After the structure of the house was erected, everyone breathed a sigh of relief. At least they managed to build the house before it snowed. Although the house was still a bit damp and the kang was just completed, it was no longer a big problem.
"I'll take a break for a couple of days, then go up the mountain to catch some game, and chop some firewood. In a few days, I'll invite everyone over for a meal."
The villagers helped without asking for wages; they were all good relationships coming to help. Zhao Gang had also helped many people in the village before, which is why so many came to help this time. Otherwise, it would have been quite tricky.
The villagers don't take a wage, but once the house is built, it is mandatory to invite those who helped for a meal.
"Alright." Everyone knew the Zhao Family's situation, with just two strong laborers, even the kids were put to work, and many things needed to be done. Besides, they had been busy for so long; they needed to rest and then repair their own house.
They went hunting if they needed game, collected firewood if they needed firewood; after all, Zhao Gang's meal was just a matter of time.
Gong Ruini was incredibly excited these days. As the house was built day by day, her heart felt like it was growing with grass, and she would go to see it every night. This was their house, after all.
Zhao Xuran was also very excited; finally, he had a room of his own, though not very independent. But it was better than squeezing in with his parents.
Zhao Guangran didn't quite like it; for him, it meant he could no longer sleep beside his parents, "I don't want to live here."
The four kids were happily circling around the house. Due to concerns over dining issues at home, the newly built room was partitioned into two large parts, one for dining and serving as a guest room if visitors came.
The side near the adults' room was divided into the children's room, but it was separated into two inner and outer rooms. The inner room was smaller, and when Gong Ruini grew up, it would become her own boudoir, while the outer room was where the boys would stay.
What, you ask what if there's not enough space? Isn't it simple, just tell the village, there is plenty of wasteland around; then the Gong Family and the Zhao Family can live separately.
As for why they don't live separately now, firstly the Gong Family just settled here, they were re-educated families and couldn't get land to build a house immediately. Secondly, there wouldn't be many people to help the Gong Family build a house.
More importantly, neither Zhao Gang nor Gong Tao felt they would stay in the Northeast for many years. If so, they could plan later.
Don't ask why Gong Ruini knew this, the reason is simple, she secretly overheard the parents talking.
Gong Ruini didn't bother with such far-off matters, she was busy figuring out her room arrangements, even if she might not stay long.
There should be carpenters in the village; Gong Ruini planned to have a shelf made, where she could place books, and some small plants later. The house would be warm in winter, and seeing green plants would lift the mood.
As for the so-called green plants, Gong Ruini had it all figured out, of course, they were green vegetables, which were not only pleasing to the eye but also to the stomach.
Don't say Gong Ruini's idea is tacky, without greenhouses, and Southern vegetables not making it to the North, having a bite of green vegetables in winter is truly a luxury.
She also needed to make several cabinets; Gong Ruini didn't know if she would have the chance to visit the county to find treasures in second-hand stores. This era was quite crazy, if someone discovered something wrong, it could involve the whole family.
Even if Gong Ruini wanted to make a fortune, she wouldn't dare to plunge the whole family into an irreparable situation.
Especially now, living with the Zhao Family meant no harm could come to others.
Gong Ruini made those large cabinets, thinking about whether she could dig up ginseng or Lingzhi while going up the mountains. Then she would have Zhan Jing teach her how to process these medicines and store them well.
Unfortunately, although she had traveled through time, she didn't have space, an incredible tool. Otherwise, it would be hard for Gong Ruini not to get rich.
"It's suitable for me to live with my sister." Gong Ruwen thought the inner room was a bit small but could accept it.
Don't be envious of the outer room being large; Gong Ruwen would never be greedy. When the two little sprouts grew up, they would move in to stay, and it would definitely be crowded.
Wait, Gong Ruwen was going to stay with her? Gong Ruini was dumbfounded, "Isn't this my room?" Could Dad have tricked her again?
Gong Ruini thought for a long time but didn't hear Gong Tao mention it. Gong Tao had been very proud when he told Gong Ruini about making a room for her.
How in the blink of an eye did the so-called boudoir become sharing with her brother, Gong Ruini felt very wronged and dissatisfied.
For the dissatisfaction from his sister, Gong Ruwen said, "That's Dad's decision; he said you kick the quilt when you sleep."
What, she kicked the quilt while sleeping? It must be said about her brother. Gong Ruini looked at Gong Ruwen with a face full of disbelief; she wouldn't take this blame. She had seen him kicking the quilt several times during naps.
"If you don't believe it, you can ask Dad." Gong Ruwen avoided Gong Ruini's gaze, wondering how his quilt-kicking action had been seen by his sister.
Gong Ruwen would not admit to kicking the quilt; it must have been because the kang was too hot and the sun was shining. Otherwise, he would never do such a thing.
"If you are unwilling, Dad said you could sleep with them." Gong Ruwen concluded by quoting Gong Tao.
Come on, that's a threat, a threat. Gong Ruini wanted to point at Gong Ruwen and call him insidious, saying he falsely delivered their father's orders. But her old man was quite likely to say that; he was reluctant to let Gong Ruini sleep alone.
Given the choice, Gong Ruini would choose Gong Ruwen. Her parents were adults; they also needed to communicate well at night. Even though Gong Tao was busy flying around during the day, he had a few deep exchanges with Cai Meina.
Don't ask how the always sleepy on the kang Gong Ruini knew, the reason was simple, she drank too much water before bed, causing her to wake up.
Recalling those times when she had to hold it in, unable to resolve her biological needs, Gong Ruini wouldn't want a few more times like that.
More importantly, to prevent Zhao Guangran from bragging and showing off, Gong Ruini felt it necessary to have her own brothers and sisters. If her parents had no way to continue deep exchanges, how would brothers and sisters among them be born?
Now was the best time for pregnancy; when parents were about to take the college entrance exams, the younger siblings could run and jump without requiring much care. This way, parents could take the exams without having to consider caring for children and giving up the exam.
Gong Ruini always hoped that Gong Tao and Cai Meina could take the college entrance exam, enroll in university, and leave the Northeastern Rural to explore new territories.
Even though life here was good, Gong Ruini never thought of staying for long. Her life shouldn't be spent here.
And if possible, it would be best to separate from the Zhao Family. After a month of contact, Gong Ruini increasingly felt that Zhao Xuran was a cunning little fox, always needing to pay various attention around him.
A few times, Gong Ruini felt like Zhao Xuran almost saw through her. On the other hand, Zhao Guangran, the little rascal, was quite easy to deal with, although occasionally he would act out. Gong Ruini just considered him a prematurely teenage child.
No matter how Zhao Guangran fussed, the ultimate boss Zhao Xuran was there to suppress it.