Zhou Mingli's injuries were almost fully healed, and he had more opportunities to use his strength. While Jiang Ci was delivering breakfast, he rode his bicycle to town and visited the supply and marketing cooperative and the black market.
They bought all the materials they could, and then went back to the production team to exchange them for materials from the brigade leader.
He didn't plan to dig a deep pit to make a toilet, which is common nowadays; he wanted to build a septic tank.
Because of limited materials and the fact that only he and Jiang Ci, along with their two children, were using the facilities, Zhou Mingli could only build the simplest septic tank to separate the sewage from the sediment, which would greatly reduce the odor and flies.
Although it was simple, it was physically demanding; just digging the hole took quite a while.
Fortunately, Jiang Ci's work was much easier. After delivering the food to the old man and, as expected, not running into anyone, Jiang Ci returned and worked with Zhou Mingli.
Zhou Miao is very sensible; even as a little child, she knows to pick up stones from the ground and throw them away.
Zhou Yang usually plays with Zhou Miao, but Zhou Miao is busy with her work and doesn't play with him. After playing by himself for a while, he got bored and started playing with Zhou Miao, picking up stones.
That's right, picking up stones is like playing a game for Zhou Yang.
Working together, the two quickly dug a large pit. After some modifications and adjustments, a rectangular pit was completed. This took Jiang Ci and Zhou Mingli an entire afternoon. In between, Zhou Mingli and Jiang Ci also delivered dinner to the elderly.
After a quick dinner, Jiang Ci and Zhou Mingli took showers and, too exhausted to even speak, went to bed early for a good night's sleep.
The next morning, Jiang Ci had just woken up when she heard the sounds of people working outside.
She got out of bed with a sore back and aching arms, and it hurt when she raised her arms.
When I went outside, I saw that Zhou Mingli had already started laying bricks.
The brigade leader has bricks.
Anyone who needs a small amount of bricks can apply to the brigade leader and get them. However, the Zhou family needs a lot of bricks to build a courtyard wall, and the brigade leader cannot decide on his own. Naturally, they need to submit an application and get a ticket from the accountant.
Not many bricks were needed to build a septic tank. Zhou Mingli asked the brigade leader, who quickly agreed.
One cartload of bricks is enough.
Jiang Ci stood at the doorway, watching Zhou Mingli lay bricks with impressive skill, and asked, "You've worked as a construction worker before?"
Zhou Mingli looked up at her. He had been working for a while, and his forehead was covered in sweat. "I worked on a construction site for a while after graduating from high school in the summer vacation."
The income on construction sites is very high. As long as you are strong and willing to work, you can earn four or five hundred a day.
Zhou Mingli has done all sorts of jobs, so naturally he knows how to do bricklaying.
Jiang Ci wasn't good at the delicate work of bricklaying. After eating the breakfast Zhou Mingli had prepared that morning and helping him mix the cement, she rode her bicycle to deliver the food to the old man.
As Jiang Ci passed by Widow Wang's door, Widow Wang, who had just woken up, hid behind the door and watched her leave.
She squinted, thinking to herself that this was a perfect opportunity!
Widow Wang went back inside, rummaged through her clothes, put on her most valuable Dacron dress, applied face cream, and shouted at the top of her lungs, "Xiao Huai! After you've cooked the meal, don't go to work! Come with me!"
Zhou Huai emerged from the kitchen and obediently replied, "Okay."
Widow Wang ate an egg and a steamed bun, then pulled Zhou Huai, who hadn't finished eating his cornbread, to his feet, grabbed a bamboo basket, locked the door, and swayed as she led Zhou Huai out.
The Zhou family's house and the widow Wang's house were some distance apart. It took a long time to walk along the shade of the trees to reach the open space where the Zhou family's house was located.
Looking at the two dilapidated houses, Widow Wang frowned, looking down on Zhou Mingli.
Since you have so much money, why don't you take the time to fix up your house properly? You're really good at making do!
But soon Widow Wang laughed again. Luckily, it wasn't repaired, otherwise those hundred or so yuan would have been gone.
With a sweet, coquettish smile, Widow Wang grabbed Zhou Huai's hand and headed towards the Zhou family's house.
Zhou Mingli was laying bricks when he looked up and saw Zhou Miao wearing only a pair of shorts, struggling to carry bricks toward him.
"Thank you." Zhou Mingli took the brick from her arms. "Go wash it with the water in the basin. There's food left for you and Yangyang over there. I don't need your help here."
Zhou Miao blinked, "Miao Miao can help."
“The bricks are heavy, and you’re too young to help with this. Are you hungry?” Zhou Mingli asked patiently.
Zhou Miao touched her stomach, which was bulging. It wasn't because she was full, but because she was too thin and had too many internal organs.
She said crisply, "I'm hungry."
Zhou Mingli smiled and said, "Let's go eat."
Zhou Miao obediently responded and washed her hands and face. She remembered her mother's instruction to brush her teeth, so she took her own toothbrush, dipped it in tooth powder, and brushed her teeth before going to eat.
Zhou Miao ate her own food. Seeing that she was very obedient, Zhou Mingli stopped paying attention to her and was about to continue laying bricks when he suddenly turned his head.
Widow Wang rested a basket on her elbow, pulled Zhou Huai along, and said in a tired yet tender voice, "It's so hot today."
"Xiao Huai, it must be hard for you to come out and work with me so early in the morning. Are you thirsty? Mom will get you some water."
Zhou Huai lowered his head and nodded very carefully, "Thirsty, Mom, I'm thirsty."
Widow Wang smiled, quite pleased with Zhou Huai's understanding. Carrying a basket, she swayed her hips as she walked towards Zhou Mingli, who was laying bricks.
"Second Brother, you're busy, aren't you?" Widow Wang's voice was as soft and sweet as sugar dissolving in water.
Zhou Mingli's expression was indifferent. "What is it?"
"My daughter and I are out working. She's a young girl, and she's quite tired too. Could we ask you for a glass of water?"
Widow Wang's tone grew increasingly gentle and charming, "Second Brother, don't worry, I won't let you give it away for nothing."
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