Courtyard House: After disbanding the Elderly Care Gang, I went to the countryside to cultivate immo

"Time to cook," Lin Shengli muttered to himself, standing up from his chair and stretching his shoulders and neck.

Although the resources in the countryside are far less abundant than in Beijing, and meat, eggs, and oil are precious items that must be used sparingly, Lin Shengli has still reaped quite a lot in his cave space over the past two months, so he can eat them secretly by himself without any problem.

Moreover, after these days of reflection and practice, Lin Shengli felt that his cooking skills had actually improved quite a bit.

This was partly due to the basic knowledge he gained from the original owner's memories, but even more so due to the "armchair strategist" experience he accumulated in his previous life. Later...

In this age of information overload, although he is not a professional chef, he has watched many food videos, such as "Lao Fan Gu," which are explained by real master chefs of state banquets. He remembers some of the principles and tips for handling ingredients, adjusting flavors, and controlling the heat.

The casual tips those chefs shared are now considered secrets passed down only by master chefs in this day and age. Lin Shengli's hand-eye coordination is far superior to that of ordinary people, and he will soon be able to put his knowledge into practice in his culinary skills.

He went to the kitchen and skillfully began to tidy up.

The dry bean stalks crackled in the stove, and the leaping flames illuminated his calm and focused face.

He scooped half a ladle of cornmeal from a small jar in the corner, mixed in some dark flour, and began kneading the dough, preparing to make flatbreads. His movements were unhurried and his strength even; the dough gradually became smooth and pliable in his hands.

At the educated youth settlement, Li Kuiyong, Jiang Yuanchao, and Wei Min also cultivated a small vegetable garden in the corner of the yard, planting seasonal vegetables such as cabbage, radish, and scallions.

Unfortunately, the seedlings were still young and weak, far from being ready to eat. Lin Shengli had also planted a few rows of vegetables along the base of the wall of Grandma Hu Liu's small courtyard, which were also in their growth period.

To solve the problem of getting vegetables, the four educated youths had already made arrangements with several households in the village who had well-maintained vegetable gardens and relatively small populations. They could pick some ready-made vegetables every day and be paid one or two yuan a month.

This price was not a burden for the educated youth from the city, and it was also a good extra income for the villagers who made a living from the land, so everyone was happy.

Before finishing work today, Lin Shengli went to Grandma Liu's house and picked a few handfuls of tender green bok choy and a few newly grown green radishes.

He deftly washed the bok choy, gently pounding the thick stems with the back of a knife to loosen them and make them easier to absorb the flavor.

Cut the green radish into irregular chunks, ready to stew it together with the pheasant he had saved up and dried until now.

The salty and savory flavor of the salted meat permeates the radish, transforming the ordinary into a delicious dish.

He then took out a small oil jar from deep inside the cupboard, scooped out a block of solidified lard, and melted it in a hot iron pot.

If this happened in the Yan family's courtyard house, and they dared to eat lard like this, Yan Bugui would probably have a heart attack.

Instantly, a smoky aroma, uniquely rich with the scent of animal fat, rose up and filled the small kitchen.

Just as Lin Shengli put the loosened bok choy stalks into the pot, a sizzling sound filled the air and a rich aroma of cooking wafted out. Suddenly, the courtyard gate was pushed open with a bang, and a tall, familiar figure rushed in, accompanied by the cool evening breeze. It was Li Kuiyong.

"Victory! Victory! Good news!" Li Kuiyong exclaimed excitedly, waving an envelope in his hand and shouting so loudly it could shake the dust off the roof beams.

Lin Shengli's spatula didn't stop; he skillfully stir-fried the cabbage in the pan, and without turning his head, he asked with a smile, "Look at how happy you are! Did you find a gold ingot? Or have you taken a fancy to some girl in the village?"

"Get lost!" Li Kuiyong laughed and cursed, taking a few steps to the stove and shoving the letter in his hand almost in front of Lin Shengli's eyes. "It's Zhong Yuemin! That kid wrote a letter! Hey, this guy, he wrote me a letter, and in it he specifically told me to 'greet that guy Shengli'!"

Lin Shengli paused slightly, glanced at the envelope, and sure enough, it was Zhong Yuemin's flamboyant and unrestrained handwriting.

His smile deepened: "At least he still has some conscience; he hasn't forgotten about us brothers. What did the letter say? What's been happening in their compound lately? Or did he get into another fight with someone?"

Li Kuiyong leaned against the water vat, and by the firelight from the stove, he took out a letter. Without fully unfolding it, he read the key points to Lin Shengli, his tone carrying the intimacy of a friend and a hint of barely perceptible envy: "Yuemin said that his enlistment plans fell through, it seems he couldn't pass the political review. But Yuan Jun's father got out, and he went to join the army. Zhong Yuemin and Zheng Tong both have to answer the call and prepare to go to the countryside."

