Chapter 80: Chapter 80: Shelved
As soon as spring arrives, the construction of this house can be scheduled.
You can imagine how anxious Gu Ruhai must be.
His face, worn by wind and frost, was now filled with joy and satisfaction.
Looking at Gu Ruhai’s gestures, Gu Xiaoqing happily suggested.
"Dad, since we have some money now, don’t follow Uncle’s way of building five big tiled rooms in a row. For Xiao Jie’s future, why not build three rooms but make it a two-story courtyard? The yard space would be more spacious, and on the side, we could have a kitchen and a utility room. There’s still plenty of room to plant some flowers and greenery, and it looks grand."
This would be the model that rural families would transform into in the future.
Gu Xiaoqing suggested this mainly to ensure that there wouldn’t be a family crowding together.
Gu Ruhai and Li Xuemei were hesitant upon hearing this. They hadn’t seen this type of house structure before, but there were small two-story or three-story buildings in the town, like the ones at the supply and marketing cooperative.
It certainly looked nice, but it would definitely cost more.
Three thousand wouldn’t be enough; it would probably be around five thousand.
This means we might have to wait a few more months.
According to Gu Ruhai, he wished he could start in a few days. A lifelong wish suddenly becoming possible made it impossible not to be eager.
A simple rural man like him carried a burning desire within to let everyone in the village see that he, Gu Ruhai, is also a real man, a skilled homemaker.
He wanted to silence those who gossip behind his back.
To hold his head high for once and show that Gu Ruhai is no weakling.
But the words of Gu Xiaoqing were still valued by Gu Ruhai and Li Xuemei since the family’s improvement was inseparable from their youngest daughter.
Gu Ruhai and Li Xuemei didn’t want to disregard their daughter’s opinion.
Though their hearts were still reluctant.
Gu Ruhai hesitantly said, "Is this okay? No one in the village builds like this; our family shouldn’t stand out too much."
This was Gu Ruhai’s concern.
In the village, being poor gets you despised, with people kicking you when you’re down, talking behind your back. But having money isn’t any better; jealousy leads to gossip.
No matter if you’re living better or worse, it’s not acceptable. If everyone is about the same, it seems each person’s heart feels balanced.
Gu Ruhai feared being envied.
Li Xuemei was hesitant, too; they knew this reasoning.
Not wanting to stand out in the village.
Too much gossip could drown a person.
Gu Xiaoqing laughed and pointed toward the village chief’s house against the black night, saying, "Aren’t those five or six households over there all in large brick-tiled houses, built a few years earlier? Could the village just swallow them up?
Back then, when nobody in the village had houses like that, everyone said they were rich overnight, landlords, but those words didn’t affect them. They still ate and drank as usual, not losing a single hair.
Later, didn’t many people try to become friends and get close, because, when facing difficulties, everyone needs somewhere to borrow money.
Think about it, isn’t that the truth? So why should we be afraid? Are we scared enough to throw away money?"
Gu Xiaoqing wasn’t afraid; there’s no more movement coming. People might be short-sighted now, but the open-door policy is set by the nation, and will continue to be implemented. More people will seek wealth.
Then more people will start businesses or find ways to get rich.
This gap will keep widening.
Gu Xiaoqing didn’t believe living in concealment would make life better.
Live with a clear conscience, that’s real, without stealing or robbing; what is there to fear?
Li Xuemei and Gu Ruhai thought again and again but didn’t speak; such decisions were tough for both of them.
So Li Xuemei decided to sleep, saying it wasn’t urgent to build and they should think more as they gather funds for it.
So the family tucked themselves quietly into bed like cats with stolen fish.
Gu Xiaoqing and Gu Xiaoying went to sleep.
Li Xuemei and Gu Ruhai started settling Gu Xiaojie in, but they couldn’t sleep.
The matter was too exciting to sleep.
Gu Ruhai couldn’t sleep, so he snuck into Li Xuemei’s bed.
The couple spent half the night together, mainly worrying about Xiao Jie beside them, making them act like thieves.
After finishing, they lay there exchanging some idle chat.
"His dad, while the house thing can wait, we should get some stuff for the home."
Li Xuemei was content now with a caring husband. He was no longer weak and unwisely filial but a decent man. Their three children were loving; the elder daughter was hard-working, the younger was smart and did well in school, full of ideas; their son was mischievous but adorable. What more could she want?
In the past, lying there, she would worry, fret over winter’s expenses, let alone think of happy things.
Gu Ruhai touched his wife’s hair; previously dry, it seemed softened with better food. They were no longer deprived of meat year-round, but had meat once in a while.
Gu Xiaoqing often made big bone soup for the family’s nutrition, to make up for years of deficiencies.
He said kindly: "You decide, buy what we lack. We’ve been to the market every day; let’s make sure home is well furnished and not let the kids suffer. All these years, I’ve been inadequate as a father, letting you and the kids suffer. Now we should let the family enjoy comfort."
These were Gu Ruhai’s heartfelt words.
Li Xuemei teasingly pinched a soft spot on Gu Ruhai’s waist and laughed, "Who cares like that? I’m just thinking winter is cold, and want to make new cotton coats for the kids and us. What we’re wearing is already over ten years old, as hard as stone. They’re not warm.
Now conditions are better at home, I wouldn’t bear to let the kids suffer."
Gu Ruhai clumsily rubbed the tender spot, comfortingly saying, "Do as you think; we won’t let the kids go without."
Then he awkwardly suggested: "Can we make a set for his grandparents too? Just a suggestion; if you disagree, then forget it."
Li Xuemei chuckled, "Sure, a set for his grandparents since we should be filial, but nothing more. Don’t go overboard."
Gu Ruhai nodded repeatedly, feeling warm inside; he had a good wife.