Xujia Village was bustling all day long until it got dark, when all the guests had left, and the village was swept clean and the last dishes and chopsticks were washed.

The women, including Qin, who had helped, took the remaining "folded nests" home.

These leftovers, which contain both meat and vegetables, are something no one wants to throw away. They are usually taken away by friendly neighbors or helpers, and after being heated up, they become a delicious meal.

In the new house, Jiang Zhi, who had been socializing all day, sat down to rest, massaging her legs. Qiaoyun brought her a bowl of water: "Mother, have some water first. He Xiang and Aunt Tan will tidy up the stove, and then you can wash up with hot water!"

Jiang Zhi took the cool boiled water and drank a sip: "If you're tired, take Caixia to sleep. Errui might not be back for a while!"

Xiang Dejin and Wu Hongmao had official business to attend to, so they rushed back to the county town after their meal.

Those who are far away haven't left yet and are currently staying at the post station. Errui, the host, still needs to give them a few words of advice before they can return.

Although Qiaoyun didn't do any work that day, she didn't rest either.

She was constantly being called out for things, or being pulled aside for pointless conversation, which made her, who was used to the quiet of the mountains, feel exhausted and anxious.

The house next door, Xiaoman's, was much more lively. Nini was running all over the yard, looking at her own room, her parents' room, and also her great-grandparents' and uncle's room.

There are so many rooms here, it's fun to hide around. She's already figured out how she and her little sister Caixia will run away tomorrow.

The two houses have the same layout, both being two-story houses with a stone-paved courtyard on the ground floor and five rooms connected by a surrounding veranda.

The upper floor is a wooden building, also a circular room connected by corridors.

The courtyard provides natural light and ventilation, and the front and back doors allow for cross ventilation, which helps to disperse indoor dampness.

Most importantly, once the two doors are closed, the entire house is as solid as an iron barrel, with no other place to climb in, making it extremely secure against theft.

There is a side door connecting the two houses, making it convenient to come and go.

Nini ran happily under the eaves, while Chunfeng put some stools away so they could be returned to their respective families the next day.

Then, the gift bags from each family were put into baskets and carried into the empty room. Inside were cloth, candy, and eggs. It would take time to sort them out.

Xiaoman's grandmother pulled Chunfeng to sit down: "You've had a long day, don't worry about those things, there's plenty of time tomorrow and the day after!"

Chunfeng smiled and said, "Grandma, please ask Aunt Jiang and Qiaoyun to help us pack these things. Tomorrow, Brother Zhu and I are going back to the mountain."

We've been down here for two days. There are so many piglets, chickens, and rabbits on the mountain; one person can't possibly manage it all."

Xiaoman happened to walk over at that moment. Hearing Chunfeng say that she wanted to go back to the mountain, she said anxiously, "Sister-in-law, there is a place for you to live in this house now, and Nini should go to school. You and your brother should move down here!"

Xu Dazhu came over, propped up on a small stool: "Xiaoman, your sister-in-law and I have discussed it, and we'll come down the mountain more often from now on."

It's nice to live in such a nice house, but there's no way to raise pigs or chickens, and the view isn't as far or high as it is from the mountain, which makes me feel good too.

Chunfeng helped Xu Dazhu up and sat him on a bamboo chair next to her: "Xiaoman, although your brother and I are leaving, Nini will still stay down the mountain."

Grandpa and Grandma will live here too, and with Aunt Qiaoyun taking care of her, Nini can play with Caixia every day, so she doesn't want to leave.

After only two nights in the village, she already missed the mountains, the chickens and pigs there, the fresh air and misty mornings, and the chirping of insects and birds at night.

I wish I could move freely across the entire mountain, from the top to the bottom of the cliff, instead of being confined to this small courtyard.

Besides, there will be houses in the village in the future, so I can come down the mountain to stay for a night if I have something to do, which will make me more comfortable.

