Time Travel: Volume 1! Starting from a Small Mountain Village

"Alright, Captain Lin, don't be so angry. Let's just do our jobs well." Long Lifan gently comforted Lin Guowei. After all, Lin Guowei and the others were doing things according to her orders. It was only right for her, as their leader, to offer some words of comfort when her subordinates had been wronged.

As for Zhou Changlin, Long Lifan sighed softly. She knew he was constantly filled with guilt and self-blame, believing that his negligence had led to the deaths of his wife and children. Such people are often the most sensitive and vulnerable, and it's best not to bring up the past with him unless the time is right.

That night, Zhou Changlin lay alone on the kang (a heated brick bed), staring blankly at the roof beam. A new log, the very same round log Lin Guowei had helped place that afternoon, supported the beam. It stood out starkly in the dim light of the kerosene lamp.

He couldn't help but let out a bitter laugh, muttering to himself as he ate: Why am I alive? I should die with my wife and children.

Years ago, his family of three accidentally ate poisonous mushrooms, and he was the only one who was rescued. In recent years, he has been living in a daze, and sometimes he really feels that it would be better to die.

However, it seemed that fate was playing a cruel joke on Zhou Changlin. In the dead of night, a storm even stronger than the night before arrived unexpectedly, with the wind howling and the rain falling like arrows.

Listening to the howling wind and rain outside, Zhou Changlin was restless and tossed and turned on the kang (a heated brick bed), trying to find a position that would bring him some peace. However, the raindrops, like sharp swords, pierced through the broken tiles and dripped onto the ground, and also onto his heart.

Suddenly, a deafening crack, like a thunderclap, jolted Zhou Changlin awake. It was the sound of the roof beam snapping under the weight, a harbinger of impending disaster. Without a second thought, he instinctively lunged out of the room. The instant he fled, the entire room collapsed, reduced to rubble.

Standing in the rain, Zhou Changlin stared blankly at the new round log, the wooden post that Lin Guowei had placed there, which had bought him precious time to escape.

At this moment, fear and lingering dread intertwined in his heart. He had been immersed in the pain and guilt of losing his wife and children, and had even contemplated suicide. However, when real death was close at hand, he truly understood the preciousness of life.

The rain continued relentlessly, washing over his body as if cleansing his soul. Zhou Changlin stood frozen, letting the rain wash over him, his heart surging with boundless gratitude and appreciation for life. In that moment, he understood that no matter how great the difficulties he faced, he must live on with strength.

The loud crash of the collapsing house shattered the silence of the night and startled the neighbors. The villagers were in an uproar; some, carrying kerosene lamps, cautiously ventured out of their homes to investigate the sudden tragedy. They tightly shielded the lamps from the wind, fearing the weak flames would be blown out. Even so, the lamps flickered in the wind, as if they might be extinguished at any moment.

As time went by, more and more people gathered in front of Zhou Changlin's house. They looked at Zhou Changlin standing there in front of the ruins, their hearts filled with mixed emotions, and for a moment they didn't know what to say.

"Changlin, are you alright?"

As a neighbor not far from Zhou Changlin's house, Zhou Huiji was among the first to arrive at the scene. He asked with concern, but Zhou Changlin did not respond, only staring intently at the ruins, as if searching for something.

At this moment, Lin Guodong arrived at the scene with his family. Seeing that Zhou Changlin was safe and sound, a huge weight was lifted from his shoulders. As a village cadre, he knew he bore a heavy responsibility. At the same time, he also admired Long Zhiqing's foresight.

He glanced at the ruins not far away, a sigh escaping his lips. He had heard about what happened that afternoon; Guowei and the others had wanted to help Zhou Changlin repair the house, but he had politely declined. Now it seemed, life was truly unpredictable.

"It's really fortunate that my house was inspected today, otherwise..." A commune member said with lingering fear as he looked at the tragic state of Zhou Changlin's collapsed house.

Another villager chimed in, "Who says otherwise! Secretary Long is so thoughtful. My house hasn't been inspected for years, and this time there's not even a leak." The villagers who arrived at the scene immediately began to discuss the matter, all praising the village committee members' foresight.

Looking at the scene before him, Zhou Huiji wondered whether he should notify Long, the educated youth, to come and see for himself. "Captain," he said, "should we notify Long…?"

However, before he could finish speaking, Lin Guodong glared at him. "Why did you call Long Zhiqing here!"

Lin Guodong said seriously, "Old Zhou, I'm not trying to be mean, but we're all roughnecks, getting a little rained on or walking at night is no big deal. But Long Zhiqing is a woman. If you go to call her so late and something happens to her on the way, can you take over her work?"

Upon hearing this, Zhou Huiji paused for a moment, then nodded. He knew all too well how important Long Zhiqing was to the Dongwan Brigade, and he certainly couldn't let her take any risks. He had simply wanted Long Zhiqing, the person in charge, to hear the praise from the other members, and for the moment, he had overlooked the specifics of the situation.

"Alright, it's late at night and raining, we need to quickly find someone to arrange for Zhou Changlin to stay in a room at the village committee." Lin Guodong quickly glanced at the situation and decisively gave the order.

As for the items buried under Zhou Changlin's collapsed house, they can only be dug out by organizing the villagers together tomorrow morning. Anyway, Zhou Changlin didn't have anything valuable, so waiting one more night won't matter.

Under Lin Guodong's careful arrangements, everyone quickly sprang into action. Zhou Changlin was safely taken to the village committee's room, and the other villagers went home. On the way, many villagers discussed the collapse of Zhou Changlin's house, their hearts filled with shock.

At the same time, they were deeply grateful for the village committee's initiative in helping them repair their houses today. On this stormy night, the Dongwan Brigade once again demonstrated the power of unity and mutual assistance.

Long Lifan was completely unaware of what had happened in the Dongwan Brigade the previous night. She slept until after 10 a.m. before finally waking up. After getting up, she quickly washed up and began preparing breakfast. As she was enjoying her belated breakfast, Hu Lili suddenly rushed in and stared intently at Long Lifan.

"What gossip is going on in the village now? Tell me quickly." Seeing Hu Lili's expression, Long Lifan already guessed what was going on. She put down her chopsticks and looked at Hu Lili with a smile.

Upon hearing this, Hu Lili pouted, her face full of resentment: "Sister Fan, how did you know!"

Hu Lili can't keep things to herself, and she always expresses her emotions too directly. But it is precisely this frankness that makes her and Long Lifan always have lots of laughter.

Upon hearing this, a sly glint flashed in Long Lifan's eyes. She crossed her fingers and smiled knowingly, "Of course I figured it out with my fingers."

Upon hearing this, Hu Lili's eyes widened in surprise: "Ah, Sister Fan, you can tell fortunes?"