Maisui served him a bowl anyway. She even added some salt and green onions on it.
The man thanked her repeatedly. This was the eldest daughter of the Director’s family, who was practically considered a rich, young lady; how could he afford to have her serve him soup?
Maisui was very curious to see that an old man was treating her so respectfully.
After drinking the broth, the man was going to leave when Lin Lan gave him 20 cents, “Uncle, you’ve worked hard.”
He quickly declined, “Director Han paid for the barrel, so it’s natural that I should deliver the goods.”
Lin Lan asked him to accept the money. Craftsmen had a hard time earning money and at a time like this, the entire family couldn’t afford to lose any manpower, so they must have worked hard.
The elderly man then said goodbye with gratitude and took the money.
Han Qingyun watched Dawang and the others play chess as he suggested a few moves, which provoked the children to protest, “Uncle, don’t try to help.”
Han Qingyun scratched his head, “I’m just worried that you’ll lose, haha.”
Sanwang, “Uncle, if you punch your left and right fist together, which one would win?”
Han Qingyun, “Hmm, my left hand is stronger, so I’m sure my left hand will win,” He laughed and went to the west room to talk to Han Qingsong.
“Sister-in-law, why did you buy such a big tub to wash clothes?”
Lin Lan, “This is a bathtub; it’s used for bathing.”
Han Qingyun opened his mouth and looked at Han Qingsong, “Third brother, this is used for a bath?”
Han Qingsong nodded, “You don’t take a bath in winter?”
Han Qingyun nodded before he shook his head again, “Of course I do, but we just boil a pot of water and use a basin to wash ourselves, what’s the use of such a big one? You can wash your entire family, no?”
Han Qingsong bent down and gestured, “Well, the children can all fit in this pot.”
Han Qingyun, why do you feel that something is wrong? When did this become a pot?
Han Qingsong glanced at him, “Nothing to be busy with today?”
Han Qingyun immediately reported in a low voice, “There was a division of labour with me and Luo Haicheng— he is in charge of the County and I am in charge of several brigades.”
During the slack season, the desire of some idlers to bet their earnings or fool around gambling was high, so they needed constant patrols to stop them.
Han Qingsong, “Go ahead then.”
Han Qingyun, how much do you not want me around? He waved to Lin Lan, “Sister-in-law, I’m leaving.”
Lin Lan smiled, “Don’t overwork yourself.”
Han Qingyun shook his hand, “All to serve the people!”
Lin Lan checked out her new bathtub to see how to handle it and tried to figure out the most appropriate place to leave it. She smiled and said, “Boil a big pot of water and let them take a bath. We’ll be able to give the kids a good scrub!”
Han Qingsong, “We can do it too.”
Lin Lan, “…” I totally heard nothing, goodbye.
At this time, there was no bathhouse in the village. And although there was one in the county, it was impossible to always take a bath all the way there since it was inconvenient.
Hence, it was best to have one in their own house.
Han Qingsong brewed the medicine twice before throwing away the dregs. He even added a few pieces of rock sugar from a bowl for her.