Chapter 324: Sneaking a Peek
Chapter 324: Sneaking a Peek
After lunch, Jiang Xia went outside to take a look at the newly constructed house.
The exterior wall tiles were still being installed, and the scaffolding lacked a surrounding net, so she didn't dare get too close, just in case something fell.
The three-story house was indeed short compared to the skyscrapers Jiang Xia was accustomed to.
However, it was undeniably the tallest in the entire village.
Jiang Xia glanced at the neighboring house again.
Zhou Guohua's house had only been built up to the second floor and then stopped.
A small room had been constructed at the staircase location, with only roof tiles laid, and no floor slabs poured. It was unclear whether they were planning to add more floors later or if they had run out of money.
Jiang Xia guessed it was probably both.
Their exterior wall tiles were also not installed, and from the outside, it looked like a simple red brick house. Zhou Bingqiang loved to compete with Zhou Fu, and if he had the money, he would surely follow suit and install exterior wall tiles.
Zhou Yongguo's house was already being renovated inside, and it was estimated to be completed even faster than Jiang Xia's.
Jiang Xia only took a quick glance before turning her attention back to her own house.
Therefore, she didn't notice the white figure in the neighboring new house passing by the window, suddenly pausing, and then hiding by the window to secretly observe Jiang Xia.
Wen Wan didn't know why she was sneaking a peek, but she just wanted to look. She wanted to know that everyone had been reborn, and in her previous life, she had lived many more years than Jiang Xia. Why was Jiang Xia living a much better life this time around?
Today, Wen Wan was there to supervise the construction. The workers were too rough, and the wall plastering was not smooth at all, indicating shoddy workmanship.
Zhou Guohua was going out to sea and didn't have time to manage the house every day.
Wen Wan had come to check on it a few days ago, and one of the walls on the second floor was not straight enough! It was infuriating! Jiang Xia was just lucky to have such dedicated workers for her house!
Wen Wan stood there, lost in thought, staring at Jiang Xia.
Today, Jiang Xia was wearing a caramel-colored turtleneck top with a matching plaid woolen vest dress.
The color of the plaid skirt was slightly darker than the top, and this color combination was very suitable for autumn and winter. Jiang Xia looked beautiful in it and had a unique charm.
She stood there with her hands in her pockets, her slender waist appearing delicate and graceful. She tilted her head back, gazing at the house.
A few grapevines grew on the stone-built enclosure wall, and she stood beneath the grape leaves, looking like a celestial fairy.
Wen Wan thought to herself, "This outfit would surely look beautiful on me too!"
Backless dresses were very popular in Suicheng, and there were quite a few styles available. The most trendy ones had wide shoulder straps, with a fitted top and a loose skirt, and a low neckline that accentuated the figure and charm.
Many people in Suicheng were wearing them, and Wen Wan had originally planned to wait until the Canton Fair ended, earn some money, and buy herself a couple of these backless dresses.
If it weren't for Jiang Xia making her so angry that she fell down the stairs and sprained her ankle, she wouldn't have missed out on earning money and buying the clothes she wanted.
Jiang Xia must have earned a lot of money, right?
Her clothes looked expensive, with high-quality fabric.
Wen Wan noticed that every time she saw Jiang Xia, except when she was at sea, she wore different outfits.
How many clothes did she have?
...
Inside the house, Zhou Fu called out to his grandchildren, "Didn't your aunt buy you new clothes? Go and try them on to see if they fit. Grandpa will take you to the grocery store to buy some snacks!"
The children immediately rushed to find their mother to get their new clothes, as if they had received an imperial decree.
Tian Caixia was still washing dishes and told them to get the clothes themselves, reminding them, "Don't get them dirty; you'll need them for the New Year."
After the children changed into their new clothes, Zhou Fu also put on the new outfit, shoes, and socks that Jiang Xia had bought for him. He then led the group of grandchildren out.
As soon as they stepped out, they saw Jiang Xia standing outside the new house, examining it.
Zhou Fu smiled and advised Jiang Xia, "It's windy here, Xia Xia, don't stand here for too long."
