Transmigrated Family C06

Chapter 6: Setting Out Early

Yan Huaiwen was still the same as ever. After taking his medicine, he grew drowsy and fell asleep, only to wake himself up coughing.

Seeing his younger brother tidying up the room quietly, he couldn’t help but clear his throat.

“Big Brother, you’re awake!” Yan Lao’er hurried over and asked, “Do you need to relieve yourself?”

Yan Huaiwen couldn’t help but feel a little annoyed. Asking the same thing over and over again—was there really nothing else to talk about with his older brother? For example, that gambling debt of twenty taels.

But he said nothing, merely shook his head without any change in expression.

Instead, he asked, “How’s the wheat in the field coming along?”

Yan Lao’er looked a bit embarrassed. Their progress had been slow—really slow—but he and his wife had done their best.

“It’ll probably take a few more days,” he said awkwardly. “We should be able to store it with everyone else.”

They had started harvesting days ahead of the others, yet they’d still be storing their grain at the same time?

This speed…

Yan Huaiwen shook his head inwardly. There wasn’t enough time. Based on his hazy, distant memories, the village’s well would soon dry up. Without water, the wheat in the fields would fall over, and the yield would plummet. There wouldn’t be much grain left to harvest.

And they were the lucky ones. In town, grain prices would skyrocket, and many wouldn’t be able to afford food. No grain, no water—what choice would people have but to flee?

The first to leave were the wealthy, those who got news early. Then more and more people followed. By the time they realized that half the town had already left, it was too late.

They had left too late. By then, everything edible along the way had already been scavenged, leaving only dry roots and tree bark. Water? Not even a drop.

This time, they had to leave early.

“Tianyou, go fetch the village chief,” Yan Huaiwen ordered.

“The village chief? At this hour…” Yan Lao’er wasn’t particularly curious about why he was being called. He was the kind of person who never dug too deeply into things—otherwise, he might just dig himself into trouble.

Yan Huaiwen glared. “Just go.”

Yan Lao’er obeyed immediately and hurried off.

—

The village chief was still standing guard by the well.

He was still strong despite his age—though he was only in his early forties. He had three sons, and they had given him five grandsons, making his family the most prosperous in the village.

Village Chief Luo had set a rule: each household was allowed only four buckets of water per day. Exactly four buckets. This was based on how much his own family needed daily. If anyone claimed it wasn’t enough, he would personally bring his sons and grandsons over to see exactly how it wasn’t enough.

Right now, he was discussing the wheat harvest with his eldest son.

“Without water, the wheat will dry up in the fields. We might as well harvest early,” he said.

The villagers hadn’t given up hope yet. They had been saving every drop of water, pouring it into the fields instead of drinking it, all for a good harvest.

But now… Sigh. Heaven had turned its back on them.

“Father, if we harvest early, we’ll lose a lot of grain!” Luo Laoda was distressed. Only farmers who had tended the land for years understood just how precious each grain of wheat was.

Especially since their family had so many mouths to feed. They were relying on this harvest to survive.

“You think I don’t feel the same?” the village chief snapped, glaring at him. “Haven’t you heard what the elders are saying? No rain means no harvest! Heaven isn’t giving us a way to survive!” He sighed deeply.

“Who’s there?” Luo’s eldest grandson had heard movement and called out as a figure approached.

“Da Tie? It’s me, Yan Lao’er. Is your grandpa here?” Yan Huai’an was panting from exhaustion. He just wanted to fetch the village chief quickly and then collapse into bed.

“He’s here. Uncle Yan, why are you here again?” San Tie was livelier than his older brother, not as serious, and he got along well with Yan Lao’er.

He’d often heard Yan Lao’er brag. Say what you will about him, but the man lived carefree—no need to work, someone to take care of him, always eating and drinking well.

Tsk! What a life!

San Tie envied him.

“My big brother wants to see the village chief,” Yan Huai’an said as he got closer, spotting the chief’s stern expression. “Uncle Luo, you see…”

Village Chief Luo didn’t waste words. He instructed his sons and grandsons to guard the well and immediately set off.

San Tie’s eyes darted around before he called out, “Grandpa, I’ll go with you.”

Luo Laoda thought for a moment and didn’t object.

Yan Xiucai was the only scholar in the village, highly respected by the villagers.

But this time, his family had offended the lizhèng’s family—the one that held authority over all the nearby villages.

No one could tell if the marriage talk between the two families was real or not.

The lizhèng’s youngest son spoke as if it was a done deal. But if they were truly planning to marry, then why would he go and beat up his supposed future father-in-law?

The villagers were simple folk. They didn’t bother with complicated schemes.

Luo Laoda figured Yan Xiucai must have refused. The lizhèng’s family was known for being domineering, so they would definitely stir up more trouble.

Bringing San Tie along might be a good idea—the boy was talkative and would bring back news.

The old man was still strong and walked fast. Yan Lao’er almost couldn’t keep up.

As they walked, the chief gave him a sharp look and asked, “How is Yan Xiucai doing?”

“Much better,” Yan Huai’an replied.

The village chief continued, “I heard you took your wife to the fields today?”

“Yes, we plan to harvest early,” Yan Huai’an said, thinking his response was fine.

But Village Chief Luo let out a loud snort. “You’ve always been reckless, and I usually don’t bother with you. But your brother is still bedridden, and you come up with this nonsense? What, trying to make him worry by watching you work? Bringing your wife along too? Aren’t you something! And I hear you still owe money for his medicine? Yan Lao’er, your brother has treated you well! Can’t you think about his reputation as a scholar for once? All you do is ask for money, ask for money…”

San Tie saw that his grandfather was getting more and more worked up and quickly interrupted, “Grandpa, watch your step.”

The village chief scoffed. “Watch what? I’ve walked these village roads for forty years—I could do it with my eyes closed.”

But he dropped the subject, not wanting to waste words on a scoundrel like Yan Lao’er. If he had anything to say, he’d say it to Yan Xiucai. No point in arguing with this good-for-nothing.

—

“Sorry to trouble you at this hour… cough cough…” Yan Huaiwen propped himself up and signaled for his foolish younger brother to pour some water.

Yan Lao’er immediately jumped to action.

The village chief sighed. “You’re unwell. I should have come earlier. But you know how things are—I have to keep an eye on things. My eldest can’t handle it alone.”

If he hadn’t been there to maintain order at the well, it would’ve been drained dry already.

Two bowls of cool water were placed in front of the grandfather and grandson.

San Tie couldn’t help swallowing hard.

Even though they guarded the well, they didn’t take even an extra drop. They had to ration their own drinking water to pour into the fields.

Seeing his grandson’s longing, the village chief relented. “Drink.”

“Yes!” San Tie responded instantly, grabbed the bowl, and after seeing his grandfather take a sip first, he gulped it down greedily.

“Cough cough… I called you here for this very reason.”