Chapter 180 Sense of Age

Lin Jianyan and David smiled and replied, "It's not hard. Sorry to trouble you."

Aunt Zhao warmly invited them into the house and said, "What trouble is there? You are here to honor us. I knew you were coming, so I made the bed early to ensure you have a good sleep."

Aunt Zhao led them into the house. The house was clean and tidy, with tables and chairs neatly arranged. The house was even connected to the electricity wires and light bulbs installed. Although the wattage was not high, it was able to illuminate the whole room.

"One of you will sleep in this room, and the other will sleep in the next room. Don't worry, there is electricity installed, so you can see when you get up at night."

"I have prepared hot water for you. It is in the kettle next to the bed. You can wash your feet or face. It is just a little inconvenient to take a shower."

"If you want to wash, I'll heat two pots of water for you tomorrow. We have a big wooden barrel at home so we can wash."

Lin Jianyan asked David to put down the daily necessities in his hand and thanked him together. Aunt Zhao gave her instructions and left.

The village chief said, "You should also go to bed early. You must be very tired after coming all the way here."

"Okay, you should go to bed early too."

After he left, Lin Jianyan asked David to go to the next room to rest. When he was alone, he picked up the kettle beside the bed and poured some water into the washbasin.

Looking at the red porcelain pot with the bright red peony, he suddenly laughed out loud. When he went to buy it, he chose for a long time and finally chose this peony pattern.

He wanted to choose other styles, but there really weren't any. There were some with other patterns, like the one with a bird playing in the water or the one with a big red wedding character. In the end, he still thought the peony one was better.

It's quite good, very retro, and makes people feel friendly when looking at it.

After washing my face and brushing my teeth, I changed the basin and steamed my feet. In the hot steam, all the fatigue of the day seemed to be dispelled.

Then, he lifted the thin quilt embroidered with a pattern of peacocks on the bed and lay down. The quilt must be new, with the warmth of the sun, soft and comfortable.

Before going to bed, he was still thinking about not having taken a shower today and felt a little uncomfortable. He would have to ask Aunt Zhao to help him boil a pot of water to wash himself tomorrow.

*

Because Zhao Dalong came back, everyone in the Zhao family was a little excited. Since they couldn't sleep anyway, they just gathered in the main room to chat.

Zhao Dalong distributed the things he bought to everyone.

"Face cream, for applying on the face. I bought four or five boxes. Mom, my eldest sister-in-law, my second sister-in-law, and Juan'er all got some."

The women took it, their eyes full of joy. Zhao's mother scolded, "You kid, why are you wasting money?" But she couldn't hide the smile on her face.

"There are also scarves in many colors. I also took a few. Share them among you. There are also skirts. There are no new styles. They are just ordinary floral skirts. I think the eldest sister-in-law, the second sister-in-law and Juan'er can wear them."

"Juan'er has gone to bed. Mom, please keep it for her and give it to her tomorrow."

Mother Zhao took the skirt and folded it carefully.

Mrs. Zhao Da and Mrs. Zhao Er were both surprised. They quickly stood up, wiped their hands, and took the skirt that Zhao Dalong handed to them.

Mrs. Zhao gently spread out the hem of her skirt. The floral pattern looked particularly fresh under the light. She couldn't help but exclaim, "This skirt is so beautiful."

Mrs. Zhao also gently touched the pattern on the skirt and agreed, "That's right. I have never worn such a beautiful skirt in my life."

Zhao's second sister-in-law was actually not that bad. When Zhao's eldest sister-in-law got married, the Zhao family was almost penniless.

It was the time of family planning, and Zhao's mother's family was fined a lot of money. In the end, when they were penniless, some of their furniture was forcibly taken away. If it weren't for the fact that several men in the family were capable and happened to be able to make money in time when the land was distributed, and they had set up self-employed businesses and worked hard to earn a little, they would have had to beg for food long ago.

Given the situation of the Zhao family at that time, Zhao Dasao's parents did not agree with her marrying Zhao Dahu at all. If it were not for the fact that Zhao Dahu was tall, capable, down-to-earth and willing to endure hardships, her parents would not have agreed to this marriage no matter what.

In the first few years after she got married, life was very tight. There was not even a decent piece of furniture in the house, and Zhao's wife-in-law worried and suffered a lot.

I can't even cut a piece of cloth to make a piece of clothing throughout the year, let alone buy this kind of ready-made dress.

It was not just the Zhao family. Most of the people in the village also made a living by digging in the fields. Their clothes were patched up by menders. They would sew and patch up their clothes until they were white from washing for another three years.

But now life is better, they can buy one or two pieces of clothes if they grit their teeth, and they can eat meat several times a year. Even a few people in the next village who have made money have bought bicycles and TVs. This is a life they dare not even think about.

The two women touched the skirt lovingly, then folded it up and put it aside carefully.

Zhao Dalong was still picking up things over there. "Oh, this is a pencil case, and there are also notebooks, pencils, and school bags. They are all school supplies. This is for Juan'er, Cuicui, and Goudan. Xiaomi is still young, so I'll buy her some more later."

"There are also cigarettes and alcohol for my eldest brother, as well as some soap, laundry detergent and so on..."

Mother Zhao quickly stopped him from talking. If he continued to introduce it like this, her heart would be choked. "Okay, okay, stop talking. You, kid, you can't spend money like this."

Zhao Dalong said, "Mom, don't worry, I know what's going on. I didn't bring any gifts for you guys, so it's only right for me to buy you some supplies."

"Besides, there are no outsiders here, so it's only right that I buy it for you."

Zhao's mother said helplessly, "Okay, okay, I can't argue with you, so forget it this time. Don't buy so many things without telling me next time."

Zhao Dalong tried his best to please his mother and the family chatted for a while. Seeing that it was getting late, Zhao's second brother and his wife suggested leaving.

Brother Zhao said, "Mom, it's getting late. Let's go first. Xiaomi is sleepy and will start crying soon."

Mother Zhao said hurriedly, "Stay here today and I'll prepare a room for you."

Brother Zhao gently picked up the dozing Xiaomi and said, "No, it's close anyway. We don't have enough rooms at home, so we won't squeeze in here."

Mother Zhao nodded: "Yes, then you should drive slowly on the road."

Brother Zhao and his wife responded, said goodbye to everyone, and then gradually disappeared into the night.

After they left, Zhao's mother locked the door and returned to the main room.

Zhao Dalong asked doubtfully, "Did my second brother build another house in the village?"

Mother Zhao explained, "At the beginning, the land was divided in the village, and your elder and second brothers were old enough to get married, so they divided the family. When your second brother was going to get married, we bought him a piece of land at the entrance of the village and built him an adobe house."

Zhao Dalong looked at the dilapidated old house in front of him and pursed his lips. "Mom, I think our old house is a bit old, and the tiles are no longer usable. Why don't we build a house? I'll pay for it."