An extraordinary life journey through old Beijing courtyard houses

Even with both hands busy, Jiang Baobin's mouth is also chattering away:

"Hey, Four-Eyes, do you know how to roast sweet potatoes so they cook through?"

"..."

"Hehe, you're really ignorant. You have to squeeze it with your hands like I do."

"This trick was taught to me by my grandmother; it's a family secret, and I don't usually tell it to just anyone..."

Jiang Baobin was speaking when he suddenly fell silent...

Four-Eyes turned his head and saw, good heavens, he was asleep.

That's real skill! With his left hand raised upwards and his right hand downwards, he simply slumped his head and fell asleep.

You can imagine how exhausted they were.

It took only a few dozen seconds, definitely no more than a minute, before Jiang Baobin was woken up by the dog.

Is the dog afraid that he'll fall headfirst into the fire and burn himself?

What a good dog, so kind.

If it were a bad dog, I'd be thrilled, because then I'd have barbecue to eat...

The dog noticed that his hand was drooping down, which could cause the socks to fall into the fire and burn.

That would be really bad!

Without it to protect his feet, Jiang Baobin's already limited mobility would be reduced by another 10%.

It took Jiang Baobin a full minute to come to his senses after being woken up.

He then let out a long sigh, with only one thought in his mind:

When the hell will this ever end? System, I'm cursing you!

He doesn't care what he curses now, since the system is in hibernation anyway.

The next day, I finally stood atop the nameless mountain.

Looking at the hills stretching out before him, Jiang Baobin let out a wry laugh.

The dog, so thin that its back was showing, remained as confident as ever.

It barked several times, pointing towards a hill to the north!

"Dig!" Jiang Baobin growled through gritted teeth.

"As long as I'm alive, I'll dig to the bottom!"

Just as Jiang Baobin was fighting against heaven and earth, doing everything he could to survive.

In the far western hemisphere, in the world's largest metropolis.

The world's highest restaurant is located on the 101st floor of the Empire State Building.

Two beautiful ladies are having a meal.

At their feet lies the wide Hudson River and the lush green Madison Square Garden.

"Aren't you sure you don't want a drink?" Elizabeth asked Rose, who was sitting across from her and dressed in designer clothes.

The latter forced a smile and shook his head.

Elizabeth took a small sip and then smiled contentedly again:

"As expected of 'Roman Manor,' the food is absolutely fantastic!"

Rose said nonchalantly, "You like it that much? I'll send you a case later."

Elizabeth snapped her fingers: "It's a deal!"

Rose nodded, and the matter was settled.

She then asked, "Aren't you going to plant flowers this month?"

Elizabeth exhaled, her voice filled with resentment:

"I had no choice. They said I could go back after Thanksgiving."

"Now they're talking about Christmas again. If it weren't for my grandmother's illness and her constant urging, I would have left long ago..."

"Oh my god! If I stay here any longer, I'll eat myself into a pig."

Rose finally couldn't help but grin.

In just one month, Elizabeth had gained a full ten pounds since she first returned.

Rose was very satisfied with her answer; at least she wouldn't have to worry about them getting mixed up this month.

As for next year—the world changes so fast, who can guarantee what will happen next month?

That place, in particular, is now in complete chaos and is in danger of collapsing at any moment.

When I'm in a good mood, Elizabeth looks much better.

Even in such a high-class place, she was still laughing and talking animatedly.

This Lili has the face of an angel, but she's like a wild boy at heart!

Elizabeth's eyes darted around, and she tentatively asked:

"Why don't you come back with me and have some fun? We'll leave after Christmas."

Rose gave a wry smile: "Do you think I could?"

Elizabeth shrugged—Rose has children and a husband, how can she be as free as she is?

Unless you get a divorce...

Elizabeth immediately dismissed the idea.

For someone like Rose who has faith, that's impossible.

It was for this reason that when he returned to New York and the two met for the first time.

He took advantage of the alcohol to confess his affair with Jiang Baobin.

And to admit that it was his own initiative is to say that he's a silly kid who blacks out when he drinks.

Rose was inevitably saddened when she first heard it.

Even though I know he doesn't belong to me, it still feels very uncomfortable that it happened so quickly.

Later, when I heard that Elizabeth was behind it, I had another excuse to comfort myself—

He still favored himself, but Elizabeth exploited his weakness and betrayed him...

Elizabeth did this intentionally, of course.

And the purpose is very simple: to assert sovereignty—whatever happened before, it belongs to me from now on.

Now, after further testing the waters, Rose is indeed no longer a competitor.

In a great mood, she raised an eyebrow at Rose:

"Would you mind if I ordered another steak? It's so delicious!"

Rose gave a look of disbelief:

"My God, you've already eaten two servings! And there are other side dishes too."

Elizabeth looked dejected: "That's why I said I wanted to turn into a pig."

"I don't know what's wrong with me lately, but my appetite is unusually strong, and I can't control it no matter what I try."

"Every time I sit at the dining table, I feel like my stomach could fit a cow!"

Rose casually suggested, "Then get more exercise."

Elizabeth waved her hand dismissively, a look of disdain on her face: "Have you ever seen pigs exercise?"

After saying that, he burst into laughter at himself.

Completely disregarding the strange looks from those around them.

Rose was embarrassed at first, then she laughed.

Happiness is contagious.

Rose now particularly admires Elizabeth for her boldness and willingness to act without regard for societal norms.

Unlike myself, I always hesitate and am timid in everything I do.

Otherwise, I would have the best reason to go back to planting flowers and to be with that person.

Rose couldn't help but drift into memories as she thought of that handsome, energetic man.

At that moment, the warm afternoon sun shone through the glass curtain wall onto her face.

It bathed her in a warm, maternal glow...

Beiping, Western Hills.

"Achoo! Achoo! Who's talking about me?"

Jiang Baobin rubbed his nose and mumbled something.

In the dim light (what's afternoon in New York is morning here), another hilltop is just fifty meters ahead.

But it seems so far away!

I really want to rest; he's been shoveling for three hours straight.

But he was really unwilling to stop here.

Because we need to clean out a place where we can rest.

There's a lot of snow to shovel.

Jiang Baobin gritted his teeth and said, "Damn it!"

When he finally reached the top of the mountain, he felt like his waist and arms no longer belonged to him.

As for my legs, they were constantly trembling, and in the end I simply plopped down on the snow.

Looking down into the distance, tears welled up in his eyes...