Chapter 76: Building the House

Old Lady Jiang patted her chest and said, “No, no, I’ve always been healthy. There’s never been any issue.”

Doctor Li shook his head and said, “That doesn’t seem right.”

Old Lady Jiang was stunned. “What doesn’t seem right?”

Doctor Li extended his hand to check her pulse again and said, “From your pulse, it’s clear that your illness has already reached a critical point.”

“What? Reached a critical point?” Old Lady Jiang was taken aback.

Doctor Li nodded. “Yes, it’s definitely reached a critical point.”

Old Lady Jiang couldn’t believe it. “Impossible, impossible! I’ve always been in great health!”

Doctor Li explained, “Some illnesses don’t show symptoms right away. By the time they’re advanced, it’s often too late.”

After speaking, he stood up and packed away his medical kit. “If you don’t believe me, then so be it.”

Old Lady Jiang was a very cautious person when it came to her health. She was especially careful about preserving her life, going to bed early and waking up early, hoping to live a few more years. How could she suddenly be told she was gravely ill?

Before she could fully process it, a warm sensation rushed into her nose.

She quickly reached up to touch it, only to find blood—bright red blood—flowing from her nostrils.

The blood continued to pour out, like a spring from her nose.

Old Lady Jiang panicked and quickly cupped her hands around her nose, exclaiming, “Doctor! Doctor! What kind of illness is this?”

Doctor Li sighed and said, “Your illness is very serious. I’m just a rural doctor, and I’m afraid I can’t help you. You should go to the county hospital.”

Old Lady Jiang legs went weak, and she collapsed onto the ground, unable to move.

Standing nearby, the eldest son of the Jiang family, acting as if he were completely clueless, said, “Mother, it’s nothing. It’s just a little nosebleed. It won’t kill you!”

Old Lady Jiang eyes rolled back, her feet kicked out, and she fainted.

That night.

Old  Tan learned from the villagers about Old Lady Jiang serious illness and couldn’t help but smile. “This is retribution! She deserves it!”

Wan Chunmei, who was dishing out the food, laughed and said, “Exactly. People shouldn’t do anything that will make them guilty. Heaven is always watching, and sooner or later, they will face retribution.”

Old  Tan nodded repeatedly. “Exactly, exactly.”

Tan Xiaomei, listening, felt her complexion improve significantly.

The whole family gathered around to eat, and they started discussing plans for building a house the next morning.

Since the family would be living there and the weather was still cold, the new house would be built next door, conveniently near the Xu family.

As for the size of the house, Old man Tan, based on the copper coins he had and the wood provided by Old Master Chen, calculated it out.

In total, there would be four bedrooms, plus one kitchen.

A total of five rooms.

The Next Morning

The next morning, people from the Yu family arrived. Besides Uncle Yu, there were three or four other men, all skilled in bricklaying.

In this village, houses were typically built with yellow clay and blue tiles.

Apart from bringing the labor, the Yu family also brought a substantial amount of blue tiles and yellow clay bricks.

Actually, the copper coins given by Old Tan weren’t nearly enough, but for some reason, Aunt Yu wanted to help this family.

Aunt Yu smiled as she organized things, “Sister, the people and materials are here. If you need anything, just let me know.”

Wan Chunmei felt a bit embarrassed and gratefully replied, “Thank you, Aunt Yu. You really don’t have to go through so much trouble.”

Aunt Yu chuckled, “We’re all from the same village. No need to be so polite.”

Wan Chunmei quickly brought over some tea that had already been prepared.

Soon, the whole family was hard at work.

Old Tan and Wan Chunmei worked together digging the foundation.

The children helped by passing things around.

Tan Xiaomei stayed at home to look after Little Qiyue and Tan Liujin, and she also took care of the family’s meals.

Building the house was a joyful event, and when the villagers heard about it, they all came to help.

Of course, while some were eager to help, others weren’t so happy about it.

For instance, there was the disfigured woman from the village head’s family, and the third sister of the Wan family, who had a miscarriage.

They didn’t know how many curses they muttered under their breath about the Tan family.

But so what? The house was still being built.

By the time evening approached, Tan Erqian, who had just been to the county, came back.

Old Tan was stunned when he saw Tan Erqian. “You, you, why are you back?”

Tan Erqian entered the house and grabbed the water jug, drinking deeply.

Seeing how anxious he looked, Old Tan quickly asked, “Erqian, why did you suddenly come back? Could it be that you were driven out?”

Tan Erqian wiped his mouth and laughed, “Father, what are you saying? How could I have been driven out? Do you think I’m Chen Shian?”

Old Tan remarked, “Speaking of Chen Shian, I almost forgot to tell you. That guy ran away with his wife, who was pretending to be pregnant.”

Tan Erqian smiled. “I know.”

“You know? When did you hear about it?” Old Tan quickly asked.

Tan Erqian slowly replied, “That Chen Shian came back with his wife, found Grandpa Sun, and said he wanted to turn over a new leaf.”

He lifted his eyes and smiled, “Do you know what happened next?”

Old Tan gave him a tap on the head and said, “Stop trying to be clever and just tell me straight.”