Chapter 205
A large portion of those who signed up were family members of the people who had gone to help with the construction before. The rest were volunteers who had willingly come forward to participate in the rescue effort.
There were fifteen people in total. What surprised Song Nianchu was that eight of them were women—one more than the number of men.
“I’ll give everyone an hour to go home and pack some luggage. We’ll meet back here in an hour and set out together.” Song Nianchu looked at the fifteen people before her.
“Okay!” everyone answered in unison.
After they left, Song Nianchu turned to Wu Zhenggui.
“Uncle Zhengui, I’ll have to trouble you to help us prepare some supplies as well.”
“Of course.” Wu Zhenggui turned around and immediately went to make the arrangements.
Only then did Song Nianchu turn and head home to pack her luggage.
But as soon as she stepped out of the crowd, she saw Mu Shi’an standing off to the side.
He said nothing, merely staring at her without blinking.
The expression on Song Nianchu’s face briefly froze. Then she walked toward him.
“Shi’an…” For a moment, Song Nianchu didn’t know how to explain things to him. She had made this decision without discussing it with him first.
“You have to go?” Mu Shi’an’s voice was slightly hoarse.
“Mm.” Song Nianchu nodded.
She was strong enough to be worth several people on her own. Besides, she had been the one to send those villagers away. She had to bring them all back safely.
“I understand.” After hearing her answer, Mu Shi’an said nothing more and turned toward home.
Song Nianchu wanted to say something, but she didn’t know where to begin. In the end, she could only follow behind him.
When they returned home, Mu Shi’an went straight into their bedroom.
Thinking that he was angry, Song Nianchu was about to explain herself, only to find him packing her luggage.
“The situation over there is unclear. I don’t know the exact size of the dam, so there’s no way for me to predict the extent of the disaster. But you have to be careful. I know you’re sentimental and kindhearted. Whenever you see someone who needs help, you always rush forward without thinking of anything else.”
“But you have to remember that you’re not alone anymore. You still have me. No matter what happens, you must make sure you stay safe.” Mu Shi’an spoke in a low voice as he packed.
Hearing this, Song Nianchu felt her eyes grow hot. She stepped forward and hugged him from behind.
Mu Shi’an’s body stiffened abruptly.
“Shi’an, don’t worry. I promise I’ll come back safe and sound.” That was her promise to him.
Mu Shi’an slowly turned around and looked at the petite, slender Song Nianchu before him.
“Why don’t you ask the village chief to let me go with you?” Given his position, he couldn’t leave the village without special circumstances.
But he truly couldn’t bear to let Song Nianchu go alone.
“One person from our family is enough. Besides, Haoxuan and Yongnian are still at home, and you need to keep an eye on the woodworking workshop. There are so many people in the village who depend on it for their livelihood.” Song Nianchu’s voice was slightly hoarse.
Mu Shi’an knew all of this. But at this moment, reason had abandoned him, and his thoughts were being completely controlled by his emotions.
His thin lips pressed together tightly. Then he reached out and pulled Song Nianchu into his arms, his large hands locking firmly around her waist as if he wished he could melt her into his embrace.
“Sometimes, I really wish I could just lock you up by my side.” Mu Shi’an’s voice was very low.
His grip was so tight that it hurt Song Nianchu a little, but she said nothing. She only leaned tightly against him.
“…”
No matter how reluctant he was, he still had to let her go. After holding her for a long while, Mu Shi’an finally released Song Nianchu.
He packed nearly all the food in the house for her and even wanted her to take all their money.
“The situation over there must be terrible. Where would there even be anywhere to buy things?” Song Nianchu said with a laugh.
“Then don’t take the money. I’ll get you more supplies instead.” Mu Shi’an thought it over and stopped insisting on the money. He turned around and began rummaging through the cupboards again.
“All right, I already have more than enough. As for the supplies, Uncle Zhengui is preparing them.” Song Nianchu caught hold of Mu Shi’an’s hand.
A flicker passed through Mu Shi’an’s eyes. He knew Song Nianchu was about to say that it was time for her to leave.
“Shi’an…” Song Nianchu had just begun when Mu Shi’an picked up her luggage.
“I’ll walk you there.”
Song Nianchu didn’t refuse. She nodded.
The moment they stepped out of the bedroom, they saw Mu Haoxuan and Mu Yongnian standing at the door.
Both boys’ eyes were red, and they stared fixedly at Song Nianchu.
“Now, no crying. I’m going to help with the rescue effort.” Song Nianchu smiled at them.
“Big Sister, take me with you too.” Mu Haoxuan stepped forward and grabbed Song Nianchu’s sleeve.
Song Nianchu reached out and tousled his hair.
“You’re too small. A flood could sweep you away in an instant, and then I’d have to rescue you too. Stay home obediently. I’ll be back soon.”
“I don’t want to!” Mu Haoxuan clung to her even more tightly.
He had just heard that many people had died over there.
He didn’t want his sister to die.
“Haoxuan, let go!” Mu Shi’an said sternly.
Mu Haoxuan looked up at him. Mu Shi’an’s face was livid, and a flicker of anger simmered in his eyes.
Mu Shi’an rarely lost his temper, but whenever he did, it was terrifying.
Mu Haoxuan was deeply afraid of him, so in the end, he had no choice but to let go of Song Nianchu.
Even so, he couldn’t help glaring at Shi’an.
“Big Brother, you’re a bad person! That place is so dangerous, and you’re still letting Big Sister go. I hate you!” After saying this, Mu Haoxuan ran into his room crying.
“Big Brother, I’ll go check on him.” Yongnian was a little older, so he naturally understood that his elder brother had no say in this matter.
“Mm.” Mu Shi’an gave a low hum.
After the two boys left, Song Nianchu and Mu Shi’an headed outside.
At the village square, Wu Zhenggui had already prepared a large quantity of supplies. In addition to the items donated by every household, he had also taken many cans from the workshop’s stock.
“Canned food is more convenient to eat, so I prepared quite a bit. We’ll deduct the cost from the workshop’s public account later.” Wu Zhenggui looked at Song Nianchu.
“Mm.” Song Nianchu nodded. Then, remembering something, she added, “We’ve taken so many cans from the workshop. If we can’t deliver the order on time, explain everything clearly to Director Sun. He should understand.”
“Don’t worry about that. I’ll take care of it.” Wu Zhenggui agreed.
“Good.”
“And you must be extremely careful this time. The prerequisite for saving others is taking care of yourself. Don’t get hurt, no matter what. Otherwise, I won’t have the face to meet your parents.” Wu Zhenggui’s eyes were still slightly red.
“I know.” Warmth rose in Song Nianchu’s heart.
Just then, Meng Yingying came running over anxiously.
“Chu!” she called.
“You came at just the right time. I was about to look for you.” Seeing Meng Yingying, Song Nianchu breathed a sigh of relief.
She wanted to entrust the entire canning workshop to her after she left.
“There’s something I’d like to discuss with you privately.” Meng Yingying glanced at Wu Zhenggui, who was standing beside her.