Gong Tao returned home covered in dust and found his youngest daughter sitting pitifully in the courtyard, looking as miserable as could be.
"Ni Zi, why aren't you out playing?" Gong Tao found it strange. Wasn't she supposed to be gathering mushrooms on the mountain?
Go out to play? With no playmates, how could she go out? Gong Ruini looked at the mountain not far from home, feeling all sorts of frustration.
Without someone to accompany her, it's impossible to even step outside the courtyard gate, let alone go to the dangerous mountain.
While packing, Cai Meina kept an eye on Gong Ruini's little figure from the window.
If she didn't see Gong Ruini, she would immediately rush out, calling her name, worried that she might wander off.
Gong Ruini wasn't that brave anyway. Although there's a big road leading to the village, it's at some distance. And what would she do there?
She didn't know anyone, and there were so many dogs around. Gong Ruini was worried she might get bitten by them.
"The brothers have gone out to play. Ni Zi is staying at home." Gong Ruini subtly tattled.
Oh, so Gong Ruwen had already gone out. But Gong Tao thought his daughter had just arrived here and her body hadn't adjusted yet, so she needed a good rest. "It's okay, when Daddy's free, I'll take Ni Zi up the mountain."
Even though she didn't hear Gong Tao saying he would scold Gong Ruwen, getting a promise from Gong Tao was worth it. Besides, having an adult around would likely allow them to venture deeper into the mountain.
Gong Ruini noticed Gong Tao was covered in dirt and dust, "Daddy, you're all dirty. Ni Zi will get you some soap."
He just changed clothes, how did they get dirty? Gong Ruini looked around, walked up to Gong Tao, taking care to keep her distance. She was a good child, not one to dirty her clothes.
"Daddy, be careful, don't let Mommy see you dirtying your clothes. Otherwise, Mommy will scold you for sure." The courtyard had a lot of clothes hanging out to dry, and if there were more to wash, Cai Meina would definitely throw a fit.
How considerate his daughter was! Gong Tao felt like picking her up and giving her a kiss, but he resisted. Otherwise, dust would get on her clothes, and not only would his wife scold him, but his daughter wouldn't like it either.
"Don't worry, your mom knows. Daddy is hauling bricks. In a month, Ni Zi will have a new house to live in. Are you happy?" Gong Tao thought about how he could finally snuggle up with his wife without the kids around, and felt all sorts of comfort.
What, there's going to be a new house? What does that mean? Although she was drowsy while riding the carriage yesterday, Gong Ruini clearly heard Zhao Gang say they would build a house in the spring. Why are they building one before winter arrives?
"It's because your Uncle Zhao Gang's house is expecting two more siblings, and there's not enough space." Gong Tao wouldn't admit it was his idea.
Not enough space, indeed. Aunt Zhan Jing's belly was so big, and it was said to be twins. With one bed, two adults and two kids were fine; with two more kids, it would get crowded.
But if they're building a house, Gong Ruini's eyes lit up, "Can I have my own room?"
After all, since they're building a house, surely they could make a separate room just for her.
Considering all, her request wasn't too much, but Ni Zi wasn't that old yet, "You can't sleep alone well. How about if we put up a curtain to divide it?"
What, a curtain divider? What use is that? Gong Ruini looked at her short stature, sighing at how children just have no rights. "It's not like I'm going to sleep with my brother, right?"
"Of course not, and there's your two brothers from the Zhao family." Just those two little ones, Gong Tao wouldn't allow it.
What, all four children sharing a room? Gong Ruini was shocked. Being in a room with Gong Ruwen was one thing; they were siblings. But with the Zhao brothers? She had no relation to them.
But then again, with those four kids, plus the very mature Zhao Xuran, the adults had no worries. To them, Gong Ruini was just a child who wouldn't think much of it.
"Where will the new house be built?" This was Gong Ruini's real concern.
"Over there." Gong Tao pointed to the spot they had already chosen, "A corridor will connect it, so even if it snows in winter, you can take a detour to come over."
Gong Ruini immediately understood that it would be the position for the side rooms in a courtyard house. But seeing the size of the courtyard, the house should be built bigger, "It could have two rooms."
"Right, Daddy, if you're building, make it bigger. Otherwise, it won't be enough in the future." Gong Ruini remembered Gong Tao's drunken words yesterday, pestering Cai Meina to have another child.
That would mean seven or eight kids between the two families, and space would definitely be an issue. Future planning was a must.
Not enough space, not enough space, not enough space? Did his little daughter hear what he said last night? Oh, this girl isn't just a child?
Hold on, he needed to win over Ni Zi. He couldn't let his wife know these things; otherwise, he wouldn't have a good time for days.
"Ni Zi, Ni Zi, you're right. We should indeed build the house bigger. Ni Zi is a girl and needs her own room." As a loving father, Gong Tao had to fulfill his daughter's wishes.
What's going on here, wasn't I still a kid a moment ago? "I'm still a kid." Don't think just because I'm small that I can be easily fooled. No empty promises here.
"It's fine, once Ni Zi grows up, you'll be able to live on your own." Wow, how come kids are so hard to deceive these days? Ni Zi was so gullible before, always believing whatever the adults said.
Gong Ruini had a look of disbelief, "Don't take advantage of my youth." Hmph, this body may have been easily fooled in the past, often led astray by Gong Tao, unknowingly spinning around like Tuantuan. Of course, Gong Tao wasn't really harsh on Gong Ruini, as compared to the rough and robust Gong Ruwen, he preferred the more delicate Gong Ruini.
"No, no, how could Daddy bully Ni Zi." Under Gong Ruini's gaze, Gong Tao's voice grew quieter and quieter.
"But this time, Daddy won't lie to you. You better not repeat what Daddy said in his drunken talk yesterday." Gong Tao looked pitifully at his daughter.
Poor henpecked husband, Gong Ruini wanted him to be more manly, but decided to hold back. A man who dotes on and fears his wife can make good money. She couldn't disrupt the old man's chance to earn big bucks.
"Pinky promise." Gong Ruini extended her little finger, signaling for a pinky swear with Gong Tao.
Pinky promise, such a childish thing that Gong Tao hadn't done in ages, but no matter how childish the game was, Gong Tao could only play along since his daughter insisted.
"What's going on?" Cai Meina had finished packing and came to the door, intending to take her daughter for a walk around the village. Her daughter had been pouting earlier, enduring her displeasure, and it made her feel quite guilty.
Oh no, wife/mommy is here. She mustn't find out, or it'll be trouble.
"It's nothing." Gong Ruini smiled and tilted her head, playing dumb to try to pass off the situation.
"I'm heading to the village to move more bricks." Gong Tao put on his gloves, ready to continue the work.