Chapter 81

Shuiqing tried persuading her a few more times, but it was still useless.

Hu Wenhua, who was watching from the side, chuckled and said, “Sister, just stop trying. Mother hurried over here to help you. If you make her rest, she’d rather go back home.”

Looking around, he asked, “Sister, I see there are a lot of people helping out. What should I do?”

Shuiqing glanced at her sturdy and robust brother and pointed towards the river in the distance. “We bought six rabbits yesterday. Go help build a larger pen for them.”

The last time they built the thatched cottage, he had already made a small pen and surrounded it with stones, which was enough space for the six rabbits to roam around.

However, rabbits breed very quickly. In just a few months, these six rabbits will have a litter of baby bunnies, and it won’t be long before there’s a whole nest of them. It’s better to prepare the pen in advance to avoid any panic later.

After all, they would rely on these rabbits to improve their diet next summer.

Last time, Hu Wenhua built the pen thinking that his sister and brother-in-law might catch some wild rabbits to raise. It turned out to be useful after all, though they bought the rabbits instead of catching them.

But it didn’t matter if they were bought; rabbits were rabbits, and rabbit meat was incredibly delicious!

Grinning, he said, “Alright, sister, I can build it in a day!”

“Once you’re done with that, you’ll be in charge of making adobe bricks. While the mason is still here, we should build the pigsty,” Shuiqing instructed her brother without any hesitation.

Family members could be directed freely and comfortably.

Hu’s mother, smiling broadly, said to her son, “You’re strong, so work quickly and don’t let others laugh at you!

Besides, your father will bring the piglets in a couple of days. Without a pigsty, if the piglets aren’t raised well, your nephews and nieces won’t have meat to eat next year.”

Adding a bit of pressure at the end.

Thinking about how this affected the food supply for his nephews and nieces next year, Hu Wenhua pounded his chest and said confidently, “I’ll go make the bricks right away! I’ll finish the rabbit pen after making the bricks.”

The rabbit pen wasn’t urgent, but the pigsty was essential.

After saying that, he quickly ran off.

Shuiqing smiled. Little brother, the more diligent you are now, the more you’ll enjoy the meat next year!

As Hu’s mother washed the tender green vegetables, she asked, “What are you planning to cook for lunch?”

In the countryside, it’s customary to provide lunch for those helping with house construction.

Shuiqing, carrying a large wooden basin, replied, “There are too many people to afford rice and wheat flour. I’m thinking of cooking a few large pots of vegetable and egg soup with cornbread. It’s easy to make and quick to serve.

What do you think, mother?”

Rice and wheat flour were too luxurious. If they fed dozens of people rice and wheat flour for ten days or half a month, the whole county would know about it!

Hu’s mother agreed, thinking that even the wealthy families in Niutou Town served cornmeal and millet. Shuiqing’s addition of egg soup, even without meat, was still quite respectable.

Previously, when her husband brought people to help, their daughter served rice and wheat flour, which was fine for a day. But now, with dozens of people for at least half a month, she worried her daughter might do the same.

Feeling relieved, she nodded, “That’s very good, quite respectable.”

With her approval, Shuiqing didn’t hesitate to scoop large ladlefuls of cornmeal.

The bright orange-yellow color was very appealing.

Working together, their speed increased significantly.

Fan Jin was discussing specific details with the masons and carpenters from the county.

Eight masons were hired, each responsible for different parts of the house: the main house, east wing, west wing, and the back house.

With many helpers, all four sections could be built simultaneously without interference, speeding up the construction.

With the head masons supervising, they could follow the plans accurately and ensure the quality of the house.

The carpenter had one master and two apprentices.

Fan Jin explained his specific requirements to the carpenter master: “Ten beds, each 1.8 meters wide and 2 meters long.”

Shuiqing said this size was the most suitable. It was spacious for two people and even more so for one person.

Although the children were small now, they would grow up. Using solid materials from their own wood, these beds would last for decades, eliminating the need to replace them when they got married.

Each of the five children had their own room, plus their room, making six beds needed for their family.

There were also rooms for the in-laws when they visited, and Wenhua needed one. Two more were for guest rooms, though they didn’t have many guests now, they might in the future.

“Alright! We’ll make them exactly as you want!” Hearing they needed ten beds, the three carpenters were instantly energized.

They initially thought a rural family might only need a few beds, so this was quite a surprise!

Who would have thought that the master would order ten beds right off the bat? The more they made, the more they earned, so naturally, they were pleased.

Fan Jin continued, “We also need ten cabinets. Three of them should be large, three of normal size, and the remaining four can be simple small wardrobes.”

Shuiqing had mentioned that they and their two daughters would need the large cabinets, as they might have more clothes in the future. For the boys, Jiang, He, and Hu, a normal-sized cabinet each would be sufficient since boys typically have fewer clothes.

As for Father Hu, Mother Hu, and Wenhua, even if they stayed over, they wouldn’t bring much more than a change of clothes. A simple small wardrobe would be enough for them.

“We need a large round dining table that can seat at least ten people, an Eight Immortals table, four long benches, eighteen square stools, and five or six small stools for sitting while sorting vegetables, washing, or doing laundry.”

“Oh, and we also need one large and one small bathtub for soaking, as well as five or six large wooden buckets.” The wooden buckets bought yesterday for storing rice wine seemed insufficient.

Since the carpenter was here, it was a good opportunity to have them made, which would be cheaper than buying ready-made ones.

“Got it, all noted!” the carpenter master responded.

With tasks clearly assigned, everyone worked diligently and efficiently, maintaining order amidst the bustle.

After checking around, Fan Jin returned to the kitchen to help Shuiqing prepare the meal.

Mother Hu saw her son-in-law kneading dough and, while pleased, she also felt concerned. “Son-in-law, take a rest. Shuiqing and I can handle the kitchen!

You’re a scholar. If people see you working in the kitchen, Shuiqing will be gossiped about.”

Which man worked in the kitchen? Especially a son-in-law who was a scholar!

If others saw this, they might say her daughter was too lazy, making the head of the household do kitchen chores.

Before Shuiqing could speak, Fan Jin said, “Mother, it’s alright. In our family, we do things our way, and no one else has a say.”

Seeing her son-in-law so unconcerned, Mother Hu was even more delighted, looking at Fan Jin with great satisfaction. Her son-in-law was considerate.

“Oh dear, how could my precious son be working in the kitchen! I raised him for over twenty years without letting him do that. How did he end up cooking so soon after getting married?”