Chapter 82: The House-Building Plan Is Settled
When she heard they could fence in the entire area, Wen Yao grew excited.
“How much can we enclose? I want to build a big one.” Since they were building a house, they might as well do it properly in one go and avoid trouble later.
In the future, their family of four would grow. Her elder brother and Datou would eventually marry, so they’d need their own courtyards. And though her father had lived past sixty in his previous life, in this life he was only in his thirties. What if—just what if—he found love again and brought home a stepmother? Wouldn’t she need her own courtyard too?
As for herself, marriage wasn’t even under consideration. If possible, she’d happily live at her parents’ home forever. She had no interest in marriage or raising children in this lifetime.
In a moment, Wen Yao had arranged the future of the entire family in her mind.
Old Wen asked, “How big do you want to enclose? How large a house do you want?”
Wen Yao pointed at the four of them. “At least one room per person. And we should build one for you and Grandma too, so you can live with us later.” She hugged Luo Shi’s arm and nuzzled her shoulder.
Touched, Luo Shi tapped her forehead affectionately. “Who wants to live with you? We’ve already split the household. Just live your lives well.” Then she turned to Old Wen. “Since Yao Yao wants a bigger house, help them arrange it.”
Old Wen knocked his pipe on the edge of the kang. “Alright. Do you want rammed-earth walls like ours, or blue-brick walls like the village chief’s?”
A blue-brick tiled house had always been Old Wen’s lifelong dream. He had once hoped his eldest son would succeed and let the family live in such a house. Life had not gone as planned, but at least his son had turned over a new leaf.
Wen Yao answered without hesitation. “Blue bricks, big tiled house—better looking than the village chief’s.”
Old Wen glared at her. “You’re not afraid of boasting. But fifty taels should be enough for a two-courtyard blue-brick house. If you’ve decided, I’ll find people to come take a look and start arranging things. It’s less than a month until the New Year. We won’t finish before then, but we can lay the foundation. After spring, you should be able to move in.”
Wen Yao was surprised. The New Year was only a month away?
“Grandpa, can I design the layout myself?”
He sighed but nodded. “You can, but the foreman still has the final say.”
“That’s fine. I’ll draw it and ask you to review it. You’ve traveled far and wide—you’re experienced.” Her flattery left Old Wen thoroughly pleased.
Luo Shi rolled her eyes and pulled Wen Yao closer, then told Wen Jun, “Since you won’t be going back these days, go home and bring your father and siblings’ things. Yao Yao can’t walk, so take Wen Fa and Wen Jin with you. Oh—and bring the braising broth from the kitchen.”
Now that they were building a house, there was no need to hide their business anymore.
Wen Jun and Wen Xiuyi both turned to Wen Yao at once. “What happened to Yao Yao’s foot?”
Only then did they notice the bandages.
“It’s nothing,” Wen Yao waved her bare foot. “Just a small cut. Grandma bandaged it. It’ll heal in a few days.”
Wen Xiuyi wanted to check and even thought about calling Doctor Jin back, worried about infection. It took two smacks from Luo Shi to stop him.
“She cut it on river stones while rushing after hearing Datou fell into the water. It’s not serious. I cleaned it. She just needs to rest.”
Wen Yao protested, “Grandma, I’ve been hired to cook for a wedding in two days. That’s someone’s big day—I can’t delay it.”
Luo Shi glared. “Since it’s important, stop being reckless. Your second and third aunts will go with you. Your second aunt will carry you.”
Blushing, Wen Yao thanked her second aunt.
Since the house was settled and the land deed handed over, Luo Shi waved everyone away.
Only the family of four remained.
Wen Xiuyi quickly said, “Yao Yao, let me check the wound. Do you need a tetanus shot? Can you get one from your space?”
Wen Jun nodded. “If the wound isn’t handled properly, it could cause problems.”
Wen Yao dodged their hands. “It’s fine. I cleaned it with saline when Grandma went to change the water. Let’s check on Datou instead. If we hadn’t met that flying person they mentioned, we might have lost him.”
Without Datou, what would they even be working so hard for?
