Chapter 4: Building a Home Together

Summer came earlier than usual that year, and the trees in the compound filled out with green.

After Lu Zechuan formally declared his feelings, things between the two of them gradually became more natural.

Qingning no longer deliberately avoided his eyes, but she still kept a clear head.

She understood that if feelings were going to last, they couldn’t rest on a passing flutter alone.

Lu Zechuan didn’t press her for a decision either. He knew she needed time to think.

Every time he had leave, he found a way to come and help her with the heavy work.

Sometimes he repaired the old sewing table. Sometimes he helped her haul newly bought bolts of fabric.

Qingning gradually realized that his care was never showy, but it always arrived exactly when she needed it.

One morning, as Qingning was getting ready to make deliveries, a letter arrived from her hometown.

It was from the original owner’s uncle, and its contents made her expression change at once.

The letter said there was a dispute over the old house that had belonged to her parents.

A distant relative was claiming that the house belonged to his family.

He was even trying to get his hands on the old papers her parents had left behind.

Qingning read the whole letter and understood immediately that this was not as simple as it looked.

If she didn’t go back quickly, the important documents might be taken by someone else.

She packed her bags at once, then went to find Lu Zechuan to explain everything.

He listened without asking much, then said calmly that he would go with her.

“It’s your family’s business, so it’s not my place to interfere too much. But I can go with you.”

Qingning looked at him for a long time, a warmth she couldn’t describe rising in her chest.

“You’ve barely been back. Won’t going with me affect your work?”

Lu Zechuan shook his head and answered gently, with complete certainty.

“I’ve already arranged the time. You don’t need to worry about that.”

Qingning said nothing more. She just nodded and went on packing.

Two days later, the two of them set off for the original owner’s hometown.

The train ride lasted many hours and left Qingning quite tired, but she kept herself alert.

Lu Zechuan sat across from her, passing her water now and then so she wouldn’t wear herself out.

Watching him, Qingning felt more and more certain she had chosen the right person.

By afternoon, they finally arrived at the small village where the original owner had grown up.

The old house was still there, but someone had put up a fence across the front yard.

The moment Qingning reached the gate, she saw a middle-aged man standing inside.

It was Su Dashan, the relative who had tried again and again to take over this land.

As soon as he saw Qingning, his face changed and he said coldly,

“What are you doing back here? Our family has been looking after this house for ages.”

Qingning didn’t get angry. She took the letter from her bag and calmly asked,

“Who told you this house belongs to your family?”

Su Dashan faltered for a moment, but quickly hardened again.

“Your parents have been dead for years, and you live far away. There’s no point in you keeping this house.”

Qingning looked at him and answered clearly,

“Whether there’s a point or not is for me to decide, not you.”

Seeing that she was no longer the timid girl she used to be, Su Dashan flew into a rage.

He was about to keep arguing, but Lu Zechuan stepped forward.

He didn’t need to say much. Simply standing there was enough to change the man’s attitude.

Su Dashan looked at his uniform and didn’t dare raise his voice again.

Qingning seized the moment and opened the door with the old key.

Inside, everything was covered in dust, but her parents’ belongings had been kept largely intact.

She began searching for the papers her uncle had mentioned.

After nearly an hour, she found a wooden box hidden at the bottom of a cabinet.

Inside were a few old documents and a carefully kept notebook.

Qingning opened the notebook and immediately recognized her father’s handwriting.

It recorded the full rights to the house and the plot of land behind it.

More importantly, the papers proved that her parents had left the house to their only daughter.

Holding the documents, Qingning finally let out a long breath of relief.

She knew that as long as she kept these papers, Su Dashan could never simply seize the house.

Lu Zechuan stood beside her, watching her tuck the papers carefully into her bag before asking quietly,

“Are you going to keep this house?”

Qingning nodded, looking around the room full of memories.

“My parents lived here. I want to keep it to remember them by.”

“And someday, when I can afford it, I want to fix it up.”

Lu Zechuan looked at her and smiled, his eyes full of support.

“If you want to fix it up, I can help you when the time comes.”

Qingning turned to look at him, and a very special feeling suddenly rose inside her.

