Chương 24: Chapter 24 My Grandfather Invites You to Breakfast

Qi Yougui knew of that house, and was quite reluctant, "Those two rooms are genuinely dilapidated, and being by the edge of the village, with the old second living there with his granddaughter, the location is somewhat inconvenient."

While speaking, he turned back and complained to Qi Younian, "Just look at you, getting old yet still stubborn as ever. We are brothers, why can't you just live together with your own family? Why must you insist on finding a separate house to live in? Where would you find a ready-made house waiting for you? Go and have a look for yourself; that house is simply uninhabitable."

Following the three of them were Ye Xinyan and Nanny Jin. If the house looked suitable, it would still need tidying up, so naturally they followed along.

Listening to He Quantai and Qi Yougui's conversation, Ye Xinyan had already made up her mind, no matter how broken down the house, they would live there. It was better than sharing a yard with the landlord, which was not only inconvenient but could cause trouble for their business dealings if they encountered someone prone to causing disturbances.

Upon arriving, it was no wonder the original residents had built another house and abandoned this one. Not to mention the two mudbrick rooms were dilapidated; the main issue was the poor location—it didn't border anything and stood isolated at the northwest corner of the village. A large empty space stretched out behind the house, full of rubble and without any agricultural value, appearing very desolate.

Qi Younian looked around and found it better than he had imagined. Two south-facing mudbrick rooms, with the outer one having a small kang bed-stove linked to the cooking range, and the inner one also had a slightly larger kang. Perfectly, Ye Zi and Nanny Jin could stay in the inner room, while he occupied the small kang in the outer room.

In the yard by the wall, there was the outline of a shed, which could be refurbished and topped to serve as a livestock pen. The yard was surrounded by a fence which, though old and with gaps, wouldn't be too much trouble to repair.

During their journey, they couldn't find a place to stay and even had to sleep under someone's eaves. Having a place here to shelter from the wind and rain was already very good.

Thinking of these things, Qi Younian ignored Qi Yougui's objections and nodded his head, deciding to live there. At most it would require some effort to repair and refurbish.

Seeing Qi Younian agree without hesitation, Ye Xinyan was also pleased. This adopted grandfather of hers truly lived up to being an erstwhile local bigwig, never hesitating or looking back when encountering issues, making decisions immediately once he was sure.

Once the matter was settled, it was easier to handle. Several people then returned to Qi Yougui's home.

Ye Xinyan asked Qi Younian to rest at the great uncle's home and converse with the great uncle and great uncle. She and Nanny Jin, accompanied by two cousins from the older uncle's family, took the donkey cart back to the abandoned yard to tidy it up.

The matter of the three of them settling down in Clear Water Village needed to be discussed with He Quantai. Therefore, Qi Younian did not argue with Ye Xinyan, letting his two grand-nephews help Ye Xinyan and Nanny Jin with tidying up the house. He himself stayed behind to finalize the household registration for the three of them in Clear Water Village with his brother and He Quantai.

After settling the important matters, Qi Younian didn't go back but joined Qi Yougui in the fields to work and chat. It was the busy season for farming, and because of his own return, he had already caused a half-day delay for the two families. It wouldn't be good to keep them idly sitting around any longer.

Qi Younian was thinking of not delaying the agricultural work for the two families, while Lady Wang and Madam Song were more worried about whether Qi Younian might have intentions of splitting the inheritance and asking for his share while working in the fields. The sisters-in-law both locked their doors and followed to the fields.

With the help of Qi Cheng and Qi Ercheng, the two cousins, Ye Xinyan and Nanny Jin, with their heads wrapped in kerchiefs, spent half a day getting the two rooms sorted out.

As for the yard and the shed that could be used to tether animals, they had to be left as they were to be dealt with later when they had the time.

Seeing that it was getting late, Ye Xinyan, having no possessions of their own, could only pour two bowls of water to thank Qi Cheng and his brother. She promised to invite them over as guests once they were settled in, letting them return to help finish the work in the fields.

The belongings of the three were simple, and with the rooms tidied, the luggage, clothing, and some basic tools they had brought on the donkey cart were neatly arranged inside, giving an initial impression of a home.

After completing these tasks, the sun was already leaning west.

Qi Sanshun, the seven or eight-year-old from Qi Yougui's home, came running over and said that Grandmother had called Ye Xinyan and another to go to the Qi family's house for a meal.

Ye Xinyan looked at the pot set up on the road that had already started boiling and smiled at Sanshun, "Sanshun, go back and tell Great Aunt that our porridge will be ready soon, so we won't come over. It's fine for Great Uncle to eat at your place."

Confused, Sanshun peeked at the odd stove at the Second Grandpa's home and then went back to pass on the message.

When Qi Younian returned home, it was already getting dark. Making use of the dying light of the evening, he looked around inside and outside and said while laughing, "Not bad. But the door and windows won't do, I'll find some wood to fix them tomorrow; we'll make do for tonight."

After speaking, he restrained his smile, sighed, and said, "Frankly, we have just returned; staying at your Great Uncle's house for a few days would have been fine. Yet, I reckon my two nieces-in-law might have some different thoughts. Staying there might lead to disputes and disharmony. Sigh, I've put you at an inconvenience."

Ye Xinyan held Qi Younian's arm and walked towards the room, laughing, "What are you talking about, grandfather? They say a golden nest and a silver nest are not as good as one's own grass nest. This here is our home; naturally, it's more comfortable and cozy to live in our own house."

Then recalling what Qi Younian said about fixing the door and windows, "Aren't you a plasterer, Grandfather? Can you also repair doors and windows? Otherwise, we should hire a carpenter to do it right."

Ye Xinyan had indeed planned this; after all, there was some silver at home that could be used to hire a carpenter to fix the doors and windows.

Qi Younian laughed and said, "Back in the day, many of us worked together and saw a lot; even if I am not an expert carpenter, I can still handle basic repairs."

Ye Xinyan, with a beaming smile, said, "That would be great, we could save a good amount of money. I'll help you when the time comes, and we can do it together."

Nanny Jin said laughingly, rebuking from the side, "What can a young lady like you do? It's best if you don't add to the chaos."

Being able to live in their own home, Nanny Jin felt happy too. After nearly half a year of being unsettled and adrift, this time they were truly settling down. Although the house and courtyard were a bit rundown, it was far better than being homeless and sleeping on the streets. They had indeed spent several nights on the streets along the journey.

After a casual chat among the three, they went to bed early and slept soundly.

Without a word throughout the night, Qi Younian got up early the next day. Although he tried to move quietly, Ye Xinyan still heard him and, together with Nanny Jin, they got up as well.

After washing up and feeding the donkey, the sun had only just started to rise.

Nanny Jin went to cook breakfast, while Ye Xinyan discussed with Qi Younian, "Grandfather, let's not repair the doors and windows today. We should leave Nanny Jin to tidy up the yard while you and I go to town to buy some urgently needed household items."

They only had that little pot and three sets of bowls and chopsticks. That small pot couldn't even fit on the stove's mouth in the room. Things like washbasins, footbaths, chopping boards for cooking, water jars, buckets, pots, pans, dishware—all of these needed to be bought anew.

Qi Younian thought it over and agreed that getting on with daily life was more pressing, and they could make do with the doors and windows for half a day more.

Just as the three started sipping their vegetable noodle porridge, Sanshun came running, calling out as he entered the courtyard, "Second Grandpa, my dad calls for you and Cousin to come home for breakfast." As his words finished, Sanshun had already entered the house.

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