Time flies. While Mo Yuan was learning from Lao Zhou at the factory every day, another place, the old house where Mo Yuan's family used to live, was bustling with activity every day. Now it has almost become the gathering center of the village. People who used to be idle have all moved here from the square at the east end of the village.
Every day, a row of people squats at the base of the wall not far from Mo Yuan's house. They stand or sit, gathered in a group, discussing something animatedly. Their gazes, however, remain fixed on Mo Yuan's new house, which is under construction.
Aside from their usual casual chats, everyone's biggest interest was observing the construction of Mo Yuan's new house. Previously, everyone lived in mud-brick houses, so Mo Yuan's was the first in the village to have a large brick and tile house, which aroused everyone's curiosity.
"This house is so beautifully built!" someone exclaimed.
"Yes, it's really enviable!" someone next to him chimed in.
"I wonder when my family will be able to move into a house like this," someone remarked.
"Stop dreaming!" Someone immediately mocked someone for daydreaming.
"Mo Yuan is such a lucky kid! It's a pity. If my son had this ability, I could die in peace."
"That's right. His family is doing well now, and things will definitely get better in the future."
Everyone praised the house while simultaneously expressing envy. Their conversations were filled with resentment and envy. Some even said they would do anything for their families if they could live in a house like that.
However, this idea immediately drew ridicule from some people: "Who do you think you are? Mo Yuan earned it through his own hard work, can you do it?"
"Exactly, stop daydreaming!" the others chimed in.
Some people even used Mo Yuan to mock the other party: "Look at Mo Yuan, and then look at you, the difference is like heaven and earth!"
The person being mocked could only lower their head helplessly, secretly vowing to work hard and earn money so that they could live in such a big house as soon as possible.
Just then, Mo Youshan, who had been silently smoking his pipe, stepped forward. He waved his hand to interrupt the crowd's sarcasm towards Mo Yuan and said seriously, "Don't say that, everyone. Mo Yuan was just lucky; it's nothing serious. There are plenty of talented young people in our village who are more capable than him. Besides, don't be discouraged. I once heard Mo Yuan say that as long as we can grow the crops well, our village will undergo tremendous changes in just two or three years!"
Mo Youshan held a very important position in the village, second only to the village party secretary, Mo Youxian. Hearing him say this, everyone present agreed: "Yes, yes, Brother Youshan is right!"
"That's right, Uncle Yushan, we absolutely believe what you say!"
Someone else added, "So, according to that logic, the household contract responsibility system was also facilitated by Mo Yuan. I heard that he personally went to the county magistrate to secure this opportunity. Our village has a share in the county's efforts, and they certainly won't forget Mo Yuan's contribution."
"Exactly! Mo Yuan has really made something of himself these days!"
Everyone was subtly flattering Mo Youshan and Mo Yuan, hoping to forge a good relationship. The atmosphere was lively, filled with confidence for the future. Mo Youshan was right; as long as the household responsibility system was implemented effectively and everyone managed their few acres of land well, they would at least have enough to eat and drink by next year, with a bumper harvest. After saving money for a few years, they might even be able to build a large brick house like Mo Yuan's family. Everyone's imaginations ran wild. At this point, someone immediately asked Mo Youshan to describe the plans for their new house so they could learn from him beforehand.
Hearing this, Mo Youshan felt very pleased. After all, who doesn't like to be praised? So he enthusiastically began to introduce the plans for his new house to everyone.
"Our family plans to build a three-room main house, and we'll also add a few more rooms to the east and west wings. Besides our son, daughter-in-law, and daughter, we'll have an extra room to entertain guests! We'll also have a kitchen, a storage room, and a toilet! We'll plant some flowers and plants along the wall in the yard, making it very beautiful. We'll also plant some fruit trees; the grape trellis Mo Yuan mentioned would be great—it'll provide shade and allow us to enjoy grapes!"
Mo Youshan spoke at length, explaining that most of these plans were conceived by Mo Yuan. The family then held meetings for several days to finalize the best solution. Not only were the rooms for his two sons and daughters-in-law much more spacious, but his daughter and nephew also moved into new houses. Everyone was very satisfied, and naturally, he spoke with pride, becoming increasingly excited as he went on.
Everyone nodded in approval after hearing the plan, saying it was very reasonable. They also expressed their intention to learn from Mo Youshan and strive to build their own new houses as soon as possible.
Hearing Mo Yuan's design and watching the courtyard, which was clearly more spacious, brighter, and better looking than the mud-brick house, gradually take shape, everyone was filled with anticipation. At the same time, they secretly made up their minds that if their own family ever built a new house, they would definitely ask Mo Yuan to help with the planning. Mo Yuan was unaware that his father, Mo Youshan's, boasting and bragging had found him a lot of work.
After Mo Youshan finished his introduction, everyone was still eager for more. The Mo family was the first to do this, and naturally, others would follow suit, inevitably being influenced by them. Therefore, they pulled Mo Youshan aside to chat in the sun by the wall, asking him to explain Mo Yuan's design ideas. Mo Youshan, of course, shared Mo Yuan's exact words without reservation, eliciting another round of amazement.
Mo Youshan's face was rosy; he felt that in all his life, he had never made such a splash in Xiaomo Village. He planned to go back and have a few drinks to celebrate! His family had actually been the first to move into the new house!
This was something Mo Youshan never expected; it was all Mo Yuan's doing. It was truly unbelievable!
In the following time, everyone discussed some details about the household responsibility system and exchanged their experiences and ideas. The atmosphere was very lively, and everyone was full of anticipation and confidence for the future.
"Uncle Youshan, do you think our village will really become rich in the future?" someone asked.
"Of course we can! As long as we work hard, there won't be any problem!" Mo Youshan replied.
“Yes, the policies are better now, so we have to work harder!” another person said.
“That’s right, I believe we will definitely be able to live a good life! Our village is the first to implement the household responsibility system, so we must seize this hard-won opportunity and work as hard as we can. Anyway, the more we work, the more we earn, and it will all go into our own pockets. We can’t fool ourselves! As long as there are policies in place, we will definitely be able to prosper!” Others echoed.
Everyone nodded in agreement. As the sun began to set, its golden rays bathed the land of Xiaomozhuang, making it appear exceptionally beautiful. People basked in the sunlight, their hearts filled with hope and anticipation as they imagined living in a beautiful house like Mo Yuan's in the future.
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