The first update, requesting pink tickets.

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The familiar little river had changed its appearance. What used to be clear, gently flowing water now surged with muddy waves, and there were branches and other debris floating on its surface, likely washed down from upstream. The river had swelled, and the water was now less than half a foot away from the top of the built-up embankment. Occasionally, a bigger wave would crash in, sending splashes onto the embankment.

"Such a big flood," Lian Manman remarked.

"This year’s flood is the biggest," said Wu Lang, the eldest of the three children.

Standing on the embankment, Xiao Qi was still running around in excitement, and the two little puppies barked enthusiastically toward the water’s surface.

As the saying goes, water and fire are merciless. Both water and fire are terrifying, but no one can deny their beauty and their powerful allure, especially for humans. Almost everyone has experiences playing with fire or water in childhood. Despite adults’ repeated warnings that these are dangerous and should not be touched, children often find it irresistible.

Beautiful yet dangerous things always have an immense attraction for humans. Just like the flooding river in front of them—notwithstanding its muddy waters, the rolling waves possessed a unique charm.

Lian Manman looked upstream, where her gaze first landed on the stone bridge of the official road spanning the river. The bridge was a Flood Bridge, and its surface had long been submerged under the river. Only by observing the slightly different water patterns could one discern the bridge’s existence.

Looking further upstream, where there was no built embankment, the river had washed so wide that the banks seemed far apart. Scattered on the riverbank were a few village children, with their pants rolled up. Some wore straw hats on their heads, while others didn’t even bother. They had no umbrellas or raincoats—just letting the sparse raindrops fall on their heads and bodies. Some brave children even ventured into the water, testing its depth.

In the area around Thirty Mile Camp, within a hundred-mile radius, there were no large rivers, so the children could only catch a glimpse of what a big river looked like through the flooded small river.

Lian Manman withdrew her gaze and lowered her head, focusing on one motionless spot on the river’s surface. In just a moment, she felt as if the water had become static while she herself had started to move.

Lian Manman smiled quietly to herself and then raised her head. If she had kept doing that, she might have gotten dizzy. Yet this little game was a favorite among farmstead kids. Sometimes, they would gather in the river and compete to see who could hold their gaze the longest.

Such a simple game could keep them entertained for most of the day. They never tired of it but instead found great joy in it.

"Step back... Keep an eye on the dogs, don’t let them fall in," Wu Lang instructed Xiao Qi, while also pulling Lian Manman farther away from the edge of the river.

"Dad’s back!" Xiao Qi suddenly shouted, calling for their father across the river.

Following Xiao Qi’s gaze, Lian Manman spotted Lian Shouxin. He was wearing a straw hat, walking along the opposite embankment toward the Flood Bridge on the official road.

As soon as the rain began to lessen earlier, Lian Shouxin had gone out with a few long-term workers to inspect the fish pond and lotus pond. The ponds had also risen with water, so they used the opportunity to scoop out excess water with buckets. Though the embankment prevented the river water from flooding the ponds, there was still a risk of overflow, which could allow the fish to swim out.

Lian Shouxin had just finished the task and was heading home.

On the opposite bank, the fish pond and lotus pond were nearly filled to the brim, and their surfaces had become somewhat muddy. While the fish pond’s situation wasn’t visible from here, the lotus pond’s condition could be clearly seen.

Many lotus leaves and flowers had been submerged, and some had been broken by the wind and rain. However, the damage didn’t appear too severe, as a few long-term workers were still scooping water out with buckets.

At this moment, Lian Shouxin made his way back across the Flood Bridge, wading through the water.

"Dad, how is it?" The children rushed up to him, asking eagerly.

"It should be fine," Lian Shouxin replied.

Lian Manman studied Lian Shouxin’s expression and felt reassured. She also let out a sigh of relief.

The group then headed home.

Lian Shouxin mentioned that he had spoken with the two workers in charge of the fish pond and lotus pond earlier and had consulted some skilled old farmers from the village.

"This rain is about as much as it will get. Even if it continues, it won’t get much heavier. Our embankment is well-built; I guarantee nothing will happen."

Sure enough, as Lian Shouxin had said, the rain continued to drizzle sporadically for a while longer, and then the sky gradually cleared. By evening, a rainbow stretched across the horizon.