When Zhang tried to make a scene, Grandma Gu would immediately shut her up with a stern face and a glare, leaving her only able to hold back her grievances and silently badmouth the Gu family.
Grandma Gu, as the matriarch of the family, still held considerable authority.
...
Time flew by and it was the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month, the day the second branch of the Gu family moved into their new home.
Their new house was right next to their old house, and they didn't invite too many people over for the housewarming party. It was just the people from the old house, and they also invited Grandma Xiao and her grandson Lu Zheng. One of them was Grandma Gu's best friend since childhood, and the other was someone she worked with on the farm, so they had to be invited.
All the furniture is new; we only need to move some everyday items over.
This was the first time Grandma Gu had come here since she kicked the second family out. When she entered the second family's new house, she was quite satisfied.
The surrounding walls were still mud walls, looking yellowish, but she heard from the second brother's family that they would plant some vines in the spring, and then the walls would be covered in green, dotted with small flowers, which would look quite nice.
Pushing open the door, you'll find a bluestone floor that leads all the way to the main room, surrounded by small pebbles from the riverbank. It doesn't look particularly nice on the riverbank, but it's quite pleasing to the eye when paved like this. On a rainy day, your shoes won't get muddy when you walk on this path.
On the left are nine vegetable plots arranged in three rows and three sections, enclosed by bamboo strips. Hmm, they know how to manage their lives; they've even arranged their vegetable plots so beautifully. It's just that they haven't planted any seeds yet.
Next to the vegetable garden was a row of wooden houses, which were probably chicken coops, pigsties, and outhouses. Above this row was the storeroom, and above the vegetable garden was the kitchen. Outside the houses was a washing trough and a water tank. The new house and the old house were not far apart, just a few steps away, so there was no need to dig a well.
On the right side of the bluestone road, a pond was dug. The second son's wife said it was used to raise fish and grow lotus roots. The lotus flowers would also be beautiful when they bloom in the hot weather.
The pond is square, and a long, winding corridor has been built along the wall next to it. At the corner, there is a stone table, which is cool and breezy on hot days.
Going up the corridor, there is a spacious room, which is said to be where Niannian tinkers with new gadgets. Grandma Gu has no idea how her granddaughter went from being an embroidery enthusiast to a craftswoman. However, her granddaughter seems more sensible than before, so she is very supportive.
This house leads over here to the living quarters and main room for the family.
The new house area, apart from the chicken coop, pigsty, and outhouse next to the vegetable garden, consists of large brick and tile houses, which are spacious, bright, and well-lit.
On a day as beautiful as today, the sunlight shines right in.
"Lanlan, once Sister Xiao confirms that I'm cured, we won't have to be so stingy with money anymore. Let's build a new house!" Grandpa Gu said with a smile, seeing the joy in Grandma Gu's eyes.
“We’re all getting old, let’s leave the money to the children! We’ve lived in that mud-walled house for so many years, we’re used to it.” Grandma Gu was somewhat tempted, but after thinking about it, she still refused.
“It’s precisely because we’re old that we need this. Once my body can handle it, I’ll sell my calligraphy and paintings and use the money to build you a big brick house with tiles.” Grandpa Gu held Grandma Gu’s hand and smiled gently.
"Brother Chuan." Grandma Gu was a little touched, but still shook her head. "No need. Old Xiao said that although you are healthier, you can't overwork yourself."
The elderly couple were strolling in Houyanggou when the four Gu sisters, who were just about to come to Houyanggou to discuss something, heard the noise and had to stop. Four heads popped out from the corner of the wall: Gu Si, Gu Xin, Gu Nian, and Gu Hui. The four sisters stared intently at their grandparents.
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