As soon as Zhao Xiulian gave the signal, everyone, who had been waiting impatiently, swarmed forward.

Everyone's lives are pretty much the same. On weekdays, let alone meat, they even have to add half a sweet potato to their rice when cooking.

As for meat, it was only eaten during festivals, and those who were struggling financially would buy a small piece of meat for the whole family, cut it into thin slices, and make sure the children ate it.

Even adults are reluctant to eat it.

Now, however, large chunks of meat are simply laid out and eaten at will.

For a moment, many people's eyes turned red.

The master craftsman who was specially invited to provide guidance even burst into tears.

Zhao Xiulian panicked and quickly served a large bowl of braised pork over: "Master chef, don't cry! Is the food not to your liking or what?"

"What would you like to eat? I'll make you a separate meal when we get back?"

The old craftsman quickly waved his hand, wiping away his tears, and said, "I'm just happy!"

"I've lived most of my life, and this is the first time I've ever seen so much meat!"

Holding the bowl, he exclaimed, "Even back in the days when the commune slaughtered pigs, they wouldn't have prepared the pork like this. I never dreamed that I would ever be able to eat such a big piece of meat in my lifetime!"

Everyone laughed, but couldn't help but sigh, "That's right!"

"Wei Dongjia is truly kind."

“If we eat like this every day, we won’t look like we’re here to work, but rather like we’re here to take advantage of others.”

Upon hearing this, everyone laughed even harder.

Zhao Xiulian laughed and waved her hand, saying, "Eating some meat is nothing. You've been doing hard labor, so you need to have some oil in your bellies. Don't be shy, eat as much as you want!"

After the meal, everyone looked radiant and full of energy. As soon as they put down their chopsticks, they got back to work.

Zhao Xiulian was stunned and quickly said, "Don't rush, we just finished eating, let's rest for a bit before we get to work!"

"What rest? Sister-in-law, you have such good food. If we don't work hard, how can we be considered human?"

"That's right, sister-in-law, don't worry, we won't eat this meal for nothing. We'll build your house as quickly as possible!"

"Yes, yes, Auntie, you just need to wait to move into the new house."

Everyone was talking and working enthusiastically.

Zhao Xiulian found it both funny and touching.

In other people's homes, after eating, they would rest for at least an hour or two, but now they start working as soon as they drop their bowls.

Indeed, sincerity begets sincerity!

...

With so many people building houses and working so hard, the efficiency was naturally higher than ever before.

It usually takes at least one or two months to build a house, since the people who build houses aren't professionals and have their own jobs to do.

Moreover, weather conditions must be taken into account; there's a lot to do once a house is built!

However, Li Weidong's house, a three-story building covering nearly 120 square meters, was already topped out in just over ten days.

The speed was astonishing, even to Li Weidong.

You should know that the foundation work was supposed to start after the Lantern Festival, but it was put on hold after only a little work was done because silver coins were unearthed.

Construction started today, and from laying the foundation to the completion of the house, it took less than twenty days.

This is unheard of!

For a time, the whole village was talking about it.

"When you live a long time, you really see all sorts of things!"

An elderly villager exclaimed, "We never dared to imagine that these houses could be built so quickly."

"you do not say!"

The person next to him nodded in agreement: "I've seen Wei Dong's house. Although it was built quickly, the house itself is very well done. It's incredibly beautiful, like a little villa."

"Don't even mention our village, you probably can't find such a beautiful house anywhere else in the surrounding area."

"Even people from the neighboring village came to help build the house. If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, who would believe it?"

“Our village produced a Weidong; it’s truly a blessing from our ancestors.”

"That's right! Wei Dong's father had a good son, and as a result, our village has also started to live a good life."

“My son helped him grow mushrooms last year and made a lot of money during the Spring Festival. He also took me to the hospital and even cured my old ailment. I have to thank Weidong for all of this.”

As the elderly people talked, they actually started discussing how to renovate the graves of Li Weidong's father and grandparents.

They even went so far as to find Li Baotian and ask him to act as an intermediary to negotiate with Li Weidong.

When Li Weidong learned of Li Baotian's purpose, he was completely dumbfounded.

"You mean... the village is going to pay for repairing my dad's and grandpa's graves?!"

Li Weidong couldn't believe his ears: "Second Grandfather, are you sure you're not mistaken?"

Traditionally, it's only when descendants earn money that they pay for the repair of their ancestors' tombs.

Which village pays for repairs?

Li Baotian chuckled and said, "No mistake, this was proposed by your grandfather Jianjun. You led the villagers to grow mushrooms and said you would continue doing it in the future. With you by our side, everyone has something to look forward to in the future."

"So, everyone wanted to repay you. It just so happens that your dad's and grandparents' graves haven't been repaired for a few years, so let's take this opportunity to repair them together!"

Even if the villagers didn't mention it, he had thought about it.

After all, sincerity begets sincerity. Only when the villagers treat Li Weidong well can they keep him in the mountains and let this golden phoenix stay and lead everyone to a better life.

Li Weidong was both amused and exasperated: "This doesn't need the villagers to pay for it. I've already planned it out myself. I'll start arranging the tomb repairs around the Mid-Autumn Festival after I'm done with this busy period. You don't need to worry about it."

Then he added, "It's not easy for anyone to earn money, so keep it for yourself!"

Before Li Baotian could speak, the villagers who had been eavesdropping outside couldn't stand still any longer and rushed in one by one.

"Wei Dong, this is something we've already discussed."

"Yes, just like building a house, you don't need to worry about repairing the grave, leave it all to us."

"I just wanted to let you know that this is about, and you don't need to worry about anything else."

"It's settled then!"

After they finished talking all at once, they turned around and left without waiting for Li Weidong to speak.

Li Weidong was dumbfounded: "This... this isn't someone coming to discuss something with me, it's someone coming to inform me, isn't it?"

Li Baotian patted him on the shoulder: "Isn't it just to inform you? You go about your business, you don't need to worry about these things!"

After saying that, he went out with his hands behind his back.

Li Weidong was still somewhat bewildered.

Is that all?

When Zhao Xiulian returned from outside, she saw him standing there in a daze and asked in confusion, "Weidong, what's wrong with you? You look like you've seen a ghost."

"It's really a ghost..."

Li Weidong came to his senses and recounted the events, finally saying, "Mom, the villagers are repairing my dad's and grandpa's graves..."

"Isn't this against the rules?"

"How about I go to my second grandfather and we pay for it ourselves?"