Shi Minghui nodded; "Use them as you like, the educated youth prefer to use the three larger stoves."

Ye Nian'an was secretly delighted upon hearing this.

This means you have your own private kitchenette.

After all, it's always a bit inconvenient to take out good ingredients from the space to cook in a shared kitchen.

Nowadays, as long as you pretend to take ingredients from your room to cook, no one can find fault with it.

In contrast to Ye Nian'an's easygoing attitude, Chi Xinyao and Chu Xin'er both frowned.

Looking at the house in front of me, I saw a roof covered with thatched straw and other materials, and walls made of rammed earth.

The space is cramped and the facilities are rudimentary.

The overall lighting and ventilation conditions are poor, and the thatched roof is prone to leaking.

They had imagined that life in the countryside would be miserable, but they didn't expect it to be this bad.

Their lives are worlds apart from what they used to live.

Fortunately, being from the Chu family, and under the guidance of his old commander Chu Zhenyuan, he learned to endure hardship and had a strong ability to learn.

Life goes on, and no matter how difficult it gets, we must grit our teeth and persevere until the day we are exonerated.

only……

"Nian Nian".

Chi Xinyao couldn't help but pull Ye Nian'an's hand and squeeze it in her palm, her eyes filled with apology.

Living in a place like this is really unfair to my precious wife.

If she hadn't married Chu Yan and gone to the countryside together, she would have stayed in the city and wouldn't have ended up living in such a bad place.

"It's okay, Mom. No matter where we are, as long as our family stays together, we can live a prosperous life."

"Please don't say that, it's not like I can't endure hardship."

"Besides, this house isn't unrepairable. With Chu Yan here, we can make it better."

Ye Nian'an grasped Chi Xinyao's hand in return and gently comforted her.

She came here to save the two most important families.

With space available, they'll live a wonderful life, much more comfortable than in the city!

"No, Captain, why are we all living in thatched huts?"

"The other educated youth all lived in brick and tile bungalows. This discrimination is too great!"

Lin Xiaojiao was immediately displeased.

If everyone lived in thatched huts, then that would be fine.

But there are clearly brick and tile bungalows here!

The roof is supported by a triangular truss, with a gable roof and covered with fish-scale-shaped blue tiles.

It can insulate against some heat in summer and provide some protection against the cold in winter.

It's very comfortable to live here!

Unlike this dilapidated thatched hut, I don't know if it could withstand wind and rain!

Shi Minghui explained, "Please make do for now. These brick and tile bungalows were all occupied by the educated youth who were sent to the countryside before. This thatched hut was just a temporary addition."

"When I have time later, I will arrange for someone to come and help you reinforce and repair it."

"Besides, you're a family living together and can't be separated, so this is the only arrangement we can make."

Lin Xiaojiao wanted to say something, but Wang Xingbang pulled her back, making frantic winks and gestures at her.

I almost offended Shi Minghui on the way here, and if I nitpick now, it will only annoy him more.

If they start using pigtails in the future, what will become of them?

Left with no other choice, Lin Xiaojiao could only urge, "Then you need to hurry, Captain."

“Brother Yan, we should repair this thatched hut when we have time.”

"We have to wait for the brigade to send someone over, and we don't know when that will take."

"We'll go ask the brigade leader for some materials: tar paper or plastic sheeting, wooden beams or bamboo poles, mortar and bricks. That should be fine."

"Oh, right, we also need to do drainage."

Ye Nian'an spoke softly to Chu Yan.

It's better to rely on yourself than on others.

Although I can understand the difficulties faced by the brigade, it is indeed unsuitable to use this thatched hut for living.

Just one point: it will definitely leak when it's windy and raining heavily.

We need to get some materials to reinforce it, otherwise it might turn into a water house sometime in the future.

Chu Yan nodded: "Leave it to me."

Before leaving, Shi Minghui added, "There's an old educated youth named Qin Yunze in the educated youth settlement. He's the most senior educated youth here."

"If you have any questions, just ask him. I'll arrange for Jiang Zhiqing and the others to go to the villagers' houses first."

After making the arrangements, Shi Minghui hurriedly took Jiang Nuan and the others away.

Ye Nian'an and the others moved their luggage into the thatched hut and cleaned it carefully.

It's the off-season for farming now, and the educated youth who worked in the fields are gradually returning.

Upon seeing the newcomers arrive, Qin Yunze first went back inside to put his things down, then went to the door of Ye Nian'an and the others' thatched hut and called out, "Is anyone home?"

Chi Xinyao and Ye Nian'an are cleaning.

Hearing a noise, Chi Xinyao paused in her work: "Niannian, it sounds like someone is calling outside."

"Mom, I'll go."

Ye Nian'an put down what she was holding and walked to the door: "Excuse me, is there anything I can help you with?"

“My name is Qin Yunze. I am the educated youth who has worked the longest in the Hongxing Brigade’s educated youth settlement. The brigade leader should have told you about me.”

“Whenever new educated youth move in, I always come over to visit them and get to know them.”

"If you encounter any difficulties in the future, you can come to me or the brigade leader, and I'll see if I can find a way to help you."

Seeing Qin Yunze's gentle and enthusiastic manner, Ye Nian'an smiled and nodded: "Thank you so much, Qin Zhiqing."

"My name is Ye Nian'an, oh, right..."

Ye Nian'an seemed to have thought of something, then turned around and went into the house, took out some snacks, and put them in Qin Yunze's hand.

Qin Yunze immediately said, "No, Comrade Ye, this is unacceptable!"

“Qin, we’re new here and we’ll probably need your help a lot in the future. You’re like an older brother here and you’re always willing to come and greet us.”

"This is just a small token of our appreciation. Please accept it, otherwise we won't know how to ask for your help in the future."

Ye Nian'an had stockpiled countless of these snacks at the Haicheng Supply and Marketing Cooperative.

Firstly, it's to satisfy the cravings of family members and replenish their energy.

Secondly, it's for cultivating interpersonal relationships and social connections.

These are all hard currency, much more effective than giving money or tickets directly.

After some hesitation, Qin Yunze finally accepted the snacks Ye Nian'an had given him.

"Thank you very much, Comrade Ye."

Qin Yunze's impression of Ye Nian'an immediately improved significantly.

Then, Chu Yan and the others came out and greeted Qin Yunze.

After getting to know the five members of the Chu family, Qin Yunze explained to them the details about starting work and how to use the kitchen.

Since the Chu family members were newcomers, they would spend three days getting acquainted before officially starting work.

"Thank you, Qin Zhiqing. Oh, by the way, I wanted to ask you something..."

Is Hongqi Brigade in Houpu Township far from here?

Ye Nian'an seized the opportunity and finally had the chance to ask the question she most wanted to know.

Qin Yunze was somewhat surprised: "Why would Comrade Ye want to ask about the Hongqi Brigade in Houpu Township?"