Return to 1983 Hunting Xing'an Mountains

Chapter 505: Smashing the wall? Dad, you don’t know how to show off!
Xu Ning held an aluminum basin and used a spatula to apply putty to the window frame. The current windows have poor sealing properties. Even new windows will still leak. In the absence of foam glue, glass glue and other materials, applying putty became the only option.

Before the 90s, almost every household had wooden windows and doors. Some windows were paper-pasted, some were single-pane glass, and some were a combination of the two. However, the sound insulation was very poor and there were many other shortcomings. It was not until the industrial upgrade in 93 that steel began to be widely used as a new building material. However, steel windows were easy to deform and brought noise problems, so they were eliminated after only a few years of use.

In 96, aluminum alloy sliding windows were introduced. This type of window has the characteristics of light weight, high strength, corrosion resistance, and no rust, which improves safety and comfort. However, the technology is not mature enough. Sliding windows need to be fixed with rivets to the window frame, and they cannot be opened casementally. The sealing is poor, and they were eventually eliminated...

In 99, a type of plastic-steel window became popular in Northeast China. This type of window has excellent sealing, heat preservation, and sound insulation properties, and the price is relatively low. However, plastic-steel windows also have obvious disadvantages, that is, they are prone to aging, deformation, and discoloration, and need to be replaced after five or six years of use. Who has so much spare money to replace it after five or six years?

However, with the development of technology, aluminum alloy casement windows, plastic steel windows and thermally broken aluminum windows have been upgraded. However, aluminum alloy and thermally broken aluminum are not recommended in the Northeast region because their thermal conductivity is too strong and they do not keep warm at all. If the temperature difference between indoor and outdoor is too large, water droplets are easily formed, which is very annoying. It is better to use plastic steel windows!
Xu Ning thought that the wooden windows made by Zhang Jinbao should be able to be used for 20 years, but the sealing is not good enough. But he has a solution. If it doesn't work, he can build a plastic shed on the platform in front of the main house and paste a layer of plastic film on the north window. The temperature inside the house will definitely reach more than 20 degrees, but the ventilation will be poor. It's a win-win situation.

"How are you doing in the city, Jun? I heard from my uncle that you have a girlfriend?"

Wang Yuanjun covered his face and said, "Oh my god, my dad is so mean... We haven't confirmed the relationship yet, but he has this intention."

"How did you two get in touch?"

"I was introduced to you by a senior lady at my workplace. I had just started working there, and one of the senior ladies said her niece worked at the tobacco factory, so she introduced us to each other."

Xu Ning had only met his wife a few times and they had not had much interaction. He nodded and said, "Then you should be more proactive. You should earn a lot of money working in the tobacco factory for a month, right?"

"Yeah, I heard from her that the monthly salary is more than 50 yuan, and there are benefits during the New Year and other holidays."

"Then you have to catch her. Listen to me, brother. When you get back to the city, ask her out to the movies, roller skate, go to the park to play hoops, and treat her to a few more meals. You can take her down with one combo!"

Wang Yuanjun said with a smile: "I was just thinking of chatting with you. This girl looks quite quiet."

"The more quiet she is, the wilder she is. Brother Jun, take her to find more exciting and memorable sports. I think she will remember it for the rest of her life."

"Ah, she's holding back a lot of energy, and she needs to release it...Okay, I'll look for her when I get back."

By a little after 10 o'clock, the gaps between the window frames and the door frames had been filled with putty, and Lao Wei, Lao Zhang and others were all fixing the purlins on the roof.

Yu Kaihe took the opportunity to smoke and walked up to Xu Laonian and said, "Dalin, why don't you go home first? It will be time to come later."

Xu Laonian hesitated a little, and said to Lao Zhang on the beam: "Brother, you guys should go back quickly! There is nothing left to do."

"It's not that bad. We still have to entertain guests later."

After hearing what everyone said, Xu Laonian said, "Okay, let's go back first. Can we finish it before the banquet?"

"It's done! All that's left is to pour the cement, and then we'll be done once we smooth it out!"

