Chapter 64 Repairing the Roof
Huo Zheng paused for a moment, then smiled and rolled up his sleeves.
"The roof is leaking, so we need to fix it while the weather is sunny, otherwise the house will be in trouble when it rains again."
Lu Mingyue shoved the hot water into his hands: "You should wait until you're a bit better before you go. What if you fall while climbing up like this?"
"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing."
Huo Zheng took the hot water, drank a sip, and felt the warmth slide down his throat into his stomach.
He looked up at the first hint of dawn on the horizon. "I'll be down soon."
Seeing his insistence, Lu Mingyue didn't say anything more, only gently reminding him, "Be careful."
Huo Zheng climbed the ladder to the roof, the wooden tiles making a slight creaking sound under his feet.
The morning breeze carried a dampness, causing the wisps of hair on his forehead to sway slightly.
Huo Zheng squatted down and carefully inspected each tile, using his fingertips to pry open any loose parts before replacing them with new ones.
The tools flew through his hands, his movements skillful and focused.
Occasionally, a few old tiles would be lifted up, revealing the wooden beams underneath, and he would casually clean away the dead leaves and dust inside.
In the courtyard, Lu Mingyue would occasionally look up and call out, "Don't step on that over there, that piece of wood is loose!"
When Sister Wang helped with the repairs a couple of days ago, she specifically reminded the person that she was afraid they might accidentally step into a hole.
The voice wasn't loud, but it carried genuine concern.
Huo Zheng responded, and his footwork became even more steady.
After repairing the last tile, he stood up, dusted off his hands, and let out a long sigh of relief.
These houses in the family compound were basically built by the first group of comrades who came to the island.
Conditions were tough at the time, and everyone's abilities were limited. It wasn't until later, when the population grew, that other houses were gradually built.
The house belonging to the Huo family was built later.
The houses are built with more practical blue bricks and tiles, making them more stable and better able to withstand wind and rain while standing on the front line of the coast.
However, Huo Zheng hadn't had time to check since moving in, which led to the leak.
He slowly climbed down the ladder, and as soon as he landed, he saw Lu Mingyue standing there holding a steaming bowl of noodles.
The soup is topped with chopped scallions and poached eggs, and has a wonderful aroma.
"There's still a lot of bone broth left over from yesterday, let's have noodles for breakfast today."
"OK."
Huo Zheng is not picky about food; as long as there is food, he is better than anything else.
The two children woke up one after the other to the aroma of food.
Seeing the fragrant noodles, she didn't need her mother to urge her; she took her little steps and went to wash up.
Huo Zheng's arm was still injured, so Lu Mingyue had no reason to take advantage of the patient. She let him rest for two days and took the bowls and chopsticks to the yard to wash them.
When I came back, I saw Huo Zheng take out the dressing kit given by the hospital.
Lu Mingyue walked over quickly, put the bowl on the table, and reached out to press his hand: "What are you going to do about your arm? I'll do it."
He has an injured arm; he can't very well use the other arm to bandage the wound.
Considering his usual good behavior, Lu Mingyue felt she should lend a helping hand.
Huo Zheng was stunned for a moment, then let go of her hand.
Lu Mingyue sat opposite him, carefully unwrapping the old gauze. The wound looked rather frightening when he turned it over.
"Dad, does your arm still hurt?"
Yao Yao cautiously stretched out her little hand, but dared not touch it, only gesturing lightly in the air.
Leilei frowned and, like a little adult, instructed, "You must be a good boy and listen to Mommy. Don't move around, or the wound will reopen!"
Huo Zheng smiled and reached out to ruffle their hair: "Don't worry, Dad's fine, he'll be better soon."
Leilei breathed a sigh of relief, tugged at his clothes and whispered, "Then don't go to fix the roof by yourself anymore. I'll help you when I grow up."
At this moment, Leilei desperately wanted to grow into the kind of man his father talked about and help him.
Yao Yao immediately nodded in agreement: "Me too! We'll protect you together!"
Seeing the two children's earnest expressions, Huo Zheng felt a warmth in his heart, as if enveloped in sunshine, and even the pain from his wounds disappeared.
While the two children were taking care of him and chatting, Lu Mingyue quickened her pace in treating the wound to distract him.
First, I gently wiped the area around the wound with a cotton swab moistened with warm water, as if I were afraid of breaking something.
"I told you not to go up there, but you wouldn't listen."
She spoke words of reproach, but her hands didn't stop; she slowly circled a cotton swab dipped in iodine around the edge of the wound.
"If it cracks, we'll suffer again."
Huo Zheng looked at her with her eyes downcast, her eyelashes casting faint shadows under her eyes, and felt a warmth in his heart: "I know, I'll listen to you next time."
Lu Mingyue didn't reply. She took a new piece of gauze and carefully wrapped it around his arm, circle by circle.
When bandaging the wound, the two inevitably came into contact, and in the process, Lu Mingyue's fingertips would inadvertently brush against Huo Zheng's skin on his arm.
His arms bore the marks of years of training, yet they were unexpectedly warm.
Each touch felt like a tiny electric current shooting up her fingertips, making her involuntarily clench the gauze in her hand.
Huo Zheng also noticed that her movements were slower than before, her eyes were downcast, and even the tips of her ears were flushed.
He didn't speak, but quietly slowed his breathing and moved his body gently, afraid of disturbing this rare peace.
"Does it still hurt here?" Lu Mingyue asked softly, her fingertips gently touching the edge of the wound, her tone revealing a softness she herself didn't realize.
Huo Zheng looked at her serious expression, his Adam's apple bobbed, and his voice was lower than usual: "It doesn't hurt anymore, you bandaged it lightly."
As they were talking, Lu Mingyue finished wrapping the last layer of gauze and raised her hand to tie a knot, but her wrist accidentally touched Huo Zheng's hand.
The two stopped simultaneously, their eyes met, and even their breathing slowed down.
Lu Mingyue reacted first, quickly withdrew her hand, haphazardly tidied up the used cotton swabs, and said in a slightly tense voice, "Okay, don't keep touching it."
Huo Zheng watched as the hem of her clothes swayed slightly as she turned around, then looked down at the neat bandages on her arm. A smile crept onto his lips. So she could panic too.
After treating their wounds, they still had a lot to do.
Yesterday I only cleaned up the small vegetable garden and didn't have time to plant any vegetables. Today the sun is shining, so I'm sowing the seeds again.
Lu Mingyue moved a small stool and sat down by the vegetable garden, saying, "Let's tidy up the vegetable garden today and plant some radishes, cabbages, and mustard greens."
These vegetables are essential for autumn and winter. They can be stored for a long time in the cold winter without you having to worry about them spoiling.
In addition, plant some common leafy greens, cilantro, etc.
Now is the perfect season to plant autumn vegetables; they will be ready to harvest soon.
Huo Zheng reached for the hoe, but Lu Mingyue stopped him, saying, "Your arm isn't healed yet, so just sit here and pick up stones and tidy up the vegetable patch. Don't do any heavy work."
He could only smile and agree, sitting on a small stool, picking out the pebbles from the clods of earth one by one, and occasionally handing things to the children.
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