Jiang Xia took in Zhou Fu's new attire and smiled, "Okay, Dad. Are you going out for a walk?"
"Zhou Wenzu urged, "Yes, Grandpa wants to take us to the grocery store. Xia Xia, is there anything you'd like to eat? I'll buy it for you."
Jiang Xia reached out and playfully patted his head, "Xia Xia didn't think of anything she wanted to eat. Why don't you buy what you like, and I'll have a taste later?"
"Okay!" Zhou Wenzu replied enthusiastically.
He loved his little uncle and aunt the most.
The other children didn't want to be left behind, "Xia Xia, I'll share some good food with you when I buy some."
"Xia Xia, I'll share some with you too."
"Grandpa, let's go! I want to buy some treats for Xia Xia."
...
Jiang Xia smiled in response.
Zhou Fu laughed and said, "These rascals insisted that I take them to the grocery store, so I'll take them first."
Jiang Xia understood Zhou Fu's intention and smiled, "Then go ahead, Dad, and take them."
So, Zhou Fu happily led the grandchildren towards Big Tree Park.
With a new addition to the family and prosperity, it was only right to let everyone know!
Around noon, when most people were out and about in Big Tree Park, was the perfect time for Zhou Fu to spread the news.
As Zhou Fu's figure disappeared from Jiang Xia's sight, Zhou Mu appeared, wearing new clothes and carrying a basket. Seeing Jiang Xia there, she was startled, "Why are you standing here in the wind? Are you cold?"
She held Jiang Xia's hand, which felt a bit cold.
Jiang Xia smiled, "I'm not cold. I'm just checking on the house construction. Ah Lei went inside, so I'm waiting for him."
Zhou Chenglei was inside the house, as he hadn't seen it since returning.
Zhou Mu couldn't help but mutter, "Why did you leave her here in the wind? Don't worry about him, go back inside! I made you a bowl of soup to nourish the pregnancy, it's on the desk in your room. If it gets cold, you can drink it later. Go inside quickly! I'll ask around for some old pumpkin stems."
Zhou Mu knew a secret recipe for nourishing and protecting the pregnancy, which required old pumpkin stems. The nourishing soup she had just prepared for Jiang Xia contained these stems.
"Okay," Jiang Xia replied.
Zhou Mu took Jiang Xia's arm and led her back to the house, then shouted to the new house, "Ah Lei, come out quickly! Xia Xia is cold!"
Jiang Xia: "..."
She wasn't cold!
Just then, Zhou Chenglei emerged from under the scaffolding.
Zhou Mu handed Jiang Xia over to Zhou Chenglei and couldn't help but remind him again, "Don't take Xia Xia running around. You should rest more these days, especially avoid going to your brother's side. Ah Guang's mother is getting old, so you must not go there! Stay away from Yongguo's new house too! Go inside quickly! Don't get too close!"
Zhou Mu believed in the old traditions passed down by the elders. Pregnant women should not attend funerals, watch people digging graves, engage in construction, home renovations, or bed installations...
There were many taboos.
However, since their house was already under construction and Jiang Xia was pregnant, she wasn't too worried. But the neighboring house, which belonged to Zhou Bingqiang, was too close, and Zhou Mu was concerned about the proximity affecting Jiang Xia, so she didn't want Jiang Xia to stay outside for too long.
"I understand," Zhou Chenglei replied, wrapping his arm around Jiang Xia's waist and leading her back to the house.
Only then did Zhou Mu happily go in search of old pumpkin stems. As she turned the corner, she spotted a villager.
Jiang Xia heard the villager praising Zhou Mu's outfit, and Zhou Mu laughed, "Do you like it? I'm not used to wearing it. Ah Lei's wife bought it at the Canton Fair. By the way, do you have any old pumpkin stems? Or know who does? Ah Lei's wife is pregnant, and she's tired from the Canton Fair. I want to find..."
The rest of the conversation was inaudible to Jiang Xia as she entered the house.
The wind carried Zhou Mu's words to Wen Wan's ears, and she was surprised to see Zhou Chenglei supporting Jiang Xia into the house. She wondered, "Jiang Xia is pregnant too?
How coincidental!"
(End of Chapter)
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