Then, Xu Laonian shouted to Wang Erli, asking him to call Du Shoucai, Lao Zhao, Chang Danian and others. Laonian himself called Yang Yusheng and Sun Jishan. Xu Ning, Xu Long, Xiao Du, Yan He, Chai Bing, Chai Baotong and others jumped over the creek with their arms around each other and drove only three cars towards Lao Xu's house.

The rest of Li Fuqiang, Guan Lei, Wang Yuanjun and others did not move. They were family members and it was not a matter of guests or not. Besides, even if Xu Laonian left first, Wang Erli would have to stay at the construction site. If he was working for two families, one of them had to show up, otherwise what would the workers think?

Less than eight minutes after they left, the purlins of the two houses were fixed. Now it was time to transport cement to the roof for pouring. People lined up in a long line, carrying water tips, wooden barrels or rubber barrels, and transported buckets of cement to the roof. The hand-cranked mixers and automatic mixers were almost smoking. Bags of lime, sand and gravel were poured in one after another, and then water was added...

Yu Kaihe, Lao Zhang, Da Laba and others were working hard and sweating profusely. Lao Wei and Lao Jiang were using wooden boards to smooth the cement on the roof. Zhang Jinbao and Meng Quezi were standing under the main house to check for leaks. Their main task was to observe whether there were any leaks on the roof. If so, they would put some straw or newspapers on the shelves and stuff them in.

Before pouring cement, a layer of woven bags or adhesive tape must be laid on the purlins, and two circles of steel bars must be placed to fix them. In the Qing'an area, most people use soil and straw to cover the roof, which is about 24 thick. However, the cement alone of the Xu and Wang families is 24 thick. After pouring the cement, a layer of waterproof felt must be laid, and then a layer of rammed earth and straw must be covered. In addition, red bricks are used as edges to lay red tiles...

These processes are puzzling to many people. It is too laborious. What is the use? Rammed earth and straw can replace insulation boards and are very useful. They can basically keep the house warm in winter and cool in summer, and there is no need to worry about leaks.

At the Xu's house, ever since Yang Yusheng and others moved to the new house, Liu Lizhen asked the old women in the east room to move to the east wing. Meng Ziyan and Guan Hua cleaned the east room. Sun Lianfang put a floor table and a kang table. Wang Shujuan put two plates of peanuts and melon seeds, a teapot and a thermos on the table.

After Xu Laonian and the others came back, they filled up the east room in an instant, while people in the outer room were still cutting vegetables and roasting meat, making the room quite hot. The old ladies were busy working, especially Aunt Zhao and Aunt Bai, whose mouths were like machine guns, chattering non-stop. Liu Lizhen had to respond. What was the point of not responding? Don't you welcome us? After they responded, they became even more excited, making Liu Lizhen quite helpless.

After Chang Danian entered the house, he saw Chang Lihong. Hearing her calling him "Uncle", Chang Danian was a little surprised, but still nodded.

"Uncle, look at my little treasure, his eyes look a lot like yours."

Chang Danian waved his hands and said with a straight face: "That's nonsense! How can the eldest grandson of the old Li family look like me?"

Chang Lihong grinned and said, "Then I am the daughter of the old Chang family! My sister has already been pampering me, come and hug me."

Chang Danian's eyes narrowed, he looked down at his black hands, and said, "My hands are dirty, forget it."

"Hey, hurry up and wash your hands. I can't do anything here to coax him. Hold him for a while and I'll go help with something."

Chang Juan came over and said, "Dad, please comfort her and let my little sister do some work. These old radishes are waiting to be shredded."

"Ah... then I'll wash my hands."

Although Chang Danian showed no movement on the surface, he was somewhat moved in his heart. The feud between him and the Chang brothers should have nothing to do with Chang Lihong, but before, Chang Danian would be upset whenever he saw his younger brother's two sons and daughter.

Damn it, I've helped you two so much, and you two want to covet my house and land? You even want to eat up my entire family! Get the hell out of here!

