The news that the Xia family was going to build a new house spread like wildfire throughout the entire Shihe Production Brigade.

Because of the busy work in the fields, Xia Heping did not rush to start construction. Instead, he first bought all the materials needed to build his house. Since bricks and tiles were hard to find these days, he asked Xiao Hui for help.

When the work in the fields was less busy, Xia Heping found seven or eight men who were on good terms with his family to help build the house.

Because Zhang Hongyan also had to find time to make chili sauce and it wasn't convenient for her to cook, they simply didn't provide meals and instead gave each person a wage of 1 yuan per day.

This is indeed a good deal. You know, they might only earn 70 cents a day doing odd jobs in the county, but the county also provides a meal.

But the Xia family lives nearby, so it's not only less of a long walk, but also more convenient to go home for meals.

When Xia Hezhi heard that his second brother's family was going to build a house, he discussed it with his wife, Wang Xiaofen, and decided to come and help for free.

The couple also had their own ulterior motives. Their niece was showing great promise, and they thought that if they could build a good relationship with their second brother's family, their own three children might benefit from it.

Xia Heping refused. Even if it was his own brother, he couldn't let him help for nothing. Sometimes money is easy to calculate, but the debt of gratitude is not.

The third son seems like a good person now, but who knows what kind of trouble he might cause in the future? Xia Heping himself is fine with it, but he is worried that the other party might get entangled with his daughter because of these personal relationships.

However, no matter what, Xia Hezhi was still his own younger brother. Since he took the initiative to ask for help, Xia Heping couldn't possibly refuse him. So he simply gave him the same treatment as everyone else, paying him one yuan a day for each day's work, treating everyone equally.

This matter was discussed and agreed upon by the family, and Zhang Hongyan and Xia Qingqing had no objections.

The most annoying people are Old Mrs. Xia and Old Master Xia. Although Uncle Xia didn't amount to much in the past, he never schemed against their family. There's no need to make them become estranged.

......

Zhao Fengxia pinched the soft flesh of the man's waist, complaining incessantly: "How can you still sleep, you deadbeat? Zhang Hongyan is so lucky, she's about to move into a new house. Why is my life so miserable, marrying a useless man like you?"

"Aren't you annoying?" Xia Hecai shoved Zhao Fengxia's hand away, glaring at her fiercely. "If you're envious, go find Lao Er. It wasn't me who forced you to marry me in the first place. If you can make it work, great; if not, then get out."

That damn woman is such a nuisance! He finally gets a break after a long day of work, and she beats him.

Zhao Fengxia was somewhat frightened by the man and dared not continue twisting his hand:

“I didn’t mean that. I just think we’re all brothers. It’s unreasonable that the second brother’s family doesn’t think about you, the eldest brother, when they’re old. I heard that the third brother was called to build a house.”

At this point, Zhao Fengxia became even angrier. The two old men were being supported by their eldest son's family, so it seemed like their eldest son's family was the ones who were suffering losses.

Hearing that the third brother had been called to build a house, Xia Hecai's eyes flashed with displeasure. What did the second brother mean by this? The three brothers had excluded him out; wasn't this a disservice to him, the eldest brother?

"Go to sleep first, I'll go check it out tomorrow."

Hearing the man say that, Zhao Fengxia didn't dare to argue anymore. She closed her eyes and lay down. Soon after, she heard the man snoring next to her.

The next day, while having breakfast, Xia Hecai talked to his parents about Xia Heping's family building a house.

“Mother, your second brother is still your own son after all. Please help him out when you have time.”

Grandma Xia pouted unhappily: "I'm not going. He didn't even tell me about such a big thing as building a house, and he expects me to help him? Dream on."

Xia Hecai choked on his words. He found it difficult to even talk to his own mother. Was the point to help her?

No, the main point is to build a relationship with the second brother.

Old Man Xia squinted his cloudy eyes: "Old woman, the eldest son is right. How can parents not help their own son build a house? I'll go with you to the second son's house later."

Grandma Xia glared at her: "You can go take a look, but don't expect me to help you."

Xia Jiashun's newlywed wife, Zhu Xiaoli, listened from the side and secretly rolled her eyes: How can the old lady be so dramatic? She has managed to alienate her good son like this. Her second uncle's family is living a very good life. Even a tiny bit of money that slips through their fingers is enough for the old couple to enjoy.

After finishing her meal, Zhu Xiaoli called out to her husband, "Jiashun, you should come with me to help out at your second uncle's house later."

"No, I don't know how to build a house," Xia Jiashun said instinctively, then cautiously observed his wife's expression.

The once arrogant Xia Jiashun has been thoroughly disciplined by Zhu Xiaoli, and he is now becoming more and more skilled at farm work, which he used to dislike.

What could Xia Jiashun do? His wife had a terrible temper; she would throw a tantrum and start a fight at the slightest provocation. The worst part was that he couldn't beat her. Ugh, it was all tears.

Zhu Xiaoli pinched Xia Jiashun's arm and asked with a smile, "While I still have the patience to talk to you properly, are you going or not?"

“Fine, I’ll go then,” Xia Jiashun reluctantly conceded. “But my second uncle doesn’t like me now, so he probably won’t want my help even if I go.”

"How will you know if you don't try? Feelings are something that develop over time," Zhu Xiaoli thought bitterly, feeling that she had chosen such a foolish man.

If it weren't for the high dowry the Xia family offered to help her brother get married, and the fact that Xia Jiashun was quite handsome, she would never have married him.

After getting married, she realized that there were no two smart people in the Xia family. She was afraid that her child's intelligence would be dragged down by Xia Jiashun. Now she could only think positively. At least Xia Jiashun would not be a disadvantage in terms of appearance. As for intelligence, she could perhaps pin her hopes on her aunt.

Despite being threatened by his wife's physical strength, Xia Jiashun still managed to make time to visit his second uncle's house.

"Jia Shun, what brings you here?" Xia Heping asked his nephew with some surprise.

Xia Jiashun scratched his head awkwardly: "Well, Uncle, I heard that your family is building a house, so I came to help."

"I thank you for your kindness, but there's no need for help. We have enough people to build the house."

Xia Jiashun wasn't upset about being rejected. He hadn't wanted to come to help in the first place, and he wouldn't have come if his wife hadn't forced him to.

"Since my second uncle doesn't need my help, I'll go work in the fields first."

Xia Heping couldn't help but sigh. Since getting married, his nephew had become much more sensible. His mother had finally done something good, helping Xia Jiashun find a good wife.