After everyone finished tidying up, they sat in the living room chatting. Han Yixian said, "Building a bathroom and toilet won't require many bricks. One truckload of bricks will be enough for one yard. We'll bring back another truckload tomorrow to unload over there. We'll also buy half a truckload of tiles."
Gu Qishen said, "I'll prepare the timber, lime, cement, and everything else. I'll have someone deliver them tomorrow. Let's get the toilet built this weekend."
Han Yixian said, "I'll take care of the sewer pipes; you don't need to worry about it."
Yu Huiru said, "Building a shower room and a toilet would make things much more convenient; otherwise, it's too much trouble."
Liu Gang said, "I'll join in the construction this weekend. With so many of us, we can finish it quickly."
He Yuhan said, "Liu Gang, have you moved all your things over? Do you need us to help you unpack?"
Liu Gang waved his hand and said, "I don't have much stuff, just some daily necessities, clothes, and a blanket, which are all in my room. I'll just tidy up myself tonight."
Han Yixian asked, "Is there anything else missing from your room?"
Liu Gang shook his head and said, "We lack nothing, it's already very good. We have tables and chairs, and wardrobes, the conditions are already very good."
He Yuhan said, "From now on, Liu Gang, you'll eat with us. Eat whatever we eat, and don't be shy, just like we used to do in Luancheng."
Liu Gang said happily, "I always miss the time we spent in Luancheng, and the times we went up the mountain together to carry potatoes and sweet potatoes."
Gu Qi asked with great interest, "Why did you come up the mountain to carry potatoes and sweet potatoes?"
Liu Gang then recounted how He Yuhan used to grow potatoes and sweet potatoes on the mountain when they were in Luancheng.
He Zhenhua was also hearing about this story from his younger sister for the first time, and he laughed and said, "My younger sister is really quick-witted. She even made use of the land in the mountains and had such a good harvest."
He Yuhan said, "I put in a lot of work, and I was always worried that someone would find out and dig up my potatoes and sweet potatoes."
I used to dream every night that the potatoes and sweet potatoes I had worked so hard to grow were dug up and gone, leaving only a big pit on the mountain. I was so anxious. So I had to go to the mountain almost every day to check on them. It wasn't easy for me to grow those things.
Everyone laughed when they heard that.
Han Yixian was also hearing about He Yuhan's dreams for the first time, and laughed, "Why have you never told me about these things before?"
He Yuhan said, "How could I possibly tell you these things back then? All I was thinking about back then was how to improve our lives, eat better, and how to cure your leg."
Han Yixian felt a sweet warmth in his heart upon hearing this. If no one else were around, he would definitely have hugged his wife and spun her around to express his gratitude.
Liu Gang said, "Before Yuhan came to Luancheng, my cooking skills were terrible. The food I made was almost like pig slop. My brother Xian had to force himself to eat it. After Yuhan came, she saved us. Those days were really happy. I still miss those days."
He Yuhan said, "Qiwen is graduating soon, right? He said he would come to City C to find us after graduation, but we're here now instead. I wonder what he will choose."
Liu Gang said, "Qiwen is a college student, and he has more opportunities to develop in big cities. If he comes to Qianyuan County, he will have fewer opportunities."
He Yuhan said, "Qiwen studied mechanical engineering. Generally, factories need people to maintain their machinery and equipment, so they need people like Qiwen. It just depends on which direction Qiwen wants to develop in."
Han Yixian said, "Since none of us are in Kyoto, he definitely won't stay there, let alone go to City C. Maybe he'll go to a city closer to home, or he might come looking for us."
Everyone was tired after a long day. After chatting for a while, they all went back to wash up and rest.
Liu Gang tidied up his belongings and felt much more at ease looking at the cozy house. He slept soundly that night.
The next day was another busy one; everyone went to work after breakfast.
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Around 10 a.m., Liu Jiaxin took leave from work and rode her bicycle straight to the county's long-distance bus station to meet her father and pick up her cousin. Her cousin, Yan Qingya, was coming to Qianyuan County today and would be working there.
Liu Jiaxin sympathizes with her cousin's plight and hopes that her cousin can forget the pain of the past and start a new life.
Yan Qingya sat on the bus from the city to the county, thinking about what had happened recently. She had been sick and had a medical check-up when she was suddenly diagnosed as infertile, which was a huge blow to any woman.
Before she could even recover from the blow and tell her fiancé, his family found out. She was still ill when her fiancé broke off the engagement, and the whole affair became public knowledge. Then they subjected her to further humiliation, wanting nothing more than to trample her into the mud.
The man who once said he loved her has changed his tune. Without a trace of lingering affection, he turned and threw himself into someone else's arms, as if all those words he once spoke to her were just child's play.
After experiencing this series of traumas, she almost lost faith in life. If it weren't for the encouragement from her parents and family, she doesn't know how she would have survived. After recovering, her parents and uncle persuaded her to change her environment and start a new life, which gave her the courage to come to Qianyuan County.
Seeing her worried parents, she knew she had to be strong. She had a job and the ability to support herself. Even if she never married and remained single for the rest of her life, she wasn't afraid. Once she understood this, she didn't feel so helpless anymore.
Yan Qingya was an elegant and beautiful girl. After being hurt by her fiancé's family, her eyes always carried a hint of melancholy. The once gentle and cheerful girl had become a quiet and lifeless girl.
As the bus pulled into the station and everyone disembarked, Yan Qingya slowly stepped off with her luggage. As soon as she got off, she saw her uncle and cousin who had come to pick her up.
She stepped forward and called out, "Uncle, Jiaxin."
Seeing his niece take the luggage from her, Liu Yongnian asked, "Was the journey smooth? Are you tired?"
Yan Qingya said, "I'm not tired, the journey has been great."
Liu Jiaxin said happily, "Cousin, you've finally arrived! I've been looking forward to your visit."
Liu Jiaxin has always felt that her cousin is an outstanding person and a role model for her. She also likes her cousin very much.
Liu Yongnian said, "Let's go home quickly, your aunt is preparing lunch at home."
Liu Yongnian drove Yan Qingya home, while Liu Jiaxin carried the luggage.
As soon as she entered, Wang Cuizhi pulled Yan Qingya aside and asked her how she was doing. "Qingya, you must be tired. Go wash your face and rest. The food will be ready soon, and you can eat in a little while."
When her husband's niece came to visit, she naturally wanted to treat her well. At noon, Wang Cuizhi prepared a fairly lavish meal to welcome Yan Qingya.
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