During the meal, Yang Dachuan had already confirmed with Uncle Old Gen and Yang Dayong that the next day Yang Dayong would help find someone in the village to level the land, while Uncle Old Gen would first make contact with their group of tile workers and then purchase building materials with Yang Dachuan.
Originally, Ms. Wang and Yang Dachuan thought that building an ordinary thatched-roof house would be enough, and a tile-roofed house would be too conspicuous. However, Yang Chuxia didn’t agree, believing that since they were building, even if it’s not as grand as a city manor, at least they could build a blue-brick tile-roofed house. It would be more comfortable to live in and not worry about dampness in the summer next year.
Because she insisted, Yang Dachuan didn’t say anything more.
"Xiaxia, has your father had his breakfast?" As they had agreed last night to do the work today, Uncle Old Gen went to nearby villages early in the morning to arrange for the tile workers. Now he arrived at Yang Chuxia’s house, intending to go with Yang Dachuan to the town and buy bricks and tiles and such.
"Uncle Old Gen, my father is still eating. Have you eaten so early in the morning?" Yang Chuxia, who was savoring a scallion oil pancake, greeted him as he entered.
"Oh, I just contacted the tile workers. They happen to be free during this period. They’ll finish your house right before the autumn harvest, so everybody’s happy."
Upon hearing this, Yang Chuxia glanced at Uncle Old Gen and noticed that the tips of his shoes were a little wet. She realized that Uncle Old Gen had probably gone to find the tile workers early in the morning and hadn’t even eaten breakfast.
Yang Chuxia hurriedly brought out their family’s small basket, "Uncle Old Gen, you’ve been busy since early morning probably without eating breakfast. Have some pancakes to fill you up."
Uncle Old Gen indeed hadn’t eaten breakfast, and seeing the pancakes in the basket, he felt a little hungry. "I won’t be polite then."
"Please help yourself. We have plenty left. I’ll get you a bowl of porridge."
"Xiaxia, no need. I’ll just eat some pancakes." Uncle Old Gen saw Yang Chuxia bringing both pancakes and a bowl and felt a little embarrassed. He didn’t want people to think that he came specifically to get free breakfast.
"You must! The corn pancakes are quite dry. Consuming them without some porridge will lead to an upset stomach." Yang Chuxia had already poured the porridge as she spoke.
Yang Dachuan also smiled and said, "Xiaxia is right. Have some porridge to wash it down. There is no hurry in buying things. In any case, we cannot start working within these next two days, so later is also fine."
"Fine, I won’t be polite then." Uncle Old Gen received the porridge and spoke.
After finishing breakfast, Uncle Old Gen, Yang Dachuan, and Yang Chuxia headed to town together. They told Ms. Wang before leaving that Yang Dayong would bring people to help later and to direct them straight to the house site.
Yang Chuxia went to the town not to buy building materials with Yang Dachuan, but to buy food ingredients. Since people were coming to help soon, they had to provide meals for everyone.
Upon arriving at the town, Yang Chuxia parted with Yang Dachuan and Uncle Old Gen, going to the food market to buy vegetables, meat, and a lot of rice and grains. Only then did she hire a cow cart to return to Yangshu Village.
At this time, Yang Dayong had already brought people to the house site and started digging the slope soil to fill the low-lying area.
Yang Chuxia filled a wooden barrel with the iced tea Ms. Wang had prepared, covered it, and then picked it up and went out.
"Mom, I’ll deliver the tea first and then come back to help you cook."
"Ah, you go ahead. I’ll start by washing and picking the vegetables. We can manage." Ms. Wang waved her hand and continued washing the vegetables in her hands.