novelden Chapter 131 Everything is developing in a positive direction
Chapter 131 Everything is developing in a positive direction
Watching her parents walk away, Li Xiaoyun stood there, her eyes stinging, and secretly wiped away a tear.
Li Xiangyang caught a glimpse of it and silently took her small hand in his large one.
"Come on, let's go home," Li's mother called to her children as they walked back inside. "It's warm inside."
Back home, Li Xiangyang sat down and took out paper and pen, and began to carefully draw the house design.
Now that the date is set, we need to hurry up and get the new house ready.
He spread the paper on the kang table and began to sketch, stroke by stroke. Li Xiaoyun leaned against him, watching curiously.
As the brushstrokes flowed, the layout of a northern courtyard gradually became clear.
The main house has five rooms, with the living room in the middle and two rooms on each side.
There are two side rooms on each side, and a circular flower bed in the middle of the courtyard.
"Xiaoyun, here's what I'm thinking: the main house has five rooms, we'll stay in the two on the east side—one master bedroom and one study. The west side will have one secondary bedroom and one bathroom. What do you think of this arrangement?"
Li Xiangyang put down his pen, turned to look at her, and said, "If you don't think it's right, we can revise it."
Li Xiaoyun shook her head: "It's fine, but... isn't it a bit too extravagant?"
“No extravagance.” Li Xiangyang grasped her hand. “Mother, what do you think? If it’s alright, after I finish building here, we’ll renovate our side the same way.”
"Okay, you decide for yourself."
Li's mother didn't have any objections.
"Over here in the side rooms," Li Xiangyang continued, drawing again, "the east wing is the kitchen and storage room, and the west wing will have a spare room. We'll partition the other room to separate men's and women's rooms, and build a toilet there. What do you think, Xiaoyun?"
"I'll do whatever you say." Li Xiaoyun blushed slightly.
“Okay, if you have no objections, then it’s settled for now,” Li Xiangyang put down his pen and said seriously, “But this is still our home, so if you’re not satisfied, we can change it anytime.”
"That's fine, let's leave it at that." Li Xiaoyun thought about it seriously and felt that there was really nothing she wanted to change.
"Brother, what's the purpose of that open space in the middle of the yard?" Li Xiaohua interjected.
"Oh, I'd like to build a flower bed. In the spring, I'll plant crabapple trees and a couple of fruit trees."
"Can we grow sunflowers?" Li Xiaohua asked expectantly.
"Of course, Xiaohua can plant whatever she wants," Li Xiaoyun said with a smile, patting her sister-in-law's head. "When spring comes, your sister-in-law will help you plant them."
Since Li Xiaoyun had no objections, Li Xiangyang looked at the completed drawings and nodded in satisfaction: "That's settled then. I need to hurry to town to check the materials."
“I’ll go with you,” Li Xiaoyun said immediately.
“No,” Li Xiangyang shook his head, “You still have to prepare for your exams. March 28th isn’t far off. Have you forgotten how difficult it was for Uncle Wang to introduce you to this opportunity?”
Li Xiaoyun bit her lip: "But..."
“There’s no ‘buts’,” Li’s mother advised. “Xiaoyun, listen to Xiangyang. He can handle the house construction; you can focus on your studies.”
“Yes,” Li Xiangyang said, taking her hand. “Let’s divide the work. I’ll be responsible for building the house, and you’ll be responsible for doing well on your exams.”
Li Xiaohua chimed in, "Sister-in-law, my brother is right. How honorable it would be if you became a teacher!"
Seeing the concerned looks in her family's eyes, Li Xiaoyun finally nodded: "Then...then wear more clothes when you go, it's cold."
"Understood," Li Xiangyang replied with a smile, feeling a warmth in his heart.
He pulled out paper and pen and began listing the materials: "Fifty thousand bricks should be enough, we can buy more if needed. The timber has to be top-quality..."
"Brother," Li Xiaohua leaned closer to look, "do you want me to copy it for you?"
“Okay,” Li Xiangyang handed the pen to his sister, “You write better than me.”
