After an unknown length of time, she was shaken awake—Yan Ge’er had woken up.
As she opened her eyes, she realized the place she had been leaning against was quite comfortable, with even her head properly supported.
“Are we there?” Still groggy from sleep, she didn’t overthink where she was resting.
Under the silvery moonlight, Yan Ge’er appeared somewhat awkward, still gently tugging at her sleeve. “Mother.”
“What’s wrong?” Puzzled, she tried to sit upright and turned to see Yue Zhixian behind her, sitting in a slightly slouched position while weaving straw shoes for his child in the dark.
Shock surged within her—not out of bashfulness over improper contact between men and women, but from deep remorse. She hurriedly apologized to Yue Zhixian, “I’m sorry, so sorry.”
Was this why Yan Ge’er had called for her?
Judging by Yan Ge’er’s drowsy appearance, he likely hadn’t been awake long.
This was the first time a woman had leaned on Yue Zhixian’s shoulder.
It was also the first time he had been this close to a woman.
Though Xie Mingzhu appeared all skin and bones with barely any flesh on her, her weight against him felt not only light as expected but also soft.
It reminded him of seawater.
Not the slightest bit uncomfortable.
But he dared not dwell on the thought further, fearing he might seem like a scoundrel defiling her.
Hearing Xie Mingzhu’s flustered apologies, he waved his hands dismissively. “It’s fine, really.”
“Besides, he’s your man—what’s wrong with leaning on him? Don’t worry, A Xian’s wife, we Blue Moon people aren’t like you Central Plains folks with all those rigid rules.” Whether due to old age reducing sleep needs, Old Man Sha remained energetic even at this hour.
Not a hint of drowsiness.
As everyone spoke, the other children gradually woke up.
The wind now felt noticeably stronger than usual, as if blowing unimpeded from ahead.
Carried on the breeze was a fresh scent reminiscent of seaweed.
Quite different from the salty brininess Xie Mingzhu remembered from coastal areas in her previous world.
For a moment, both she and the children breathed deeply. “Such a pleasant smell.”
Old Man Yue grinned proudly. “We’ve reached Silver Moon Beach. Just through that coconut grove ahead.”
At these words, all sleepiness vanished. Though the children felt some hunger, their exile had taught them endurance.
They all expressed joy.
Finally, they would have a home instead of wandering.
Though Little Father had mentioned there was no house yet.
For a long time to come, they would likely live along this shoreline.
The coconut grove wasn’t particularly large—more accurately, it stretched broadly, blanketing the entire cove.
Silver Moon Beach lay deep within this coconut grove at the cove’s heart.
It was very late now. Villagers who rose with the sun and rested at dusk were already asleep. Only the Ancestral Hall, built from coral stones, glowed with lamplight.
Along with Old Man Sha’s home.
Old Man Sha pointed toward the two illuminated spots. “The lit area in the village center is the Ancestral Hall. Families take turns refilling the fish oil in the lamps there.”
To ensure the lamp before the Sea Goddess remains lit.
“The one in the front east is my home. You women and children can rest at my place tonight.” Old Man Sha always maintained a kind and benevolent demeanor toward Xie Mingzhu and her group.
But the moment he turned to Yue Zhixian—who even in the dark had only managed to weave four pairs of straw sandals—his expression turned stern and cold. “As for you, you rascal, get back to your treehouse.”
Yue Zhixian naturally disagreed. As someone who only needed to feed himself with no dependents, he rarely stored food.
Having gone hungry for most of the day, how could he possibly sleep upon returning?
So he paid no heed, determined in his heart to follow them to Old Man Sha’s house for a meal before leaving.
Old Man Sha was clearly all bark and no bite. Though he scolded him, he took no real action to drive him away.
Most houses in the village were standalone Diaojiaolou (stilt houses), with walls made of densely woven bamboo strips and roofs thatched with coconut leaves and hay.
This wasn’t too different from the houses in the county town.
But then again, in such a warm and humid place, living in stilt houses was indeed the most effective way to avoid dampness from the ground.
Moreover, taller houses allowed for better ventilation.
After all, the vegetation here was overly lush, and in lower areas, even by the seaside, the wind didn’t flow very smoothly.
Additionally, if seawater really surged and flooded the village during high tide, these houses provided some defense.
Not only that, but they also significantly reduced mosquito bites.
It was evident that despite the poverty here, the common people possessed great wisdom.
They could build the best houses to withstand natural disasters with the limited resources available, which was truly remarkable.
So perhaps she shouldn’t be too pessimistic; maybe life wasn’t as difficult as she had imagined.
In the blink of an eye, the mule cart passed through the village’s standalone stilt houses and stopped at Old Man Sha’s doorstep.
The sound of the cart quickly alerted Sha Pozi, who hadn’t yet retired for the night in the stilt house.
As the light upstairs grew brighter, Xie Mingzhu instinctively looked up and saw a woman over fifty, adorned with silver accessories①.
Holding a lamp, she shone it downward, clearly having spotted Old Man Sha, her face immediately lighting up with joy. “Blessed be the Sea Goddess! I saw everyone else in the village return, but not you two. I thought you’d encountered man-eating wolves in the mountains.”
She also noticed Xie Mingzhu and the group of children getting off the cart.
She roughly guessed that A Xian had finally found a wife, but found it bewildering—why so many children?
She hurried downstairs with the lamp, thumping all the way.
By the time she opened the courtyard gate, Xie Mingzhu was already waiting at the entrance with the five children and Old Man Sha.
So upon opening the door, she was met with a crowd of children and a woman.
Then she saw A Xian following behind, leading the mule.
Her eyes darted back and forth between Xie Mingzhu’s pockmarked face and the handsome Yue Zhixian, then glanced at the group of children. “Old man, what is this?”
Even if they were desperate for a young wife, they couldn’t possibly find such an ugly woman for A Xian.
Her age and bringing children along didn’t matter, but she was just too ugly—looking like a toad covered in warts.
A Xian was the most handsome young man on Silver Moon Beach.
At this moment, if they weren’t in front of outsiders, she would have dearly wanted to pinch the old man to death.
Having shared a bed for so many years, Old Man Sha immediately understood the meaning behind her shifting gaze. While introducing, “This is A Xian’s wife, and these children will be A Xian’s from now on,” he added, “Those aren’t real pockmarks. They just used some methods for safety during the journey. They’ll fade after some time.”
Upon hearing this, Sha Pozi secretly breathed a sigh of relief. That’s good, that’s good.
Without the pockmarks, she must have eyes and a nose—probably not too ugly after all.
She had thought, no matter how confused the old man might be, he wouldn’t find such an ugly wife for A Xian.
Besides, A Xian wasn’t foolish. If she were truly that ugly, how could he have agreed?
So she revealed a smile, “Dear girl, you must be tired from the journey. Come in quickly, I’ll cook a meal for you all.”