Rebirth: My Dear Little Wife Is So Scheming

Chapter 19: Chapter 19 Conclusion Chapter 19: Chapter 19 Conclusion An Zhiyuan rolled up his sleeves and climbed onto the roof. There was a big hole in the roof, and the villagers had helped bring some straw. The local sticky clay mixed with straw made good mud. After cleaning the roof, they covered it with wooden boards, spread the straw and mud to level it, and then the final layer consisted of rows of tiles.

Bai Xiao began to tidy up inside the house herself. The kang stove was still usable, and after a simple clean-up, she laid down the straw mat that had been cleared of dirt.

Once she got used to the dim lighting, she saw that on both sides of the hall there were crude wooden windows that could be pushed outward and propped open with sticks. Opening both windows, the room felt much brighter compared to before, and more cheerful, but it also seemed even dirtier.

Apart from a rough table like the rest of the things, there was only a painting-peeled, mottled wooden chest on the kang. There was no other furniture in the house. Two legs of the table were broken, and it leaned crookedly in a corner. The best thing in the room, aside from the simple utensils and the intact four walls she had seen earlier, had already been moved to her uncle’s house.

What was left was a pile of worthless broken stuff.

Inside the box, she found a quilt from their family, which felt damp and smelled musty. With effort, she carried it outside, where someone had already put up a rope for her to dry clothes. It was perfect for airing out the quilt. It was noon, and there was still time before the sunset to sun-dry it. This would at least make it a bit better for sleeping at night.

By the time the sun set, the house had been tidied. An Zhiyuan climbed down the ladder, and Bai Xiao diligently fetched a large basin of water and placed it under the eaves. “Commissar An, please wash up! We really can’t cook, but the village aunties have already boiled water for everyone. Let’s each have a bowl. Thank you so much for today, not only for saving my life but also for helping to fix up the house. I really need to properly thank you. How about this—once my kitchen is ready, I’ll invite Commissar An and everyone over for a meal to express my gratitude.”

Bai Xiao was sincerely grateful, even though she had orchestrated the events of the day! But there was no other choice, to survive, ordinary folks could only resort to some crafty tactics. However, Commissar An truly helped her a lot today.

An Zhiyuan washed off the mud from his head and hands, shook his head, and flicked off the water droplets. “Alright, little girl, you’re moving into a new home. In a couple of days, I’ll bring the students to warm up the stove for you, and we can also finish the courtyard wall. A promise is a promise, right?” He had indeed formed an inexplicable bond with this girl.

Liu Baoguo had already come over. After a busy day, he had prepared food and could not let them leave just like that; it wouldn’t be right.

“Commissar An, my wife has prepared food at home. Please bring the students to our house for dinner! Look at how busy you’ve been all day; it’s a small token of our appreciation.” Bai Xiao’s place couldn’t be used for cooking, so as the village chief, he naturally took the initiative to entertain the guests.

An Zhiyuan waved his hand, rolling down his sleeves properly and buttoning up his collar before putting on his hat. “Village chief, there’s really no need. We are serving the people; what token do we need? This is our duty. It’s getting late today; we must return to the school. We have our discipline. The day after tomorrow, we will come to finish the rest. Let the mud bricks sun for another day tomorrow; otherwise, the results won’t be good.”

They would not take advantage of others; the soldiers quickly departed with him.

Liu Baoguo scratched his head, muttering to himself as he watched An Zhiyuan and the others walk away, “What a good man!” Turning to Bai Xiao, he said, “Let’s go, girl. If the commissar isn’t going, you should. You can’t cook here; have dinner at your uncle’s house!” The favor had to be repaid adequately.

Bai Xiao shook her head, “Uncle, I won’t go. You saw the state of my house; it’s still a mess. I need to organize so I at least have a place to step tonight.” Who would be happy with someone freeloading at their home?

Liu Baoguo could tell this girl was thoughtful. “Well then, do as you see fit! Tomorrow I will have Liu Hong send you a bag of cornmeal to get by. After the autumn harvest, you can ask your little uncle for your share of the grain.” The dispute over provisions was still a messy affair.

Bai Xiao looked down for a moment, then raised her head, her eyes like ink filled with sadness. “Uncle, I have a favor to ask!”

Only Liu Baoguo could help with this matter.

Liu Baoguo sighed. Bai Jianshe was such an honest person, and to just leave behind his children like that, looking at these kids was quite pitiable.

“Speak up, girl. Whatever help I can offer, I will. And if I can’t, there’s nothing to be done!” The village had its affairs, and some matters were not easily interfered with.

Bai Xiao knew this was essentially a refusal. Could Liu Baoguo not see what she wanted? It was about reclaiming her family’s belongings. The house was empty, all valuable items gone. Bai Jianguo’s family had many things that belonged to her, not to mention living expenses. She was destitute, with nothing to her name.

But having the house back was already fortunate, thanks to encountering An Zhiyuan and his students. Otherwise, Liu Baoguo would not have intervened. After all, everyone thought this was Bai Family’s own affair, and outsiders, whether they handled it well or not, would be met with resentment. Liu Baoguo wouldn’t bring that misfortune upon himself.

“Never mind then, village chief. I won’t see you out; please take your leave!” Bai Xiao knew her place. Today had been a successful first day; she couldn’t push people too far, or they might turn desperate. She had to go slowly and carefully.

Liu Baoguo understood the girl got the message and walked away without saying more.

Bai Xiao closed the front door and propped it from inside with a piece of wood. The house was indeed dilapidated, but she would tidy up gradually.

She spread out the quilt and lay down, feeling the warmth and comfort of the sun’s scent on it; there was happiness and vitality.

Alive. It felt so good. In one day, she had experienced rebirth, faced death again, narrowly escaped peril, and was now living in her own home. That feeling was damn good.

The light from the bulb in the house was dim; the villagers had found it for her, otherwise there wouldn’t even be a light bulb in the house.

No matter how big the difficulties, they weren’t insurmountable.

Everything would get better.

She locked the door, propped it with wood from the inside, and slowly, over time, the house would improve.

She lay back in the quilt, basking in the fragrance of the sun, warm, comfortable, and alive with hope and life.