Chapter 153: The Tale of the Peach Blossom Spring/Beyond and Within the Valley

Xu Wenbo's shout spurred Wei Qing and Wang Yunzheng into action; they dashed off with remarkable speed.

Ever since Wei Qing and Wang Yunzheng had seen Sang Luo's drawings, they were so inspired that they made their own charcoal pencils from leftover charcoal used for cooking. They diligently tried to sketch their own designs of the cave house, hoping to create something before Sang Luo could finalize her plans for them.

However, their attempts revealed a significant gap in imagination and skill; their drawings were far from comparable to Sang Luo's.

After several futile days, they eagerly awaited the completion of Shen Lian's project, unable to produce satisfactory designs themselves.

If it weren't for the lack of proper tools and their embarrassment to intervene, considering Sang Luo's generous meals for Chen Youtian and Chen Dashan, Wei Qing would have gladly offered his help despite his limited abilities in woodworking.

Xu Wenbo informed his family, leading Xu Wen Yin to call her grandmother from the neighboring Chen family, and they all headed to the Shen residence.

The crowd gathered outside the cave, as there wasn't enough room for everyone inside, attracting the attention of families from across the valley.

Inside the cave were Shen Lian, Chen Youtian, Chen Dashan, Sang Luo as the hostess, and the original designer.

The men's practical skills were impressive; they quickly moved the beds and tables out, heaped the wood outside the cave, flattened the ground, and roughly fixed the walls before commencing their work.

Sang Luo marveled at the wonder of traditional craftsmanship.

Without a single nail or drop of glue, their construction was incredibly sturdy, surpassing modern methods that rely on nails and glue.

She watched Shen Lian, Chen Youtian, and Chen Dashan transport beams and planks, working in sync to hammer and fit pieces together, gradually assembling the platform.

The smallest cave at the lower level of the valley, spanning over thirty square meters, boasts its regular shape as its greatest advantage. Despite the entrance being less than four meters wide, the cave expands to about five meters at its widest interior point and stretches approximately six meters in depth, offering excellent natural light.

Entering the cave, the kitchen area, comprising a stove and a wood table, is located right at the front. Further inside, about four meters in, are storage shelves taking up about one meter of space, leaving room for passage. This setup essentially makes it an open storage area.

This means, apart from the one-meter-wide storage area on the left, the remaining four-meter-wide and six-meter-deep space on the right can be utilized as the living and dining area, which is Sang Luo's domain to innovate.

Sang Luo's designed platform aligns along the right interior wall of the cave, covering four meters in width and approximately 2.6 meters in depth, elevated about fifteen centimeters above the ground.

Watching Shen Lian and Chen Youtian laying the wooden boards one by one, not only does Sang Luo's eyes sparkle with excitement, but so do those of Wei Qing and Wang Yunzheng, who grew up in the Wang family's large estate, as they eagerly squeeze into the cave.

The raw wood platform features exceptionally smooth wooden boards, strikingly clean and appealing.

After partially laying the platform, they start assembling the second-layer bed frame.

This second layer, perched above the platform, comprises two sets of cabinets. On the left, near the storage area, stands a two-meter-tall and about eighty centimeters wide cabinet. On the right side of the cave is a column supporting tightly fitted wall panels.

With this phase completed, Shen Lian and his team begin assembling the right-side wall's fittings, resulting in seven variously sized cabinets. The topmost part, facing the steps, contains drawers, while the side facing the bed and platform features small cabinets with doors, fitting snugly against the right wall and the platform's columns.

Though referred to as small cabinets, anyone familiar with the design plans knows these are not mere cabinets. Once arranged in sequence, they form a staircase leading to the upper bed!

The children are the most thrilled!

Raised in rural areas and unfamiliar with city life, they never conceived the idea of a two-story structure. Accustomed to seeing only thresholds in their village homes, they're amazed by the concept of steps, let alone ascending a flight of stairs to reach a bed. The novelty and beauty of this design excite them immensely!

