When Heilongjiang Province entered the autumn harvest season, the houses in Guanshan Village were finally completely built.
From the main gate to the backyard, from the chicken coop to the pigsty, even the cellar, outhouse, woodshed, and a mud-brick kitchen were all provided.
The main house has three rooms, with the walls painted white, bright and clean windows facing the sun, terrazzo floor tiles, and a smooth, flat earthen bed.
A new bamboo mat was laid on the earthen kang, and on top of that, Xiao Jiu laid a special waterproof, oil-proof, and fire-resistant mat, which was similar in material to the kang mats of later generations. Its main purpose was to make it look clean and easy to clean.
All the furniture in the house was painted a beautiful and elegant red, including the kang table and cabinets, desks and wardrobes, as well as the dining table, chairs and benches, and cabinets. Everything that could be made on the spot was made, and then painted together.
She had originally planned to prepare a Chinese-style sofa, but Tao Changyi and Zhao Lingli interrupted her with a laugh.
"Don't do that. You don't know that the main room in the village is used to store things. When entertaining guests, they go directly into the room and sit on the kang (heated brick bed). Otherwise, why do you think the kang is built so long and wide, taking up half the house? It's a custom, and you have to follow local customs."
Well, winter lasts for half the year, so there's really no need to leave a whole sofa there to collect dust.
The well was dug right between the two households, just as they requested. If there is enough water, the fruit trees planted here will grow well, right?
The parents had already made good use of both families' yards, which were filled with all kinds of vegetables and fruits.
The nosy couple even replaced the bedding, furniture, and daily necessities in both houses.
The kettle, tray, tea set, basin stand, enamel basin, and even the chamber pot at night were all perfectly matched with Xiaojiu.
"Wow, you guys are so efficient! Isn't this exactly the standard for move-in ready apartments?"
Xiao Jiu wandered from one courtyard to another, becoming more and more satisfied with each look, until he said...
"This money was definitely well spent; it was exactly what I needed."
After Tang Cuilan came to see them, she felt that she owed Xiao Jiu and the others more and more.
She's heard these kinds of polite words so many times she's tired of them, and she doesn't really like hearing them anymore.
Guanshan Village is not yet connected to electricity, mainly because there are few applicants and most households are unwilling to use electricity, thinking it's too expensive.
As a result, the power supply company was too lazy to lay the circuits for them, so they still didn't have electricity until 1980.
There wasn't even a loudspeaker in the village, let alone a telephone; everything depended on the village chief's hoarse voice shouting.
Of course, being poor has its advantages. People here feel that life is good as long as they have enough to eat, and there are not many problems.
Because of their limited experience, they don't overthink things and live a very comfortable and happy life.
At first, Xiao Jiu felt uncomfortable, but gradually realized that this slow-paced lifestyle was more suitable for retirement.
——
Although she was pregnant, it didn't stop her from going to work, and the baby was very well-behaved, with only a few pregnancy symptoms in the first few months.
Four months later, not only did the reaction disappear, but her appetite and weight also gradually increased.
Zhou Yue is very busy, and she is not having an easy time either. The couple can count the number of times they can be together each month on one hand.
"When you have free time, go back to your family compound to check on things, so people won't say you're occupying the property but not living there."
Every time Zhao Lingli sees her lounging on the sofa at home without any regard for her image, she can't help but make a comment.
Tao Changyi also thought it made sense. "I happen to be free right now. Come on, pack your things and I'll take you home."
Xiao Jiu was upset when he heard this. The distance from here to the military region was about the same as that of Guanshantun, about ten miles.
If she had to choose, she would rather live in Guanshantun. There's no other reason than that she feels free and comfortable there.
In the military base, she felt like someone was watching over her every breath she took.
Although she was a military doctor.
She finally got off an early shift, only to be personally driven to the military base by her own father. What could she do?
She could only pretend to be carrying vegetables and meat, and politely greet the neighbors who greeted her.
"Wow, your belly is like an inflating balloon! It's gotten so big so quickly!"
Xiao Jiu touched her belly, a little embarrassed, "Yes, I'm already six months pregnant."
"Your belly is quite big. Have you had it checked? Is it one or two?"
Xiao Jiu shook her head helplessly, "Of course it's one, how could it be two? It's just that I've been eating more lately, so I might look like I'm growing faster. I'll control my diet."
"One? That's such a pity. You're both working, but with the one-child policy, you can only have one child. If you had another daughter..."
Before she could finish speaking, Xiao Jiu politely but distantly interrupted her.
"Look at me, I'm getting tired from standing and carrying a lot. Well, sister-in-law, I won't say any more, I'm heading back now!"
At this point, the other person quickly nodded sheepishly, "Then you should go back now."
Xiao Jiu took a couple of steps, then suddenly stopped, turned around and said something to her.
"My husband and I don't care whether it's a boy or a girl. Even if it's a daughter, she's still our child. If we raise her well, she can still become successful."
What do you think, sister-in-law?
Although she said it with a smile, the other person could tell that her smile didn't reach her eyes, and it was clear that she didn't like what she said.
He quickly waved his hand and said, "Of course, you two are so outstanding, you can both succeed, whether it's a boy or a girl."
But as soon as Xiao Jiu left, he couldn't help but mutter a curse under his breath.
"Pah, what's so great about that? Having a daughter doesn't give you the same confidence as having a son."
No matter how capable you are, if you actually have a daughter in the future, won't she still belong to someone else's family?
What does this have to do with you two?
I was in a pretty good mood, but a gossipy woman ruined it. When I got home, I put the dishes that were just for show on the table and lay down on the sofa to continue being lazy.
Xiao Jiu had already called Zhou Yue before she arrived, and she arrived right at the time when he was getting off work.
She had barely stepped inside when Zhou Yue rushed back. When he got home and saw her puffing out her cheeks in a huff, he couldn't help but laugh.
"You just got back and someone's already upset you? What's wrong? Why are you so angry?"
Upon hearing this, Xiao Jiu immediately sat up straight, but forgot that she was still heavily pregnant. With a slight exertion, she almost strained her back.
Luckily, Zhou Yue was in a hurry and quickly caught her: "Oh my goodness, be careful, it would be troublesome if you strained your back."
"Let me ask you, if I had a daughter, would you feel like your family line would end?"
Not again?
Zhou Yue felt dizzy. Who was this gossiping in front of his great-aunt this time? They must be so bored!
"Didn't I say before that it would be fine even if you didn't have the baby? Now that the baby is here, I'm incredibly excited."
Why would I care about having a boy or a girl? My brother and sister have already completed the birth quota for the Zhou family.
Wouldn't it be better if we were debt-free? Why do we always care what others say or ask?
Do I have to swear on my mother, who passed away years ago, that I truly don't care, and I'm not lying?
Seeing his serious expression, Xiao Jiu quickly reached out and covered his mouth.
"Alright, I was just provoked and got a little dizzy."
Maybe I'm being overly sensitive; after all, this is something every pregnant woman has to face.
Look at you, all sweaty! You ran back! What did you just put on the table?
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