Chapter 255: Mom, I

First Uncle saw that Third Uncle was talking nonsense, so he frowned and said, "You don't want to pay for firewood, and you don't want to be on duty. Where are there so many good things? Or else your family pays for the firewood, and your family doesn't have to be on duty."

Third Uncle waved his hand and said, "I won't do it. There are so many people in the courtyard. It takes ten days to take a turn. It's only three days a month. How many three days are there in a winter? Is it worth it for me to pay for a winter's firewood? I won't do it."

First Uncle saw that Third Uncle was so calculating, so he stopped paying attention to him and looked at Second Uncle instead.

Second Uncle thought for a while, nodded, and said, "Just follow your meaning, don't arrange their shifts."

"Then let's go, don't wait until people are lying down, and we won't see him if he leaves early tomorrow morning."

As they spoke, the three of them told the few young people to watch the stove and came to Li Li Xuewu's house in the back courtyard.

First Uncle was really wrong. Li Li Xuewu wasn't lying down at this time; he was "slapping" (having sex).

"Hoo~ Did you tell the street about the East Courtyard matter?"

Yu Li still had a bit of a complicated emotion toward Li Li Xuewu.

Her first impression of Li Li Xuewu came from the "car accident" at the entrance, followed by the "playboy" image in the mouths of her mother-in-law and father-in-law.

As time passed, Li Li Xuewu constantly refreshed Yu Li's cognition, especially since the night Third Uncle treated them to dinner.

Only then did Yu Li truly recognize what kind of person the one on her body was.

Then every time she encountered something, she kept comparing Li Li Xuewu with Yan Brother Jiecheng, and the more she compared, the more uncomfortable she felt.

As the number of contacts with Li Li Xuewu increased, her resentment toward Yan Brother Jiecheng also increased.

Originally, the quality of life of the couple was poor, and now because of overtime pay, he didn't come home, leaving a young wife in her twenties to keep an empty room...

Only at this time did Yu Li dare to call Li Li Xuewu "you" (informal). On weekdays, she always used "you" (polite).

Yu Li was more reserved than Qin Jie, and also more natural than Qin Jie.

"The street hasn't been told yet, but it's not urgent. However, I've already greeted the engineering team that repaired the Bai Bai Xiyuan for me. Because of the weather, construction can only start when the land thaws in the spring."

Yu Li put her hands on the keel, and said, "I know, I can't afford to do it like the Bai Bai Xiyuan. Since Seeing Sha Zhu is willing to lend the house, I'll just live like this for now. Did you tell your family?"

"Mm, not yet. Construction is still early. I'll find time to mention it tomorrow morning. Xuecai is also at the age where he needs a house, and it's not a thing to keep staying in the inverted room."

"That's right. He's laughing and joking every day. It's not that Lao Biaozi and the others are bad, but Xuecai should also have the look of a student, right?"

Yu Li hadn't used this move before. Not only did Yan Brother Jiecheng not think of it, but he couldn't do it either.

"Besides, houses are so hard to find now. The streets are full of people. If you want to find a house, you can only find it outside the city."

Yu Li panted and asked, "Hey, you say, hoo~ can the street give us that piece of land?"

Li Li Xuewu didn't think about telling Yu Li about his connections, nor did he want others to know about his private connections.

"I'll solve the street side. You just wait to connect with the engineering team and then move in."

Seeing Li Li Xuewu speak like a man, Yu Li stopped worrying about her housing problem. What Li Li Xuewu said must count.

"We'll pay you back slowly, ah~"

As soon as Yu Li said "we," Li Li Xuewu thought of Brother Brother Jiecheng who was on duty at the steel mill, so he was especially energetic.

Thinking of the clothes Yu Li took off just now, they were already old, and she was wearing a cotton-padded jacket in the middle of winter. Li Li Xuewu leaned down and asked softly, "Where is the floral cloth I bought you? Why don't I see you making a cotton-padded jacket?"

Yu Li's ears were red. She thought about how this person could be so bold, buying her cloth in front of Yan Brother Jiecheng and letting Yan Brother Jiecheng give it to her.

The different kind of stimulation made Yu Li say in a trembling voice, "Where is there time to do it? Just did a little bit."

Li Li Xuewu said softly, "There's still some cloth and cotton left from the last handicraft work. If you need it, take it yourself. Don't make the cotton-padded jacket too tight. You have a lot of meat here."