Er Niu and San Niu, clearly exhilarated, grasp Shen An's hands, exclaiming, “Your sister-in-law is so incredible, wow! And your brother too. Your family's bed is so beautiful!”

Chen Xiaoya tugs at Shen Ning's sleeve, “Ah Ning, will you sleep on the top or bottom bunk?”

Shen Ning, unable to tear her gaze away from the assembling process, responds to Chen Xiaoya, “I don’t know yet, I’ll go with whatever my sister-in-law suggests. But honestly, both the top and bottom bunks are beautiful.”

Xu Wenying nods in agreement, “Exactly! Xiaoya, your house will be next after Ah Ning’s. They’ll start on yours as soon as hers is finished.”

Chen Xiaoya’s smile reveals her tiny teeth, “I want to sleep on the top bunk, so I can climb the steps!”

After arranging the seven cabinets in order, Shen Lian gives them a shake. As they are embedded into the platform and fit seamlessly, they are extremely sturdy. He then proceeds to install the two thick columns supporting the second-level bed, and climbs the steps to work on the bed frame, beams, and planks.

Down below, Chen Dashan hands up the materials, while Sang Luo can't resist observing. This seems to be their first time constructing a bunk bed. To ensure safety, the materials used by Shen Lian and his team are exceptionally robust.

Once the bed planks are laid and the railing, wall panels, and roof boards are installed, the open space under the first bunk also becomes fully visible.

On the platform, to the left are the tall cabinets, and to the right, the combined cabinet-styled steps. There’s a space of about 2.3 meters in the middle, even featuring a curved design overhead, perfectly displaying Chinese aesthetics.

With the installation complete, the pile of wood and parts inside the cave is fully utilized, clearing the peripheral area. The onlookers from various households have been in and out of the cave, now truly appreciating the entirety of the upper and lower bunk bed-cabinet combination, eliciting pure astonishment.

The platform, tall cabinets, steps, and the split-level bunk beds.

Not to mention the innovative furniture design, just a glance from the cave entrance reveals the left wall lined with shelves and grain sacks, in natural wood and burlap hues. The inner front wall of the cave, the platform, the ceiling, along with the right wall, all feature uniform raw wood.

The entire cave interior is significantly brightened up - who wouldn't understand its beauty?

No, it's beyond comprehension, not even resembling a cave anymore.

Living in a cave and achieving such an effect truly revolutionizes everyone's perceptions.

It's genuinely gorgeous!

The crowd gathers closer to admire, yet, cautious of dirtying it with mud on their shoes, they dare not step onto the pristine platform and stairs.

Even though Shen Lian and Sang Luo walk on it, no one else dares to set foot.

It's too clean and beautiful to willingly tread upon.

Shi Erlang's wife muses, "You'd probably have to take off your shoes to go up there, right?"

Everyone envies it; the cave has transformed with just the completion of one bed.

A smile blooms in Sang Luo's eyes; the outcome surpasses her expectations.

She doesn't know how much effort Shen Lian, Chen You Tian, and Chen Da Shan put into it, but it's flawless, lacking neither lacquer nor modern high-tech methods. In her view, it even outshines contemporary custom furnishings.

In her previous life, Sang Luo hadn't owned a house, but she did renovate an old house in the deep mountains. She found design ideas online, and so knows quite a bit about interior decoration.

She runs her hands over the bedpost, feeling the wood.

This is solid wood, smoothed to perfection, far superior to the particle and density boards used by modern decoration companies.

And the difference in aesthetics! What Shen Lian and his team crafted has its own rustic beauty, competing admirably in terms of appearance.

Shen Lian, descending from the second level, appears pleasantly surprised. Turning to Sang Luo with bright eyes and an expectant face, he eagerly asks, “Is this how you envisioned it?”

His question prompts Chen You Tian and Chen Da Shan, who have been diligently working for days, to instinctively look towards her.

Especially Chen You Tian, who in his youth apprenticed under a master craftsman for a few years. The master, protective of his skills, used his apprentices for free labor, imparting limited knowledge. After marrying and facing life's demands, Chen returned to farming, only to use his rudimentary skills in furniture making when he settled in Shi Li Village following a natural disaster.

