"Since we were both headed to Jinshan Village, things just got easier."
He had only taken a few steps and had not yet reached the main road when the elderly man stumbled and nearly fell to the ground.
Yue Jiandong touched the man's neck and immediately understood.
"He's been frozen for too long in the snowstorm, and he's lost too much blood. His body temperature is dangerously low now."
Lin Chunju thought for a moment, "Both of you move fast. Carry him to the village first. We'll follow slowly behind. Oh right, the third one should go too—three men can take better care of each other."
All three nodded. Yue Jiandong took off his thick coat and motioned for the elderly man to lie on it.
"How can this work with so much snow?"
The elderly man repeatedly shook his head, but Yue Jiandong settled him on the coat without further discussion.
"I'll be fine. I'll be too hot when I start running."
He and Yue Jianxi each grabbed an end, pulled together, and lifted the elderly man.
"I know a shortcut. We can take that route to get there faster, but it's not very stable. Big sister and your daughter-in-law should stick to the main road."
Lin Chunju nodded. The Yue brothers carried the elderly man toward the shortcut, and Yue Jiannan wrapped the man's military coat tightly around him.
"Mom, we'll take the elder to the village. You go ahead."
"Okay!" Lin Chunju agreed crisply, holding Yue Qingqing as they walked outside.
After the two groups separated, Lin Chunju whispered into Yue Qingqing's ear.
"Qingqing, did you ask grandma to come over just to save him?"
Yue Qingqing nodded her little head. The man's life was flickering dimly. Had they not come, he likely wouldn't have survived the day.
Saving a life is also a meritorious deed.
"Good child!" Lin Chunju patted Yue Qingqing's head and met up with Yue Xiaofang, who had been waiting on the road for a long time.
"Mom, what happened?"
Yue Xiaofang saw that some of her brothers were missing and her expression grew anxious.
"Someone accidentally stepped into a trap designed for catching wild animals. He just happens to be from Jinshan Village. I had your brothers take a shortcut to send him home quickly."
Now that Yue Xiaofang knew her family was safe, she felt relieved.
"Let's keep going. We'll meet up in the village soon."
Three women and a child continued along the main road.
Meanwhile, the men were racing against time.
The elderly man's injuries were mainly on his legs, but he was extremely cold due to excessive blood loss.
In the snowstorm, even with an extra coat wrapped around him, it barely helped.
The only solution was to get him home and warm him by the stove to restore his body temperature.
The elder kept talking, "Are you from Daye Village? From what I heard, you're standing up for a daughter who married out?"
Although Yue Jiandong had saved the man, he was cautious and did not say much, only giving a noncommittal hum.
Realizing his wariness, the elderly man introduced himself, "My name is Ma Baoguo, and my family has been in Jinshan Village for generations."
Yue Jiannan frowned, "You're also a Ma? What is your relation to Ma Jinbao?"
Ma Baoguo explained, "The Ma surname is prominent in our village. Many people share it, and it's said that we all descend from the same clan. But in modern times, there's no real connection anymore, aside from the surname."
The three men exchanged glances, their worries deepening.
Since they were originally from the same clan, tied by shared blood, seeking justice for their sister would be even more difficult.
Apparently unaware of their concerns, the elder continued.
"As for Ma Jinbao, I've heard of him too. Not a good man. You must be Yue Xiaofang's family, right?"
Yue Jiandong nodded, "Yes, we are her brothers."
The elderly man looked at Yue Jiandong, who was only wearing a shirt, sighed as if he wanted to say more, but Yue Jiandong stopped him.
"Elder, please don't talk now. Save your strength. We need to focus on the road; it would be troublesome if we took the wrong path."
The elderly man had no choice but to remain silent, his gaze shifting to the brothers' palms, still stained with blood.
They had been cut several times while rescuing him, yet they each held onto the coat, tirelessly carrying him home.
So, this was the family of Yue Xiaofang?