Grandma Xiaoman patted Chunfeng's hand, seemed to want to say something but then shook her head: "Chunfeng, you must remember, this is also your house, and you should come home to stay often in the future."

The next day, after everyone had eaten, Chunfeng washed the clothes and hung them on the balcony. She then gave Nini some instructions, telling her to listen to the aunt next door and Grandma Jiang in the village. Then she prepared to go back to the mountain with Dazhu.

Jiang Zhi knew that Chunfeng was going back to the mountain, but she didn't say anything.

Now that Chunfeng has made an appearance in the village, she can move around freely from now on.

Errui led the old mule over, and Xu Dazhu climbed up by holding onto a wooden post, then lay down on the mule's back. Others helped him position his legs, and he was sitting steadily on the mule's back.

"Grandpa, Grandma, don't worry about me. Just relax and enjoy life in the village with Xiaoman. Chunfeng and I will come to see you in a few days." Xu Dazhu, sitting on the back of a mule, was in high spirits and said goodbye to Xiaoman's grandparents with a smile.

Early in the morning, Grandpa Xiaoman lit a cigarette. Hearing his eldest grandson's words, he nodded and said, "You chose this road yourself. If you two like living on the mountain, then go ahead and stay!"

The world is still not at peace, so from now on, the village's grain will still be sent up the mountain. With you all guarding it, we can rest assured.

As dawn broke, everyone prepared to go out to work. Seeing that Xu Dazhu was about to return to the mountains, they all gathered around. Xu Genyou, carrying a hoe, asked, "Dazhu, why don't you stay in the village a few more days before you leave!"

Seeing that Dazhu had difficulty moving around, he thought he would stay for a few days, but he didn't expect to stay for only two nights.

Xu Dazhu said with a smile, "We raise chickens and pigs on the mountain, so we can't let them roam freely. They can come down the mountain to play anytime in the future."

Li Laoshi hurriedly put on his shoes and came over: "Why are you leaving? I'll lead the mule for you, and we'll come back after we get through that narrow road."

There was a difficult section on the way up the mountain, but Li Laoshi was already experienced in this.

"No, Uncle Li, Chunfeng knows how to drive a mule. You should go back quickly; Aunt Qin has prepared a meal and is waiting for you!"

At the mention of Qin Shi, Li Laoshi chuckled and stopped in his tracks. This morning, Qin Shi had made noodle soup with dumplings, which he liked.

So the gentle old mule carried Dazhu slowly down the mountain path, each choosing their own way of life!

…………

After a day of bustling activity, Xujia Village returned to tranquility, and the mosquito coil workshops had ceased operations.

Once the customers pick up the last batch of goods, we can conduct year-end sales for each household, and everyone will have money to buy things for their homes.

The people of Xujia Village are full of confidence. This year's mosquito coil production period was too short, and several merchants have already placed orders for next year. Production will start when it gets a little warmer next year.

Errui and Xiaoman carried the tables and chairs borrowed from various families back to their hosts, while Jiangzhi also delivered a set of bowls and plates to Xia Xiucai's house.

Xia Xiucai was exhausted from helping write the gift list yesterday. He didn't even get a seat at the banquet and ended up eating with the host family at the end.

When Jiang Zhi arrived, the scholar's wife was still embroidering by the embroidery booth. Xia's mother took the bowl and plate and said with a smile, "I didn't come to help you yesterday."

Xia's mother didn't come to help yesterday; she stayed home to take care of the scholar's wife.

Because the scholar's wife was also pregnant, and already three months along, and it was only after news of Pi's pregnancy spread that Xia's mother revealed the scholar's wife's pregnancy.

Jiang Zhi was overjoyed.

After I became the village chief, the women in the village got pregnant one after another, and I was like a goddess who brings children.

But thinking about it, this is normal. In the past year or so, everyone has solved the problem of food and clothing, and has a place to shelter from the wind and rain. Men and women are in a good mood, and they do things they like to do at night. It is only natural to have children.