It's just building a house, why are so many people here?!
Li Weidong peeked out and smiled wryly, "What...what are you all doing here?"
Are they here to help build a house?
A tall man called out, "Weidong, it's me! My mother is Wang Guiyun, who married into Baisha Village. She's your mother's cousin, so we're practically cousins!"
"Hey, I heard you were building a house, so I came to help!"
Upon hearing this, the person next to him retorted, "Weidong, I am the grandson of your fourth great-uncle. You came to our village two years ago and even had tea at my house. I am here to help your family build a house."
“Weidong, I’m your maternal aunt’s son-in-law. Do you remember me? We’re relatives, so I’ll definitely come to help you build this house.”
“I’m related to your family by blood, several generations back. I’ll help you build your house.”
In an instant, everyone rushed to build connections, each afraid of missing out on a spot, and desperately pushed their way forward.
Li Weidong never imagined he would have so many relatives, including those he had never even heard of and who were completely unrelated to him.
There are also some I don't recognize at all.
However, he did understand why these people had come.
They all came to help build the house.
"Wei Dong, why are there so many people here!"
Zhao Xiulian said with a bitter face, "Why do we need so many people to build a house?"
I thought it was already exaggerated enough that the whole village came to help build the house.
Now, even people from other villages have come over.
Those in the know say it's to help build houses, but those who don't might think it's a line-up to receive some kind of benefit!
Li Baotian also came upon hearing the news, and was then shocked by the scene.
Li Weidong was both amused and exasperated; with so many people around, he couldn't even find a chance to speak.
Fortunately, Li Baotian was clever and went to the brigade headquarters to bring over the loudspeaker.
Li Weidong cleared his throat with the megaphone before speaking: "Fellow villagers, please be quiet for a moment!"
The previously chattering group immediately fell silent and stared at him.
Li Weidong breathed a sigh of relief and quickly said, "I know you all mean well and want to help me build a house, but building a house really doesn't require so many people!"
At first glance, there are at least several hundred people. If they all stand together, the plot of land is not big enough for them to stand. How can they work?
Everyone panicked when they heard that.
"There are a lot of people, but it has nothing to do with me. My grandfather's generation were house builders. If you're building a house, let me help you, and I guarantee you won't go wrong!"
"I'm a carpenter. Weidong, if you let me stay, I can help you measure the house and make a few pieces of furniture later."
"I can build houses too. I led the construction of my own house. Weidong, if you come to me, I'll definitely build your house beautiful and sturdy!"
"Me too, me too..."
They started arguing again.
Li Weidong was completely speechless, so he simply said, "With so many of you, my family can't possibly feed you all!"
These days, there are no professional construction teams to build houses; it's mostly done by villagers and relatives.
As for wages, there's no need to pay them. The employer just needs to provide meals and a pack of cigarettes.
Of course, Tiger's family was an exception; he had offended everyone in the village so badly that he had to pay people to help him.
Li Weidong's words excited everyone again.
"Why would I need meals? I'll just go home and grab a bite after I finish my work."
"That's right, that's right, there's no need for all that trouble. As long as you say the word, Weidong, we'll just do the work and won't be provided with meals!"
"If you insist on providing meals, that's fine too. I'll call my wife over and have her help with the cooking. Weidong, you and your mother don't need to do anything. Just wait to move into the new house."
This statement served as a reminder to others.
Suddenly, not only did he come to help build the house, but even his mother and wife moved out, saying they wanted the whole family to come and help.
Zhao Xiulian's eyes welled up with tears.
Li Baotian leaned closer to Li Weidong and sighed, "Weidong, I reckon these people just want to curry favor with you! They don't really have any bad intentions."
“If you don’t let them help, they might feel uncomfortable. If you ask me, you might as well just let them handle it.”
Anyway, everyone means well, so there's no need to worry about the crowds and lack of space.
If they want to help, let them figure it out themselves.
Li Weidong understood this principle and frowned, saying, "Alright, then we'll do as you say, village chief."
Then he picked up the megaphone and said, "Since the villagers are so hospitable, I won't say any more formalities. This house is yours, but meals will definitely be provided."
"There are just too many people, and there's no way to sit down and eat. How about we leave it like this..."
He pondered for a moment and said, "Every day I steam buns and stir-fry vegetables and send them to the new house. Everyone can make do with what we have, and don't complain about how meager the food is."
As soon as he finished speaking, the crowd cheered.
"What's there to be ashamed of? It's good enough that you have something to eat. Don't worry, Weidong, I'll make sure the house is built for you to look beautiful!"
"Yes, yes, don't worry about the steamed buns. Weidong, you buy the flour, and I'll have my wife come over. She's really good at steaming buns."
"Let my mom cook, don't tire out Aunt Xiulian!"
Everyone was incredibly enthusiastic.
Li Weidong found it both funny and touching, and quickly stopped the group of people who were planning to go home and ask their wives to cook. He said, "My family will take care of the cooking, and you can have the house."
Let's start work first thing tomorrow morning!
"It's getting late, let's go home first."
After much persuasion, they finally managed to send the person away.
Li Weidong slumped in his chair and let out a long sigh: "Why do I feel like dealing with people is more tiring than doing the work?"
"you do not say!"
Zhao Xiulian nodded in agreement: "This is the first time I've ever seen so many people rushing to help build a house!"
Building a house is no easy task; it involves working under the sun and wind, and it's hard work!
The most important point is that there is no payment for the workers, and it will also delay their own work, so if you want to build a house, you have to go to their homes to ask for help.
And you have to say nice things and be careful.
Even so, only very close relatives would come to help.
It's truly unprecedented for relatives who are completely unrelated to me to come to my door asking for help building a house, like today.
I wouldn't even dare to imagine it, let alone experience it myself!
Li Weidong chuckled: "You probably won't find a similar example in our family for decades to come!"
Zhao Xiulian shook her head: "What do you mean by decades? Besides our family, who else has such a lot of influence?"
At this point, she became a little sad: "Weidong, if your dad knew how successful you are now, he would be so happy!"
Li Weidong nodded and changed the subject, saying, "Alright, we're going to build the house tomorrow, and we don't have enough vegetables and noodles at home. I'll go to the city to buy some."
Zhao Xiulian nodded: "We should buy some, and more pork too. People are helping us build the house, and we can't even sit down and eat properly, so we definitely need to make sure the food is good..."
Before he could finish speaking, a shout came from outside: "Brother Weidong, are you home?"
"I've brought you something!"
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