Village Chief Li waved his hand. “Enough arguing. At a time like this, what’s the point of dividing men and women, young and old?”
“I know this girl Sisi. She’s meticulous. Since she says so, there may really be something to it.”
Village Chief Wang nodded as well. “Brother Li is right. Whoever finds water is our benefactor. Sisi, tell us—why do you think there’s water in the hollow?”
Lin Sisi stepped forward, her voice steady and clear.
“Just now, I saw a faint patch of green in the hollow—looked like wild grass.”
“In this heat, grass everywhere else has dried to ash. Only places with water can keep grass alive. And hollows are low-lying—they tend to collect water. There might be a spring or at least a water pit.”
“Just because of a patch of green?” Someone from Dahe Village was still unconvinced.
“What if it’s drought-resistant grass? What if there’s no water at all? We’re a large group. If we go for nothing, we’ll waste energy and time.”
“Auntie,” Lin Sisi replied calmly, “even if it turns out to be a wasted trip, that’s better than sitting here waiting to die. We can’t just watch everyone dehydrate.”
“And I observed carefully—the leaves were spread open, not curled like drought-resistant plants. There’s a high chance there’s water.”
The woman’s face darkened. “I’ve eaten more salt than you’ve eaten rice. You think you need to teach me?”
“Auntie, Sisi is only thinking of everyone,” Zhao Hu couldn’t help but speak up for his own village. “Even if she’s wrong, we won’t lose much. Why talk to her like that?”
Ever since Lin Sisi had led them to drive off the vagrants last time, Zhao Hu might not say it aloud, but he respected her.
“I’m just worried we’ll waste everyone’s effort!” the woman shot back. “No one has strength left. We need to use it wisely!”
A sturdy man from Dahe Village added, “Lin Zheng, your sister means well, but finding water isn’t something to take lightly.”
“How about this—we split into two groups. One checks the hollow, the other waits here. If water is found, we’ll call the rest.”
“No!” Lin Sisi objected immediately. “The sun is at its hottest right now. I suggest we find shade and rest first. We search when it cools down.”
“When it cools down?” Village Chief Wang frowned. “How long are we supposed to wait?”
“Uncle,” Lin Sisi explained patiently, “this is the hottest part of the day. Traveling now will only drain more strength and water. It’s dangerous.”
“Better to avoid the sun and move at dusk. It’s safer—and more efficient.”
“I think the girl makes sense,” Village Chief Li said thoughtfully. “In this heat, pushing forward is risky. Just two days ago, one of our elders nearly suffered heatstroke.”
Village Chief Wang sighed and nodded. “Alright. When the sun sets and it cools, we’ll send people with the girl to look for water.”
“Village Chief, but—” the auntie tried to argue, only to be silenced by a look from him.
“It’s settled!” Wang said firmly. “No more arguing. Go make arrangements.”
The crowd dispersed reluctantly to rest.
Zhao Bao and some from Dahe Village were still unconvinced, though they dared not oppose the chiefs. Their glances toward Lin Sisi still carried faint disdain.
Lin Sisi ignored them.
Only water would shut them up.
She returned to her sister and handed her a small piece of dried ration. “Eat a little. Save your strength. We’ll be moving tonight.”
Lin Niannian took it and whispered, “Sis, they don’t believe you—but I do. Don’t be sad.”
Lin Sisi smiled and stroked her hair. “I’m not sad. Once we find water, they’ll believe.”
News that water might be found spread like wind. A faint spark of hope lit up people’s faces.
By evening, the sun finally tilted westward, and the air grew cooler.
Lin Zheng refused to let Lin Sisi go alone. “I’m coming with you. There are too many men from Dahe Village. It’s not safe for you alone.”
“I can handle it, Brother.”
“I know you can. But in times like these, caution comes first—especially in the wilderness.”
His tone left no room for argument. Turning to Auntie Yang, he said, “Auntie, please watch Niannian for us. Don’t let her wander. When we’re back, we’ll give Yaya an egg.”
Yaya was Auntie Yang’s youngest daughter.
“Don’t worry,” Auntie Yang said cheerfully. “With me here, your sister will be just fine.”
The Lin siblings truly were kind. Not only had they allowed Auntie Yang’s family to store part of their grain on their donkey cart, they often shared vegetables as well.
Though she sometimes helped watch Niannian, the girl was obedient and no trouble at all.
Niannian tugged Lin Sisi’s sleeve. “Sis, come back soon.”
“I will. Listen to Auntie Yang.”
Lin Sisi smiled gently.
Her brother insisted on coming because he worried about her. Niannian worried too.
The world was chaotic—but her heart had found a place to belong.
They had barely walked a few steps when Lin Qingqing approached, pulling the little vagrant along, her smile bright.
“Brother Lin Zheng, where are you going?”
Ah yes—the little vagrant now ate with Gu Qinglin, sometimes helped pull the cart, and often assisted villagers with small tasks. The village had gradually grown less resistant to the outsider.
He was sometimes seen beside Lin Qingqing as well—perhaps she was deliberately helping him to draw closer to Gu Qinglin.
Gu Qinglin had even given him a name: A’Shi.
“To find water.”
Lin Sisi had no interest in chatting. Lin Zheng gave a brief nod and kept walking.
Watching them leave, Lin Qingqing’s eyes flickered with calculation. Turning to A’Shi, she said softly, “Little Stone, let’s go check Sisi’s tent. I remember she has plenty of dry rations—I’ll share some with you.”
A’Shi nodded obediently. “Thank you, Sister Qingqing.”
They walked toward Lin Sisi’s donkey cart, where Auntie Yang was twisting grass rope.
Seeing them approach, she looked up. “Qingqing, what are you two doing here?”
“I came to play with Niannian,” Lin Qingqing said sweetly—though her eyes were already drifting toward the donkey cart.