CHAPTER 622: 622 HAPPINESS

After the afternoon work, the two brothers hurried over, seeing that the side rooms were already halfway built, but why do all three rooms have kangs (traditional Chinese heated bed)?

"Sister Xiaoli, why are there so many kangs built?"

"You two come over, I have something to tell you."

The two were very puzzled, following behind Zhao Xiaoli.

"Guodong, Jing Chu, I am now together with Old Yang."

The two looked at Zhao Xiaoli in surprise; Jing Chu realized, remembering how Sister Xiaoli often talked about Uncle Yang lately, it turns out that’s what’s been happening.

"Sister Xiaoli? When did you get together?"

"We talked it out last night."

"Sister Xiaoli, do you really like Uncle Yang?"

Zhao Xiaoli nodded embarrassedly, "Yes, I like him, he makes me feel very safe."

"But he’s even older than my dad." Guodong kindly reminded Zhao Xiaoli.

"Hmm, I know, I just like him; yesterday I was also the one who initiated it, and he told me he’s not much younger than my parents.

But I just want to, I just like him."

"Sister Xiaoli, aren’t you just looking for someone capable because you don’t have support here?"

"No, I thought it through; with Aunt Jiang here, even if we work hard, we won’t truly suffer grievances.

I genuinely like him. I’m not looking for protection."

Jing Chu, being a girl, understood Zhao Xiaoli’s thoughts.

"Alright, I bless you two.

Sister Xiaoli, is Uncle Yang going to live here too?"

"Hmm, he said he has time for this period, so he’ll stay."

"Sister Xiaoli, Jing Chu and I will each take a room in the side house, so you can stay in the main house." Guodong scratched his head, no need to ask now why the side house also needed kangs built.

After speaking, Zhao Xiaoli felt much lighter.

After dinner, Guodong specifically sought out Old Yang; what they talked about remained unknown, but they returned after half an hour, and by then everything was tidied up. The bricklayers had taken their people to rest.

The siblings also left, leaving only the newly confirmed couple.

"Just now, Guodong told me not to bully you."

Zhao Xiaoli was very moved, her younger brother was now able to stand up for her.

"He also said for us to stay in the main house while the siblings stay in the side house."

Zhao Xiaoli had no objections but worried Old Yang wouldn’t be happy staying in the side house.

They sat together, holding hands and whispering about their future plans.

Old Yang loved this atmosphere, addictive indeed.

He finally understood Wei Kaiyun. Before the woman one loves, all men seem the same.

It was already late; he escorted Zhao Xiaoli back to the yard.

Knowing there was no noise inside, only then did he return to rest.

Three more days were used, all the houses, including the wood shed, were ready, and the kitchen had two stoves installed.

Next time going to the market, they’ll need to buy iron pots and lids.

Doors and windows were installed; the brothers were building walls, and Old Yang drove the car to take Zhao Xiaoli to the market. They needed glass after all, or else winter would be too cold.

Old Yang took her straight home, "Do you want to shower? I’m going to take one."

Zhao Xiaoli was tempted too, but as a girl, she showed restraint.

"Haha, don’t worry I won’t peek and won’t do anything, will wait until our wedding to talk about it."

He was anxious, wanted to, but he was older, needed to care for the little girl.

Zhao Xiaoli blushed deeply but couldn’t resist the lure of warm water, they washed up and went to the building.

Glass, nails, iron pots, thermos bottles, tin stoves, plus cotton, back covers, bedding covers, linings, cotton cloth, sewing needles, kitchen supplies, and condiments.

Then they went to the supply and marketing cooperative, buying many groceries, and bought some grains at the grain station.

The car was completely loaded. Only then did the two set off back.

Today, the wall was finished; the main gate from the new design, large enough for the car to enter, carpenters measured the size and were rushing to make it, estimated to be finished in three to five days.

The stove in the side house was already lit, drying quickly that way.

What’s left are some decorating tasks, half a month’s worth of work, which was truly exhausting but nearing an end.

Glass installation took half a day, doors for the main room and hall, and doors for six side rooms took a day.

Lv Jingchu, looking at this place where she’d live, couldn’t help but embrace Guodong crying loudly. It wasn’t easy; she was only fifteen, yet this nearly year’s worth of time saw her facing so much.

Guodong comforted his sister; he also felt especially moved.

This side was considered finished. Old Yang let everyone rest for two days, but they all wanted to go home.

Old Yang understood, gave everyone fifty yuan, let them return, the rest he’d ask villagers to help. This half a month was hard on them.

Still worried, before they left, he reminded them again.

After everyone nodded, he escorted them away.

The kang and walls in the main room had dried, so Jing Chu was eager to move, but due to the lack of the main gate, the remaining few didn’t agree.

"Xiao Li, do you know how to make bedsheets?"

"I can, but my sewing isn’t good."

"Then let’s hire someone, and I’ll go ask around if someone is willing. Curtains, window curtains can be done at the same time."

Seeing Old Yang leave, Jing Chu lay on the kang, tears flowing, "Sister Xiaoli, Brother, we finally have our place, no need to suffer again, I really want to move immediately."

"Jing Chu, stop crying, it’s just a few days until moving, Guodong go check where we can buy kang mats, we’ll need quite a bit."

"Okay, I’ll go ask."

Old Yang found the village chief, explaining the intention.

"Why so urgent?"

"It’s needed. Can you help me make it in one day? Does the village have a sewing machine? Plus curtains, door curtains, kang quilts all need sewing."

"Measure the size and send them to my house, pick them up tomorrow night."

Old Yang didn’t expect it to be so agreeable, but it was good news.

Back home, he worked with the two girls to cut fabrics, then went to the village chief’s house again.

Now he felt secure, seeing the bare kang planks reminded him kang mats weren’t prepared.

"Uncle Yang, no need for you now, my brother already went to ask."

Arrangements here were set; Wei Kaiyun also had finished planting all the fields, lastly he requested two acres from the village chief for private use, to grow cabbage.

In the township’s dozen villages, only theirs had finished sowing, but plenty of wasteland left, and after discussion, it was decided that wasteland would be cleared for growing sorghum; planting corn might yield poorly, wasting a year’s production.