The furniture he could craft was rudimentary but functional; he had never created anything as intricate and innovative as this.

Hence, when Shen Lian asks, Chen You Tian also gazes expectantly at Sang Luo.

After all, it was her design.

This anticipation mirrors his feelings as a youth, eagerly awaiting his master’s critique of his first project.

Sang Luo beams, nodding enthusiastically, “It’s exactly what I wanted, even better than I imagined. You all are incredibly skilled!”

Chen You Tian's eyes crinkle with joy, his face reflecting complete satisfaction.

Pleasure spreads across Shen Lian’s face, his grin almost too wide, “As long as you like it.”

He turns to Chen You Tian and Chen Da Shan, “Let’s bring in and assemble the bed we made earlier, shall we?”

The wooden bed they previously crafted for Sang Luo and Shen Ning would fit perfectly on the new platform. Sang Luo suggests shortening the bedposts to lower the bed, providing more spaciousness and less claustrophobia on the lower level.

Shen Lian agrees, noting that the design Sang Luo sketched indeed features a lower bed on the bottom tier.

The group heads out to saw the bedposts, while Sang Luo, smiling, invites the onlookers to come up and take a closer look, assuring them she will clean it afterward.

Chen Pozi organizes the crowd, “Take turns, just two or three at a time. Don’t crowd it, and if you’ve got thick mud on your shoes, better not go up. Just have a look from here, everyone can see it.”

Shi Er Niu, removing his shoes, eagerly says to Chen Granny, “I'll go up in my socks, I really want to try those stairs.”

His action prompts laughter from everyone.

Amidst the noise and bustle, the first level bed is installed, with a 1.8-meter-wide bed on the platform and a 1.5-meter-wide bed with guardrails on the second level.

Shen An and Shen Ning, overjoyed, can't bear to leave their new beds.

The siblings enthusiastically take over the cleaning tasks, relieving Sang Luo from any effort. Their neighbors, such as Xu Wen Yin, Xu Wen Bo, Chen Xiao Ya, and Shi Qiao Er, can’t be coaxed away, offering their cloths to help clean every nook.

Everyone is eager to stay and play on these homely beds, diligently cleaning over and over, reluctant to leave.

While the children are fascinated, the adults are impressed by the functionality. As the cleaning continues inside, they stay back, marveling at the ingenious design.

The bed and cabinet are incredibly spacious, this single furniture piece doubling as storage.

The large cabinet on the left can hold many items, eliminating the need to messily pile up unused bedding and clothes. The right side has seven cabinets and six drawers of varying heights, offering immense storage potential.

Envy is evident; everyone’s homes are cluttered and disorganized, longing for such storage solutions.

Shen Lian and others bring back the previously moved furniture, amused by the children clinging to the beds and the elders cautiously admiring the cabinets and steps.

Shen Lian suggests covering the non-platformed areas with slate for cleanliness and brightness. He plans to rebuild the stove after dinner and construct a door after helping others with their beds.

They currently use the simple door and stove made initially, waiting for a chance to build a proper stove.

Sang Luo agrees, advising Shen Lian not to overexert and to rest before continuing with further work.

Shen Lian has been tirelessly working, especially at night, only resting for a few hours.

Unbeknownst to Sang Luo, her tender concern makes Shen Lian’s heart flutter with warmth.

Sang Luo, oblivious to the effect of her words on Shen Lian, suddenly remembers something. Tugging at his sleeve, she leads him to the stone wall on the right side of the platform, inquiring, “Our old lantern was covered by the wall panel. I've moved the oil lamp and matches out. What do you think about carving a new lantern niche here? It's close to the platform, which would make lighting and extinguishing the lamp convenient.”

Shen Lian, feeling tense from Sang Luo’s touch on his sleeve, instinctively curls his fingers. But as she releases him, he relaxes slightly.