Feeling Li Li Xuewu's hand acting up, Yu Li couldn't hit Li Li Xuewu from the front, so she could only hit Li Li Xuewu's back with her hand, but was grabbed by Li Li Xuewu by the arm.

The two were making a scene when there was a knock on the door.

"Li Xuewu, asleep?"

"Ah, not asleep yet. Wait a moment, First Uncle."

Hearing that it was First Uncle knocking on the door, Li Li Xuewu lowered his head and made a silent gesture to the terrified Yu Li, then got off from behind, didn't bother to wipe, put on his pajama pants, put on his pajamas, and walked out in slippers.

When he walked out of the inner room door, he closed the door, then went to the entrance to open the door and let First Uncle in.

"Didn't disturb your rest so late, did I?" First Uncle said politely as soon as he entered the room.

Li Li Xuewu looked at Second Uncle and Third Uncle who followed him in, and said with a smile, "Just lay down. Are you three also just finished?"

Seeing that although the three of them had washed their hands, there were still mud spots on their sleeves, so Li Li Xuewu asked this.

After sitting down on the sofa, Third Uncle, who was here for the first time, couldn't help but sigh, "You're still rich. Master Yang Er at your room decoration, it's really good. There's a fireplace, it's connected to the fire kang in the room, right? It's the same meaning as the fire kang in the gatehouse."

Second Uncle saw that Third Uncle had brought the topic to the fire kang so quickly, so he was also impressed, and followed up, "That's the meaning. Burning fire here makes the living room warm, and the kang in the room is also warm. Li Xuewu said that making a fire kang in the gatehouse is just this meaning."

"You are a southerner, you don't know that a fire kang is much warmer than a bed. If you don't believe it, go touch it."

Seeing Second Uncle asking Third Uncle to go into the room to touch if the kang was hot, Li Li Xuewu's eyes widened. You three aren't here to catch an affair, are you?

First Uncle saw Li Li Xuewu's eyes widen, so he pulled Second Uncle and said, "Li Xuewu is not an outsider, you can speak directly if you have something to say."

As he spoke, First Uncle turned to Li Li Xuewu and said, "Li Xuewu, this is what happened. We finished building the kang in the gatehouse, and a few young people are burning the kang now."

Li Li Xuewu nodded and said, "This is a good thing. We won't be afraid of the cold when we are on duty in winter in the future."

"It's a good thing, but new difficulties have arisen."

First Uncle explained, "The firewood and coal balls for the gatehouse haven't been settled yet. Burning the kang today was borrowed from your grandfather. I don't know where to find firewood for tomorrow."

Li Li Xuewu nodded and said, "This is indeed a problem. I didn't think of it before. But if you have any ideas, just say it directly. If I should pay for it, I'll pay. If I should contribute, I'll support it."

First Uncle nodded with a smile, "I knew you, Li Li Xuewu, were a straightforward person. But every family's firewood and coal balls are bought in amounts, and there's no surplus. It's not worth it to buy more. I was thinking that there's still a lot of firewood in your Bai Bai Xiyuan's firewood room, so let's see if we can discuss it."

Second Uncle also waved his hand and said, "We won't let you suffer a loss. We've all discussed it. You and the people in the inverted room don't have to be on duty anymore."

Li Li Xuewu looked at First Uncle and said, "That firewood was picked up by my grandfather. You see, my parents and the others are all living with my grandfather. I don't count when I speak either."

Third Uncle understood Li Li Xuewu's meaning. This was talking about the shift problem in Li's family.

Before Third Uncle could speak, First Uncle nodded and said, "Alright, don't count your father's family. We'll do the duty. You're paying money and contributing firewood, so how can we be embarrassed to let your family be on duty?"

Second Uncle was also unwilling when he heard Li Li Xuewu's condition. Now that one more family was missing, it was possible that he would have to be on duty for one more day.

But now no one in the courtyard was willing to pay for this firewood, so they could only do what Li Li Xuewu said.

Seeing that Third Uncle still wanted to speak, Second Uncle tilted his head and asked, "What? Want to tell your eldest son again? Your family has already separated, so why do you care about him? Your family has to pay double."

Third Uncle waved his hand and said, "He has already separated from me, so why should I care about him? I'm saying that since Li's family is not on duty, there are fewer people."

As he spoke, he looked at Li Li Xuewu and said, "Master Yang Er, there are many young men in the inverted room, can you arrange a few to come in?"

