Siheyuan: Starting from Building a Village

Today is the day Liu Guozheng and his friends will return to the village.

Early in the morning, Xu Damao's family and Zhang Qingfang's family came to see them off.

"Aunt Xu, Sister Zhang, our office will officially open on the 16th day of the first lunar month."

I forgot to tell them yesterday, so I better tell them before I leave so that they won’t worry at home.

"what?"

"Brother Guozheng, didn't we get a month's salary for nothing?"

Zhang Qingfang is a very down-to-earth person and says whatever he thinks.

"Sister Zhang, oh yeah, Aunt Xu, I forgot to tell you that our office implements paid annual leave."

"Guozheng, what is paid annual leave?"

"Aunt Xu, paid annual leave means that your salary will not be deducted during the holiday. The salary paid yesterday should have been paid by the end of this month, but it was paid in advance."

"Guozheng, kid, what can you tell us to say?"

"Yeah, Brother Guozheng, I feel a little embarrassed about this."

Zhang Qingfang's eyes were red, she really met a good person.

"Haha, let's not talk about that. See you later. By the way, I'd like to wish you all a happy new year in advance. I wish you all the best and that all your wishes come true."

"Guozheng, Auntie also wishes you great fortune."

"Brother Guozheng, I wish you a long life."

Wow, these are all very real wishes.

Those who returned to the village this time included Li Dabao, brothers He Yushui and Liu Guozheng, and of course Xu Qing and Jiang Ping. Xu Fang and Han Zhang stayed in the office.

Liu Guozheng was well prepared this time when he went back. He laid thick layers of straw in the tricycle and prepared two quilts that he could cover himself with directly so he didn't have to worry about the cold. The people riding the tricycle were Xu Qing and Jiang Ping, and they were not afraid of the cold.

"Brother Zheng is back."

"Xiao Hao, long time no see, you look really energetic."

"Dabao, you should drink more at night."

"Yushui is becoming more and more beautiful."

The villagers are very welcoming and everyone knows each other. Last year, Li Dabao and He Yushui spent the New Year in the village.

After returning, the tricycle was parked directly at the entrance of the village, and the quilt was taken into the gatehouse. Xu Qing and Jiang Ping stayed in the house built specifically for them at the entrance of the village. Zhang Long and Zhao Hu were usually there too.

"Lao Nan, another year has passed. When will you bring your date here for us brothers to see and help you check it out?"

"Hey, Guozheng, why are you bringing this up? I just arrived yesterday afternoon, and everyone who saw me asked me the same question, did you guys discuss this?"

"Haha, Lao Nan, this shows that you are the most popular in our village. Everyone cares about you."

"I know, I just haven't encountered it yet."

"Haha, then you have to work harder."

"I'll try harder."

"Lao Nan, let's not talk anymore. You should go to the cafeteria to help out. The New Year's Eve dinner tonight still depends on you."

"Guo Zheng, what you said makes me sad. Xiao Long's level is not lower than mine now. You really found a treasure."

"Xiaolong is still a little behind you. Maybe in a year, he will be able to catch up with you."

"Okay, let's not talk about it anymore."

After Nan Yi finished speaking, he went to the cafeteria. Today's head chefs were him and Liu Xiaolong. Chef Yuan was just giving instructions from the side but didn't do anything himself. After all, he was old, and it was just right to have a young man take over.

"Xiao'e, take Yu Shui and clean up the room next to ours. Let Yu Shui live there."

Lou Xiao'e took He Yushui to Xishan.

"Xiaohao, Dabao, are you two going to live with Laonan, or go back to your house?"

Liu Guohao and Li Dabao's houses have also been built. They were built in the same batch as Gu Nian's. They are the same in style and size. All the houses for families in the village are of the same style.

Of course, Liu Guohao and Li Dabao only have the right to use these two houses but not the ownership, and they cannot pass them on to the next generation unless they move their household registration to Hope New Village. This is the rule and no one is an exception.

"Brother, let's live together with Brother Nan. It will be more lively with more people."

"That's right, Brother Zheng, that house is too spacious and a bit lonely."

"Well, clean it up yourself."

Anyway, both of them knew the place, so Liu Guozheng turned around and went to the cafeteria.

"Guo Zheng is back."

"Master Yuan, thank you for your hard work."

"Why should I suffer? Today we still have to rely on Nan Yi and Xiao Long."

"Then let Lao Nan have a couple more drinks tonight, and forget about Xiao Long, just eat more vegetables."

"Guozheng, after the Chinese New Year, Xiaolong will be twelve years old, and he can drink alcohol soon."

"Master Yuan, that won't work. Xiaolong is still in school. All children in our village are forbidden to drink alcohol before the age of sixteen. If you are caught, just follow the third brother and exercise every day."

"Hahaha, Guozheng, you're really ruthless. Let's be honest, apart from Chen Huwei, no one else dares to train with the Third Brother."

"This is the only way to scare these kids. After all, they are at an age where they are curious about many things. Whether it's cigarettes or alcohol, they can't be exposed to them too early."

"Hey, Guozheng, you miscalculated. Now these guys have money on them. Do you think they will secretly buy cigarettes and alcohol?"

"We don't know how to do this. We don't sell it in our village."

"What about when they reach middle school or high school?"

"Then I have no choice. I can't keep following them."

"Yeah, kids have to grow up someday."

"Master Yuan, let's not talk about this anymore. If you need anything else, I'll come and help."

"Guo Zheng, just wait and eat. Almost everything is ready. The dishes that need to be cooked have also been prepared."

"Really? You guys are really quick."

"It's not fast, it just takes us a long time to prepare."

"I'll go get someone. It's almost time."

Liu Guozheng walked out of the canteen and rang the bronze bell hanging under the eaves of the canteen. When the bell rang, the villagers walked out of the room one after another.

"Uncle Yang, Uncle Jiang, Uncle Niu, Happy New Year."

"Guozheng, Happy New Year."

"Uncle Gu, Uncle Chen, Happy New Year."

"Haha, Happy New Year, Guozheng."

"Brother Zheng, Happy New Year. Nian Nian wishes you a happy new year."

"Happy New Year, little Nian Nian, too."

"..."

"Brother Zheng, I'm going to start setting off firecrackers."

"Okay, Erleng."

Amid the crackling of firecrackers and the constant greetings, the New Year’s Eve dinner in Hope New Village officially begins.