Hard work after winning the lottery

The dust settled slowly, and the last trace of the old house disappeared from the spot.

In its place was a clearing, leveled by bulldozers, still smelling of damp earth.

It is like a clean blank sheet of paper, waiting to be painted with the most splendid future.

The air was no longer filled with sadness, but with a new hope breaking through the soil.

Construction of the new house has thus begun.

The entire Hua family is like a finely tuned machine wound up, with everyone in their own position, operating at high speed with the utmost enthusiasm.

The next morning, the workers began digging the foundation.

Grandpa Hua Mutou, with his hands behind his back, became the most dedicated supervisor on the construction site.

His eyes, which had once carried a gun, were now as sharp as an eagle's.

He wanted to get close enough to smell and examine the ratio of cement to sand.

He had to personally touch and measure the thickness and binding density of the steel bars.

"Master, the spacing between the steel bars in this spot seems a bit too wide." He pointed to a spot, his voice not loud but firm.

The foreman was an honest man. Seeing how serious the old man was, he not only wasn't annoyed, but respected him even more.

"Don't worry, sir, I'll have them make the adjustments right away! This house is a big deal for your family, we absolutely dare not be careless!"

Hua Mutou nodded, said no more, and continued pacing, inspecting his "territory".

He doesn't need anyone to urge him. Every day before dawn, he gets up, moves a small stool, brings a large jar of strong tea, and sits by the construction site, watching from sunrise to sunset.

If Grandpa was the "pillar of strength" on the construction site, then Grandma and Li Guifen were the most powerful "logistics support department" for the entire construction team.

In the makeshift shed, the stove fire was almost never extinguished from morning till night.

"Mom, the sun is scorching today. I'll make some mung bean soup for the workers to cool them down," Li Guifen said to her mother-in-law as she deftly rinsed the mung beans.

"Good, good! I'm stewing pork with dried bamboo shoots that I dug up from the mountain. I need to add more oil and water. They've worked hard and need to eat something good to replenish their strength!" Grandma squinted and added another handful of firewood to the stove. The flames suddenly shot up high.

At mealtimes, the aroma can waft across half the village.

Two large bowls of steaming white rice, one of braised pork belly and potatoes that was fatty but not greasy, and the other of stir-fried pickled cabbage and cured pork that was fresh and delicious. In addition, there was a large bowl of stir-fried seasonal vegetables and a large pot of seaweed and egg drop soup.

"Masters, take a break, it's time to eat!"

Li Guifen and her grandmother each carried a large tray, calling out loudly.

The workers came running at the sound, their faces beaming with simple smiles. Their eyes widened at the sight of the sumptuous meal.

"Auntie, the food at your house is even more lavish than during the New Year!" a young worker said with a sheepish grin as he served rice.

Li Guifen handed him a pair of chopsticks, her face beaming with joy: "Eat! Eat as much as you want! You'll have the energy to work when you're full, and there's more in the pot if you're still hungry!"

Grandma carried the teapot and refilled the workers' teacups with hot water one by one, constantly saying, "Eat slowly, don't choke, have some water."

The prototype of the new house is rising from the ground day by day at a speed visible to the naked eye.

The workers' chants, the sizzling of chainsaws, and the clanging of hammers blended into a powerful symphony.

The red brick walls grow upwards in concentric circles, like bamboo shoots after a spring rain.

Soon, the first floor was completed.

A few days later, the outline of the second floor also appeared.

On the day the beam was raised, the Hua family set off a long string of firecrackers.

The thickest and straightest wooden beam, dyed red and draped in red silk, was steadily placed at the highest point of the roof amidst cheers from everyone.

According to the village custom, Li Guifen and her grandmother prepared steamed buns and candies, which they scattered down from upstairs, symbolizing "adding children and bringing wealth, and a sweet and happy life."

Adults and children from the village all came to join in the fun, laughing, jumping, and vying for a share of the joy.

Baixi Village hasn't been this lively in a long time.

The news of the Hua family building a new house became the top topic of conversation for everyone in the village.

Every day, people would stroll over to the construction site with their hands in their pockets, peeking around for a while.

"Oh my, look at Hua Shi's house! The foundation of Hua Yun's house is so solid! The steel bars they used are even thicker than other people's!" Aunt Li said to Hua Yun's uncle with a face full of envy, holding her grandson Dundun.

Hua Shi smiled憨厚ly, his eyes shining with joy for his brother: "Of course, my niece is capable, straightforward in her work, and always uses the best materials!"

"Absolutely! Look at this layout, how grand it is! Once it's finished, it'll probably be the most beautiful building in the whole town!"

"Hua Shu and Gui Fen are truly blessed now, having raised such a wonderful daughter!"

There was no jealousy in these discussions, only the purest envy and blessings.

Everyone watched Hua Yun grow up and saw the Hua family suffer for most of their lives. Now that their family's life has improved, the villagers are genuinely happy for them.

Hua Miaomiao was still little, being held by her grandmother. With her big, bright eyes wide open, she looked curiously at the house that was growing taller, pointing with her little finger and babbling.

Hua Yun stood outside the crowd, looking at the bustling scene before her, at the smiles on her family's faces, and at the kind eyes of her fellow villagers, and a warm feeling welled up in her heart.

Hua Yun squinted slightly, looking at the red brick building rising from the ground under the sunlight, as if she could already see what it would look like after it was completed.

I saw Grandma tending the vegetable patch in the yard, Grandpa leisurely drinking tea on the terrace, Mom cooking delicious food in front of the kitchen island, Dad wiping his future new farm tools in the garage, and my younger brother writing furiously in the spacious room.