"Yun Zhiqing, you have to think carefully. You have to pay for the construction of this house yourself. Also, if you leave us one day, the house will belong to the team."
Liu Defu felt that he should explain the situation clearly to Yunyan to avoid disputes in the future.
"No problem, Captain. But I do have a request. I built this house with my own money, so if you come here again, you can't force me to buy you a house."
Yun Yan made an agreement with Liu Defu in advance to prevent anyone from coming over and taking advantage of the house she built.
"Of course. What kind of house do you want to build? When do you plan to start building it?"
Yun Yan thought for a moment and said, "I want to build a green-tiled house. It doesn't have to be too big. It should have a sleeping room, a living room, a kitchen, and a utility room."
Yun Yan thought that since she would have to stay here for more than five years, she should build a tiled house so that she could live comfortably. If she only stayed for one or two years, she would definitely choose a mud house.
"Building a green-tiled house is very expensive. According to what you just said, the materials and labor cost will probably be around 170 or 180 yuan."
"It's okay, uncle. My family gave me some money when I came here. But where can I buy the materials for building the house?"
"Don't worry about that. The brigade's accountant knows someone. Several families in our village bought materials for their houses from him."
"Okay, then I'll go back first so as not to delay your dinner. I'll come back tomorrow."
"Why don't you stay and have some food?" Liu Defu persuaded him.
"No need, uncle, you guys can eat it. This pack of cigarettes is for you, and this candy is for Hu Zi."
Yun Yan rejected Liu Defu's kindness and put the prepared things on the table.
"Yun Zhiqing, what are you doing? Take it back now. How can I take your things so casually?"
"Uncle, you can keep it. I don't smoke this cigarette, and I still have candy."
"Besides, I'll need your help and attention when I build my house. A pack of cigarettes is nothing."
Before he could react, Yun Yan ran out immediately. "Uncle Liu, I'm leaving first. See you tomorrow."
Liu Defu picked up the cigarette on the table, Daqianmen, this is a good cigarette.
Hu Zi saw the White Rabbit milk candy on the table and clamored for some, so Liu Defu took one and gave it to him.
When I returned to the Youth League Home, I heard a quarrel coming from inside before I even entered the door.
"You haven't handed over any food, so why should I cook your meals?"
"Then can't we eat your food right after we get here today? At worst, we can just get the food tomorrow and return it to you."
Yun Yan shook her head helplessly. This Youth League Home was really messy. It would be better to quickly build a house and move out.
When Qian Qian saw Yun Yan coming back, he immediately came over and pulled her back to the room.
"Yun Yan, you are finally back. Those old educated youth are too bullying." Qian Qian pulled Yun Yan and started to complain.
"This is normal. After all, food is so precious now, and money is so scarce. You may not understand it when you first arrive, but you will understand it after staying here for a while."
"We've just arrived, so we shouldn't clash with those old educated youth. If they're willing to share their food with us, that's out of kindness. If they're not willing, there's no need to hold a grudge against them."
Yun Yan took out the peach cake she had bought earlier and gave her a piece. "Eat it quickly. We'll go find the village carpenter to buy boxes and barrels later."
Qian Qian ate the peach cake and asked, "Yun Yan, do you know where the Mu family craftsman is?"
"I already found out when I went out just now. We'll go after you finish eating. And by the way, ask them if they want to go with us."
After eating the peach cakes, Yun Yan and Qian Qian left the room. The old educated youth were still having dinner. Yun Yan asked the other educated youth who came with her if they wanted to buy boxes and barrels.
No one had these things, so a few people went to the carpenter's house together before it got completely dark.
The old carpenter was the oldest person in the Red Flag Brigade. His son died in the army, and his wife also died from the blow.
Now he is the only one left at home. A few years ago, he took in a mute apprentice, and he can make a living by making furniture and other things for the villagers with his skills.
On the way to the carpenter's house, Yun Yan learned the names of two young men: Zhou Yuanchao and Xu Weidong, both from Beijing.
From the name, you can tell that these two are most likely children of high-ranking officials. They probably chose to go to the countryside to avoid the storm.
After walking for about seven or eight minutes, they arrived at the carpenter's house. After explaining their purpose, he led them into a room where some finished products were placed.
They were all common items, like wooden boxes, basins, barrels, and small stools. The workmanship was also relatively simple, just polished and not painted.
Yun Yan and her friends each chose a wooden box, a wooden barrel, a wooden basin and a small stool.
Since there were a lot of things, he asked his apprentice to help him deliver them to the Youth League Home in a cart.
On the way, Yun Yan suggested that everyone give her two cents and she would take care of tonight's dinner. Except for Chen Zhaodi, the others agreed.
After returning to the Youth League Home and putting everything away, Yun Yan went to find Zhang Yuan, the person in charge of the Youth League Home.
Yunyan offered to give him two cents as payment for borrowing the old educated youth's things.
Zhang Yuan agreed, and Yun Yan took out a pound of noodles and five eggs, preparing to make egg noodles to last her overnight.
Zhou Yuanchao said that he had another sausage, so he took it out and asked Yunyan to make it as a snack.
Qian Qian and Li Shuwan went to the vegetable garden to pick some vegetables, peppers and garlic sprouts.
Zhou Yuanchao and Xu Weiguo were responsible for fetching water, and Yun Yan was responsible for cooking dinner.
Yun Yan used the oil she brought with her to make some egg noodles, and then made some stir-fried sausage with garlic sprouts and chili peppers.
The group enjoyed the meal happily, but the old educated youths were upset when they smelled the delicious food. They all regretted why they had fallen out with the new educated youths. It seemed that the new educated youths must be well off, otherwise why would they be willing to eat such good food.
Egg noodles and sausages. Who would dare to eat like this if they don’t have some money? I almost forgot what meat tastes like.
Chen Zhaodi also smelled the fragrance. She thought Yun Yan and the others would ask her to eat with them, but they had already cleared the dishes and no one called her.
Stingy! What a bunch of stingy people. They know you're not well off but still want me to pay, and if I don't, they won't prepare my own share.
Yun Yan and the others had no way of knowing what the old educated youth and Chen Zhaodi were thinking, and even if they did, they wouldn't care. Do you have to depend on others for your own food?
After dinner, Yun Yan and the others sat in the kitchen waiting for hot water to take a shower. During this time, Zhou Yuanchao made a suggestion.
"Judging from today's situation, I think we should have our meal separately from the old educated youth."
"I think it's okay. Those old educated youth are obviously targeting us newcomers. It's best to eat separately." Xu Weiguo immediately agreed.
Yunyan didn't want to be as optimistic as they were. Unless they moved out like she did, there would be constant conflicts even if they ate separately from the old educated youth.
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