Chapter 11 (1/2)
Volunteer
In the evening time, Zhang Youping brought along the ox, carrying two bucket full of firewood on his shoulder a pole. The shoulder pole and the winnowing fan were making squeaking noises due to friction. It seemed just like a melodious rhythm fluttering on a rural trail.
”Youping, Youping.” Zhang Jiujin's father Zhang Qianlong quickly arrived at Zhang Youping's side.
”Hua. (Sound made to stop the Ox)” Zhang Youping pulled on the ox's rope to stop, ”Elder Brother Qianlong, what's the matter?”
”Are you still not letting your son go cattle-herding? Would you be able to raise your son perfectly inside the house? Would you able to do that for an entire lifetime? Oh right, you can go ask the production brigade, in this kind of a situation you should be able to have two children.” Zhang Qianlong even after speaking for a long time did not come to the point, as if he was worried about Zhang Youping's matters. [TLNote: Friendly reminder on Production brigades /wiki/Production_brigade]
”Our family's firstborn is a boy, can we still have a second pregnancy? Moreover, just one in my family is enough to make me toss sleeplessly side to side in sleep, would I still dare to have a second pregnancy?” Zhang Youping shook his head. If his son didn't have this kind of a situation, Zhang Youping still would have entertained the idea, but now that his son has become like this, he also had cut short the thoughts of a second pregnancy.
”Ai, that is also there. You family's son is even more capable of tormenting compared to other family's children. He is really bringing hards.h.i.+p to you husband and wife.” Zhang Qianlong spoke quite sympathisingly.
”Elder Brother Qianlong, do you have any business?” Zhang Youping naturally knew that Zhang Qianlong wouldn't come running over for no reason just out of care. There is definitely some other issue.
”It is like this. Didn't my house just lay down outline (Draw the foundation base)? Tomorrow, the construction work will formally begin, can you see if you are able to help out with some work?” Zhang Qianlong finally spoke out the real matter.
”That is a certainty, ah. Construction of a house is an important event. Amongst us brothers there is no need for this kind of formality. Just give me a call, and I will come at once.” Zhang Youping agreed promptly. In those years, the time when everything was negotiated with money still hadn't arrived yet. Each and every family helped out each other, only needed to entertain and provide meals. For constructing a house, only the basic material expenses were required. Certainly, the skilled workers would require payment of wages. Because the skilled worker is a professional basically. For example, a carpenter, or a mason. The volunteers would all do auxiliary tasks.
The reason that Zhang Qianlong intentionally hailed Zhang Youping on the road was because he had his own objective, only seeing him with embarra.s.sment on his face, he said, ”Zhang Youping, I know that some words which shouldn't be said could offend others. However, the construction of house for my family is a matter of once in a lifetime. Therefore, these words I want to say frankly, you must not take offense.”
”Elder Brother Qianlong, you feel free to speak.” Zhang Youping more or less had an idea about what Zhang Qianlong wanted to say. Although he was angry in his heart, but he kept suppressing it.
”During such time that my house is being constructed, could you talk to Jiaohua and forbid him from coming to that area where the our new house is?” As Zhang Qianlong spoke this, he didn't dare to overtake Zhang Youping to look at his face. He knew that with this matter, Zhang Youping's complexion would definitely be very ugly.
Just like Zhang Qianlong predicted, as soon as his voice fell, Zhang Youping's complexion immediately became ashen. On the hands carrying the shoulderpole, blue veins swelled up. After a long time, Zhang Youping managed to say: ”Qianlong, Jiaohua won't go to your new house. You rest a.s.sured 24x7.”
Zhang Youping's addressing of Zhang Qianlong had the words ”Elder Brother” missing, after having finished, he didn't look back and continued to drive the Ox home.
Zhang Qianlong somewhat awkwardly looked at Zhang Youping's back, ”Ai, what matter is this?”
As Zhang Youping returned to his house, the scrupulous Liu Qiaoye discovered that Zhang Youping's complexion wasn't looking so good.
”Youping, what happened? Are you feeling unwell?” Liu Qiaoye asked her husband kindly. The Husband in the family was a piece of heaven, if this heaven were to collapse, then the family would come to an end.