Chapter 238 Moving into a New House!
From then on, time seemed to be accelerated.
Jiang Ling's new house was finally completed after two months of construction.
To express her gratitude to Grandpa Zhao and the villagers, Jiang Ling prepared a gift for each of the workers who helped build the house.
Ten catties of rice, ten catties of flour, two bolts of cloth, and one portion each of sugar, oil, soy sauce, and vinegar.
These are all practical items, much more useful than processing fees.
After all, the extra wages might not be enough to buy these things.
Grandpa Zhao initially declined, saying there was too much stuff and that half a portion would be enough for everyone.
But then he remembered that today was a good day, so he couldn't refuse Jiang Ling's wishes.
He then led the workers to line up and accept the goods.
The housewarming party was simply held in his new courtyard with a few tables set up, inviting Grandpa Zhao and some familiar villagers.
Jiang Ling didn't want to draw too much attention, so she didn't inform the Cheng and Zhao families.
Madam Song, who lived nearby, arrived early with her congratulatory gifts to share in the festive atmosphere.
They also took a batch of goods they had ordered with them when they left.
After a busy day, Xiaoran and Xiaoyi finally moved into their new home.
Xiaoyi doesn't actually have much.
Aside from the few new clothes Jiang Ling bought for him, a thick quilt, and some small odds and ends that he treasured, there was almost nothing else.
But the friends from the temple all came to help.
Brother Biqing from Bailong Temple, along with Ashu and several other teenagers who were familiar with Xiaoyi, came down the mountain, each carrying a small item, saying they were there to help him move to his new home.
The children chattered and poured into the brand-new courtyard, their eyes filled with wonder and undisguised envy as they looked at the spacious and bright rooms, the smooth and flat floor, and the clear glass windows.
"Xiaoyi! Is this your new room? It's so big!"
Ashu rushed into Xiaoyi's west wing first, where there was a soft bed, thick quilts, and solid wood furniture.
Although this courtyard only has one entrance, its interior decoration is even more beautiful than that of a wealthy family's home.
Another child carefully stepped on the ground: "This ground is so flat, much better than the meditation rooms in the temple!"
Senior Brother Biqing helped place the small bundle on the bed.
"The temple is so old, it can't compare to a new building."
He patted Xiaoyi on the shoulder: "Xiaoyi, this is your home from now on. Listen to Sister Jiang and Brother Xiaoran and live a good life."
Xiao Yi nodded vigorously, her little face flushed with excitement.
As A-Shu watched all this, his eyes brimming with envy.
"That's wonderful... Xiaoyi, you're so lucky to have met Sister Jiang..."
What lonely, destitute child could live such a life?
This is like encountering a god.
Other children gathered around, touching and looking at everything. For these homeless children, a truly warm and secure home of their own was something they could only dream of.
Xiao Yi took out the snacks and candies that Jiang Ling had prepared in advance and distributed them to everyone.
The moment the children saw the food, they instantly forgot all the unpleasantness from before.
We ate them with relish, one for each of us.
As it was getting late, Jiang Ling invited the children to stay for dinner.
Xiaoyi's room is big enough and warm enough to fit a large table.
The children's eyes lit up when they heard it was time to eat.
Ah Shu swallowed hard and asked in a low voice, "Sister Jiang, is it really okay to eat here?"
He could smell the aroma of food and meat outside long ago.
"Of course, you are our guests today."
She knew the food at the temple; it was all plain soup and water, with no meat at all.
Children need nutrition to grow up, but children are not monks, nor are they in temples nowadays, so they can eat meat.
She then looked at Biqing and said gently, "Master Biqing, I have prepared vegetarian dishes for you. If you don't mind, please stay and have a meal with us."
Bi Qing was taken aback for a moment, then bowed and thanked him: "Thank you for your trouble, Benefactor Jiang, but... isn't this too much trouble for you?"
"No trouble at all. We just had our housewarming party at noon, and the food in the kitchen is ready. We can just heat it up."
Biqing put his hands together and chanted a Buddhist prayer: "Amitabha, on behalf of the children, I thank you for your hospitality."
Jiang Ling smiled and waved, then turned and went back to the kitchen. The iron pot on the stove was bubbling and steaming.
Aunt Zhao and a few others, along with Xiao Ran's mother, stayed to help out, and Xiao Ran's family also ate there that evening.
As soon as Jiang Ling left, the atmosphere in the room became even more lively.
"You've come at the perfect time! Sister Jiang's stew is so delicious, you'll have a good meal today!"
Xiao Ran lifted the curtain at the door and came in to deliver a message, "The food will be ready soon. Xiao Yi, can you help set up the table? Then come to the kitchen to bring the dishes."
"good."
Xiao Yi happily agreed, jumped off the bed, and called the children to help set up the table against the wall.
Soon, the table was filled with plates: glistening braised pork, golden stewed chicken, a large plate of sweet and sour pork ribs, crispy fried river fish, vibrant green stir-fried vegetables, and a bowl of meatball soup sprinkled with scallions.
The steaming hot food captivated the children's eyes.
Ashu couldn't help but swallow hard, and whispered to Xiaoyi, "Xiaoyi, can...can we really eat this?"
"Of course!" Xiao Yi puffed out her little chest, adopting the air of a hostess.
"Sister Jiang said you're not monks, and you're not in a temple right now, so it's okay! Eat up!"
The children cheered and, forgetting all manners, picked up their chopsticks and reached for the dishes they had been craving.
Wow! This meat smells amazing!
"I've never eaten such delicious chicken legs!"
"These pork ribs are so delicious, they're sweet and sour!"
"This meatball is still juicy inside!"
Bi Qing, who was placed alone at a small table behind the screen, was feeling rather uneasy.
Jiang Ling brought him a separate table of vegetarian dishes: braised mushrooms with greens, cold tofu salad, and a bowl of millet porridge.
He picked up his chopsticks but didn't touch them, his gaze involuntarily drifting towards the braised pork next to him.
It smells so good!
The meat was stewed until tender, with the fat coating the chunks, a sight he had never seen before in a temple.
Biqing is not very old, and he is at the age where he is growing and eating a lot.
When patrolling or working in the mountains, he would occasionally encounter pheasants or rabbits, and he and his close fellow apprentices would secretly hunt them down and find a secluded place to roast them to satisfy their cravings.
Although he was punished by the elders to copy the Diamond Sutra ten times, he could never forget the delicious taste.
He didn't actually think it was that heinous. He believed in the saying, "Wine and meat pass through the intestines, but Buddha remains in the heart." As long as one has good intentions and reveres Buddha, what's wrong with eating some meat?
At this moment, listening to the laughter and chatter outside, smelling the irresistible aroma of meat, and looking at the lush green vegetable leaves in front of him, Bi Qing's heart was completely at odds.
He peeked out and saw Ah Shu holding a shiny, oily chicken leg, happily munching on it.
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