Chapter 32: Grasshoppers Scattering in All Directions

With Xiao Tangbao as a shield, the plan to burn grasshoppers was quickly approved by Old Su.

Soon, a fire crackled to life on the Su family’s land.

Su Liuhu flailed helplessly, tossing grasshoppers into the flames. Da Pan and Er Pan dashed off to gather firewood. As for Xiao Tangbao, she wobbled unsteadily toward the roadside shrubs, her tiny white hand reaching out with effort to pluck a few fresh green leaves…

“Husband,” said Old Mrs. Su, frowning at the growing swarm of locusts, “how can there be so many? Could it really be a full-blown locust plague?”

The insects weren’t targeting their fields specifically—no one could say they were flying straight to their yard—but if a real infestation hit, would their crops stand a chance?

After a locust plague, people would starve again.

Old Su scowled, his face etched with worry.
Not just the Su couple—everyone who’d recently been scheming to marry into the Su family now wore grim expressions too.

They were all seasoned farmers. They’d lived through locust plagues before.
Such a sudden surge couldn’t happen overnight. These bugs must’ve flown in from somewhere else.

“Help! Help!”
A frantic shout echoed from afar.

Those working in the fields froze mid-motion.

The man sprinted up, breathless, and everyone recognized him—Wang Fugui, the village chief’s son.

“What’s wrong, Fugui?” someone called.

“Locust plague… gasp… it’s happening…” Fugui panted, clutching his chest. “My father sent me to warn every household—swarms are coming fast, right over our way!”

The crowd went pale.

“Fugui, who told your dad?”
“Is this true?”
“Fugui, seriously?”

Voices erupted around him, urgent and anxious.

Fugui took several deep breaths before finally saying, “The county office sent word—the locusts’ path is heading straight toward our village.”

Silence fell like a stone.

If the county government had sent a warning, it had to be real.

Their crops were nearly ready to harvest.
If the locusts devoured them, what would they do?

But harvesting now? The grain would be shriveled and useless.
And *prepare* for what?
Just stand there and watch their fields get eaten alive?

There was nothing anyone could do.
When locust plagues struck, people died by the hundreds.

“God’s punishing us,” someone whispered, tears welling.
“My father once told me my grandfather starved to death during a plague,” another muttered, voice heavy with grief.
“Back then, we could still go into the mountains for roots and wild greens. Now the woods are forbidden, and the fields are bare. This is pushing us all to the edge…”

An old man with silver hair sighed long and slow.
After the plague, he’d likely be buried soon.
He’d save whatever food remained for the children.

Despair settled over the group like a thick fog.

But the children didn’t catch the mood.

Meanwhile, Su Liuhu kept tossing locusts into the fire while trying to stop his little sister from causing trouble.

“Sis, those leaves are wet—can’t burn them!”
Xiao Tangbao paid no mind. She was determined to stay the mischievous kid she was meant to be.

She shoved a handful of green leaves into the flames.

Smoke billowed upward, swirling on the breeze and drifting across the Su family’s fields.

*Whirr-whoosh…*

The locusts scattered in panic, leaping away from the smoke.

***

Author’s Note:
To all the friends who’ve left gifts, five-star reviews, urgent “update please” comments, and likes—thank you so much. I’m truly grateful to every single one of you who supports me and loves this story. Love you all. 💖