Chapter 108

·

·

·

Main Character:

Shen Yao

"The room has been repainted?"

The surroundings looked bright and clean; even the soot stains from earlier smoking were gone.

Before entering, Shen Yao had heard Xie Ci'an mention that a family of five surnamed Fan originally lived here; later the male head was transferred away to the south, and only then were roughly three-and-a-half to nearly four side rooms vacated.

By rights, a place this large should not have been given to Xie Ci'an.

But who made Xie Ci'an special? Xie Shangjin and Tian Na securing the main house and left side room was related to the couple's capability and their private purchase and exchange of quotas at great expense, but this right side room was different.

This house was completely earned by Xie Ci'an through his own ability.

Thinking of the courtyard house prices in Jing Shi after the later Reform and Opening Up, Shen Yao touched her chin, and her gaze toward Xie Ci'an held a few more traces of tenderness.

Worthy of the man she valued — even his ability to earn a house was first-rate impressive.

Xie Ci'an: …?

"Do you like it? We can get some more cement and lay the floor."

Although doing so would be somewhat troublesome, Xie Ci'an thought of Shen Yao and did not find it troublesome.

Shen Yao nodded, "We can stick some tiles," especially where the stove sits by the entrance.

Otherwise, with smoke and fire, even if it's scraped well now, it won't last long.

Xie Ci'an guaranteed, "Rest assured, I'll find someone to get some back."

Shen Yao smiled, "Not afraid; the canning factory has surplus, we can transfer it over for use."

Before, Shen Yao definitely couldn't have said this, but who let her just finish a major matter for the canning factory.

Just those mountain goods — even the department store and Supply and Marketing Cooperative weren't enough to sell them.

Now Shen Yao finding a source of supply for the canning factory is doing good deeds.

As for the Logistics Office needing to run outside with hard work — first, this is their proper duty; second, even staying in Jing Shi they'd have to run everywhere to procure New Year's goods.

And going to the Northeast, they not only get travel subsidies but can also purchase mountain goods first themselves.

Overall, this job is not a loss for the Logistics Office.

Even Xiao Deng from the Logistics Office went along; Xiao Deng entered only a year earlier than Shen Yao, looked thin and small, not even reaching Shen Yao's shoulder.

Briefly telling Xie Ci'an about the canning factory matter, Shen Yao agreed with him to find a time and go directly to pull it.

Anyway, piled in the Ku Fang it's just dust-gathering existence; them taking it back counts as waste utilization.

Not only the tile issue in the side room, but also the lodging in the two left and right side wings; the small hut at the back will certainly be a sundries room, used to store infrequently used tools.

"Also the future children issue — partition the middle of the house, simply make a passage; when children grow up it's not good to touch too much."

Shen Yao spoke eloquently and at length, while Xie Ci'an was embarrassed until his face flushed red.

Children and such — they haven't married yet, isn't it a bit early?

But just thinking that he and Shen Yao will have children in the future, both boys and girls, what surged more in Xie Ci'an's heart was excitement.

Who doesn't want to build a family with the person they like and live a blissful life?

Xie Ci'an is a genius boy; from childhood to adulthood it's been smooth sailing all the way.

But this cannot change the fact that Xie Ci'an is also an ordinary man.

Facing Shen Yao, Xie Ci'an seemed like a young man fresh out of the thatched cottage — feelings ardent yet reserved.

Not to mention, Shen Yao quite likes this style; after all, subtlety requires more insight, but Xie Ci'an likes straight-ball expression — his emotional changes are especially intense, especially paired with that handsome face; the reason Shen Yao had no objection to marrying next spring was still because her own heart itched somewhat uncontrollably.

Shen Yao: …No help for it; they say female beauty tempts, but male beauty is equally bewitching.

The two stayed in the side room for a good while, until Tian Na finished cooking and had Stone go call them; only then did the two of them come out dawdling.

Only the two who came out both had slightly off expressions, and their lip corners were excessively red.

Tian Na smiled and beckoned Shen Yao to sit, "All home-cooked ordinary dishes, Little Shen, quickly don't be courteous."

"Wow, Grandmother made fish and chicken today, and braised pork — so sumptuous."

Tian Na: …

Stone was startled and hurriedly covered Wood's mouth corner, simultaneously warning Wood in a low voice not to speak nonsense.

The two are twins, born with great difficulty; this is also the main reason Wu Zhaodi hasn't conceived a second child for many years.

"Little Shen, don't mind those two — they're both wild monkeys who go crazy when guests come."

Tian Na extended her chopsticks and gave Shen Yao a chicken leg; the domineering meat fragrance swept through everyone's nasal cavities.

Not to mention anything else, Tian Na's cooking craftsmanship does have some skill.

Hearing Xie Ci'an say, Tian Na early on followed a restaurant shopkeeper to learn.

If not for later various incidents, she might have already opened a small restaurant and become a boss.

"Thank you, Auntie."

Shen Yao followed Tian Na's intention and lowered her head to eat, then inevitably ate a few portions more.

