Rebirth of a Village Girl

Ni Yang put away the money and went outside with Ni Chenggui, saying, “We’re home.”

Ni Cuihua also came out from inside carrying a child in her arms.

As soon as they opened the courtyard gate, they saw a crowd of people standing outside.

If it were someone else, seeing a crowd of people outside would certainly perplex them. But not Ni Yang. She immediately welcomed them warmly, saying, “Uncle Liu, Aunt Wang, Aunt Ling, Grandpa Shi, please come in and have a seat.”

Uncle Liu was the one who suggested last time that he would help Ni Yang’s family apply for a residential plot (homestead).

Uncle Liu’s family was known to be extremely frugal. People usually couldn’t even get a sip of tap water from their house. However, his family had never been stingy with Ni Yang.

His wife often brought Ni Yang vegetables and eggs, and even helped Ni Cuihua look after her child.

To be precise, all the villagers in Jinghua Village treated Ni Yang very well. Even the most selfish villagers became exceptionally kind and friendly when they met Ni Yang.

After all, Ni Yang was the lucky star of their village!

Uncle Liu said with a smile: “Yangyang, we are not going to sit down today. We came to tell you some good news.”

The villagers also nodded in agreement.

Ni Chenggui joked: “Uncle Liu, what kind of good news can you bring?”

Uncle Liu mysteriously replied: “This good news will surely surprise you!”

Ni Chenggui replied: “Well then, let’s hear it.”

Uncle Liu turned to Ni Yang and solemnly declared, “Yangyang, the village has officially approved a homestead for your three-member family. Now you’re truly a part of our Jinghua Village!”

Upon hearing this, Ni Cuihua and Ni Chenggui were both stunned.

Ni Cuihua, in particular, was so moved that her eyes turned red.

A homestead.

Having a homestead meant that they could build a house in the village!

For a farmer, having a house of their own in the village was their real home, their true roots!

With a home, you feel secure.

Without a home, you feel adrift.

Ni Chenggui said: “Uncle Liu, you can’t joke about things like this!”

Ni Cuihua and Ni Yang were not originally from Jinghua Village. Could the homestead be approved so easily?

For a moment, Ni Chenggui was a bit stunned, filled with joy for Ni Yang yet somewhat incredulous.

This Uncle Liu was notorious for stirring the pot. What if he was joking?

Uncle Liu laughed and said: “Look at what you’re saying, I may not always be reliable, but I can’t joke about this. Yangyang, here is your homestead certificate.”

As he said this, Uncle Liu handed the homestead certificate to Ni Yang, “Yangyang, the homestead allocated to your family by the village is right next to Chenggui’s house. You can build a house there anytime.”

Considering that Ni Chenggui and Ni Yang were quite close, everyone had arranged for the site to be next to Ni Chenggui’s house during the application, making it convenient for both families to visit each other.

One must admit, everyone had thought this through thoroughly! They were genuinely kind towards Ni Yang.

Back in those days, a homestead certificate was not a red booklet, but a white sheet of paper, stating the useable area of the homestead, the approver and the applicant.

“Uncle Liu, thank you. And thanks to all of you,” Ni Yang received the homestead certificate and bowed to everyone.

She really hadn’t expected that they would help her apply for a homestead.

To say she wasn’t moved would be a lie.

They were outsiders, and it wasn’t easy to settle down in Jinghua Village, let alone apply for a homestead. It is conceivable how much effort Uncle Liu and others put into this matter.

Uncle Liu, somewhat embarrassed, said: “It’s nothing. There’s strength in numbers. We reported to the village and they readily approved it.”

The rest of them also agreed: “Yangyang, Uncle Liu is right. We didn’t exert much effort on this. Don’t worry about it. Besides, we all live in the same village. It’s normal to help each other. And you’ve helped us a lot too!”

As it was dinner time, Ni Yang invited everyone for dinner.

But everyone declined.

Everyone was very happy that the homestead was approved, and they just came to relay the good news to Ni Yang, not to freeload a meal.

Ni Yang was so good to them, they couldn’t always take advantage of her.

Uncle Liu laughed and said, “Yangyang, let’s leave it for today. If you sincerely want to invite us for a meal, wait until the topping-out ceremony of the new house. We can all celebrate together!”