Carefree Farmwife: Training the Husband, Raising the Bun - Chapter 33

While having breakfast at Li Dalang’s house, Ying Su mentioned her plan to build a house, and only then did the others learn that her thatched hut had been smashed.

Madam Li quickly said, “These days, you should just bring Huzi and stay here with us!”

Ying Su shook her head, declining her kindness. She said, “Huzi and I can still make do for now. But I don’t really know much about building houses, so I’d like to ask if you could help me find a few skilled builders. It’d be best if construction could start within the next few days.”

Li Dalang swallowed his food and glanced at Ying Su. “Building a house is no small matter. How many rooms are you planning on building?” He almost asked whether she had enough money, but after catching sight of the cart parked in the corner, he immediately swallowed his words.

If… if the master really had given her fifty taels, then building a house would be no trouble at all.

“Four rooms,” Ying Su said, putting down her chopsticks.

Li Dalang nodded. Four wasn’t too many, if they gathered enough workers, it could be finished in four or five days.

Liu Chuncao added with a smile, “When the time comes, I’ll call more people from our village to lend a hand.”

Ying Su smiled and nodded. “Good!” Then she turned to Li Dalang. “For four rooms, about how much money will it take?”

Li Dalang thought for a moment before replying, “For four adobe rooms, it’ll cost about three to four taels.”

“Blue bricks. I want to build it with blue bricks.” Ying Su had already made up her mind. Since she was going to build, it should be sturdy. Later, she’d add a courtyard wall, so the place would be secure, even if no one was at home, no one could just break in.

The three from the Li family paused slightly at her words. the little bun, his mouth still full of rice, protested, “Mommy, blue bricks are so expensive! Let’s just build with adobe!”

Madam Li quickly chimed in, “That’s right. It’s not easy for you and Huzi to earn money. You should save what you can.”

Ying Su understood their good intentions and explained with a smile, “Blue brick houses are sturdier. It’ll be safer for Huzi and me, just the two of us. That way, we won’t have to worry about thieves.” With her skills, she naturally wasn’t afraid of thieves, it was simply that she wanted to live more comfortably.

Hearing that, Madam Li nodded in agreement. Cuihua’s face was simply too eye-catching, building a sturdier house could indeed ward off trouble.

“Blue bricks will cost more. It’ll take about ten taels of silver,” Li Dalang said seriously. That was no small sum!

Ying Su nodded, doing a quick calculation. Her funds were a bit tight, but still enough. So she said, “It’s almost June. Summer brings heavy rains. I want the house to be built quickly. Money isn’t the issue, please find as many craftsmen as you can so work can start as soon as possible and be finished quickly.”

Seeing how confident she was, Li Dalang had no choice but to nod. “Alright.”

After discussing the matter, Ying Su and the little bun took their leave. Liu Chuncao helped carry the things she’d bought back to her house, while Li Dalang was so excited he didn’t even sleep, driving straight into town to report Ying Su’s words to the master.

As soon as Liu Chuncao returned home, she pulled Madam Li aside. “Mother, don’t you think Cuihua seems different from before?” She still remembered when Cuihua had first been bought home, how frail and delicate she’d looked. But now, she’d suddenly become so… so strong-willed, full of ideas, and skilled in so many things!

Madam Li sighed. “She went through so much suffering. It’s a good thing if her temperament has changed, at least now she’s opened up.” Madam Li had spent the most time with Shen Cuihua. When she’d first been brought home, she looked half-dead, timid and cowardly. Later she even lost her mind for a while. Once she woke up, it was as if she’d become a completely different person.

“Mother, whose child is Huzi, really?” Liu Chuncao lowered her voice, curiosity all over her face. This wasn’t the first time she’d asked, but every time her mother-in-law avoided the subject.

Madam Li shook her head, unwilling to talk about it. But under Liu Chuncao’s persistent questioning, she finally sighed helplessly. “I don’t know either. When trouble happened back then, I went looking for the broker woman, but she refused to admit that I’d ever bought a girl from her!”

“This matter is probably only clear to Cuihua herself. Don’t ask her about it, you might stir up trouble. When she first came here, she tried to kill herself twice. You’ve seen how much she hated Huzi during her madness. It probably has something to do with the boy’s father!”

While the two were whispering on that side, Ying Su suddenly sneezed. Having not slept all night, her eyes were bloodshot. Seeing her fatigue, the little bun very thoughtfully fetched water for her to wash her face and feet, then gently pushed her onto the bed. “Mommy, you’ve been exhausted all night. Have a good rest and sleep for a while.”

Ying Su greatly enjoyed her obedient son’s care. Lying on the bed, she saw him picking up his basket and called out, “Baby, come here and sleep with Mommy for a bit.”

The little bun slung the basket on his back. “Mommy, I already slept all night. I’m not tired at all. You sleep at home, I’ll go to the mountain to pick hawthorn.” In his mind, the hawthorn that no one wanted in the hills was now money, he needed to hurry and gather it.

“Your little arms and legs will wear out. Sleep with Mommy for a while, later we’ll go up the mountain together.” Ying Su patted the space beside her.

“I’m really not tired. Mommy, you rest! I’ll pick what I can.” The little bun, basket on his back, was about to head out.

Watching his figure, Ying Su called softly, “Look at the state of our home right now. Mommy doesn’t feel safe sleeping alone. Didn’t you promise never to leave me alone at home again?” Her voice turned more pitiful, her phoenix eyes shimmering with innocent, pleading light.

The little bun instantly remembered what had happened with Li Ergou. Though hawthorn was on his mind, compared to his mother, he knew what mattered more. He turned back and set the basket down.

“Mommy, go ahead and sleep. I’ll stay and watch over you.” The little bun lay on the edge of the bed, speaking earnestly.

Ying Su nodded, a glimmer of satisfaction flashing in her dark eyes. She pulled the little bun into her arms. “Then Mommy will sleep now.”

When she woke up, it was already noon. Outside the thatched hut, they once again set up the iron pot. The little bun tended the fire while Ying Su cooked. Working together, they quickly made a meal, the enticing aroma drifting far.

Soon, Liu Chuncao arrived holding Dazhuang, while Madam Li carried a basket of food. Seeing the scene in front of the hut, she called out, “Chuncao and I are late, have you already cooked?”

The little bun was washing his hands. Turning his head, he beamed. “Grandmother, Auntie, Dazhuang, you’re here! Mommy just finished cooking. Let’s all eat together.”

Madam Li smiled as she handed the bamboo basket to Ying Su. “The three of us already ate at home. This is food for you two, didn’t I tell you this morning? For these days, don’t bother cooking, just eat at our place.”