Though Shen Lian hears Sang Luo’s words, his own heartbeat in his ears seems louder, overshadowing her voice.

Suppressing the inexplicable flurry in his heart, he nods, “This spot is good. I'll do the carving.”

With a tight throat, he turns away awkwardly, using the search for tools to hide his inner turmoil.

As Shen Lian carves the lantern niche, Chen Granny and the other lingering ladies, seeing Sang Luo starting to tidy up, decide not to stay longer. They plan to have Shen Lian help them tomorrow and leave the cave.

Despite their slow cleaning, the platform eventually shines spotlessly.

The children, reluctant to leave, eventually step down from the platform, put on their shoes, and watch Sang Luo arrange the cave.

The bedding and pillows for both beds are ready. After laying them out, Sang Luo fetches previously bought fabric to hang a curtain beside the second-level bed.

The wolf skin bedding Shen Lian used for his pallet is no longer needed. Sang Luo chooses one to lay on the home's bench seat, finding the thick wolf skin very soft and comfortable to sit on.

With a seat cushion ready, Sang Luo decides not to skimp on comfort. She had purchased a substantial amount of fabric in preparation for their retreat to the mountains. Now, she selects a smaller piece, cuts it simply, and makes two lumbar pillows.

Lacking other stuffing materials, she uses extremely dry and soft hay, thoroughly softened by kneading, to fill the pillows.

The children take turns sitting on the newly made cushion, bouncing a little to feel the comfort. They spread their arms wide with satisfaction, sighing contentedly, amusing Sang Luo, who is busy stuffing another pillow nearby.

Xu Wenyin, touching the wolf skin and cushion, looks on eagerly: “Sister-in-law Sang Luo, how do you come up with such beautiful and comfortable seats? Can you include a similar cushion in the designs for our house?”

It seems as if Sang Luo's hands can create miracles with her designs, promising them the comfort they envision.

Sang Luo smiles and agrees. Chen Xiaoya, sitting on another chair, rests her chin on her hands on the table, her eyes curving happily: “Sister-in-law Sang Luo is drawing for my house too. We also have wolf skins... babbling on excitedly.”

Shen Lian, carving the stone wall on the other side, occasionally glances over. He quickly looks away before Sang Luo notices.

……

That evening, they host a lavish meal for Chen You Tian and his son, including Chen Lao Han, as a thank you for the Chen family’s help in recent days.

With meat, vegetables, soup, and rice, the meal is considered a feast in their mountain refuge.

When bedtime arrives, Shen Lian and Shen An no longer need to sleep on the floor. After consulting Sang Luo, Shen Lian and Shen An take the lower bunk, while Sang Luo and Shen Ning sleep on the upper tier.

Shen An watches with admiration, feeling envious. Although he can't climb the steps to the upper tier, the lower platform bed is a joy for him.

Sang Luo and Shen Ning now have their cozy little space, made extra cozy with the drawn curtains.

Shen Lian lies in bed, looking at the ceiling above, filled with sweetness and warmth at the thought of this home he and Sang Luo arranged together.

Their escape from danger has led to days beyond their wildest imaginations.

All four members of the Shen family have pleasant dreams that night.

……

The next day, Shen Lian and Chen Da Shan take a long journey to gather slate. While Shen Lian assists with carpentry at the Chen family's home, Sang Luo, accompanied by Shen An, Shen Ning, Xu Wen Bo, and Wang Yun Zheng, lays the slate flooring. The Shen family's cave becomes a sight to behold in Yun Valley, serving as a model home that other families visit multiple times.

Everyone in the valley harbors dreams and hopes; the designs for the Chen family are complete, and Sang Luo is drawing plans for the Xu family, considering each family's unique needs. The furniture styles for each household differ, each with its own style and wow factor.

The Shi, Lu, and Zhou families don't need Sang Luo to draft plans; they can refer to the other families' designs.

Though they can get slate by asking Shen Lian and Chen Da Shan to help transport it, the complexities of creating platforms, walls, and ceilings, are daunting for families like the Zhou, Shi, and Lu without the necessary skills or resources of the Xu, Chen, and Shen families.

