Pouring some stones on top would prevent the backyard from becoming muddy and waterlogged during rainy days.
As for the stones for paving the ground, that was simple. Just beyond a small slope behind the old house was the village’s only pebble river, filled with small stones washed down from upstream. Over the years, they had been worn smooth and lost their sharp edges, making them perfect for paving.
The four walls of the house had also been built to their previous height. To increase usable space, she discussed with Meng Suling the idea of extending the courtyard wall by another meter, lowering the ceiling height, and adding a second floor using wood and wooden planks.
Their area used to be a forest farm, and the commune still had an undeveloped forest with large trees that had been growing for many years—tall, sturdy, and lush, making them excellent building materials.
As members of the commune, they could legitimately cut down trees for building houses as long as they applied to the brigade and paid a nominal fee.
Of course, the felled trees wouldn’t be processed immediately for construction. Instead, they would be hauled to a processing plant and exchanged for finished lumber.
The second-floor addition was now nearly complete, with only the tiles left to install. They estimated they could move in within two more days.
Miao Yunwei took the initiative to boil water for the uncles, aunts, and other workers and helped pass tools. In just a few days, she left everyone with the impression of being diligent, capable, and resourceful.
Every time she came by, everyone warmly greeted her and took the opportunity to praise her in front of Old Man Miao.
Old Man Miao also felt that this granddaughter had brought him honor. Thinking of her hardships, he felt even more heartache and sighed.
He beckoned Miao Yunwei over and asked, “How are you adapting to the job these days? If it’s really too much, Grandpa can find you another way out. At worst, I’ll grit my teeth and pull some strings. The sugar factory…”
Miao Yunwei shuddered and quickly shook her head. “Grandpa, I’m adapting quite well to the job now. It’s loading and unloading work, so I can’t pretend it’s not hard, but I can handle it. As the great man said, a soldier who doesn’t want to be a general isn’t a good soldier. I can’t be a deserter. I’ll work hard at the bus station, strive to become a permanent employee, and hopefully even apply for a transfer.”
What a joke! A temporary position at the sugar factory might seem better than a loading and unloading job at the bus station now, but that position was bought with money. As long as those in charge turned a blind eye, everyone got along fine. But if someone higher up took a dislike to you, or if there were changes in leadership, a purge could start at any time. Whether it would blow up depended on how solid your connections were.
Especially two or three years later, in her previous life, the sugar factory struggled with declining profits and found ways to lay off a batch of workers. Those who had bought their temporary positions were the first to be cut, with pitifully little compensation.
Miao Xuewei was on that layoff list. Fortunately, she had married well and could comfortably become a housewife without a job, which was much better than her own fate in her previous life.
Miao Dashan hadn’t expected his granddaughter to have such lofty ambitions and didn’t have the heart to discourage her. “Alright, work hard. If you need money or run into trouble, just tell Grandpa. I may not have many skills, but I do know a few leaders at the bus company.”
Miao Yunwei looked surprised.
Seeing her expression, Miao Dashan couldn’t help but chuckle. “Even though I work at the sugar factory, your grandmother’s family is all in the transportation unit. Otherwise, your father wouldn’t have been able to become a driver there.”
Miao Yunwei suddenly understood. In her previous life, she had never known about these things.
As they talked, the grandfather and granddaughter stacked the bricks and tiles neatly, waiting for the workers to come and haul them away.
Miao Yunwei casually brought up the arrangement for the yard. “Grandpa, I was thinking of getting some stones from Shizi River to pave the open areas in the backyard and front yard. That way, even on rainy days, the house won’t get muddy. If possible, we could also pave the floors inside the house with stones—it’d be much easier to maintain.”
They had used all the money originally intended for floor tiles to add a second floor to the house, so the floors were temporarily left untreated.
Miao Dashan paused, pondering for a moment before saying, “Paving the yard with stones is fine, but let’s skip the inside of the house. Rats can dig through, so stones won’t help much. Later, I’ll have your grandma give your mother another two hundred yuan to get floor tiles laid first. That way, when your brother gets married, we won’t have to go through the hassle again.”
Floor tiles were like the face of a home. Although Hekou Village wasn’t particularly wealthy, most households had red clay tiles laid inside. If the Miao Jianguo family paved their floors with stones, it would become news throughout the entire village.
Miao Yunwei secretly rejoiced but put on a troubled expression. “Grandpa, isn’t that a bit too much? You already gave my mom two hundred before. If you give more, Uncle’s family will definitely have something to say.”
Miao Dashan waved his hand impatiently. “Your grandma and I can use our money however we want. It’s not up to your uncle and his wife to comment. Just keep it quiet.”
Thinking about how his eldest granddaughter had been dressing up elaborately every day to go to work lately, coming back to show off and boast, while his second granddaughter was exhausted and covered in dust every day, barely able to straighten her back, his heart had completely leaned toward the second branch of the family.
The more sensible and pitiful Miao Yunwei appeared, the more he felt for her and wanted to help the second branch.
Miao Yunwei immediately fell silent, acting obediently.
Miao Dashan was a man of action. Once he decided on something, he got it done. Right away, he found a few people to discuss gathering small stones from Shizi River.
That night, after the whole family had fallen asleep, Huang Caiying quietly called Meng Suling into her room and slipped her two hundred yuan. Then, raising her voice, she said, “Old Four and Old Five have been restless in their sleep these past few days—they just kicked me again. How much longer will it take to finish your house? Once it’s livable, move over there. Each of you can have your own room, so we won’t have to keep squeezing together. We’re exhausted too.”
Meng Suling understood perfectly and quickly tucked the money into her pants pocket. With an ingratiating smile, she replied, “Mom, it’s almost done. Please bear with it for a couple more days. I’ll go ask about the furniture tomorrow.”
“It’s just a table, a few stools, beds, and cabinets. Didn’t we bring the lumber over on the day we started building the house? How long could such a small job take?” Huang Caiying couldn’t understand the delay.
These days, Miao Dashan had been overseeing the construction, and she only asked about it occasionally, so she wasn’t aware of the minor details.
Meng Suling sat down and explained carefully. “We’ve only made one dining table and a few stools so far. We’ve ordered four beds for now—one for Jianguo and me, one for the eldest child, and one for the second child. For the third, fourth, and fifth children, I plan to have them sleep on the second floor, each in their own room.
The second floor is laid with wooden planks, so I don’t dare put regular beds up there. Instead, I’ve ordered three low platforms and bed boards—just simple wooden planks and bed frames. It shouldn’t take much time; they can be finished in two days.
But since the house isn’t ready yet, we can’t bring the furniture back.”
Huang Caiying listened attentively, nodding from time to time. “As long as you have a plan, that’s fine. Let me know when Pingkang comes back, and I’ll buy a piece of meat.”
Meng Suling’s smile deepened.
As she stepped out of her mother-in-law’s room, she happened to see the door of the eldest branch’s room just closing. A cold smile unconsciously curled at the corner of her lips.
Over the next few days, Miao Yunwei worked as diligently as ever. As soon as she finished one task, she immediately looked for another. Even when there was truly nothing to do, she would stand in front of the bus schedule, carefully memorizing the departure and arrival times of each shift.
She did her best to leave everyone with the impression that she was hardworking and resilient.