“Ten silver is enough for us to build a house. Dashan and I don’t have any children, so it’s enough to build a central room and a kitchen first.”
Li Miao wasn’t someone who liked to gossip with the other women in the village, but as long as she was with Yue Jiaojiao, she would subconsciously ask for her opinion on everything. She had a kind of blind trust in her.
“Li Miao, You will bear children one day. When the time comes, you won’t have the energy to build another two rooms.” Yue Jiaojiao pointed at Zhao Zhan. “Zhao Zhan and I plan to start building a house in a few days because the bricks we bought were much cheaper. If you want, you can buy it with us.”
“Brick houses? I can’t. If Dashan and I can’t repay your ten silver, we won’t know what to do with ourselves…”
“You don’t have to use bricks to build the yard. You can build the main house and divide it into two bedrooms, the east and the west side. The middle will be used as the central room, and the east side of the yard will be a kitchen. Then, you can ask Dashan and Zhao Zhan to get some fences to surround the yard. When the child is born, there will be enough space for you to live in.”
“If you don’t have enough silver, you can just owe us first. Zhao Zhan and I would hope to be neighbors for a long time.”
Zhao Zhan instantly understood Jiaojiao’s meaning.
Zhao Zhan did not have any objections. He added, “Dashan, Li Miao, I think Jiaojiao is right. We should just build a good house instead of a mud brick. It’ll be troublesome to build another one after it breaks down. It’ll be a waste of money.”
Yue Jiaojiao’s fingers, which were hanging by her side, gently scratched his palm.
Zhao Zhan understood and grabbed Yue Jiaojiao’s little hand. “Our family had to build a house again recently, and I’m busy making tofu and so on. I can’t handle it all by myself. If Dashan and you are free, why don’t you come and help? You two only need to come for half a day each, five copper coins a day.”
“No need, no need.” Li Miao waved her hand. “Even if you have money, you can’t spend it like this. I know you think we’re in a difficult situation and want to help us, but you can’t give us your own money.
“You’re obviously not short of help, but you’re still looking for us. Aren’t you just giving us money for free? I can’t be so thick-skinned.”
“Li Miao, Zhao Zhan is right. He’s been really busy lately.” Yue Jiaojiao’s voice was clear. “You know that Zhao Zhan doesn’t let me do anything. I just want to find someone trustable to help him. I’m only looking for you guys because I trust you. There’s no other reason. And it’s not just you guys. We might have to find more people to help in the future.
“Although this thatched house has collapsed, you can clean it up and make do with it for the next two days. When the house is built, we can move to a new house together.”
Yang Dashan, who had been silent, suddenly said, “Li Miao, let’s borrow money to build a brick house! I believe that if I follow Zhao Zhan, I’ll be able to return the money sooner or later. They won’t look down on us if we live better than them too!”
Since her husband had already said so, Li Miao clenched her teeth and no longer refused. She only silently remembered Yue Jiaojiao’s kindness in her heart and vowed to help her with all her heart.