An extraordinary life journey through old Beijing courtyard houses

Therefore, 10 yuan now, based on average inflation, is equivalent to half a silver dollar in the past.

If calculated in rice, it would be equivalent to 12.5 cents in the past.

That's quite a generous gift.

If Jia Zhangshi hadn't caused that scene before, Yan Bugui definitely wouldn't have been able to offer such a generous gift.

He considers himself a cultured person and loves to nitpick old-fashioned principles.

If it weren't for the night before, it would indeed be because he was delayed for a while.

Whether it's Jia Zhangshi or Yi Zhonghai, even if they utter the Dragon's Roar, he cannot yield.

Now, Jiang Baobin is pressuring him again, saying he should give 20 yuan as a gift, and Yan Bugui immediately backs down.

You can afford to pay, but I can't!

"Don't be like that, Binzi. It's Uncle Yan's fault for being so talkative. You should just give whatever you owe."

Seeing the old man's ugly face after being teased, Jiang Baobin felt a sense of satisfaction. "Let you be so smug..."

He then asked, "Mr. Yan, I haven't even settled down yet, so does that mean I don't need to give a gift?"

Yan Bugui immediately perked up and started arguing: "Hey! That's not how it works."

"Take your older brother for example. Although he's already married and has children, he doesn't need to give a gift."

"Because he didn't separate from the family; he's still in the same household as your father."

"But you can't do that. Even though you haven't gotten married yet, you've already chosen your own family, so you have to give your own wedding gift."

"For example, when you get married in the future, the money given as wedding gifts by your neighbors will also go to you."

"Give and take, that's the right way."

Jiang Baobin grinned: "Then I'd better hurry up, the money keeps going down like this."

"When I get married in the future, won't the wedding gift money be so plentiful it'll fill sacks?"

Yan Bugui laughed: "Then it depends on your own ability, but you're not old enough yet..."

Jiang Baobin stopped arguing with him and took out 5 yuan.

A fairly standard price.

And even then, he was praised: "Binzi, that's generous!"

After Yan Bugui took it, he carefully wrote it down on the gift list.

She even kindly reminded him, "Don't go too far, the banquet starts at four o'clock in the afternoon."

This guy grinned; he'd found out everything.

The so-called feast is not even guaranteed to fill you up, let alone make you feel good.

Besides, some people feel uncomfortable just looking at it, so why would they want to eat it?

He had just reached the gate when he saw a man clapping a wooden board.

They sang rhythmically: "Incense smoke swirls in the mourning hall, filial sons and grandsons kneel in unison;"

"Paper money flutters in the air, expressing sorrow; tears stream down, soaking my robes."

"Memories of past joys have now faded into distant dreams."

May you be free from worries in heaven, and may your children and grandchildren forever remember your kindness...

Jiang Baobin understood this; there were always people like this at weddings and funerals.

They make a few noises and say a few nice words, but all they really want is money.

The host was extremely annoyed, but could only grit his teeth and bear it; after all, things should go smoothly.

Before he had gone far, he heard Yi Zhonghai already making arrangements...

On the road.

Jiang Baobin bought cooked food and a bottle of "Xifeng" liquor before heading to Liu's house.

Because other people's opinions can only be used as a reference, he still trusts Liu Decai's judgment more.

Unexpectedly, he came home exceptionally early today.

Jiang Baobin was very happy and shouted towards the half-open door:

"Uncle Liu, look what good stuff I bought! You're in for a treat today!"

There's been no response for a while. Did he go to the outhouse?

Then let's wait a little longer.

Ten minutes have passed, and there's still no one there.

Unless someone falls inside, an ordinary person can't squat for that long.

Jiang Baobin called out twice more, then couldn't resist pushing open the door.

He was mainly worried that something might happen to Liu Decai, after all, he was over forty years old, and it would be terrible if he had a heart attack or a brain hemorrhage!

Jiang Baobin stopped in his tracks as soon as he stepped into the outer room.

This thing's "five senses" have reached "20".

Although its sense of smell is far inferior to that of a dog, it is much more sensitive than that of an average person.

He stopped because he caught a faint, almost imperceptible fragrance.

This scent is unique; it's not the fragrance of flowers or anything else, but rather...

Jiang Baobin shuddered and quickly tiptoed out.

This is a woman's natural fragrance!

Who could possibly have it? Is there even a question?

My mother...

After leaving the house, Jiang Baobin wiped the cold sweat that had instantly appeared on his forehead.

I feel like I just walked through the gates of hell.

The facts are pretty much the same; just now, in the inner room, which is just one door away.

Liu Ling'er had already gripped the hilt of her sword tightly, waiting for Jiang Baobin to show his face.

At once……

She certainly wouldn't kill anyone, so she wouldn't draw her sword, but a severe beating was inevitable.

For some reason, Liu Ling'er particularly disliked Jiang Baobin.

I feel like he's a fly, always buzzing around me, it's so annoying!

Haven't you expressed yourself clearly enough? Why are you still arguing?

So she deliberately refused, just to wait for him to come in so she could find a reason to beat him up!

One reason was to vent my anger, and the other was to make him back down and never bother me again.

But to my surprise, that kid was very cunning and almost managed to slip away.

Having escaped unscathed, Jiang Baobin dared not linger at the door.

Fortunately, he was a frequent visitor and all the neighbors in the courtyard knew him. He borrowed a small stool and went to wait outside the gate.

More than an hour later, Liu Decai finally returned: "You're here? How long have you been waiting?"

"Ah, not long ago," Jiang Baobin replied casually.

Without moving his feet, he said, "Uncle, I'm in a bit of a hurry. I've come to ask you something."

Jiang Baobin didn't move, so Liu Decai had no choice but to stop as well: "Oh, go ahead."

"There's a famous 'Tiger God' in Dongsi, you must have heard of him, right?"

"I'd like to ask him about some things in the underworld. Do you think it's a good idea?"

"I asked several rickshaw pullers and tricycle drivers, and they all said that he has a wide network of contacts and his prices are clearly marked."

"If there's no certainty about the matter, why would they refund the money? I have no idea what's going on here."

"You have such keen eyes, you must know everything perfectly well. I don't feel comfortable listening to what others say."

Liu Decai subtly curled his lip: "Jiang Hu, he used to wrestle on Tianqiao Bridge, he's not that good."

"You like to brag and have fooled a lot of people with your words, and you've even taken on a lot of apprentices. I advise you to be more careful."

Jiang Baobin scratched his head: "You're my own uncle, this is so ambiguous, should I go find him or not ask him?"

"So, tell me, what do you want to ask?"

"Just yesterday evening, a group of thugs suddenly appeared outside Dongzhimen, specifically to rob the steel mill workers who were supposed to be paying their wages."

"It just so happens that there are several people from the steel rolling mill living in my compound..."

"From your department?"

"That's right, they're really unlucky, they just happened to be there."

Liu Decai couldn't help but curse, "This damn world is hopeless!"

Jiang Baobin cursed a few times, then got back to the point:

"So we neighbors wanted to find out who did it."

Liu Decai looked at him with puzzlement; not many ordinary people thought this way…