NOVEL NEXT Chapter 479: Only Seeking Friendship
"Jin'er," with a look of surprise, Hua Chengtian dropped the wood in his hand and quickly walked over to his daughter. "What's wrong?"
There must be something up; his daughter wouldn't call for him otherwise.
Jin'er blinked her eyes. "Dad, go check the village entrance; there's someone outside."
"Someone?" Hua Chengtian looked at his daughter.
"Uh-huh," Jin'er continued blinking her eyes.
"Alright, Dad will go right away."
Hua Chengtian knew his daughter's abilities, so he didn't ask much. After notifying his father, he turned and left the yard.
"Who's at the village entrance?" Watching his departing son, the old man Hua was also a bit curious.
Who would be thinking about Hua Village at this time?
"Grandpa, it's that government official who came with the county magistrate last time," Jin'er said openly to her grandfather.
"Hu Official, what's he doing here?" The granddaughter's words also made old man Hua restless at home. After some thought, he left the yard, and Jin'er quickly followed.
Along the way, they didn't see many villagers. Everyone was busy in their own yards. By the time the two of them reached the village entrance, they could see from afar that Hua Chengtian was walking towards the village with someone, leading a horse behind.
Old man Hua patted his granddaughter's arm, and the two stood at the village entrance, not moving forward.
Hua Chengtian was making small talk with Hu Official as they walked.
"Apologies, apologies, I didn't know Hu Official was coming, and made you wait," Hua Chengtian said.
"I came in a hurry and didn't have time to inform you," Hu Hu quickly replied.
After several years of major disasters, the once proud Hu Official had been worn down, becoming more modest, realizing he shouldn't underestimate anyone, not even a child.
Especially in a place like Hua Village, where surviving and living well was impressive. He certainly didn't want to offend them and only sought to make good relations. After all, he might need something from them one day. Wasn't today a day of seeking help?
"No need to inform us, Hu Official must be joking, usually, there's someone at the village entrance as a guard. Now is an unusual situation," Hua Chengtian sighed.
After learning from his daughter that an earthquake would occur, Hua Chengtian had been researching ways to make houses sturdier and withstand the destructive force brought by earthquakes.
After several years of exploration, he finally found a solution. That's why the houses in Hua Village, while outwardly appearing similar to regular buildings, actually had frameworks built as one unit without using a single rivet. Even so, there were still damages, let alone the farmers' straw huts and mud houses that probably couldn't withstand it. The situation outside wasn't optimistic.
Thinking of this, Hua Chengtian glanced at Hu Official. "Hu Official..."
"No need for formalities, Brother Hua is older than I am; you may call me Little Brother Hu," Hu Hu interjected.
"Alright, then I'll take the liberty," Hua Chengtian said, naturally not refusing. Since he put it this way, he had to show some respect.
"Brother Hu, what is the situation like outside?" Hua Chengtian asked.
"Brother Hua, to be honest, the situation is bad; that's why I'm here," Hu Hu admitted. Glancing at the houses in the courtyard despite some damages, they seemed well-arranged. There was admiration in his eyes.
Even the official residences where they lived couldn't be spared from this earthquake. Almost all the buildings collapsed except for the main hall, which remained relatively intact. The entire residence, including the backyard, was almost entirely in ruins.
Most of the officials moved into the main building to protect the magistrate closely, resulting in severe losses for each family, and now their families are living in makeshift shacks. Looking at Hua Village, it made him want to move here as well.
"Brother Hua, are we even in the same place?" Hu Hu marveled at the houses in front.
"Haha... Brother Hu loves to joke. If not, could Hua Village open another realm?"
"How did you build your village's houses? They're incredibly sturdy," Hu Hu pointed to the courtyard ahead.
The government buildings were considered well-built, yet they didn't withstand the earthquake. Truly, it wasn't his lack of knowledge.
"Well... it's nothing much. Knowing Hua Village is situated at the base of Qinggu Mountain, too close to the mountains, it's better to be safe than sorry, so during construction, we emphasized solidity and safety. Each house not only used bricks and stones as foundations but also incorporated wooden frames, allowing them to barely endure the earthquake. Despite this, there were still significant losses in the village," Hua Chengtian said, a hint of heartache on his face, making the corner of Hu Hu's mouth twitch. If not for Hua's serious expression, he'd think he was boasting.
"Sigh! The outside world is like a purgatory, with houses almost entirely in ruins, countless casualties. Our lord is leading efforts to dig people out..." Thinking of the bodies excavated, Hu Hu's expression turned somber, wondering how many lost their lives this time.
Hearing this, Hua Chengtian was at a loss for words. He felt anything he'd say would be inadequate. After some hesitation, he placed his hand on Hu Hu's shoulder.
"We can only say destiny plays with people; who could have foreseen such a disaster from Heaven? We must accept fate and do our best," Hua Chengtian stated.
"Sigh..." Hu Hu nodded, seeing no other options.
"Dad..." As Hua Chengtian called, Hu Hu noticed someone ahead and quickened his pace.
"Hua village chief," seeing the wise village chief, Hu Hu was delighted and greeted with a salute.
"No, no," Old man Hua dared not accept the salute and quickly returned it, with Jin'er doing the same.
In her male attire, while Hu Hu gave Jin'er a quick glance, he then shifted his eyes, knowing it was the village chief's grandson, just appearing more refined.
"Hu Official..."
"Chief Uncle, please don't call me that. Just Hu Hu would suffice."
Old man Hua smiled. "Little Brother Hu, let's head home first; it must have been a tiring journey, have some hot water."
"Thank you, Chief Uncle, I am indeed thirsty," Hu Hu swallowed, having hurried over after receiving the lord's order without thinking of bringing water, not anticipating the journey would take this much time. Nearly an hour and a half had passed despite the hastened pace.
Soon, the party arrived at the Hua family's place behind the village.
The Hua family's courtyard had partially collapsed, but most of it still stood resiliently. The main house had little damage aside from the roof, and even the side rooms only half-collapsed, compared to the disastrous earthquake scenes Hu Hu had seen, the losses were negligible.
The entire yard had been tidied up, with two large tents set up. Occasionally, livestock and poultry could be seen wandering about, along with a few oversized dogs. At that moment, the dogs were staring at him. Hu Hu was certain that if not for Hua and the village chief by his side, those dogs would have bared their fangs at him. They were indeed good guardians.
"Old lady, Hu Official is here. Quickly, prepare some tea, and see if there's any food," Old man Hua instructed.
Observing Hu Hu's dusty appearance, he must have been delayed on the road, likely hungry too.
"No need to trouble, Chief Uncle," Hu Hu quickly said.
Having some water was fine, but eating at someone's home at such a time made Hu Hu a bit embarrassed, though he was indeed hungry.
"No trouble at all, just that farmers don't have good food, as long as you don't mind," Old man Hua said.
"How could I?" Hu Hu responded.
Old man Hua's shout drew out everyone in the house except for the granddaughter-in-law and children.
Hua Yunao and his brothers saluted Hu Hu, and the fourth brother, being attentive, moved the high chair from the house to under the canopy in the yard.