Chapter 70

Chapter 70

Three families were building new houses this time: the Zhao family at the foot of the mountain, the Wu family at the village entrance, and the village chief's family, who were dead set against ever living in their old homestead again.

That's right, the village chief's family had survived. When the refugees entered the village, they had been among the first to run.

It seemed people with a bit of property were more careful with their lives. Back when the village told everyone to dig cellars, they were the first to dig. When told to carry grain into the mountains, they were the first to carry. Upon hearing the refugees were coming, they were also the first to escape into the mountains.

Of course they saw their houses at the foot of the mountain being burned. Anxious as they were, there was nothing they could do. They certainly had no intention of going down to fight the refugees. Was a house more important than their lives? Especially their own lives—those were priceless and not to be lost! Otherwise, during the earthquake earlier this year, they wouldn't have forgotten their father was still trapped under the rubble, caring only for their own skins. In the end, not only did their father die, but they also offended the villagers and earned a reputation for being unfilial.

Houses could be rebuilt if burned; crops could be lost, but the fields remained. As long as people were alive, they had everything. Only when people died would their houses, fields, silver, wives, and children truly become someone else's.

Among all the villagers who fled into the mountains, the village chief's family knew best how to save their own necks. Ironically, such people often lived the longest.

They were well aware that compared to the villagers who hadn't escaped, they were incredibly fortunate. Their cellar was well-located, and the smoke from cooking couldn't escape. They had also hidden plenty of grain. Apart from the inconvenience of fetching water and the frightening roars of beasts at night, life in the mountains wasn't much different from life below.

It wasn't until they descended the mountain and saw the villagers retrieving dozens of charred corpses from their collapsed pigsty and fishing out a dozen or so putrid bodies from the cesspit that the family's expressions finally cracked.

They wanted to curse someone but didn't know who to curse.

They wanted to throw a tantrum but couldn't find anyone to direct it at.

The courtyard they had spent over twenty taels to build had instantly become a haunted house.

Not only did their family no longer want that homestead, but even the nearby families didn't want it either. Back when Old Man Zhao and the others fought the refugees, their courtyard had been left in an unsightly state. Country folk were quite particular about such things, feeling the place was inauspicious. However, their situation wasn't as dire as the Zhao and Wu families, whose homes were completely burned, nor as tragic as the village chief's family. Besides, they genuinely didn't have that much money on hand and couldn't afford to rebuild elsewhere.

After much deliberation, they could only grit their teeth and accept it.

What else could they do? Who was going to compensate them? When such things happened, you could only consider yourself unlucky.

The village chief's sons wanted to allocate a new homestead to build a house. Although the village scorned this family of unfilial descendants, they could somewhat understand their feelings. After all, that house was truly uninhabitable—too ominous.

When several village elders asked them where they wanted the land allocated, the village chief's eldest son blurted out, "At the back of the village, near the foot of the mountain, right next to Old Uncle Zhao's family. Even if the plot is small, it's fine, as long as it's far from our original house."

Zhao Shanao rolled his eyes on the spot. Couldn't he guess what this guy was up to? The abacus beads were practically hitting him in the face! Nowadays, those wanting to be neighbors with Da Gen and Da He were too many to count on ten fingers. This guy was purely dreaming!

He flatly refused, "There's no space at the foot of the mountain. Others need to build houses too; where would there be room for your family? Find another plot. We're all from the same village, and we understand your situation. We won't deliberately make trouble for you, but don't be unreasonable either!"

The village chief's eldest son really wanted to ask how he was being unreasonable. The foot of the mountain was so vast; how could there be no space? But looking at Zhao Shanao's weathered face, times had changed. Back when his father was alive, everyone in the village would call them "Eldest Brother, Second Brother." Now, forget greetings—getting a glance from anyone was considered good.

When under someone else's roof, you had to lower your head. Although he really wanted to be neighbors with the old Zhao family, he was also genuinely worried that if he caused trouble and annoyed these old men, the village might not inform them of any major events in the future. How would his whole family survive then?

Day after day, with refugees and conscription, there were too many troubles, and life was becoming increasingly uncomfortable!