Mm, it really is quite fragrant~

Seeing the dining table already eaten clean, Tian Na told Shen Yao to hurry back to the room to rest.

"Auntie, let me help you tidy up."

"Quickly don't be courteous with Auntie, go inside first; these are all trifles."

"…"

The two declined back and forth, finally ending with Shen Yao unable to twist past Tian Na.

"Eldest Young Master and Eldest Sister-in-law, Second Brother and Sister-in-law are both at work, so why haven't I seen Duoduo?"

Shen Yao's visit this time wasn't well-timed; only Tian Na was home with Xie Shangjin and Xie Aidang's two sons.

Xie Shangjin was also a man of few words, and once Tian Na got busy, Shen Yao could only talk to Xie Ci'an.

"Duoduo was sent back to her maiden home by Second Sister-in-law," Xie Ci'an whispered to Shen Yao, explaining Wang Yanyan's family situation, "Uncle Wang and Wang Shen work at the Slaughterhouse."

Shen Yao understood. The Slaughterhouse was indeed a treasure trove where one never had to worry about eating meat; no wonder they sent their daughter back to her maiden home.

"In the future we'll be able to buy meat conveniently, right?" Shen Yao touched her mouth corner, feeling she wasn't being gluttonous, but merely making resource utilization.

Xie Ci'an laughed out loud, "Convenient. If you want to eat, you can eat at every meal."

Shen Yao blushed and hit the other person's shoulder, "Am I a glutton?"

Eat at every meal? Who knows, she might be reported by the people in the Small Courtyard the moment she turns around.

With so many households living in the Courtyard House, Shen Yao didn't believe there wasn't a bit of conflict.

"Conflicts indeed exist, but they're just daily trivial matters."

Xie Ci'an turned serious, "But there are a few families whose character can't be called bad, but who can't stand seeing others do well."

Shen Yao raised her eyebrows and unconsciously moved closer to the other person, lowering her voice, "Really?"

Xie Ci'an glanced out the window, "In our courtyard, the Lin Family and Jin Family at the very front are both Normal People; with a door between them, they generally don't interact."

Of the four families in the Main Courtyard, the Cheng Family and Qian Family can only be said to have some small faults.

The Cheng Family gave birth to all daughters and wants to take in a Son-in-law living with wife's family; the Qian Family has mostly men inside and out, and wants to marry a Talented and Capable wife.

The two families have been making a bit of a scene recently, but it doesn't have much to do with us.

The remaining Zhou Family and Zhao Family—the Zhou Family is Strange, with the whole family living together, eating well at every meal, and constantly causing conflicts with the courtyard.

The Zhao Family is an Orphan and Widow; several young men are Lazy all day, Stealing Chickens and Dogs, and though caught by the Security Section several times, it all came to nothing.

Shen Yao tilted her head, "Not old enough?" Taking them to the Police Station could educate them.

Xie Ci'an shook his head, "Their Qin Zi is a hero, and the Machinery Factory and Neighborhood look out for him out of old affection."

Shen Yao:... That's true; human relations society isn't just talk.

It was also gossip about the Courtyard House, and Shen Yao's interest deepened; she pulled Xie Ci'an to ask this and that without stopping.

What could Xie Ci'an do? He could only helplessly and with Pampering say whatever he had to say.

After all, these things, as long as one went out and inquired around Fengshou Hutong, could be known in more detail; they simply couldn't be hidden.

Where there are many people, it is Lively; who would have thought the Courtyard House wasn't big, but there were truly many things inside?

Either my family lost a scallion today, or the neighbor's chicken didn't lay eggs tomorrow, or else two families argued and came to blows, tearing at each other.

Listening to Xie Ci'an's endless popularization, Shen Yao even more wished to directly transform into a Gossip Specialist and simply stay in the Small Courtyard to eat melons and watch the show.

Sigh, pity, pity.

At the earliest, she wouldn't be able to move in until next spring; who knew how many jokes a small Courtyard House could add after a winter passed.

Pushing a Bicycle out of Fengshou Hutong, Shen Yao and Xie Ci'an agreed on the time for their next meeting, then she turned and went Home.

Inside the Home, Grandmother-in-law Zhou and Yuan Li were busy processing the batch of Mountain Goods Zhao Yueyue had mailed over.

They ate some themselves, gave some to others, and there were still many left.

And this time Shen Yao could be said to have Indirectly helped Zhao Yueyue with a big favor.

Zhao Yueyue sent a Telegram overnight, telling her to wait to receive gifts; they were the enthusiasm of the fellow villagers and couldn't be refused.

Shen Yao:... This is the benefit of a clever brain; one won't starve oneself.

"Mom, Grandma, I'm back."

Shouting upon entering, Shen Yao changed into Slippers, going tap tap tap to the boundary between the Kitchen and Living Room to reach out and help.

Stopped by Grandmother-in-law Zhou, "Go back to your room and change clothes, don't ruin them."

Shen Yao sighed, "The things aren't dirty; Grandma, you say that now, but wait until I marry next year, see if you want to or not."

Grandmother-in-law Zhou hummed and continued picking out shriveled Pine Nuts to throw to one side.

