"I'm fine... Check on her..." Mu Shi'an's voice was hoarse.
Song Nianchu then turned to look at Meng Yingying beside her—she had passed out, her heartbeat even stopping.
Song Nianchu immediately began performing CPR. Fortunately, Meng Yingying hadn’t been underwater for long. After pressing on her chest for a while, she coughed up a large amount of seawater, and her consciousness gradually returned.
"Comrade Meng, are you alright? Can you hear me?" Song Nianchu asked urgently as Meng Yingying slowly opened her eyes.
Meng Yingying felt a sharp pain in her throat, her head dizzy and heavy. The figures before her swayed uncontrollably, making it impossible to see clearly.
But... hadn’t Third Wu and his son already driven her out?
Why was she here?
The people in front of her seemed familiar, yet unfamiliar at the same time.
"Comrade Meng, no matter how heartbroken you are, you must never seek death. If you die, your enemies will only rejoice." Song Nianchu helped Meng Yingying sit up slightly, patting her back to help her cough up the remaining seawater.
Comrade... Meng?
Hearing this title, Meng Yingying’s expression froze.
Hadn’t the term "comrade" long fallen out of use?
Why were these people calling her that?
As her thoughts gradually settled, the scene before her became clearer.
She recognized... Wu Zhenggui.
He was the village chief of Qinghe Fishing Village—but wasn’t he already dead?
Why did he look so young now?
"Comrade Meng? Are you okay?" Seeing Meng Yingying staring blankly, Song Nianchu waved a hand in front of her face.
Only then did Meng Yingying’s gaze land on her.
It took her a moment to recall who she was.
"Song Nianchu?" Meng Yingying called out tentatively.
"Yes, it’s me." Song Nianchu nodded.
Why did she look so young?
And hadn’t she left Qinghe Fishing Village long ago?
Suddenly, Meng Yingying realized something and looked down at her hands.
Though rough, they weren’t yet wrinkled.
She touched her face—still smooth, without sagging skin.
Had she... been reborn?!
The realization sent her heart pounding, followed by overwhelming joy.
The heavens must have pitied her for the suffering in her past life, granting her a chance to change everything and live anew.
"Oh, not dead yet? Since you’re alive, hurry up and come home. There’s a pile of chores waiting for you." Just then, Third Wu arrived late.
The moment Meng Yingying saw him, a surge of murderous intent flashed in her eyes.
This man had ruined her entire life!
But what had he just said?
Go home with him?
Had she been reborn after already marrying him?
"Have I... already married you?" Meng Yingying asked hoarsely.
"Did the seawater fry your brain? You’ve been my wife for ages. Stop pretending and get back home. You’re embarrassing me every damn day." Third Wu didn’t care if she was still disoriented—he grabbed her arm and tried to drag her away.
"Third Wu, she nearly died just now!" Song Nianchu seized his wrist.
"You said ‘nearly.’ She’s still alive, isn’t she? If she’s alive, she needs to eat and sleep. If she doesn’t work, are you going to feed her?" Third Wu rolled his eyes at Song Nianchu.
Just as Song Nianchu was about to retort, Meng Yingying pried her hand away.
Song Nianchu looked at her in surprise.
"I’m fine. And... thank you..." Meng Yingying forced a faint smile, then stood up, staring straight at Third Wu.
"I’ll go back with you."
Third Wu smirked triumphantly at Song Nianchu.
"See? She’s coming willingly. Stay out of our business from now on, or don’t blame me for being rude!" He yanked Meng Yingying away forcefully.
Song Nianchu’s gaze lingered on Meng Yingying.
Why would she agree to go with him?
And the way she had looked at Third Wu just now... something was off.
"Nianchu, don’t blame yourself. Comrade Meng made her own choice. We did all we could. I’ll warn Third Wu to behave better in the future." Wu Zhenggui sighed, mistaking Song Nianchu’s silence for worry.
"...Mm." Song Nianchu responded softly, saying nothing more.
Cough... cough...
Another round of coughing came from behind. Song Nianchu suddenly remembered Mu Shi'an was still soaked and quickly turned to help him up.
"Uncle Zhenggui, I’ll take Shi'an home to change."
"Go, go. Don’t catch a cold." Wu Zhenggui nodded repeatedly.
Medicine was expensive in these times—many had been lost to something as simple as a cold.
Song Nianchu supported Mu Shi'an back home. Workers in the yard gasped at his disheveled state, crowding around.
"Comrade Mu, what happened? Did you fall into the sea?"
"It’s nothing serious. Keep working—I’ll take him inside to change." Without elaborating, Song Nianchu led him to their room.
Mu Haoxuan and Mu Yongnian, who had been printing labels in the main hall, were startled by Mu Shi'an’s appearance and rushed over.
"Big Brother, what’s wrong?"
"He fell into the sea. Go boil some water." Song Nianchu instructed.
"Okay!" The two boys hurried to the kitchen.
Song Nianchu sat Mu Shi'an on a stool in their bedroom, then fetched clean clothes from the wardrobe.
"Change out of those wet clothes first." She drew the curtains as she spoke.
Mu Shi'an obediently stripped—having seen each other bare before, there was no need for modesty.
"Rest for a bit. I’ll make you some ginger soup." Though the weather wasn’t too cold, it was better to be cautious.
"Don’t trouble yourself. I’ll be fine after changing." Mu Shi'an caught her wrist.
"Making ginger soup is no trouble. Wait here—I’ll be back soon." She patted his hand and left.
In the kitchen, Mu Haoxuan and Mu Yongnian had already lit the fire. Song Nianchu prepared the ingredients.
By the time the water boiled, Mu Yongnian went to fetch Mu Shi'an.
When he finished bathing, Song Nianchu’s ginger soup was ready.
"Here, drink this." She handed him a steaming bowl.
The pungent smell made Mu Shi'an grimace.
"Do I... have to finish all of it?" he asked hesitantly.
