Reborn in 78, I made my fortune by working in the mountains, supporting three families on my own.

Wang Zongbao quickly took out a cigarette from his pocket and handed it to Zhao Lei, lighting it for him.

"Brother Lei, I really have to thank you for this! I went to see Uncle Changlin yesterday, and he agreed to let me and Xiao Cui be together. I told him that once your house is finished, I'll formally propose marriage, and you and your wives will have to be my witnesses."

Zhao Lei patted him on the shoulder: "Well done, young man. You've finally made it. You'd better treat my cousin well, or your brother-in-law won't let you off the hook."

Wang Zongbao thumped his chest loudly: "Don't worry, Brother Lei, I'll definitely treat Xiao Cui well! I'm the only son in our family, so everything in the house will definitely be given to Xiao Cui first. How could I mistreat her?"

Zhao Lei turned to Qin Xiaocui: "Cousin, what are you thinking?"

Qin Xiaocui was a little shy, but she still said frankly, "Brother-in-law, you know about Zongbao and me."

Now that my dad has agreed, I don't have to hide it anymore. But I feel like he's in a bad mood, I don't know why.

Zhao Lei laughed: "Of course he's in a bad mood. His own cabbage has been stolen, how can he be in a good mood? You two be careful not to be too affectionate in front of him."

And Zongbao, you need to pay more attention to your future father-in-law. You haven't even gotten the marriage certificate yet, don't let your guard down!

Wang Zongbao took this advice as a treasure and nodded repeatedly.

"I've got it, I've got it. Don't worry, Brother Lei, I'll definitely make Uncle Changlin obedient."

Zhao Lei waved his hand: "Alright, alright, stop chatting here and go inside to eat. After you eat, get to work. The sooner I finish this house, the sooner you can go and propose marriage."

Wang Zongbao chuckled: "Alright, Brother Lei! I'm looking forward to your house being finished soon."

The group entered the courtyard, where breakfast was already laid out on the table.

Qin Yuchan brought out the porridge and, seeing Qin Changlin's dark face, secretly tugged at Zhao Lei's sleeve.

He lowered his voice and asked, "What happened to Uncle Changlin? Who offended him?"

Zhao Lei lowered his voice and replied, "What else could it be? My daughter is dating Zongbao, so she's upset. Don't worry about her, she'll be fine in a couple of days."

Qin Yuchan glanced at it and secretly chuckled to herself.

That's how it is in families that raise daughters.

When she married Zhao Lei, her father did the same thing.

The family had just sat down to eat when there was noise again at the gate of the courtyard.

The two brothers, Wang Dalong and Wang Xiaohu, arrived on their old-fashioned bicycles.

Before the car had even come to a complete stop, he shouted, "Brother Lei! Are we late?"

Zhao Lei quickly stood up and greeted them, "Da Long, Xiao Hu, we've been waiting for you! Come in and have breakfast!"

The two brothers parked the car and quickly entered the yard.

Zhao Lei hadn't gone hunting in the past few days, so he lent his old-fashioned scooter to Wang Dalong and Wang Xiaohu to ride.

The two brothers lived in the Taiyang Production Brigade. Every day, they would walk for more than an hour along a dirt road to repair his house.

Zhao Lei remembered this kindness and naturally wanted to think more about them.

Wang Dalong and Wang Xiaohu didn't stand on ceremony; they sat down, picked up their bowls, and started eating.

While drinking his porridge, Wang Xiaohu asked Zhao Lei, "Brother Lei, what's the schedule for the bricklaying work today?"

Zhao Lei pointed to Zhang Sangong, who was smoking in the yard: "Ask Sangong, he's the one who decides on the wall-building."

Zhang Sangong exhaled a puff of smoke: "Dalong and Xiaohu, you two help me build the west wall today. Zhang Lin and Zhang Sheng will build the east wall, and Leizi, Dashan, and Bowen, you'll be in charge of carrying bricks and mortar. Don't slack off. At this pace, the wall will be finished within ten days."

Wang Xiaohu nodded quickly, "Don't worry, Third Master, we'll definitely do our best!"

After breakfast, everyone got busy.

The foundation of the new house was basically completed, and Zhang Sangong led the two brothers, Zhang Lin and Zhang Sheng, to start laying bricks.

The red bricks flew up and down in their hands, and soon they took shape.

Zhao Lei carried loads of mortar to the construction site, his trousers splattered with mud.

Although I was very tired, the thought that it was my own house gave me energy.

While working, Zhao Lei noticed that Wang Xiaohu was exceptionally quick and efficient. When Zhang Sangong asked him to hand over a brick, he immediately did so. When asked to plaster, he smoothed it out in no time. He had a particularly good eye for things.

Zhang Sangong was quite satisfied with Wang Xiaohu's work. During a break, he even called him over and pointed to the brick joints in the corner, asking how to make them more solid.

Wang Xiaohu squatted down beside him, listening attentively, and occasionally asking a question.

Zhang Sangong didn't mind the trouble at all. He gestured with the trowel in his hand and explained to him in detail how to pick bricks and how to apply mortar.

"Little Tiger, you're quite quick-witted and clever, much better than my two simple-minded sons. If you're willing, you can learn this trade from me, how about it?"

Wang Xiaohu was stunned for a moment, then reacted and exclaimed excitedly, "Third Master! You're really willing to take me as your apprentice?"

Zhang Sangong tapped his pipe: "Do you think I'd joke about something like this? If you don't want to, then forget it."

"Yes, yes! Of course I'm willing!"

Wang Xiaohu nodded repeatedly, wishing he could kowtow and become a disciple on the spot.

Zhao Lei, who was listening nearby, was also happy for Wang Xiaohu.

He knew that Wang Xiaohu's family was poor and he had many brothers and sisters, so it would be a great thing for him to learn a skill.

These days, it's not easy for people in rural areas to learn a trade. It either has to be passed down in the family or they have to pay to become an apprentice.

Someone like Zhang Sangong, who actively takes on apprentices, is extremely rare, you couldn't find one even with a lantern.

Wang Xiaohu turned around and ran towards Zhao Lei to announce the good news: "Brother Lei! Brother Lei, the Third Master wants to take me as his apprentice!"

Zhao Lei chuckled and patted him on the shoulder: "I heard you, I heard you. You're lucky, kid. Learn from San Gong, and you'll be making a living with your skills in the future."

Wang Xiaohu blushed with joy: "Brother Lei, don't worry, I will definitely study hard and won't let San Gong down!"

Zhang Sangong shouted from the other side, "Alright, alright, don't be too happy yet. Learning a skill isn't something you can just talk about. Come on over and get back to work!"

Wang Xiaohu responded, rolled up his sleeves, and ran back to work, clearly putting in even more effort than before.

Zhao Lei watched his busy figure and felt very gratified.

The Wang Shoushan family is a very kind family.

As a result, the good man suffered many misfortunes. His youngest daughter was taken away by a bear and died young, and his second daughter also died young from illness caused by famine.

After struggling to raise their sons, daughters, and four daughters, the old woman in the family contracted a strange illness, leaving the whole family so poor that they were almost starving.

Even so, he was still determined to repay Zhao Lei's kindness.

Putting everything else aside, the work points the two brothers have missed these past few days are already their main source of income.

However, Zhao Lei didn't really make them work for free; he kept track of all the wages he paid to skilled craftsmen, which were 6-8 cents per minute.

I plan to deliver the furniture to Wang Shoushan's house when I pass by, otherwise I doubt they would accept it even if I offered it to Dalong and Xiaohu in person.