However, when he thought about it carefully at this moment, he felt that Chang Lihong was innocent. After he and the Chang brothers had a big fight, Chang Lihong sent him vermicelli twice. But at that time, Chang Danian was furious when he saw the two handfuls of vermicelli, and thought: You come here to bully us too, who are you bullying with those two handfuls of vermicelli?
How old was Chang Lihong at that time? She was only fifteen or sixteen years old, and she knew that her two brothers and her uncle had fallen out, so she wanted to take something to ease the relationship.

But Chang Danian was heartbroken by the two bastards and misinterpreted Chang Lihong's good intentions.

After that, Chang Lihong didn't dare to get close to him. After all these years, when Chang Danian recalled the past, he would still yell at those two bastards, but when it came to Chang Lihong, he kept silent. It would be a lie to say that he didn't feel guilty. After all, his younger brother and sister-in-law were all gone, and his daughter was only fifteen or sixteen. If it weren't for the Chang brothers taking care of her, she would have starved to death. He had only been in charge of her for two years, and he didn't say a word when they met after that...

At this moment, Chang Danian washed his hands and took Xiaobao from Chang Lihong's arms. Xiaobao didn't cry but giggled instead when he was in Chang Danian's arms.

Chang Lihong said with a smile: "Uncle, Xiaobao really loves you."

"Well, go get busy!"

Chang Danian turned around and entered the east room holding the child, and Chang Lihong and Chang Juan also blinked their eyes. The two cousins ​​usually communicated with each other, because during the two years that Chang Lihong lived in the old Chang family, she basically picked up Chang Juan's clothes to wear, and later Chang Juan also gave Chang Lihong a few sets of clothes.

Xu Ning clapped his hands and said, "Hey, sir, how come this child is so obedient in your arms?"

Chang Danian grinned and said, "I am his great grandfather! How dare he cry?"

"Hahaha, look at these eyes, they are exactly the same as yours."

Chang Danian was stunned: "Are they similar?"

Du Shoucai said with a smile: "Why not? Look at these bulging eyes. All the Li family members have single eyelids!"

Chang Danian was delighted to hear this, and then he sat on the edge of the kang, teasing Xiaobao and chatting with everyone.

After a while, Xu Laonian went to the toilet. As soon as he entered the door, he ordered Xu Ning, "Go and break the wall, otherwise it will be in the way when the dishes are served!"

Yang Yusheng shook his head and said, "What are you smashing? Who would smash the wall right after the beams were put up? Are you going to cross it?"

Du Shoucai advised: "Dalin, don't do anything stupid. If the dishes are in the way, just pass them on..."

"Ah, hahaha, I'm just so excited that I'm stunned." Xu Ning said with a smile: "Dad, you're not stunned by excitement, you just don't know how to show off."

"Get lost! Don't let me kick you on my big day!"

"Hahaha..." Everyone in the room laughed.

In the outer room, Liu Lizhen and Wu Qiuxia were cutting cabbage hearts and pouring them into a basin. The other old ladies were gathered around four pots in the courtyard, either cutting and stewing vegetables in the east wing, or steaming and stewing vegetables in Old Wang's house.

Among them, Sun Cuiping worked the most carefully. She put the chopped garlic and ginger slices into small bowls, and then poured peppercorns, soy sauce and salt into the bowls. When Yang Shuhua saw what she was doing, she was surprised and asked, "Sister Ping, have you helped in the kitchen before?"

Sun Cuiping waved her hands hastily: "No, no, I just thought it would be more convenient."

"It's quite convenient. My brother did it at a restaurant. Go wash your hands. They're all covered with chili peppers, right? Don't get them in your eyes."

"Hey." Sun Cuiping turned around and washed her hands obediently. When Han Fengjiao passed by the outer room, she said, "Pour some salt into the water to get rid of the spicy taste."

Sun Cuiping shook her head: "Don't waste it, I'm not afraid of spicy food."

"Hey, kid, Shuhua, pour some salt into the basin for your sister Ping."

Yang Shuhua grabbed two handfuls of salt and threw them into the basin. Sun Cuiping felt a little distressed. How much did this handful of salt cost? If Li San saw it, he would definitely scold her.

"Hurry up and wash yourself, what are you standing there for?"

"Eh."

At this time, a motorcycle stopped in front of the gate of Old Xu's house, and Yang Liguo and Zhao Lan arrived.

