A two-story five-bedroom countryside villa

  Nantai County has a long tradition of being a "hometown of construction", sending large numbers of skilled construction workers to all parts of the country. Nantai migrant workers are known for their diligence, practicality and technical expertise, earning them the nickname "Nantai Iron Army" in the industry.

  There is no shortage of skilled construction workers in Zhu Wangzhuang, from bricklayers, plumbers and electricians to carpenters and welders. A team can be assembled at a moment's notice. When Principal Wang said he wanted to build a house, the villagers all offered to help.

  Iron trowel, tile knife, ash bucket, large plane, level, electric welding pipe pliers, impact drill, these tools are not borrowed, directly taken from home and used. As for cement, yellow sand, and bricks, it's even more convenient, just one phone call can deliver them to the doorstep.

  Liu Ziguang came back to see Wang Zhijun, with several thousand yuan in cash on him, but it was still not enough to cover the cost of building a house. He had a card with him and asked Zhijun to keep an eye on things at home while he took Ma Chao to the county town to withdraw some money.

  When they came back, they not only brought 20,000 yuan but also a trunk full of lamps and other household items. The twenty taxis at the village entrance had already been sent away, and the Zhu family members were taken to the hospital. At the gate of Wang's house, a large canopy made of colorful fabric was set up, with over ten tables and dozens of chairs inside, all contributed by different families. On the tables were scattered cigarettes and tea, and the brothers sat together chatting and laughing, having a great time.

  Wang Zhijun's sister and brother-in-law have arrived, carrying thermoses to greet everyone, beaming with joy. The Wang family and the Zhu family live next door to each other, and for a long time they were bullied by them, but today they finally got to hold their heads high and vent their grievances, how could they not be happy?

  The chimney of the pot house was emitting smoke, and a stove platform was built outside with bricks. A large black iron pot was placed on top, but it was definitely not enough for so many people to eat. According to rural rules, the host family had to provide food and drink for the master craftsmen who were building the house, so Old Wang's family also spent money that was originally meant for Zhi Jun's wedding to take care of this matter.

  The meal was being prepared, but there was no sign of Principal Wang. When asked, Zhi Jun only knew that Principal Wang had gone to the rural health clinic with something to visit the old village chief.

  "Old Wang is really a kind-hearted person." Liu Ziguo said.

  "Yes, my father has been a teacher for decades. He basically gave all his salary to support poor students. I never wore new clothes since I was young, they were all hand-me-downs from my sister," said Wang ZhiJun.

  Just then, a green figure suddenly rushed in from outside and shouted loudly at Wang Zhijun: "Wang Zhijun, who exactly injured my father? I will never forgive him!"

  Wang Zhijun's sweat came down immediately, and he stuttered: "Cui Cui, listen to me explain."

  Liu Ziguang only then noticed that the person who had rushed in was a girl, around twenty years old, wearing an emerald green shirt and jeans. She wasn't bad-looking, but her furrowed eyebrows and cold gaze made her look a bit too fierce.

  "I won't listen! Wang Zhijun, you said it was because my dad didn't agree to our marriage that you laid a vicious hand and injured him?" The village girl glared at Wang Zhijun with anger in her eyes, as if she could swallow him whole.

  Wang Zhijun was so anxious that he scratched his ears and cheeks, but he couldn't say a word.

  "Cough, cough, this... Cui Cui, right? Don't dare to speak rashly, Zhi Jun is a very kind person, how could he do such a thing?" Liu Zi Guang interrupted.

  Cui Cui ignored Liu Ziguang and looked at Wang Zhijun with tears in her eyes, saying: "My dad was wrong, he looked down on you because of your poverty, but you can't be like this either. Look at what you've become now, consorting with these shady people, how can anything good come of it?"

  Suddenly, Wang Zhijun became speechless and frowned, saying sternly: "Cui Cui, how can you scold me and frame me? It's okay if it doesn't matter, but you can't speak ill of my brothers. We are all formal security guards in the community, what's not right about us?! For my family's sake, these brothers rushed over to fight with Zhu's family early this morning, until now they haven't eaten, and being with them makes me willing and happy!"

