After fleeing the famine, my older sister and I married the brother next door.

For the next few days, the family lived in constant fear. During the day, Su Xiaoyin and Su Xiaoqing kept their doors tightly shut, working on their embroidery inside. They had finished most of the "Five Blessings Surrounding Longevity" embroidery pattern, but they couldn't concentrate, glancing out the window every few stitches. Chen Dashan and Chen Xiaohe took turns staying home, one at the shop and the other in the village. Chen's father also went to the county town to stay with Chen's mother and children, fearing something might happen to them.

Chen Dashan also tidied up the farm tools in the yard, putting the hoes and shovels in easily accessible places, so they could be used as tools in case anything happened.

The village also organized a patrol team, with several people walking around the village every night. De Ge led the way, and the young people took turns on duty. Chen Xiaohe also signed up, saying that young people should do this kind of work.

Days passed, and several days passed without any new news. Everyone felt a little relieved, thinking that perhaps the person had already run far away and wouldn't come here.

But that very morning, Brother De brought bad news.

"Something happened in the next village." Brother De stood at the village entrance, his voice heavy. "A whole family is gone. The deaths were gruesome, and their house was ransacked."

Some people in the crowd gasped, while others covered their mouths. Chen Xiaohe stood in the crowd, his fists clenched tightly.

Brother De continued, "The officials have already gone there, and their preliminary assessment is that it was that wanted fugitive who did it. Everyone should be more vigilant at night, and the elderly, women, and children in the house should not wander off. Don't go out unless necessary, and keep the doors and windows locked."

The news was like a cold wind, chilling everyone to the bone.

Chen Dashan checked the cellar again, making sure the ventilation was clear and that there was enough dry food and water. He said to Su Xiaoyin, "If anything happens, take Xiaoqing into the cellar. Don't worry about anything else. Don't worry about the child; her parents are watching over her in the county town. The county town is much safer than the village."

Su Xiaoyin nodded, but felt as if a stone was pressing on her heart.

Several days passed in suspense and anxiety. Every night, Chen Dashan would get up several times to listen for any sounds in the yard. When Chen Xiaohe returned from patrol, he would always check on the house before going to sleep.

That night, the moon was obscured by clouds, and the courtyard was pitch black. Su Xiaoyin and Chen Dashan had just lain down and were drifting off to sleep when they suddenly heard a commotion outside.

"Fire! Firefighting!"

Chen Dashan sat up abruptly, threw on his clothes, and went outside. Chen Xiaohe also came out from next door, carrying a shovel.

Su Xiaoyin and Su Xiaoqing also came out, wearing their clothes, and stood in the courtyard looking into the distance. The firelight reflected on the horizon, a bright red that dyed half the sky crimson.

"Is that place...the old man Li's house at the foot of the mountain?" Su Xiaoyin pointed in the direction of the firelight, her voice trembling slightly.

After looking for a while, Chen Dashan's expression changed: "It's Grandpa Li's house."

He said to Su Xiaoyin, "You stay at home, Xiaohe and I will go check on things." Then he said to Su Xiaoqing, "You and your sister-in-law go hide in the cellar."

Su Xiaoyin grabbed his arm and said urgently, "Dashan, be careful. It might be that person..."

Chen Dashan patted her hand, said nothing, and quickly left the courtyard with Chen Xiaohe.

Su Xiaoyin and Su Xiaoqing quickly got dressed and went into the cellar. Chen Dashan had laid out dry straw and blankets in the cellar beforehand, so it was quite comfortable to carry around.

Su Xiaoyin and Su Xiaoqing sat at the cellar entrance, listening intently to the sounds outside. The commotion in the distance grew louder and louder, with shouts for fire, cries, and barking dogs all blending together.

After a while, there was a knock at the courtyard gate. Su Xiaoyin's heart jumped into her throat. She gestured for Su Xiaoqing to be quiet, and then quietly walked to the cellar entrance, straining her ears to listen.

"Xiaoyin, it's me." It was Chen Dashan's voice, low and somewhat hoarse.

Su Xiaoyin opened the cellar lid and climbed out. Chen Dashan and Chen Xiaohe stood in the yard, both looking unwell. Chen Dashan's clothes were covered in dust, and Chen Xiaohe's shoes were wet, as if he had stepped on something.

"How is it?" Su Xiaoyin asked.

Chen Dashan shook his head, his voice low: "Grandpa Li and his family of three... are all gone."

Su Xiaoyin covered her mouth, her eyes instantly turning red.

Chen Xiaohe, his voice trembling, said from the side, "The fire wasn't fully ignited before everyone put it out. But the people... are gone. The house was ransacked, blood..." He couldn't continue.

Chen Dashan continued, "Brother De has already had the courtyard cordoned off, preventing anyone from entering. He went to report to the authorities that very night, telling everyone to stay home and not go out."

Su Xiaoyin gripped Chen Dashan's sleeve tightly, her palms sweaty.

"Is that person... still nearby?" she asked.

Chen Dashan nodded, his voice tense: "Very likely. Brother De said to tell everyone to be careful, keep doors and windows closed, and not to go out at night."

Su Xiaoyin looked back at the cellar, then at the sleeping children inside the house, her heart felt like it was being squeezed by something, making it hard to breathe.

Chen Dashan held her hand and whispered, "Don't be afraid. I'm here."

Chen Xiaohe also came over, patted Su Xiaoqing on the shoulder, and said softly, "It's okay, there are so many of us."

The four men stood in the courtyard for a while, none of them speaking. A distant fire still flickered, but gradually dimmed. Occasionally, a dog barked from the village, then silence returned.

Chen Dashan checked the courtyard gate again and barred it shut with a wooden stake. He also closed the windows tightly and locked them with bolts. Then he said to Su Xiaoyin, "Don't sleep tonight, we'll take turns keeping watch."

Chen Dashan sat at the entrance of the main room, clutching a shovel in his hand. Chen Xiaohe sat beside him, her eyes fixed on the courtyard gate. Su Xiaoyin and Su Xiaoqing were inside the house.

The night was long. The moon never came out, and the old locust tree in the yard rustled in the wind, as if something was lurking in the shadows.

No one spoke. But everyone was thinking: When will this end?