The Lin family was also discussing the arrival of their eldest aunt tomorrow. Everything Hongyun was thinking about, the Lin household had already considered. Initially, Mrs. Huang suggested that Hongyun’s family stay in Xiaobao’s room, but Lin He felt it wouldn't work. Xiaobao’s room was in the middle of their living quarters, adjacent to Erniu and his wife’s room, making it inconvenient if Li Dasheng stayed over.

The study, being closer to Uncle Qin's side and nearer the entrance, would likely be more convenient for Hongyun and her husband to stay in temporarily. Although the study was a bit small, they wouldn't be staying long; once the other house was built, they could move there. Or, if Dasheng found it inconvenient, he could go back to stay there for these few days, but it would be tiring for Hongyun to commute back and forth every day.

Lin He also thought of Dayuan and Xiaofang. Lin He was very fond of Dayuan; the child was sensible, smart, and lively. Lin He figured since the aunt and uncle were coming to work, they might as well bring Dayuan and Xiaofang along to play with Chen’er and Xiaobao. They were all children and could play together, which would likely ease the aunt’s mind.

With Dayuan and Xiaofang coming, Xiaofang was still too young and would sleep with her parents. Dayuan could just sleep with Chen’er. Chen’er, upon hearing Dayuan was coming, was happier than anything.

The lodging arrangement was settled. Mrs. Huang and Lin He, along with Chen’er, tidied up the study. They moved out the reading desks they had used previously and brought in a bed they had made at Uncle Li’s a few days prior. A few chairs were added inside; it would suffice for now.

When the day Hongyun arrived came, Lin He asked Erniu to take the ox-cart early in the morning to pick them up, bringing Dayuan and Xiaofang along too. Since several family members were coming, they would likely have some belongings, and little Fang couldn't walk much, so using an ox-cart would be better.

When Erniu reached Hongyun’s house and explained the arrangements, Hongyun was so moved she couldn't speak. Her second brother’s family truly couldn’t be faulted; they had thought of everything for them—it was deeply touching. Li Dasheng was also very grateful to Erniu, but since they were both men of few words, he didn't say much, just told Hongyun to pack the children's things to take with them.

When Dasheng’s mother saw Erniu arrive with the ox-cart, her attitude toward him was much better this time. Not only did she greet him proactively, but she also insisted Erniu stay for breakfast before returning. However, Erniu said he had things waiting back home, so he hurried the ox-cart along, taking Hongyun’s family away.

As soon as they arrived back in Lin Family Village, Dasheng went with Erniu to join Dajiang in cultivating the riverbank fields. In a few days, Dajiang alone had cleared a sizable area. Erniu watched Dajiang working nonstop; he hadn't stopped even after they arrived, so Erniu called Dajiang over to rest for a while.

Dajiang always woke up before dawn to work here alone, putting more effort into it than even his own family affairs. Erniu felt his elder brother was too earnest, constantly advising him not to start work so early every day and to return earlier when it got dark, as work wasn't something that needed such rigorous adherence to time. Dajiang would agree verbally, but he continued to work from early morning till late evening nonetheless.

Dasheng arrived and didn't waste any time; he fetched the tools and immediately started helping. Erniu mentioned wanting to check on the house construction site. The site was on the other side of the fishpond, about a few dozen meters away, and the fields they were working on started from their current location.

Erniu hadn't had time to come cultivate the fields these past few days because he needed to supervise the house construction site. Although Dabao and Old Man Qin were there, Dabao was still a child and couldn't make crucial decisions; he mostly just fetched things or brought water. Old Man Qin alone couldn't manage everything, so Erniu needed to go lend a hand.

Hongyun brought Dayuan and Xiaofang to Lin He’s house. Dayuan was delighted to hear they would be staying at her second uncle’s house, talking more than usual. Seeing Lin He and Lin Chen, she was bouncing around, making Lin He and the others very happy too. Mrs. Huang told Lin Chen to take Dayuan and the others out to play while she took Hongyun to see the room.

Mrs. Huang led them to the study and said, "Hongyun, you all stay here for these few days. If Dasheng finishes work early in the evenings, he can choose to go back for a few nights, or stay here is fine too. This room is a bit small, so please make do for a few days. The masons have already started building the courtyard on the open ground by the fishpond. Once it's done, your whole family can move in."

Hongyun hadn't known about the Lin family building a house for them. She replied, "Second Sister-in-law, this room is very good; it’s enough for me and the children. For Dasheng, just building a thatched hut somewhere by the fishpond is fine. He’s a grown man; why be so particular? Why spend money building a house?"

Lin He smiled and said, "Auntie, once that house is built, your whole family will be comfortable living there; you can live there every day in the future, so of course, it needs to be built well."

Hongyun looked at Lin He’s earnest expression, playfully pinched her nose, and laughed, "What does a little kid like you know? Building it better costs more money; earning money is hard work."

"No, we are just building a small yard, only a few rooms, just right for your family. It won't cost much," Mrs. Huang comforted Hongyun.

Hearing her sister-in-law, Hongyun nodded, saying no more. She packed the few clothes she brought and went out to the yard. A temporary large stove setup had been erected in Lin He's yard. The people working on the house construction and field cultivation ate lunch here daily—about twenty-odd people including Lin He's family. The kitchen stove wasn't enough, so they had to set up a few temporary ones—different stoves for cooking and boiling rice—to speed things up.

Besides inviting Mrs. Zhou to help, Mrs. Huang hadn't hired anyone else. The masonry team had only just arrived today to start the main construction. The previous few days, a few people had come to lay a layer of red bricks on the foundation area needed for the house. They didn't need too many people, so in the first couple of days, Mrs. Huang, Lin He, and Lin Chen handled the cooking.

Today, with more people arriving, Mrs. Zhou was invited to help. With Hongyun here, Lin He could also assist, and Chen’er, Dayuan, and Xiaojun could help tend the fire. They had enough hands, and besides, the yard wasn't that big; too many people would just crowd the space and make things messy.

As several people were busy, Old Man Lin and Mrs. Zhao walked into the yard. Mrs. Zhao's expression wasn't pleasant. Seeing Hongyun there, she seemed even more surprised. Everyone greeted the elderly couple. Old Man Lin responded with a grunt and walked out, apparently heading toward the construction site.

Mrs. Zhao stood alone in the yard, staring at Mrs. Huang, her eyes seeming ready to spew fire. Seeing Mrs. Zhao's gaze, Mrs. Huang spoke up, "Mother, what is it? You can see I'm busy, just say what you need."

Since Mrs. Zhao had suggested selling their family’s land to marry off Qingshan the last time, Mrs. Huang’s respect for her had significantly diminished; she felt heartbroken by her mother-in-law. People are strange; once their feelings shift, all previous fear or apprehension seems to vanish, and their attitude naturally changes.

The way she questioned Mrs. Zhao was neither subservient nor defiant, unlike before when her voice was pitifully soft and tentative. Mrs. Zhao had felt somewhat guilty after saying those things last time and hadn't visited since.