An extraordinary life journey through old Beijing courtyard houses

Previously, Jiang Baobin was so focused on adapting to the times and making money that he didn't have time to go out and have fun.

I've only just realized that although the place is all dirt and run-down, there are actually quite a few fun places to visit.

After wandering around for two hours and having his fill, he finally asked someone for directions.

Because he had other things to take care of besides scouting the location—

Yesterday, the incident of Yanzi Li San showing up uninvited prompted him to want to buy something.

Following the signs, Jiang Baobin arrived at the bird market at Tianqiao.

This place is very famous; those who like flowers, birds, and fish should come and visit.

Jiang Baobin suspected that Yan Bugui was a regular here, otherwise why would he set up a showy display and fuss about it all day long?

That guy is the kind of person who won't get up early for nothing.

It is now late summer and early autumn, and crickets, grasshoppers, bell-shaped insects and other singing insects are on the market in large quantities, attracting people to flock to them.

Bargaining, praise, criticism—the arrogant comments of the "experts" were endless, making quite a scene!

Jiang Baobin also went over to see what was new and couldn't help but admire how much fun these old Beijing residents really knew how to have.

However, he always felt that this thing was not the right path, that it was a waste of time and energy, and that it was best to stay away from it.

He hadn't gone far when a crowd gathered by the roadside caught his attention.

There are so many idle people these days; judging by this, there must be at least two hundred of them.

Just as Jiang Baobin was hesitating whether to squeeze in...

Just then, a middle-aged man in a long gown came out from inside.

Jiang Baobin leaned closer and asked, "Sir, what's going on inside? It's so lively!"

The man grinned and said jokingly, "I've never seen anything like it in my life."

"In the past, people bought animals, but now the roles are reversed, and animals are choosing people?"

"Isn't this going to overthrow the Heavenly Gang? This world is doomed!"

He was about to leave when he said that.

Jiang Baobin hurriedly asked, "Sir, please explain clearly, what exactly happened inside?"

That guy is pretty wicked—I'm not telling you.

He waved his hand and went off on his own.

Jiang Baobin had no choice but to turn the backpack to the front and cover it with one hand.

Only then did he push his way into the crowd—he was after the beast, so he had to figure it out.

We squeezed in halfway and couldn't get any further in, but we could still see it.

In the center was a woman in her thirties, and a dog.

The man was clearly from a poor family, with a hemp rope tied around his waist and large patches on both shoulders.

If you don't often carry heavy loads on your shoulders, how could your clothes wear out on your shoulders?

The dog is really good; its coat is glossy and it looks powerful!

Especially those eyes, they are so expressive.

Jiang Baobin took a liking to it at first sight.

That's right, his original intention was to buy a dog.

If we had one of these to guard our homes, would those scoundrels like Yanzi and Li San be able to steal from us so easily? We'd be safe then.

"Thirty silver dollars!" shouted a man dressed in silk.

Seeing that the woman remained unmoved, the man said with exasperation:

"Your head... that's thirty silver dollars! Enough for your whole family to live on for a year!"

The woman frowned: "I don't sell dogs, you can leave."

The man got angry: "Are you stupid? You're offering me money but you insist on giving it away for free?"

The woman was no pushover either; she grabbed a two-pronged fork that was eyebrow-high on the ground.

He glared at him menacingly and said, "Say that again!"

Even if this woman isn't a hunter, she's a hunter's family member.

They've been dealing with wild animals since they were adults, and it's made them quite wild themselves; they might actually stab someone if things don't go their way!

The man was a shrewd old fox; he wouldn't suffer a loss if he couldn't handle it. After parting from the crowd, he walked away cursing.

Jiang Baobin then asked the person standing nearby who was standing there blankly what was going on.

Few men in old Beijing are not talkative, and someone immediately began to explain:

"Wow! Today was really hilarious."

"See that old woman and that dog? They say the dog's old owner, who is also the woman's father-in-law, broke his leg."

"We can no longer go into the mountains to hunt, and we can't keep the dog at home to eat grain for nothing, so we have to give it away."

"But it's not just anyone; it has to be someone chosen by the dog. Isn't that amazing? The dog chooses the people!"

"That was Master Huang, a professional dog fighter. He took a liking to this dog, but the dog didn't recognize him."

"That woman's really tough; she wouldn't sell herself for thirty silver dollars!"

"I'd like to see who will ultimately benefit."

Who else could it be but me, the chosen one?

Jiang Baobin thought this way because he had already made eye contact with the dog.

That shiny-faced guy was staring at me intently.

In just a short while, many more people gathered around to let the dog "choose" a dog.

There are always plenty of "smart people," and these guys are thinking—

If I get the dog and then deliver it to Master Huang, wouldn't I get 30 silver dollars for free?

The dog was very clever; it didn't even look at them, its eyes only on Jiang Baobin.

Alright, I won't get any more annoyed.

"Excuse me, excuse me... but it's already taken! The owner is here!"

As he spoke, he squeezed in with a grin.

"Sister-in-law, I feel a connection with this dog."

The woman looked Jiang Baobin up and down, then looked at the dog and called out, "Four-Eyes!"

The dog turned to look at her and whimpered.

The woman's eyes instantly reddened. She picked up her satchel from the ground, took out a dog food bowl, and handed it to Jiang Baobin.

"Four-Eyes is yours now."

Jiang Baobin took it blankly—that's it?

The onlookers were in an uproar; no one had expected it to be so simple.

"Be nice to it," the woman said finally, then parted the crowd and walked away.

After a moment of surprise, Jiang Baobin hurriedly chased after her, while still trying to appease the onlookers' envy and jealousy.

When he looked back, Four-Eyes was already silently following behind him.

The guy grinned and said, "What a good dog!"

Once outside the crowd, the woman was wiping away tears; she clearly had a deep affection for the dog.

This made Jiang Baobin feel quite uncomfortable, as if he had stolen someone else's beloved.

"Sister-in-law, please wait."

The woman finally stopped and turned to look at her, puzzled.

Jiang Baobin asked with a smile, "What's your surname, sister-in-law?"

"My surname is Zhou. What brings you here?"

Jiang Baobin gestured with his chin toward the bespectacled man beside him: "Through this, we can be considered destined to be together."

"Come with me to my home so you can familiarize yourself with the place. If you ever miss it, just come and visit."

Sister-in-law Zhou quickly said, "That won't do, there's no such rule."

Jiang Baobin laughed and retorted, "I can't accept something for nothing, and there are no rules about it. You expect me to get your things for free?"

"That's different. We gave Four-Eyes away because we couldn't afford to keep it."

"As long as you treat it well, that's a favor you're doing us."

Jiang Baobin couldn't help but ask curiously, "Sister-in-law Zhou, someone has already offered 30 silver dollars, why aren't you selling?"

Sister-in-law Zhou shook her head: "You don't understand, for families like ours..."

And so, the two started chatting...