Disaster Apocalypse: Farming, Family, and My Hidden Secret Space-Chapter 207. The ladder has arrived

On the other side, unaware of the situation, Qi Shi and her two sisters-in-law along with their niece’s daughter-in-law had already fallen asleep early, with beds and floor mats.

Hua Chengtian laid out bedding in his son’s room with his two brothers-in-law and several older nephews, while the room previously used by his sisters was left for the younger ones to sleep in.

The room was already filled with the sound of snoring, rising and falling, but only Hua Chengtian kept his eyes open in the dark for a long time without closing them, listening intently to the wind and rain outside, lost in thought.

Meanwhile, Hua Jin was sleeping with her clingy little cousin. The young girl was very excited to finally be able to sleep with her cousin, chattering for a long time, despite her cousin’s sparse responses not dampening her excitement at all.

The heavy rain and fulfilled premonitions had saddened Hua Jin, who thought it would be a sleepless night, but being infected by this lively cousin, she felt much better and drifted off to sleep amid the chatter.

Upon waking up, nearly everyone in the house was already up. The sky was still gloomy, and the sound of rain unceasing. The brothers and the fourth child, who were originally prepared to brave the rain to go to the academy, were stopped by their father and grandfather.

The aunts and grandmother, mother, were in the kitchen cooking, while the cousins were in the main house entertaining the children. The brothers, who couldn’t go to the academy, were in their room reading and learning under the dim light with their cousins.

Everything seemed so harmonious and warm. Hua Jin saw this scene and etched it into her heart, then broke into a smile and went to sit in her old spot in the kitchen.

No matter what, as long as she was there, the family she loved would surely be alright.

They had a warm breakfast, and as the sky became brighter, the rain finally lessened a bit. Though still heavy, it wasn’t enough to obscure the road completely.

Worried about their household, Hua Fen and her sister nevertheless prepared to venture home in the rain.

This time, Old Lady Hua didn’t stop them but took her two daughters into her room. A quarter of an hour later, the two sisters came out of their mother’s room looking dazed, not even hearing their children’s father speak.

Then they promptly gathered the children without pause and headed back.

Thanks to their family’s prosperity over the past two years, they had managed to earn a lot of Silver and had also bought livestock carts, so going back wasn’t an issue. Nevertheless, Old Man Hua was worried about his grandchildren getting wet. He had his son and eldest grandson drive a cart each to take the daughters home.

Hua Chengtian and Hua Yunao took a little more than half an hour back and forth.

"How’s it outside?"

This was what Old Man Hua was most concerned about, as low-lying areas might already have water accumulation in such heavy rain.

"Dad, things seem alright for now. Except for some lower areas, there’s no waterlogging yet. However, I received some news."

"Grandpa, I also heard some news," Hua Yunao spoke up.

The village where their aunt married was a bit closer to the town, usually having more timely information from the city or town.

When they reached their aunt’s village, drenching in the downpour, they unexpectedly found quite a few people squeezed on the village road amid the rain.

Upon approaching, they discovered that officials from the town had been sent to various village chiefs to relay messages.

In short, news came from the upper region that this heavy rain was fierce and might turn into a flood disaster. Everyone should prepare and move to higher grounds early.

This news prompted Hua Yunao to quickly return after sending the aunt’s family home.

As for why their village hadn’t received this news, it was likely because their village was too remote. Such things weren’t unheard of; in past years, their village often heard about news last.

Old Man Hua signaled his eldest grandson to continue speaking.

"Grandpa, it was the officers who came with the message that the heavy rain might lead to a flood disaster, urging everyone to prepare and relocate early."

Hua Chengtian also nodded at his father, having heard the same.

Upon hearing this, Old Man Hua didn’t react with the urgency that Hua Yunao had expected. Instead, he appeared somewhat relieved.

"Grandpa..." This reaction from Old Man Hua made Hua Yunao even more worried.

He was indeed... somewhat stimulated.

Old Man Hua waved his hand. The grandson was right to see him relaxed. He was worrying about how to persuade the villagers to climb the hills if the rain continued for a few more days. Unexpectedly, a ladder was handed to them, and of all things, in the name of the government. Thus, no need to worry about the villagers’ disbelief.

"It’s okay," Old Man Hua said.

"Grandpa, will a flood disaster really happen?" Even for someone usually steady like Hua Yunao, hearing this news made him struggle to remain calm, worried as he looked at the endlessly falling rain.

"Whether it will or not, since the government has sent a message, that means there’s a significant chance. Better safe than sorry."

"Then, Grandpa, should we seek shelter?"

Aside from those who knew the inside story, like Hua Chengtian and Hua Jin, everyone, including the old lady, looked at Old Man Hua, wanting to know what her husband would decide. ƒгeewёbnovel.com

"We should seek shelter; we cannot gamble with our lives. But, let’s wait for a bit, until the officers come over."

The words of the minor officials would be more convincing than his and save a lot of talking.

As soon as he finished speaking, the sound of a copper gong and shouting could be heard faintly through the rain.

"Grandpa, the officials are here," Hua Yunxiang was the first to react. Without even grabbing an umbrella, he donned a rain cloak and turned into the rain, eager to confirm it.

The news brought by Dad and Big Brother made his heart pound incessantly, thinking about the potential flood all the time, just hoping it wasn’t true.

Hua Chengtian also quickly handed his father an umbrella, not forgetting to take one for himself, and both hurriedly left the house.

Old Lady Hua and Qi Shi could no longer remain standing. They grabbed umbrellas and followed suit.

Especially Qi Shi, who had been kept in the dark and was so shocked she almost lost her voice, instinctively ran outside, following her mother-in-law.

The rest, Hua Jin and Big Brother and Little Fourth, couldn’t stand still and followed outside.

Quickly, many people braved the rain and ran out of their homes to see an official, dressed in a formal uniform with a fur coat, standing in the middle of the village road, vigorously banging a copper gong. As more people gathered, he shouted for the "village chief."

Old Man Hua hurriedly quickened his pace, not bothering to wipe the rain off his face, nodding and bowing to the official with a smile.

As the saying goes, it’s easier to meet King Yan than to deal with his underlings, and lowering oneself at the right time is necessary. Besides, building a good relationship with them is very important.

"Greetings, officer. I am the village chief," he said, smoothly passing a dozen copper coins into the official’s palm. "Officer, sir, you’ve worked hard, coming to our village in such rain. Why not come inside for a cup of hot tea if you don’t mind?"

"You’re the village chief?" The official’s arrogant expression softened a bit after feeling the copper coins in his hand.

And this man knew how to speak, calling him "officer."

Old Man Hua nodded immediately.

"No need for hot tea, time is tight, and I have to pass the message to other villages," the official said loftily.

"Please, officer..." Old Man Hua smiled ingratiatingly.

"The government received the message that this heavy rain might result in a widespread flood disaster. Out of compassion, they specifically instructed us to notify you all, urging early preparation and relocation at the first sign of danger."

"Flood disaster?" The crowd around the official were thrown into panic.

A flood is no small matter; the hard-earned family possessions accumulated over the years could be destroyed in an instant, with nothing salvageable from the houses. This thought made everyone even more alarmed.

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