Chapter 32: Li Laosan Has a Suggestion!

n did the old woman completely relax, she grabbed the Duke's hand and tears streamed down her face. "You said life was going well, I just pickled a jar of garlic eggplant, how could this happen again"...Wu Cuiflower was so angry that she was about to scold Tao Hongying, when she heard Li Lao's voice from the main hall.

"Wu'er, you came all the way from the county town, did you know your nephew is going to study and sent him money to buy ink and paper"

Wu Er blushed and his neck was thick, where he dared to say that he came back to take advantage.

Looking back, the doorway was guarded by Li Laosi, whose fists were as big as bowls. He grunted for a long while but finally walked away dejectedly.

Wu Cuiflower still wanted to chase after him, but when she was met with the cold stares of her whole family, she shrank her neck...

In a blink of an eye, it was the day Jiaren went to the academy. Tao Hongying got up early to cook.

When the sky was just beginning to brighten, Li Lao Er led the way with Jia Ren and Li Lao Si carrying their bedding and luggage.

The whole family stood at the gate, seeing them off. Their reluctance was palpable, making Jiaren's nose sore.

"Aaah!" Jia Yin, in Tao Hongying's embrace, vigorously punched Jia Ren with a tiny fist.

Jiarren came over and patted Jia Yin's little face.

Jia Yin wanted to touch her big brother's handsome face, but she couldn't control her strength and hit him a little too hard.

She blushed, but her family was used to it. They all smiled, and the sadness of parting faded a lot...

After Jia Ren went to study, life for the Li family remained as usual.

Li Laosi was a man of his word. Every day, he led the young people from the village up the mountain to hunt, and they almost always had a successful haul. But finding large wild beasts proved difficult.

It was Li Laosan who brought the children to help repair houses for the elderly, which proved very effective.

Today's house to be repaired is one near the village entrance. Lao San Li stands on the roof, while Jia Yi and his two younger brothers help pass the thatch.

"Han Sheng, take a break for a while." The village head happened to be passing by and saw Li Lao San sweating profusely, so he shouted.

Li Laosan slid down from the roof, tugged at his sleeve and wiped his sweat randomly, smiling innocently, and greeted, "Uncle's here!"

"Yes, I have nothing to do at home, so I came over for a visit. This year, thanks to all of you, the village is doing well. Otherwise, this winter would have probably taken away two or three more old brothers."

The village head looked at the half-repaired roof, his heart filled with gratitude and joy.

Li Laosan waved his hand dismissively, “We’re all neighbors, it’s only right to help each other out.”

After finishing his words, he hesitated for a moment and then said, "Uncle, there's something I don't know if I should say or not"

"Say, do you need any hands, or are you short on lumber or bricks" The village head quickly replied.

Li Lao San shook his head. "Uncle, these past few days while I've been repairing my house, I've noticed that several houses are in really bad shape. They're just barely patched up and probably won't hold up under the winter snow."

He pointed with his finger at several other places in the village, and said again.

"I was thinking, could we gather the elderly folks who live in these dilapidated and lonely houses together in one home to spend the winter Not only would it save on firewood, but they could also look after each other and keep each other company. What do you think"

The village head's eyes lit up, this was indeed a good idea. In past years, he only worried about the harsh winter and never thought of warming themselves up together in groups.

"That's a good idea, I think it's feasible. But after all, this is a matter for everyone, so let me go around and ask each household before making a decision."

The village head was hot-tempered. After speaking, he turned and left.

He really asked around all the homes of his several old bachelor friends, and none of them objected.

The last household was that of Uncle Zhao, the lame man who lived next door to Li's family.

His houseyard was among the most spacious, and the house was fairly well-maintained. With five older brothers living there, it had two rooms and two sleeping platforms, enough space for everyone.

Uncle Zhao was also a generous man, so he invited all his old brothers over at that time.

The village head was even more satisfied. These old brothers guarding the Li family meant that with the large population of the Li family, it would be convenient to lend a hand in times of trouble.

Hearing the news, villagers helped several families move their belongings, haul firewood and transport food. They buzzed with activity as they moved the veterans to a place together.

Tao Hongying and Zhao Yuru were also diligent and kind, helping to tidy up the house. They even washed the kang beds and dried them in the sun.

But the old soldiers didn't have wives, and their bedding inevitably got a little dirty. They also helped to dismantle, wash, and mend them.

Thus, for three or four days, the Zhao family's courtyard next door finally quieted down. The three main rooms of Old Master Zhao's house also became clean and bright.

The veterans fell asleep on the heated kang, covered in clean quilts that smelled faintly of soap. They were both happy and moved. They were especially affectionate toward the Li family members.

Jiaxi and Jiani were mischievous and couldn't sit still.

He would often run to the old soldiers and ask them to tell him stories about marching and fighting, pestering them to carve wooden figures with his small knife and shoot birds with a slingshot. The quiet courtyard became much livelier.

On this day, Zhang Er's wife brought a basin of soaked beans to Li's house to make soy sauce.

The other women in the village, hearing about this, also came over to help. Since they had soaked beans at home, they brought them along to join in making it together.

The Li family's two large iron pots were put to good use, boiling beans all day long.

When women get together, how can they possibly avoid idle chatter.

Someone saw Tao Hongying's diligence and efficiency, so they praised her.

"Hong Ying is truly a virtuous and capable woman, she cooks delicious meals and has a pleasant personality. Unlike my brother's wife back home, who is lazy and only eats, ever since she had a son, she acts like she can ride on top of my mother’s head…"

Another woman, quick-witted, smiled and said.

"Don't even say it! Your own sister-in-law, known throughout the ten miles and eight villages for her laziness, shrewishness, you dare compare her to Hongying"

The woman who spoke first had made a fool of herself, laughing as she elbowed her companion, while continuing to work with her hands.

"Tomorrow my son is getting married. I'll just look for a wife like Hongying and Yuru, then our life will definitely be prosperous and happy!"

The wives of men who had sons also sighed.

"As for you, you might not be as lucky as Mrs. Li."

"You damn bitch, what are you talking about!"

"Hahaha, look at her, she's so angry..."

The women chatted and laughed as they worked, seemingly not tiring at all.

Tao Hon Ying was stirring the cooked beans in a large earthenware basin. After they cooled, she mashed them into a paste and then formed it into a square shape.

Old Mrs. Li came out of the house holding Jiayin. When the women saw her, they all admired the chubby little girl.

Jia Yin wasn't afraid of the living room, yawning softly with her big, misty eyes, making her look even more adorable.

"Wow! Funiu is so adorable, I almost want to have another one!"

Everyone stopped working and surrounded Jiayin, coaxing and teasing her, all envious.

"Sister-in-law, your little girl is about the same age as my son. How about we arrange a marriage for them"

A young daughter-in-law sidled up to Tao Hongying, winking and suggestively proposing something.

Before Tao Hongying could speak, the woman beside her was unhappy.

"Get over yourself! Your son followed your family's men and looks like a black monkey. Do you really think he can marry Funiu-er"

"My little boy, Bai Ning'er!"

"Don't be ashamed! Your boy is already nine years old, and Fu Niu'er is just over a hundred days old! You really want an old cow to eat tender grass!"

A married woman, with nothing to hold back in her words, laughs boisterously from time to time, her laughter echoing far and wide.

Jia Yin also listened with relish and chuckled from time to time.

The women didn't seem to mind, but Li Laotai, fearing her granddaughter might be led astray, took her back home early...village must certainly celebrate with joy! We'll cover the cost of the banquet, everyone just needs to help out with the preparations.""Just rest assured, Old Madam, we've got this!" A villager shoute...