The young man glanced at him and teased somewhat angrily, “Did you not expect to have cramps when you entered the water? You’re afraid of the pain only now? Isn’t it too late?” What a bold and naughty boy.
When the young man saw Sanwang’s cotton-padded jacket and trousers placed on the basket, he knew at a glance that the boy entered the water on his own accord and did not fall into the water. He probably had leg cramps that resulted in his younger brother falling into the water in an attempt to save him. The stick that remained in the river was good enough to be proof.
If he really thought about it, these two kids were actually pretty lucky. They were somehow both able to survive because the older one had a talent in swimming.
Sanwang didn’t expect to be seen through by someone at a glance, so he felt very embarrassed. Thinking about what had just happened, he felt scared again as his head drooped and he lost his remaining energy.
The young man put on his shoes again, “Since you dared to go into the water despite such cold weather, don’t you know how to warm yourself up after?” He put his satchel back, picked up Sanwang with one arm and carried the basket of grass back with the other.
Sanwang wanted to walk on his own, but he truly didn’t have the energy to do so. Therefore, all he could do was remain grateful to his saviour.
Only then did he realise that the young man was not from his own village. Since they didn’t know each other, Sanwang didn’t know if he should call him ‘brother’ or anything else.
The young man said, “I’m not from your village, I’m from the Xue Family River behind yours.”
Sanwang expressed his thanks to him.
The young man walked very fast and followed the path pointed by Sanwang back to his home.
Their mother hadn’t come back yet.
Liu Guifa had already placed Xiaowang on the kang. It took a lot of effort to take off the wet cotton clothes, wipe them dry with a hand towel before unfolding a quilt to wrap Xiaowang in.
Although Xiaowang was shivering from the cold, his consciousness was clear and he grinned at Sanwang, “Mother was right.”
If the water was cold, they would get leg cramps!
Sanwang quickly took off his shoes and got on the kang, trying to comfort Xiaowang, but there he found that the youngest was smiling happily and remained unafraid. On the contrary, Sanwang was the one scared to death and trembling all over, unable to speak.
He hugged Xiaowang tightly with tears falling down like broken beads.
Xiaowang happily fumbled for his harmonica, “Fortunately, I didn’t carry it on my back just now.”
Liu Guifa didn’t think about things much. He just thought that Sanwang accidentally fell into the water and was frightened by the experience, “I’ll go and get a doctor to check up on you two.”
He said to the young man again, “This brother, I once again am sorry to have troubled you. Oh, by the way, the teacher Lin you are looking for is their mother. Please help me take care of the children as I get the doctor,” Without waiting for the young man to agree, Liu Guifa ran away in a hurry.
When the young man heard that this was Lin Lan’s house, he looked at it in surprise. Then, he fixed his eyes on Xiaowang and Sanwang before saying with a smile, “What a twist of fate. Hello, my name is Xue Mingliang. Your mother saved my mother a few days ago, so I’m here to express my gratitude.”
He took out the snacks he had brought and gave them to the two children.