An extraordinary life journey through old Beijing courtyard houses

East Courtyard, the Jiang Family Residence.

As soon as Jiang Baobin entered the door, he was immediately stared at by six pairs of eyes!

Anyone could see the changes that had taken place in him, although he hadn't yet reached the point of wearing a suit and leather shoes.

(Hehe, this guy really is like that during the day, but when he goes back to the courtyard house, he has to change his clothes and keep a low profile.)

But he definitely won't wear the tattered clothes he used to wear when carrying goods anymore—they'd ruin his handsome image.

Hairstyles have changed now, from the old ball head (the shape that grows naturally after shaving the head).

The buzz cut looks a bit strange to people of this generation, but it gives off a very energetic vibe.

He was wearing a cotton undershirt and dress pants, and his round-toed cloth shoes, though mismatched, were comfortable to walk in.

She also had a leather bag slung across her shoulder or carried by hand.

This outfit makes him look like a servant of a wealthy family, or a low-level employee.

But in the eyes of the Jiang family, Jiang Baobin had made a fortune, going from humble beginnings to wealth!

That handbag alone must be worth several dollars, right?

However, it was Jiang Hongsheng who was the first to get excited upon seeing him.

The little guy reached out his hand to him, grabbing at it repeatedly, saying, "Pull, pull..."

Jiang Baobin almost burst out laughing – good lad, I haven't spoiled you for nothing!

This little guy is asking for candy; he seems quite clever and hasn't forgotten the treat he received yesterday.

Jiang Baobin could only apologize in his heart: I can't indulge you now, I'll make it up to you later.

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, although it's a bit embarrassing to say, we've been pushed to this point:

He still managed to call out all the titles like Dad, Mom, Eldest Brother, Eldest Sister-in-law, and Second Brother.

This was not a difficult task for Jiang Baobin.

Can someone who's clumsy with words and shy be a social media influencer?

Even if we force ourselves to work hard, we'll still starve to death!

In order to receive tips, one must lower one's stance even when dealing with children!

Is it ugly? Not necessarily.

If we take out the term "bread and butter" that Lao Guo particularly advocates and ponder it, can we accept it?

Just like the world of online novels, where top authors frequently emerge, could it still exist without those generous readers?

Therefore, all readers deserve the title of "bread and butter" and it is well-deserved.

Seeing that Jiang Baobin was somewhat sensible, Jiang Baowu coughed lightly and said, "I have a lot of things to do, so I'll just say it directly."

"Third son, you insisted on separating from the family and living on your own. After my persuasion, your parents agreed."

"But some things need to be made clear."

As Jiang Baowu spoke, he stopped writing and looked at Jiang Baobin.

No one knows what kind of trouble they're up to, but Jiang Baobin already has a plan.

Staring blankly at his toes—I'm not going to say a word. What do you want? Make your intentions clear.

Jiang Baowu could only continue speaking to himself: "Third brother, you can live on your own from now on."

"But let me make this clear: you're all grown up now, so you can't take anything from home with you."

"You have no share in the family's assets!"

"Furthermore, wealth and status are determined by fate, and life and death are left to destiny!"

"From now on, whether you're doing well or poorly, don't expect to come back and take advantage of the old folks again..."

After talking for a while, Jiang Baowu finally advised, "Third brother, judging from your current appearance, you're doing quite well."

"If that's the case, your parents raised you to adulthood, it wasn't easy for them."

"Stop fighting over the inheritance, or you'll become a laughingstock among the neighbors."

Oh, so that's what it was about. You made us all so nervous.

Jiang Baobin really didn't want to share any of the family property with them.

First of all, there wasn't anything of value (even if they had some family wealth, Mr. and Mrs. Chiang would never have taken it out).

No matter when, real estate and land are always the main assets, but the Chiang family has no assets under their name.

Although there are quite a few old clothes, how much are they worth? Even if I give them to him, selling them would be a hassle.

It's better to leave with nothing than to risk the stigma of fighting with your parents for the inheritance. That would sound much better to outsiders.

But I can give up other people's things, but I must return mine:

"Well, I can give up my family fortune, but I need to return the things I bought."

Jiang Baowu frowned: "What do you have?"

Jiang Baobin fabricated a story: "Mr. Tom lent me eight silver dollars and I bought a fine large vat."

"There are also bedding, pots and pans, quite a few things, which I bought the other day."

"But they were all taken away by my elder brother and sister-in-law, and they even broke the jar. They all have to compensate me."

"Including the transportation fee, it comes to eight dollars and twenty cents in total. Otherwise, I won't be able to explain it to Mr. Tom..."

Upon hearing that she had to pay compensation, the older sister-in-law threw Jiang Hongsheng onto the kang (a heated brick bed) and jumped up from the edge of the kang:

Pointing at Jiang Baobin, he launched into a tirade: "Jiang Laosan! Don't you have any conscience?"

"That pile of junk you bought, worth eight silver dollars? Why don't you just rob someone?"

"Besides, get this straight, it was clearly Mom who smashed the water tank, so why are you blaming us..."

Jiang Wangshi's face instantly darkened, and she glared fiercely at her daughter-in-law—

That bitch, wasn't it you who encouraged me to do it? You said that way, the third brother would obediently go home.

In the end, all the bad things happen to other people, while you are blameless.

That wasn't all; the sister-in-law continued her denunciation of Jiang Baobin:

"Then tell me! What about the damage you caused to your older brother? You have to pay for his medicine! And his wages too!"

"Your older brother can't get out of bed now, how can our family of three starve?"

Jiang Baobin retorted, "He trespassed on my property and even hit me first."

"I acted in self-defense. Don't believe me? Ask my second brother. Strictly speaking, he should be in jail!"

What could Jiang Baowu do? Of course, he tried to smooth things over, and in the end, they agreed not to pursue the matter further, and the things he took were considered compensation.

Jiang Baobin definitely wouldn't agree to it. Why should he?

However, he didn't argue or make a fuss; he just stuck to one point—

He didn't have any more money to buy, but he couldn't go hungry, so he started coming to the Jiang family's house for meals every day from then on.

He stopped coming over once he had saved enough money to buy cooking utensils.

The Chiang family isn't stupid—if you can't save enough, are you going to live off my family for the rest of your life?

After arguing for a long time, Jiang Baowu finally made the decision—the pots, pans, and other utensils were returned to Jiang Baobin, since the Jiang family wouldn't need an extra set anyway.

Since the water tank was broken, there was nothing anyone could do to restore it to its original state; Jiang Baobin was simply unlucky.

And that set of bedding, as compensation for the beating Jiang Laoda received, and that was the end of the matter.

Jiang Baobin was also annoyed; arguing endlessly over something was pointless.

Conversely, given the choice between beating up Boss Jiang to vent his anger and getting his things back, he would rather choose the former.

After all, money can be earned again, but the opportunity to beat up Boss Jiang is not something that comes every day.

Then the eldest sister-in-law caused trouble again, saying that Jiang's parents, who were forty years old, were too old and that Jiang Baobin should pay for their support.

Upon hearing this, Aunt Jiang got excited and started demanding money.

Jiang Baobin didn't refute at all, but looked at Jiang Baowu with a half-smile.

The latter wasn't stupid either; he immediately understood—