Good heavens, several tractors drove in a long procession toward their row of small courtyards.
It was filled to the brim with building materials such as red bricks, cast iron pipes, and sand.
The military dependents' area is usually very quiet. When has it ever been this lively, except for the military's purchasing vehicles?
In no time, many military wives gathered around to watch the spectacle.
Soon, the tractor came to a steady stop on the road. Zhou Qiqi, beaming with joy, opened her front door and greeted the drivers enthusiastically.
"Masters, come in and have some water!"
Among the crowd, a curious woman couldn't help but ask, "Shen family daughter-in-law, are you really going to build a toilet?"
Qiu Chunfang's mouth is as gossipy as cotton wool. The news spread throughout the military dependents' compound the night before last. Everyone was still skeptical, but now that they see it, it's actually true.
Zhou Qiqi was in a great mood, her face beaming with a bright smile. She nodded happily and said...
"Yes! Construction officially starts today! They'll start digging the pipes soon, so everyone be careful when you pass by."
Upon hearing this, everyone's eyes immediately showed envy, and they all cast admiring glances at them.
However, Qiu Chunfang was like a powder keg that had been lit, and she instantly lost her composure.
She strode over aggressively, her face full of anger as she questioned him.
"Zhou Qiqi, what do you mean by this? I didn't agree to this! Why are you already working?"
"Let me tell you, even if your husband is a regimental commander, he can't force me to marry into my family. Otherwise, I can report you to the Military Commission!"
Qiu Chunfang has a loud voice, and once she shouts, more and more people gather around.
Today is Saturday, no work or school, so plenty of people are out watching the excitement.
Qiu Chunfang's victim-like demeanor sparked much discussion.
Looking at Qiu Chunfang's appearance, Zhou Qiqi was both annoyed and amused, so annoyed that she almost burst out laughing.
She crossed her arms and calmly retorted, "Sister Qiu, when did I say I was going to undermine your family?"
Qiu Chunfang immediately retorted.
"If you don't dig up the base of my wall, how are you going to lay your pipes? Do you think they're going to fly over there?"
As the two were arguing back and forth, Zhu Yingying's door creaked open.
Zhu Yingying doesn't usually like to join in the fun, but when she heard Zhou Qiqi's name, her heart tightened, her face flushed slightly, and she still came out and stood quietly beside Zhou Qiqi.
Seeing this, Zhou Qiqi affectionately took her arm, gave Qiu Chunfang a dismissive look, and said.
“You disagree, but Yingying has already agreed; her family is also going to build a toilet.”
Qiu Chunfang's eyes widened, almost popping out of their sockets, her face filled with disbelief.
"You're going to go around to Zhu Yingying's house on the right? Are you crazy? That'll cost you a thousand yuan round trip!"
One thousand dollars?
This number immediately caused a huge uproar among the crowd.
It's important to know that most soldiers don't receive as much allowance as Shen Huaichuan, and most of them have large families to support, with less than a thousand yuan in savings.
Soon, someone in the crowd made a sarcastic remark.
“We are all military wives, and we live a frugal and simple life, making ends meet. Why should they be able to enjoy themselves like this, spending a thousand yuan to build a latrine and a bathroom! It’s too extravagant!”
"If you didn't know better, you'd think they were pooping gold instead of poop!"
Zhou Qiqi has sharp ears and a good memory; she immediately recognized that it was Li Hongjuan's voice.
Her words were sharp and sarcastic, and the envious glances from the crowd quickly turned into jealousy and scrutiny in a small part. People began to whisper and discuss among themselves.
This is actually only human nature, and Zhou Qiqi didn't think it was a big deal.
She slowly turned her gaze to the culprit, Qiu Chunfang, a calm and composed smile playing on her lips, and tilted her head slightly as she asked.
"Sister Qiu, how did you know it would cost a thousand yuan? Did you ask Director Lin from logistics? Why are you so nosy about other people's business? Have you finished tasting the manure?"
Qiu Chunfang rolled her eyes and started singing along with Li Hongjuan.
"I didn't know some people were so extravagant and wasteful if I hadn't asked around!"
Many people in the crowd echoed this sentiment.
"Yeah... a thousand yuan! Even if Commander Shen gets a lot of allowance, he can't afford to spend it like that!"
"This way of spending money will bankrupt the family sooner or later!"
...
They didn't have much of a problem with Zhou Qiqi personally, but they just found it hard to accept this lifestyle and subconsciously felt sorry for Shen Huaichuan, wanting to stand up for him.
Hearing everyone say this, Qiu Chunfang couldn't help but feel a little smug, and raised an eyebrow at Zhou Qiqi.
But Zhou Qiqi's smile remained unchanged as she calmly looked at her and said...
"How is it extravagant and wasteful for me to spend two hundred yuan to build a toilet?"
Qiu Chunfang curled her lip, her face full of disdain, thinking that Zhou Qiqi was lying.
"Two hundred yuan? How is that possible? You're kidding me!"
Zhou Qiqi explained calmly and slowly.
"Why not? It's not just me, there are several other families who want to build toilets. I've talked to them, and we'll split the cost together. We can get discounts on building materials and such. In the end, it only costs two hundred yuan per household."
"If you don't believe me, you can ask Director Lin, including his family."
She's been completely absorbed in this matter for the past two days.
Previously, in the military district office, she had keenly noticed that Director Lin also wanted to build a toilet for his home.
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