“We’ll only spend one night outside. If there’s no earthquake, then everyone will be happy. But if one really does happen, at least we won’t lose our lives.”
Jiang Defu nodded in agreement.
“That’s right. No one can say for certain with this kind of thing. It’s always better to be cautious.”
Seeing how serious both the village chief and Jiang Chunsheng were, it didn’t seem like they were trying to scare people.
Those who were naturally cautious began to think it was better to believe it might happen than to dismiss the possibility altogether.
“I trust Uncle Jiang. I agree that we should stay outside for the night.”
Ye Mingchuan was the first person in the crowd to step forward in support of Jiang Chunsheng.
“I trust Chunsheng too. He’s never been the type to make wild claims.”
He Yong, the butcher who lived at the entrance of the village, also quickly spoke up.
That evening, the pigs in his sty had been running in circles and squealing nonstop, which had already made him feel that something wasn’t right.
After hearing Jiang Chunsheng’s warning, he was already more than half convinced.
“I’ll listen to Brother Chunsheng too. He’s well-read and knowledgeable.”
Jiang Dong was an honest, simple man. He wasn’t particularly clever, but before his father passed away, he had always told him that whenever he didn’t understand something, he should ask Chunsheng.
Listening to Chunsheng had never steered him wrong.
Besides, he was tough enough to spend one night sleeping outdoors.
“I also think it’s better to be safe. What if it’s true?”
Those words caused even the people who had been completely certain a moment ago to waver.
Yes… what if?
If an earthquake really struck while they were inside their houses, would they even be able to escape?
Soon the villagers broke into heated discussion, with opinions flying in every direction.
Zhou Tieniu, who had never gotten along with Jiang Chunsheng, raised his booming voice.
“I don’t believe it. This is all just baseless nonsense.”
Several village troublemakers immediately chimed in.
“That’s right. We don’t believe it either. Whoever wants to run around in the middle of the night can go ahead. We’re not leaving our homes.”
Most of the villagers were honest farmers. Hearing both sides argue, they no longer knew whom to believe.
Jiang Chunsheng wasn’t a stubborn man. Since they were all fellow villagers, he patiently explained everything as clearly as he could.
But if they still refused to listen, there was nothing more he could do.
Seeing that the argument was going nowhere, Jiang Defu raised a hand to quiet the crowd.
“Everyone, settle down and listen to me.”
The villagers immediately fell silent and all turned to look at him.
Straightening his back with the authority of a village chief, Jiang Defu announced,
“Those willing to spend the night outside should hurry home, gather your belongings, and find an open area to stay.
Those who don’t believe us may do as they please. We won’t force anyone.
But if something happens, you’ll bear the consequences yourselves. Meeting adjourned!”
The villagers became even more uneasy. They scattered in all directions amid a noisy commotion, while Jiang Chunsheng hurried home.
Jiang Changfeng and Jiang Yunfan were already busy carrying the family’s grain, tables, chairs, and benches into the middle of the courtyard.
When Jiang Chunsheng returned and saw the orderly chaos, he nodded in satisfaction.
But there was still one thing worrying him.
He called Jiang Changfeng over.
“Changfeng, take a torch and go meet your third brother on the road.”
Fengling Town was densely built and not far from Apricot Blossom Village. If an earthquake really struck, it would be extremely dangerous.
By now, Jiang Canghai should be on his way home from school.
“Alright. I’ll go right away.”
Jiang Changfeng had already planned to pick up his younger brother after finishing the work at home, so Jiang Chunsheng’s order suited him perfectly.
Most of the heavy items had already been moved outside, and the remaining smaller things could be handled by the rest of the family.
After lighting a torch, Jiang Changfeng didn’t forget to reassure Shen Yihuan before leaving.
“Wait for me at home. I’ll be back soon.”
Shen Yihuan nodded to show she understood.
The night was as black as ink. Jiang Changfeng’s tall figure, holding the torch, was quickly swallowed by the thick darkness.
In the blink of an eye, he had disappeared from sight.
