An extraordinary life journey through old Beijing courtyard houses

As for Jiang Daya turning herself into a believer, Jiang Baobin didn't care at all.

The overwhelming force will teach her how to be a person...

The following day, in the afternoon.

The pot has already boiled. After simmering on low heat, the dark red soup is bubbling and has a rich aroma!

The pot is filled with boiled pig's trotters.

People in old Beijing loved to eat pig's trotters.

They especially favor the front hooves, believing they symbolize "scratching forward," which signifies prosperity and advancement in rank.

Therefore, it is often served as a main dish during festivals or festive occasions.

Jiang Daya and Siyan'er, who were looking very hungry, surrounded him.

"Third Brother, it smells so good!"

"Go away! Can't you speak properly? It's the pig's trotters that smell good, not me."

"Hehe, didn't you always vainly say you smell good?"

"You can't compare me to a pig's trotter, can you?"

"Third Brother, where did that big brazier you used to roast the pig's trotters go? I can't find it."

Jiang Baobin grinned mischievously. "How about I take you over there and show you what it's like?"

Jiang Daya asked, confused, "Ah! Where are you going...?"

Jiang Daya had no idea that she had just narrowly escaped death.

If Jiang Baobin really takes her into his space as a test subject, her fate will be uncertain.

That's like a black hole; even time can't escape it.

Jiang Daya asked curiously, "Third Brother, when did you learn to cook?"

"I had no idea! It smells so good! Why didn't you show off your skills sooner?"

"There are a lot you don't know, young man."

"Hmph! I've never even seen you step into the kitchen!"

Jiang Baobin rolled his eyes: "Don't you know why I don't go into the kitchen?"

"Hehe, I'm afraid Mom will scold you for stealing food."

Jiang Baobin ignored her and walked out with his hands behind his back.

Having parents like these must have been a terrible sin in their past lives.

He died early, which is a relief.

Jiang Daya followed him eagerly, and then asked:

"Third Brother, why did you make so many pig's trotters all at once?"

"Give it away."

"Who are we sending this to? Is there a portion for our parents?"

Jiang Baobin pursed his lips: Then they'll have to wait.

Jiang Daya clearly knew it was impossible, and pouted her little lips.

The home of the deaf old lady in Nanluoguxiang.

"Da Binzi, it's been a while since you came to see me. I'm craving meat."

Jiang Baobin chuckled.

This old lady speaks her mind honestly and straightforwardly; even though she's greedy, she doesn't bother anyone.

From another perspective, people these days are really pitiful; it's so hard for them to get a bite of meat.

"I went out yesterday afternoon and just got back."

"I came to see you right away today, and even cooked something delicious by myself. How about that? Isn't that thoughtful of me?"

The deaf old lady nodded repeatedly, "Yes, that's really kind of you!"

"Look closely, old man, see what I've presented to you as a token of my respect."

"Hey! I smelled it a while ago, braised pork!"

"Wow, you're really something, your nose is really sharp!"

The deaf old lady chuckled.

When they saw the tender, fragrant pig's trotters, their smiles became even brighter.

"Grandma, please eat first. I've just gotten back and I'm busy, so I won't keep you company."

"Binzi, wait a moment, I have a few words to tell you, then you can leave."

"Okay, go ahead."

"You just got back, so you must have seen it too. There are a lot of people flocking to the city now, so houses are in high demand."

The deaf old lady gestured towards the front yard with her chin, saying, "I heard rumors that prices are going to go up."

"But don't worry, with this old lady here, I won't raise the price for anyone else."

"Oh! Thank you so much, sir, for taking my side."

"But if everyone else raises their prices, I'll follow suit."

"You can't let my sake damage your relationship with your son, can you?"

The deaf old woman pouted and said, "Don't you understand what I meant?"

Jiang Baobin had to shake his head; even if he understood, he had to pretend he didn't, letting the old lady have her fill of pleasure.

"I'm just letting you know what's going on, so you don't listen to the cicadas' chirping."

Then, with a stern face, he said, "Whoever causes trouble, let him come and ask this old woman for money."

Jiang Baobin, so quick-witted, understood the unspoken meaning and grinned, saying:

"Alright, it's all up to you, but we can't skimp on this money."

"I'll buy meat from now on to take care of you, my dear."

The deaf old lady immediately beamed with joy: "Oh, that's wonderful!"

Meeting a sensible person, and more importantly, someone with ability, made the deaf old lady very happy.

Is Jiang Baobin truly a sharp-tongued person? How much money can he save on rent? And how much does it cost to buy meat?

It's obvious he lost out, and he even caused a lot of trouble. What's so funny about that?

Jiang Baobin naturally had his own plans—to cultivate a good relationship with the deaf old lady was to leave himself a way out in this courtyard.

He had absolutely no trust in the Chiang family.

He can now foresee the future—

Those people will one day see him as a fool.

They take it for granted that they should let them leech off them!

The reasons are readily available: you can't write two "蒋" characters in one stroke.

If Jiang Baobin is going to be confrontational—I'll just ignore you all, so what?

Haha, they must be standing on the moral high ground, proclaiming it to the whole world, determined to make themselves look like stinking dog shit!

This is determined by human nature!

Unless they are all killed, the outcome cannot be changed.

So, can I kill them all?

That's obviously unrealistic.

If this were the internet age, netizens would naturally criticize them to the point of depression!

But we are still more than half a century away from that era. What should I do?

Take the present moment for example, how many people will stand on his side?

Objectively speaking, no more than five out of a hundred people would be able to do so.

Not long ago, the class that held the power of discourse was still desperately proclaiming:

"When the ruler commands the subject to die, the subject has no choice but to die; when the father commands the son to die, the son has no choice but to die."

So befriending deaf old ladies means at least someone can speak up for you.

Next stop, Xitao Hutong.

You can't just send pig's trotters to Liu Decai; you also have to buy him a bottle of "Xifeng" liquor.

This guy was quite something; when he saw Jiang Baobin arrive, he simply threw the cleaver onto the chopping block.

"Can you cook?"

"good."

"Then you do it, I really don't like what I make myself."

"become."

As Jiang Baobin untied his apron, he gestured with his chin towards the outside:

"Gone again?"

"I'm gone."

"You can't let her go out again next time. There's chaos and fighting everywhere!"

Liu Decai nodded.

Jiang Baobin looked at him, wanting to say something but holding back.

After chopping the vegetables, Jiang Baobin looked around the kitchen and said with a wry smile:

"You didn't add any seasoning? No wonder it doesn't taste good."

"Just make do with it, I'm too lazy to do it by myself."

Jiang Baobin was willing to make do, but he couldn't cook a dish without even the basic seasonings.

This guy went out for a walk and found ginger, garlic, and soy sauce.

They were all borrowed from the neighbors.

That's one good thing about this place; if you need anything, you can just tell your neighbors.

Everyone will definitely be eager to help.

However, you must repay what you borrow, and the amount you repay must be slightly more than what you originally borrowed...