The sky collapsed, and in the blink of an eye, I found myself transported to Nanluoguxiang.

After Li Kaixin left the courtyard house at No. 93.

Father Li Mingde and mother Qin Xiuli exchanged only a few words with Aunt Wang and the others before pushing the bicycle to the backyard.

Just as Aunt Wang and the others were about to go back to their rooms, Aunt Liu suddenly slapped her thigh: "Sister Wang, did we forget to mention to Xiuli and her husband about throwing a housewarming party for Kaixin?"

Aunt Sun also realized what was happening and tentatively asked, "Yes, Sister Wang! So, are we still going to have the banquet?"

"Go ahead and do it! Didn't we already agree with Kaixin?"

Aunt Wang stopped walking towards the backyard, turned around to look at Aunt Sun, and raised an eyebrow: "What, are you feeling sorry for the food now?"

"No, no!" Aunt Sun quickly waved her hands, but her voice lowered, "I just... I just..."

She stammered and lowered her head, not daring to look at Aunt Wang.

"Just what? I think you're just worried about the food." Aunt Wang frowned, interrupting her directly, then looked at Aunt Zhao and Aunt Liu, "What do you two think?"

"We have no objection," Aunt Zhao and Aunt Liu quickly said when they saw that Sister Wang was a little angry.

Seeing this, Aunt Wang's expression softened, and she said earnestly:

"Don't just focus on what's in front of you. Look at the kind of people you're happily associating with these days. Let's not even talk about Director Wang, and then there were those who came in the jeep last time—we can't even strike up a conversation with any of them!"

"Our most important task right now is to maintain our neighborly relationship with Kaixin. Otherwise, once Kaixin becomes a big shot, it will be too late for us to get closer to him."

"I understand, thank you, Sister Wang." Grandma Sun looked up, her tone earnest.

Aunt Zhao and Aunt Liu nodded in agreement.

"That's more like it." Aunt Wang's face broke into a smile again. "Besides, Li Kaixin has brought us so many great deals, isn't it only right that we thank him?"

"Sister Wang, you're right!" Aunt Zhao nodded in agreement, then asked, "But when would be a good time to host this banquet for Kaixin?"

Aunt Wang thought for a moment and said, "When Kaixin comes back, I'll ask him when he'll be free."

Afterwards, the group discussed some details in hushed tones before returning to their respective rooms.

......

On his way to Zhou Zhiming's house, Li Kaixin took out two bottles of Fenjiu liquor and a carton of Daqianmen cigarettes from the secret space.

As soon as I rode my bicycle to the gate of Zhou Zhiming's courtyard house, I got off and Zhou Zhiming, who was already waiting outside, immediately jogged over to greet me.

"Master, you've finally arrived! I thought you weren't coming."

As Zhou Zhiming spoke, he took the bicycle that Li Kaixin was pushing with a big smile.

"I was held up by some things," Li Kaixin explained with a smile as he handed the handlebars to his apprentice.

At this moment, a middle-aged man following behind Zhou Zhiming stepped forward, extended his hands, and wore a polite smile:

"Hello! Are you Mr. Li? I am Zhiming's father, Zhou Mingqiang."

Li Kaixin quickly extended his hand to shake hands with Zhou Mingqiang: "Uncle Zhou, hello! You can just call me Kaixin, I dare not accept the title of master in front of you."

"That won't do!" Zhou Mingqiang shook Li Kaixin's hand, his tone sincere. "Zhiming owes a lot to you for teaching him at the transport station. You deserve to be called my mentor!"

Immediately, Zhou Mingqiang stepped to the side, raised his hand, and warmly invited, "Master Li, please come inside and sit down! Zhiming's mother has almost finished preparing the meal and is just waiting for you."

"Thank you for your help, Uncle Zhou and Aunt Zhou," Li Kaixin replied with a smile, handing over the Fenjiu liquor and cigarettes he had brought from the back of his bicycle. "It's just a small token of my appreciation, please don't find it offensive."

Upon seeing the Fenjiu liquor and Daqianmen tea, Zhou Mingqiang repeatedly declined, saying, "Master Li, you're too kind! This meal was originally meant to thank you, we can't accept it."

"Uncle Zhou," Li Kaixin gently pushed the things back into his hands, her tone sincere.

"It wouldn't be right for me to come empty-handed on my first visit. Besides, Zhiming and I are not only master and apprentice, but also brothers, so please don't stand on ceremony with me."

Hearing this, Zhou Mingqiang finally accepted the gift, his smile deepening. "Well... then I'll accept it, alright. Master Li, please come inside!"

As he spoke, he led Li Kaixin toward the courtyard.

This compound is a standard three-courtyard house, with quite a few residents, approximately fifteen families crammed into it.

As soon as he entered, the neighbors' eyes were drawn to him. They were all curious to see that Zhou Mingqiang was accompanied by a rather young man.

One of the older women asked, "Mingqiang, didn't you go to invite Zhiming's mentor? Why did you bring back a young man?"

"Aunt Ma, this is Zhiming's master." Zhou Mingqiang explained as he led Li Kaixin toward his home.

"What?" Aunt Ma was taken aback, glanced at Li Kaixin, and said, "Mingqiang, are you kidding me? This young man looks about the same age as Zhiming. Could he be his master?"

The others in the courtyard also looked skeptical.

Looking at everyone's expressions, Li Kaixin understood. After all, given his age, it was understandable that he would be questioned.

"Of course, this is my master!" Zhou Zhiming, pushing the cart, proudly chimed in, a smug little expression on his face.

The courtyard fell silent for a moment after he said that.

As soon as Zhou Mingqiang brought Li Kaixin into the house, the courtyard erupted in a flurry of chatter.

Zhou Mingqiang, who was inside the room, naturally heard it too, and looked a little embarrassed.

"Master Li, that's just how these people are in the yard, they can't keep their mouths shut, so please don't take it to heart."

"It's alright, Uncle Zhou, I understand." Li Kaixin didn't care at all.

Zhou Mingqiang breathed a sigh of relief and called towards the kitchen, "Honey, Zhiming's chef is here! Come out and greet him!"

"Hey, coming!" came a crisp reply from the kitchen.

Then, a kind-looking middle-aged woman wearing an apron wiped her hands and walked out quickly with a smile.

"You must be Master Li! I've often heard Zhiming mention you at home; it's great to finally meet you in person!"

"Hello, Auntie. I'm sorry to trouble you by coming to visit today," Li Kaixin quickly replied with a smile.

"No trouble at all!" Zhou's mother waved her hand repeatedly, warmly inviting them to the table, "Come in and sit down! The dishes are all ready, let's eat right away."

The room was simply furnished, but kept very clean.

Bowls and chopsticks were already set on the square table. In the center was a large bowl of stewed cabbage and vermicelli, with a plate of scrambled eggs and a dish of steamed sea fish on the side.

Zhou Mingqiang invited Li Kaixin to sit down, while he himself stayed by her side.

Zhou's mother took off her apron, somewhat embarrassed: "Master Li, we don't have any fancy dishes at home, please don't mind."

"Auntie, you're too kind. This is already very kind of you."

Li Kaixin could tell that Zhou Zhiming's parents had put a lot of thought into this meal.