  "You!" Cui's eyebrows were upside down with anger, tears falling plop plop, and she suddenly turned around and ran away.

  "Stupid kid, hurry up and chase after him." Liu Ziguang gave Wang Zhijun a push.

  "No need to pursue, she and I were middle school classmates, originally got along well, but later her father, the village director, disliked my family's poverty and forced the return of the betrothal gift. Alas, it's all in the past, no need to mention!"

  After finishing speaking, Wang Zhijun waved his hand with a flourish, "Brother, from now on I'll follow you and make a name for myself in the city!"

  "You have a strong personality, a real man shouldn't worry about not having a wife. I'll help you find one from the city!" Liu Ziguang patted Wang Zhijun's shoulder and said with approval.

  Although he spoke loudly, Wang Zhijun's eyes still unconsciously followed Cui Cui's departing figure. When the green figure disappeared behind the haystack, Wang Zhijun's eyes obviously dimmed a little.

  ……

  At noon, there was no time to cook a lot of food, so they just had a simple meal. This simple meal wasn't easy, basically emptying the small grocery store at the village entrance. They brought back ham sausages, braised eggs, vacuum-packed pig trotters and chicken wings, five-spice tofu, white wine, beer, and Coca-Cola. Wang's wife cooked a pot of noodle soup and steamed a large pot of plain buns. That's how they solved lunch.

  In the afternoon, several tractors loaded with bricks and prefabricated cement boards drove to the gate of the courtyard. The young men who had eaten their fill worked together to unload the goods. With many hands making light work, several thousand bricks were unloaded in no time. The villagers watching from the sidelines were amazed, having seen houses being built before, but never such a spectacular scene with dozens of strong laborers working together.

  The masters have also taken their positions, digging holes and laying foundations, mixing mud and ash, the tractor is rumbling back to pull the second trip. One truck can only carry two thousand bricks. This time, Old Wang's house is going all out, wanting to build a five-room, two-story small Western-style building. At least 120,000 bricks will be needed, not counting the walls and pigpens. In Liu Ziguang's words, it's called "one-stop service", also preparing for Zhijun's wedding house.

  Such a building, including labor and materials, would cost tens of thousands of yuan. Old Wang's family was extremely poor, how could they afford it? Looking at the workers busy with their work, Wang Zhi-jun anxiously rubbed his hands and asked Liu Zi-guang: "Brother, my family has only 8,000 yuan in total, which is still for my parents' old-age care. My sister's husband can only take out 5,000 yuan. How can we afford the bricks, cement, and sand?"

  Liu Ziguang waved his hand generously: "Don't worry, I'll take care of everything, no problem."

  "But you're not rich either, just a salaried worker, how can you take out tens of thousands with one hand?"

  "You'd better not interfere with this, I won't do anything that's uncertain, just wait for your new house."

  In the evening, Wang's family formally set up a banquet to entertain their friends in the city. Although it was just a small gathering, the wine and food were arranged as if for a wedding, with all sorts of dishes including chicken, duck, fish, and meat, and plenty of cigarettes and liquor. Old Wang's family had spared no expense in preparing everything according to the highest standards. Even the villagers who saw it were shocked, saying that Mr. Wang, who was usually so stingy that he could squeeze two halves out of a single cent, had suddenly changed his ways.

  After drinking, some people went back first and took a long-distance bus to the city, while others temporarily stayed in the county's reception center and came over again tomorrow to help.

  At night, Liu Ziguang called General Gao again to ask for leave for several colleagues. General Gao agreed readily and was overly polite, which made Liu Ziguang suspect that the old man might be plotting something.

  In addition, Liu Ziguang called Bei Xiaoshuai alone and whispered some words in his ear. Bei Xiaoshuai didn't say a word and drove the horse away with a loud whinny.

