An extraordinary life journey through old Beijing courtyard houses

Liu Decai's actions have put Jiang Baobin in a real predicament.

If Liu Ling'er were to invite him, there would definitely be no chance.

But Lao Liu is different; the two have been getting along really well lately.

He put in a lot of effort for his own sake, and even reduced his smoking rate significantly.

Moreover, I didn't bring the original body's memories with me when I transmigrated here. If I want to get by in this old Beiping...

Without Liu Decai's insightful guidance, things would be really inconvenient.

He met Liu Decai's expectant gaze.

Jiang Baobin softened and agreed: "Okay, Uncle Liu, I'll pack up and head back now."

Liu Decai pressed further, "What about Ling'er...?"

Jiang Baobin had no choice but to bite the bullet and say, "Don't worry, if your daughter is in danger, I will definitely not stand idly by."

"Okay, okay." A huge weight was finally lifted off Liu Decai's shoulders.

I thanked Jiang Baobin several times.

He was a man who worked in the underworld; he knew exactly what that promise meant.

Jiang Baobin's quick agreement made him feel quite embarrassed.

Jiang Baobin knew exactly what she was thinking, but the brat just wouldn't say a word.

He was at a loss; his daughter was too headstrong, and he couldn't use the grand principles of parental authority to pressure her.

In fact, Jiang Baobin agreed 70% of the time because of his friendship with Liu Decai.

Another 30% is that he also wanted to help get rid of Gu Huaiwen.

This guy deserves to die! He's ruined so many good people...

When Jiang Daya heard that Jiang Baobin was going back to Nanluoguxiang, she insisted on following him.

Jiang Baobin was furious—women are such a hassle, one after another, none of them are easy to deal with.

Going back is dangerous enough; why are you causing trouble?

They could only use delaying tactics, saying they would go back and tidy up first.

Otherwise, the house would be cluttered with too much stuff, making it unsuitable for two people to live there.

Jiang Daya reluctantly agreed.

It seems the little girl is homesick.

You're such a scoundrel, always eyeing this and that. Who cares about you anyway?

If it weren't for me, you would be one of those tearful concubines!

However, Jiang Baobin offered some words of advice but did not force the issue.

The saying goes, "It's easier to change mountains and rivers than to change one's nature."

She's either soft-hearted or a snobbish opportunist.

That wouldn't make him the only person in the Jiang family who was kind to the original owner's good-for-nothing third brother.

Therefore, after I arrive, I will naturally treat her the same way I would treat a member of the Jiang family.

I don't care if you live or die! What's it to me?

What's the first thing to do when you get back to Nanluoguxiang?

Of course, it's for heating the kang (a traditional heated brick bed)!

Good heavens! It's over twenty degrees below zero outside!

A house that has been uninhabited for a long time is almost like an ice cellar.

But before that, the coal briquettes piled around the stove had to be moved out.

Then he took out a hot, large pork knuckle from his storage space.

A powerful boost of energy! Time to start practicing Kundalini Qigong, otherwise I really won't be able to stand it until the kang (heated brick bed) is warm!

Just as he was getting into his practice, he suddenly heard someone outside calling, "Mr. Jiang! Mr. Jiang!"

Wow! That's a sweet whisper!

He quickly put on his cotton-padded jacket and trousers, the same outfit he wore in the mountains.

Gao Yueyuan stood outside the door with a smile, holding a plate of dumplings.

This girl's looks are in no way inferior to Liu Ling'er's, tsk! What a pity.

"Mr. Jiang, I heard you're back? You probably didn't have time to fire a shot, did you?"

"We just made some fresh dumplings, please try them."

What a nice girl, so considerate. I just wonder what kind of filling she has?

"Oh, thank you so much! It looks so appetizing. To be honest, I'm really hungry."

"Hehe, that's great."

"Wait a moment, I'll go get an empty bowl."

"No need, just take it back and return it to me later. I have plenty at home."

"Okay, thank you."

"You're welcome."

Jiang Baobin originally wanted to ask her about Gu Huaiwen.

But I'll pass; I should save them some face.

As Jiang Baobin watched the woman's graceful back, he grabbed one with his hand and stuffed it into his mouth—

Wow! That's great, pork and sauerkraut dumplings.

He looks like a Northeasterner; he loves this kind of food.

Then, Mrs. Gao came out carrying a plate and a bowl.

It looks like it's going to be sent to the side room for her precious son to eat.

Jiang Baobin couldn't help but sigh, "The virtual world is so much better; everyone here is such a beautiful woman."

Seductive!

When Mrs. Gao saw it was him, she greeted him with a smile, "Oh, Mr. Jiang, you're back?"

Jiang Baobin quickly swallowed the dumpling in his mouth: "Excuse me, excuse me, Mrs. Gao."

He apologized first because old Beijingers are very particular about many things.

As a junior, he should greet the other person promptly upon meeting them.

However, since his mouth was occupied, speaking in a mumbled manner was still impolite.

"Yes, I'm back. I was working... well, my boss ran away, so I've been idle lately."

This guy, however, had no inhibitions: "Hey, he ran around too much!"

"Our regular customers are far fewer than before; they've all gone crazy!"

Jiang Baobin chuckled and seized the opportunity to ask, "Mrs. Gao, last time I came back, I ran into someone surnamed Gu."

"Several people are standing guard for him. Who's he? Is he that powerful?"

Mrs. Gao immediately flew into a rage: "That man surnamed Gu is the worst kind of scoundrel!"

"Going to meet a girl and then running up the bill? Tell me, is that something a human being would do?"

"That's really unfair. Isn't there any way to teach him a lesson?"

"Sigh, he's just a big scoundrel, and he has connections in high places protecting him."

"If things fall apart, we won't be able to stay in Beiping anymore, sigh!"

Jiang Baobin was about to ask when the man surnamed Gu would arrive.

Gao Yueya pushed open the door and came out: "Mom, the dumplings are all cold."

"Oh dear! Look at my brain, Mr. Jiang, I'm not talking to you anymore."

"Alright, you're busy."

This Gao Yueya was clearly sent out to interrupt, simply because Mrs. Gao spoke too recklessly.

It made someone uncomfortable.

When he got home, Jiang Baobin felt warm and quickly lay down.

It's truly a mix of seawater and fire.

Like making pancakes, once the back is heated by the hot pan, you flip it over so the front gets heated.

I'm feeling drowsy and about to fall asleep.

Suddenly, Jiang Baobin sat up abruptly.

After listening intently, he nimbly jumped off the kang (a heated brick bed).

Once outside, he hid behind the fence and peered out.

It was already dark, and it was hard to spot someone hiding in the shadows.

As expected, it was Gu Huaiwen who arrived; this guy certainly has quite the entourage.

There were eight followers in total, two standing at the main gate and two standing at the door of the house.

The other four entered Lao Gao's house with ease.

We should find a warm place first, and then take turns later.

As soon as these people arrived, the Gao family immediately sprang into action.

Those who were supposed to sing sang, those who were supposed to serve tea served tea, and those who were supposed to crack jokes cracked jokes.

The so-called banter is actually a battle of wits between Mrs. Gao and Gu Huaiwen.

One person wants money, while the other tries every possible way to avoid it.

As he listened, Jiang Baobin sensed something was amiss...