The rest were to be stir-fried and eaten, with some saccharin or brine added for flavor.

"How is that side? I privately had people inquire about Little Xie's parents; they're not bad.

It's just that the family hasn't Separated yet; after you marry over, I'm not worried about you getting along with Little Xie, it's just that you two Sisters-in-law need to mind your own boundaries."

Grandmother-in-law Zhou couldn't say too much, otherwise it would seem like she was stirring up trouble.

Shen Yao had already taken off her Padded Jacket and Coat, coming out wearing a Sweater.

"The Courtyard House, the single-story houses are more spacious than our upstairs, it's just that the Toilet is a bit far."

"There are many people inside; Xie Ci'an told me today that their side..."

Blah blah blah, Shen Yao didn't forget to relay what she had heard to Grandmother-in-law Zhou.

Grandmother-in-law Zhou listened, stunned one moment after another, but having early life experience in the Countryside, understood the principle that where there are many people there are many conflicts; "When the time comes, don't crowd too far forward; though not going to live over there, it won't be desolate."

Many people, you say a sentence and I say a sentence, and the scene can become Lively.

How could it be like their Tongzilou, where every household, besides normal Cooking, doesn't communicate?

Shen Yao agreed, thinking to herself that not only would it not be desolate, but she feared that once she got there, it would be hard to find quiet even if she wanted it.

This afternoon when she went out with Xie Ci'an, she also ran into two Aunties from the Cheng Family and Qian Family arguing.

Each one was unreasonable, their spit could spray several meters.

Shen Yao and Xie Ci'an, two juniors, took a detour; Shen Yao even noticed that the Cheng Family's eldest daughter, seemingly named Cheng Xue, looked at her with Jealousy and Resentment.

As someone with keen perception, Shen Yao immediately locked onto the culprit Xie Ci'an.

Under her stern questioning, Xie Ci'an could only honestly Surrender.

And admitted the fact that Cheng Xue wanted to eat Swan meat like a toad wanting to eat swan meat.

Shen Yao still remembered Xie Ci'an's wronged little appearance at that time.

Sigh

Once she moves over there next year, not to mention anything else, the Cheng family will definitely come looking for trouble with her.

But Shen Yao isn't very afraid either.

While chatting with Grandmother-in-law Zhou, she sorted through these mountain goods; once everything was finished, Yuan Li used the kitchen to stir-fry the items.

The fragrant pine nuts were eaten one by one; if it weren't for dinner still to come later, Shen Yao could have stuffed this whole small plate into her belly.

She smacked her lips

Shen Yao thinks Zhao Yueyue's side can be a bit faster; this year's New Year's goods are counting on the good sister to come through.

In mid-December, a heavy snow directly covered the entire Jing Shi with a layer of quilt.

The Logistics Office, which returned before the snow fell, was incomparably fortunate that they hadn't stayed one more day.

Otherwise it wouldn't be returning in the snow, but being stranded at the original place unable to return.

Like Shen Yao and these canning factory employees, after finishing work every day they still have to go outside to help shovel snow as an obligation.

The canning factory's warehouses are all afraid of snow, and with the New Year's root approaching everyone wants auspiciousness; places where vehicles come and go daily, how could they let snow be a spoilsport.

"Little Shen, stop working, go to the canteen and drink a bowl of hot ginger soup to warm your body."

Zhou Shujuan called out, then put her own broom to one side and walked head-down toward the canteen.

Shen Yao moved her body, walked forward a couple of quick steps to hurriedly catch up.

She isn't afraid of cold, in fact because of her good constitution, and with space as a cheat, her body is even somewhat warm.

"Sister Zhou, when do we get time off?"

The canning factory last year gave time off right at the New Year's root; this year it's said output has been rising steadily, so the time off might be a few days later.

Of course, overtime during the New Year festival all comes with corresponding bonuses.

Like some of the canning factory's veteran employees, working more overtime during the New Year period, they can receive double or even triple their original salary.

"It's said the twenty-seventh or twenty-eighth; if you want to go back early, you can advance by a day or two.

But I suggest you follow the crowd; one day's bonus money equals normal wages, earning more is no loss."

At this time, going home for the New Year there's no proper business to be busy with anyway.

Like Zhou Shujuan, compared to various cleaning at home, she's more willing to work.

Shen Yao nodded and shook her head, "Sister Zhou, I have to go back and discuss with my family.

You also know, I'm getting the marriage certificate and marrying next spring; this year's New Year matters will be comparatively more."

Like the whole family going to the Xie family to meet and such, don't we have to take advantage of the New Year when everyone has free time.

Zhou Shujuan heard this, and clapped her hands, "What you say is right.

You should busy yourself with your own life's major event first; overtime isn't only this year, next year there's still time."

The canning factory's days are prosperous enough to make others envious, fundamentally not worrying about anything.

Shen Yao heard this and smiled bashfully, thinking in another ten years, facing the market economy's impact, such a prosperous canning factory will also gradually decline.

In the face of time's torrent, no thing can resist the objective law of development.