After several days, Lujiacun (Lu Family Village) suddenly became lively, especially near the small river not far from the Yan family home.
It was very hot, and the village had gone more than two months without rain.
The crops were starting to turn yellow, so villagers began fetching water from the river to irrigate the fields. At this point, most of them still thought it was temporary and hadn’t realized the severity of the drought.
The Yan family’s life remained peaceful. Each morning, Yan Zihao and Yan Ziyi went to town to sell braised pork offal, and in the afternoon, they worked with their father watering the fields and vegetable plots.
That night, Lu Qingran washed up as usual and went to bed, but shortly after falling asleep, a vision she had experienced in a half-dream, half-awake state appeared again.
The sun blazed in the sky, scorching everything.
Trees and grass were yellowed and withering.
Endless crowds of people walked ahead, expressionless, eyes empty, some crying or calling for help.
The scene shifted. A group of black-faced warriors in armor wielded weapons, some still dripping with blood. The ground was littered with countless men, women, and children, all battered, emaciated, and bloodied. Others in tattered clothes ran in the distance.
Lu Qingran felt as if she was part of it, breathing faster and shouting, “Run! Run, hurry!”
In the darkness, Yan Zihao heard her voice and opened his eyes. Seeing she hadn’t woken, he realized it was a nightmare and gently rubbed her back, whispering:
“Qingran, Qingran, wake up!”“Don’t be afraid, I’m here!”
Perhaps his call reached her. Lu Qingran suddenly opened her eyes, sitting up, gasping heavily. Yan Zihao sat up too, carefully holding her and patting her back to calm her:
“It’s okay, it’s okay, don’t be afraid. I’m here.”
For a long time, Lu Qingran couldn’t regain her composure. The images of blood from her dream repeated in her mind. Eventually, she looked at Yan Zihao and whispered:
“Zihao, people were being killed… so many people died.”
“Just a dream, don’t be afraid. I’m here. Nothing will happen,” Yan Zihao said, holding her closer.
Gradually, the warmth and safety of his embrace allowed Lu Qingran to close her eyes again, though her brow remained tightly furrowed. Yan Zihao didn’t dare let go and kept holding her as they lay back down.
The next morning, Lu Qingran woke to the rooster’s crow and immediately saw Yan Zihao’s worried gaze. The dream still lingered in her mind, but she didn’t mention it, wanting to think through its meaning. Yan Zihao also didn’t bring it up, not wanting to stir her fear.
When they went outside, Yan Father, Yan Mother, and Yan Ziyi were already up. Yan Mother was cooking breakfast, while Yan Father and Yan Ziyi were preparing to carry water.
These days, the heat was worsening. Water poured on the fields yesterday had all evaporated overnight, and villagers were becoming increasingly diligent, watering their crops twice a day.
Many villagers had far more land, making it impossible to water twice a day, and they groaned seeing their crops wither.
At the village, Lu Chengfu, the village chief, was discussing the situation with his eldest son:
“Father, it’s getting hotter and hotter, no rain in sight. Will this cause problems?”Lu Chengfu sighed heavily, worry etched on his face: “If it doesn’t rain soon, this year’s harvest may fail.”
They quickly went to fetch water.
By the river, some villagers had already arrived. Lu Zhong was among them.
“Yan brothers, you’re here,” Lu Zhong greeted.
Yan Zihao and Yan Ziyi responded politely, while Yan Father said: “Zhong, our land is small. Once we finish, we’ll come help you.”
“Thank you! My family has a lot of land; I’m overwhelmed. My parents at home are worried sick,” Lu Zhong replied.
Yan Zihao and Yan Ziyi: “We’ll be at the fields in the afternoon too.”
Lu Zhong’s son, Lu Shun, also expressed gratitude: “Thank you, Uncle Yan, Zihao, Ziyi!”
“Shun, no need to be so polite,” Yan Zihao patted his shoulder.
Meanwhile, Yan Mother had prepared breakfast. Lu Qingran was cooking today’s batch of braised pork offal, the aroma already drifting outside. Villagers walking by couldn’t resist. Even Lu Chengfu, the village chief, curious, saw Yan Second Son at the river and asked:
“Second Son, what has your family been doing recently? Cooking meat every morning?”
Yan Father replied: “Zihao’s wife created a new dish. They’ve been selling it in town. Chief, why don’t you come by for breakfast? Zhong too.”
“No need, I just wanted to ask. Your wife has made breakfast already,” Lu Chengfu said, waving it off.
Yan Father: “Come together, it won’t hurt. Just don’t dislike it.”
Lu Zhong had already tried it before and was enthusiastic: “Chief, let’s go! It’s delicious; I’ve been looking forward to it.”
Yan Father: “If you want it, let Shun carry it over.”
Lu Zhong smiled and stayed quiet. Yan Zihao added: “Uncle Zhong, I’ll save a bowl for you from tomorrow.”
At the same time, the old Yan family—Yan Eldest and Yan Third—were nearby, hearing this, muttering:
“Ungrateful! So generous to outsiders, but never give us anything? Mother was right; this family is unfilial.”
Half an hour later, Yan Fourth Son called everyone to eat.
Lu Chengfu couldn’t refuse; curious, he went along.
“Mother, the chief and Zhong are here.”Yan Mother: “Chief, come in and sit.”Lu Zhong: “Sister-in-law, your food smells amazing. I came to taste it.”“Why taste it? Just come if you want to,” Yan Mother said cheerfully.
Lu Shun also called out: “Aunt.”“Good, come sit,” she said, then glanced at Yan Zihao: “Zihao, what’s wrong with Qingran today? She seems distracted. Did something happen?”
Yan Zihao: “Mother, Qingran had a nightmare last night. I went to check on her.”“Then go quickly,” Yan Mother urged.
After greeting Lu Chengfu and Lu Zhong, Yan Zihao headed to the room.