country bumpkin

Chapter 20 Building a new house

On this crisp autumn day, people are in high spirits and are making preparations for the upcoming winter. Kong Xiangdong is planning to build a new house, using warm bricks and stones to ward off the cold.

The site is located in a vegetable field at the south end of the village. The design includes a two-bedroom, one-living room main house, and east and west wing rooms for the kitchen and storage.

The procurement of building materials was carried out in an orderly manner. The construction team consisted entirely of villagers. After agreeing on prices, everyone worked enthusiastically, with laughter and sweat mingling together.

On the construction site, bricklayers carefully laid bricks. Sunlight shone down, illuminating their hardworking figures.

Kong Xiangdong supervised the work and distributed materials, while Zhou Caiyun helped boil water for the workers in a quiet corner of the construction site. Mu Shuyun also joined in the chores.

Lunch was provided, so Zhou Caiyun and Mu Shuyun were constantly busy. As lunchtime approached, the two returned to the old house and busied themselves preparing a large pot of stew: bean sprouts stewed with meat and vermicelli, as well as steamed hot buns.

After preparing the meal, the two of them used a borrowed handcart to deliver it. The new house and the old house were separated by a street, not far apart, about a 10-minute walk.

Upon arriving at the construction team, they distributed the food. Each person received a bowl of vegetables and two steamed buns; those who weren't full could take an extra. Some villagers poured boiled water into their food and ate it, soup and all.

After eating and drinking to our hearts' content and resting for half an hour, we continued working.

Because Zhou Caiyun requested a division of the family property and wanted a new house, the construction of the new house came about.

Originally, Zhou Caiyun hadn't planned to separate the family property so soon, at least not before her youngest son's wedding. But she felt that only by separating the family property could she get her hands on the money Kong Xiangdong earned. Otherwise, her mother-in-law would control all the money. That's why she was considering separating the family property.

The old house was an adobe house, and the new house we built is a brick and tile house. We also have a younger son, so we'll leave the old house to him. We can renovate and build a new house when we have more money later.

Although it was autumn, it was still very hot at midday. Mu Shuyun boiled some more mung bean water, let it cool, and shared it with everyone.

The afternoon's work was still arduous, but everyone was full of energy. As the sun gradually set, the day's work finally came to an end.

The workers packed up their tools, washed their hands and faces, and prepared to go home. Kong Xiangdong and Zhou Caiyun looked at the house, which was beginning to take shape, and were filled with joy.

Although the decision to separate caused some ripples, they knew that this new house would be the starting point of their new life. There may be challenges ahead, but they firmly believe that with hard work, life will only get better.

Since there are materials for the new house here: sand, gravel, cement, tiles, etc., as well as many tools, Kong Xiangdong needs to stay and oversee it. He eats with the workers and no longer needs to go home.

He built a simple plastic shed. Below was a single bed, and above was the shed, which provided some privacy.

Zhou Caiyun brought him a quilt and a mattress. After delivering the things, she returned home, otherwise it would be too dark and difficult to walk at night.

After returning home, I washed up and went to bed.

That night, Zhou Caiyun lay in bed, tossing and turning, unable to sleep. She was thinking about her new home, and also worried that Kong Xiangdong might not be sleeping well alone at the construction site.

As she thought about Kong Xiangdong's tenderness and thoughtfulness on their wedding night, she couldn't help but blush and smile.

Later, as I was thinking, I drifted off to sleep.

The next day, Zhou Caiyun got up at the crack of dawn. She hadn't slept well the night before, worrying and thinking, so she had dark circles under her eyes today.

She made breakfast and prepared to deliver it to her husband. She hadn't eaten herself, thinking that it would taste better if she ate with him.

Seeing her flustered state, Mu Shuyun knew what had happened but didn't bother her. She was relieved that the children got along well.

Zhou Caiyun rushed to the new house construction site. Seeing that the shed was still covered, she knew Kong Xiangdong must still be asleep. Overjoyed, she wanted to tease Kong Xiangdong.

She quietly walked over, put down the food basket, and opened the shed curtain. She saw that Kong Xiangdong was indeed still asleep.

She gently reached out to scratch Kong Xiangdong's itch. Kong Xiangdong was startled awake by the cool touch. Zhou Caiyun had woken her husband by scratching him; his face flushed, and he lowered his head, somewhat embarrassed. He looked like a child who had done something wrong, his face full of unease. He opened his eyes, saw it was his wife Zhou Caiyun, and a smile appeared on his lips.

"Why did you come so early? Weren't you cold on the way?" Kong Xiangdong asked.

“I was worried you were hungry, so I came early to bring you food. Also, I wanted to eat with you,” Zhou Caiyun said, handing over a bowl of hot porridge.

Kong Xiangdong sat up, took the porridge, and began to drink. Zhou Caiyun sat beside him, eating with him.

"How did you sleep last night?" Zhou Caiyun asked.

"It's alright, it's just a bit cold when it's quiet at night. Luckily I slept with my clothes on, the weather is really cold at night these days," Kong Xiangdong said.

"The conditions here are a bit poor, but it will be better once the houses are built," Zhou Caiyun said.

Kong Xiangdong nodded, and after finishing their meal, the two chatted for a while longer. By then, it was already broad daylight, and the workers gradually arrived for work.

Kong Xiangdong checked the time, stood up, and said, "I have to go help with the work. You can go back first."

Zhou Caiyun nodded, tidied up the dishes, said goodbye to Kong Xiangdong, and went home.

On the way, she encountered several old women from the same village. They looked at Zhou Caiyun's dark circles and teased her, "You didn't sleep well last night, did you? Are you missing a man?"

Zhou Caiyun blushed and hurriedly explained, "No, that's not it. I just didn't sleep well last night." The old women burst into laughter. Feeling a little embarrassed, Zhou Caiyun quickened her pace and walked home.

When she got home, Mu Shuyun asked her curiously, "Why are you back so soon?" Zhou Caiyun recounted what had happened that morning, and Mu Shuyun smiled but didn't say anything more.

Days passed by, and the new house was slowly being built. Zhou Caiyun would bring Kong Xiangdong meals every day, and their relationship grew stronger.