Chapter 72

“Here they come!” Fan Jiang shouted loudly as his sturdy figure led the way inside with heavy steps.

Yan Qiuxing and the others followed.

With regular meat and egg meals over the past month and a half, and occasional chicken soup, their diet improved, and everyone in the family gained weight.

Yan Qiuxing and the two others gradually filled out their sunken cheeks. The young girl of eleven or twelve grew taller and her wrists no longer thin like beanpoles, presenting a lively and delicate appearance.

Shuiqing looked at her two daughters with extreme satisfaction!

Initially, Sun Jinhua had said their daughters had no blessings and were as thin as corn stalks. How was it lack of blessings? Clearly, it was skimping on their food, resulting in years of hunger.

She looked at the youngest, Fan Hu, who was originally small with a big head and small body but had now grown taller.

Fan He gained weight, but the difference was not too significant.

These four children all seemed to have inherited Fan Jin’s tall and slender physique.

Shuiqing’s gaze finally fell on Fan Jiang, who had entered the room first.

He was thick and robust, resembling a small mountain when still, and moving like a mobile small mountain.

This child truly inherited his grandfather and uncle’s genes.

Previously, they ate less, so everyone was thin, and the differences were not too clear. After improving their diet for over a month, it was reasonable for others to have grown a bit, but only this child had gained weight as if he had eaten fermented flour, rising quickly!

Looking embarrassed, Fan Jiang asked innocently, “Mother, what’s the matter?”

Shuiqing convinced herself that children grow their bodies during this time, so a bit more fat was fine, and moreover, Fan Jiang was not fat, but strong.

Those with large frames always suffer, and gaining a bit of weight can make them look strong and robust.

She withdrew her gaze and pointed at the two slightly deflated cloth bags on the bed, saying, “Yan Qiu and Xing Hui, these two wallets are yours.”

“Wallets?” Yan Qiuxing asked in confusion.

Shuiqing did not answer, instead pointing to the three bulging cloth bags beside them and saying, “Jiang, He, Hu, these three are yours.”

Seeing the bulging wallets, the three were even more delighted.

“Mother, are you giving us money to spend?”

“Do I have money too? Can I spend it freely?”

“Mother, isn’t this too much money? Shouldn’t we have less than our sister?”

Holding the heavy bags, the three chattered happily.

Shuiqing raised her eyebrows and asked bluntly, “If it’s not appropriate, are you willing to exchange?”

Jiang, He, and Hu shook their heads immediately, true to their hearts.

If their older sister had none, they would give her some, but they wouldn’t exchange.

The grandson of the village chief had a slingshot. They had been jealous for a long time. Now that they had their own money, their dreams were within reach. How could they give up?!

Shuiqing wasn’t annoyed; it was only natural.

“You’re going to regret it later.”

“Mother, isn’t this a bit too much?” Yan Qiu asked worriedly.

“Not at all, not at all, Da Jie, how could money ever be too much?” Fan He replied eagerly.

Shuiqing smiled, “This money is for you. Keep it safe. When we go to the city later, whatever you want to eat or play with, use your own money to buy it. But remember, once it’s spent, it’s gone.”

“To the city?” The joy of suddenly having money was instantly overshadowed by an even greater excitement.

The five children stood frozen in place, hardly believing their ears as they looked at their mother, then at their father!

Fan Jin, refined and polite, added, “Yes, your mother said that when the cows are fed early in the morning, and since it’s still early, our whole family can go to the capital city.”

Originally, they were supposed to feed the cows and bring Heizi home, but unexpectedly, it didn’t work out. After Heizi’s aunt made a fuss, it wasn’t too late, and with a cart, they could return before dark.

The three younger ones jumped up happily and cheered so loudly that they seemed about to overturn the roof.

Yan Qiuxing was more restrained, but joy was unmistakable on her face as well.

They had never been to the capital city before, and they didn’t know what the city walls were like.

Deciding to go to the city, Shuiqing instructed, “Since we’re going on a long trip, you should go and prepare. When you come back, change into new clothes.”

Every morning, Yan Qiuxing was in charge of feeding the chickens, and they both did well. But now that they were going out for the day, they had to prepare the chicken feed for the afternoon.

Yan Qiuxing agreed and hurried out.

Fan He was responsible for other tasks, such as watering the vegetable garden, washing clothes, fetching water, etc. No need for instructions; he ran off to work.

Full of energy!

Shuiqing’s trip to the capital was not just for fun.

Taking the children along to see new and exciting things was one thing, but more importantly, it was to prepare for the days ahead!

Even without floods, Shanshui Village experiences heavy rainfall in summer, so it’s crucial to have a good drainage system when building new houses.

The Forbidden City hasn’t been flooded in 600 years. A more accurate statement would be that even if there’s some water accumulation, it can quickly drain away. However, whether it’s flood-free or water-free, both are what she needs.

The wisdom of ancient people, especially their professional abilities, is truly impressive.

Shuiqing is very aware of her own capabilities. She might be good at business, but when it comes to building houses, designing yards, and planning drainage systems with open and hidden channels, she’s a complete novice.

Leave professional matters to professionals.

Therefore, she needs to go to the capital city to find someone skilled in building houses and courtyards, plan ahead, and ensure that the roofs, floors, and underground areas are intricately connected with drainage systems. This will not only prevent the courtyard from flooding but also ensure there’s no water accumulation.

“Shuiqing, bring more silver. Let’s place orders for bricks, tiles, tables, and chairs,” Fan Jin suggested as he watched Shuiqing pack silver into a small cloth bag.

Previously, they planned to start construction at the end of October or early November. With the mushroom season over, villagers are now idle, and placing orders for bricks and tiles early would allow work to begin sooner.

Shuiqing remembered that they don’t deliver bricks and tiles here. Once the quantity is confirmed and a deposit paid, they have to arrange for transportation themselves.

They only have one ox cart, but there are many plank carts and single-wheel carts in the village. Relying purely on manpower for transport is indeed time-consuming, so the sooner, the better.

“Tables and chairs?” She recalled that all the current furniture was made by inviting carpenters to the house. Which rural household doesn’t have readily available wood?

This way, they can save on wood costs.

Do they still need to go to the county seat to place an order?

“The carpenter from the neighboring village has a bad temper and speaks harshly. His skills are not really good, and his craftsmanship is rough. I was thinking of inviting a skilled craftsman from around the capital city. Is that okay?” Fan Jin timidly asked.

Was his attitude so cautious that Shuiqing thought he was in a bad mood?

She only casually asked.

She agreed, “Okay, do as you said.”

A rough table is still acceptable, but a cabinet isn’t. Clothes are scarce these days, and if they’re scratched, it’s heartbreaking.

Um, let’s not have rough tables either. After all, they’re used for three meals a day.

After careful consideration, Shuiqing felt that their little nest should be as refined as possible.

After all, if there really is a flood, this is where they have to stay every day, so of course, the more comfortable, the better.