Li Li Xuewu smiled and said, "Is there a reason that just because a family has many young men, they have to do more work? I agree to take firewood so that those few people can have energy for work during the day. They are all doing physical labor."

He retorted Third Uncle, then said to First Uncle, "I'll talk to them tomorrow. If there's anything in the gatehouse at night, such as someone coming in, you can call the young men in the inverted room to help. Do you think this is okay?"

First Uncle looked at Second Uncle and Third Uncle, and seeing that they had no opinion, he said to Li Li Xuewu, "Then thank you, Li Xuewu, especially about the firewood."

Li Li Xuewu nodded and said, "It's okay, we're all in one courtyard. If the courtyard is tight, we'll be safe, right? But the amount might not be much. I'm also just enough here, and the Bai Bai Xiyuan has opened a storefront, so firewood is also expensive."

Second Uncle nodded and said, "Rest assured, it won't burn much. That small room only needs two coal balls a day, and you still have a lot of wood."

First Uncle smiled and said, "Since you agree, then it's settled. I'll let people in the courtyard go to your firewood room to take coal balls to warm the gatehouse."

Seeing First Uncle stand up, Second Uncle and Third Uncle also stood up and walked out. Third Uncle wanted to go into the inner room to take a look when he left the sofa, but was pulled by Second Uncle.

First Uncle was also embarrassed and said shamefully, "You rest, it's quite late."

Li Li Xuewu smiled and sent the three out of the room, saying, "Hey, it's just that I didn't prepare so much firewood this year, otherwise it wouldn't be so tight. You three have worked hard."

Third Uncle was the last to leave, and also said to Li Li Xuewu, "You've also worked hard."

The three waved their hands and went to the gatehouse.

I don't know if Third Uncle meant that it was hard for him to talk to them in the middle of the night, or what was hard.

Li Li Xuewu looked at Yu Li's cotton shoes under the entrance cabinet, thinking that it was fortunate that these three wore shoes in, otherwise they would have seen the problem.

After closing the door and entering the inner room, Yu Li was sitting on the kang looking at Li Li Xuewu.

"They left?"

Li Li Xuewu took off his pajamas, jumped onto the kang, and said, "Why wouldn't they leave after taking advantage of the autumn wind?"

"Knowing they are taking advantage of the autumn wind, you still agreed."

Hearing this tone, she was angry. Perhaps Third Uncle's indifferent attitude just now had annoyed Yu Li.

Seeing Li Li Xuewu pressing up, although her face was still a bit white, she wiped the cold sweat and hot sweat on her forehead.

Li Li Xuewu's state remained the same, and his tone was neither urgent nor slow, "Don't agree? If I don't agree, Third Uncle wouldn't really have to come into the room to touch if the kang is hot?"

"Go away."

Yu Li felt Li Li Xuewu's excitement. Every time Yan Brother Jiecheng was mentioned, it was like this. Now that she was almost caught by her father-in-law, she felt an unprecedented stimulation.

Li Li Xuewu was also joking with Yu Li just now. Ten yuan of coal balls in exchange for not having to stand guard all winter was quite appropriate.

Li Li Xuewu woke up alone from the kang the next morning. Sister-in-law Yu Li really left after the matter, hiding her name and fame.

"Yo, Li Ke, going to work?"

"Ah, going to the inverted room to eat before leaving."

Li Li Xuewu saw Liu Liu Guangtian opposite him greeting him with a smile, so he replied, then pointed at Liu Liu Guangtian and said, "Are there any workers in our workshop who have reported lost items or young people fighting?"

Liu Liu Guangtian was deliberately chatting with Li Li Xuewu. Seeing Li Li Xuewu ask him a question, he immediately smiled and ran a few steps to catch up with Li Li Xuewu.

"You're talking about this matter? Hey, there are a few in our workshop who lost things, and they shout about this little thing every day, but there's no fighting. Our workshop is very honest."

Li Li Xuewu looked at Liu Liu Guangtian and asked, "Why don't the workers who lost things go to the Security Section to report the case, but shout in the workshop?"

Liu Liu Guangtian frowned and thought for a while, shook his head, and said, "I really don't know this. Should I ask for you?"

Li Li Xuewu smiled and pointed at Liu Liu Guangtian, "Don't expose your purpose, use latent language investigation. This counts as a test for you."

Liu Liu Guangtian looked like he had received a secret mission from the organization, gave Li Li Xuewu a salute, and said, "Guarantee to complete the mission."

