Chapter 40 : Heartbeat

When Han Zhenyu brought the things to the brigade headquarters, it was almost dark.

The lights were already on in the adobe house where they were temporarily staying.

Su Xieqiu was sitting on a stone at the door, her hands on her cheeks, lost in thought.

Perhaps she heard a noise, so she raised her head.

Seeing Han Zhenyu pulling a cart, she stood up happily.

“You’re back.” There was joy in her voice, which she herself wasn’t fully aware of.

Han Zhenyu’s eyes were captivated by her brilliant smile, and his heartbeat quickened.

Afraid that Su Xieqiu might notice his unusual reaction, he said “hmm” and began unloading the table from the cart.

Su Xieqiu thought he had borrowed it from someone, but as he got closer, she saw that the table and chairs were brand new, so she asked, “Did you buy this?”

Han Zhenyu replied, “I bought it from a carpenter in the village. I also ordered wood for doors, windows, and other furniture. Tell Han Shengwen what style you like, and he’ll make it according to your request.”

“Okay.” Su Xieqiu helped bring the bench into the house.

She then placed the dinner she had prepared on the table. Now that there was a proper table, they could finally sit down and have a proper meal.

Han Zhenyu washed his hands outside, and when he returned to the room, he saw the food on the table a plate of cold cucumbers, a plate of pickled peppers, and two bowls of corn dumplings, one large and one small, with tomatoes and eggs in them.

Su Xieqiu noticed him standing there motionless and called out, “Eat quickly. How about trying this pickled pepper?”

Han Zhenyu sat down with a smile, picked up a pepper, and put it in his mouth. The pepper, with the rich aroma of sauce, instantly stimulated his taste buds.

He praised, “It’s delicious.”

Su Xieqiu smiled and said, “If you like it, I’ll make more. I see that many families in the village grow peppers. I’ll see which family has extra peppers and buy some. After I make them, I’ll store them and we can eat them slowly. They can be preserved for a long time.”

Han Zhenyu treated her very well and respected her deeply. Since she had nothing to offer in return, she decided to make something he liked.

Su Xieqiu felt that since he had chosen to give it a try, she must show all her sincerity.

Han Zhenyu looked at her sparkling eyes and quickly lowered his gaze.

He felt that if he continued watching, he might truly get trapped.

After a while, he raised his head and smiled, “Okay.”

Su Xieqiu didn’t notice anything unusual about him and continued chatting while they ate.

“I bought some eggs in the village today. Aren’t my grandpa and uncle coming over to help tomorrow? I’ll fry them for them then.”

In reality, she had taken the eggs out from the space. Han Zhenyu didn’t mind and wouldn’t ask her where she had bought them from.

When Han Zhenyu had returned, he had seen the eggs in the basket and guessed that Su Xieqiu must have bought them in the village.

“I’ll get you some more money and tickets later, just buy whatever you need.”

“No need. I still have more than 20 yuan here. I’ll ask you for it when I run out of money.” Su Xieqiu didn’t know how much money he had, nor did she care.

She didn’t know how much it would cost to repair the four brick houses, but it would definitely cost a few hundred dollars.

No matter how capable Han Zhenyu is, he is only 22 years old this year. Even if he has savings, it probably won’t be much.

I have everything I need to eat and use in my own space, so there’s not much money to spend. There’s no need to ask him for more money.

Han Zhenyu didn’t say anything, but still planned to leave some money for her before leaving.

He looked at the two poached eggs in the bowl, then at Su Xieqiu who was sitting opposite him.

There was only one egg in her bowl, and not even much cornmeal.

He frowned, “How can you be full with such a small portion?”

Seeing him staring at her bowl, Su Xieqiu explained with a smile, “I ate two big steamed buns at noon, so I’m not that hungry now.”

She had eaten a lot of snacks in the afternoon, and now she really wasn’t very hungry.

Han Zhenyu looked at her seriously and said, “Don’t be reluctant to eat in the future. I can afford to support you.”

Su Xieqiu was stunned by the words “I can support you,” and an unspeakable emotion spread in her heart.

After a long while, she uttered a low “hmm.”

After dinner, the two of them discussed the structure of the house. Han Zhenyu picked up his two quilts and a change of clothes and said to Su Xieqiu:

“I asked Han Lei to help buy some food in the village. He will deliver it tonight. I’ll stay there tonight. Please close the door and go to bed early.”

Su Xieqiu was more than happy to do so. She had been thinking all day: how could the two of them sleep in such a small bed at night?

Now Han Zhenyu is going to live there, so the embarrassment can be avoided.

When he comes back next time, the house should be almost finished. Then they can each have their own room, and they won’t have to feel awkward anymore.

Han Zhenyu felt a little disappointed when he saw her so happy.

He felt that something was wrong with him these two days. He shook his head vigorously and strode out carrying the quilt.

Su Xieqiu closed the door, took a book from the room, and read it under the kerosene lamp.

After an unknown amount of time, when the village had quieted down, she poured the water from the kettle into the wooden barrel.

She blew out the oil lamp and carried the bucket into the space.

She had tried this space in the afternoon. Although the water and electricity inside were not working, she could flush the toilet if she brought in water from outside.

It seems that she will be able to take a shower and use the toilet in the space in the future. This is really a big surprise.

Su Xieqiu planned to buy a few large vats and put them inside, and when they were empty, she would boil some hot water and pour it in.

Anyway, it can keep warm inside, so the water won’t get cold no matter how long it’s been there, and she can take a bath anytime in the future.

There was only one bucket of water today, so Su Xieqiu just rinsed it casually.

After putting on her clothes, she couldn’t help but go to the kitchen to check her supplies.

Based on the amount they had taken out in the past few days, they couldn’t finish all the food inside.

But since Han Zhenyu would be leaving tomorrow, she could add some of the things from the space when cooking so that they wouldn’t go to waste.

Su Xieqiu went into every room and looked around. Finally, she lay down on her two-meter-wide bed and sighed comfortably.

It is true that no place is worse than your own thatched nest. It is still comfortable to live in your own house, which gives you a sense of belonging.

She lay on the bed for a while and then left the space.

They will start building the house tomorrow, and she has to help with the foundation, so she needs to go to bed early.