Free Web NovelChapter 634: Chapter 634: Torrential Rain
The streak of sunny days couldn’t last long. Sensing that heavy rain was approaching, Qin Yao and her group hastened their journey.
However, they couldn’t outpace the arriving downpour.
Originally, they planned to reach the next city by afternoon, but the clear sky suddenly filled with dark clouds, forcing them to quickly find shelter from the rain.
There was a major post station here, surrounded by several inns, precisely the station Qin Feng and Liu Ji had mentioned when they chatted by the river last evening.
Qin Feng initially intended to stop here for a night’s rest, allowing everyone to relax and replenish supplies.
The priority was to ensure Qin Yao could enjoy a hearty meal she would savor.
However, circumstances changed. Qin Feng believed he had an unpleasant encounter with Qin Yao last night. Reflecting on Liu Ji’s comment that Qin Yao manages their family, he gave up hope of convincing them to stay here for a break today.
Moreover, seeing Qin Yao’s family stop only for a brief lunch before resuming their journey, Qin Feng was almost certain she was upset and unwilling to interact with him.
Unexpectedly, the situation turned around.
As the group passed by the post station, the sky was swiftly covered with dark clouds, and wind carried dust and moisture closer, leaving them no choice but to head to the station for rain shelter.
Unaware of Qin Feng’s thoughts, Qin Yao explained she merely anticipated the rain, aiming to maximize travel time, hence the brief midday pause.
As for any anger, if she were easily swayed by external factors or people, just dealing with their household’s Liu Ji would have irked her to no end.
Beside the official post station, Yunlai Inn.
As the group rushed inside with their luggage, the next second, torrential rain poured down endlessly, as if the sky was leaking, the rain was astonishingly fierce.
The heavy rain and strong wind blew away the thatched top of the tea stall by the inn entrance.
Quickly, Liu Ji ushered the Da Lang Brothers and Sisters, oblivious to fear and watching the rain at the door, into the main hall, instructing Ah Wang and Yin Le to check on the horses and carriage in the stable.
The wind was so strong, he feared the stable might be blown away.
Qin Feng’s situation was worse, with heavy rain and fierce wind, there was no time to unload goods. The coachman and guards had to don raincoats and lead the horses to a wind-sheltered spot behind the inn, covering them with oilcloth.
Yet, the storm was so intense that the heavy, large oilcloth weighed like iron with rain and wind, and a slip would send both people and cloth tumbling off the carriage.
Fortunately, the surrounding was flat, else who knows what would have happened if people were tossed about in the powerful wind.
Just as Qin Yao got her family inside the hall, she heard surprised shouts from outside, signaling to Liu Ji to care for the children before donning her bamboo hat and rushing out.
Liu Ji didn’t even manage to call out, "Be careful, dear," before she vanished.
The wind was incredibly strong, the inn’s shopkeeper and staff ignored the flying tea stall outside, hurriedly ushered all guests into the main hall, and with several strong attendants, closed the door.
As the door shut, the rain and wind were instantly barricaded, everyone inside heaved a sigh of relief.
The shopkeeper, with lingering fear, sighed, "It’s been years, never seen such a heavy rain, but no need to panic, esteemed guests, the wind and rain come and go quickly around here, it’ll pass soon enough."
The shopkeeper’s words had a calming effect, and travelers from afar were less nervous.
Though the sound of the raging wind outside the windows was unsettling, guests with family outside couldn’t help but worry.
Da Lang watched his father pacing and rubbing his hands, although worried about his mother and Uncle Ah Wang, he knew there was little he could do now.
Instead of panicking, doing what he could seemed better.
"Father, let’s reserve the guest rooms first, prepare dry clothes, hot water and food; it’ll be ready when they return." Da Lang tugged his father’s arm to remind him.
Liu Ji smacked his head, "Look at my memory, that’s why I need your reminder. Da Lang, Second Lang, keep an eye on your younger siblings, bring the luggage, dad will book the rooms." fгeewebnovёl.com
"And Mr. Qin’s group too!" Second Lang chimed in, fearing his dad might forget.
Mother said the two families are traveling together, supporting each other all the way.
Liu Ji nodded, he wouldn’t forget his brother-in-law, heading to the counter, he boldly booked all remaining rooms under Qin Feng’s name.
The shopkeeper beamed, "It’s Mr. Qin’s group!"
Seeing acquaintance made things easier, Liu Ji confidently directed others, ensuring the best arrangements for his family first.
"Prepare whatever good food and drinks you have immediately for when they come in. Oh, and boil more hot water, Mr. Qin’s group must be soaked guarding the goods outside. If you have ginger and brown sugar, brew some ginger tea..."
Outside the inn, contrary to the shopkeeper’s remark that the storm comes and goes fast, wave after wave kept rolling in, with no sign of stopping soon.
Having organized their carriages and horses, Yin Le and Ah Wang noticed Qin Yao in Qin Feng’s group joined them. With the trio involved, what seemed daunting for Qin Feng became as easy as eating and drinking.
Despite the wind and rain, Qin Yao handled the heavy oilcloth effortlessly, tossing it over the wagons as if weightless, swiftly transected and crossed by Ah Wang and Yin Le, securing it quickly.
With such seamless coordination, they covered over half the wagons within a quarter-hour.
After two cycles, while the guards staggered around, barely steadying themselves, the trio had covered all the wagons.
The horses weren’t a concern, the seasoned coachmen huddled with the horses, soothing them with repetitive gestures.
Work done, Qin Yao brought Ah Wang and Yin Le beside Qin Feng, drenched as rain penetrated through hats and cloaks.
Qin Feng fared worse, a branch from nowhere scratched his neck, hair disheveled, wet strands clinging to his face, more disheveled than the trio. fɾēewebnσveℓ.com
Seeing the trio approach, Qin Feng, needing help, hurried to the official post and two nearby inns, seeking cheap empty rooms for temporary storage.
Yet, before he could speak, Qin Yao had already stepped in.
"The rain won’t stop anytime soon, I observed the sky; heavy rains will persist tonight and tomorrow. Once it slows, we should move all goods indoors."
With her gaze on the ground, she noted Yunlai Inn’s elevation left little water accumulation, "If we can’t move indoors, establishing a temporary warehouse outdoors on high ground is feasible."
She observed Qin Feng’s attentive pack heeding oil paper inside wooden boxes and oilcloths outside, ensuring robust covers to prevent water ingress.