Li Li Xuewu patted Liu Liu Guangtian on the shoulder and went to eat.

Liu Liu Guangtian stood in place excitedly, watching Li Li Xuewu's back in a daze.

Damn it, I, Liu Liu Guangtian, am a successor of socialism after all. It wasn't until now that I applied my title as a successor. I've been enabled!

Just as he reached the front courtyard, he saw Qin Qin Huairu standing in the courtyard talking to Third Uncle. It wasn't until Li Li Xuewu got closer that he knew it was about material fees.

It turned out that Third Uncle had gathered the accounts for the gatehouse and was collecting money from house to house. This was blocking Qin Qin Huairu right in the front courtyard.

"What's wrong? No money to pay the material fee?"

Seeing Li Li Xuewu ask, Qin Qin Huairu shook her head and said, "No, today is payday, I'm telling Third Uncle to pay when I come back in the evening."

After explaining this, Qin Qin Huairu turned to Li Li Xuewu and said: "Go do your work. While you're at it, go to the gatehouse and call Banggeng back; he's run off to the gatehouse to sponge off a meal again."

Li Li Xuewu smiled, didn't answer, and went to the inverted room.

Third Uncle said with a fake smile, "They all say that officials protect each other. This Li Ke is taking care of you, Li Kezhang Qin. If you don't have money, he's ready to help you pay, and even help you take care of the child."

Qin Qin Huairu saw that Third Uncle saw Yu Li coming out to greet Li Li Xuewu, so he was being sarcastic to her, so she curled her lips.

"Li Ke is also taking care of your daughter-in-law, why don't you say that? Maybe one day he'll help you take care of your grandson too."

After speaking, she went to the middle courtyard, knowing that Third Uncle wasn't aiming at her, but at Li Li Xuewu. Qin Qin Huairu was just deliberately angering Third Uncle and said it casually.

"You!"

Third Uncle stood in the front courtyard, staring at Qin Qin Huairu in anger.

Staring was useless. He watched his eldest son and his wife become estranged from him, especially after the scheme he and his wife designed to force them with the house didn't materialize, the couple didn't come home even more.

Yesterday when they moved, Third Uncle was still standing in the room watching. He watched for a whole morning, but the couple didn't move. He thought they were planning to drag it out.

He didn't expect that a few young men would come out after eating in the inverted room at noon to help Yu Li move things. Third Uncle was so angry.

What does it have to do with you in the inverted room? Li Li Xuewu is lacking virtue.

Yu Li took the identity certificates of the two and found Third Uncle to handle the household separation.

Get it, from that day on, Yu Li had all the rights of her own little family, and also had the right to independently purchase rice, flour, grain, and non-staple food.

Third Uncle saw Li Li Xuewu coming over today and didn't pay attention to him. He went to the inverted room, and the eldest daughter-in-law opened the door for him, which made him feel unbalanced.

He wanted to say a few words through Qin Qin Huairu, but was retorted by Qin Qin Huairu, and now his chest was hurting.

Actually, Yu Li opening the door for Li Li Xuewu wasn't because she was waiting by the door, but it was a coincidence. Yu Li was also coming out to wipe her hands, and seeing Li Li Xuewu coming over, she opened the door.

Li Li Xuewu entered the room and told Old Lao Biaozi about the firewood and coal balls for the gatehouse.

Old Lao Biaozi took a bite of the pancake and said, "Our firewood is actually not much, because we also use firewood for cooking."

Li Li Xuewu nodded and said, "I know, I thought about it last night. Before the New Year, you keep it in mind, we'll go out collectively once and get some firewood back."

Old Lao Biaozi nodded, and could only do so.

Li Li Xuewu took the porridge Yu Li served and said, "The reason I agreed to do this is because you are all people who have to get up early to drive, and we have the Bai Bai Xiyuan to take care of, so it's not worth wasting time in the gatehouse."

Seeing Yu Li, Li Li Xuewu said again, "But Sister-in-law Yu Li, you guys keep an eye on it. When it's your family's turn to be on duty, send two people to sleep in the gatehouse. It's not easy for her to be alone at home."

"Got it. When it's your turn, Sister-in-law, just say it, don't be polite."

Old Lao Biaozi greeted Yu Li, and then said to Li Li Xuewu, "Wu Ge, you see our store is open, so can we make some braised goods to enrich the exchange goods? The braised goods Brother Zhuzi made yesterday were delicious."

