Aunt Zhang scratched her head sheepishly and said, "You all know what my family's situation was like in the past. To be honest, building a mud-brick and tile house was something we never even dared to dream of before."

Auntie, your family has benefited greatly from your family's good fortune. So, after discussing it, our family decided to build our new house near your land.

But don't worry, we won't take up any of your land, not even a little bit! It's just that we're close by, so we can look out for each other in the future.

"I've thought it over. We're not very capable, and Jinniu and Yinniu are quite simple-minded. They're no good on their own. I was just thinking that since they're closer to you, their lives might be better with your help."

Aunt Li was stunned when she heard this.

She was also planning to build a house, so why didn't she think of this!

Shuiqing had considered borrowing money, things, or labor, but she never expected Aunt Zhang to have such a simple and honest idea.

What she and Fan Jin were most worried about a few days ago was their safety. Now that Aunt Zhang's family wanted to build a house on the open space below them, they couldn't be happier!

After all, Jinniu was eighteen after the New Year, Yinniu was seventeen, Tongniu was fifteen, and even the youngest, Muniu, was thirteen. In addition, Aunt Zhang and Xiaocao were used to farm work and had strength. Compared with the weak and small family, this family was undoubtedly stronger.

Most importantly, this family is honest, kind, and upright. Having them nearby means you don't have to worry about gossip, and you can rely on them. It couldn't be better.

She smiled and said, "Auntie, you're too kind. We live nearby and need your help when we need it. It's us who trouble you the most."

By the way, what did the old village chief say about that vacant lot? Will he let us build on it?

When Aunt Zhang heard that Shui Qing agreed to let her family move closer, she nodded hurriedly and said, "That's a wasteland. We can exchange it for where we live now. The old village chief said it's okay!"

There aren't many rules about building houses in their village. As long as you don't take up other people's land, the village chief won't object.

Hearing that the old village chief had agreed, Shuiqing felt relieved and asked carefully, "What are your plans, Auntie?"

Speaking of building a house, Aunt Zhang started chatting: "I've thought about it. I'll take a few kids to make adobe bricks, so it won't cost any money. We'll carry stones down from the mountain for the foundation, so it'll be sturdy and reliable, and that won't cost any money either."

No need for thatched roofs anymore. Not only do we have to renovate every year, but what if there's a big rainstorm next year and the roof leaks or collapses? Wouldn't that be a hassle?

So I'm thinking of just using roof tiles, and I'll choose the cheapest gray tiles, two tiles for one cent. I asked the old village chief yesterday, and he said three houses would need about six or seven thousand tiles.

Aunt Li listened attentively, silently taking notes.

The head of the household also wanted to replace the thatched house with an adobe house. She had been debating whether to use a thatched roof or a tiled roof, but now she has decided to use tiles!

She counted on her fingers and said, "One coin is worth two yuan, and one tael of silver can buy two thousand tiles. If you want to build three rooms, three or four taels of silver should be enough."

Aunt Zhang chuckled and said, "That's right. Unlike Shuiqing's family, we don't have to buy bricks and bluestone slabs. Mud bricks and stones don't cost money, but we can afford to buy tiles."

"To be honest, I had 1,300 copper coins saved up. I planned to exchange the rice I had for two taels of silver to buy roof tiles, and then exchange the rest for black treasury to store."

It would be wonderful to have a spacious, leak-proof, and mildew-free house to live in, and to have black flour to eat.

Aunt Li was even more shocked to hear that Aunt Zhang was still able to save money.

Given her family's circumstances, that 1,300 coins was truly saved up through the bare minimum.

Shuiqing never expected that Aunt Zhang would still be able to save money in such a difficult situation.

It's true that saving money is ingrained in their bones.

She thought that when she built her house, she also planned to use stones for the foundation.