Chapter 27
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Chapter 27
After returning home, Wen Qian unpacked and organized her belongings. She sat at the table and poured herself a glass of cold water, then ate some rice cakes with the water. She couldn't finish a large rice cake after eating two-thirds of it.
Wen Qian placed paper and incense in a basket, and also put a sickle inside. With the door slightly ajar, she headed up the mountain. Her grandparents were buried near their home, and as she walked up the narrow path, it was now overgrown with weeds and thorns. Wen Qian used the sickle to clear the way.
She focused mainly on cutting branches and thorns, while the weeds could be trampled down on the ground. Wen Qian made a lot of noise, alerting any hidden snakes in the process.
On a small hill, slightly elevated, Wen Qian could see a stream stretching out below. The spot was originally chosen by her grandfather so that he could see their home, the fields, and the village. Later, her grandmother was buried there as well.
Wen Qian arrived at the gravesite and placed her things down. She cleared the surrounding weeds in a circle with the sickle, and then burned some paper as an offering.
For her, this was an annual activity. She didn't come back specifically for the Qingming Festival; whenever she had free time, she would make a trip home to check on the condition of her ancestral home and the two graves, while also burning some paper.
To Wen Qian, these were the things she cared about when she returned to her hometown. She took out her cellphone and played some traditional operas.
On the grass, Wen Qian burned paper bit by bit, with the cellphone playing the favorite operas of the elderly. She spoke to the flames, addressing her words to the two departed souls.
The sun was shining down on her, making her feel a bit hot. In a soft voice, Wen Qian recounted the things she had experienced in An City during this period of time.
Then she shared her plans for the future, mentioning that she might leave the village at some point, so she wanted to inform the departed souls in advance.
There were many things she used to be unwilling to share with others because it was pointless; she had to rely on herself for everything. But now, even if she spoke up, it wouldn't make a difference, or it might even bring danger. So she could only share these things with the two deceased elders.
After the paper burned out, Wen Qian sat in a shady place nearby for a while, making sure there was no danger of a fire before leaving.
Every year, there were forest fires caused by improper burning of paper, and Wen Qian didn't want to burn down the woods during this hot season.
Wen Qian went to the street and took a look at the things being sold, but she didn't have any idea of what to buy yet.
When she returned home, she took out a notebook and wrote down her future shopping plans. She realized that she needed to buy many things such as bamboo baskets, large iron pots, and stainless steel items.
If she were a skilled bamboo weaver, making bamboo baskets would be a breeze. But Wen Qian didn't think it would be that easy for her. So she decided to buy these skill-oriented items in advance to save herself from struggling later on. She didn't want to spend time making tools only to find out that she couldn't produce the same quality or better than what others made.
Finally, they decided to build it in the stairwell. This way, they only needed to add one wall and a door, raise the floor and install a squat toilet, and also lay some ceramic tiles and connect a water pipe.
Wen Qian wanted it to be simple, just a squat pit with tiles, without a shower, heated hand-washing basin, only a light and a faucet.
Chen Lin negotiated the wage, and they agreed that Wen Qian would provide him with lunch every day at noon. Thus, the matter was settled, and the next day, he came to build the wall.
Wen Qian bought a cheap plastic folding sliding door online, the type that doesn't require drilling holes. She could install it herself and take it down later.
The next day, Chen Lin finished building the wall in the morning.
At noon, Wen Qian prepared three dishes and a soup for him, including fish and meat, and also brought a can of beer.
Chen Lin smiled and said she was quite good at cooking. He had initially thought she would ask Auntie Chen to help with the cooking.
In the afternoon, they started to dig trenches and bury pipes. The pipes followed the back gutter and went towards the side, following the downward slope. They didn't need to dig deep, just enough to cover the pipes with soil and prevent them from leaking out.
As for digging a pit, there's no need. It can be directly connected to the original toilet pit. If Wen Qian wants to demolish that toilet, she can do it herself. Afterwards, just cover it with two cement boards.
The next day, fill the ground, install the squat toilet, test the water flow, and tile the walls.
On the third day, tile the floor and finish up.
The progress was swift, and Wen Qian soon had a simple squatting pit at home. As for the outdoor dry toilet, Wen Qian didn't have time to demolish it for the time being. It can be dealt with later.
After completing everything, Wen Qian started using this place as a toilet and shower two days later. Finally, the comfort level improved a little.
Auntie Chen came to see the commotion and commented that their family had already made things convenient like this.
At noon, Wen Qian cooked and invited two people from Auntie Chen's family to have a meal. Auntie Chen hesitated a bit, but Wen Qian insisted and said to let Uncle Chen accompany them and have a drink with Chen Lin.
Auntie Chen thought about it and agreed. So, the two of them came for lunch, and Auntie Chen even helped Wen Qian with cutting vegetables and starting the fire.
