The fire raged on, and Qiuju and Lvliu continued to fight it. Tianyu, disheartened, had given up on trying. By the time the nearby villagers arrived, the houses were almost completely burned down, and there was nothing they could do to salvage the situation. They stood in the courtyard watching the house burn away bit by bit. The home she had built with her own hands was reduced to ashes, leaving only ruins. As the last pillar collapsed, rain began to fall, extinguishing the last embers. Tianyu smiled self-deprecatingly. The rain had come at just the right time, extinguishing the last flames, but it couldn't extinguish the fire in her heart.
By daybreak, the fire was completely extinguished. Through the rain and mist, Tian Yu calmly advised everyone to go home, saying that it was alright as long as no one was hurt. Curious, everyone asked how the fire started. Tian Yu explained that she had accidentally knocked over a kerosene lamp, which had caused the fire.
The family members naturally didn't believe it, but knowing that Tian Yu didn't want to make a big deal out of it, they all chose to acquiesce. The villagers all believed that the premeditated fire was ultimately caused by their mistake.
"How could you be so careless?" the village head said.
"Alright! It's good that everyone's alright!" Grandma Gouzi comforted her.
"You must be careful next time!" the village head said, still worried.
"Yes! It was my carelessness. I will definitely pay attention next time!" Tian Yu said with a smile. After seeing everyone off, Tian Yu collapsed in the yard, exhausted. Only then did everyone notice that Tian Yu's hair was singed, her clothes were torn, her hands were injured, and her face was even worse. She was covered in soot and dirt, and she was unrecognizable.
"Green Willow, you and Autumn Chrysanthemum go check on Uncle Zhuang first, and get him some food while you're at it." Tian Yu thought that since she hadn't seen any other places on fire, Uncle Zhuang should be alright. Just as she finished speaking, Uncle Zhuang arrived, saying he'd only just found out about the fire and blamed himself for being too old and useless to notice sooner. Tian Yu, of course, wouldn't blame him. The fire was strange; she'd calculated that Gale hadn't returned yesterday, and with all the women and children in the house, they certainly couldn't have escaped. What could a sixty or seventy-year-old man do even if he knew?
After discussing it, the group decided to stay with Uncle Zhuang for the time being. Tian Yu's singed hair, after being trimmed by Qiu Ju, looked more textured. Lü Liu couldn't accept it, feeling sorry for Tian Yu's hair being cut; it wasn't good. The group quickly washed up and ate breakfast. Lü Liu, still worried about the things in the house, insisted on dragging Qiu Ju to see if there were any good, unburnt items. Tang Yuan was tired and fell asleep after eating. Tian Yu didn't dare leave him, so she coaxed him to sleep before closing the door and sitting guard in front of it. Li Xingyun was also sitting in the courtyard. Seeing Tian Yu come out, he whispered, "Someone wants us dead!"
"It's not us, it should be said that someone wants me dead!" Tian Yu corrected herself, leaning against the door, exhausted. There was only one person she could think of.
Li Xingyun knew who she was talking about and quickly shook his head, saying, "It can't be him! Tian Yu wouldn't do that."
Tian Yu retorted, "How do you know he can't?! How many people in this world can resist the drive of power and desire? No matter how strong he is, he's still just a human being."
“I don’t know how to explain it, but he won’t do that. You believe me, and you believe him.”
"I believe you, but I don't believe him. How can you be so sure it's not him? How much do you really know about him?"
“Not much, we rarely keep in touch, but we’ve known each other since we were kids, and he’s not that kind of person.”
"People change. Don't worry, I don't hate him, I only hate myself!"
"Tian Yu, he has no reason to do this!"
"Reasons?! I've heard this kind of thing countless times. My appearance and Tangyuan's have affected his career, so it's normal that he doesn't want to see us. But what I don't understand is that I've already written a letter explaining everything, so why is he still going to take such drastic measures!"
"Tian Yu! He's really not that kind of person!"
"Who is that?! Who wants to harm us?! I don't know anyone here. I've never been anywhere except this village and the county town. Tell me, who else knows us? Who else wants to kill me?!"
"Tian Yu! Calm down. This isn't as simple as it seems. We need to be careful for now. Why don't you come back to the city with me?"
"No need! You should go back first! They're after me, it'll be dangerous for you to stay!"
"No! Precisely because it's dangerous, you absolutely cannot stay here alone."
"Alright! Brother! Listen to me, you have trouble moving around, I'll have Xiao Wu take you home first, that way I'll feel more at ease! And Mom and Dad will feel at ease too!"
"And what about you!?"
"Our cosmetics shop hasn't opened yet, so I won't die. Don't worry!"
"Tian Yu, this is too dangerous!"
"It's settled then. Xiao Wu, go pack your things. I'll have Jifeng take you back when he gets back!"
"Yes! I'll go right away!" Xiao Wu readily agreed.
"I'm not leaving!"
"You have no choice! Remember to make what I asked for when you get back! Don't be lazy!" Tian Yu retorted loudly.
Under Tian Yu's glare, Li Xingyun finally relented, saying, "Fine! I'll listen to you, but you'd better watch out!"
"I will!"
"This matter is not as simple as you think; you must be careful!"
"I know, brother! Stop nagging, I'm so tired! Let me rest for a while!" Tian Yu said, then closed her eyes, not wanting to continue.
When Jifeng returned at noon and learned what had happened, he just frowned, and knowing that they were all alright, he said, "I know! Be more careful next time!"
Green Willow was enraged by his calmness and shouted, "Hey! We almost burned to death, and all you said was 'I know'?! Aren't you worried about us at all?!"
“Worrying won’t help!” Gale said.
"You!" Green Willow was so angry she jumped up and down.
Jifeng had already harnessed the carriage and was ready to send Li Xingyun and Xiao Wu away. Although he didn't say it, for their safety, Jifeng still rushed back before dinner.
The group was about to have dinner when they realized that Jifeng might not make it in time. But when they saw Jifeng rushing back, looking travel-worn, Tian Yu smiled and said, "Thank you for your hard work!"
"Madam, you're too kind. This is what I should do," Jifeng said with a serious expression.
Green Willow immediately forgot about what happened during the day. Touched, she fetched water for Gale to wash his face and then served him a large bowl of rice. Gale looked at the mountain of rice in front of him, his eyebrows almost flying off, but he still ate every single grain.
As expected of Zhuang Bo, he was an experienced man. Although he didn't say it, he understood. He stayed in the courtyard for several nights in a row. Tian Yu also woke up in the middle of the night because of the fire, afraid that someone would try to harm them again. For safety, Tian Yu slept with Tang Yuan and dared not sleep separately anymore.
Whether it was due to the strong wind or Zhuang Bo's protection, they were safe for a long time without anything happening. If it weren't for the fact that the burned-down house was still there, Tian Yu would have thought she was dreaming.
Upon hearing this, Li Yong specially brought soldiers over and insisted on leaving two men to protect Tian Yu's safety. Tian Yu declined, telling him not to worry, that it was just an accidental fire and there was no need to make a fuss. Li Yong was skeptical but still took the men back. Tian Yu didn't believe him until she understood the situation!
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