"What won't you do?"
That familiar voice!
Qin Yihuai was standing sound and safe at the door, wearing a dripping coir raincoat. That raincoat seemed vaguely familiar.
"You're okay?"
Ye Zhinan sat up excitedly but bumped her injured hand. She tilted and fell back down.
"Ouch, it hurts so much!"
But the words that followed seemed to hurt her even more.
"He's had a tough time. He almost got himself crippled carrying you back. Sister, how much have you been eating lately?"
Ye Yingfeng looked like he was enjoying the show and showed no sympathy for the two injured people.
Han Xiangmei was more caring. She gave Ye Yingfeng a hard glare and then brought the medicine to her daughter's lips.
"You're weak. Drink the medicine quickly and get some rest. Inspector Qin has been tired all day. He also needs to rest. We can talk about other things tomorrow."
Mom was so caring that she couldn't wait to separate the two right then and there.
"Thank you, Auntie, for your concern. No one saw me when I brought Miss Ye back. There are still things to do in the village. I'll take my leave first."
After Qin Yihuai said that, he put down the coir raincoat and turned to leave.
Ye Zhinan wanted to say something, but Ye Shenyan walked forward and closed the door.
He stared seriously at the person on the bed. Ye Zhinan didn't dare to say another word. She hung her head, finished the porridge and medicine, and then got under the covers right away.
This night was anything but peaceful.
The rain pattered on outside without stopping, and inside the room, people sighed incessantly.
Ye Zhinan was wrapped in the quilt, listening to all the sounds inside and out. She just couldn't fall asleep.
"Mom, if you have something to say, just say it."
Ye Zhinan finally couldn't bear it anymore. She got out from under the quilt and stared at her mother aggrievedly.
Han Xiangmei had been sighing for half the night. Her eye sockets had sunken in quite a bit.
"Daughter, your father has given me a headache for most of my life. Can't you just let me have some peace?"
This daughter used to only be interested in medicine. She thought sending her to study with a strict teacher would help her calm down, but instead, things had gotten even worse.
Ye Zhinan hung her head, looking extremely aggrieved. Her thin lips gradually curled into an upside - down crescent.
She said hoarsely, "Mom, I know I was wrong!"
"What did you do wrong?"
"I was wrong for not reporting before I went out. Next time, I'll definitely say something, or I'll take my brother with me."
Ye Yingfeng was dozing off on one side. When he heard this, he suddenly woke up and waved his hands repeatedly. "Thank you, but no thanks."
Han Xiangmei was so angry that she couldn't speak. It took her a long time to squeeze out, "There won't be a next time. And don't get too close to the government officials."
After saying that, she tossed her hand and left.
Ye Zhinan was left sitting there blankly on the bed.
Government official?
Inspector Qin?
It was late at night. The rain was gradually dying down, but the raindrops falling on the ground looked like a white veil from afar. It covered the earth and also shrouded her heart.
Qin Yihuai had saved her life again. How could she ever repay him?
Just as she was deep in thought, she suddenly heard three soft knocks on the window.
The debt - collector was here.
"Are you okay?"
They said it in unison.
Ye Zhinan tried to raise her arm and waved it twice. Qin Yihuai quickly waved his hand.
"Got it."
"What about you?"
Ye Zhinan silently hoped that he was okay so that her debt would be a bit lighter.
"I'm okay!"
So obedient! If you say you're okay, I'll just believe it.
Although she thought so in her heart, her hand still involuntarily took out a packet of medicine. "Your leg injury needs slow recuperation. Take this first!"
Qin Yihuai's expression paused for a moment, but it passed in an instant. His face returned to normal, showing no emotion.
"Thank you, Miss Ye!"
Ye Zhinan noticed that something was wrong with him. She spread out her hands. "What's the payment this time? Duck necks or pig trotters?"
As soon as the words were out, a packet of something was passed in.
Looking at it in the moonlight, Ye Zhinan's eyes widened. "The Heavenly Records?"
She looked at it over and over again. Although it was a copy, he had actually managed to get it, and it had recent records.
"Um, are the fields outside flooded?"
Such a generous gift must mean something big had happened.
"They are... "
Ye Zhinan took a deep breath.
"But it's okay. It's not too serious."
Qin Yihuai's long pause almost made Ye Zhinan choke. "Then what is it?"
She gave him a disgruntled look.
"This mudslide has shaken the mountain. If there are a few more heavy rains, the village may not be able to hold up."
"Well, I've read the Supplementary Records of the Heavenly Records. There are rarely heavy rains in the northern border, but the climate has been changing abnormally in recent years. We really need to prepare early."
Although the supplementary records were a copy, there might be some discrepancies. With the original records, she could understand the local climate changes and geographical environment in more detail.
But all this would take time.
"For now, we should improve the drainage system first!"
Thinking of the flooded fields, Ye Zhinan couldn't help but feel heart - ache for a couple of seconds.
"Improving the drainage and expanding the fertile fields all require manpower, material resources, and financial resources..."
Qin Yihuai's voice got softer and softer. The light in his eyes grew dimmer and dimmer. Even in the moonlight, it was hard to see his deep pupils.
Those melancholy eyes were deeply imprinted in Ye Zhinan's heart.
The next day, after the rain stopped, the fresh air brought a good mood.
Ye Zhinan made a brace for herself and fixed her arm. Just as she was about to tie a bow with the gauze, Lu Yanlai came.
"What wind has blown you here? You're not here to visit my injury, are you?"
She joked, but found that the other person seemed absent - minded.
"Sister - in - law, if you have something to say, just say it."
Lu Yanlai was usually a straightforward person, but now there was a half - smile on her face. She murmured, "It's okay. I just came to see your injury. We're relieved to see that you're okay. Take good care of your injury. Come to my place for a meal when you're better."
After saying that, she got up and was about to leave.
Ye Zhinan sensed that there was something on Lu Yanlai's mind. She was just about to get up when Lu Yanlai pressed her back onto the bed.
"You're a weak woman. You don't have to do everything yourself."
Ye Zhinan stared blankly ahead, watching the other person walk away.
Everyone had their own path to walk, and each path had to be walked by oneself. Lu Yanlai knew this well, so Ye Zhinan should understand even more. In the northern border, what kind of status and situation their Ye family was in.
"Alas, life is so hard. I'd better just grow vegetables!"
Thinking this, she walked to the backyard of her house. Fortunately, the vegetable field was not damaged.
Suddenly, a duck waddled past in front of her. It walked freely, but its gait seemed a bit strange.
Ye Zhinan rushed to the duck shed and found that several ducks were walking in a strange way. She looked at the water trough and felt a chill in her heart.
Oh no! So that's why Sister Lu came here!
Thinking this, she quickly put on a cloak and ran outside.
"Your hand isn't healed yet. Where are you going?"
Han Xiangmei followed closely behind. She trotted a couple of steps, wishing she could hold the other person back, but after all, her legs were not as fast. No matter how hard she chased, she couldn't catch up.
"Mom, I'm going to find Sister Lu. Don't worry!"
Han Xiangmei gasped for breath and looked helplessly at the running figure.
"How can I not worry!"