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Chapter 27
After returning home, Wen Qian unpacked and organized her belongings. She sat at the table and poured herself a glass of cold water, then ate some rice cakes with the water. She couldn't finish a large rice cake after eating two-thirds of it.
Wen Qian placed paper and incense in a basket, and also put a sickle inside. With the door slightly ajar, she headed up the mountain. Her grandparents were buried near their home, and as she walked up the narrow path, it was now overgrown with weeds and thorns. Wen Qian used the sickle to clear the way.
She focused mainly on cutting branches and thorns, while the weeds could be trampled down on the ground. Wen Qian made a lot of noise, alerting any hidden snakes in the process.
On a small hill, slightly elevated, Wen Qian could see a stream stretching out below. The spot was originally chosen by her grandfather so that he could see their home, the fields, and the village. Later, her grandmother was buried there as well.
Wen Qian arrived at the gravesite and placed her things down. She cleared the surrounding weeds in a circle with the sickle, and then burned some paper as an offering.
For her, this was an annual activity. She didn't come back specifically for the Qingming Festival; whenever she had free time, she would make a trip home to check on the condition of her ancestral home and the two graves, while also burning some paper.
To Wen Qian, these were the things she cared about when she returned to her hometown. She took out her cellphone and played some traditional operas.
On the grass, Wen Qian burned paper bit by bit, with the cellphone playing the favorite operas of the elderly. She spoke to the flames, addressing her words to the two departed souls.
The sun was shining down on her, making her feel a bit hot. In a soft voice, Wen Qian recounted the things she had experienced in An City during this period of time.
Then she shared her plans for the future, mentioning that she might leave the village at some point, so she wanted to inform the departed souls in advance.
There were many things she used to be unwilling to share with others because it was pointless; she had to rely on herself for everything. But now, even if she spoke up, it wouldn't make a difference, or it might even bring danger. So she could only share these things with the two deceased elders.
After the paper burned out, Wen Qian sat in a shady place nearby for a while, making sure there was no danger of a fire before leaving.
Every year, there were forest fires caused by improper burning of paper, and Wen Qian didn't want to burn down the woods during this hot season.
Wen Qian went to the street and took a look at the things being sold, but she didn't have any idea of what to buy yet.
When she returned home, she took out a notebook and wrote down her future shopping plans. She realized that she needed to buy many things such as bamboo baskets, large iron pots, and stainless steel items.
If she were a skilled bamboo weaver, making bamboo baskets would be a breeze. But Wen Qian didn't think it would be that easy for her. So she decided to buy these skill-oriented items in advance to save herself from struggling later on. She didn't want to spend time making tools only to find out that she couldn't produce the same quality or better than what others made.
Finally, they decided to build it in the stairwell. This way, they only needed to add one wall and a door, raise the floor and install a squat toilet, and also lay some ceramic tiles and connect a water pipe.
Wen Qian wanted it to be simple, just a squat pit with tiles, without a shower, heated hand-washing basin, only a light and a faucet.
Chen Lin negotiated the wage, and they agreed that Wen Qian would provide him with lunch every day at noon. Thus, the matter was settled, and the next day, he came to build the wall.
Wen Qian bought a cheap plastic folding sliding door online, the type that doesn't require drilling holes. She could install it herself and take it down later.
The next day, Chen Lin finished building the wall in the morning.
At noon, Wen Qian prepared three dishes and a soup for him, including fish and meat, and also brought a can of beer.
Chen Lin smiled and said she was quite good at cooking. He had initially thought she would ask Auntie Chen to help with the cooking.
In the afternoon, they started to dig trenches and bury pipes. The pipes followed the back gutter and went towards the side, following the downward slope. They didn't need to dig deep, just enough to cover the pipes with soil and prevent them from leaking out.
As for digging a pit, there's no need. It can be directly connected to the original toilet pit. If Wen Qian wants to demolish that toilet, she can do it herself. Afterwards, just cover it with two cement boards.
The next day, fill the ground, install the squat toilet, test the water flow, and tile the walls.
On the third day, tile the floor and finish up.
The progress was swift, and Wen Qian soon had a simple squatting pit at home. As for the outdoor dry toilet, Wen Qian didn't have time to demolish it for the time being. It can be dealt with later.
After completing everything, Wen Qian started using this place as a toilet and shower two days later. Finally, the comfort level improved a little.
Auntie Chen came to see the commotion and commented that their family had already made things convenient like this.
At noon, Wen Qian cooked and invited two people from Auntie Chen's family to have a meal. Auntie Chen hesitated a bit, but Wen Qian insisted and said to let Uncle Chen accompany them and have a drink with Chen Lin.
Auntie Chen thought about it and agreed. So, the two of them came for lunch, and Auntie Chen even helped Wen Qian with cutting vegetables and starting the fire.
