CHAPTER 621: 621 HAPPINESS

Old Yang was contemplating what he should do. Should he also stay here and live? After all, at this moment, there’s nothing much going on?

Tomorrow, the house construction will continue nearby. He wants to stay here to accompany her.

"Alright, it’s getting late, I need to head back."

"Okay, I’ll see you off. I’ll stay here with you for a while, and once the house construction here is complete, you’ll really have to follow me." Which man wouldn’t want such a thing? In the past, it was about self-discipline, and not encountering a girl who moved his heart, most interactions with women were collaborations or had motives.

This kind of pure affection makes him happy and satisfied, naturally leading to other thoughts.

Zhao Xiaoli was stunned for a moment after hearing Old Yang’s words but quickly reacted, feeling shy as any young girl would.

Old Yang watched Zhao Xiaoli enter the courtyard and only headed back when it was quiet inside.

On the way, he felt like he was walking on air. He might soon have a wife.

The next morning, Old Yang found two masons and explained the situation. He wanted to build additional rooms, but the foundation was difficult to excavate.

"Old Yang, it’s better to build more wing rooms; it’s simpler. It’s also quicker, and we have enough bricks."

Old Yang frowned, not thinking about these issues. He didn’t know how long he’d stay here, and if it attracted too much attention, it wouldn’t be good.

However, he didn’t make a decision and thought it would be better to ask Zhao Xiaoli later. He’ll tell her about the situation.

This morning, two young girls made wheat and corn mixed buns and hung noodle soup.

After breakfast, Old Yang took the opportunity to pull Zhao Xiaoli aside.

"I can stay here for a while. I’m considering building additional rooms, but I’m afraid that after I leave, just you three will attract unwanted attention."

Zhao Xiaoli didn’t immediately react and looked at Old Yang with confusion, "You and Guodong can stay in the main room, and Jing Chu and I can stay in another room. Wouldn’t that be fine?"

Old Yang looked at this girl, realizing she seemed quite young.

"Since you’re with me, of course, you should stay with me."

Zhao Xiaoli’s face flushed instantly. She lowered her head, not daring to look at Old Yang, as last night’s confession took all her courage.

"Let’s build more wing rooms, we can stay in them together. When winter comes, you can go to the city; houses there are bigger." Old Yang originally wanted to tease the shy girl, but seeing her blushing face, he didn’t dare, fearing she might get too embarrassed.

I wonder how she mustered the courage to say those things last night.

But now, even if she wants to reconsider, it’s too late. Having stirred him, there’s no turning back.

Old Yang patted her head, "Alright, don’t worry. I’ll go tell them; there’s still not enough mud bricks. And soon, I’ll find a carpenter for additional doors and windows."

"Also, don’t tire yourself out too much. I feel heartache watching you. If necessary, I’ll call over a few more people."

Zhao Xiaoli nodded with her head down, lacking the courage to look at Old Yang.

The few working here heard about adding more rooms and looked as though they had no hope left. They were on the brink of seeing the end, and suddenly, overnight, the plan expanded. Yet, they dared not voice dissatisfaction to the boss.

Old Yang found the village chief, learned who the carpenter was, and directly requested doors and windows for three wing rooms.

"I’ll pay you double wages if you work overtime and get it done for me."

"No need. I already have them at home."

"Great, thank you." Of course, Old Yang wouldn’t leave without compensation, so he gave five extra dollars.

Because the relationship was made clear, unconsciously, they would always stick together.

Old Yang now felt that time was passing too slowly.

The main room was completed in a day, fully furnished, but it could be heated now, speeding up the work. Zhao Xiaoli simply decided to cook here.

The wing rooms also started construction. Their pace was quite fast, building three rooms on each side of the courtyard’s east and west.

With food running low, Old Yang drove back to the city.

He called Lv Beiguang, learning he’d come by the end of June, and asked him to bring Zhao Xiaoli’s brother, Xiao Qiang, arranging everything there.

With plans set, he packed his belongings, deciding not to return, so he needed to bring more.

This time he brought a hundred pounds of cornmeal, a hundred pounds of corn grits, a hundred pounds of sorghum flour, a hundred pounds of sweet potato flour, a hundred pounds of rice, a hundred pounds of flour, and forty pounds of bean oil. Plus, some seasonings, only ten pounds of meat, and ten pounds of eggs. Still, it was quite decent.

Then went to the department store, bought sugar, pastries, and malt milk extract for Zhao Xiaoli’s nutrition.

Bought a few large basins, tea mugs, lunch boxes, plates, and bowls.

Spotted matches, candles, kerosene lamps, lamp oil, and a large bundle of toilet paper. Felt that would do.

Happily heading back, once returned, everything here looked quite proper.

The crew saw the boss brought so much food and immediately cheered, asking Zhao Xiaoli to cook meat today.

Old Yang never shorted his brothers materially, so he smiled and nodded.

The new pot first needed to be heated and wiped with pork skin.

Today’s meat stew turned out great, allowing the pot to work now.

Stewing meat in one pot, baking pancakes in another, and clear shrimp soup for the broth.

At noon, everyone just laid down directly on grass mats to rest.

Old Yang saw Zhao Xiaoli went out, gave her some pastries.

"Save these for regular snacks, you’re too skinny."

"So many pastries?"

"Yeah, I can’t always return to the city, buy more now so you can have extra."

"Thank you."

"No need for thanks, you’re my woman. We might lack bedding, curtains, door curtains, right? You plan it out, I’ll take you to buy them. And we need new bedding in our room."

Zhao Xiaoli nodding shyly, "Indeed we lack many things, but are we able to find that much cotton?"

"Yes. Don’t worry; you just decide what and how much, leave the rest to me."

Zhao Xiaoli pursed her lips and smiled. The things they lacked were quite numerous. They didn’t even have basic furniture, even just one kang cabinet per person would be good.

So she spoke directly.

"No need to worry about furniture; I have them, although not new, they’re quality. When Xiao Wei finishes farming, we’ll head to the city for furniture."

Zhao Xiaoli didn’t have opinions, as long as they were usable.

"I’ll discuss with Jing Chu tonight."

"It’s best you inform their brothers about our situation, it’ll be easier."

"Yes, I’ll mention it, but I’m afraid to scare them. They’ve regarded Old Yang as a senior."