Su Xia didn't know when Chen Jianguo would return.
But I figured my two younger brothers-in-law would be coming over and eating at home, so I'd put the cleaning on hold for now.
When Chen Jianguo came back this morning, Da Bao really didn't want to leave.
Da Bao kept hiding behind Chen's parents.
"Brother, why don't you let the child stay here?" Chen Jiandang couldn't bear it.
“Yeah, brother! Anyway, there are only a few days left until the New Year!” Chen Jianjun chimed in, trying to persuade him.
Chen's parents didn't say anything, but they did the same thing: hide Da Bao behind their backs.
Chen Jianguo felt helpless, looking at the disapproving looks in his parents' and younger brother's eyes, as if his own father was incredibly heartless.
"All right!"
"Dad, really?" Da Bao popped his head out and asked in surprise.
Chen's father and the others were also pleased to see this.
"Hmph—you'll only be able to play for a few days. You still have to do your homework later!" Chen Jianguo said irritably.
Upon hearing this, Chen's father and the others looked at Da Bao, while the little brat looked around nervously.
That's when I realized that she just didn't want to go back because she didn't want to do her homework.
After Chen Jianjun took his two younger brothers to the county town, they didn't go home; instead, they went straight to look at houses.
The first house wasn't far from my home in Sunan, but it still took about 10 minutes to walk there.
The main gate is an ordinary wooden door. Inside, there is a typical layout of three rooms, plus a west wing.
The backyard toilet, though old and worn, is still usable.
After Chen Jiandang and Chen Jianjun finished looking at the yard, they had only one thought in their minds: the yard was really small. Not to mention raising pigs and chickens, there wasn't even a place to grow vegetables.
"Brother, are all houses in the city like this?" Chen Jianjun asked curiously.
Before Chen Jianguo could speak, the landlord said in an annoyed tone.
“Young man, what are you saying? Our house is so nice, I wouldn’t sell it if my son hadn’t moved into a tenement building!”
The three brothers looked at the landlady, an elderly woman, whose eyes were full of reluctance as she looked at the house.
In the end, they decided to take another look. The old lady understood. As for looking down on people, forget it. Anyone who can afford a house, is she someone she can afford to offend?
The second one is near the train station; the house here has a bigger yard than the previous one.
The house isn't as good as the previous one. "Brother, if you want to live in this house, you have to clean it up!"
Chen Jiandang looked around and found that a beam on the roof needed to be replaced, the windows were all broken, and the walls of the kang (heated brick bed) inside the house were either collapsed or broken!
Chen Jianjun also felt that the house was not an option, mainly because of the money. Although he and his second brother had saved up a considerable amount of money, the children's schooling was still a significant expense.
"Brother, there's one more place. Let's see that first."
Chen Jianguo nodded, but as he left, he glanced at the house behind him.
After viewing the last house, the three brothers went home to discuss whether or not to buy it.
Secondly, it was almost noon, and the three of them ran up there, already starving.
By this time, Su Xia had almost finished preparing lunch. She stewed a pot of cabbage, vermicelli, and potatoes, and added pork belly.
A large pot of steamed buns, made with a 2:1 ratio of cornmeal to wheat flour, is placed on top, along with a plate of cured meat, all sliced evenly.
While I was watching the fire in the kitchen, I heard my second child's loud and boisterous voice coming from the living room.
In the living room, Niu Niu and Er Bao jumped up happily when they saw their father come home.
Then he noticed that his second and third uncles behind him would also greet him happily.
"Dad, where's brother?" Erbao looked around but didn't see Dabao. He had a bad feeling.
Niu Niu guessed what was going on, but she was still angry with Da Bao.
Because this younger brother is alright-minded, he's just playful and doesn't like doing homework.
Chen Jiandang and Chen Jianjun took off their thick clothes, sat in the living room, looked at the fireplace, and couldn't help but have some thoughts in their minds.
"Your brother hasn't come back; he's staying in the village."
Upon hearing this, Erbao froze on the spot, and then a feeling of being abandoned welled up inside him.
Niu Niu rolled her eyes and poured water for her second and third uncles.
"Second Uncle, Third Uncle, have some water first, the food will be ready soon!"
Chen Jianjun patted Niu Niu's head. "Good girl, our Niu Niu is all grown up now!"
“Yes, it’s getting better and better!” Chen Jiandang chimed in.
Niu Niu smiled shyly.
At that moment, Chen Jianguo was talking to Su Xia in the kitchen.
"Let Da Bao stay there. He won't have time to go back for school later."
Su Xia nodded, understanding in her heart that the brat didn't want to do his homework, which was why he didn't want to come back.
In the Chen family's house in Zhao Family Village, Da Bao suddenly sneezed twice.
Afterwards, he casually wiped himself off and continued playing with Gou Dan and the others.
Su Xia from the county town also asked about the house, and Chen Jianguo told her second and third sons what they thought.
Then he glanced at his wife, unsure whether to say anything or not.
"What's wrong? Why are you being so hesitant?" Su Xia said irritably.
Upon hearing this, Chen Jianguo angrily flicked her forehead before saying, "Two of the four houses are not habitable, the other two are, but they are more expensive."
Su Xia nodded; this was obvious.
Where are the uninhabitable houses?
"It's very close to my workplace."
Su Xia waved her hand, "Even if people wanted to live here, we couldn't. The train noise is so loud, how can we get proper rest?"
Chen Jianguo nodded; he had only thought of it later.
Su Xia felt that although these two places were dilapidated, they would definitely be valuable in the future.
"By the way, second and third brothers, if they're checking a lot there, you can take it first!"
Upon hearing this, Chen Jianguo smiled with emotion. Although his wife had mentioned it before, he was still worried.
"Wife, you're so good to me...!" His eyes were burning with passion as he stared at Su Xia.
Su Xia glared at him, "Go to the side, wash your hands quickly, we're going to eat soon."
"Okay, I'll finish the task right away!"
Su Xia....
I chuckled. The man is 34, but he still occasionally shows his roguish side.
During the meal, only the second child seemed distracted.
Everyone else was happy.
"Sister-in-law, thank you so much this time!"
Upon hearing Chen Jianjun's sudden remark, Chen Jiandang chimed in, "Sister-in-law, thank you too!"
Su Xia was taken aback by the sudden turn of events between the two.
She then realized what was happening and gave the man a disgruntled look.
Chen Jianguo, who was smiling, noticed that Su Xia was at a loss.
He held up a wine glass to his two younger brothers and began to drink.
"What are you doing? Just say it!"
Su Xia chimed in, "That's right, second and third brothers, you didn't help me when your eldest brother wasn't around!"
Upon hearing this, Chen Jiandang and Chen Jianjun exchanged a glance and continued drinking.
After that, I didn't say thank you again.
Between brothers, sometimes saying too much can just seem pretentious.
After lunch, the group discussed who should buy which house.
"Second brother, I want the one further away, this one is for you!"
"No, this side is fine with you, I want the other side!"
"Second brother, don't try to take it from me!"
"What are you fighting over? I just love it here!"
The two of them, neither willing to give in, started arguing back and forth.
Su Xia, Niu Niu, and Er Bao stared wide-eyed with curiosity.
In the end, Chen Jianguo provided a solution.
Su Xia watched as her two brothers-in-law drew lots, her lips twitching.
No matter how old you are, this method is the best.
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