Big Uncle also nodded and said, "It's fine to make braised goods. Now there are many children coming to sell scrap to exchange for candy and firecrackers, and few adults. Since there is a storefront, it's clean and convenient."

Li Li Xuewu looked at Seeing Sha Zhu and asked, "Brother Zhuzi, do you see if it's convenient for you?"

Seeing Sha Zhu smiled and said, "What's inconvenient? It's just adjusting the seasoning and putting it in the pot. I'll do it when I have time to cook. But there is one thing."

As he spoke, Seeing Sha Zhu waved his hand and said, "I don't have time to clean those offals. I don't know what time it will be when I get off work. Another thing is the problem of watching the pot."

Yu Li smiled and took a pancake for Seeing Sha Zhu, "I'll clean the offals, and I'll also watch the fire."

Chen Chen Xiaoyan, who also came to eat in the morning, raised her hand and said, "And me, I'll help too."

Old Lao Biaozi smiled and said, "Okay, I see our logistics force is really strong."

Li Li Xuewu nodded at Seeing Sha Zhu, then looked at Old Lao Biaozi and said, "Brother Zhuzi contributes, you guys will cover Brother Zhuzi's wine in the future."

What he said to Old Lao Biaozi was actually said to everyone in the room, for Seeing Sha Zhu to hear, for Yu Li and Chen Chen Xiaoyan to hear, and even more for the "shareholders" to hear.

After joking for a while, Li Li Xuewu asked Old Lao Biaozi again, "Is there no problem with the supply and marketing cooperative?"

Old Lao Biaozi waved his hand and said, "Rest assured, I've already discussed it with Director Ma. I'll go pick it up today: pig trotters, pig offal, pig big bones, pig tails, etc., saying they are cheap for me."

Seeing that they were ready to carry out new business, Big Uncle and Second Uncle also had something to say.

Big Uncle said happily, "When you collect scrap, see if there are any old furniture. If you collect them, I'll reorganize them and they can be made into new furniture. This is also a revenue."

Seeing the young people looking over, Grandfather explained, "It's the furniture you collected a few days ago. Seeing Sha Zhu also wants to make a set for his sister, so I took a look. There's nothing strange about it, it's just a few pieces of broken wood put together, and it's not as sturdy as what I make, but the style is better."

Li Li Xuewu smiled and asked, "Grandfather, can you handle it?"

Big Uncle waved his hand and said, "Now that there is a recycling shop, I go out less often. It's better to do some carpentry work when I'm idle. Now everyone is particular about 'legs' when getting married, so it's a good opportunity."

What Grandfather said about being particular about "legs" is actually the marriage demand of the contemporary young people, but this is also relative. It's like the 88,000 betrothal gift in the later generations. Some places have 8.8 million, and some don't want money.

Of course, the home decoration in this era is almost universally unified.

"36 legs" is the standard for marriage demand.

Four corners of the wardrobe, four corners of the bed, four corners of the bedside table, four corners of the chair, etc.

What Seeing Sha Zhu wants to give to his sister He Yushui are these legs.

Although Grandfather makes furniture by hand now, the style is not as good-looking as later, but the sturdiness is not bad at all.

Most of the furniture at this time is also made by carpenters, and most of them use mortise and tenon structures.

Just like the furniture Master Dou and the others made for Li Li Xuewu, and for the guesthouse, they are all mortise and tenon structures, so it takes time.

But it is also popular. Carpenters are very popular at this time. Grandfather coming to Li Li Xuewu's house to support his old age is not because he can't afford to support himself, but because Liu Yin is afraid that her father will be lonely at home and afraid of accidents.

Shen Shen Guodong greeted, "Wu Ge, it's okay. We'll help do the work when we come back at night. I went to the store and saw that a small stool costs 1.8 yuan. Hey, it's like robbing money."

"Don't talk nonsense," Wen Wen Saner frowned and scolded.

Shen Shen Guodong knew he said the wrong thing, so he lowered his head and continued to eat.

Li Li Xuewu thought for a while and said, "Third Uncle, you go and ask if there is any motor for sale nearby. We'll save up for a cutting machine for Grandfather. Cutting, planing, and drilling holes without manual hammering will save effort."

Wen Wen Saner thought for a while and said, "I saw it in the hardware store. It's a J2 three-phase asynchronous motor produced by the Hunan Nanyun Motor Factory. The power is 10 kilowatts, 530 yuan."

