Koi Fubao: Being loved by everyone on the road to escape from famine

Qian's eyes swept over the crowd; those thin figures seemed to tell of the hardships of the long journey.

This scene touched the softest part of her heart.

When the gate slowly opened, it was as if a ray of hope penetrated the gloom of the past few days. Gratitude and expectation flashed in everyone's eyes. Qian felt an inexplicable comfort in her heart. She quickly bolted the door and temporarily built a safe haven for these wandering souls.

Inside the house, brothers Cheng Wen and Cheng Wu quietly observed every move outside the door through the crack in the door. After confirming that there was no danger, the two smiled at each other, then walked out of the room with peace of mind and joined the ranks of receiving refugees.

Qian personally brought a bucket of clear well water, which sparkled silver in the sunlight, like a messenger of hope.

The villagers lined up consciously, and everyone was grateful when they took the water scoop. The sweet well water was like an oasis in the desert, moistening their dry throats and warming the uneasy hearts of Qian and her sons.

As long as these innocent people can be protected from the pain of being hunted down, it will be the greatest comfort to them.

Xiao Zhixue did not join the group drinking water. Her fingertips lightly touched the void and she silently chanted a spell in her heart.

It was a mysterious ritual of drawing nourishment from the spiritual spring in the small space inside her body, a kind of self-sufficiency that transcended the world.

Seeing how eagerly everyone was drinking water, Qian's face showed pity. She gently reminded everyone to drink slowly and not to rush, as the well water in the village was abundant and enough to quench everyone's thirst.

A trace of embarrassment flashed across the village chief's face, but he immediately covered it up with a generous smile: "I'm so sorry to have caused you so much trouble."

Qian waved her hands cheerfully and laughed, "This is not a big deal! I thought you were officials in disguise before, so I was very alert. Tell me, where are you going? Why are you passing by our remote Taoyuan Village?"

Knowing that they were heading to the distant Zhangzhou, Qian secretly lamented the difficult journey, and brought another bucket of water, while pouring water, she reminded them: "Don't forget to bring more water on the road. Don't faint from thirst on the road in this weather."

The village chief was filled with gratitude and bowed repeatedly to express his gratitude: "We will always remember your kindness!"

While helping everyone fill their water bags, Qian told her sons to keep an eye on the fire in the kitchen, fearing that a rare hot meal would be ruined due to negligence.

Xiao Zhixue observed all this silently from the side. She was attracted by Qian's straightforward character and felt like she had met a long-lost relative.

She approached Qian, smiling, with curiosity in her eyes: "Madam, what's the matter with the official you mentioned just now?"

A cloud suddenly covered Qian's face, and she took a deep breath, as if to expel the heaviness in her heart.

"About ten days ago, a group of police officers broke into our village like evil spirits and arrested all the adult men without any reason, saying that they were short of manpower for road construction. Fortunately, my two sons were away and went to Sanma Town to work as temporary workers, so they were lucky enough to escape."

Xiao Zhixue was filled with doubts and frowned slightly: "How can the government be so reckless and take away the people at will?"

When the villagers who were fetching water heard this, they stopped what they were doing involuntarily and focused their eyes on Qian, waiting for a reasonable explanation.

Qian sighed again, and that sigh was heavy and long.

"The officials said they were in need of opening a road out of the mountains. There was a shortage of labor, so they came to small villages like ours and forcibly conscripted able-bodied men. To this day, my husband and many of my fellow villagers have not returned. We have no idea what happened to them..."

Having said this, Qian couldn't help but wipe away the tears from the corners of her eyes with her sleeves.

After hearing this tragic experience, Fan Yanmu strode towards Qian without saying a word. He had already made up his mind that he would find a glimmer of hope for this suffering village no matter what.

"Do you know where those officers came from? Why do they arrest people at random without giving any reason?"

Qian looked up at Fan Yanmu, her eyes full of confusion and helplessness.

She shook her head gently, her gray hair fluttering in the breeze. "How would I know? I only vaguely heard them shouting that they wanted to forcibly take my husband and other people in the village away to dig up some mountain for a project of some big shot."

Upon hearing this, Fan Yanmu frowned and then exchanged a meaningful look with Ying Yi beside him.

Ying Yi quickly grasped his master's intention. Without saying a word, he flashed and disappeared quickly on the path at the entrance of the village like a gust of wind in the night.

At this moment, Cheng Wu, the eldest son of Qian, came close to his mother with a pot of steaming hot food and said softly, "Mom, the meal is ready. It's all the home-cooked flavors that everyone loves."

As soon as he finished speaking, his eyes gently swept over the villagers gathered around him.

Seeing that her simple wooden table was already filled with steaming hot meals, Qian felt a warm feeling in her heart. She thought, no matter what, let these tired villagers fill their stomachs first before considering the next step.

"Everyone, don't worry. Come home and have something hot to warm up first, then figure out what to do."

Although her words were simple, they were filled with an irresistible warmth.

The village chief had a serious look on his face. He looked at Xiao Zhixue, as if asking for her opinion.

Xiao Zhixue keenly noticed Yingyi's departing back, and thought to herself that Yingyi might have gone to look for the officials. If everyone left at this time, it might be difficult to find Yingyi when he returned.

So, she nodded gently at the village chief and said, "I think, why don't we take a short rest here and eat our fill before continuing on our journey?"

Xiao Zhixue was unwilling to accept help from others for free, so she took out a heavy fifty-liang silver note from the space.

"Auntie, this is a small gift from me and everyone else to pay for today's meal. I hope you don't mind."

Qian felt mixed emotions as she looked at the banknotes that were enough to change her family's destiny. The amount was so huge that her family probably couldn't save it even if they worked in the fields for several lifetimes.

Her hands trembled slightly, and she hesitated whether to accept this overly heavy thank-you gift.

Upon seeing this, the village chief was deeply moved. He was both touched and uneasy by Xiao Zhixue's kindness.

"Miss Xiao, you travel the world and save people with your medical skills. This money is earned through your hard work, so you should keep it for yourself. As for our food money, we will naturally find a way to pay for it ourselves."

After hearing this, Qian couldn't help but become more curious about this young female doctor.

"So you are a doctor, girl? That's amazing!" Her words were full of admiration.

Xiao Zhixue responded with a faint smile, and said modestly, "No, no, I only know a little bit, it's nothing."

Qian didn't say anything else, but her eyes quietly turned to the kitchen where smoke was rising.