Country Love: Xie Dajiao, 37, is pregnant!

Zhang took out his notebook and explained to Lin Chen while writing and drawing:

"Boss Lin, the first phase is demolition and underground pre-laying. We'll bring in two more construction teams so that both phases can work simultaneously without interfering with each other."

"A team specializes in demolishing houses and hauling away slag. They use a breaker to break through a 1.2-meter-thick layer of frozen soil, dig foundations, and pour ground beams. Because the concrete sets slowly in cold weather, we build heated sheds, burn coal for insulation, and then use steam for curing. Normally, it takes seven days to set and the formwork can be removed, but now it only takes three days."

"The other team worked separately on the west side of the yard, simultaneously drilling deep drinking water wells, digging septic tanks, grease traps, and seepage wells, and completing the foundation of the well house in one go. Once the frozen soil thawed completely in April and all the underground work was finished, they could directly start the main construction without any delay."

"In the second phase, with the main structure completed and the exterior walls sealed, the bricklayers, carpenters, and steelworkers worked in two shifts around the clock, with the work never stopping even when people were resting."

"Since we're in a rush, my plan is not to wait foolishly for the roof to be completed. Once one layer of walls is built, we'll immediately install window frames, do insulation, and lay exterior wall tiles. All the supporting facilities will follow the main structure."

"The roof uses precast panels and red terracotta tiles, which saves ten days of construction time compared to a cast-in-place roof. It is also sturdy and looks good. Two layers of SBS membrane are used for waterproofing, which is rainproof and seepage-proof. Once the main structure is completed, the exterior walls, windows and roof are all finished, and the decoration team can start work on the same day."

"Look, in the third stage of interior decoration and courtyard construction, the interior is divided into four professional teams working in two shifts. I can bring in twenty electricians and plumbers in two teams to do the wiring and pipe laying on the first and second floors simultaneously, waterproofing, water tightness testing and subsequent procedures, without wasting any time."

"A team of twenty-five bricklayers is laying tiles in sections..."

"Fifteen carpenters started work simultaneously, installing ceilings, making door frames..."

"Finally, the painter came in and painted the whole house with off-white latex paint, then turned on the exhaust fan to speed up the drying process..."

"Seven days of uniform attire..."

"Construction of the outdoor yard is proceeding simultaneously: building a wall, constructing a garage, and installing an wrought iron gate..."

After finishing speaking, Zhang's throat was practically parched. He quickly took a sip of water and continued confidently:

"Boss Lin, all these processes are mature technologies used in building construction this year: steam curing, early-strength cement, and SBS waterproofing. They are the most reliable on the market. We are simply relying on more people and working in shifts to speed up the construction period. It's absolutely reliable, so you can rest assured."

After listening, Lin Chen saw no problems and decisively made the decision:

"Okay, we'll do it your way. Just tell me what you need, and I'll do everything I can to accommodate you."

Zhang and Xiao Li exchanged a glance, feeling both surprised and delighted. Having worked in the construction industry for so many years, they had never seen a client so generous and willing to spend so much money. It was truly an eye-opener.

The two of them then calculated the overall budget for building the villa with Lin Chen. Because it was an expedited project, including starting construction on frozen ground, the labor and equipment costs were different from before and had increased significantly. Even with the discount, the total cost would still be at least 500,000 yuan.

The cost of permafrost breaking and foundation pit insulation alone was significantly higher, and labor costs doubled, but Lin Chen didn't care about that; a million a year was more than he could spend.

Before leaving, Xiao Li asked one more question:

"Boss Lin, since we're building such a big house, do we need to go through the village and town procedures in advance? We don't want anyone checking up on us and delaying the work."

Lin Chen waved his hand, looking completely at ease; he knew the village's rules all too well.

"You two don't need to worry about that. I'm rebuilding on the original site of my old house, so it won't take up any new land. I've already spoken to the director. I just need to complete the village registration later. The town's procedures are just a formality, there won't be any obstacles. You can just focus on your work."

In the early 2000s, rural homestead management in Northeast China was already lax. Rebuilding on the original site did not require layers of approval; a nod from the village was all it took. Coupled with Lin Chen's identity, it was no big deal at all.

After the construction team left, the courtyard became quiet.

After they returned to the house, Xie Dajiao said with some heartache:

"Actually, there's no need to rush. Just take your time building it, and you can save a lot of money."

Lin Chen touched her belly and said with a smile:

"Slower is cheaper, but I don't want you to make do. I want it finished before the end of July so I can take care of you during your postpartum period. There will be hot water and a bathroom in the house, so you won't have to suffer. That's better than anything else."

Xie Xiaomei said with a smile:

"Will it be much easier for me to have children in the future?"

"What's wrong, getting impatient?"

"Ugh, how annoying!"

As the group was chatting animatedly, Lin Chen's phone rang.

Lin Chen answered the phone, thinking it was a call from the construction company, but it turned out to be Wang Dana.