After a flurry of activity, Li Xiangyang put away the materials list. After dinner, looking at the darkening sky outside the window, he said, "It's getting late. Let's go, Xiaoyun. I'll take you back to the educated youth settlement."
"Okay." Li Xiaoyun nodded, turned around and said goodbye to her mother, "Auntie, I'll be going now."
"Take it easy," Li's mother said with a smile and a wave.
Winter dusk comes exceptionally early, and wisps of smoke are already rising from the village chimneys.
The two walked side by side on the snow, leaving two lines of deep and shallow footprints.
"Xiaoyun," Li Xiangyang suddenly spoke, "I didn't expect it to go so smoothly this time."
Li Xiaoyun smiled and nodded, a blush rising to her cheeks. "Yes, indeed, my parents both like you very much."
“That shows you have good taste and know how to pick a man.” Li Xiangyang puffed out his chest.
Just then, two old women walked towards them.
"Isn't this Xiangyang and Xiaoyun? I heard they got engaged yesterday?"
“Yes, Aunt Zhang,” Li Xiangyang replied with a smile.
"Good, good," another old woman said with a smile, "I knew these two children were a perfect match. Xiaoyun, you've found a good family! Xiangyang is a good boy, reliable and capable."
Li Xiaoyun lowered her head, her face turning even redder.
"Take care, ladies." Li Xiangyang was a little embarrassed and pulled Li Xiaoyun to quicken their pace.
"Hey, young man," came the old man's voice from behind, "remember to invite us to your wedding!"
"Definitely, definitely."
Once out of the old man's sight, Li Xiaoyun breathed a sigh of relief: "How did they all know?"
"It's nothing," Li Xiangyang laughed. "Our village is so small. If your parents come, that's a big deal."
As they talked, the two had already arrived at the educated youth settlement.
"You should go back now," Li Xiaoyun said, standing at the door. "You need to go to town to look at some materials tomorrow."
“Okay,” Li Xiangyang nodded, “You can go in now. I’ll leave after I see you go inside.”
Li Xiaoyun pushed open the door, glanced back, and saw Li Xiangyang still standing there. She couldn't help but smile: "You should go now."
"I'll leave once you go in."
After watching Li Xiaoyun enter the house and close the door, Li Xiangyang turned around and walked back.
The snow on the road was soft, and it made a "crunching" sound when you stepped on it.
Night had completely enveloped Xiaoliang Village, and the lights of a few scattered houses in the distance shone brightly in the darkness.
Li Xiangyang walked slowly, savoring everything that had happened in the past few days.
The arrival of Mr. and Mrs. Li, the setting of the wedding date, and the plans to build a new house...
Everything is going in a good direction.
The next day, before dawn, Li Xiangyang got up.
He quietly dressed and got ready to go to town to buy building materials.
"You're up so early?" Li's mother came in from the outer room carrying a basin of hot water.
"Mother, why are you awake too?"
"I heard you get up," said Li's mother, putting down the hot water. "Wash your face, I'll go make you something to eat. It's so cold, you can't go hungry."
"No need to trouble you, Mother," Li Xiangyang tried to stop his mother. "I can manage."
"That won't do!" Li's mother was already squatting in front of the stove, starting a fire. "No matter how busy you are, you still need to eat. Go wash up first, it'll be ready in a bit."
The flames crackled in the stove, and soon smoke rose from the chimney.
Li's mother cooked a pot of fragrant corn porridge, and then took out a piece of salted meat from the earthenware pot and fried it until golden brown in a small iron pot.
"Eat more," Li's mother said, her eyes full of love as she watched her son wolf down his food. "I'll pack you some pancakes to take with you so you can have something to eat on the road. Don't go hungry these next few days while you're traveling back and forth."
"Mmm," Li Xiangyang replied, picking up another piece of meat and stuffing it into his mouth.
After finishing his meal, Li Xiangyang put the written list into his pocket, took the money, and went out.
He encountered several villagers on the road, who all greeted him warmly.
"Xiangyang, I heard they're building a new house?"
"Yes, Uncle Wang."
"Great news! Great news! If you need more manpower, just let us know."
"Thank you, Uncle Wang."