  ……

  Just received some bad news, the old village chief's injuries are quite serious and he is still in a coma. The rural clinic can't handle it, so he has been transferred to the county hospital. If the county hospital can't treat him effectively, they will have to send him overnight to the big hospital in the city. The village chief's daughter has already gone to the police station to report the case and is saying that even if they have to sell all their belongings, they must find the perpetrator and bring them to justice.

  The Wang family was worried when they heard this, if someone died in the chaos, both families would be responsible, whether it's imprisonment or fines, neither of them could afford to bear.

  "Don't worry, I've got everything under control." Liu Ziguo patted his chest and said.

  Then he turned his head and looked at Zhang Jun, who nodded silently.

  ……

  The next day, while they were busy building the house, four or five police cars suddenly appeared outside the village, their red and blue lights flashing silently, startling the people of Zhuwang Village. To think that the rural police station only had two vans, but now high-end police sedans had arrived, which only the municipal public security could be equipped with. Could it be that yesterday's group fight was too intense and alarmed the city?

  All the activities on the construction site came to a halt, and everyone stared blankly as the police car drove over. Even Wang, who was pouring tea for the workers from a thermos, was stunned, unaware that he had poured too much water. Only a smiling face appeared on the second floor of the Zhu family's building, as Zhu Changlong's wife was convinced that this was her husband's doing, having called in the police. The Zhu family hadn't been idle the night before, they had been busy pulling strings and gathering people to regain control of the situation.

  I didn't expect so many police to come, they must have sent people from the county, let's see how the Wang family gets out of this, aren't you ruthless, show your ruthlessness to the police.

  A police car stopped at the entrance of the village, and five or six men in plain clothes got out of the car. Accompanied by more than a dozen uniformed policemen, they walked over with their hands behind their backs, looking around and chatting, not looking like they were there to arrest anyone.

  "Hey, isn't that Lü Xiangzhang? How did he also come?" A villager who had seen a lot and knew a lot let out an exclamation.

  "Also came is Zhu squad leader from our village police station." Someone pointed at the chubby guy with big ears at the end of the team, who had a silly look on his face.

  They walked to the construction site of Wang's house under everyone's gaze. The first one, a middle-aged man wearing a white shirt, looked at the small building being built and smiled at Principal Wang: "Old man, are you building a house?"

  Principal Wang was stunned and didn't know what to say, so County Head Lü hastily came over and prompted him: "Old Principal Wang, this is a leader from the city who has come to our county for research."

  Principal Wang was suddenly awakened, and hurried over to say: "Right, right, right, the house is covered, the rural policy is good, what...". He couldn't continue speaking from here, for a moment he really couldn't think of any beneficial policies in the countryside.

  "The country exempted agricultural taxes, which is indeed a good policy. However, the three rural issues are not under my jurisdiction. I came down mainly to take a look at the grassroots security situation in rural areas. How's it going? Our village is still quite peaceful, right? There haven't been any thefts or robberies happening, have there? If there are, remember to call the police and report it. I will supervise their handling of the situation."

  Under the gaze of Director Lü, the villagers dared not say anything else and all praised the good public security in their village, where roads were safe and doors were never closed at night.

  The leader was very satisfied, shook hands with Principal Wang warmly, and saw Liu Ziguang in the crowd, smiled and greeted him, Liu Ziguang also raised his hand to indicate, with an expression of neither humble nor arrogant, natural and casual, it can be seen that the two are old friends.

  The leader walked with his hands behind his back, took a stroll around and then headed back. As he walked, he said to Lü Xiangzhang, "I still need to go back at noon, so I won't disturb you."

  Lü Xiangzhang hastily said: "Director Song is leaving so soon? The township government has already prepared lunch..."

  Zhu Zong walked at the end, glanced around and found Liu Ziguo, saying in a low voice: "The head of Zhu Village was injured, his daughter is determined to sue, I can't cover it up, what do you think we should do about this?"

  Liu Ziguang calmly took out a mobile phone and said: "How can I make things difficult for you, look, the evidence is all ready."

  Pressing down on the phone, the screen clearly shows Zhu Jia's third child wielding a wooden stick and hitting the old village chief.