“Father.”
Du Shaojie called out. Besides Gu Yunsheng, everyone else also realized who the man in front of them was. He was the brigade leader of the Qianjin Brigade, Du Guowei.
The brigade leader exchanged a few simple words with everyone, then directly moved on to business.
“Right now, the Educated Youth Point only has three rooms. Your three families will each get one.”
“We only found out you were one family before you arrived, so there isn’t any extra space,” he added.
“Of course, if you don’t want to stay here, you can rent from the villagers, or if you prefer, you can pay to build your own.”
“The remaining two rooms in the yard belong to other youth stationed here. They are still out in the fields, not yet finished with work.”
“By the way, there aren’t separate stoves in the rooms. If you don’t want to share a kitchen, you can also build one separately.”
The three families before him weren’t ordinary households. They had connections. Du Guowei had already received notice of this.
On the surface, it was just a relocation, but unlike many others, they didn’t have to live in cattle sheds.
They lived in the Educated Youth Point like everyone else.
So a little convenience here and there was acceptable. These families were not going to stay long anyway.
“Also, I will have someone deliver the rationed food for you shortly. My family lives here as well, so if you need anything, you can come directly to me.”
The book mentioned that back then there had been a flood and the brigade leader’s house had been destroyed. Since there were ready-made houses, there was no need to rebuild.
The brigade leader had directly purchased three brick-and-tile houses for the families.
“Thank you, Commander!”
Everyone quickly expressed their gratitude.
“No need. Alright, you have all been tired for several days. Go back and rest. Starting tomorrow, it will not be so leisurely. You will be working alongside everyone.”
The three families did not linger. While the youth stationed there had not returned yet, they quickly moved their luggage into the rooms assigned to them.
The Huo family got the largest room, on the edge, separated from the other two.
The room contained two sections. A smaller one and a very large one, enough space to partition another room if needed.
The only downside was the lack of a kitchen, but that was not a major problem.
Being on the edge, they could pay to have one built, and when they eventually left, the house would revert to the village. Surely the brigade leader would not object.
Gu Yunsheng carefully inspected the space and even discovered a small partitioned room.
It was a pleasant surprise. Even without building a kitchen, this space would suffice.
Upon entering the room, there was a heated kang bed. To the left was a fire wall, which would keep the room warm in winter, provided there was enough firewood.
This was the difference between the Northeast and other regions.
To add another room in the large area would require building another kang. Otherwise, winter would be unbearable.
In the small room, the kang faced a large window beside the main door.
Sunlight filled the room, and beneath the window, along the fire wall, was a lockable low cabinet.
To the right of the door was a wooden rack for luggage, washing basins, and miscellaneous items.
The room seemed long uninhabited, with cobwebs and dust everywhere.
This made Huo’s mother and Wan’er frown.
“Mother, Wan’er, this is how it is in the Northeast. They all sleep on kangs. Otherwise, winter would be too cold,” Gu Yunsheng explained.
Huo’s mother nodded. “Shengsheng, thank you for taking care of this.”
There were also some worn-out tables and chairs. Huo Chengxuan and Huo Zhenguo, being strong, had already started moving them.
Huo’s mother and Wan’er only frowned initially, but soon began tidying and cleaning.
Gu Yunsheng wanted to help, but Huo’s mother stopped her.
“Shengsheng, you are just pregnant. You need to be careful. There is no need for you to help here.”
From being an influential figure in the capital to now living in this remote village, the family’s morale relied on the embryo Gu Yunsheng carried.
She could not afford any mistakes.
“Mother, I really don’t mind. It is only been a month!” Gu Yunsheng said.
Thanks to the spiritual spring water she had, and having replaced the water in Huo Chengxuan and the others’ cups with diluted versions, she had ensured no one would fall ill despite the long train journey.
She could handle small tasks without affecting her pregnancy.
“My daughter, really, there is no need for you to do anything. Go sit outside and rest,” Huo Zhenguo said as he entered.
Even Wan’er, who often disapproved of Gu Yunsheng, did not say a harsh word.
The first three months of pregnancy are delicate. No one could guarantee against miscarriage.
Huo Chengxuan took practical action. He cleaned a Tai Shi chair, covered it with a blanket, and set it up for her.
Gu Yunsheng had been observing the room quietly. She had not noticed him doing all this before.
With everyone watching, she had no choice but to step outside.
Prolonging the hesitation would only waste time.
Across from them, the other two families were bustling with activity.
From time to time, Gu Yunsheng could hear their comments.
“Brother, look at the way she is posing like a fox spirit. She has been sent to the countryside, and she still acts like a young mistress.”
Chu Ziheng glanced at his younger sister.
“Rongrong, what is wrong? Did she offend you somehow? This is not like before, and this is not a place for you to act recklessly.”
“Yes, Rongrong, listen to your brother,” he added.
“Hmph!” Chu Rongrong looked displeased, but seeing her brother’s stern face, she dared not say more.
Wang Huijuan’s family also looked down on Gu Yunsheng sitting outside.
Though Wang Huijuan was heavyset, she worked efficiently. Her grandparents could not manage hard labor. Their pace was slow, always watching over their grandson.
“Look at her, all flashy and extravagant. She is clearly useless around the house,” one of the grandparents muttered.
“Marrying such a daughter-in-law, it is bad luck for eight generations,” they added.
Zhao Feng frowned at his two women. “Mother, that family is not someone we can provoke.”