RYEY -Chapter 425 An Excited Uncle Niu

“Uncle Niu, you look a lot like my eldest brother. My big brother was a natural-born carpenter too.”

“How old is your eldest brother this year?” Uncle Niu asked.

“My big brother is forty-one this year.”

Uncle Niu’s heart jolted. His own son was also forty-one by nominal age this year—but that boy had parents. How could he possibly be his son?

“You and your eldest brother are so far apart in age. You must have lots of siblings.”

“Yes. I have four older brothers and three older sisters. But my eldest brother wasn’t born to my parents. Back then, he fainted at our doorstep. My parents saved him, and he stayed with our family after that.”

“What? Tell me carefully—what exactly happened?” Uncle Niu pressed.

Xiao Dan was startled by Uncle Niu’s intensity and looked helplessly at Chen Ermao. Chen Ermao hurriedly explained how Uncle Niu’s son had gone out to work back then and never returned.

“Uncle Niu, I’ll go back and ask in detail. My eldest brother also seems to have fainted at our doorstep when he was in his teens, and then my parents saved him,” Xiao Dan added.

Uncle Niu’s eyes didn’t know whether it was dust or something else that got into them—tears began to fall, drop by drop. He suddenly picked up his tools and started working seriously.

At that moment, he decided that he would go with Cheng Qiao to Hexi, to Xiao Dan’s home, to see whether the “eldest brother” Xiao Dan spoke of was the son who had never returned all those years ago.

After two days of work, the wooden cabin was finally completed and loaded onto the back of the truck. The dimensions were just right—so well fitted that even a sudden brake wouldn’t affect its stability.

Cheng Qiao immediately began loading the household items—pots and pans, the stove, bedding, quilts, and spare clothes. However, she left several thousand jin of wheat seeds, along with some rice, white flour, and cured meat, in the cellar.

Aunt Wang and Cuihua arrived in a hurry too, carrying baskets and shoulder packs. Inside were clothes made for Hu Lata for all four seasons—six full sets in total—which left Hu Lata so surprised he didn’t know what to say.

“Thank you. These clothes are the best gift I’ve received this year—no, the second best.”

The best, of course, were the pills Cheng Qiao had given him—treasures that could help him reach a higher level. Naturally, those ranked first.

Aunt Wang felt somewhat intimidated by Hu Lata. His aura was simply too overwhelming, making her feel short of breath. Luckily, she had brought food, so she quickly found an excuse to climb onto the truck and enter the small wooden cabin.

“This house is really well built, but I need to bring over the cotton curtain from home and seal the door. Otherwise, it’ll still leak cold air.”

After saying that, Aunt Wang hurried off to fetch the curtain. But Wang Duocai beat her to it and had already brought it over.

“See, that’s being smart. Hurry up and install it.”

Wang Duocai climbed onto the truck with a grin, entered the wooden cabin, and quickly nailed the cotton curtain in place. He checked everything carefully before climbing back down, satisfied that there was nothing left to do.

“Uncle Lata, go change your clothes,” Cheng Qiao said.

Hu Lata glanced at Aunt Wang, who clearly wanted to talk to Cheng Qiao but didn’t dare get close. He couldn’t help shaking his head. Carrying the basket of clothes, he went into the wooden cabin and quickly changed into the new padded jacket and pants.

Perhaps Aunt Wang had been afraid he’d get cold—she’d stuffed in too much cotton. Before long, Hu Lata was sweating on his back. He had no choice but to take them off and find a set of spring–autumn clothes from the basket instead.

When Cuihua saw Hu Lata come out wearing only spring–autumn clothes, her mouth fell open. Good heavens—temperatures were more than ten degrees below zero, and he was dressed that lightly!

But Cuihua was, after all, the village head’s wife and had seen more of the world. She quickly pulled herself together and handed the basket she was holding to Cheng Qiao.

“Cheng Qiao, I know you’re leaving. These are things for you to eat and drink on the road—don’t mind them. And this is for Huan’er. Ermao asked me to give it to him. He and Niqiu found it in the mountains—good for nourishing his qi.”

Cuihua took out a small ginseng, about the length of a middle finger and as thick as a thumb. Cheng Qiao couldn’t help smiling. She grasped the ginseng tightly and gave Cuihua a firm hug.

“Thank you, Aunt Cuihua. I believe life will only get better from here on. When Xiao Niu marries Xiao Dan, come to Hexi—I’ll be waiting for you there.”

Cuihua’s eyes reddened. The little hoodlum and the young educated youth of the past had both grown into eagles ready to spread their wings. As elders, they should be happy and encouraging.

“This ginseng was dug up by Li Huan and me in the mountains. Let it be part of Xiao Niu’s dowry. That way, when she goes to her husband’s family, she can hold her head high.”

Cheng Qiao took out a ginseng as thick as a baby’s arm from her own basket and handed it to Cuihua. Cuihua refused at first, but when she heard it was for her daughter’s dowry—and that it would bring her daughter honor—she accepted it with a flushed face.

“Qiao, thank you. If you ever need me, just say the word. And I’ll keep an eye on your house for you—don’t worry.”

Cheng Qiao nodded. She looked around at the people who had come to see them off and smiled in thanks. Some children gathered around her, so she simply took out a big handful of candy and let them share it themselves.

“Oh right, Auntie—wasn’t Uncle Niu supposed to leave with us? Where is he?”

“He’s at the village committee office, getting some kind of certificate and introduction letter. Xiangyang is helping him with it. Oh, and these are his belongings—let’s load them up.”

Cheng Qiao was glad she had built a wooden cabin. That way, Uncle Niu and Li Huan could both sleep inside during the journey. Otherwise, Uncle Niu definitely wouldn’t be able to endure such a long trip in this bitter cold.

Seeing Hu Lata getting anxious, Xiao Dan hurriedly had Ermao and the others bring hot water and kept pouring it over the engine hood. It was far too cold—everything, including the engine oil, had to be thawed first.