As the Lunar New Year approached, Er Niu gathered the long-term laborers and announced, "It's almost the New Year. I was originally planning to wait until New Year's Eve to grant the holiday leave. But I figured you all must be waiting on that money back home, especially at this festive time. After we slaughter the pig this afternoon, everyone will get a share of the meat. After dinner tonight, the official holiday begins. Those living nearby can go home tonight; those farther away can leave tomorrow morning. It’s just one night anyway."

The laborers were overjoyed upon hearing this. The New Year was coming, and every one of them had either elderly parents or young children waiting for them to return. It was only right; there wasn't much work left at the master's house in these final days of the year anyway, so it was better to go back early. A few of the laborers had been muttering about it last night, though they hadn't dared to voice it. Now that the master had brought it up himself, who wouldn't be pleased?

Next, Er Niu proceeded to pay out all their wages. He specifically told them to check the money in their pouches right there in front of him, ensuring no mistakes were made. Seeing that everyone had confirmed their amounts, he spoke up, "This year’s success is entirely due to everyone’s hard work. The wheat in the fields grew exceptionally well; I expect next year will be a bountiful harvest. When you all first arrived, I mentioned that good work would be rewarded. I have two awards prepared here, and I will explain what they are shortly."

After Er Niu delivered his customary remarks, he clarified the two awards. Following Lin He's suggestion, he had the laborers cast anonymous votes to choose the person who worked the hardest and was the most diligent throughout the year. For those who couldn't write, each laborer would represent themselves with a number, indicating the number of tally marks they drew. Er Niu had Da Bao demonstrate the process once for them. All the laborers indicated they understood. In the end, counting Old Man Qin’s vote, there were nine ballots in total, with six votes going to the same person: a man named Er Zhuzi. Er Zhuzi, realizing he had won this award, was extremely happy and promised to work diligently next year.

The others who did not win felt a touch of disappointment. Er Niu encouraged them not to be disheartened, assuring them that if they worked hard next year, they could certainly win the award then. Hearing this, the laborers felt newly invigorated, determined to manage the fields under their care excellently next year. Er Niu then announced the selection of a supervisor, and when he named Li Ping, everyone voiced their approval without reservation, suggesting Li Ping had an excellent reputation for his character.

Li Ping, knowing he had been chosen as the supervisor, felt a rush of excitement, anticipating a larger house next year and an additional few taels added to his annual wage. He immediately bowed deeply to Er Niu, promising that next year he would lead them all to work diligently together. Er Niu nodded, then said they would slaughter the pig that afternoon, enjoy a good meal together that evening, and head home for the New Year the following day.

That afternoon, the slaughtering was done by the family’s own laborers. Lin He’s household pig yielded about one hundred seventy or eighty jin of pork. Including Hong Xia and Old Man Qin, there were about a dozen people in total, and each received ten jin, leaving several tens of jin remaining. Er Niu kept about ten jin more, instructing Hong Xia to prepare various elaborate dishes, as he intended to join them for dinner that evening.

Having received such high wages and so much meat for the New Year feast, the laborers thanked Er Niu profusely during the meal, remarking that they had never had such a generous master. Er Niu, who was not one for flowery words, simply reiterated that he expected them to work hard next year, promising he certainly wouldn't treat them unfairly after the next harvest.

By the next day, all the laborers had departed. Zhao Shi’s newly constructed house had been finished a few days prior, but they hadn't moved in because the plastering needed several days to set. Seeing that the New Year was imminent, Zhao Shi decided to move everything over before the holiday, insisting on celebrating the New Year in the new dwelling. Thus, Zhao Shi called upon Er Niu and Da Jiang’s household members to help transport their belongings to the new house.

Zhao Shi was beaming when she saw her new home, exclaiming that she never imagined she would live in a new house at her age. The house was magnificent, built of blue bricks, enclosed by a sturdy courtyard wall. Inside the courtyard, the ground was paved with bluestone slabs. Although Er Niu had initially spoken of renovation, he ultimately rebuilt everything according to Zhao Shi's preferences.

The house was much larger than before, with more partitioned rooms. The latrine, pigsty, and other facilities had all been newly arranged. Lin He felt that this house bore a striking resemblance to her own, suspecting her grandmother had based the design on their house, though hers was not quite as large. Including the construction labor and board, the total cost was close to thirty taels.

For Lin He’s family now, this sum was not an insurmountable expense. If their own family lived in such a fine house while her grandparents remained in the dilapidated old compound, Lin He knew her father would feel uneasy. Furthermore, her meddlesome grandmother might cause all sorts of trouble. It was better to spend the money now to build them a good house; it would make her father happy, make her grandparents happy, and earn them a good reputation among outsiders.

Mother He and Mother Zhou had also come to help. Mother Zhou, having free time, often came over to cook or assist with tasks, so the newly built house was no surprise to her; she simply helped move things quietly. Mother He, however, had avoided assisting since she had last suggested Er Niu renovate their house and was subsequently scolded by Zhao Shi. Only Da Jiang occasionally came by to lend a hand.

Today was the first time Mother He had seen Zhao Shi’s new house. Gazing at the structure of blue bricks and large tiles, her eyes glittered. She turned to Mother Zhou and remarked, “Third sister-in-law, look at our parents; why do they need such a fine house at their age? Wouldn’t it be better to use that money to help us repair our own house?”

Mother Zhou did not respond to Mother He’s words, continuing to carry items into the house. Mother Zhou dared not engage with her eldest sister-in-law, especially since Mother He’s words bordered on filial impiety. The elderly deserved a good residence, and besides, they hadn't asked Mother He to contribute any money for the construction; how could she complain?

After carrying one load inside, Mother He stopped going out to move things. She wandered into every room, noting that each one, like Lin He’s home, was fitted with skylights, making the house significantly brighter than average. Furthermore, Zhao Shi had commissioned a complete set of new furniture from Uncle Li. New house paired with new furniture—the more Mother He looked, the more appealing the house seemed. It was a pity she couldn't live in such luxury herself.

Mother He toured every room and then stepped outside to survey the courtyard once more. The more satisfied she became with the house, the more Da Jiang noticed the look in his wife’s eyes, fearing she might be plotting something. He called out, “What are you staring at? Everyone is busy moving things; don’t just stand there looking foolish by yourself!”