Chapter 56: New House 1

“Good. I’m glad you have a plan.”

Seeing that Su Sanlang was also on board, Old Master Wang smiled and went out. After all, good things should not go to outsiders. Su Sanlang stayed behind and brought in a big sum of money for the village.

With the matter of the fields and land settled, Su Sanlang was relieved.

By the 30th of November, Su Sanlang had mostly recovered from his injuries. Even Old Wu found it unbelievable that he had recovered so quickly.

But he did.

Even Su Chong and Su Hua’s injuries had healed. They were just waiting for the scab to drop off.

Madam Zhao’s hand recovered very quickly as well.

One day, Su Sanlang went to Goathorn Town and bought some household goods and two pots of good wine.

At night, Madam Zhao brought Su Sanmei to stew chicken and duck.

At the dining table, Su Sanlang’s family, who had always been quiet, spoke for the first time today. Su Sanlang led Madam Zhao to toast Old Wu. He looked at Old Wu gratefully and said, “Doctor Wu, thank you for saving our family. I can’t repay this kindness. I, Su Sanlang, promise you that I will definitely not decline if you need something in the future. We have troubled you for so long, thank you for taking us in.”

Old Wu ate the meat and drank a mouthful of wine. “Don’t be so wishy-washy. It’s annoying to look at that. I appreciate your kindness. Let’s eat.”

Su Sanmei picked up a big duck leg for Old Wu and said sweetly, “Grandpa Wu, please eat.”

“Yeah.”

……

This time, Old Wu did not refuse.

After eating and drinking his fill, Old Wu returned to the main room without looking back.

At night, Su Sanlang talked to Madam Zhao. He said, “Darling, I’ve pretty much recovered now. I want to ask Brother Hu to help us build the house tomorrow. I’ve asked around. A day of hard work outside pays 30 copper coins. Let’s invite the villagers and pay them 40 copper coins a day. We’ll live in the village in the future. I’ll ask the villagers to build a house as a favor.”

Madam Zhao nodded. “Okay, I’ll listen to you.”

This place was familiar after all. They had no big grudge against the villagers, to begin with. It was just that Su Sanlang had killed a big tiger and made many people jealous for a moment.

But as long as they turned around and thought about it calmly, they knew that what Su Sanlang had said that day was all out of anger.

Moreover, most of the money from selling the tiger was spent on buying land and building a house. Su Sanlang was no different from the villagers. Moreover, when they saw Su Sanlang’s blindness and Madam Zhao’s disability, the last bit of envy in their hearts would disappear.

What the villagers had was what they had risked their lives for.

“It’s been hard on you.”

Su Sanlang sighed. He hugged Madam Zhao’s thin shoulders and choked slightly.

Madam Zhao couldn’t help but tear up. She replied gently, “Sanlang, I’m not afraid of hardship, nor do I feel it. I’m actually really happy.”

Madam Zhao leaned against Su Sanlang’s chest. Everything she said was from the bottom of her heart. With Su Sanlang’s protection, all the hardships she had suffered would pass.

Sometimes she wondered what would have happened if she hadn’t met Su Sanlang. It might have been easier for her in this world, but it wouldn’t have been that much better. In fact, it was hard to respect a bought woman. She was more likely to have it worse.

So what she had now was good. Even if it wasn’t perfect, it was already the best.

“Sleep in peace. This year, we can have a good New Year’s.”

Su Sanlang kissed Madam Zhao’s forehead and said gently.

Their family had finally survived this ordeal.

On the first of December, Madam Zhao invited Chen Hu over.

Chen Hu looked at Su Sanlang and smiled, then his eyes turned red. He choked and said, “Third Brother, what kind of house do you want to build?”

Chen Hu was happy that Su Sanlang’s family could stay, but when he saw that Su Sanlang was missing an eye, he felt terrible again.

Su Sanlang patted Chen Hu’s shoulder and said with a smile, “A big one. Build a big house for Chong, Hua, Sanmei, and Simei. Also, fence up the courtyard. Make the kitchen and the main house bigger. Build a coop to keep the chickens and ducks in the backyard. Also, build a well.”

Su Sanlang wanted to build a house to live in for the rest of his life. When he was gone, his two sons would be able to live in the house for the rest of their lives too.

So the house had to be built well and solid.

“Yes. It must be built well.”

Chen Hu agreed with a smile. Because Su Sanlang had given him such a good job, Chen Hu’s life at home was better.

Forty copper coins a day could earn them a good income. Moreover, in this cold weather, there was no work to do. Father Chen and Mother Chen were so happy that they could not stop smiling.

After discussing with Chen Hu for a while, Su Sanlang gave Chen Hu money, and Chen Hu went to buy the materials to build the house.

Forty people from the village were hired to build the house.

They came to help Su Sanlang build the house. There was money to be made, and everyone was happy. They didn’t care about the jealousy from before, and they said nice things. And with so many people, the construction was going fast.

The house almost looked different every day.

Every day, Su Sanmei would carry Su Xiaolu to see what the new house looked like.

Even Su Chong and Su Hua knew that this would be their home in the future. They would also help out every day and count the days with anticipation.

“Simei, we finally have a home. Father said that he built a big room for you and me. When you grow up, you can sleep on your own. I’m so happy. There’s also a big chicken coop. When the time comes, we can raise chickens and ducks again. I can catch many insects for them to eat.”

Su Sanmei carried Su Xiaolu on her back and said as she caught insects to feed the chickens and ducks.

Their family stayed at Old Wu’s house for the time being and cleaned up the place.

Su Sanmei was very diligent. She would either catch insects or sweep the floor and wash clothes. When she was free, she would bring Su Xiaolu out for a walk.

Su Xiaolu looked at the house next door and smiled.

By late December, the house was already in its beams and beginning to be roofed.

The cabinets and tables that had been made by the carpenter moved into the house one after another.

On the 28th of December, the new house was finally completed. Su Sanlang bought firecrackers to celebrate and paid the villagers for their work.

Everyone received more than one tael of silver, so they naturally went back happily after saying their blessings.

The construction and salary cost a total of 100 taels of silver. All the materials used were of high quality.

Su Su Sanlang’s family moved into their new home on the same day.

Before leaving, Old Wu still had a long face. He waved his hand impatiently and said, “Go, go.”

Su Sanlang led his family and bowed gratefully to Old Wu. “Doctor Wu, thank you for taking us in during this period of time. If you don’t mind, I’ll get Chong and Hua to help you clean the courtyard every day and let Sanmei wash your clothes.”

Old Wu looked at Su Sanlang. Finally, he said calmly, “There’s no need. I saved you, and you’ve paid me. It’s not like you haven’t paid me anything these days. I don’t like it to be too noisy. Since we’re neighbors, we’ll just live in harmony in the future.”