C14

Gu Yingchu called Dung Qiu outside.

“Mom, look, the worms are coming out of the ground. Just now, when I walked over there, I noticed the chickens in the coop were restless. I think something might be about to happen.”

Dung Qiu paused for a moment and asked, “What could it be? An earthquake?”

Gu Yingchu replied, “I’m not sure, but there are always signs before an earthquake. Let’s be cautious. I’m going to catch some fish now.”

“Be careful, and just get enough for us to eat,” Dung Qiu advised.

Gu Yingchu didn’t respond as she was already walking away. Before long, the sky darkened, and it started to rain.

Dung Qiu made fish soup, found an old raincoat, put on a straw hat, and ran to the creek.

Gu Yingchu was on her way back with a bucket.

She caught two fish today; the rest of the bait was left in the water.

Carrying the bucket, her clothes were soaked.

“Mom, why did you come out here?”

“Dear Ying, let’s hurry home.” Dung Qiu started to take off her raincoat to put it on Gu Yingchu.

Gu Yingchu quickly stopped her, “My clothes are already wet. If you do that, yours will get wet too.”

Dung Qiu paused, looking at her daughter with mixed emotions. Her daughter had always been her treasure, someone she took care of. But now, her daughter was thinking about her well-being.

“Mom, let's hurry back,” Gu Yingchu said, not having time to linger in sentiment. She took the lead, running ahead.

Her wet clothes clung to her, making her uncomfortable. It wasn't until she had a steaming bowl of soup that she started to feel a bit more like herself.

“I'll find you some clean clothes to change into,” Dung Qiu offered.

But when Gu Yingchu looked up, she saw the rundown house, dripping like a leaky faucet. The bed was surrounded by a few cracked bowls, and the rain outside showed no signs of stopping. The night ahead didn't look promising.

“Just our luck to hit a streak like this,” she thought.

“Mom, we need to find something to fix up this place, or we won't be able to sleep tonight.”

Dung Qiu looked worried. “What can we use to cover it?”

“How about weaving a grass mat to put over it?”

All Gu Yingchu could see around was grass.

“Alright, I'll gather some grass,” Dung Qiu said, quickly heading out and returning with an armful.

Gu Yingchu didn't know how to weave, but she could figure it out.

“Dear Ying, I'm sorry you have to stay in a place like this,” Dung Qiu said, feeling upset.

“Mom, do you think I’d rather be crying in a house that doesn’t leak?”

“No,” Dung Qiu replied, not wanting that kind of life. “I don’t want that.”

“Then let’s not overthink it. Let’s just focus on living our lives well.”

Gu Yingchu sighed softly to herself and picked up the pace, weaving a few rough-looking straw mats.

“Mom, let me do it. My clothes aren't dry yet, so I'll take care of it.”

“Hurry up and get it done so you can change, or you'll catch a cold.”

“Don't worry, a little fish soup will fix me right up.”

Gu Yingchu stepped outside and looked up at the roof, then climbed up.

“Mom, can you check if I placed this right?”

The rain was pouring down, making Gu Yingchu's voice sound faint against the downpour. Inside, Dung Qiu checked to see if there were any leaks.

“Mom, can you pass me some more stones? I’m running out.” Gu Yingchu lay flat on the roof, grateful for the few sturdy beams beneath her, fearing she might otherwise break through.