Wang Dana first asked Lin Chen how he was doing lately, then sighed and said:

"Xiao Chen, I've run into a bit of trouble and I can only ask you for help. Mu Sheng has been acting strangely lately. He's not going to the company, he's not eating, and he just lies around at home all day looking listless. He won't tell me what's wrong. I thought you young people would get along well, so could you ask him for me what's going on with this kid?"

Lin Chen readily agreed:

"Don't worry, sir, I'll take care of this. I'll ask him right away and get back to you as soon as I have any news."

After hanging up the phone, Lin Chen went to the outer room and dialed Wang Musheng's number.

The phone rang several times before being answered. A listless voice came from the other end, with a heavy nasal tone, clearly indicating that the person had just been crying and was in a deep depression.

Lin Chen didn't beat around the bush and asked directly:

"Brother, what's wrong with you lately? Your dad's been calling me non-stop. You're neglecting your company, what are you doing at home all day?"

That one sentence completely broke Wang Musheng's defenses.

The voice on the other end of the phone instantly broke into a sob, slurring and stuttering, sounding incredibly aggrieved.

"Xiao Chen... I'm doomed... Xiang Xiu is ignoring me! Ugh... Ugh..."

"I've been calling her every day for the past few days, but she either says she's busy or hangs up immediately, completely ignoring me!"

"I really love her. These past few days, all I can think about is her. I can't eat, I can't sleep, I can't live without her! Ugh, ugh..."

Wang Musheng sobbed uncontrollably, sounding almost like a pig squealing, pleading incessantly:

"Xiao Chen, I'm begging you, please put in a good word for me with Xiang Xiu. As long as she's willing to be with me, I'll agree to any conditions. I'll buy her a big gold bracelet, a house, a car, and any dowry she asks for. I genuinely want to spend my life with her!"

Lin Chen's head was buzzing from listening, and he sighed helplessly as he advised him:

"Brother, don't be so stubborn and fixated on one girl. There are plenty of pretty girls out there, why insist on Xiangxiu? There are plenty of fish in the sea, why do you have to look in our rural area?"

But Wang Musheng wouldn't listen at all. He kept pestering Lin Chen on the phone, vowing that he would marry no one but Xiangxiu and that he couldn't live without her. He was so proud of how Xiangxiu was so devoted to him that he kept pestering Lin Chen for help.

Lin Chen couldn't resist his advances any longer and had no choice but to agree:

"Okay, okay, I give up. I'll go to the clinic now and ask her what she thinks. I'll pass on the message to you, but let me make this clear: I'm only asking. I can't guarantee it will work out. Don't get your hopes up too high, or you'll blame me if it doesn't work out."

Wang Musheng on the other end of the phone instantly brightened up. His sobbing stopped immediately, and he became so excited that he was incoherent, as if he wanted to kowtow to Lin Chen over the phone.

After hanging up the phone, Lin Chen went back to his room and told the two of them about it.

Xie Dajiao was both amused and exasperated after hearing this, and shook her head, saying:

"Wang Musheng seems to have a lot of problems, but I didn't expect him to be so devoted. But Xiangxiu is no ordinary girl. She can manipulate Wang Musheng like it's nothing. I always feel that this relationship won't work out."

Xie Xiaomei nodded in agreement:

"You bet, I don't think they're a good match either."

Lin Chen picked up his coat and put it on, saying as he walked:

"Whether it works out or not, I have to ask. The old man called me. Wang Musheng was crying so much. I should at least give him a definite answer."

"Hey, wait for me, I'm going back to the shop too." Xie Dajiao put on her clothes.

Seeing that she was all alone, Xie Xiaomei picked up her car keys and said:

"I'll drive you there, and then I'll go straight back to the farm to check on things."

……

Xie Dajiao went back to the supermarket, Xie Xiaomei went to the breeding farm, Lin Chen walked to the entrance of the village clinic, pushed open the door, lifted the curtain, and entered the room to see Xiangxiu with her head down, quietly organizing the medicine boxes in the cabinet and classifying the medicines.

Hearing the curtain rustle, she didn't even lift her eyelids, her hands continuing their work without stopping.

Only when Lin Chen approached did she glance at him, her lips curling into a sneer, her words carrying a sarcastic tone.

"Oh my, what a rare guest! I thought you were so focused on Xie Xiaomei that you didn't have time to even step into my little clinic. Why did you remember me today?"

That little face of hers, both arrogant and argumentative.

Lin Chen was too lazy to chat with her, so he casually pulled over a stool next to him, plopped down, and leaned back against the wall.

"Don't joke with me, I'm here on serious business. Wang Musheng just called me, crying and wailing, saying you weren't answering his calls, and asked me to come and find out what's going on between you two. You were dating so nicely, why are you acting like you're enemies?"

Upon hearing this, Wang Xiangxiu abruptly stopped what she was doing.

With a "smack," the medicine box in her hand hit the cabinet, followed by a wide-eyed roll of her eyes and a look of utter disgust.

"Who's dating him? Don't even mention him! Just thinking about him gives me a headache!"

Xiangxiu frowned, looking disgusted.

"If it weren't for his family's wealth, I would have ignored him long ago!"