The Great Flood Arrives
In the Evans Family’s Fourth Household, two children were wailing in fright from the thunder. Mrs. Charlotte Evans and Arthur Evans each held one, trying to comfort them. Mrs. Charlotte said, "Husband, look at this rain, this thunder. It really does look like the Great Flood is coming."
Arthur Evans replied, "But Mother said it was the Second Household trying to trick us."
"Trick us? Just look at the sky—does it look like a trick? The whole village has gone up the mountain. If the Second Household wanted to trick us, this wouldn’t be the way." Mrs. Charlotte had her own opinions, but didn’t dare say them outright, since Arthur Evans was so filial and listened to the Evans Family elders. Mrs. Charlotte was a clever woman and knew how to persuade him slowly.
Arthur Evans had always trusted his parents’ words, but seeing the situation now, he began to wonder: Were his parents really telling the truth?
The children cried even harder, tugging at Arthur Evans’s heart. He said, "Maybe I should go persuade Mother. Let’s move up the mountain too."
Mrs. Charlotte nodded. Arthur Evans quickly dressed and headed out, while she dressed the children and gathered their valuables.
As Arthur Evans stepped outside, he saw Samuel Evans and Su Shirong returning, father and son both soaked through despite their raincoats.
Samuel Evans entered, his face grim. "Father, Mother, it’s bad! Shirong and I just came back from the river—the water has risen into the village. It looks like the Great Flood really is coming! We need to get up the mountain now!"
"No! There’s no flood! Stop talking nonsense! You’re all teaming up with Lily Evans to trick me—what are you really after?" Grandma Evans, agitated, slapped Samuel Evans across the face.
Mrs. Sun quickly pulled her husband aside, bowing her head in frustration and resentment.
Seeing that his mother wouldn’t listen, Arthur Evans turned to Grandpa Evans, who had remained silent. "Father, what should we do?"
Grandpa Evans’s face was dark. He’d survived the Great Flood years ago, but after so many peaceful years, he hadn’t believed the flood would come again. But now, with the river rising to the edge of the village, it was clear the Great Flood was truly upon them.
"We leave now! Up the mountain!" Grandpa Evans ordered.
Grandma Evans started to throw a fit. "We can’t go! I just told the neighbors we weren’t leaving. If we go now, I’ll lose face! How am I supposed to live after this?"
Watching the rain pour harder outside, Grandpa Evans grew truly afraid that the flood could hit at any moment. He was no stranger to fear and, in his panic, slapped Grandma Evans and yelled, "What are you yelling for? Is your pride more important than the lives of our whole family? Move—everyone moves, now! Up the mountain to save ourselves!"
With the head of the household giving the order, the Evans Family sprang into action to head up the mountain. But leaving so late, they had no time to pack their valuables—only grabbing their most essential belongings and food. The whole family, young and old, trudged through the rainy night toward the back mountain.
Just as the Evans Family climbed up the mountain, they heard the thunderous roar of floodwaters behind them.
"The flood is coming!" the villagers on the mountain shouted loudly.
The Evans Family found a safe spot and sat down one by one, exhausted and gasping for breath.
In the morning light, the mighty floodwaters rolled in, carrying countless broken pillars and collapsed houses.
Grandma Evans stared at the flood, still unable to believe it had really come.
"Our house, what will happen to our house!?" Susan Evans cried out in anguish. They had just spent hundreds of taels of silver to build that big new house, and hadn't even lived in it for a few days. Would it be swept away by the flood?