The cold wind of December, carrying fine snowflakes, swept across the mud-brick walls of the Hongqi Production Brigade, but it couldn't dispel the lively warmth in Lin Wanqiu's courtyard. Five brand-new brick and tile houses, set against the backdrop of the pristine white snow, resembled black jade lying on the snow-covered ground. Red lanterns hanging under the dark eaves swayed gently in the wind, making the vermilion doors shine even brighter. This was the new house that Shen Tingzhou had hired a construction team from the county town to build, a project that took a full month of work—the exterior walls were smoothed with fine mud, the windows were fitted with clear glass, even the courtyard was neatly paved with bluestone slabs, and a small patch of open space in the corner was left to be planted with Lin Wanqiu's favorite roses after spring.
"Sister Wanqiu, the windowpane is so clean you can see your reflection!" Wang Xiaoya from next door tiptoed, wiping the window frame one last time with a clean cloth, then turned to look at Lin Wanqiu, who was directing the villagers to move furniture, her eyes full of envy. "We won't have to poke holes in the paper windows to look at the moon anymore, and it'll be warm in winter!"
Lin Wanqiu smiled and handed over a freshly roasted sweet potato. The steaming sweet potato, with its crispy skin, was especially tempting in the cold winter. "When spring comes, I'll get two panes of glass installed in your house so you and Nian'an can sunbathe together." She looked at the new house in front of her, her fingertips gently tracing the smooth walls. Her heart felt as if it were filled with warm cotton. When she transmigrated, she and Nian'an had squeezed into the drafty woodshed of the Shen family, unable to even get a hot meal. Now, not only did they have a home to shelter them from the wind and rain, but they could also let those around them benefit from it. This sense of security was something she had never experienced in her previous life.
Shen Tingzhou carried in a brand-new wooden box, which he had specially commissioned a carpenter to make. The box was carved with simple cloud patterns and was intended to hold Lin Wanqiu's clothes and valuables from her spatial storage. Seeing Lin Wanqiu staring blankly at the wall, he stepped forward and gently took her hand, the warmth of his palm dispelling the winter chill: "What are you thinking about? Is there something you're not satisfied with?"
“No,” Lin Wanqiu shook her head, her eyes sparkling. “It just feels like a dream. Back when we were in the woodshed, I always thought, if only we had a house that wouldn’t leak, so Nian’an wouldn’t have to huddle together in the cold. Now we not only have a house, but you’re here with us.”
Shen Tingzhou's heart softened, and he pulled her closer, his voice low and gentle: "Things will only get better from now on. When spring comes, we'll build a grape trellis in the yard, so you and Nian'an can enjoy the cool shade and eat watermelon under it in the summer. By the way, the housewarming party is set for the day after tomorrow. I've already asked Uncle Fu to inform Secretary Zhao of the commune and the villagers in the brigade. We'll invite everyone to come and join in the fun."
“Hmm,” Lin Wanqiu nodded, her eyes lighting up as she recalled the supplies she had prepared. “I have plenty of flour and meat in my storage space. I’ll make some meat buns and fried dough sticks, and stew a big pot of braised pork so everyone can have a good meal. Oh, and the fruit wine I brewed before, we can bring that out for everyone to try.”
For the next two days, Lin Wanqiu and Shen Tingzhou were extremely busy. Lin Wanqiu was busy in the kitchen, making two large steamers full of meat buns using flour and pork from her spatial storage. The golden-brown fried dough sizzled in the pan, emitting an enticing aroma. Shen Tingzhou, on the other hand, was with Nian'an, hanging more red lanterns in the yard and setting up a simple shed at the entrance to place tables and chairs. Nian'an, wearing a newly made cotton-padded jacket, ran around helping to pass things, her little face full of excitement. Every now and then, she would peek into the kitchen doorway and ask Lin Wanqiu, "Mom, when does the housewarming party start? I want my friends to see our new house!"
"Soon," Lin Wanqiu rubbed her son's head and handed him a freshly steamed meat bun. "Tomorrow, you'll be able to play with your friends in the yard."
On the day of the housewarming banquet, the courtyard was bustling with activity just as dawn broke. Aunt Wang and several women came to help; some washed vegetables, some chopped meat, and some set up tables and chairs. The men from the village brought their own stools and sat around the shed, chatting and waiting for the meal to begin. Before long, Secretary Zhao from the commune arrived, bringing with him a wooden plaque with the words "Diligence Leads to Prosperity" written on it; the red background and gold lettering were particularly eye-catching.
"Wanqiu, Tingzhou, congratulations!" Secretary Zhao walked into the courtyard, looked at the brand-new brick and tile house, and couldn't help but praise, "This house is built in a grand style, it looks like a well-off family! Not only have you two achieved a good life, but you have also helped the villagers get rich together. You deserve this wooden plaque!"
Lin Wanqiu quickly accepted the wooden plaque and said with a smile, "Thank you, Secretary Zhao! This is all thanks to the support of the commune and the brigade, as well as the help of the villagers. Otherwise, we wouldn't have been able to build such a nice house."
Shen Tingzhou handed Secretary Zhao a cup of hot tea and said, "Secretary Zhao, please come inside and sit down. It's cold outside. We'll start eating once everyone is here."
Secretary Zhao nodded and followed Shen Tingzhou into the house. The furnishings were simple yet cozy. Against the wall stood a vermilion wardrobe, which Shen Tingzhou had specially bought; a floral tablecloth, made by Lin Wanqiu herself, covered the table; and a potted plant, transplanted from the space, stood by the window, still vibrant green in the cold winter. Looking at the arrangement of the room, Secretary Zhao smiled and said, "Tingzhou, you and Wanqiu are really starting to look like a married couple, managing the house so well."
Shen Tingzhou and Lin Wanqiu exchanged a glance, both smiling. Shen Tingzhou thought to himself, "After some time, I'll reveal my true identity to everyone, letting them know that Lin Wanqiu is my lawfully wedded wife, and Nian'an is my son."
As time went by, more and more people came to the housewarming party, and the courtyard was packed with people, filled with laughter and chatter. Lin Moli also arrived, wearing a newly bought floral cotton-padded jacket, with a fake smile on her face. She walked up to Lin Wanqiu and said insincerely, "Sister Wanqiu, congratulations on building your new house. But isn't it a bit too ostentatious that you built such a nice house? It wouldn't be good if people gossiped about it."
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