In rural areas, people rely on community support, helping each other without expecting payment but usually offering good food in return.

With large families and spacious caves, they fear the time and resources required to replicate the Shen family's standard. Lacking the hunting skills of Shen Lian and Chen Da Shan, they can't afford to provide such hospitality. Thus, the Zhou, Shi, and Lu families opt for more practical plans, focusing on beds and cabinets, including a set of step-cabinets to satisfy their children's longing.

As for the platforms, walls, and ceilings, those were omitted in the simpler designs.

……

The Chen family's construction is still underway, and the previously sown rice is now ready for transplanting and planting.

The task doesn't fall on the Chen or Shen families anymore, as others in the valley without carpentry skills eagerly take on the farming work, even the scholar Wei Qing He joins in.

By mid-April, Shen Lian and his group are assisting the Zhou family, with Zhou Cun Zheng's family scheduled as the last to receive help.

With plenty of vegetables now growing in the valley, the need to forage outside decreases significantly. Other than bold individuals like Shen Lian, Chen Da Shan, and Lu Er Lang, who occasionally hunt, most families have reduced their excursions outside, adapting to life within the secluded valley.

During this period, Shen Lian utilizes nights free from furniture making for others to construct his family's stove and chimney. After discussing with Sang Luo, he builds two sets of storage shelves near the stove, offering ample space for various containers and creating a narrow, elongated kitchen.

The shelves' sliding doors allow air circulation when cooking is not in progress, and when closed during cooking, they effectively isolate the kitchen, preventing smoke from spreading into the cave.

While cooking is mostly steaming and boiling, directing smoke outside is ideal.

With the kitchen taking up some space, the cave entrance still offers about two and a half meters in width. To maintain light and air flow, besides the kitchen partition, the door remains simple. Removed during the day, it doesn't obstruct light or ventilation.

With the home well-organized and no need to venture outside, Sang Luo enjoys a more leisurely life.

While Shen Lian and Chen Da Shan hunt, Shen An and the other children read under the valley's trees, reminding Sang Luo of Shen Lian's earnest desire to learn to read.

Despite his busyness, Shen Lian doesn't neglect this ambition. Often, even after a busy day, he would listen to Shen An and Shen Ning recite from the "Thousand Character Classic," silently memorizing alongside. With Shen An frequently taking the book outside and Shen Lian busy during the day, he sometimes studies the bamboo scroll at night, comparing each character to what he has memorized.

As for the brushes made by Sang Luo, Shen Lian, during his free time, had also polished several stone slabs, which along with the brushes, were primarily used by Shen An and Shen Ning. Sometimes, even Sang Luo would practice calligraphy to pass the time. However, Shen Lian, the actual creator of these items, has yet to have the opportunity to even hold a brush.

Ever since Shen Lian's return, he seems to have an endless list of tasks, primarily for the family, or more specifically, to improve the comfort and quality of life for them. Watching the children under the distant tree, Sang Luo appears pensive.

Would Shen Lian be able to relax after finishing the work for the Zhou family?

With ink and brushes available, maybe she should create a booklet for Shen Lian as well.

Thinking thus, Sang Luo doesn’t rush into other tasks. Instead, she selects some bamboo segments near Chen’s cave, borrows a saw from Chen You Tian, and with a curved knife, starts working at the entrance of her cave. Recalling how she previously made bamboo scrolls with Chen You Tian, she decides to craft a set of literacy primers for Shen Lian.

In Yun Valley, everything seems blissful, almost like the beginning of a utopian "Peach Blossom Spring."

Meanwhile, outside Yun Valley, two and a half months have passed since the last forceful grain levy.

Two and a half months of hardship have preserved the goodness in kind-hearted people, but those with inherent vices are on the verge of collapse. The hidden, darker side of human nature, concealed during peaceful times, begins to stir restlessly, poised to break free unknowingly.

At this point, it would only take a spark to unleash the chaos.