Chapter 77: Chapter 77: Everyone Was Dumbfounded

Qi Quanjin called for Ji Hu to quickly invite Doctor Yin, then said to those villagers who didn’t want to go up the mountain, “You don’t have to speak about the village head like this. The village head merely wants everyone to achieve the desired outcome.”

Seeing someone about to speak, Qi Quanjin quickly interjected, “If you think it’s unsafe at the foot of the mountain, then follow us up the mountain. If you don’t want to go, stay at the bottom.”

“The village head may be the head of our village, but he’s not your parents and isn’t obliged to take care of your every need.”

“This matter is settled now. Those willing to go up the mountain to rest by the water, pack your things and follow us up.”

“For those unwilling, do whatever you want. But know this, if you dare speak ill of the village head again, the Qi Family will be the first to object!”

With that, Qi Quanjin waved his fist.

Following Qi Quanjin’s lead, the sons of the Qi Family also raised their fists in unison.

The Qi Family sons were all tall and sturdy, recognized in the village for their strength.

Seeing this, the villagers who were originally displeased all suddenly became submissive.

When the group set out, surprisingly only five of the thirty-some households did not wish to ascend the mountain, while all the others packed up and followed along.

The remaining five families looked at each other, bewildered.

Among these five families, even including the older children, there were only about twenty people.

If they faced danger, could so few really survive?

Particularly when someone exclaimed, “Where’s Er Laizi and his mother? Didn’t they say they wouldn’t go up the mountain? Why aren’t they here?”

With this reminder, the five families realized that Er Laizi and his mother were no longer among those staying at the bottom.

Looking toward the ascending group, they saw two figures trailing at the back — the Lai Family mother and son!

“Damn it, that Er Laizi bastard! He was the first to refuse to climb the mountain, but now he’s following tightly! Come on, brothers, let’s not be foolish here, let’s go up too!”

One of the men suggested.

The other four families glanced at each other, said nothing, and quickly began packing their things.

Though the five families lagged behind, the path was already trodden, so they needn’t worry about getting lost.

With the larger group ascending the mountain, including the elderly and children and pulling carts, their pace was naturally much slower than Qi Quanjin’s group.

By the time they reached the creek, the sun was already high in the sky.

Without trees to provide shade by the water, it was noticeably hotter than in the woods.

Yet no one feared the sunlight; instead, they excitedly ran toward the water.

Men and women alike, cupping water in their hands to splash onto their faces and into their mouths.

Seeing this, Yi Meng’s mouth twitched, and Qi Quanjin slapped his forehead.

They had forgotten to warn everyone about not drinking the raw water before climbing the mountain.

Witnessing this scene, Ji Hu’s mouth twitched too, unsure whether to laugh or what else to think.

In any case, his feelings were quite complicated.

“Everyone, don’t drink the raw water! All drinking water must be boiled first, or you’ll get sick!”

Qi Quanjin hurriedly shouted.

But the crowd, now excitedly shrieking at the sight of water, paid no heed to Qi Quanjin’s voice.

Qi Quanjin was worried sick, scratching his head, unable to think of a solution.

Yi Meng realized it was too late to say anything now, so she just pulled Qi Quanjin back to their family group.

Compared to others, the Qi Family remained rather calm.

They weren’t unthirsty, just not as parched.

Additionally, they had grown accustomed to Yi Meng’s rule against drinking raw water, so even in sight of water, they could resist the urge.

Not only did they hold back, but they also continued their tasks harmoniously.

Some gathered firewood; others fetched water.

Not wanting to use the washwater others drank from, the Qi Family chose a spot upstream of the creek.

They fetched water with buckets, pouring it into storage jars and pots.

There was still some dry wood left on the cart, which they used to start a fire for boiling water.

Small pots of water were boiled for drinking, while the large pot of water was heated for washing.

After returning near their own area, Qi Quanjin and Yi Meng instructed others to cut tree branches.

These branches were relatively tall and didn’t need drying. They were bound tightly with vines and wild grass.

A hole was dug into the ground, one end of the branches buried and packed firm, then framed with rags or blankets, forming a temporary bath chamber.

Such a bath chamber couldn’t compare to those at home, but given their conditions, having a closed and private space like this was quite good.

The chamber was roughly a meter and a half square.

It fit two adults bathing without issue.

One couldn’t scrub their back alone, but two could easily manage.

Two adults with a small child could also bathe with ease.

The walls were nearly two meters high, and the base was snug with the ground, ensuring no chance of peeking head or foot.

Moreover, it was next to the Qi Family’s spot, monitored entirely by them.

No need to worry if someone had ill intentions.

The Qi Family men worked quickly, finishing the bath chamber just as the water boiled.

Half the pot of water was poured into a clean vessel, leaving the rest in the pot to cool it faster, allowing everyone to drink sooner.

The water in the large iron pot had come to a full boil but hadn’t cooled yet.

Once the bath chamber was set up, Qi Zheng, with Qi Dalang’s help, was the first to enter.

Firstly, his status as an elder meant he should use it first.

Secondly, it served as a trial run.

Though it looked sturdy, its true resilience would be known only with use.

Qi Dalang acted swiftly, accompanying his grandfather, not just to assist with scrubbing, but also to shield him if the chamber proved faulty.

Being a man, if one’s arms and legs were accidentally exposed, it might only garner a laugh from others.

But if a woman were exposed, she’d nearly drown in a sea of gossip.

Qi Zheng, after a refreshing hot bath, emerged with loose hair and clean clothes, feeling immensely lighter.

Wang Daya and Qu Laodi promptly entered the bath chamber, cleansed it, switched the bathing tub for the women’s use, and filled it with hot and cold water before stepping out.

The head of the family bathed first, so the second should naturally be the family’s matriarch.

However, Mrs. Qi needed to bathe with Qi Manman, so Yi Meng had to accompany them.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep