qian showed a happy expression, "It's crying, it's the baby crying!"
"Yes!" someone said happily, "From the sound of more than one person crying, they must be fine!"
Mrs. Qin stepped on the mud and rushed to her husband who was still digging on the other side, crying and laughing.
"Mr. Qin, did you hear that? My son is here. Come over and help!"
Everyone, including Gu Xixi, became more motivated.
The rain got heavier, and no one paid attention to what was happening above their heads...
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