"I still want to find a spot at the back of the village," he hurriedly added before Zhao Shanao could get angry. "The back of the village is the back of the village, and the foot of the mountain is the foot of the mountain. I have no other meaning; I just want to be far from my original home. Being too close might give me nightmares at night."

Then, with some displeasure, he added, "Uncle Shan'ao, this time our family suffered a great disaster. Although no one died, the ancestral home passed down through generations is completely unusable now. We're also victims here. Could you please make an exception?"

Having said that much, Zhao Shanao thought it over, discussed it with his old companions, and finally allocated them a plot at the back of the village, far from the foot of the mountain—definitely not qualifying as "neighbors" in any sense.

Old Man Zhao was completely unaware of this matter. His family was busy as bees. Their new house had been under construction for over half a month, and the village had proactively allocated them another large plot of land. Although the new house was still a yellow mud and thatch cottage, it was undeniably spacious. It had four more rooms than before, and the courtyard was more than half again as large. Even the pigsty and chicken coop looked impressive, estimated to be able to raise four large fat pigs at once, with plenty of room to move around.

On the day the house was completed, Zhao Xiaobao excitedly ran around the courtyard. She loved, loved, loved her new home! She had a new room again!

"Mom, Xiaobao wants to sleep by herself tonight!" She rushed over, threw herself into her mother's arms, tilted her little head up, and cooed.

Wang Shi picked up her daughter—quite heavy now. In a couple of years, she probably wouldn't be able to carry her anymore. She smiled and asked, "Aren't you afraid to sleep alone?"

"Not afraid!" Zhao Xiaobao shook her head vigorously.

Her new room was right next to the main room, with her parents' room on the right and her eldest brother and sister-in-law's room on the left.

When building the house, the family had considered that she was still young and might be scared, so they deliberately placed her room in the middle. If anything happened, a shout would be heard in both rooms, allowing them to come quickly.

Another reason was that Old Man Zhao couldn't bear to be apart from his daughter. Although he understood she was growing up and should sleep alone, he couldn't help feeling reluctant. Having her nearby put his mind at ease. He had even suggested making the main room larger, partitioning it, and placing a small bed for his daughter on the other side, which would still count as "two rooms."

However, this idea was promptly and ruthlessly rejected by Wang Shi as soon as he proposed it.

She even scolded him, "Those who know might think you dote on your daughter and can't bear to be apart from her. Those who don't might think you're tying her down, restraining her. Even if it's hard to part, you must. At your age, how come you only grow older but not wiser? Can you watch over Xiaobao your whole life? Moving to a different room isn't leaving home. Good thing we're not planning to marry her off. If we were like other families marrying off a daughter, with your attitude, wouldn't you cling stubbornly and insist on being part of the dowry?!"

Old Man Zhao was scolded into silence, stammering and unable to respond.

"Hah, hit the nail on the head, didn't I?" Wang Shi sneered, unable to resist rolling her eyes at him. So the old fellow really had that idea.

Other people's dowries included maids and servants; her Xiaobao's dowry would be an old, stubborn father. Wang Shi covered her chest, both angry and amused. Fortunately, their family only took in husbands; they didn't marry off daughters. At least they avoided becoming a legendary oddity!

Anyway, the house was completely finished.

On moving day, several families came to help. There weren't many belongings, but it was lively. A group of children were yelling and shouting in the courtyard, while the adults bustled in and out.

Country folk didn't have many formalities. Unlike townsfolk, who brought gifts when visiting someone's new home for the first time, peasants weren't that particular. With the gate open, anyone could enter the courtyard, sit for a while, take a look, have a sip of tea, and chat—that counted as warming the house.

But saying that didn't stop people from being thoughtful. Zhao Song and Zhao Bai's families jointly made a large table, several long benches, and even a reclining chair. Zhao Daniu, Zhao Yong, and Zhao Quan's three families each carried several bundles of firewood, stacking the eaves full. The three Wu brothers made several beds. Wu Sanzhu was famously skilled in the village. He hadn't formally apprenticed with a carpenter, but the beds he made were sturdy and comfortable to sleep on. Old Man Zhao and Wang Shi were immensely grateful, repeatedly saying everyone had been very thoughtful.

