Courtyard House: Home Alone

Lin Yifan's heart stirred, and he tried to touch the bottle of physique enhancement liquid with his mind.

"Buzz—"

A bottle containing about fifty milliliters of pale green liquid appeared out of thin air in his hand. It was slightly cool to the touch. There were no labels on the bottle, but Lin Yifan could feel the energy contained within it.

"This is the physique enhancement liquid?" Lin Yifan looked at the small bottle in his hand, unscrewed the cap without hesitation, and a fresh herbal scent wafted out. He tilted his head back and drank the liquid in one gulp.

The liquid tasted sweet upon entering the mouth, sliding down the throat and transforming into a warm current that quickly spread throughout the body. The previously cold and stiff body instantly warmed up, even developing a slight fever. The fatigue from lighting the stove and the cold vanished, and the body was filled with energy.

"Awesome!" Lin Yifan groaned comfortably, feeling like he could kill a cow with one punch... well, killing a chicken shouldn't be a problem.

He clenched his fist and could clearly feel the increase in strength.

Just then, the system notification sounded again:

"Ding! New player tutorial quest triggered: [A Warm Meal]"

"Task Description: The host has just transmigrated and is physically weak, urgently needing to replenish energy. Please use the available resources and newbie rewards to prepare a hot and nutritious breakfast for yourself."

"Task Selection:"

"Option 1: Continue heating the corn porridge and steamed buns that Aunt Xiaolan brought. Reward: Satiety +10, Stamina restored 10%"

"Option Two: Use the start-up funds in the system space to go out and buy ingredients (Note: the system will provide information on nearby safe places to buy them), and enjoy a simple yet delicious breakfast. Reward: [Stamina Recovery Pill] x1, [Basic Reconnaissance Skill] (Beginner)."

"Please make a choice within three minutes."

Lin Yifan looked at the two options on the virtual panel in his mind and hesitated almost without hesitation. Option one? The corn porridge and steamed buns didn't taste very good yesterday, and the reward was too meager, only a feeling of fullness and 10% stamina recovery.

He now has a child (man) with a system, how can he be satisfied with this!

"System, I choose option two!" Lin Yifan silently recited in his mind.

"Ding! Host has selected [Option Two]. Mission Objective: Use the start-up funds in the system space to go out and buy ingredients (the system will provide information on safe places to buy them nearby), and enjoy a simple yet delicious breakfast. Mission Time Limit: 30 minutes. Rewards: [Stamina Recovery Pill] x1, [Basic Reconnaissance Skill] (Beginner)."

"The information on the safe purchase location has been loaded into the host's memory. Please check it."

As the system notification sound faded, Lin Yifan immediately had some information in his mind: the locations of several stalls and grocery stores in the alleys near Nanluoguxiang, and which places were relatively safe and less likely to cause trouble.

One of them is located at the intersection of Yandai Xiejie, not far from Nanluoguxiang. There is a breakfast stall selling tofu pudding and fried dough sticks. It is said that the owner is an honest person and the prices are fair.

"Great!" Lin Yifan was overjoyed. With a definite location, he no longer had to wander around aimlessly like a headless fly. What he lacked most right now was confidence and a sense of security.

He glanced at the description of the [Spirit Spring Space] again, his excitement growing even stronger. Spirit spring water, planting area, breeding area, time flow... this was practically a portable treasure trove!

However, now is not the time to study this. The most urgent task is to complete the mission, fill our stomachs, and then consider other things.

He put on his somewhat worn-out cotton shoes, then found a small felt hat to wear, wrapping himself up a bit more tightly.

Although the body-strengthening liquid made him feel much warmer and stronger, the severe cold outside should not be underestimated.

Pushing open the creaking wooden door once more, Lin Yifan took a deep breath of the cold air. This time, his eyes held a newfound determination and composure. He was no longer the seven-year-old child who just wanted to hide inside and warm himself by the fire.

The courtyard remained quiet. He glanced instinctively in the direction of Grandma Long's house next door; the door was tightly closed, and there was no sound.

He didn't want to deal with those "beastly" neighbors right now, especially that seemingly amiable Yi Zhonghai. As for what comes next, well...

quickened his pace and left the courtyard, turning into a relatively narrow alley.

In the early morning, there are few pedestrians in the alley. Occasionally, you can see a few people who are bulky, pale and thin, hurrying by with numb and wary expressions on their faces.

The air was filled with soot, dust, and an indescribable, peculiar smell belonging to this era.

Lin Yifan tightened his clothes, lowered his head, and walked quickly.

He knew the dangers of this era, especially for a seemingly lonely little boy like himself.

The routes provided by the system are safe, and they are all relatively remote alleys with low traffic.

After walking for about fifteen minutes, he finally saw the entrance to Yandai Xiejie.

This place is a bit more lively than the alley we just passed. Several breakfast stalls have already been set up, steaming and emitting an enticing aroma.

Lin Yifan's gaze quickly locked onto the tofu pudding stall mentioned in the system notification. The stall owner was a man in his fifties, wearing a greasy cotton-padded jacket, who was busily and skillfully serving tofu pudding.

There was also a frying pan next to it, with golden-brown fried dough sticks sizzling inside.

"Boss, a bowl of tofu pudding and two fried dough sticks," Lin Yifan said as he stepped forward, trying to keep his voice steady. He was currently in the body of a seven-year-old child, so his voice still had a childlike quality.

The stall owner looked up at him, a hint of surprise in his eyes, but didn't ask any further questions, simply nodding: "Alright! Sweet or savory tofu pudding?"

"Salty, extra spicy!" Lin Yifan said without hesitation. In modern times, he liked to eat salty and spicy tofu pudding.

"Alright!" the stall owner replied, and soon brought over a bowl of steaming hot tofu pudding, topped with pickled vegetables, dried shrimp, cilantro, and chili oil, its aroma filling the air. Next, he scooped two freshly fried dough cakes from the oil, golden and crispy.

Lin Yifan paid the bill and found a small table in the corner to sit down.

He was so hungry that he didn't care that it was hot. He picked up a spoon and scooped up a mouthful of tofu pudding and put it in his mouth.

The smooth tofu pudding, with its rich savory aroma and slight spiciness, melted instantly in his mouth, a warm current flowing down his throat and into his stomach, so comforting he almost groaned. This was a million times better than those dry cornbread and bland corn porridge!

He picked up the fried dough again, took a big bite, and found the outer crust to be crispy and the inside soft, with the aroma of flour and oil.

Lin Yifan wolfed down his food, and in no time, he had devoured a bowl of tofu pudding and two fried dough cakes.

He felt his stomach was fuller than ever before, and his body warmed up. The strength he had lost due to the cold and hunger was rapidly returning.

"Burp..." Lin Yifan let out a burp, feeling full of energy.