Courtyard House: Purchasing Agents' Comeback from the Great Famine

forecourt.

Jia Zhangshi was standing at the corner of the front yard, chatting idly with Aunt Hu and Aunt Chen.

Aunt Hu was getting impatient with Jia Zhangshi and said irritably, "Jia Zhangshi, you said you had something to tell us, so why did you call us out? If you have something to say, just say it already, I have to go back and take care of my grandson."

"Yes, Madam Jia, if you don't tell us soon, we're leaving," Aunt Chen added.

Jia Zhangshi gave an awkward smile: "Uh, I just wanted to talk to you about... um, right, about being classified as a low-income household. Weren't your two families not classified as low-income households?"

"Tell me, why can't we be classified as impoverished households while others can? Everyone knows that the Jia family is the poorest in the courtyard!"

"How about we go to the neighborhood office tomorrow and find Director Wang, and ask her to mediate? This is a benefit we get for free every month, don't you want it?"

Madam Jia cursed Qin Huairu inwardly for being useless. It had been so long and she still hadn't started calling out. She couldn't hold out much longer.

Hearing Jia Zhangshi's words, Aunt Hu looked at her as if she were a fool, speechless:

"Jia Zhangshi, you can go if you want, but I'm not going. The assessment of impoverished households is based on the lowest per capita living expenses. Even if you go to Director Wang, you'll just get scolded. We don't want to be scolded."

"That's right, Jia Zhangshi, I think you've lost your mind from hunger. How did you explain this matter to Director Wang? Oh, you say your family is in financial difficulty, so you're in financial difficulty? Do you think the neighborhood committee is your personal fiefdom?"

"Alright, Jia Zhangshi, I have to go home and take care of my grandson. I don't have time to waste with you. If you want to go to the neighborhood office, go ahead. But if you get scolded by Director Wang, don't blame me for not warning you."

After saying that, Aunt Chen didn't bother to waste any more words with Madam Jia, and left with a flick of her sleeve.

Aunt Hu looked at Jia Zhangshi speechlessly, then shook her head and walked away with Aunt Chen.

"Hey, hey, don't go! I have something to tell you."

Jia Zhangshi tried to call out to Aunt Hu and the others, but Aunt Hu and Aunt Chen were busy and had no time to chat with Jia Zhangshi. No matter how Jia Zhangshi called out to them, they ignored her, as they all had to go back to take care of their grandson.

Seeing the two leave, Madam Jia glared at them fiercely before heading towards the central courtyard.

As soon as she arrived at the Intermediate People's Court, she saw that the lights in her home were already on, and she was immediately stunned.

Why didn't Qin Huairu call out? Is she mute?

She hurried home, opened the door, and saw Qin Huairu sitting on the edge of the bed, lost in thought. She was instantly furious and burst into a tirade:

"Qin Huairu, are you dead? That little bastard Wang Feng is here, why didn't you call him? I've been waiting for ages, and even Old Lady Hu and Old Lady Chen have left. You've wasted such a great opportunity!"

Qin Huairu pursed her lips, sighed, and said, "Mom, Jingru came with Wang Feng just now. What am I supposed to do?"

"what?"

Madam Jia asked in surprise, "What's that little brat Qin Jingru doing here? Didn't you ask her to change a light bulb?"

Qin Huairu gave a wry smile: "Jingru wants to come along, what can I do?"

Upon hearing this, Madam Jia sighed, "Alas! Such a good opportunity, ruined by that little brat Qin Jingru."

"Alright, if it doesn't work this time, we'll try again next time."

Qin Huairu sighed inwardly. Jingru was so hostile towards her, and she was guarding against her like a thief. Just now she said that she wanted to seduce Wang Feng. If it didn't work this time, it might be even more difficult next time. However, she didn't want to tell Jia Zhangshi about this, otherwise it would never end.

......

The Intermediate People's Court, the Wang family.

After Wang Feng and the other two finished drinking a pot of tea, Lu Banxia took the initiative to fetch water for Wang Feng to wash his feet.

Now Lu Banxia has also mastered the art of washing feet. Not only does she wash his feet very clean every time, but she also gives him a foot massage.

He first taught Qin Jingru how to do foot massage, then Qin Jingru taught Lou Xiao'e, and then Lu Banxia.

In his previous life, he was a bachelor in his forties with no wife or children. He still went to a foot massage parlor once or twice a month. Over time, he learned a little about foot massage from the foot massage girls.

After washing their feet, the three of them had no other entertainment, so they could only try to make a baby.

......

The next day, early in the morning.

After finishing the noodles Qin Jingru cooked, and after Lu Banxia went to work at the steel rolling mill, Wang Feng also went to No. 28 courtyard.

After drinking a pot of tea at Lou Xiao'e's place, Wang Feng continued to read his medical books.

He read seven medical books yesterday, and there are five left. He will finish reading them this morning. After a day of rest, his mental energy has fully recovered.

After reading seven medical books, he gained a general understanding of traditional Chinese medicine. He now knows exactly what prescriptions to use for many common diseases, but all of this requires practical experience.

He had a basic understanding of the effects of some Chinese herbal medicines, but based on this theoretical knowledge alone, he was still a long way from making a pill that could control the life and death of others.

Wang Feng was reading, and Lou Xiao'e didn't disturb him.

She fed the chickens, ducks, and geese first, and then took a book from her room to read. However, she only read novels from this era. She usually spent her free time reading novels in the yard.

After another morning of intensive reading, Wang Feng finally finished reading the remaining five medical books.

He rubbed his temples, feeling somewhat mentally fatigued after using his spiritual sense for four consecutive hours.

"Brother Feng, you're done eating."

Lou Xiao'e brought the dishes to the table: braised pork and hot and sour cabbage.

Lou Xiao'e served Wang Feng a bowl of rice and a piece of meat, then smiled and said:

"Brother Feng, you must be tired after reading all morning. Come and try my cooking, see if it's good."

"Um."

After lunch, Wang Feng accompanied Lou Xiao'e for a nap. This time, it was a simple nap, otherwise he wouldn't have any energy in the afternoon.

Lou Xiao'e saw that Wang Feng was too tired, so she didn't insist on being with anyone. She found a comfortable spot, lay down in Wang Feng's arms, and fell into a deep sleep.

......

3:30 p.m.

After sleeping for three hours, Wang Feng's mental energy had recovered by more than half, so he got up.

After saying goodbye to Lou Xiao'e, he rode his bicycle towards the courtyard where Ninth Master of Dongzhimen lived.