Disaster Apocalypse: Farming, Family, and My Hidden Secret Space

Next, the family engaged in a series of discussions regarding the general store, resulting in a meal lasting more than an hour. Fortunately, the weather was hot; otherwise, in the extreme cold, it would have already frozen solid, with teeth capable of chipping.

The main discussion was about the location of the store. It couldn't be inside their home, but it also couldn't be far; otherwise, it would constantly require someone to be there.

They unanimously decided to build a gatehouse at the entrance of the yard. However, a small door would be opened from outside, so that neither purchases nor sales would need to enter the family's courtyard, preserving some privacy, and there won't be a need for someone to stay in the store all the time; a shout would suffice.

However, this would further shrink the already small courtyard.

Choosing a new location to build one would similarly face the issue of requiring manpower.

It wouldn't do to hire an employee just for a store meant for the villagers' convenience.

Moreover, the most important unspoken point among the Hua family was that having outsiders in the store made some things inconvenient.

Finally, they decided to build a gatehouse. It didn't need to be large, just big enough to sell items.

Once decided, Hua Chengtian, full from the meal and well-rested, got busy with his two sons.

Nowadays, Hua Chengtian could be called a master at building houses; he's been involved in virtually every house in the valley. Building a small gatehouse was certainly within his capability.

Besides, the family lacked other resources, but they had plenty of timber, a thick stack piled in the corner.

He worked with his sons without hesitation. Halfway through, two sons-in-law and nephews got word and joined in, and even Luo Song, who came to find Hua Yunao, joined in to help.

A small wooden house was perfectly completed before dark, even the roof was neatly lined with timber, then covered with a layer of oil cloth, then spread with red mud mixed with dried grass, and finally topped with tiles made by villagers themselves in the kiln.

At this point, one must mention the family of Zheng Datian from the neighboring village, who are skilled in pottery-making.

He's a creative person, possibly because he's once again filled with hope for life, making him naturally quick to think.

He not only made ceramic products but also whimsically researched bricks, tiles, and rubble. Unexpectedly, he successfully fired them, accumulating quite a quantity these days.

According to the eldest son sent to order tiles, Zheng Datian's business has been good these days, as people from Li Village heard about his bricks and tiles and ordered quite a few.

Materials are needed for building either mudbrick houses or wooden ones, especially mudbrick houses which require pre-prepared dry bricks, a process Hua Village didn't have.

Although they had timber for building houses, the price of timber and bricks was almost the same when calculated like this. The most important thing was that, in their inherent thoughts, everyone still believed brick houses looked sturdier and felt more secure.

Except for those truly penniless who wouldn't spend silver to temporarily set up a shed to reside, families with a bit of foundation almost all ordered some bricks.

Li Village's chief and those saved from wicked villains by Li Village's men had silver coins shared by Hua village chief, and almost all ordered bricks.

Some families gritted their teeth and bought some too, but most were just roof tiles, agreeing with Hua Chengtian's idea; as long as a house's structure was solid and the roof didn't leak, they would cut timber and build the house themselves, although it might take more time.

Fortunately, with good weather, even sleeping outside wasn't a concern, the only thing to watch out for was rain, though it seemed unlikely; since the flood retreated, not a drop of rain had fallen in more than two months.

This time, Zheng Datian's family indeed earned quite a bit, proving that hard-working people always reap rewards, so much that Hua Chengtian couldn't help but exclaim.

Indeed, it brought considerable improvements to Zheng Datian's family's life. A few days after the general store opened, Zheng Datian bought two hundred pounds of coarse grain, smilingly showing he was really happy.

But that's all for later. Right now, the house was just built and the general store was yet to open.

After building, they had to let it dry for two days, during which Hua Chengtian and his sons worked on subsequent preparations inside the store, like shelves and such.

This was his specialty, not difficult. The bunch of them got everything ready in two days. As part of the family, while Hua Jin couldn't just watch, although without being much help, he could still serve tea, pass tools, and offer some aid.

In short, participation was key!

The village chief's family with such a big move naturally couldn't keep it secret from others in the village. However, by the time they reacted and wanted to help, the house was already built.

Because of this, Hua Qiang, Hua Meng, and Meng Cai gave Hua Chengtian quite a few side glances, accusing him of not considering them as brothers for not calling them to such a big matter as house-building, making Hua Chengtian helplessly smile.

After tidying up, it took until the fifth day for the general store to open. That day, the valley unexpectedly became lively, with wife Hua and Qi specifically preparing sugar water, letting everyone join in the celebration.

Sugar water was a precious thing, with current circumstances making it valuable enough for one to save for crucial moments, let alone offer it to guests.

Quite a few came inside to exchange for something or simply buy a bit, mostly just to support and be happy.

It was lively until midday when it quietened down, but everyone was quite happy. The store's inventory was pretty complete, so future shortages wouldn't be a worry.

It's uncertain whether the store's opening influenced it, but soon, Doctor Sun opened his clinic, and Zhu Rourong officially set up a meat shop outside his yard, even with little meat inside.

With grain available, Wei Dapeng and his father picked up brewing techniques again. Though the liquor was still in production, the shop was set up.

Speaking of the brick and pottery shop of Zheng Datian's family needs not be elaborated; it was opened even earlier than the general store in true sense.

And naturally, the Luo family, rich in materials, wouldn't miss the excitement, opening a textile shop, selling items not available at the general store, given they have enough hands, unable to only eat without work.

The goal wasn't to make money, just wanted to integrate more quickly into Hua Village.

Several shops opened consecutively, with clever housewives taking home-grown inexhaustible vegetables, pickles, saved chicken and duck eggs, and setting up stalls outside the inner valley walls for bartering goods or selling them for silver coins. It was virtually a small market.

In a short time, the atmosphere in the valley suddenly grew more lively, as if returning to pre-disaster conditions even though the people were still the same. Even the newly arrived Li Village people showed a slight smile in this atmosphere instead of looking bitterly, exuding life and hope.

Initially meant to make things convenient for everyone, it unexpectedly brought such surprising results, which the Hua elders hadn't anticipated, but gladly accepted.

Afterward, Hua elders gained a habit of strolling with hands behind their back through the village shops, smiling when there's nothing to do.