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墨書 Inktalez
The dawn broke through the thin mist, and the village gradually awakened in the soft golden light.
The fear from last night seemed to have been blown away by the morning breeze, leaving only damp earth and a renewed sense of hope.
Su Wan'er pushed open the wooden door, inhaling deeply as she faced the rising sun. The air was filled with the scents of soil, grass, and a comforting sense of survival after the ordeal.
On the village path, groups of villagers were busy repairing the fences and corners damaged by thieves.
Children carried small baskets, helping to gather scattered firewood.
By the edge of the fields, Zhang Cuihua's red scarf fluttered in the morning wind as she and several women worked together to rebuild the collapsed thatched roof.
"Wan Er, come help! This bundle of straw is heavy!" Cuihua called out with a smile, her eyes shining brighter than usual.
Wan Er hurried over, lifting the straw with Cuihua. Her hands ached slightly, but she felt a profound sense of fulfillment.
As she tied down the roof, she asked, "Were you scared last night? Are the children all right?"
"Thanks to you, we're all fine," Cuihua replied with a grin, a teasing glint in her eyes. "But you! You managed to knock out that thief with your powder. The whole village is praising your skills today. The kids say you're a deity descended from heaven."
Wan Er's face flushed slightly at the compliment as she retorted playfully, "There's no such thing as a deity. I just prepared early to protect everyone—that's what matters most."
At that moment, Chen Jun approached with a group of young men from the village entrance, standing tall and exuding confidence.
As he walked, he directed them, "Everyone, move quickly! Raise the fence at the entrance by another half foot and stack the stones neatly to avoid any issues tonight."
When he reached them, Wan Er stepped forward. "Brother Chen Jun, you worked hard last night."
Chen Jun smiled gently, his gaze falling on the cloth strips in her hands and the mud stains on her clothes. "Everyone did their best last night. Wan Er, you worried just as much as we did."
He continued softly, "Once we settle down here in the village, we need to discuss further precautions."
Wan Er nodded but was already deep in thought. She considered that if they could train in martial arts year-round and take turns keeping watch at night, it would alleviate many worries.
Under the great locust tree at the village entrance, Old Chen sat on a stone stool, leaning on his cane, his kind eyes watching the busy children and villagers.
When he saw Wan Er approaching, he waved her over. "Wan Er, come sit for a moment. The weather is lovely today; it feels like the village has been washed of its misfortunes."
Wan Er sat down and softly said, "Father, you worked hard last night. Thankfully, no one in the family was hurt."
Old Chen smiled with pride, his voice warm. "It’s all thanks to you, Jun Kid, and Cuihua. You all rallied the entire village. Our Chen Family, the Su Family, the Zhang Family—having children like you is truly a blessing from our ancestors."
As he spoke, he sighed and gazed at the busy villagers. "When I was young, I always thought about saving up for future generations. But now it seems that the most valuable thing is having a family that stays safe and united through tough times."
Wan Er felt a lump in her throat and gently reassured him, "As long as everyone works together, life will surely get better. Father, you can rest easy."
At that moment, Chen Jun approached and bowed slightly. "Uncle Chen, Wan Er is right. After last night, the young men in the village are eager to train with me. Wan Er also mentioned that women and children can learn some simple self-defense techniques. As long as we practice daily, we won’t have to fear any troublemakers again."
Old Chen looked at them with a beaming smile, filled with approval. "Good! With you two supporting us, our village's foundation is secure. No matter how many difficulties we face in the future, we will have confidence."
At noon, Wan Er and Cuihua took the newly made fabric outside to dry.
Several pieces embroidered with flowers and birds shone brightly in the sunlight, catching the attention of passing village women who couldn't help but stop to admire them.
"Wan Er, your stitches are so delicate! If you take these to town, they’ll surely fetch a good price," an Aunt praised.
Cuihua chimed in cheerfully, "That’s because Wan Er is skilled. Together we’ve made these goods much more refined than before."
"If any of the Aunts have time, they can come help out," Wan Er invited with a smile. "The more we make, the more money we can share among everyone to help with household expenses."
In no time, several women were intrigued and expressed their willingness to learn.
Wan Er quickly decided that every three days she would teach everyone how to make fabric at her home; those who were skilled would earn more shares.
As a result, not only did the Su Family's income increase significantly, but life in the village gradually became more prosperous.
As night fell, every household was lit up, and the aroma of cooked dishes wafted through the courtyards.
Wan Er held a bowl of hot soup, sitting beside her mother and younger brother.
Her brother was excitedly demonstrating the new moves taught by Chen Jun, while their mother, sewing a garment, said gently, "Wan Er, in these past few days, you and Cuihua have made quite a bit of Fabric. It brings me peace of mind knowing we have enough food at home."
"Mother, this is just the beginning," Wan Er replied with a smile. "Once we get more orders from the town in a few days, we can save some silver. Not only will we be able to help our family, but we can also lend a hand to others in the village who are in need."
Her mother looked at her daughter with pride, tears glistening in her eyes. "I haven’t raised you in vain."
At that moment, Chen Jun knocked and entered, looking much more relaxed. "Wan Er, tomorrow the village plans to set up a martial arts training ground. Everyone is eager to participate; would you like to come and take a look?"
Wan Er nodded. "Of course. It's important for women and children to learn self-defense as well."
Chen Jun smiled, his gaze warm. "When your Fabric business picks up again, you can involve others from the village too. As long as everyone does well, every household can live a good life."
As the night deepened, Wan Er sat alone in the courtyard, gazing up at the starry sky.
Outside the courtyard, laughter from children playing echoed along the village path. In the distance, she could see Chen Jun leading villagers in practice at the training ground, while groups of women gathered to discuss patterns for Fabric.
The entire village seemed to awaken with new vitality in this dawn after hardship.
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