Zhao Xiaofang ran until she was out of breath.
When she reached the car, she saw Tian Jing waving money at her.
Tian Jing also mocked her, "Do you know? You're actually a jinx. Whenever you're around, Da Mai and his two daughters are pitiful and pathetic."
"After you left, Da Mai's father met Ouyang Meihua, a woman from the city, and a city woman with a large dowry."
"Not long after, Li Erbo revealed that Da Mai's father was my mother-in-law's eldest son. We definitely have to do our best to support them."
"Of course, if this had been revealed when you were still married, I wouldn't have supported them."
"Because it's too disgusting for a sister-in-law to seduce her brother-in-law. This is a hurdle none of us can overcome. I don't know if you've overcome it? Good luck to you~"
"Oh, I misspoke. I should wish sister good luck. If she hadn't met you, she wouldn't have lost the match and wouldn't have lost a hundred yuan."
"She wouldn't have suffered this hardship in the height of summer, and she wouldn't have been injured for a hundred days. I wonder if any enemies took the opportunity during these hundred days..."
"Oh dear, everyone who is with you has a bad ending~ Goodbye."
"I hope next time, you bring someone with higher combat power."
Zhao Xiaofang stomped her foot at the retreating figure who had finished instigating and left.
Hmph, just wait, I'll be back.
"Are you getting in the car or not? I need to go to the hospital, can't you see?"
"Oh, coming, coming."
...
As soon as Tian Jing and her husband entered the village, they were surrounded by villagers.
But they didn't dare to block them completely, they just walked alongside them.
They chattered about how fierce this eldest sister was, and that they truly dared not step forward last time.
Tian Jing raised her hand to signal for quiet.
"No need to explain. Seeing eldest sister's build, we understand. It's alright, it's alright, everyone go back to your work."
What were they busy with?
The corn behind the village had just started to grow.
But it had turned a lot greener.
Go weed and fertilize to promote growth.
The diligent ones went home to get their straw hats and headed to the back of the village.
Those who weren't in the mood to work were still chasing after Tian Jing.
...
Mother Li was already waiting at the courtyard entrance with her granddaughter. Her daughter-in-law had won.
Grandpa Xiao was also standing in the courtyard to welcome her. His granddaughter was amazing.
Xiao Shuyuan looked proud. This was his little lady. He completely forgot his arrogant demeanor when he first arrived.
Lili, who was in her grandmother's arms, reached out for her mother when she saw her return.
Tian Jing waved her hand, "Wait, Mommy needs to wash her hands."
Four-month-old Lili could already recognize her family and only wanted to be held by her own family.
When villagers tried to hold her, she would turn her head and ignore them. She wouldn't even let Aunt Niu and Guo Hong hold her. As soon as they tried to pick her up, Lili would kick and flail.
Her little fists didn't hurt, but it was impossible to hold her.
After washing her hands and holding her daughter, Tian Jing smiled at her grandfather and said, "I've made Grandpa worry."
Grandpa Xiao's eyes reddened. "A Yuan said you were very capable. This time, I believe him."
"Mhm, from now on, I'm not afraid of anyone."
"Heh heh, there are always people better than you. It's better to be low-key."
"I was too low-key before. These people always provoked me. From now on, being low-key isn't suitable."
Grandpa Xiao smiled. "Then be high-profile."
"Yes, from now on, we'll be high-profile."
...
Li Zhengguo handed the hundred yuan to Li Aiguo.
Li Aiguo sincerely thanked him, "Thank you, cousin Zhengguo, and thank you, cousin-in-law."
Li Zhengguo waved his hand and went home, not giving Li Aiguo a chance to speak further.
Li Aiguo sighed silently towards the Li family's gate.
...
After more than a month, the platform of the courtyard house was finally poured.
Because the foundation was laid on the first floor, it took a month to pour the foundation of the underground floor.
It was all mixed by hand.
After the platform was poured, the construction workers could rest for a few days.
Li Zhengguo brought money and asked Captain Ou and Brother Wang to settle the wages for the workers and masters for this period.
This scared the workers, who repeatedly assured him they wouldn't go home.
When the workers arrived, they learned about the good deeds of the villagers from Kuxanli.
Don't say they had malicious thoughts, they were genuinely happy. If it weren't for the insatiable villagers from Kuxanli, they wouldn't have gotten a wage of one yuan a day.
Li Zhengguo quickly explained, "We have to wait for the platform to dry before we can continue working. You can rest for a few days."
"You haven't been home for over a month. Don't you miss your wives and children? Take your wages, go home, help your families weed and fertilize."
"After a week, the original crew will report back. The masters are not leaving. I'm worried they might need money at home, so I'll settle their wages too and let them mail the money back first."
So they misunderstood?
The workers lined up to collect their wages.
After settling their wages, Li Zhengguo told the workers to tidy up their dirty clothes and worn-out shoes to take home for repairs. He reminded them to bring thick coats and bedding, as the next phase of work would continue until it snowed.
While the workers were tidying their belongings, Li Zhengguo asked the masters if they wanted to go to town, offering to drive them and show them around.
The masters shook their heads, saying they were also tired and wanted a good rest for a few days.
"Alright, ask Aunt Niu to cook some good food for you these few days. I'll get you some fresh wild game."
"That sounds great!"
The masters were addicted to eating dried wild game and hadn't tasted fresh wild game yet.
For these few days, only Aunt Niu remained to cook.
Of course, the two other women were also paid.
The jubilant workers carried their luggage home.
Their unconcealed smiles made the villagers envious and jealous.
Village Chief Ou didn't care about the villagers' feelings and continued to guard the construction site with his eldest son.
Because the temperature was relatively high, the platform had to be watered for maintenance after four to five hours.
He had to supervise this timing and consult the masters to check the humidity of the watering.
And after the initial watering, it had to be watered again almost every two hours. At night, the intervals were longer, but they still had to pay attention to the timing.
If Xiao Shuyuan hadn't lent him his watch, he would have had to stay up all night calculating the time.
Most importantly, he also had to urge Yang Lei and the others to carry water. He was extremely busy.
After two days of eating well, sleeping well, and resting well, the masters were busy carving wood.
Below the eaves and under the tiles, everything was made of wood. Time was tight.
Master Zhao had invited a family – from the elder to the middle-aged men to the young people, a total of seven people from three generations, all experienced in building courtyard houses.
Because of the appearance of cement, the two middle-aged men had a thorough understanding of cement foundations.
That's why Master Zhao invited them.
Originally, Master Zhao planned to invite two people, but Li Zhengguo said not to worry about the number of people and to try to shorten the time, so he simply invited his master out of retirement.
That's right, this family was his master, senior brothers, and nephews.
Upon receiving the telegram, his master hesitated.
He anxiously made a phone call, and after briefly describing the requirements of the courtyard house, his master became interested and brought his entire three-generation family.
When they arrived, Li Zhengguo, seeing that his master was elderly, planned to arrange separate accommodation for him in a villager's home.
The master disagreed and squeezed into two rooms with them.
Only after Li Zhengguo rented the entire courtyard at the head of the village did the master agree to live with them.
The canteen was also set up in the courtyard. Eating communal meals, the master was very happy, saying the taste was excellent, authentic farmhouse food.
He was then relieved.
Now, after resting for just two days, they were working again, and he was a little worried. "Master, why don't you rest a little longer?"
His master glared, "Rest what? Hurry up and work, try to finish building the inner courtyard before it snows."
Hearing the hearty roar, Master Zhao smiled. "Yes."