"Oh?" Lin Shengli scooped the stir-fried bok choy, still bright green, onto a plate and began preparing the radish and salted pork bones. "These kids from privileged backgrounds, they can pick and choose their own places when they go to the countryside, right?"

"Yes!" Li Kuiyong nodded, pointing at the letter. "Guess where he chose? He's going to Yan'an! To the holy land! The letter was so full of fervor, saying things like 'to go to the cradle of the revolution and receive the purest baptism,' 'to see where our fathers fought,' 'a vast world where there is much to be done'... Tsk, they can come up with such elaborate phrases, only they could write them."

As Lin Shengli listened, his subordinates deftly put the salted meat bones and radish chunks into the pot, added water, and covered the pot with the lid.

The flames licked the bottom of the pot, making a gentle hissing sound. He wiped his hands, turned around, leaned against the stove, and looked at Li Kuiyong, his eyes calm yet insightful: "Wanting to go see the holy land isn't surprising. For them, going to the countryside isn't just about suffering; it's more like pursuing ideals, or rather, an inevitable choice under the combined influence of family background and the trends of the times. They have a way out, they have confidence. Whether they go to Yan'an or somewhere else, in the end, they'll most likely return to the track they know best." He paused, his voice gentle yet clear, "Kuiyong, we've never been on the same path as them."

These words are straightforward, yet not at all harsh; on the contrary, they convey a sense of comforting honesty.

Li Kuiyong's excitement subsided slightly, and he nodded silently, his gaze falling on the leaping firelight, reflecting a somewhat complex expression.

He certainly understood what Lin Shengli meant. Zhong Yuemin and his group's passion, ideals, and even somewhat romantic adventures were based on their relatively comfortable family backgrounds and clear expectations for the future.

As for himself and Lin Shengli, they went to the countryside to survive, to ease the burden on their families, and to find a foothold in the torrent of the times that might not be so bright, but which they had to hold firmly.

Friendship is friendship, but the paths we take are different from the very beginning.

"Stay for dinner," Lin Shengli broke the brief silence, patting Li Kuiyong on the shoulder. "Radish stew with salted meat, cornbread, stir-fried cabbage, just make do with what you have, we can chat as we eat."

"That's great! I've been craving this!" Li Kuiyong said without hesitation, immediately helping to set the table and get the bowls and chopsticks. The familiarity and trust between the two, which didn't need any formalities, naturally flowed in their simple interaction.

Before long, the food was served.

The slightly charred cornbread has a smoky aroma, and the stewed radish, soaked in the essence of the salted meat, has an enticing translucent texture, with a rich broth. The stir-fried bok choy is bright green and refreshing.

Although there wasn't much meat in the dish, it looked incredibly tempting thanks to skillful cooking and the stimulation of hunger.

The two sat facing each other, and began to eat by the dim light of an oil lamp. Taking a bite of the crispy flatbread and a sip of the hot radish soup, the chill and fatigue in their bodies seemed to be dispelled considerably.

"Kuiyong," Lin Shengli picked up a piece of radish and spoke thoughtfully, "Back in Beijing, it was I who persuaded you to sign up together to come to the Northeast. It's tough and cold here, but there are more opportunities than elsewhere."

Li Kuiyong raised his head, still chewing on a biscuit, and looked intently at Lin Shengli, waiting for him to continue.

"I was thinking that after the autumn harvest, when there's not much heavy work in the fields, we can't just sit around and hibernate during the off-season," Lin Shengli continued, his tone simple yet full of planning.

"This black soil, this old forest, is a harsh and cold place, but also a treasure trove. I've inquired and asked Uncle Laopao and the others; there are plenty of mountain produce like mushrooms, wood ear fungus, hazelnuts, and pine nuts in the autumn. You're strong and daring, so let's call Yuanchao or Tiezhu—whoever's free—and go into the mountains to gather them! Also, once it snows and freezes, it'll be perfect for hunting. Pheasants, rabbits, and if we're lucky, we might even spot a roe deer. We're not aiming for a lot of large game, just some small ones to improve our meals. Any leftovers, the hides and meat, we can find a way to exchange for money or the necessary ration coupons."

He put down his chopsticks and looked into Li Kuiyong's eyes: "I know your family is struggling. Your aunt isn't in good health, and you have younger siblings to support. We're in the Northeast, nestled in the mountains, so we can't just sit here doing nothing. Gathering mountain produce and hunting are hard work and risky, but if we work hard all winter, what we save up—whether it's dried goods or hides—can be exchanged for some money when the roads open in the spring. You can send it home then, which will ease the burden a bit, make it easier for your aunt to afford medicine, and give your younger siblings a little more oil in their bowls."

As Li Kuiyong listened, his eyes gradually brightened, and his breathing involuntarily became slightly heavier.

