12dz Chapter 136 Moving to a new home
Chapter 136 Moving to a new home
Li Xiangyang quickly opened the door to the new house and let everyone move the materials inside.
The blacksmith and several young men worked quickly, neatly arranging the steel pipes and iron plates according to their categories.
“These materials are all of good quality,” the blacksmith said as he sorted through them. “Especially these steel pipes; although they were picked up from a scrap yard, they’re well-maintained and look almost new.”
As it was getting late, the blacksmith carefully examined the layout of the house and made a few notes in his notebook: "I'll come and get it done first thing tomorrow morning, and I guarantee it'll be done beautifully!"
The next day, before dawn, the blacksmith arrived carrying his tools.
He first drew lines on the wall with chalk, each line perfectly precise, as if he had already planned it out in his mind.
Then he began cutting the steel pipes and welding the joints, his technique skillful and meticulous.
"I've been studying this all night; it's a huge project after all," the blacksmith explained as he worked. "First, there's the furnace body; the heat needs to be distributed evenly. Second, there's the slope of the pipes; it needs to ensure smooth water flow..."
Sparks from the welding torch drew arcs in the room, and each weld was smooth and even.
Li Xiangyang was so engrossed in watching that he offered to lend a hand and hand over some tools.
The news somehow spread, and villagers came one after another to see what was going on.
No one had ever seen anything like it before, and they were all amazed.
"Are they burying iron pipes in the wall?"
"I heard that with this, the house can be as warm as spring in winter!"
"If that's the case, that would be so exciting!"
Wang Ergou spent the whole day loitering around, envious, wishing he could build his own house and install one right away.
The blacksmith's skills were truly remarkable; by the end of the day, all the main pipes had been installed.
In the evening, he asked Li Xiangyang to add water and some coal to the boiler, and tried to start it up.
As the fire in the stove burned brighter and brighter, the pipes gradually heated up.
The warm, cozy air filled the room, making everyone feel comfortable.
"Done!" The blacksmith clapped his hands in satisfaction. "Now we won't be afraid of the cold in winter anymore!"
Li Xiangyang touched the heated pipe, his heart filled with joy.
This is not just about heating; it's about providing a comfortable life for the whole family.
"Master's skills are truly superb!" Li Xiangyang exclaimed sincerely. "If word got out about this job, I wonder how many people would want to work for you!"
The blacksmith chuckled and said, "A craftsman has to do his job well. Consider this one yours as my model; if anyone asks about it in the future, I'll tell them to come and see your shop!"
"Master, let's install the water heater before it gets completely dark," Li Xiangyang suggested.
The blacksmith nodded: "That's easy, it'll be done in no time."
Without further ado, the blacksmith first fixed a large aluminum water tank to the bathroom wall, skillfully connected the water inlet pipe, then installed the shower head below it, and fixed a bracket on the wall.
Finally, he specially made a water storage tank and installed it according to the design drawings.
“Come on, let’s test the waters,” the blacksmith called out.
Li Xiangyang poured warm water into the storage tank. The water flowed slowly into the water tank through the pipe and then sprayed out from the nozzle. The water flow was even and there was no sign of leakage.
"Good!" The blacksmith nodded in satisfaction, wiping the grease from his hands. "Now we have heating and hot water."
Li Xiangyang readily paid the agreed-upon labor fee of 110 yuan.
Seeing how generous he was, the blacksmith left the electric drill he had bought with him.
Upon seeing that the installation fee alone was so expensive, the villagers who had come to watch the spectacle gasped and shook their heads.
"Sigh, it's good, but unfortunately I can't afford to pretend..."
"Yeah, how long would it take to save that up..."
"Including materials, a year's worth of work points wouldn't be enough..."
Only Wang Ergou remained, lingering to the side, his eyes fixed intently on the pipes: "When my house is finished, I want to install one too!"
After seeing the blacksmith and the villagers who had come to watch the commotion off, Li Xiangyang stood in his warm, spring-like new house, feeling a surge of joy. He couldn't wait to rush home to tell his mother the good news.
"Mom!" Li Xiangyang shouted as soon as he entered the door, "The heating is installed, and the water heater is installed too. Let's move in tomorrow morning!"
The mother, who was mending clothes, looked up at the sound of the voice, a kind smile on her face: "No rush, go and call Xiaoyun tomorrow morning, and we'll go together."
Upon hearing this, Li Xiangyang's face flushed red, and he stammered, unable to utter a word.
Seeing this, the mother smiled gently: "I'm just worried you might do something reckless, not that I'm stopping you from meeting."
Hearing his mother's words, Li Xiangyang felt a warmth in his heart.
My mother is always like this, both considerate of his feelings and helping him to maintain a proper balance.
Back in his room, lying on the kang (a heated brick bed), he tossed and turned, unable to sleep.
The warmth of the new house, my mother's smile, and the thought of seeing Li Xiaoyun tomorrow swirled in my mind.
I finally drifted off to sleep around midnight.
Before dawn, my mother got up and started working.
Hearing the sounds coming from the kitchen and smelling the aroma of steaming corn porridge, Li Xiangyang quickly got up.
"Mother, you're up so early."
“We’re moving,” Mother said with a smile, “so we need to pack our things.”
After breakfast, Li Xiangyang headed towards the educated youth settlement.
The morning air was bitterly cold, but thinking about the new life that was about to begin, his steps were exceptionally light.
Smoke rose from the chimneys of the educated youth settlement, and Li Xiaoyun was fetching water in the courtyard.
Upon seeing Li Xiangyang, she put down the bucket, her face lighting up with surprise: "What brings you here?"
"My mother asked me to invite you. The new house has been fitted with heating and a water heater, and she'd like you to come and take a look."
When they got home, Li's mother had already sorted out the things they were moving.
The bed sheets and blankets were bundled together, the pots and pans were put into baskets, and even Li Xiangyang's old textbooks from his childhood were neatly stacked.
"Why keep these books?" Li Xiangyang asked with a smile.
"This is for you and Xiaoyun's children to see in the future," said Li's mother, polishing an old wooden box until it shone.
That was left by Li Xiangyang's father; it contained some old photos.
Upon hearing this, Li Xiaoyun's face immediately turned red.
Li Xiangyang quickly changed the subject: "Mom, I'll carry the big things, you rest."
“I’ll carry the lighter ones,” Li Xiaoyun said, stepping forward to help.
Li's mother walked ahead carrying a food box.
The box contained meat buns that she had specially steamed.
Li Xiaohua followed behind, carrying her schoolbag and skipping along.
As we passed by our neighbors' houses, everyone came out to help. Some carried water, others moved furniture, and the yard suddenly became lively.
"Auntie, let me carry this!" Li Xiangyang took a heavy box from his second aunt.
"Wait a minute," my second aunt cautioned. "That's your mother's dowry inside. She's been keeping it, saying she wanted to give it to your future wife."
Walking down the alley, Li Xiangyang felt a warm glow in his heart as he listened to the laughter and chatter behind him.
This is home, this is the village, and everyone is so close.
Upon arriving at the new house, the moment I opened the door, a wave of warm air rushed towards me.
Li Xiaoyun exclaimed in surprise, "This is so warm!"
"Come in quickly," Mother Li greeted everyone with a smile. "It's warm inside."