Shen Yihuan wasn’t sure how she could help. After all, she had only been part of this family for three days.
There were many things she didn’t know how to do, and many others she felt it wasn’t her place to interfere with.
Liu Guiying seemed to read her thoughts and comforted her kindly.
“My dear, just help me keep an eye on these things in the courtyard.”
“Alright.” Shen Yihuan nodded obediently.
Jiang Lanxin didn’t complain that Shen Yihuan wasn’t helping. She was far too busy herself.
She was helping Liu Guiying pack the family’s clothes, shoes, hats, bedsheets, and quilts, leaving her no time to argue over such things.
Seeing everyone occupied, Shen Yihuan thought for a moment before heading into the kitchen.
There was still some time, so she decided to boil a pot of hot water.
When everyone became tired or thirsty, they’d at least have something warm to drink.
As she tended the fire, she suddenly felt the house sway ever so slightly.
It was a strange sensation. Anyone who had never experienced it before would probably think they were simply dizzy or imagining things.
The earthquake was coming!
Shen Yihuan rushed out of the kitchen and into the house. After hesitating for a moment, she finally overcame her psychological barrier.
“Mother… the ground just moved. Did you feel it?”
A broad smile spread across Liu Guiying’s face.
Her daughter-in-law had finally started calling her ‘Mother.’
That was wonderful news.
She quickly agreed,
“I think I felt it too. It seemed to shake for a moment.”
“Really? How come I didn’t feel anything?” Jiang Lanxin asked in confusion.
Liu Guiying shot her daughter a glare.
Why did this clueless girl always seem to contradict her sister-in-law?
Jiang Lanxin felt terribly wronged.
This time she wasn’t trying to argue with Shen Yihuan.
She genuinely hadn’t felt a thing.
Shen Yihuan anxiously urged them,
“Really! Please believe me. Forget packing the rest of the things. Let’s all stay in the courtyard.”
The horrific scenes of the earthquake that had struck her hometown in her previous life flashed vividly through her mind. Even now, the memory still made her body tremble.
That fear had been etched into her very bones.
Liu Guiying was perceptive. Seeing the terror in Shen Yihuan’s eyes, she immediately nodded.
“Alright. We’ll listen to you.”
She grabbed Jiang Lanxin’s hand and led her into the courtyard, while also calling Jiang Chunsheng and Jiang Yunfan outside.
…
Meanwhile, at Village Chief Jiang Defu’s home, he had already instructed his sons and grandsons to move all the family’s valuables into the middle of the courtyard.
His wife, He Cuihua, was exhausted and grumbled,
“If there isn’t an earthquake after all, won’t all this work have been for nothing?”
Jiang Defu glared at her.
“What nonsense are you talking about? If there isn’t an earthquake, that’s a blessing for Apricot Blossom Village. If you don’t know how to speak properly, then don’t speak at all.”
At the same time, at Zhou Tieniu’s house…
His wife, Wang Suihua, couldn’t shake her uneasy feeling and cautiously suggested,
“How about we sleep in the courtyard tonight too?”
Zhou Tieniu slapped her hard across the face, sending her stumbling backward.
“Whose words are you listening to—mine or Jiang Chunsheng’s?”
His expression was dark, his eyes vicious, and his voice full of menace.
It seemed as though if Wang Suihua gave the wrong answer, he would kill her.
Trembling in fear, her eyes filled with terror, she stammered,
“I’ll listen to you.”
Only then did Zhou Tieniu nod in satisfaction and return to drinking his wine.
“An earthquake? I’ve lived for decades and never heard of such nonsense.
Does Jiang Chunsheng think reading a couple more books means he knows everything?
If he thinks I’m going to listen to him, he’s dreaming!”
Kind words cannot save someone determined to court death. Everyone would have to face their own fate.
The night grew quieter and quieter, and most of the villagers had already gone to sleep.
A small number slept in the open courtyards outside their homes, but many others paid no heed to the warning and slept soundly inside their houses.
The Jiang family sat together in the courtyard for quite some time, but nothing happened.