Li Li Xuewu smiled and waved his hand to stop Big Uncle from speaking, and said to Wen Wen Saner, "We can save up for an electric cutting machine, but we can't save up for a motor like a radio. Buy it, buy a good one, buy a new one, and absolutely don't let anything happen."

Wen Wen Saner nodded and said, "Then I'll write an introduction letter and stamp it in a while, and then go buy it."

The recycling station has an advantage, that is, the collective enterprise has a public seal and can write introduction letters. Some industrial products can be purchased without industrial coupons. This belongs to public-to-public.

But it cannot be abused, because the inspection is strict at this time. The recycling station has a second-hand store. Buying a motor to assemble a cutting machine to repair old furniture can be justified, but buying a pile of bicycles cannot be justified.

So the recycling station cannot be used as a tool for resale, and Li Li Xuewu doesn't want to do that either.

Big Uncle knew that his grandson felt sorry for him. Now that the "top leader" and "finance" had decided, he nodded and agreed.

But he still urged, "Just buy the metal parts, I'll do the rest."

Li Li Xuewu nodded and said, "You just save up, I'll go to the steel mill to find it for you if you need anything. Our hardware factory has everything, gears, drill bits, etc., I'll find them for you."

Big Uncle was relieved with Li Li Xuewu and Wen Wen Saner's guarantee.

Li Li Xuewu said again, "There are many residents here, so put the cutting machine in the north warehouse of the Bai Bai Xiyuan. The walls there are thick, the space is large, the sound won't come out, and it's easy to work inside."

Big Uncle smiled and said, "Okay, okay, I think it's very good. With this electric one, it saves a lot of effort to do carpentry work."

After finishing Big Uncle's matter, Second Uncle also put down the bowl after eating porridge and said, "I also want to say, Third Uncle has been very busy lately, I have to go out with him, you see the store?"

Li Li Xuewu looked at Wen Wen Saner, wanting to ask what he was busy with.

Wen Wen Saner frowned and said, "I told you last time, many people in the literary and art circles are moving south, and they all want to sell their furniture. Even if they give less, they sell. I've been contacting this lately."

Li Li Xuewu knew what was going on, so he frowned and thought for a while, "The store can't be empty. Second Uncle goes out with Third Uncle, and Big Uncle still has to work in the back."

As he spoke, Li Li Xuewu looked at Yu Li and Chen Chen Xiaoyan.

These two also saw Li Li Xuewu's meaning. Yu Li said excitedly, "Rest assured, we are just washing and scrubbing at home. It's the same when moving to the storefront. We'll work harder, and we can stagger the time. If there's anything we don't understand, isn't Grandfather in the North Warehouse?"

"That's right, that's right, Wu Ge, rest assured."

Li Li Xuewu nodded and said, "Then that's it. When Third Uncle finishes this period, it will be easier. We still have to unite as one and overcome difficulties before the New Year."

"Good, hahahahaha."

While the few were talking, they all finished eating. Seeing that Li Li Xuewu had summarized, they all got up and busied themselves with their own affairs with laughter.

Li Li Xuewu stood up and walked home, wanting to take this opportunity to talk to his family about Li Xuecai's housing problem, as well as the medicinal wine.

When he returned to his parents' house in the front courtyard, Li Li Xuewu saw that they had just put down their rice bowls, and Li Xuecai was also tidying up to go to school.

Li Li Xuewu smiled at Li Xuecai and passed by to let his sister go out to school. Li Xue saw Li Li Xuewu and called out timidly, "Second Brother..."

Li Li Xuewu saw that his sister seemed to have something to say, so he asked, "What's wrong? Something happened?"

Li Xue hesitated and was embarrassed to say it, standing at the door with a red face and not speaking.

It was Li Xuecai who was familiar with Li Li Xuewu, and said with a smile, "Second Brother, Little Sister wants to say that the final exam is next Monday, and she wants you to take her to the mall."

"Hahaha." Li Li Xuewu looked at Li Xue, who was glaring at his third brother, and said with a smile, "I remember, I won't forget. The exam is next Monday, when will the results come out?"

Li Xue saw that her second brother asked, so she said expectantly, "Next Saturday, we go back to school to listen to the results next Saturday."

Li Li Xuewu calculated in his heart, and then said to his sister Li Xue, "This way, brother doesn't know if he'll be busy then. Let's tentatively set it for the day after you get your results, which is Sunday. As long as I can squeeze out time, I'll take you, how about it?"

