Courtyard House: Wudang Disciple Sweeps Through the Compound

Of course, if money is needed openly, people must be able to see a reasonable and legal source of income to avoid arousing unwarranted suspicion.

Therefore, all things considered, fishing is probably the most suitable way to make money right now.

With his extraordinary mental strength, Chen Wenqi was able to easily catch a large number of fresh and plump river fish and make a living by selling them. This could not be considered a speculative or profiteering scheme.

It is important to understand that the definition of speculation and profiteering refers to improper behaviors such as hoarding goods at low prices and selling them at high prices, thereby disrupting the state's policy of unified purchase and sales and damaging the normal market order.

In fact, in the mild climate of the south, private small-scale trading activities were quite common during this special period, and the government simply did not have enough energy to fully control them.

However, this matter ultimately concerns the future livelihood of the three siblings, so Chen Wenqi decided to take it seriously and plan carefully to ensure that the matter is handled perfectly.

Chen Wenqi added more fine flour to the steaming iron pot, steaming buns twice the size of usual two-in-one buns. He also quickly stir-fried a large plate of fragrant golden eggs and cooked a plate of fresh and refreshing stir-fried cabbage.

The rich and enticing aroma of the food quickly filled the entire small room—

This is understandable, as food cooked with spiritual spring water from the Xuanwu Secret Realm, which is rich in spiritual energy, is naturally several times more fragrant and flavorful than food cooked with ordinary water.

In addition, Chen Wenqi himself has extraordinary comprehension and an astonishingly strong learning ability. Now his cooking skills have improved greatly, probably no less than that of Sha Zhu, who is famous in the courtyard for his excellent cooking skills. The only thing he lacks is the unique cooking techniques for some specific dishes.

He vaguely remembered that among the miscellaneous items in his Xuanwu Secret Realm Library were many lost and precious recipes. He would definitely study them carefully when he had time in the future to further improve his cooking skills.

Although the doors and windows of the house were tightly closed, the enticing aroma of food still wafted out faintly through the cracks in the doors and windows.

The neighbors who were off work quickly noticed the enticing aroma and followed it around, eventually discovering that the mouthwatering fragrance was coming from the usually quiet Chen family home.

The other neighbors didn't say much after smelling the odor, but the sharp-tongued Jia Zhangshi couldn't help but start cursing loudly again.

"That damned little beast, sneaking around eating alone again, making such delicious food and not even offering it to the elders in the compound. He'll choke their whole family to death sooner or later!"

Madam Jia's thoughts have always been extremely vicious. In her distorted mind, anyone who possesses anything she desires but cannot obtain is a vicious and wicked person—this is roughly the nature of such a beastly and despicable thought.

The deaf old lady next door also smelled the rich and tempting aroma of the food, and subconsciously swallowed, her empty stomach rumbling with hunger.

In the morning, the old lady only brought her a bowl of thin, watery porridge and a dish of bland pickled vegetables. She was already feeling unhappy, and when she smelled the enticing aroma, she felt even more aggrieved.

She couldn't help but slowly push open the door and walk out, carefully discerning the source of the fragrance. She realized it was indeed coming from the Chen family's house, and couldn't help but take a few deep breaths.

She had originally planned to go up and ask for some food to satisfy her craving, but remembering what happened yesterday, the deaf old lady finally gave up the idea.

Yesterday, that little beast exposed her identity as a martyr's family member in public and ruthlessly exposed her lie that she had always relied on, "I delivered straw sandals to the Red Army back then." Even now, she still feels lingering fear when she thinks about it.

If she were to shamelessly go begging for food now, that sharp-tongued young man might escalate the situation even further. If her impersonation of a martyr's family member were reported to the relevant authorities, the situation would become truly difficult to resolve.

Since what happened yesterday, the deaf old lady has harbored hatred for Chen Wenqi. However, she also knows that even if she is filled with hatred, now is not the time to take revenge. She needs to find another suitable opportunity.

The three siblings, Chen Wenqi and his sister, sat around the small dining table and enjoyed a warm and harmonious lunch. The food on the table was eaten clean, with not a single scrap left.

Even the youngest girl, Sisi, ate three fluffy steamed buns without feeling full at all—normally, she would feel full after eating just one bun.

No wonder people often say "the poor study literature, the rich study martial arts"—this saying is indeed true. After practicing martial arts for more than an hour, the siblings' appetites had increased so much out of nowhere.

"Brother, your cooking is getting better and better! It's even better than what that old lady makes!" Chen Wenzi said with a smile as she picked at the last few grains of rice at the bottom of her bowl.

"Brother, shall we have fish for dinner tonight? I haven't had fish in ages." Little Sisi tilted her round, adorable face up, blinked her big, watery eyes, and asked expectantly.

"Okay, I'll go fishing by the river in a little while, and make some delicious braised fish for our little Sisi tonight." Chen Wenqi gently stroked the little girl's soft hair with affection in his eyes and replied softly.

"Brother, I want to go with you! I want to watch you catch big fish!" Upon hearing this, the little girl immediately dropped the small iron spoon in her hand and answered in a clear and loud voice.

"Brother, count me in too. I also want to go to the river and take a look, and I can lend you a hand while I'm at it." Chen Wenzi quickly put down her chopsticks and looked at Chen Wenqi expectantly.

"Okay, but once we get to the river, you two aren't allowed to run around or jump. You must behave and be careful, understand?" Chen Wenqi deliberately put on a stern face and earnestly instructed.

"Okay, brother!" the two children answered loudly in unison, their little faces beaming with uncontainable joy.

"Let's go back inside and rest for a while to recharge. We'll head to the riverbank at 1:30 this afternoon sharp," Chen Wenqi said slowly, glancing at the sun outside the window.

"Mmm!" The two little ones immediately nodded repeatedly like chickens pecking at rice, their bright eyes almost shining.

Around noon, Chen Wenqi finally managed to coax the little girl, who was refusing to take a nap, into a dream. He then lay down on the bed himself, and with a slight thought, his consciousness instantly entered the mysterious Xuanwu Secret Realm.