"Big brother!"

"Establishing a nation..."

Xu Ning, Xu Laonian, Xu Long and others went out to greet them, and Yang Liguo and Zhao Lan each greeted them.

"Oh my god, there are five tables of guests for lunch today. I rushed over to prepare the dishes. Am I not too late?"

"It's not too late! It's never too late for you to come. Lan'er, you two should hurry into the house. Your uncle and the others are all inside."

"Eh……"

Yang Liguo and Zhao Lan came empty-handed. Firstly, it was inconvenient to carry things while riding a motorcycle; secondly, it was not their first visit; and thirdly, they had prepared small red envelopes.

After the two entered the house, they greeted Yang Yusheng first, and then listened to the third uncle introduce Sun Jishan. After walking around the house and greeting everyone, Yang Liguo asked, "Which room is the cooking room?"

Yang Shuhua said, "Brother, go to Second Uncle's place and cook. Everything is ready and we are waiting for you to come."

"Okay, let's go. Do you have a menu? Let me take a look."

Immediately, Yang Liguo and Zhao Lan followed Yang Shuhua to Lao Wang's house.

Inside the house, Yang Yusheng and the others were talking about Yang Liguo's experience, while Xu Laonian was whispering with Du Shoucai, and then he pulled Xu Ning's arm and said, "Go to your uncle's house later to get some medicinal wine. Your elder brother Liguo is very proud of the medicinal wine."

"Ah, which uncle's house are you going to?"

Du Shoucai pouted and said, "You have a lot of uncles now. Who is your dad chatting with? Who else could it be? My family!"

"Hey, uncle, look at you, you're drinking sauerkraut soup. Isn't this all my dad's fault? I have so many friends, and they all call me uncle. I'm so busy!"

"Get lost! I'm not as good at dealing with people as you are. You're our socialite..."

"Hahaha, uncle, look at how my dad always bullies me."

Du Shoucai curled his lips and said, "You deserve it. If you don't give me a good drink at noon, I won't forgive you."

"Don't be picky, sir." Xu Ning said sternly.

Du Shoucai grinned and said, "I'm just teasing you. How can I pick a fight over such a small matter?"

As soon as Xu Ning finished speaking, before Wang Xing could reply, he heard Sun Lianfang, who was guarding the wood stove at the door, turn around and run into the house, shouting, "Auntie! My dad and Uncle Wu are here!"

"Where is it?" Liu Lizhen looked towards the door quickly, but saw no one.

"Parking is done at Old Wei's place. The parking lot in front of our house is full..."

At this time, Xu Ning, Xu Laonian, Xu Long and others landed, lifted the door curtain, walked to the outer room, and followed Liu Lizhen to the courtyard.

As soon as I reached the door, I ran into Chai Liangyu, Wu Zhouquan, Chai Shao, Chai Feng and his third sister-in-law, Han Fang, Wu Hailong, Haitao, Guan Mei, as well as Wu Haiquan and his wife. They came in three cars and they all had things in their hands at the moment, because Chai Liangyu was an old man who cared a lot about his reputation and it was his first time to visit Old Xu's house, so he had to take something.

"uncle!"

"Big brother..."

Chai Liangyu smiled and waved to Xu Laonian and the others, saying, "Oh, there are quite a few people here."

"Haha, there are still quite a few working on the new house."

Liu Lizhen said, "Brother, let's go inside and talk! Erning, take the things your uncle brought. Why are you still letting your uncle carry them?"

"Hey, uncle, give it to me." Xu Ning took the big box from Chai Liangyu, looked down and asked, "Uncle, what is this?"

Chai Liangyu said with a smile: "Small cake! Your elder brother ordered it from the city. You can take a look at it later."

"Oh, thank you, sir."

Chai Liangyu put his arm around his shoulders and said, "Why are you being so polite to me? Where is Lao Chang here?"

"Yeah, I'm playing with the kids in the house."

"Whose child is this? He didn't even come out to greet me when I came. This guy is so crazy."

Xu Ning smiled and said, "His niece's child."

"Ah, Lihong..."

(End of this chapter)