"Thank you, Second Brother!"

Knowing that Li Li Xuewu was busy, Li Xue was already very satisfied that her second brother could promise like this.

Li Li Xuewu opened the door and said to Li Xue, "It's good that you have such confidence. Hurry up and go to school, there won't be any buses in a while."

Li Xue smiled beautifully, swung her two big braids, and ran out the door to school.

Li Li Xuewu closed the door, beckoned to Li Xuecai to sit down, and sat opposite Li Shun.

Seeing that

"Dad, Xuecai is getting on in years too. I wanted to ask what you're thinking regarding Xuecai's housing."

Seeing that it was truly a matter concerning himself, Li Xuecai looked at Li Li Xuewu in surprise, then looked toward his father.

Li Shun hadn't expected his second son to bring up the third son's affairs first thing in the morning, and he furrowed his brows a bit.

"How did you think of this? Xuecai still has three years until graduation. Is it inconvenient living in the north-facing room?"

Li Li Xuewu waved his hand and said: "No, it's not about whether it's inconvenient over there. I'm talking about the housing situation after Xuecai graduates. You also know how tight housing is right now."

Li Shun knew that since his son had come at this time—even though the family had already split up—and was still concerned about his younger brother's housing, there must be some opportunity.

"If you have something to say, just say it. We all have to go to work in a little while."

Li Li Xuewu shifted his position, sat down beside Li Shun, and said in a voice only the three of them could hear: "Yan Brother Jiecheng and his wife from across the way came to me, saying they want to build a house."

Seeing the three men whispering, Liu Yin also put down the work in her hands and sat in the spot Li Li Xuewu had just vacated to listen.

"They..."

Li Li Xuewu pressed his mother's hand and said: "Listen to my explanation. Yan Brother Jiecheng and his wife's intention is to build a house in the east side courtyard."

"Isn't this just messing around? That's a..."

Li Li Xuewu pressed Li Shun's hand again and said: "Listen to me finish. You know how big the east side courtyard is, and I know what kind of place that is. But according to those two, they want to renovate the whole east side courtyard—dismantle the bad bricks and replace the bad soil."

Li Shun frowned and asked: "Are you saying you want the third one to go over there too?"

"I'm not going!"

Upon hearing his father's words, Li Xuecai was about to stand up to object, but was glared at by Li Li Xuewu.

"Sit down. It's not your turn to speak yet. Who taught you your manners?"

Seeing Li Li Xuewu lose his temper, Li Xuecai sat obediently on the stool, but he still looked extremely unwilling.

Liu Yin also said: "This is, after all, not a good place."

Li Li Xuewu explained patiently: "Even if it was a horse stable or a toilet, that was in the past. Once you replace the soil and renovate it, isn't it just like any other place to live?"

"If you think that place is inferior now, go take a look at the streets. Where else is there any place to be allocated? They're all allocating places outside the city now. If we could get an allocation in the city, wouldn't our family have already gotten a private house with a courtyard?"

Hearing Li Li Xuewu's words, Li Shun also frowned and thought for a moment, then asked: "How much money will it take? Besides, why do you want that piece of land?"

Li Li Xuewu said softly: "The land isn't worth much. I'll just go tell my godmother. Don't they have the quota for Yan Brother Jiecheng and his wife? The third one's household registration is also in his own hands. Once we mention it, it'll be settled."

After explaining, Li Li Xuewu said to Li Xuecai: "Don't be stubborn. Think about how old you are. Big brother and sister-in-law got married right after graduation. Aren't you going to date anyone in college?"

Seeing Li Xuecai look up at him, Li Li Xuewu pointed at him and said: "Think about it, does our home have space for you to get married? You're really muddle-headed. Living in the east courtyard is so close to Mom and Dad; you can come back whenever you want."

"Besides, are you waiting for an allocation? No matter how they allocate, it's all within our city. You should just be happy to get a house first."

Liu Yin didn't care about the rest, but hearing Li Li Xuewu say that her son could live right by her side made her very satisfied.

"His father, what do you think? If Xuecai could also live right by us..."

Because Li Li Xuewu lived right by her side, Liu Yin also wanted to keep her third son right before her eyes.

She had given up on the eldest couple; those two already had other intentions. Since she couldn't tie them down, it was better to let go—after all, he was her son.