Chapter 27After returning home, Wen Qian unpacked and organized her belongings. She sat at the table and poured herself a glass of cold water, then ate some rice cakes with the water. She couldn't finish a large rice cake after eating two-thirds of it.Wen Qian placed paper and incense in a basket, and also put a sickle inside. With the door slightly ajar, she headed up the mountain. Her grandparents were buried near their home, and as she walked up the narrow path, it was now overgrown with weeds and thorns. Wen Qian used the sickle to clear the way.She focused mainly on cutting branches and thorns, while the weeds could be trampled down on the ground. Wen Qian made a lot of noise, alerting any hidden snakes in the process.On a small hill, slightly elevated, Wen Qian could see a stream stretching out below. The spot was originally chosen by her grandfather so that he could see their home, the fields, and the village. Later, her grandmother was buried there as well.Wen Qian arrived at the gravesite and placed her things down. She cleared the surrounding weeds in a circle with the sickle, and then burned some paper as an offering.For her, this was an annual activity. She didn't come back specifically for the Qingming Festival; whenever she had free time, she would make a trip home to check on the condition of her ancestral home and the two graves, while also burning some paper.To Wen Qian, these were the things she cared about when she returned to her hometown. She took out her cellphone and played some traditional operas.On the grass, Wen Qian burned paper bit by bit, with the cellphone playing the favorite operas of the elderly. She spoke to the flames, addressing her words to the two departed souls.The sun was shining down on her, making her feel a bit hot. In a soft voice, Wen Qian recounted the things she had experienced in An City during this period of time.Then she shared her plans for the future, mentioning that she might leave the village at some point, so she wanted to inform the departed souls in advance.There were many things she used to be unwilling to share with others because it was pointless; she had to rely on herself for everything. But now, even if she spoke up, it wouldn't make a difference, or it might even bring danger. So she could only share these things with the two deceased elders.After the paper burned out, Wen Qian sat in a shady place nearby for a while, making sure there was no danger of a fire before leaving.Every year, there were forest fires caused by improper burning of paper, and Wen Qian didn't want to burn down the woods during this hot season.Wen Qian went to the street and took a look at the things being sold, but she didn't have any idea of what to buy yet.When she returned home, she took out a notebook and wrote down her future shopping plans. She realized that she needed to buy many things such as bamboo baskets, large iron pots, and stainless steel items.If she were a skilled bamboo weaver, making bamboo baskets would be a breeze. But Wen Qian didn't think it would be that easy for her. So she decided to buy these skill-oriented items in advance to save herself from struggling later on. She didn't want to spend time making tools only to find out that she couldn't produce the same quality or better than what others made.Finally, they decided to build it in the stairwell. This way, they only needed to add one wall and a door, raise the floor and install a squat toilet, and also lay some ceramic tiles and connect a water pipe.Wen Qian wanted it to be simple, just a squat pit with tiles, without a shower, heated hand-washing basin, only a light and a faucet.Chen Lin negotiated the wage, and they agreed that Wen Qian would provide him with lunch every day at noon. Thus, the matter was settled, and the next day, he came to build the wall.Wen Qian bought a cheap plastic folding sliding door online, the type that doesn't require drilling holes. She could install it herself and take it down later.The next day, Chen Lin finished building the wall in the morning.At noon, Wen Qian prepared three dishes and a soup for him, including fish and meat, and also brought a can of beer.Chen Lin smiled and said she was quite good at cooking. He had initially thought she would ask Auntie Chen to help with the cooking.In the afternoon, they started to dig trenches and bury pipes. The pipes followed the back gutter and went towards the side, following the downward slope. They didn't need to dig deep, just enough to cover the pipes with soil and prevent them from leaking out.As for digging a pit, there's no need. It can be directly connected to the original toilet pit. If Wen Qian wants to demolish that toilet, she can do it herself. Afterwards, just cover it with two cement boards.The next day, fill the ground, install the squat toilet, test the water flow, and tile the walls.On the third day, tile the floor and finish up.The progress was swift, and Wen Qian soon had a simple squatting pit at home. As for the outdoor dry toilet, Wen Qian didn't have time to demolish it for the time being. It can be dealt with later.After completing everything, Wen Qian started using this place as a toilet and shower two days later. Finally, the comfort level improved a little.Auntie Chen came to see the commotion and commented that their family had already made things convenient like this.At noon, Wen Qian cooked and invited two people from Auntie Chen's family to have a meal. Auntie Chen hesitated a bit, but Wen Qian insisted and said to let Uncle Chen accompany them and have a drink with Chen Lin.Auntie Chen thought about it and agreed. So, the two of them came for lunch, and Auntie Chen even helped Wen Qian with cutting vegetables and starting the fire.
