After being jilted, the entire neighboring village was filled with deep regret.

Chapter 45 Refugees
As December approached, the snow fell heavier and heavier, threatening to seal off the village.

To prevent villagers from getting trapped, Su Changxi braved the wind and snow to go door-to-door shoveling snow.

The happiest people at this time are the children who have warm clothes. They can roll around in the snow like balls in their thick coats, while those whose families are too poor to have clothes can only listen enviously from under their blankets to the sounds of laughter and play outside.

The Han family prepared new thick coats for the whole family well in advance. Before the New Year was even over, Su Zhan and Su Ming couldn't wait to wear them out and show them off.

Su Tai found it cold and dry outside, so she huddled in the kitchen to warm herself by the fire, not wanting to move at all.

Unexpectedly, the two brothers returned in just 15 minutes.

Su Tai peeked out from under the stove, her eyes full of confusion. "Why are you back already? Didn't any of the children come out?"

"No, sister, many people died at the entrance of our village." Su Zhan's expression was solemn.

Su Ming was clearly frightened. He silently sat down next to Su Tai, staying close to her without saying a word, completely unlike his usual shrewdness.

Su Tai's heart skipped a beat. She hugged Su Ming tightly to comfort him, patting his back repeatedly, "Whose family member is missing?"

Su Zhan shook his head. "At the entrance of our village, they were dressed in tattered clothes, unlike the people in our village. My dad said they looked like refugees. There were old and young people, and there should be some still alive. I don't know what the situation is."

Su Tai felt heavy-hearted and worried that Su Ming would get a fever from the shock, so she quickly gave them each a bowl of hot water with some maltose added.

"Is it sweet?"

The two brothers nodded in unison.

Su Tai smiled lovingly and patted their heads. "Sit there and warm yourself by the fire. Help your older sister burn firewood while you're at it. I'll make you some white flour pancakes. We only have a little oil left, so hurry up. If Mom and Dad come back, we won't be able to eat them."

Now the two brothers couldn't think of anything else; their minds were filled with nothing but white bread, and their mouths were practically watering.

To distract them, Su Tai even picked a cabbage from the Earth Dimension. She stir-fried the cabbage, wrapped it in dough, and baked it into a pancake. The resulting pancake was fragrant and delicious. Not to mention Su Zhan and Su Ming, even Su Tai herself couldn't stop eating it.

After taking another sip of cabbage soup, the three of them ate until they were stuffed and burped, still savoring the taste.

Su Tai was worried that they would overeat, so she let the two of them go inside to play with wooden cards.

The so-called wooden cards are thin wooden boards that you make yourself. They are square, small pieces, and carved with flowers, plants, insects and birds. Each person has eighty cards, which can be played in pairs or against each other. There are various ways to play, and they are specially designed to kill time.

Su Tai played two rounds with them before Su Chunlin and Han Shi returned.

She hurried out.

"Mom and Dad, there are some pancakes and soup heating up in the pot. Have some first."

The couple rubbed their hands together and followed Su Tai into the kitchen.

As soon as Han entered the door, she kept sighing, "What a tragedy! So many people have died at once. I guess we'll have to report it to the county government."

Su Chunlin's expression was grave. "We don't know if those younger ones can be saved."

Su Tai couldn't help but ask, "Father, Mother, what happened?"

Since her daughter would be getting married next year and wouldn't be a child anymore, Mrs. Han didn't hide anything from her and told her everything.

"Today, your father and the others went out to shovel snow and found more than a dozen people in the thatched shed at the entrance of the village. There were old people, young people, and children. Four of the elderly people had already passed away, and two very young babies could not be saved. The others were still breathing and are now temporarily staying in our old house."

The township head went to the town to find the town official and doctor. Your parents also need to go check on things later. You all stay home and make sure the door is locked.

Han looked preoccupied and didn't even realize that she was eating a white flour pancake.

Su Chunlin noticed this and looked at Su Tai with a puzzled expression. Su Tai didn't meet his gaze but turned and left the kitchen.

Inside the old house, Su Chunlin and Madam Han paced anxiously back and forth between the three rooms, fearing that someone had passed away.

Just then, Liu Tiechui led Doctor Li over.

Mrs. Han hurriedly stepped forward to greet them.

Throughout the entire consultation with Dr. Li, Liu Tiechui kept his lips pursed.

Only after Doctor Li came out did they anxiously ask, "How is he?"

Doctor Li lowered his eyes, his gaze filled with pity. "Poor thing! They probably haven't eaten for days, their bodies are severely weakened. Plus, they've been frozen in the snow for so long; it's a miracle they're still alive. I've prescribed some medicine for them; they need to be well cared for and recuperate carefully during this time. Sigh."

Su Changfu handed over a wallet, saying, "Dr. Li, please keep this money for now. Let me know if it's not enough."

Dr. Li pushed the money back, saying, "I know these people aren't from your village. You've already done more than enough by taking them in and helping them get a doctor. I can't accept this money."

Liu Tiechui nodded in agreement. “We don’t know where they came from yet. For now, we can only settle them in Dongmen Village. Township Chief Su, you can take care of these people for now. I will arrange their medical expenses and medicine. We’ll talk about everything else once they wake up.”

They are not without refugees, nor are there families too poor to survive. Before winter, these poor people are all settled in the Ci'an Hall in the town or transferred to the county town. The county government arranges work for them, provides food and warm clothing to help them get through the winter. It is extremely rare for so many people to freeze to death on the roadside like this.

After Liu Tiechui and his group left, Su Changxi began to explain the situation to each household, hoping that everyone could spare some food to help those suffering people.

Although the villagers were struggling financially, they remained simple and kind, saving a little bit from their own food rations.

Su Changxi ran around all day and managed to collect 100 jin of grain.

Su Chunlin went home.

After learning about the situation, Su Tai specially gave him ten catties of white flour. "Dad, didn't you say there were still children? Children have weak spleens and stomachs and can't eat things that are too hard. Take this white flour with you first."

"Good girl!" Su Chunlin praised, then grabbed the grain and rushed into the snowstorm.

With the villagers' care, those people finally woke up one after another the next day.

Upon receiving the news, the villagers rushed over to see what was happening.

Su Ming insisted on going too, so Su Tai had no choice but to accompany the two brothers.

The old house was already packed with people, three or four layers deep. Because it was Su Tai's house, the villagers automatically made way for the three siblings, allowing them to enter the house smoothly.

The small main room was now packed with people, like dumplings being cooked in a pot.

Su Changxi glanced at the two reserved women beside him, then at the gaunt man, and slowly asked, "Where did you come from?"

Before the man could utter a sound, he knelt down with a thud. "We're from Yangang County! We can't go on living! Waaah... We can't go on living!"

The two women then burst into tears.

The desperate cries reached everyone's ears, and their hearts felt as if a heavy stone was pressing down on them.

Su Changxi quickly helped the man up, saying, "There's no hurdle you can't overcome. Let's talk things out. Our village may not be rich, but we can still help you."

"Thank you so much, my benefactor! Thank you so much, my benefactor!" The man kept kowtowing to Su Changxi.

The two women also knelt down and kowtowed.

The scene was in complete chaos.

(End of this chapter)