Li Shun was also moved by this condition. If he could get a house for his son right by his own home, that would be very good.

Then Li Shun looked at Li Xuecai and asked: "Third one, what's your opinion? If you want to live by your mother and me, I'll have your second brother handle this for you. If you're not willing, then don't waste your second brother's time."

Li Xuecai had been very unwilling when he first heard about building a house in the east courtyard, but hearing his second brother say it would be completely renovated, and now hearing he could live in the same courtyard as his parents, he was tempted.

"Second brother, is it really renovated? No smell?" Li Xuecai asked his second brother, holding onto his final concerns.

Li Li Xuewu glared at his younger brother across the table and said: "Would I trick you? Other people can't even find a house right now. If you really get allocated outside the city, you'll be sorry."

Li Xuecai smiled sheepishly: "Thanks, second brother. I know second brother is good to me."

Li Li Xuewu ignored Li Xuecai and asked Li Shun: "Then, Dad, I'll find time to go tell my godmother about this. The construction team is already found. Renovating the whole courtyard and adding a house will cost our two families over six hundred yuan."

Li Shun nodded and said: "Fine. That can build two rooms for the third one; it's enough to live in. I'll provide the money when the time comes."

Li Li Xuewu said with a smile: "If you don't provide it, who will? I'm not providing it anyway, hahaha."

Seeing Li Li Xuewu joking, Liu Yin slapped him and said: "Always joking with your father."

"Dad, this matter has to be handled in the spring at the earliest. You must keep it confidential during this time. It'll be troublesome if someone else cuts in."

"I know, I know. Go do your work; you're full of schemes."

The old lady was holding Li Shu on the kang, watching the family of four whispering there. She hadn't come over, but seeing them all beaming with joy now, she knew it was a good thing.

"Master Yang Er at your father laughing, just like a little fox, isn't he?" The old lady placed Li Shu in the cradle, pushing it and teasing Li Shu as she spoke.

The old lady just loved seeing the family in harmony. Seeing her children and grandchildren happy made her happy too.

Li Li Xuewu went to the north room with a smile to tease Li Shu and was slapped twice by the old lady.

Because Li Shu would grab with her hands whenever she saw Li Li Xuewu, she had just been coaxed to sleep but was now energetic again.

Li Li Xuewu was laughed out of the north room by the old lady. He walked to the south room, looked at the wine jars on the floor, and asked Li Shun, who had followed him in to grab his bag for work: "Dad, which one is the tiger penis wine? I'll fill two small bottles, the smallest kind."

Li Shun frowned at Li Li Xuewu, wanting to scold him, but his son was grown up, and some things were embarrassing to say.

Liu Yin, however, heard it, walked over, pulled Li Li Xuewu, and asked: "What do you want this stuff for? You're a big young man, you shouldn't be drinking this."

Li Li Xuewu said, unable to laugh or cry: "Where did your thoughts go? It's for our leader; his waist is injured."

Li Shun then relaxed his brows, but he didn't give Li Li Xuewu a good look, because Li Shun was always guarding against his son making mistakes.

"If you're going to give it, be generous. Give him a big bottle."

Although Li Shun didn't support his son in currying favor, since his son had asked, he agreed generously.

Li Li Xuewu found two small bottles in the cabinet and said while pouring the wine: "A measure of rice breeds gratitude, a measure of grain breeds enmity. If I give him too much, he'll think this stuff is cheap and won't cherish it. Just give him this much; if he wants more, he'll have to beg us."

Li Shun didn't want to look at his son's calculating face, so he grabbed his bag and went out.

Liu Yin smiled and helped Li Li Xuewu seal the bottle caps, saying: "If I say you're full of schemes, you really are. How did I give birth to you? I gave all the schemes of your older brother and younger brother to you, leaving them one simple and one silly."

Li Xuecai, who had opened the door to go to school, turned back and said: "Mom, I'm not simple."

Liu Yin laughed and said: "I didn't say you were simple."

Li Xuecai happily opened the door and went to school.

Li Li Xuewu tucked the two small bottles of medicinal wine into his pockets and said while walking out: "You gave my cleverness to them too, otherwise why didn't I get into college?"

Seeing her son say this, Liu Yin laughed and scolded him, chasing him to the doorway: "Oh, so you're blaming me for you not getting into college?"

"Hahaha."

Good brother~

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Wu Wen Nong Mo's extra updates are all 10,000-word chapters, oh~