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墨書 Inktalez
Before dawn, the heavy rain began.
The rain poured down like a bucket of wrath from the heavens, drenching every inch of the village.
At first, I thought little of it; after living in the countryside for so long, rain was just a part of daily life. But three days passed, and the rain showed no signs of stopping; instead, it only grew heavier.
On the morning of the fourth day, I was jolted awake by shouts outside.
"Not good! The riverbank is about to collapse! Evacuate quickly!"
Uncle Li was running through the village, shouting and knocking on every door. I jumped out of bed, not bothering to put on my shoes, and rushed to the window. My heart sank.
The river that once flowed calmly was now a raging torrent, muddy yellow water roaring like a mad beast against the embankment. The small road at the village entrance was already submerged, with only a few tall trees peeking above the surface.
"A once-in-a-century flood!" The Village Chief struggled in a small wooden boat, navigating through the water as his voice was drowned out by the rain. "Everyone gather your valuables and head to the school for shelter!"
I quickly packed a few pieces of clothing and then opened a space that only I knew about. This was my secret from when I crossed into this era, my greatest reliance for surviving in this unfamiliar world.
The food, clothes, and medicine stored in that space felt incredibly precious at that moment.
Without hesitation, I pulled out several large bags of rice and flour, along with some commonly used medicines. At this point, I couldn't worry about anything else; the safety of the villagers was far more important than my secret.
With a heavy burden on my back, I waded through knee-deep water, struggling toward the school.
Suddenly, a familiar figure rushed toward me through the downpour. It was Cao Zhenhua, the carpenter from the village, someone who had gradually found a place in my heart over these past few months.
"Lin Xiaohui! Why are you just coming out? I was just about to look for you!" He grabbed my hand tightly, his eyes filled with urgency. "The water level is rising too fast; if we don't leave now, it will be too late!"
"I'm here now," I smiled at him. "But these things are a bit heavy."
Without a word, Cao Zhenhua took the bundle from my hands and pulled me forward. His rough, warm palm provided me with immense comfort amidst the cold rain.
"Why did you bring so much stuff?" he glanced back at the large bag I was carrying. "Right now, staying alive is what matters!"
"It's just some food and medicine; the villagers will definitely need them," I replied.
He paused for a moment, a complex expression flashing in his eyes before a slight smile appeared on his lips. "You really are too soft-hearted."
Despite his words, he adjusted my bundle more securely on his back.
The schoolyard was already crowded with villagers. Children were crying while adults wore anxious expressions. The Village Chief was organizing people to set up temporary tents, prioritizing the elderly and children.
As soon as Cao Zhenhua arrived, he volunteered to reinforce the protective measures around the school. I began distributing the supplies I had brought to those in greatest need. Seeing food and medicine eased some of the villagers' tense nerves.
"These are all brought by Lin Xiaohui; if anyone has difficulties in the future, just ask her," the Village Chief said, patting my shoulder gratefully.
In a corner stood Su Muqing, watching everything unfold with a changing expression. This "friend" from the city, who usually carried herself with an air of superiority, now looked utterly disheveled. Her delicate skin was wrinkled from the rain, and her expensive clothes were splattered with mud.
"What is happening? I want to go back to the city! Right now! Immediately!" she shrieked. "I can't stay in a place like this! Is there anyone who can take me away? I'll pay!"
Surrounding villagers cast scornful glances her way. Who would risk taking her through the flood back to the city at a time like this? Besides, everyone was fighting for survival and couldn't care less about her spoiled demeanor.
"Muqing, the roads are already flooded; no one can take you back," I approached her gently and advised. "We're all in the same boat; just bear with it for now."
"Stop pretending to be sympathetic!" she glared at me fiercely. "If you hadn't known about the disaster in advance, why would you have prepared so many things? Were you planning this all along to make me look foolish?"
Her absurd accusation left everyone present stunned. I was speechless, unsure how to explain my so-called "foreknowledge."
At that moment, Cao Zhenhua walked over and stood beside me, his voice low and firm. "Lin Xiaohui is kind-hearted and has never harmed anyone. Yet here you are, only thinking of yourself at a time like this. It's truly disheartening."
Su Muqing's face shifted from pale to flushed, and she eventually walked away in frustration.
In the days that followed, the rain continued to pour relentlessly, and the flood wreaked havoc. The school became a refuge for the villagers, and Cao Zhenhua and I were busy every day.
He was in charge of the rescue efforts outside, risking his life to save trapped villagers. Once, he nearly got swept away by the rushing waters while trying to rescue an elderly man stuck on a rooftop. When I saw him return, drenched and carrying the old man on his back, something deep within me was struck hard.
I took charge of internal coordination and care, ensuring everyone had their basic needs met with the continuous supplies from my space. With these provisions, the villagers no longer worried about food and medicine and gradually settled down.
"Where did you get so many supplies?" Cao Zhenhua quietly asked me one night.
I paused for a moment before deciding to reveal part of the truth. "I... had a premonition of disaster coming, so I stocked up in advance."
He looked into my eyes as if trying to see through my soul. After a long silence, he simply said, "No matter what secrets you have, I believe you did it for everyone's sake."
His unwavering trust without question made my nose tingle.
The flood lasted for a full fifteen days before it began to recede. When we returned to the village, the sight before us was heartbreaking. Houses were collapsed, crops destroyed, livestock drowned—chaos everywhere.
"What are we going to do? Our homes are gone, our food is gone..." The villagers stood before the ruins with despair in their eyes.
"Don't be afraid! We will rebuild our home together!" Cao Zhenhua stepped forward with a loud voice. "As long as we are alive, everything can start anew!"
"Yes! I still have seeds and tools; let's start farming again right away!" I quickly added, pulling out various Agricultural Tools and High-Quality Seeds from my space.
Under our leadership, hope reignited among the villagers. The men repaired houses and cleared debris while the women replanted crops and raised poultry. Cao Zhenhua and I were inseparable; wherever there was difficulty, there we were.
"Lin Xiaohui, do you know?" One evening, Cao Zhenhua stopped me on the path, his eyes shimmering with a gentle light. "This disaster has made me realize something."
"What is it?" I gazed at his side profile, painted red by the setting sun, my heart suddenly racing.
"In the face of life and death, we come to know who truly cares for us." He took my hand in his. "You are the one who will stand by my side no matter what happens, and I want to be the one who always protects you."
A lump formed in my throat, and tears welled up in my eyes. This simple man had demonstrated what true love really is through his actions. In comparison, Su Muqing's sweet words were nothing but fleeting whispers.
"I feel the same," I replied softly. "In this era, meeting you is my greatest fortune."
The reconstruction work was progressing rapidly. I quietly utilized the resources at hand to help the villagers improve their living conditions. Cao Zhenhua used his carpentry skills to build sturdier houses for them.
Gradually, the village regained its vitality. New shoots sprouted in the fields, livestock began to multiply, and houses rose one after another.
"Miss Lin, we owe it all to you and Master Cao!" The villagers often expressed their gratitude this way. "If it weren't for you, we wouldn't know how long we would have to endure."
At such times, I would smile and say, "It's important that we help each other."
This disaster deepened my understanding of this era. Without the support of modern technology, the solidarity and mutual assistance among people became especially precious. Throughout this process, my bond with Cao Zhenhua grew stronger amidst the storms.
Watching the villagers regain their smiles, seeing the new crops sprouting in the fields, and observing Cao Zhenhua's busy yet content figure made me suddenly realize that even if I could never return to my original world, life here was warm enough and precious enough to cherish.
Because there is love, there is hope, and there is the strength of supporting one another—this is the most valuable meaning of life.
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