Plan

Once Manbao fell asleep, Qian frowned and looked at Lao Zhou, "Are you serious about building seven rooms, or are you just trying to please Manbao?"

"Of course I'm serious." "Would I lie to a child?" This is a big deal. Manbao is so smart. What if he learns bad habits?

Lao Zhou had his own thoughts, "Didn't you say that Lao Si's debt would be paid off the other day?"

Qian lightly hummed and said, "It's almost paid off."

No one expected that the ginger grown by the children would be so valuable.

The piece of wasteland that Zhou Silang opened up was not very large, probably only six or seven mu. Half of the area was planted with Chinese yams, and the remaining portion was planted with ginger.

The yield of that small piece of ginger was very high. During this period, the family would harvest at least forty catties of ginger daily, ensuring a stable income.

Others may not know, but Lao Wu and the others would come back and settle accounts with her. After paying the public share, they would also give her Lao Si's share. Qian was the one who knew the family's accounts and everyone's savings the best, apart from Manbao.

Perhaps even the parties involved, such as Zhou Wulang, were not very clear about it themselves.

Unconsciously, the family had already saved a considerable amount of money.

But to build seven stone houses…

Qian frowned and said, "It may not be enough."

"It's almost there," Lao Zhou said in a low voice. "With the money saved last year, the money Lao Si returned, and the money saved this year, there should be about thirty-five taels, right?"

Qian nodded in agreement.

Lao Zhou continued, "Since there is so much money in the public fund, Lao Da and the others must have money as well." The house is being built for them, and since Manbao is contributing money, they naturally have to contribute as well. That should be enough. "I estimate that there will be enough not only to build the house but also for the furnishings inside."

Lao Zhou calculated, "A bed for each room, and Manbao's room will need a better table and chairs." "We can provide them with a set of quilts at most, and they can take care of the rest themselves."

All of this would cost money, and it seemed like it might not be enough, especially for the beds, which were a significant expense.

Lao Zhou felt his craving for tobacco returning. He thought for a moment and said, "Not to worry, there's still a lot of ginger in the field." Once it's sold, it should be enough.

Qian glanced at him and said, "Have you forgotten that we also need to arrange a marriage for Lao Si?"

Lao Zhou was almost at his wits' end. "Should we make him wait another year?"

"He'll be nineteen next year."

Lao Zhou sighed, "He's getting old."

The couple remained silent for a long time.

Lao Zhou tentatively suggested, "How about borrowing some from Xixi?"

Zhou Xi's ginger harvest was also substantial. She also had to contribute to the public fund. However, as a married woman, the family's belongings might not necessarily be hers in the future. So, Qian decided to take only thirty percent of her share and kept the rest for herself.

Of course, she also had to share with Manbao and the others, but the proportion was smaller. Over the past ten days, she has been carrying ten to twenty catties of ginger out every day, and the money she brought back was not insignificant. So, Lao Zhou estimated that she should have saved a considerable amount as well.

Qian, realizing that he had considered every detail, said, "You go and talk to her."

Lao Zhou muttered, "Why does it have to be me?"

But in the end, Qian did not let Lao Zhou go. Apart from speaking softly in front of Manbao, he never spoke softly in front of the other children. Asking him to borrow money would make him uncomfortable, and the person lending the money uncomfortable as well.

However, it was still some time before they would start building the house, so Qian only mentioned it to Zhou Xi and did not ask for money immediately.

In the village, when building houses, everyone would help each other without asking for payment. However, this was only the case when constructing thatched houses, which were simple, convenient, and quick to build.

When it came to building stone houses like the ones the Zhou family wanted, they not only had to provide meals but also had to pay for labor.

Even though the villagers did not ask for much, the payment would not be less than eighteen wen.

The labor cost was significant.

They also had to buy stones or go and quarry them themselves, and this part of the cost had to be calculated separately. They didn't need to buy too much wood because the trees on their land were mostly on the mountain, and they belonged to them. Lao Zhou decided to go up the mountain the next day to see the trees. If they needed to make a purchase, they would have to make arrangements in advance.

The next day, before Lao Zhou went to see the trees, Manbao went to the empty space next door with her hands behind her back, inspecting the area like a territorial lord.

When Qian, who had just finished making breakfast, couldn't find her, she went outside and saw her nodding her head incessantly, lost in thought. She called out, "Manbao, what are you looking at?" "Come back and have breakfast."

Manbao looked at the large empty space and nodded, "I'm envisioning my future room, sister-in-law." I want a red canopy. "Can you make one for me?"

"Where would we find a red canopy?" "You've lived for so many years, and you've only seen blue canopies," Qian said, pulling her back. "Stop looking." "There's not even a shadow of a house yet."

She felt that building a house was still far off, so Manbao should focus on going to school first.

Qian took Manbao home to have breakfast and then escorted her to school with her schoolbag.

Manbao happily went off, saying to Baishanbao, "My family is going to build a house. When I move into the new house, I'll invite you to warm it."

Baishanbao's spirits lifted, and he asked, "When will you move into the new house?"

When their family moved into the new house, Manbao would give them a basket full of candies as a housewarming gift. He decided that when Manbao moved into the new house, he would also give her a gift.

Manbao said eagerly, "It's coming soon, it's coming soon!"

When she got home from school that day, Manbao ran to find Lao Zhou and asked, "Dad, when will my house be built?"

Lao Zhou almost choked while drinking water. He said, "It's still a long way off." I just went up the mountain today to look at the trees. We still need to buy some supplies, quarry stones, and dig the foundation. You're still young, so stay with us for now. "There's no rush to move."

"But how can that be?" Manbao exclaimed. "I've already told my classmates." "They're coming to insulate my house next time."

Lao Zhou was taken aback. He hadn't expected his daughter to be so quick-witted. He hurriedly said, "How can they come next time?" The house hasn't even started being built yet. "Tell them that building a house takes time, and they can come later."

"How long is 'later'?" Manbao asked. "Isn't building a house quick?" It's built in a flash. "Even if you're slow, it should be done in six or seven days, right?"

Six or seven days passed, and Lao Zhou exclaimed, "We haven't even dug the foundation yet." He added, "It will be at least until the New Year before we can move into the new house."

"Dad, you're too slow." "I've already told my classmates...," Manbao protested.

"Then tell them again," Lao Zhou suggested.

"I'll be so embarrassed," Manbao exclaimed. "All my classmates know." "They are all preparing gifts to come and visit me."

"Then tell them again."

"I'll lose face," Manbao said. "All my classmates know." "They all said they're ready with gifts to come when I invite them."