bookrandom Chapter 473 Step by Step
Chapter 473 Step by Step
Amidst the clamor, Engineer Chen raised his hand to signal everyone to quiet down: "Please be quiet. The specific development plan is still being formulated, but a few points are certain. First, a road will be built from the county town to the village; second, local villagers will be given priority in being hired for the hot spring development; and third, the village collective will also receive a share of the profits."
Li Xiangyang was thrilled, but remained calm: "Engineer Chen, when can we start construction?"
"If everything goes smoothly, road construction can begin next spring," said Engineer Chen. "The actual construction of the hot springs may have to wait until the year after next."
Wang Ergou muttered under his breath, "The year after next? That means we have to wait two more years?"
“Road construction and building take time,” Engineer Chen explained, “and there are also various procedures to go through. But don’t worry, once the project is finalized, it won’t change.”
At this moment, a middle-aged man wearing thick-rimmed glasses stood up: "Let me introduce myself. My surname is Zhao, and I'm the project manager sent by the county. The hot spring development is a large project, and it requires the cooperation of the village."
The person in charge, Zhao, looked around and said, "Especially matters like land acquisition and recruitment, the village committee has to help coordinate everything. Captain Zheng, this task is assigned to you."
Zheng Dehou nodded quickly: "Don't worry, the village will definitely cooperate fully!"
The meeting lasted all morning, discussing many details. Li Xiangyang listened attentively throughout, already starting to plan in his mind.
With the highway, transporting mountain goods will be much easier. Once the hot springs are completed, the increased number of visitors will surely boost the business of the distribution center.
After the meeting, as they left the village committee office, snowflakes began to fall outside. Li Xiangyang and Wang Ergou walked side by side on their way home.
"Brother Xiangyang, do you really think this can work?" Wang Ergou still couldn't quite believe it.
“Engineer Chen said so, it must be true.” Li Xiangyang looked at the swirling snowflakes in the sky. “Ergou, we need to prepare in advance.”
“Preparing for what?”
"Let's save up some money before the hot springs are built. Maybe there will be more opportunities later."
"So what should we do now?" Wang Ergou asked, rubbing his hands together.
"The Lunar New Year is just around the corner. Even if I want to do something, I have to enjoy the holiday peacefully."
Li Xiangyang waved goodbye to Wang Ergou.
After the two parted ways, Li Xiangyang quickened his pace and walked home.
From afar, he saw Li Xiaoyun holding Li Wangchen and waiting for him at the courtyard gate.
"Daddy's back!" Xiao Wangchen broke free from his mother's embrace and ran over through the snow.
Li Xiangyang scooped his son up and lifted him high, making the little guy giggle: "Daddy, is it true that they're building big houses in the mountains?"
"Yes, and they'll even build a wide main road," Li Xiangyang said with a smile.
Li Xiaoyun walked over and took the child: "The news travels fast! Everyone's talking about it. Any new updates?"
Li Xiangyang briefly summarized the contents of the meeting, and when he mentioned the hot springs and the highway, Li Xiaoyun's eyes lit up.
"Then shouldn't we start preparing for our mountain produce distribution center sooner?" Li Xiaoyun raised the same thought that Li Xiangyang had.
“That’s what I’m thinking too,” Li Xiangyang said, putting his arm around his wife’s shoulder as the family walked into the house. “But we need to proceed gradually, one step at a time.”
Stepping inside, a wave of heat hit them. Li Xiaohua, the younger sister, was busy at the stove. Seeing her brother return, she immediately asked, "Brother, I heard there was a meeting. Is it really going to be a hot spring in our village?"
"It's true, and they're even going to build a highway leading to the county town." Li Xiangyang took off his heavy cotton-padded coat.
"That's great!" Li Xiaohua clapped her hands. "Now I'm considered to have passed the university entrance exam. The village is developing well enough that I'll have a job when I come back."
The family sat around the table, discussing their future plans. Li Wangchen babbled incoherently to himself, occasionally eliciting laughter from the adults.
"How's the preparation for the New Year going?" After chatting for a while, Li Xiangyang asked his wife, changing the subject.
"That's almost it, but we're still short of some meat," Li Xiaoyun said. "I was planning to buy some at the market tomorrow."
Li Xiangyang stood up: "No need to buy any more. I'll go up the mountain with Er Gou tomorrow morning."
Li Xiaoyun said with some concern, "It's cold now, and the snow on the mountain is thick. Be careful."
……
Early in the morning, just as dawn was breaking, Li Xiangyang got up.
He dressed quietly, careful not to wake his still-sleeping wife and son. Just as he was about to leave, Li Xiaoyun turned over in bed and opened her eyes.
"Leaving so early?" Li Xiaoyun asked, rubbing her sleepy eyes.
“Yes, let’s go up the mountain before dawn, just in time when the prey are active,” Li Xiangyang said softly as he walked to the bedside. “You sleep a little longer, I’ll try to be back this afternoon.”
Li Xiaoyun sat up and grabbed Li Xiangyang's hand: "Did you bring enough food?"
"I brought it, don't worry." Li Xiangyang smiled, patted the cloth bag hanging at his waist, bent down, and gently kissed his wife's forehead. "I'm leaving."
As Li Xiangyang stepped out of the hospital, he took a deep breath. The cold air filled his lungs, instantly making him more alert.
The world was silent except for the crunching sound of his footsteps on the snow.
Li Xiangyang walked through several alleys and arrived at Wang Ergou's house. Although it was still dark, a faint light could already be seen coming from inside.
He knocked gently on the door, and heard rustling sounds coming from inside.
"Who is it?" It was Wang Ergou's voice.
"I am Xiangyang."
The door creaked open, and Wang Ergou, dressed neatly with a hunting rifle slung over his back and a leather belt fastened, appeared.
Upon seeing Li Xiangyang, he grinned and said, "Brother Xiangyang, I knew you were coming to find me."
"Judging from your expression, I don't need to tell you, you're also planning to go up the mountain?" Li Xiangyang asked with a smile.
“Yes, I told Hongxia yesterday that we'd be going hunting early today.” Wang Ergou glanced back into the house and lowered his voice, “Let’s go, don’t disturb her and the child.”
The two walked silently across the courtyard and out the gate.
The morning chill hit us, and our breath formed puffs of white mist in the air.
"Which direction are you planning to go today?" Wang Ergou asked, rubbing his hands together and breathing on them.
Li Xiangyang pondered for a moment: "Let's go to Daqingling in the east. The terrain there is gentler, the snow isn't as thick, and it'll be easier to walk."
"Okay." Wang Ergou nodded, and the two walked towards the edge of the village in tacit agreement.
The sky gradually turned a pale white, and the outlines of the distant mountains became clearer.
The two walked and talked, and before they knew it, they had entered the mountainous area.
As the altitude increases, the snow becomes thicker, and each step requires effort.
The cold wind, carrying snowflakes, cut across his face like a knife. Li Xiangyang hunched over as he walked, his heavy cotton shoes sinking deep into the snow with each step.
The snow beneath his feet cracked and splintered, and the icicles hidden beneath the surface kept him slipping, forcing him to reach out and grab onto the roadside bushes for support. Wang Ergou followed closely behind, the butt of his hunting rifle digging deep holes in the snow, yet he still couldn't stop himself from stumbling.