"After work today, I planned to retrieve the fish trap by the river to see what I'd caught. On my way home carrying the trap, I heard cries for help while passing through the small woods.
The situation felt eerily familiar—it was the kind that could easily land someone in labor reform."
Mingli recounted the incident vividly. "I bolted home like a madman. If any villagers had seen me, they'd have thought I'd lost my mind."
Later, he stopped and gathered a few people to return to the scene. They heard a woman shouting about being harassed, and when they caught the culprit, it turned out to be a notorious brother and sister from the other side of the mountain.
Good grief—siblings engaged in incest.
They immediately hauled the pair to the village committee. With numbers on their side, they made sure the man didn’t escape.
"Sis, you’re a lifesaver! If I’d gone alone, I’d have been framed for sure. I’m bringing you the two fattest fish as thanks for saving your little brother’s life."
There were still fish and shrimp left at home, enough for their parents to enjoy a good meal too.
It was as if Mingli had delivered a pillow just as Nan Sheng was dozing off—she’d been worrying about how to convince her brother, but now it seemed her dream could have a sequel.
"I’m just glad you’re safe. My heart’s only half at ease now," Nan Sheng said.
Mingli was helping his sister clean the fish while Sizhe and Qiqi watered the vegetables in the garden—Sizhe had taken on all the heavy chores.
"What do you mean, only half at ease? Am I still at risk of being sent to labor reform?" Mingli’s heart leapt into his throat.
"Not that," Nan Sheng said, feigning seriousness. "It’s just that I only told you half of my dream. The other half was about the crops."
Under her brother’s persistent questioning, Nan Sheng revealed the rest of the dream.
"A month-long drought will leave the fields barren, and many will die of starvation or heat. My heart’s been aching over it."
Had it not been for the incident with the siblings, Mingli wouldn’t have believed such a disaster was possible. He muttered, "Sis, you’re joking, right? Our land is lush and green—how could there be a drought?"
Nan Sheng didn’t push further. "Who knows? It was just a dream."
Mingli abandoned the fish and paced around the kitchen. "Sis, we can’t ignore this. Maybe it’s a warning from the heavens. We have to save the villagers."
Things were progressing smoothly—Nan Sheng almost laughed out loud. "Actually, I’ve already hinted at it to the local team leader. He reported it to the village head, who’s going to town today to seek guidance from the authorities.
Why don’t you go back and share this with your village head? See what the town officials say. It’d be best if multiple village heads went together and asked if anyone higher up has insights on disaster conditions, maybe even invite someone to assess the situation."
"That’s a great idea! Much more convincing than saying it came from your dream. I’ve got to head back right now—I won’t stay the night!"
Mingli had planned to spend the evening and return the bicycle early the next morning, but this urgent matter left him restless. He needed to rush back and inform the village head.
He’d also tell his parents to take a day off tomorrow and stock up on food in town. It might not be the most honorable move, but survival came first.
And he’d warn his uncles and cousins too—whatever their usual squabbles, they were trivial in the face of disaster.
Mingli pedaled furiously, the bike flying down the road, yet it still felt too slow. By the time he got home, he was drenched in sweat.
Nan's Mother was surprised to see him. "Why are you back? We didn’t prepare dinner for you."
"Something huge is happening, Ma!"
Mingli quickly gathered his parents and relayed the news—though he omitted the part about his sister’s dream, not wanting to cause her trouble.
"Someone in Xiangyang Village says the drought might last a month. If that’s true, our current irrigation won’t be enough. We might have to abandon half the fields to avoid total crop failure.
Their village head went to town for guidance. Dad, should we do the same? Rally more people to go and demand an official assessment.
If this turns out to be real, it’ll be catastrophic—people will starve!"
Nan's Mother slapped her son’s head. "You brat! Spit three times and take back those awful words. You’re scaring me!"
But Nan's Father stayed silent. As a child, he’d lived through a drought. His own mother had starved to death, saving what little food there was for the children.
"I’ll handle this. Many elders in the village have been whispering about the strange weather lately—they just haven’t brought it to the village head’s attention."
Father and son left together, while Nan's Mother lost her appetite.
She went to the bedroom and pulled out a small box hidden deep in the cabinet—the family’s entire savings.
When her son returned, she’d send him to town for food supplies tomorrow. Grain wouldn’t spoil, after all. She’d also need to send some to her daughter and her own parents.
The more she thought about it, the thinner the stack of money felt. Without ration coupons, they’d have to turn to the black market.
Over in Xiangyang Village, the village head’s report wasn’t encouraging. The town officials had promised to look into the matter but showed little urgency.
Zhou Ren suddenly thought of Nan Sheng. "Uncle Lin, why don’t we ask Lin Han’s wife for advice? She’s sharp—maybe she’ll have an idea."
Before Lin Guozheng could refuse, Feng Wuquan stood up. "Let’s go! We’ll pay Lin Han’s place a visit. That girl’s been the death of me."
He hadn’t eaten all day, too weighed down by worry.
Nan Sheng had stewed one fish for dinner and salted the other, quietly stockpiling food.
She’d just put her daughter to sleep when she heard movement at the gate. "Lin Han’s wife, are you awake? It’s your Uncle Feng. Could you come out for a moment?"
The eldest boy had just finished his homework and stepped outside first. What was the village head doing here so late?
By the time he opened the door, his stepmother had joined him. They found four or five men at the gate, including Lin Han’s father.
Nan Sheng greeted them calmly. "Father-in-law, Uncle Feng, Captain Zhou, you’ve all come. Would you like to come inside?"
"No, no, we just have a quick question."
With no man in the house, they had to maintain propriety—even with Lin Guozheng present, they wouldn’t step into the courtyard.
Lin Guozheng spoke first. "Daughter-in-law, what made you think of the drought? Did someone tell you something?"
They kept their voices low, wary of sparking panic.
Nan Sheng nodded. "When I visited my parents, some elders mentioned how the weather seemed off this year—they feared a major drought. Since returning, each day’s been hotter than the last, so I grew worried and mentioned it to Captain Zhou."
The village head sighed. "We’ve asked our own elders, and they say the same. But without proof, making the wrong call could cost us our positions—or worse, leave the villagers starving."
Nan Sheng reassured them. "Don’t panic yet. My brother visited today. Hearing that Uncle Feng went to town, he plans to discuss it with his village head and gather others to approach the authorities together. This time, they’ll have to take it seriously."
Her words lifted the men’s spirits. Zhou Ren grinned. "I knew we should’ve come to Lin Han’s wife. Quick thinking runs in the family—her brother’s even faster!"
The village chief also said, "Let's all get up early tomorrow. Old Lin will stay in the village to oversee the work, while the rest of us will go door-to-door through neighboring villages to gather people. Together, we'll head to town and demand justice from the authorities!"
