Chapter 496: Setting up a Tent
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
In less than an afternoon, everyone in the villages around Teng He Town knew there would be an earthquake in the next three days. The expressions of those who had heard the news changed, and they began to prepare.
Still, many others refused to believe it.
“It’s fake. Who’s the one saying all this? What earthquake? The weather is fine.
Why would there be an earthquake?”
“That’s right. It’s such a cold day. Why are you talking about an earthquake?”
“No one can predict whether or not there will be an earthquake. If someone could know in advance, everyone would’ve been prepared for those past earthquakes.”
“Don’t spout nonsense.”
“Don’t listen to this because you’re making everyone anxious. Just go about your day. It’s so cold outside, so where else can you sleep at night if an earthquake occurs? Are you not going to do anything for the next three days?”
Su Binglan told her parents about the matter when she got home. Then everyone made preparations according to her instructions. In addition, she had designed the house herself, so it was shockproof.
However, she dared not let her parents and brothers stay indoors and told everyone to stay in the spacious courtyard instead.
Everyone began to work together to set up a stove in the courtyard. If it were summer, it would be acceptable to sleep outdoors, but it was winter now, and the weather was too cold to sleep in the courtyard.
“Let’s build a tent. Sleeping in one will keep us warm at night.”
Su Fengmao was stunned as it was his first time hearing such a word. Nieanwhile, Shen Qiuhua and the others looked at Su Binglan with puzzled expressions.
“Daughter, what’s a tent?”
Su Binglan patiently explained, “It’s similar to a small house. I’ll teach everyone how to set up a tent later. You just need to follow my instructions.”
Many things were scarce in this era, so they could only make a simple tent. That way, the family could keep warm when they slept in the courtyard. After all, they could not just stay awake for the next three days.
“Big Brother, you and Second Brother can go to the back of the mountain to get some branches and bamboo,” Su Binglan told her two brothers what she needed, then began looking for some cloth and an old blanket.
Afterward, she took some rope and asked her parents and third brother to help. Even Liu Yinyin followed suit. Su Binglan had also brought her two nephews back from Blue Mountain Academy.
The two little ones watched from the sidelines and also wanted to help. However, they were still too young, and Shen Qiuhua and the others could not bear to let them contribute lest they get hurt.
Tents in this era could not compare to modern ones, but it was still better than sleeping in the open.
“Oh right, Father and Mother, take out the straw mats we used in the summer.”
If Su Binglan needed anything, everyone would quickly find it. Soon, Su Wenzhe and Su Wenxiu returned. The two brought back many branches, some thick and some thin.
Su Binglan saw it was just right and then taught everyone how to set up tents.
“You must learn seriously and teach Grandpa, Grandma, First Uncle, Third
Uncle, and the others in a while.’
Su Wenzhe’s expression was solemn as he said thoughtfully, “Little Sister, don’t worry. I’ve been watching every step. I’ll remember them.”
An earthquake was no small matter, so he became serious.
Liu Yinyin was worried about her parents, elder brother, sister-in-law, and nephew, so she also watched and learned from the sidelines while helping to tie things up.
“Binglan, I’ve memorized all the steps. Shall I go to Willow Village and teach my parents now?” She asked for permission to teach her parents because Su Binglan was the one who had the idea first.
Su Binglan said while still busying herself, “Of course. It’s a matter of life and death, after all. Since you’ve memorized all the steps, hurry up and tell them. That way, they can rest for the night.”
Liu Yinyin looked at Su Binglan gratefully and said, “Thank you, Binglan.” “Sister-in-law, you don’t have to be so polite. We’re family.”
Liu Yinyin did not know what else to say to her sister-in-law besides thank her. She was genuinely grateful to Su Binglan.
After setting up the tent, everyone looked at it and thought it was spectacular. They never knew such a thing existed.
Su Wenwu looked at the tent and said, “Little Sister, I went to the northernmost area when I worked at the bodyguard agency. There’s a place where they build such things to live in.
“l heard their residence isn’t fixed, so they bring these tents wherever they go.
Once they rebuild their tents elsewhere, they will stay in them.”
Shen Qiuhua found it strange. “Such a place exists?”
The rest of the family had never been to those places and did not know what they were like.
Su Binglan said, “Yes, they should be nomadic people. They graze their sheep. Wherever there is more grass, they will bring their sheep to live there. They also have bags to make their tents easier to move.”
Su Fengmao and the others were curious as they listened. They could imagine that scene in their minds. However, despite their curiosity, they did not like that method and felt uneasy.
The family had a stable home, so they felt more at ease. But now that an earthquake was about to happen, they had no choice but to build such things to sleep in. Still, it looked quite strange to them.
“Father, Mother, go inside and try lying down.” Su Binglan said.
The older couple listened to their daughter and went in. Then they lay down and covered themselves with the blanket, feeling nice and warm. Su Binglan had also put a thick cushion underneath so they would not feel cold inside, even though it was winter.
Su Fengmao was a little surprised. “It’s nice and warm, so you can sleep well here.’
The tent looked small from the outside, but it felt pretty comfortable lying in it.
Shen Qiuhua nodded. “It’s indeed not bad. After all, you’re still the best,
Binglan. Now we don’t have to be afraid even if we sleep in the courtyard.”
Then Su Wenzhe, Su Wenxiu, and Su Wenwu went into the tent to lie dovvn and try it. “It does feel warm and not cold at all. It’s also thick and soft at the bottom.’
“Yeah, it’s comfortable too.’
“But we can only use it to lie down and sleep. I can’t stand up.”
“It’s good enough to sleep in and keep us warm. If not for Binglan, we would freeze by sleeping outside at night.” As Liu Yinyin lay inside the tent, she felt that no matter how harshly the north wind blew, it would not affect her sleep.
‘It’s like a small nest that can keep me warm and protected from the wind. 1 must hurry and teach my parents to build a tent like this. Otherwise, they won’t be able to sleep outside for the next three days.’
Liu Yinyin was worried that her parents’ bodies would be unable to withstand such frigid weather. Her nephew needed a good rest too.
Next, Su Fengmao went to talk to Chief Su and the others about the earthquake. He also taught them how to set up tents.
Meanwhile, Shen Qiuhua went to Old Master Su and Old Madam Su l s house to teach them how to set up tents as her three sons got busy.
Su Binglan set up two bigger tents at home so everyone could rest at night..
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