"Yeye, there are melons in my basket, don’t pick cucumbers anymore, let’s wash the melons and eat them," said Lian Manman.

Despite Lian Manman’s words, Lian Yeye picked two tender little cucumbers. After returning just outside the west wing room, Lian Manman selected two melons, Lian Yeye took them and held them in her arms, went inside, ladled water from the vat, and washed the cucumbers and melons clean in the basin.

The courtyard was cleaned up very nicely by the three-person family, and naturally, the same goes for the house. Now there are many empty rooms, the small room originally inhabited by the trio was given to Lian Yeye, and Lian Shouli and Lady Zhao moved into the room that was originally Lian Manman’s.

Lian Manman glanced toward the room and saw inside many partially processed timbers on the ground; these were some carpentry jobs that Lian Shouli took up, doing them at home after work, bringing extra income for the family.

"Yeye, I heard Third Uncle got a raise?" Lian Manman asked while following Lian Yeye to her room.

"Yeah," Lian Yeye nodded happily, "Now my dad earns twelve big coins a day, thanks to Old Uncle Huang. Old Uncle Huang is also doing it out of respect for Fourth Uncle."

Lian Yeye is quite young, yet she understands things well.

Twelve Wen Money can buy a jin of rice and still have some left. For a farmstead family, that’s considered a pretty substantial wage.

"While Old Uncle Huang plays a part, ultimately Third Uncle’s own skills are crucial. Otherwise, even if Old Uncle Huang wanted to give him more pay, he wouldn’t have been able to."

Initially, Lian Shouli’s wage was six Wen Money a day, and to him, that wasn’t little. Because he was assigned carpentry work, a trade he hadn’t been trained in. The job was not hard for him, plus he had the chance to learn skills from the carpenters.

Lian Shouli is subtle and dexterous, willing to put effort and thought into his work. Over two years, he managed to become a seasoned carpenter. When he talked to Lian Shouxin about this, he mentioned the difficulty of learning a craft, as he had no formal apprenticeship and had to learn by observing and figuring things out by himself.

Knowing Lian Shouli had mastered the skills, Lian Shouxin took the opportunity to speak with Old Huang. Old Huang specifically arranged a carpentry job for Lian Shouli, and not only did he complete it, but he also did it quite well, prompting Old Huang to raise his pay.

With Lian Shouxin’s help, Lian Shouli’s reputation as a full-fledged carpenter quickly spread, bringing him more work.

Truth be told, Lian Shouli is very diligent. Besides working, he also tends to the family’s large vegetable garden, and still finds time to do the carpentry jobs taken in. On a typical day, the only time he really rests is during the few Chinese hours he spends asleep.

Lian Manman and Lian Yeye sat opposite each other at the edge of the kang, eating melon while chatting.

"Third Uncle has learned this craft, so you won’t have much to worry about in the future. Even if the construction on the mountain ends next year, Third Uncle can still earn income daily. Plus, with you and my Third Aunt raising a few pigs each year, and some chickens and ducks, within a few years you could become a wealthy household."

"...Another thing is, you don’t have any major expenses. Um, just the house..."

Lian Manman said, glancing around.

This room, which Lian Yeye personally kept tidy, had all the old furnishings — not a single new item. Lian Shouli and Lady Zhao were very meticulous with their living expenses.

"Have Third Uncle and Third Aunt discussed when you plan to build a house?" Lian Manman inquired.

Lian Yeye sighed.

"Dad and Mom say we haven’t saved enough money yet; we’ll have to wait before building," said Lian Yeye.

"Didn’t my dad say, if you want to build a house and are short on funds, just borrow from my family first," said Lian Manman.

"Dad doesn’t want to borrow money, saying he wants to save up enough himself," replied Lian Yeye, shaking her head.

Lian Shouli has this determination, although Lian Manman thinks Lian Shouli lacks flexibility in handling matters.

"For farmstead folks, building a few rooms doesn’t cost much. With the money you have now, you can build three rooms — although perhaps not very well," said Lian Manman, who understood the costs involved in building because all the funds for her family’s new shop and house went through her. The detailed accounts are still locked in her cabinet.

"Dad wants to build something good in one go," said Lian Yeye.

With the conversation getting to this point, Lian Manman didn’t press further on the topic.

"Why hasn’t Grandpa written to us lately? He used to write so often," Lian Yeye asked.

"Who knows," said Lian Manman.

"...There’s another reason Dad is not rushing into building. Dad said when you all leave and we move out too, if Grandfather and Grandmother return, the courtyard will be too empty, and they might feel bad," suddenly said Lian Yeye.

"Why would it be so empty, isn’t our eldest and second uncle’s family still here?" remarked Lian Manman.

"Wasn’t it in the last letter? After my dad got Wu Lang to read it, he mentioned it. It seemed to say that our grandfather and grandmother might return alone," said Lian Yeye.

"So if they do return alone, are you planning to stay with them permanently or what?" asked Lian Manman.

"No, that’s definitely not possible," Lian Yeye said a bit agitatedly, as if imagining if Old Master Lian and Lady Zhou returned alone, she and Lady Zhao would be the ones Lady Zhou vented her anger on.

"Mom and I told Dad clearly, if that day really comes, we’ll move once they’re settled," said Lian Yeye.

"In that case, why don’t you move first, and then come back and stay for a few days, wouldn’t that be better?" asked Lian Manman, almost speechless, though she still kindly said another sentence seeing how pitiful Yeye seemed.

"I’ve told Dad this too," sighed Lian Yeye.

"If saying it once isn’t enough, say it twice, have Third Aunt help you say it too," suggested Lian Manman.

Lian Manman consoled Lian Yeye for a while, then picked some melons and Sweet Girl for her, before leading Da Pang and Second Fatty back home. Leaving Da Pang and Second Fatty in the front yard, Lian Manman crossed the passage heading to the backyard.

The backyard was quiet, not seeing Lian Zhizhi nor Lady Zhang in the courtyard. Lian Manman didn’t make a sound, wandered across the courtyard to the lower steps outside the Upper Room, only to hear hushed talking coming from inside.

***......****

Sending you the second update, asking for pink votes.

*......*****

Recommendation for Ruoyan’s completed farming literature:

Title: "Rebirth: When Flowers Bloom and the Moon is Full" (Complete with main text and extras) (There’s a direct link below, click to directly reach it)

Description: Through being wronged as a ruined woman, carrying a little child, embracing a sweet life with a practical economic man. (To be continued. If you like this work, feel free to visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendations and monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation.)