Chapter 56: That Feeling Must Be Wonderful

Lin Xiaodou had no idea that, because of a simple meal, she would form a bond with someone. At this moment, her mind was preoccupied with how to decorate the wooden cabin. It was far too empty; it needed some furnishings to make it feel like home.

She had quite a few pieces of furniture in her storage, items she had gathered from the Lin family and the medicinal Lin family. However, she couldn’t simply bring them out without explanation—people would be suspicious if there was no clear source.

After washing the dishes, Lin Xiaodou headed to the house of the brigade leader. The leader and his wife greeted her warmly and invited her to join them for lunch. She politely declined, saying she’d already eaten, and asked where she could get some furniture made.

The leader replied, “There’s a good carpenter in our village, Wu. You should go to his place.”

Having received the address, Lin Xiaodou hurried to the carpenter’s house. As soon as she arrived, she sensed something was amiss. After a few questions, she learned that the carpenter had taken on a job from a neighboring village half a month ago. They needed a brand-new set of furniture for a wedding.

The carpenter, eager for work, had started before dawn each day, and finally finished all the pieces a few days ago. But unexpectedly, the client refused to pay. It turned out that the families had fallen out, the wedding was canceled, and the furniture was no longer needed.

The carpenter was an honest man. Since they all belonged to the same commune and the neighboring village wasn’t far, he hadn’t asked for a deposit or written any contract. Now the client denied ever ordering furniture from him, leaving him with no recourse, forced to swallow the loss.

“I told you not to be so trusting, but you wouldn’t listen. Now look, we’ve lost everything!” The carpenter’s wife sat on the doorstep, slapping her thighs and crying loudly. “What bad luck is this? We worked day and night, and it was all for nothing!”

These days, craftsmen like carpenters, tailors, and blacksmiths were quite sought after. They didn’t need to earn labor points in the fields; instead, they paid a portion of their earnings to the brigade each month and helped repair tools. In their spare time, they could take private jobs and save a bit of money.

For the wedding furniture, the client demanded everything be complete and of good quality, so the carpenter had made it to the highest standard. After subtracting labor and material costs, he could have made a few yuan. But now, with the client’s last-minute change of heart, all the pieces were left unsold—a huge loss.

No one in the village could afford to buy them. Twenty yuan was a year’s savings for many.

The carpenter sat with a bitter face, puffing on his pipe, while his wife cried and lamented.

Lin Xiaodou arrived just in time to witness this scene. After hearing the explanation, she spoke up, “Uncle, Aunt, I happen to need furniture. Could you show me what you have?”

The carpenter froze mid-puff, his eyes lighting up with surprise and joy. “Yes, yes! Comrade, let me show you right away!”

The set he had made was quite complete, known as the “thirty-six legs”—six major pieces: a double bed, a large wardrobe, a dressing table, a cupboard, a square table, and four chairs, totaling thirty-six legs. Since they were meant for a wedding, all the furniture was painted bright red, vivid and bold.

Lin Xiaodou thought it was perfect. The cabin’s natural wood tones looked dull and gray; these vibrant pieces would add a splash of color. The carpenter’s workmanship was good, and the furniture seemed sturdy.

After inspecting everything, Lin Xiaodou made her decision on the spot: she would buy the whole set. “Uncle, you said it was twenty-one yuan and fifty cents for all of this, right?”

When the beautiful young educated woman took out her money so decisively, the carpenter and his wife exchanged glances, tears of excitement shimmering in their eyes.

Before the carpenter could speak, his wife jumped in, “Comrade, just give us twenty yuan. We’ll knock off the one yuan and fifty cents for you!”

This girl was their biggest client and greatest benefactor. Although she felt a pang about the discount, it was only right to offer it—they had to act with integrity.

Lin Xiaodou felt a warmth in her heart. “Aunt, there’s no need. You and Uncle worked so hard; you deserve every bit of this. I don’t want you to reduce the price.”

“That won’t do…” The carpenter’s wife and Lin Xiaodou argued back and forth.

In the end, Lin Xiaodou suggested they knock off just fifty cents, settling the deal at twenty-one yuan.

The carpenter and his wife quickly loaded the furniture onto their cart, tying it down securely, and followed Lin Xiaodou to her cabin.

Lin Xiaodou led the way, while the carpenter and his wife pushed the cart behind her.

Wu the carpenter said, “This girl is wonderful—I don’t know how to thank her.”

His wife replied, “She’s living in that place no one’s stayed in for years. We should help her tidy up a bit when we get there.”

When they arrived, they found the cabin already clean and tidy, leaving them nothing to do. On the way home, Wu discussed with his wife, “Lin, the educated youth, is from the city. She looks delicate and probably isn’t used to farm work. I’ll talk to my brother—have him go easy on her.”

Blackstone Village had three production teams. The educated youth compound was managed by Team Three.

Wu the carpenter’s elder brother was Wu, the captain of Team Three, notorious for his sharp tongue. He was excellent in many ways, but had a habit of scolding people; when he lost his temper, he would unleash a torrent of insults. The educated youth, both male and female, had all been reduced to tears by him.

Wu worried that Lin Xiaodou, being sensitive, would end up crying and lose face. His wife agreed, nodding, “Yes, we’ll mention it to the elder brother later.” Once home, the couple headed next door to speak to him.

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Back at the cabin, Lin Xiaodou wiped down all the newly placed furniture. Then she wandered through the two levels of the cabin.

The first floor had no bedrooms, only a spacious living room, where she set the square table and four chairs she had just bought. Next to it was the kitchen, with a bright red cupboard stuffed with provisions. Toward the back was a bathroom, arranged much like those in the city—far better than the latrine at the educated youth compound.

Behind the cabin, to the left, was a flowing stream and an abandoned plot of land. Lin Xiaodou decided that, while she had free time, she would clear the plot and plant some vegetables.

The second floor had three rooms. Lin Xiaodou chose the largest for herself. The double bed, wardrobe, and dressing table she’d bought from the carpenter were all set up. She picked a yellow wildflower from the roadside and placed it in a vase on the dressing table. Then she spread the thin quilt from her wooden trunk over the bed, and the once-empty room suddenly felt cozy.

The other two rooms were left empty for now—she’d decide what to do with them later.

All three rooms were to the left; on the right was a large open-air balcony with excellent lighting. She could dry clothes there, or plant flowers and greenery. And yes—a lounge chair would be perfect!

On summer nights, the stars would shine brightly overhead. She could lie back on the lounge chair, fan herself gently, and gaze at the beautiful sky.

That feeling would surely be wonderful.