Chapter 44: The Backbone of the Family

This torrential rain came out of nowhere, giving no one a moment to prepare.

Xin Wenyuan hoisted his youngest son onto his back and signaled for the mother and child to run forward with him.

As rolls of thunder rumbled, the downpour fell like an overturned bucket, drenching everyone in a relentless deluge.

Xin Nian and her child, huddling under a straw mat, stumbled forward through the uneven ground. "Dali! If it gets too bad, forget about the cart! Just keep up!"

Xin Dali pushed the wooden cart with incredible speed, shaking the water from his head. "Little Miss, please hold onto Madam. I'll be fine."

The officers, including Liang Guang, Mao Huzhi, and Xiao Jia, trailed behind the group, shouting in long, drawn-out tones, "Don't run off! Move forward, everyone! Move in a straight line! Do not scatter to the sides!"

"I'll see who dares to slip away!"

"Whoever runs is dead!"

The crazed Zhao Imperial Merchant rushed out again, spreading his arms to the sky and letting out a furious roar, "A great calamity has descended from the heavens!!"

Before he could finish his dramatic lines, Madam Zhao screamed and rushed forward, covering the man's mouth with one hand while shouting at her son, "Ziyang, don't just stand there! Hurry, put your father on your back!"

Zhao Ziyang stepped forward quickly. Fortunately, without the constraints of the stocks, he hoisted his father onto his back with ease.

Madam Zhao supported the struggling Zhao Imperial Merchant, cursing through her tears, "Master, stop making a scene! Let's go, quickly! This sky looks terrifying."

"Disaster is coming! Great disaster!" the Zhao Imperial Merchant muttered, slumped over his son's shoulders. "Madam, run, hurry and run, Madam."

"Run, run, run! We'll run together."

Xin Wenyuan, carrying his son, darted back and forth before checking on his elderly mother.

He saw Nanny Lu following closely by the old lady's side, running with all her might and shouting anxiously to San Ya at intervals.

The clay pot borrowed from the cart two days ago was currently placed squarely over the old lady's head to shield her...

Feeling both amused and helpless, Xin Wenyuan turned to Zhao Xun and thanked her repeatedly. "Miss Zhao, thank you so much. I must trouble you to continue looking after my mother while I go check on the others."

"It's no trouble, Fourth Master. You hired me; this is what I should do. Don't worry, I will keep an eye on the old lady."

"Thank you, thank you." Xin Wenyuan turned and sprinted toward Xin Mochen, still carrying his son.

Although his eldest son had regained consciousness, he was still weak. Fortunately, A Zhong had stayed by his side, carrying him on his back. Xin Wenyuan's favor for Mu Dalang surged in his heart.

After a few instructions, he turned around only to see Xin Wen'an bolting forward like a startled rabbit.

"Where do you think you're going?" Xin Wenyuan grabbed the third son's arm and snapped at him, "Where are your wife and daughter?"

It truly was every man for himself in times of disaster! Had he abandoned his wife and child just to save his own skin?

Caught by his father, Xin Wen'an replied bluntly, "How should I know?"

Xin Wenyuan truly wanted to strike him. Braving the wind and rain, he pulled him along to scan the crowd. After finally spotting a few figures behind the throng, he wiped the water from his face. "You don't even care about your own wife and daughter? You're only worried about saving yourself? They've been left behind! Are you blind? Go and get them immediately."

Just then, a bolt of lightning struck near the crowd, causing an exiled convict to collapse to the ground, screaming in terror.

An officer rushed up to pull him up. "Move it, now!"

Officer Old Zhang and the others were driving the crowd forward like sheep. Seeing Xin Wenyuan and Xin Wen'an doubling back, he barked angrily, "What are you doing?"

"Sorry, Brother Officer, our family is still back there. We'll help them and come right back. Please excuse us!" Xin Wenyuan moved swiftly to dodge the officer's whip, dragging the disheveled third son back toward the rear.

"Get back here!" the officer shouted in frustration.

"We're coming back! We'll be right back! We aren't running, we promise we aren't running!"

The sky was pitch black; aside from the occasional flash of lightning, the path ahead was nearly invisible.

The officers were growing anxious. They spread out to block potential escape routes while driving the convicts forward, fearing that someone might vanish into the darkness and rain.

Lin Xiuyi lay in the rain, reaching out blindly as she cried out, "Zhe'er! Zhe'er!" Her heart was filled with panic.

Just a moment ago, the sky had suddenly turned pitch black, making it impossible to see her own hand in front of her face.

She had fallen, and her child had rolled off somewhere unknown.

Previously, she had been torn between caring for her sick child and looking after her second sister-in-law and Man'er.

Her frail, helpless mother-in-law had been weeping the whole way, complaining of pain in her feet and hands, leaving Lin Xiuyi and her sister-in-law to do their best to support her.

Her sister-in-law had gone to help the two younger sisters of the third branch.

Though she didn't say it aloud, Lin Xiuyi felt a deep bitterness in her heart.

She knew the family situation well. Her mother-in-law was in such a state, yet she didn't lift a finger to help. At least the third branch had the third uncle to look after them; did the sister-in-law really need to go over there to help?

And now, she had no idea if Zhe'er had rolled into a ditch. She could see nothing and feel nothing!

Her husband's fate was unknown; if Zhe'er were lost as well, she would have nothing left to live for!

Lin Xiuyi wailed on the ground, swallowing mouthfuls of cold rainwater.

In her moment of despair and agony, she noticed a significant glow swaying before her eyes.

She thought she was hallucinating.

Lifting her head, she saw her fourth uncle, carrying Han'er, running toward her like a deity. With a surge of strength, he pulled her up from the rain.

It was light—real light. Si Lang, Xin Mohan, was draped in a straw mat, holding a glowing orb in his hands that shone brilliantly.

She hadn't misseen it!

"What are you doing? Why are you lying on the ground? Where is your child? Where is your mother-in-law? Are you taking a nap here?" Xin Wenyuan's tone was harsh and impatient.

But in this moment, Lin Xiuyi felt as if she had found an anchor. She let out a loud, wailing sob.

"Fourth Uncle... Fourth Uncle... Zhe'er is gone! He just rolled forward... I can't find him, wahhh! If Zhe'er is gone, I won't have the face to live anymore!" Lin Xiuyi was lost in panic, her face a mess of tears and rainwater, blurring her vision.

"Enough! Stop talking such doom and gloom! Third son! Go with your niece-in-law and search for the others from the first branch. Get everyone gathered together immediately!"

Xin Wenyuan let out a grunt. He didn't dare leave his youngest son in her care, merely shouting "Wait!" before sprinting off.

Before long, he fished a soaking wet little boy out of a small puddle.

By the time he found him, the child had lost consciousness, his face pressed into the puddle, nearly suffocating.

The rain was so heavy that puddles had formed everywhere within minutes.

Especially on these ancient dirt roads—it was truly a mess!

Xin Wenyuan rushed to provide emergency aid, patting the boy to cough the water out of his lungs. Xin Zhe choked and weakly opened his eyes.

"Zhe'er, are you okay?" Xin Mohan gripped the small glowing orb tightly, looking at Xin Zhe with deep concern.

His father was lucky indeed, finding a little glowing ball halfway through to light the way!

Otherwise, if they had been half a step slower in finding Zhe'er, he would have been in grave danger.

Xin Zhe fainted again. Xin Wenyuan felt the boy's burning forehead. "He has a high fever. We must get back to find your sister as soon as possible."