Zhang Liunian, however, would never agree to not pay wages. Facing his sister's help, he would only think about whether the salary offered was too low.
"It's settled then. Don't argue with me. Third Brother will never shortchange his sister. Even though you'll be looking after Huabao, it's still part of your job."
"Third Brother..." Zhang Xiaomei was touched but still didn't want to accept.
But Zhang Liunian gave her no chance to refuse. No matter what she said, he remained firm about paying her a salary.
"It's the same as before. We've agreed."
Finally, Zhang Liunian made the final decision, ending the conversation. Then he looked at the darkening sky, which looked like it was about to rain. He was a bit worried. "It seems like it's really going to rain. I'll go tell Uncle Shishu about moving later. You all go make dinner, and we'll move after eating."
"Okay," Jiang Qingqing responded. After seeing her husband off, she went into the kitchen with Zhang Xiaomei.
Zhang Liunian arrived at Zhang Laoshi's house and got straight to the point. "Uncle Laoshi, my mud house is too old. I plan to tear it down and rebuild. We plan to move to the female educated youth dormitory after dinner tonight and wanted to ask for your help with the move."
Zhang Laoshi was aware that Zhang Liunian was planning to build a new house, especially since he had helped find the land behind his house with Zhang Hao.
"You're moving today?" Zhang Laoshi glanced at the sky, which was already close to raining. It wasn't a good day for moving!
Zhang Liunian followed his gaze and saw the dark clouds overhead. It was going to be a heavy rain.
"We've made arrangements to start construction tomorrow, so we can only move today." Zhang Liunian secretly hoped the heavens would wait a little longer.
However, this was just his thought; the heavens weren't his mother and wouldn't listen to him.
"If you've decided, then we can only move. Don't worry, we'll come over to help you right after we finish eating. The sooner we finish, the sooner it's done." Zhang Laoshi withdrew his gaze, lit a cigarette, and agreed.
"Thank you, Uncle Laoshi."
With his word, Zhang Liunian was reassured. Zhang Laoshi's family had eight adults, plus the eighteen uncles helping with the construction, and a tractor. Zhang Liunian believed they could finish the move quickly.
With that thought, he didn't linger any longer.
He went home to tidy up a bit, and it was time for dinner.
"Qingqing, Huabao, eat more. And Xiaomei, Yaba, you're all family. Don't be shy from now on." As soon as Zhang Liunian sat down at the table, he started serving food to his wife and daughter, and also urged Xiaomei and Yaba to eat their fill.
Actually, ever since Yaba started working for Zhang Liunian, he often came to eat here. However, he would occasionally eat at the educated youth dormitory himself.
But before, he hadn't confirmed his relationship with Xiaomei. Now that they were confirmed, his feelings were different; he always felt like he was receiving care from elders.
Yaba smiled and nodded, then learned from Zhang Liunian to serve Zhang Xiaomei. Her cheeks flushed, but she didn't refuse.
Zhang Liunian smiled when he saw this. "Xiaomei, have you and your brother-in-law considered the matter of building the house?"
When Zhang Xiaomei heard her third brother mention it, she felt a little embarrassed. "It's too much trouble for Third Brother and Third Sister-in-law. We can wait until we save enough money to build."
Her words were a refusal.
Zhang Liunian understood. "Third Brother has money and can lend you some. Do you really not want to build?"
"No, by the end of the year, the money we save will be enough. It's not too late to build then." Zhang Xiaomei really didn't want to trouble her third brother and sister-in-law too much. She remembered all the kindness they had shown her, but she couldn't go too far.
"Xiaomei, I'm your real third brother. You don't need to be so reserved."
Zhang Liunian knew she didn't want to trouble him, but he didn't think it was trouble.
"Third Brother, we're not in a hurry. Waiting half a year is fine too." Zhang Xiaomei had made up her mind to wait until the end of the year to save enough money to build a big brick house.
Seeing her persistence, Zhang Liunian didn't force the issue. After all, it was only half a year; there was no need to rush.
After dinner, he put down his bowl and glanced at the dark sky again, a worried expression on his face. "It looks like it's going to rain. Let's get started quickly!" With that, he began loading items that couldn't get wet, like clothes and quilts, onto the tractor.
Jiang Qingqing and the others knew the weather had changed because the air suddenly turned cold.
They put down their bowls and chopsticks and each went to their assigned tasks.
Yaba also brought a flatbed cart from the educated youth dormitory and began moving things.
The family hadn't been working for three minutes when Zhang Laoshi arrived with his five sons to help. Then, the eighteen uncles helping with construction also arrived.
With the help of these people, Zhang Liunian's tractor was full in no time.
"Brother Liunian, I'll help you pull it." Zhang Qian also knew Zhang Liunian was moving and had borrowed another tractor from the village.
"Okay, you're responsible for driving the tractor for me." As Zhang Liunian spoke, he first took a load to the educated youth dormitory, and also brought Yaba, Xiaomei, Huabao, and Zhang Laoshi's twin sons along.
After Zhang Liunian drove the tractor to the educated youth dormitory, they immediately started moving things into the house.
After emptying the tractor, Zhang Liunian went back for another load.
As soon as he returned home, Zhang Qian drove the tractor away again. This process repeated, and within an hour, all of Zhang Liunian's belongings were moved.
At this moment, strong winds began to blow, and heavy rain started to fall from the sky. Zhang Liunian hurriedly told everyone to hurry home.
"Liunian, you should get back soon too. The rain will only get heavier." Zhang Laoshi, seeing that the belongings were moved, instructed Zhang Liunian before leading his family back.
"I will. Be careful on your way." Zhang Liunian watched them leave, then returned to the house and found his wife in the room, looking reluctant to leave.
"Are we leaving already?" Jiang Qingqing turned as Zhang Liunian entered, her eyes turning red.
Zhang Liunian knew she was reluctant. He stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her. "Are you reluctant?"
Jiang Qingqing leaned into Zhang Liunian's embrace and replied with a nasal tone, "Yes, I've lived here for so many years, I've grown attached."
"If you're reluctant, then maybe we should find another place to build the house?" Seeing his wife's reluctance, Zhang Liunian subconsciously considered the feasibility of finding another place to build.
But after saying this, he remembered that the house would collapse soon anyway. He opened his mouth to say something, but didn't.
"You spoil me so much, aren't you afraid you'll spoil me too much?" Jiang Qingqing, hearing her husband's words, suddenly broke into a smile from her earlier reluctance. She buried her face in Zhang Liunian's chest, a sweet smile on her lips.
"Aren't wives and daughters meant to be spoiled?" Zhang Liunian's large hand covered Jiang Qingqing's head and stroked it. He lowered his gaze and smiled.
Jiang Qingqing giggled sweetly. "Who told you that?" Wives are meant to be spoiled; what a beautiful saying! How did her husband suddenly get so enlightened? He could even say such sweet words now.
"This is my own thought. No one told me," Zhang Liunian said, holding her head and lowering his voice.