Li Jin was startled, and a hint of surprise also appeared in Xiao Yi's eyes.
The Village Head kowtowed to Duoduo, banging his head heavily against the ground three times.
Bodhisattva bless us! A living Bodhisattva!
Li Jin and Xiao Yi exchanged a glance, and Li Jin stepped forward to help the Village Head up.
Village Head, it is raining now. It's the Bodhisattva's blessing and the heavens showing mercy, you don't need to be so excited!
The Village Head's hands trembled as he tried to explain that this wasn't what he meant.
However, he saw Li Jin, who was holding him, winking at him vigorously.
The Village Head looked around. The guards taking shelter from the rain and some villagers watching the commotion were all staring at him.
The Village Head wiped his eyes. Yes, Bodhisattva bless us, it's finally raining!
Old sir, why don't we go inside to talk?
Li Jin gestured to the Village Head.
The Village Head turned back to take another look at Duoduo, who was still happily catching raindrops to play with, and nodded.
Yes! It was my negligence. Everyone, please come inside!
The Village Head opened the door to the main room, letting Li Jin, Xiao Yi, and the others in.
Duoduo and Yingniang continued to play outside.
After entering the room, the group took their seats.
Seeing the Village Head staring unblinkingly at Duoduo outside, Li Jin felt a bit curious.
Village Head, is the young lady being too mischievous? Is she upsetting you?
The Village Head waved his hands in panic.
Young Master, please do not speak nonsense! You will disturb the deities!
Village Head, that is my daughter! Xiao Yi emphasized the word daughter heavily.
The Village Head froze for a moment, then stood up and bowed to Xiao Yi.
My apologies, I was being presumptuous. Both the Young Master and Madam are blessed people!
Xiao Yi scoffed.
He felt that this Village Head was acting overly superstitious and not quite normal.
He wondered how this man had even managed to become the Village Head.
Could it be that he was elected precisely because of his superstitious nature?
Li Jin cupped his hands toward the Village Head. Village Head, I have a doubt. Could you perhaps clarify it for me?
The Village Head waved his hand and sat down.
You want to ask why I knelt to that young lady just now, don't you?
Li Jin nodded. You are correct.
The Village Head's gaze pierced through the empty space, looking toward the road Xiao Yi and the others had taken to get here.
Our village didn't exist in the past.
Legend has it that our ancestors suffered a disaster and fled through here, where they met an immortal fishing.
The immortal took pity on our ancestors, casually gave them a few fish, and then disappeared.
Our ancestors couldn't bear to eat them, so they kept them in the river where they first met the immortal.
When they put the fish into the water, they discovered a spring continuously bubbling outward.
That water was incredibly sweet.
Those who drank it not only had all their illnesses cured but could also prolong their lives.
Thus, our ancestors settled down here. They told their descendants that no one was allowed to catch and eat the fish in that river.
This was passed down from generation to generation for over a hundred years. Everyone just thought it was merely a legend.
Two months ago, the water in that river also began to gradually decrease.
Someone secretly went to the riverbed, caught the fish, and took them back to cook and eat.
Later, when everyone saw that the person who ate them was fine, they all went to the river to catch fish to eat.
Then, one day, that spring suddenly disappeared, and the entire river dried up overnight.
At this point, the Village Head let out a long sigh.
I never expected that the legend passed down for so long was actually true.
If I had known, I would have sent people to guard that river earlier, and it wouldn't have escalated to the point where people died!
As the Village Head spoke, a look of regret appeared on his face.
A cold smile curled on Xiao Yi's lips.
Perhaps this Village Head had also caught fish to eat.
Then what does that have to do with our young lady? Li Jin didn't understand.
I heard my great-great-grandfather say that in that river, only one fish was the one originally given to our ancestors by the immortal.
The other fish in the river were all its descendants.
As long as that fish doesn't die, the river water will not dry up!
But with so many fish in a river, who knew which one was the fish ancestor?
The Village Head sighed.
The spring is gone, how could the fish ancestor still be alive?
Li Jin glanced at Xiao Yi. In that case, the fish Duoduo saved was the fish ancestor the Village Head spoke of?
Perhaps it was just a coincidence. The young lady said she saw that the fish wasn't dead yet, so she saved it.
Li Jin felt it was just a coincidence.
The Village Head shook his head.
Not at all! I went to take a look every day, hoping to see if I could encounter it, but I never saw a single live fish.
Our place has been dry for over a month. As you've seen, the riverbed is all cracked. How could any fish survive?
The Village Head looked at Duoduo outside. Look at that young lady's hands.
Everyone looked outside at Duoduo playing with the water.
Her hands? What's different?
Look, all the rainwater is drifting toward the young lady's hands.
Only then did everyone notice that the rainwater near Duoduo was indeed drifting into her hands.
Compared to Yingniang next to her, it was even more obvious.
Xiao Yi gave a low-voiced instruction to Yunxiao. Yunxiao nodded and walked out.
Before long, Duoduo walked in with Yingniang, still looking like she hadn't played enough.
As soon as she entered the room, she saw everyone inside staring straight at her.
Duoduo's heart skipped a beat.
She reflexively hid beside Xiao Yi, grabbing his sleeve.
Father, did I do something wrong?
Xiao Yi scrutinized Duoduo, then gently patted the back of her hand.
It's nothing. The Village Head says he wants to thank you for saving that fish.
Hearing Xiao Yi say this, Duoduo instantly relaxed.
No need to thank me! My teacher once told a story about a little girl saving small fish by the sea.
So, when I saw that fish, I remembered what my teacher said: it would care!
But that fish was really so good! I like it very much!
Remembering how the fish wagged its tail at her, Duoduo leaned close to Xiao Yi and whispered very softly.
Father, that fish seemed to understand human nature!
Although Duoduo's voice was small, everyone in the room heard it.
The Village Head burst into tears. Yes! That one must be the fish ancestor!
Fish ancestor?
Curiosity appeared in Duoduo's eyes.
Fish have ancestors too? Hehe...
The Village Head stood up and bowed to Duoduo.
Thank you for your great kindness, Miss. You have saved everyone in our village!
I will definitely have the entire village burn incense and pray for you every day!
That won't be necessary. Doing so will shorten the child's lifespan, Su Xian hurriedly stopped him.
Xiao Yi spoke up.
Village Head, the child acted out of kindness and didn't think of anything else. There is no need for burning incense and praying.
Also, I hope you take today's matter to your grave. I do not want anyone harboring evil intentions after the child saved people.
If this matter leaks out, even the fish ancestor won't be able to protect you!
The Village Head was stunned.