She knew he wasn’t saying it to please her. He truly wanted to build a future with her.

---

After settling the matter of the house, Qingning decided to stay in the village for a few days.

She wanted to learn how the villagers were living and see whether her business could grow here.

Walking around the village, she discovered that many women knew how to weave and sew.

But with no materials and no steady market, their work was usually only used at home.

Qingning immediately thought of expanding her production group.

If she could bring materials here, these women could work with her too.

She organized a small gathering in the courtyard of the village hall.

At first only a few people came to listen, but more and more joined as time went on.

Qingning explained how she organized the work at the compound and laid out exactly how wages were calculated.

An older woman asked curiously whether anyone could really make money doing this.

Qingning didn’t make grand promises. She simply showed everyone her actual account books.

Seeing the figures written out so clearly, people slowly came to trust her plan.

Several signed up right away to give it a try for the first month.

Qingning knew she had just found an excellent source of workers for the future.

Lu Zechuan stood not far away, quietly watching her handle each problem.

He had never seen a girl whose eyes were so steady when she talked about the future.

She didn’t just want to make money for herself. She wanted the people around her to have better lives too.

---

After a few days in the village, Qingning decided to return to the compound and get back to work.

But before she left, she received news that caught her off guard.

Lu Zechuan had been told that his unit was about to send him somewhere else for a long time.

The news left Qingning silent for an entire afternoon.

She knew his job came with frequent transfers, but she hadn’t expected the distance to come so soon.

That evening, the two of them sat in the yard of the old house, with the steady chirp of insects all around.

Qingning looked at the moon and asked softly,

“How long will it be before you come back this time?”

“Maybe a few months. Maybe a little longer.”

She lowered her head, her fingers gently clutching the hem of her blouse.

Lu Zechuan looked at her for a while, then spoke first.

“Qingning, if you don’t want to wait, I won’t blame you.”

She looked up at him at once, startled.

“What are you talking about?”

“I just don’t want you to miss out on the things you want to do because of me.”

Qingning was silent for a long time, then gently shook her head.

“I’ve never once thought of you as a burden.”

“If anything, having you beside me makes me feel safer.”

When he heard that, Lu Zechuan’s eyes immediately softened.

He didn’t say another word. He simply reached out and took her hand.

Qingning didn’t pull away. She let him hold her hand gently.

It was the first time the two of them had truly held hands for so long.

There were no grand vows, and no flowery words of love.

Only two young people sitting side by side, looking toward a future that wasn’t clear yet.

---

The day before Lu Zechuan returned to his unit, he took Qingning to the county town.

They walked down a busy street where more and more small shops were starting to appear.

Qingning’s eyes stopped on a street-front house that was up for sale.

It wasn’t big, but the location was quite convenient for a shop.

She stood in front of it for a long time and started calculating in her head.

If she could rent this place, her business would no longer depend on small orders.

She could display her products, take orders directly, and hire more people.

Lu Zechuan watched her deep in thought and asked,

“You like this place?”

“Yes. But the rent is pretty high.”

“How much are you short?”

Qingning immediately shook her head.

“This is something I’m doing myself. I want to get ready on my own.”

Lu Zechuan didn’t push. He only said gently that if she needed help, she just had to ask.

Qingning looked at the house one last time and decided to save up a while longer.

She didn’t want to borrow too much while the business still wasn’t truly stable.

Back at the compound, she started working faster than ever.

Every day she carefully recorded her revenue, expenses, and savings.

She also started training the new women who joined the production group.

Everything gradually fell into place, and Qingning felt the future becoming clearer.

---

The day Lu Zechuan was to leave finally came.

Early in the morning, he stood at the compound gate with his bag over his shoulder.

Qingning walked him all the way to where the truck would pick him up.

The two of them stood facing each other for a long time, neither knowing what to say first.

Finally, Lu Zechuan took a fountain pen from his breast pocket.

“This is for you. I hope you’ll use it to write down the things you want to do.”

Qingning took the pen, her eyes turning a little red.

“You take care of yourself too. Don’t only think about everyone else.”

He nodded and looked at her for a long time.

“Wait for me to come back.”

Qingning smiled and answered softly,

“I’ll wait.”