Chapter 60: The Girl by the River

Chapter 60: The Girl by the River

On the last major break before the college entrance exams, Ye Xiaoxiao also returned to Baichuan Village with her two brothers.

As soon as Ye Changyuan got back to the village, he headed straight for his home, waving while running.

"I'll come see you guys tonight."

Ye Xiaoxiao and Ye Changyuan continued walking toward their home together.

This time, Ye Changqing was also at home.

It was rare for them all to be together like this.

Ye Changsheng: "Brother, you're back from the mine."

Ye Changqing invited his siblings inside, "Yes, I don’t intend to go back to the mine this time."

Ye Changsheng asked, "Brother, did something happen over at the mine?"

Ye Changqing sighed, his brow furrowed with worry: "A few days ago, I noticed some issues in the mine tunnels. I reported it to the higher-ups, but there’s been no response. It’s too unsafe, so I came back for now."

Ye Changqing had always been interested in books about ores and mines since his school days.

Later, when he joined the army, he was assigned to the engineering corps, where he got to learn from experts in surveying and engineering.

In any case, the mining area was no longer safe. Before returning, he had only warned those close to him about the problems at the mine, but he could only persuade a few.

Most people were unwilling to leave, since it was their livelihood.

And Ye Changsheng couldn’t spread the word too widely, or he might get arrested for spreading rumors.

Ye Changsheng frowned: "That’s so dangerous. If something happens, it could destroy several families."

Ye Changqing: "Hopefully, the summer rains aren’t too heavy this year. As long as there’s no major downpour, things should be fine."

Miao Cuifang was indoors teaching Ye Baocheng how to write with a brush. The child’s wrist was still weak, so his characters were shaky and uneven.

Seeing Ye Xiaoxiao and her brothers return, Miao Cuifang immediately got up to start preparing the meal.

"Xiao Xiao, your father and I have discussed it. When you take your college entrance exams, I’ll come stay with you for a couple of days to help with cooking and other things."

If all three children were living on campus, Miao Cuifang wouldn’t have had this idea, but since they were renting a place outside, with enough space to accommodate her, her suggestion made perfect sense.

Ye Xiaoxiao nodded: "That’d be great."

It would also be the perfect time then to buy the sewing machine.

Seeing Ye Xiaoxiao agree, Miao Cuifang immediately beamed with joy, "Go on inside, I’ll get started on the meal."

Ye Xiaoxiao went to watch Ye Baocheng practicing his calligraphy. His characters were still shaky, but the copybook Miao Cuifang had given him was fluid and elegant, with a refined style.

"Where did you get this copybook from?"

Ye Xiaoxiao thought it didn’t look like her grandfather’s handwriting.

Ye Changsheng picked up the paper and glanced at it, "This is our mother’s handwriting. She’s not only good at calligraphy but also at painting. The women in the village often come to her for embroidery patterns."

Ye Xiaoxiao thought to herself, Miao Cuifang’s talents and skills were truly wasted in the village.

Given her calligraphy skills, she could have easily run a calligraphy class back in her day.

If she could paint, traditional Chinese art would have been a hit too.

Ye Baocheng plopped into Ye Changsheng's lap, "Uncle, I don’t feel like writing anymore. Can we go out and play?"

Ye Changqing scooped him up, "Your uncle’s already worn out from studying, and now he has to babysit you too?"

Ye Baocheng pouted with his chubby cheeks, "But I really miss Uncle."

Ye Changsheng glanced outside, "Alright, Uncle will take you to the river to play."

During the summer heat, the village kids would head to the river to catch fish and shrimp. As long as they stayed away from the deep spots, the parents didn’t fuss.

Ye Baocheng, being so young, was never allowed to go alone.

Now that someone was taking him, he cheered, "Yes! I wanna catch fish!"

When Ye Xiaoxiao arrived in Baichuan Village, it was the dead of winter. By the time everything turned green, she hardly ever came back. She only knew the village river was wide, with branches flowing into the village, turning into little streams where folks washed clothes and veggies.

It was still early, so Ye Xiaoxiao and Ye Changsheng brought Ye Baocheng to the river.

By the river, some older kids were catching fish, half-submerged in the water. Every now and then, they’d lift their hands, clutching palm-sized fish.

"There really are fish here!"

Ye Xiaoxiao crouched by the river but couldn’t spot a thing.

Ye Baocheng balled up his little fists, "Auntie, there’s not just fish—there’s shrimp too!"

Ye Xiaoxiao seized the moment to warn him, "But don’t you dare go to the middle of the river, or the current might sweep you away."

Ye Baocheng, "I won’t go! Grandpa said only idiots play where the water’s fast. Auntie, what’s ‘fast water’?"

Ye Xiaoxiao: "..."

Ye Changsheng pulled off Ye Baocheng’s shoes and splashed around with him in the shallow water by the bank.

After a while, something happened upstream, and a bunch of village kids ran that way.

"Hurry up! Someone jumped into the river near the big bridge!"

"The water under the bridge’s deep—whose kid is it?"

Some young folks, even women with laundry basins, rushed toward the bridge.

Ye Xiaoxiao glanced that way, clueless about what they were talking about.

Ye Changsheng hoisted Ye Baocheng up, "Let’s go check it out."

By the time they got to the bridge, the person in the river had already been pulled out.

It was Zhang Erni, who hadn't been to school for days.

"Erni, wake up, don't scare your mother."

"Erni!"

Wang Meili clung to Zhang Erni, shaking her frantically.

The onlookers were also discussing among themselves.

"How could it be Zhang Erni of all people? Her family is doing so well; why would she think of jumping into the river?"

"Could it really be related to the Li family? I heard that the forest farm has stopped allowing tree cutting, saying they need to protect the protective forest. It seems the Li family doesn’t intend to honor the engagement with the Zhang family anymore."

"How can the Li family go back on their word? Isn’t this just asking for people to talk behind their backs?"

"They plan to move the whole family to the city; who cares about relatives in this poor countryside?"

Ye Xiaoxiao pushed through the crowd and saw Zhang Erni lying there, but no one was administering first aid.

"Quit crying and step aside. If we delay any longer, she really might die."

Ye Xiaoxiao pulled Wang Meili aside and knelt down to perform CPR on Zhang Erni.

With a "wah," Zhang Erni bent over, spat out a mouthful of water, and then started coughing violently.

"Erni, you’re okay. It’s good that you’re okay. You nearly gave me a heart attack."

Wang Meili, after all, still cared deeply for her daughter; she hugged Zhang Erni and wailed loudly.

After crying, she began to curse the Li Deshu family, saying, "Don’t worry, Erni, I will definitely get justice for you."

Zhang Erni’s older brother stood there, looking helpless, and said, "Mom, let’s take our little sister home first."

Zhang Erni, having been pulled from the water, was completely soaked.

Her thin summer clothes clung wetly to her body.

After all, she was a grown girl, and this was really not a good look for her.

Wang Meili hugged her tightly and said, "Listen, Erni, let’s go home first."