Dressed as a farmer's widow, she brought her daughter to stock up on food and reached the top

The sun gradually rose higher and the weather became hotter, but they dared not stop for a moment. Their clothes were soaked with sweat, but they kept moving quickly.

Guihua straightened up, wiped the sweat off her face and said, "Everyone, work harder and try to harvest more."

Their figures shuttled through the watermelon field, accompanied by the creaking sound of the donkey cart, forming a busy and hopeful picture.

As Chen Yonggui entered the village in his carriage, he saw a bustling scene. Curious, he lifted the carriage curtain and looked out.

Everyone was busy reinforcing the roof. Sun Dasao's adobe house stood out, its thatched roof covered in bamboo, which her sons were chopping and shoring up.

Mrs. Sun was anxiously directing from below: "Big brother, pass the bamboo up. Second brother, step firmly and don't fall down!"

The eldest son, his face flushed with exhaustion, responded, "I understand, Mom. Don't worry!"

The second son climbed up the roof nimbly and placed the bamboos one by one.

The youngest son helped pass the tools, and his face was also dirty.

Chen Yonggui watched this scene and couldn't help but sigh: "The villagers really worked together to prevent natural disasters!"

Chen Yonggui sat back in the carriage, frowning slightly, and pondered in his heart: "Why are these villagers mobilizing so many people to reinforce the roof?"

But then I couldn't figure it out. "It's a drought, there's not even a cloud in the sky, where's the rain coming from? What's the point of doing this?"

The more he thought about it, the more confused he became. "Could it be that they've got some information that I don't know about? Or are they just messing around and scaring themselves?"

Chen Yonggui shook his head slightly. "Oh, I really don't understand. But looking at their serious attitude, maybe they do have a point."

Thinking about it, Chen Yonggui couldn't help but sigh again, "Forget it, no matter what, I hope their hard work will be useful and not be wasted in vain."

After a day of hard work, it was finally time for dinner. Xiuying and her family sat around the table, the dim light illuminating everyone's tired but satisfied faces.

Awang looked troubled today. Xiuying noticed this and put a piece of food into Awang's bowl with her chopsticks. She asked, "Awang, what's wrong? Are you missing your uncle?"

Awang shook his head, took a mouthful of rice, hesitated for a moment, and then whispered, "Aunt Xiuying, I dreamed last night that my father was being chased."

As soon as these words were spoken, the whole family stopped what they were doing and the atmosphere instantly became solemn.

Xiuying's hands trembled slightly, and she said, "Don't talk nonsense, it's just a dream."

Awang raised his head, his eyes filled with fear and uneasiness: "But Auntie, that dream was so real, I'm scared."

Father Yang put down his bowl and chopsticks and comforted him, "Don't be afraid, child. Dreams are the opposite of reality. Your father will be fine."

Awang bit his lip and said, "I'm really worried about Dad."

Xiuying gently touched Awang's head and said, "Don't think too much. Come and eat. Our family is fine, and your father will be fine too."

Afan looked at Awang enviously, with a hint of sadness and loss in his eyes.

He lowered his head and said softly, "Awang, you still have your father to worry about. I don't even know where my own parents are."

After hearing this, Awang felt a pang of anxiety, not knowing how to comfort Afan. He held Afan's hand and said, "Afan, don't be sad. Perhaps your parents are thinking of you somewhere too."

Afan gave a bitter smile, his voice choking a little, "I often wonder why they left me. Is it because I'm not good enough?"

Xiuying heard the conversation between the two children and felt a pang of sadness. She walked over and hugged Afan in her arms: "Afan, don't think like that. This will be your home from now on. We are all your family."

Afan raised his head, tears in his eyes, and said firmly: "Auntie, I know, I will work hard in the future and repay you."

Father Yang also sighed and said, "Children, we are all miserable children. Let's live a good life together in the future."

The family snuggled up to each other and warmed each other in this difficult time.

At this moment, there was a knock on the courtyard door, and a strange man's voice came: "Excuse me, is this Yang Xiuying's house?"

Xiuying heard the voice and opened the door in confusion. Standing before her was a middle-aged man dressed in fine clothes, with an extraordinary temperament and a look of majesty.

Xiuying looked at him, then shifted her gaze to the man behind her. It was a familiar carriage, followed by a number of servants. The man's presence was quite impressive, and Xiuying couldn't help but feel a little nervous.

She asked cautiously, "Excuse me, who are you?"

The middle-aged man smiled slightly and said, "I am the groom of the Chen Mansion. My master came to visit the young master."

When Xiuying heard that it was Awang's father, Master Chen, she said quickly, "It's Master Chen. Please come in."

The middle-aged man stepped aside and respectfully invited Mr. Chen out of the carriage.

"Master, we've arrived at Xiuying's house."

Chen Yonggui slowly stepped down from the carriage in great style. He straightened his back with a seemingly relaxed smile on his face, but he was very nervous inside.

He looked around but didn't see Chen Zexi. He stepped forward and said to Xiuying, "Xiuying, thank you for your hard work these past few days."

Then, his eyes seemed to casually scan the yard, but in fact, he was anxiously searching for his son. He kept muttering to himself, "I'm about to see my son, but I can't let them see my nervousness."

He deliberately slowed down his pace, cleared his throat, and said, "Xiuying, Zexi is disturbing you here." His voice was steady and powerful, trying to hide the waves in his heart.

The butler and servants following behind him were all respectful and did not dare to say much.

Chen Yonggui pretended to be calm, but his trembling fingers betrayed his inner excitement. He wondered silently, "Will the child resent me after not seeing him for so long?"

Despite being extremely nervous inside, Chen Yonggui maintained his dignity and composure on the surface and walked into the house step by step.

Xiuying hurriedly greeted him, "Master Chen, what are you talking about? Please come in and sit down."

Led by Xiuying, Mr. Chen walked into the house and saw Chen Zexi standing in the corner at a glance.

Chen Zexi's eyes were a little evasive, and his hands were rubbing the corners of his clothes unnaturally.

Chen Yonggui's throat moved, and he said with a trembling voice: "Zexi, my son!"

Chen Zexi's body trembled, and he slowly raised his head, his eyes showing both surprise and a hint of strangeness. He stammered, "Dad..."

Chen Yonggui walked quickly forward, wanting to reach out and pull Chen Zexi, but stopped when he was about to touch him, as if he was afraid that being too hasty would scare his son.

"You have suffered these days." Chen Yonggui's eyes were full of guilt and heartache.