Li Dahe had originally wanted to weave some bamboo baskets and winnowing baskets for convenience in carrying things, but Old Man Zhao stopped him. They had already been eating and staying at his family's place all this time, troubling Feng Shi and her two daughters-in-law to cook for so many people every meal. They absolutely refused to trouble them further with weaving baskets and such.

Li Dahe was also straightforward. Since they said not to trouble, he simply didn't bother. He came over every day to help with work anyway, so he hadn't been idle.

"Everyone must stay for lunch at our place today. No one is allowed to leave," Wang Shi said to the people in the courtyard after she and her three daughters-in-law finished tidying the kitchen. "If anyone from your families hasn't come, have the children go call them over."

"We've already cooked at home," Li Dahe hurriedly said. "Another day. You're busy today and still need to settle into your new home."

"Indeed, everyone has worked hard these past few days building the house. We can eat anytime; there's no rush for a day or two," Grandpa Er Lai added. "Let everyone rest. Cooking for so many people would take ages; don't tire out the nieces-in-law."

"Let's skip it today. We'll sit for a while and then leave. Old sister, don't trouble yourself. In a couple of days, even if you don't invite us, we'll bring our whole families over for a meal," Li Dahe joked, making everyone laugh.

"Alright then, the day after tomorrow it is. I won't go door-to-door inviting. Come over first thing the day after tomorrow. Remember to bring a few tables, benches, and bowls and chopsticks. Just bring those; don't bring anything else," Old Man Zhao decided directly, not bothering with further pleasantries.

"Don't worry, we'll be here at dawn," Li Dahe agreed readily.

The first day of moving was indeed busy. Cleaning alone was a hassle. Wiping, washing, and sweeping every room required several trips for water, which Zhao Xiaowu and Zhao Gu made back and forth.

With this house built, the brothers no longer had to squeeze onto one bed. Even the youngest, Zhao Xi, felt like he was growing every day. At night, half his body would hang over the edge of the bed, and a turn could send him tumbling to the floor.

For room assignments, Zhao Xiaowu and Zhao Gu, the two older ones, shared a room. Zhao Feng, Zhao Deng, and Zhao Xi, the three younger ones, shared another. The remaining empty room, no one wanted to sleep in alone. Assigning rooms was one thing, but the brothers were somewhat inseparable. They probably wouldn't sleep separately until they married and brought wives home.

Zhao Xiaobao's room was the first to be tidied. The bed was made, with a clean mat and bedding. Lying on it felt cool, and there was a fresh scent of bamboo.

The mat was woven by Zhao Dashan, who had been bored and asked his sons to cut bamboo from the mountains. While his father and brothers were enthusiastically building the house, he split bamboo, dried the strips, and wove the mat. It was delicate work, testing one's patience.

Zhao Dashan had originally been somewhat restless. Seeing able-bodied people working vigorously while he was injured made him feel uneasy. But after weaving mats for several days, his temperament was actually ground down to be more steady.

He also completely settled down to recuperate, no longer anxious about why his body wasn't healing faster or eager to get back to work.

The whole family bustled about, a scene of lively activity.

"Mom, Xiaobao really likes this room," Zhao Xiaobao said, propping her face in her hands as she leaned on the windowsill. Outside was the courtyard, where she could see what her brothers, sisters-in-law, and nephews were doing.

Then she lay on the bed, rolling back and forth a couple of times. Hehe, such a big bed, so soft, so comfortable.

"Dad, Xiaobao really likes this bed," she said, sprawled out on the mat. Her chubby little hand twitched slightly, and a pile of red ground fruit and raspberries instantly appeared on the bed.

She popped a raspberry into her mouth. The sweet and sour fruity flavor made her eyes squint with delight. She couldn't help changing her lying position, crossing her legs, her fair and plump toes wiggling slightly, occasionally making contented humming sounds.

"Xiaobao really, really likes it!" She sucked the juice from her fingers, bubbling with happiness.