Red lanterns hung under the eaves, and the house had red brick floors, a cement coating, and all the furniture was painted red.
Because the weather is cold here in winter, the windows are not very big, so the room is a bit dark. I chose light yellow curtains.
The white wall is already decorated with the character for "happiness" and hung with festive Chinese knots.
The placement of all the furniture and home furnishings follows traditional concepts, even the cupboards and dishes in the kitchen are very traditional.
Use enamel if possible; it won't break if dropped and it's durable.
To avoid being rummaged through by someone with ulterior motives, Xiao Jiu only kept some clothes that the two of them often wore in the closet, and didn't put anything else in it.
The bedding was all navy blue and army green, and even the traditional old cloth sheets that my parents bought were put away in the kang cabinet.
The bookshelves were filled with military and medical books, and the desk was covered with various notebooks, pens, and ink, all neatly organized.
Zhou Yue even built a dressing table for her, but she only put out some face cream to use as a makeshift solution.
The parents' room was even simpler, with only a wardrobe with a table and cabinet, a kang cabinet, a kang table, a washbasin stand, and a reclining chair for resting.
There was also a brand new crib in the corner. Zhou Yue really knew how to prepare even this in advance.
However, it's now used to store miscellaneous items.
The main hall features traditional modular furniture, which contrasts with the four-immortal table, eight-immortal table, armchairs, or grand master chairs seen in movies and TV dramas.
The set that Zhou Yue created was much simpler. The style was based on the traditional style, but without as many intricate patterns.
A table is placed between two chairs in the central hall, with two chairs on each side below, and a coffee table in the middle of the chairs.
It was simply arranged like this, with a portrait of the chairman and some of Zhou Yue's personal honor certificates hanging in the middle of the hall.
The main room isn't small, and after arranging everything like this, there's still plenty of empty space.
On the left, Zhou Yue bought a folding round table and folding stools, which he used to place the dining table.
On the right is a row of cabinets, used to store miscellaneous items that are not usually used, making storage very convenient.
The first room on the left after exiting the gate is the kitchen, next to which is the woodshed, with firewood and coal briquettes neatly stacked.
Although the kitchen has been repainted, it won't be long before it gets blackened by soot again if we burn firewood.
"When summer comes, we'll build another stove next to the woodshed, and cooking won't be so painful."
Xiao Jiu's parents put a lot of effort into setting up their home, watching it transform from bare to warm and happy.
Everyone was very happy.
He was especially happy when Zhou Yue suggested setting the wedding date for the first day of the Lunar New Year so they could celebrate together with the soldiers.
"These days are good, but it might not be convenient for your older brothers and sisters to come, as it's very difficult to travel here in winter."
Zhou Yue had also considered this point. "That's right, I'll let you know in advance. If you really can't come, you can come another day when you're free."
"I've booked the military guesthouse for those who can come in advance; it has heating, so it won't be cold."
Since Xiao Jiu would be going back to work after the New Year, she had no objection to the wedding being held on the first day of the Lunar New Year.
"Then tell them to check their schedules. If they really can't come, they can make time for it."
But those who have time off must come, especially my four older brothers.
I understand that my sisters all have children and their families, so it's difficult for them to come. But my brothers have to come, even if it means leaving their wives behind!
"Don't worry, we're here, they'll definitely be able to come."
Your four older brothers aren't in the military, so they all get holidays during the Lunar New Year. Even if they work in a classified unit, they still get holidays!
Unlike your brothers-in-law, most of them are in the military, and the service period is uncertain.
Indeed, the most recent ones are my fourth sister and her husband in Shenyang.
Once the busy farming season is over, Xiao Jiu and his parents often go to the hospital's family compound to oversee the renovations.
Although the area is not large, the requirements for the liquor are quite high, so all the doors and windows were removed and replaced with high-end windows that are highly sealed and heat-insulating.
The interior floor was tiled; the tiles were ceramic tiles sourced from the available space after she took measurements, unlike the terrazzo currently in use.
She removed all the furniture left by the previous owner, including the bathtub in the bathroom; she didn't need that thing.
They don't use flush toilets; they just use squat toilets with water flushing.
We installed an electric water heater; this thing was brought back from the United States.
In order to install this water heater, we even found an electrician who knows about electricity to come and install a switch that can cut off the power after the water boils.
In those days, many families burned coal in their kitchens, and water tanks and pipes buried in the coal stoves connected to the bathrooms so people could take hot showers.
But I'm used to opening bottles of liquor as needed, so I've abandoned this method.
These days, renovations are done by simply painting the walls white, laying floor tiles, and cleaning the kitchen and bathroom.
It took only a week, which was very fast; only the kitchen and bathroom took a little time.
Because she uses electricity a lot in the kitchen, she hired an electrician to install exposed electrical outlets.
All wiring in the house is exposed; there is no concealed wiring.
Their main concern is that if they move out of the house in the future, it will be unfriendly to their new neighbors.
Although exposed lines are not aesthetically pleasing, they are easy to repair.
The kitchen has a socket and switch for small appliances, and the bathroom has a space for a washing machine. After removing the bathtub, the space became much larger.
The living room also has designated spaces for a television and a refrigerator.
She prepared all the renovation materials herself, and the labor cost was only a little over 100 yuan, which was very cost-effective.
After the workers left, I first put up the curtains and opened the doors and windows for ventilation.
Then, as if by magic, the beds, wardrobes, desks, and other furniture in each room were arranged according to the previously measured dimensions.
Large rooms use 1.5-meter double beds, and small rooms use 1.2-meter single beds.
These are all finished pieces of furniture, belonging to the Japanese minimalist style, as well as the European minimalist style.
With white as the main color, paired with light-colored curtains, white floor tiles, and white doors, the whole house gives a clean feeling.
"You really are a medical student. Look at how you've arranged this place. We don't dare to touch anything without permission."
Xiao Jiu was a little embarrassed. "Isn't this just a coincidence that we've come across this style? It's okay, just do whatever you want, and if we mess it up, we'll just change it."
Of course, to make it look nice, she still hired a large truck and two workers to carry the furniture upstairs.
But the cart only made one trip, and as long as it was seen by someone, the rest were simply released.
The TV, refrigerator, and washing machine were all put out, but in the end, the little wine still wouldn't listen and was put out because the living room was too empty.
Not only that, she also put out a set of sofa and TV cabinet.
With this kind of decoration, the whole house looks high-end, classy, and sophisticated.
When Zhou Yue came to visit after the renovation was completely finished, he thought he had gone to the wrong place.
"That's wonderful! Is there enough money?"
Xiao Jiu waved her hand at him, "That's enough, that's enough. After you finish yours, there's still mine!"
In reality, the money was hardly touched at all.
"Compared to the military family compound, it feels like two different worlds."
Xiao Jiu, however, felt that "your side has a pastoral Chinese style, while this side has a Western style. They are different and there is no need to compare them. They are both ours."
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