He put down the bowl, his fist clenching unconsciously.

The picture painted by Lin Shengli is indeed a possible and practical way to increase income!

What Li Kuiyong had in abundance was strength and courage. He didn't have these qualities back in Beijing, where he could only do odd jobs to barely make ends meet.

Now that he's in this place surrounded by mountains and forests, if he can earn extra income from the mountains with his own hands, it will mean a lot to him and his family!

"Victory! Are you serious?" Li Kuiyong's voice trembled slightly, filled with barely suppressed excitement. "Gathering mountain produce, hunting—I can do it! I'm sure I can! I've never handled a gun, but I'm good with a slingshot, and I can set traps too! As long as I can earn money, I'm not afraid of any hardship or fatigue!"

He could almost see himself carrying a basket full of mountain produce or a game of prey as he walked out of the forest; he could see the look of surprise and heartache in his mother's eyes when she received the remittance slip; he could see the rosy cheeks of his younger siblings because they had more nutrition.

Lin Shengli looked at the burning desire and determination in his eyes and felt gratified, but also calmly reminded him, "Don't rush. The situation in the mountains is complicated. There are wild animals, places where it's easy to get lost, and dangers we don't know about. This needs to be planned carefully. Let's first learn from the old hunters like Uncle Laopao, identify all the herbs and mountain products we need, learn the rules of hunting, the techniques of setting traps, and how to deal with wild animals. We also need to prepare suitable tools, self-defense equipment, dry food, and medicine. Safety first, we can't act recklessly."

If Lin Shengli were to go into the mountains alone, with his current strength, he wouldn't be afraid at all. But since he came to this world, although he doesn't want to change it, he'll help his brothers and buddies if he can.

Li Kuiyong is a loyal and righteous man, and he is worth helping, which is why he thought of helping Li Kuiyong make a little money.

"Yes, yes, yes! Safety first!" Li Kuiyong nodded repeatedly, his excitement quickly subsiding. "I'll do whatever you say, Shengli! Whatever you say, we'll do! Studying, preparing, I'll handle it all!"

Seeing Li Kuiyong's eager and ready expression, Lin Shengli smiled, then remembered something else and his tone became even gentler: "There's something else, Kuiyong. In the medical books I brought from Beijing, I found an old prescription that's said to treat weakness and nourish the body. It's supposed to be good for coughs, shortness of breath, and chills caused by years of overwork and a weak constitution. The herbs aren't particularly rare; some of them seem to be found in the mountains around here, but we might need to find a way to gather the rest."

He paused, looking at Li Kuiyong's eyes, which suddenly lit up with anticipation, and slowly said, "After I've gathered all the medicinal herbs in a while, I'll make them into easy-to-take pills or liquid. You can send them home and have your aunt take them regularly. Although I can't say it will cure everything, consistent use should make her feel more comfortable and suffer less."

These words struck Li Kuiyong like a thunderclap in spring. His mother's chronic cough and frail health were the heaviest burden on his heart.

He scrimped and saved, his greatest wish being to provide his mother with good medicine to help her recover.

Now, Lin Shengli is not only thinking about helping him make money, but also about his mother's illness, and has even been keeping track of the prescription! This affection goes far beyond that of ordinary friends.

"Victory! I..." Li Kuiyong's throat tightened, and his eyes instantly reddened. For a moment, he didn't know what to say. He simply put down the bowl heavily and clasped his hands together helplessly. "I really don't know how to thank you. If my mother can really get better, I..." This usually tough and straightforward man's voice was distorted at this moment.

Lin Shengli waved his hand, his expression calm: "It's too formal to say such things. We came to the countryside together, and in this Heisonggou Village, we're brothers who rely on each other. If your family is having difficulties, it's only right that I help out. Besides, whether that prescription works, and how effective it is, depends on the prescription and your aunt's specific condition. Don't have too high hopes, but any improvement is always good."

He did think of the early death of Li Kuiyong's mother in the original drama, and also of the spiritual spring water in his own space. Giving the spiritual spring water directly would be too shocking, but using it as a "medicinal guide," or incorporating the effects of a small amount of the spiritual spring water into his own well-reasoned herbal prescriptions, to gradually improve Li Kuiyong's mother's constitution and prolong her life, might be feasible.

This is both a gesture of goodwill towards a friend and a wise use of the resources one has.

"No matter what, I, Li Kuiyong, will remember this victory and this sentiment for the rest of my life!" Li Kuiyong wiped his eyes hard, his voice low but resolute.

A simple dinner became exceptionally fulfilling and heartwarming because of the heartfelt conversation and plans for the future. The dim light of the oil lamp illuminated two young faces that already showed the first signs of age, reflecting their resilience in the face of life, their cherishment of friendship, and their shared hope for changing their destiny.