Courtyard House: A Carefree Life Begins with a Lottery of Wish Power

Lin Zhuo keenly noticed that there was now a "+" after the 3% proficiency of [Beginner Forging].

When Lin Zhuo focused his mind on the plus sign, a notification message appeared.

"Consuming 100 Willpower will increase proficiency by 10%."

So this is the power of wishes.

However, this 100:10 exchange rate is definitely not worthwhile for Lin Zhuo right now.

After all, Lin Zhuo wasn't in a hurry to improve his existing skills.

Instead of spending 100 Willpower to increase that mere 10 points of proficiency, you might as well try your luck with a lottery; you never know, you might get a surprise.

Earn more wish power, and enjoy more lucky draws.

Lin Zhuo clicked on the lottery.

Soon, a system notification sounded.

"Congratulations on receiving 100 yuan, which has been stored in your personal space."

This time, the reward is money.

100 yuan is basically equivalent to half a year's salary for me as an apprentice.

Although it wasn't as exciting as the skills, Lin Zhuo was still quite satisfied.

With a thought, 100 yuan appeared on the table in front of Lin Zhuo.

It has both whole and small bills, both new and old.

The system is quite thoughtful.

With so much money, I can live a life of luxury without any problem.

Lin Zhuo put the money into his spatial storage and fell into a deep sleep.

The next day, Lin Zhuo woke up early.

Now that Lin Zhuo can be considered a wealthy man, he's no longer going to settle for meager meals and should go out and enjoy the local delicacies of Beijing.

After washing up, Lin Zhuo grabbed two lunchboxes and went out.

In winter, it gets light late; it's still quite dark at 6 a.m.

However, the breakfast stalls were already busy.

The scalding hot oil is used to fry dough cakes, fried dough rings, and fried dough sticks.

There are also steaming hot soy milk, soy juice, and tea.

At the entrance of the sesame seed cake shop, the dough maker's rolling pin flies up and down, making different rhythmic sounds as he rolls the sesame seed cakes to attract customers.

A breeze blew by, carrying a fragrant aroma that made one's mouth water.

Lin Zhuo wasn't very familiar with the area, so he found a breakfast stall that was crowded.

I ordered a bowl of fermented mung bean juice for 2 cents, two fried dough rings for 6 cents, and a serving of pickled vegetable shreds for 1 cent.

He then went to a sesame seed cake shop and spent 8 cents and 2 liang of grain coupons to buy two sesame seed cakes.

With a daily wage of only a few cents, spending nearly 2 cents on breakfast was considered quite extravagant.

Lin Zhuo packed breakfast into a lunchbox and walked quickly toward the courtyard.

As they approached the entrance of the courtyard house, Lin Zhuo deliberately slowed down, took out a fried dough ring, and took a bite.

The so-called "jiaoquan" is somewhat like a circular fried dough stick. It is crispy and delicious and is a common snack in Beijing.

When Lin Zhuo reached the entrance of the courtyard, he saw Bang Geng and Xiao Dang finish using the public toilet and walk into the courtyard.

Lin Zhuo greeted him with a smile, a look of enjoyment on his face, and said:

"The taste is really good. It's just that it's too cold today. The fried dough rings I just bought are already a bit cold before they even got home."

Banggeng stared wide-eyed at the sesame seed cake in Lin Zhuo's hand, his mouth watering.

Xiao Dang also raised his sleeve and wiped his mouth.

Only after Lin Zhuo left did Bang Geng pull Xiao Dang back home.

"+3 from the stick melon's wish power."

"+3 from Xiaodang's wish power".

Lin Zhuo was secretly pleased; the effect was really quite good.

Unfortunately, apart from Bang Geng and Xiao Dang, I didn't meet anyone else.

As soon as he got home, Banggeng shouted loudly at Jia Zhangshi:

"Grandma, I want to eat fried dough rings."

Xiao Dang chimed in:

"Grandma, I want some too."

Qin Huairu, who was cooking, asked curiously:

"What's wrong with you two? You suddenly started clamoring for fried dough rings first thing in the morning."

Little Dang's voice was sweet and childlike:

"I just saw the uncle who moved into the front yard eating fried dough rings. They looked so delicious."

Qin Huairu was still wondering who the new uncle who had moved in was.

Banggeng then said viciously:

"That scoundrel from the front yard who cheated our family out of money."

Qin Huairu then realized that she was referring to Lin Zhuo.

Qin Huairu said:

"Bang Geng, Xiao Dang, Mom has already made breakfast. How about we have the fried dough rings another day?"

Banggeng wouldn't listen at all, threw himself into Jia Zhangshi's arms, and cried:

"Grandma, Grandma, I want to eat fried dough rings today."

Banggeng, though small in stature, was shrewd enough to have already figured out that Qin Huairu had the lowest status in the family and that her grandmother's words carried the most weight.

Jia Dongxu entered the house from outside at this moment, looked at the crying Banggeng, and asked:

"What are you doing so early in the morning?"

Qin Huairu said with a bitter face:

"The two kids saw others eating fried dough rings and got cravings. They insisted on having fried dough rings today too. I didn't agree, and they started making a fuss."

Jia Dongxu's family consists of six people, and he is the only one with a job. They have no problem having enough to eat, but they still live a somewhat tight life.

It's not that I can't afford to buy a fried dough ring for 3 cents, but it does feel a bit of a waste.

Jia Dongxu said in a deep voice:

"Alright, you two, stop fooling around. If you keep this up, I'll spank you."

Madam Jia, protecting the stick, said sternly:

"You dare touch a single finger on this guy?"

"I think that Lin family kid is doing this on purpose. In this freezing weather, he doesn't eat at the breakfast stall or at home, but insists on eating at the gate. I hope he doesn't choke to death."

Upon hearing this, Jia Dongxu raised an eyebrow and said:

"Is it that kid Lin Zhuo?"

Jia Zhangshi said:

"Who else could it be but him?"

Jia Dongxu glanced at Qin Huairu, who was frowning slightly, and Jia Zhangshi, who was indignant. Then he looked at the two children who were crying and making a fuss, and he couldn't help but feel annoyed.

It's just a 3-cent fried dough ring. Lin Zhuo can afford it, but my family can't?

Jia Dongxu gritted his teeth and said:

"Bang Geng, come here."

Bang Geng was timid and hesitant, afraid that Jia Dongxu would beat him up, so he didn't dare to go over.

Jia Dongxu took out six cents and said:

"Go buy two fried dough rings and bring them back. Don't you dare eat them on the way."

"If Lin Zhuo can afford it, so can we."

Banggeng happily took the money and ran off to buy it.

Qin Huairu scolded:

"Dongxu, you're just spoiling the kid."

"The Lunar New Year is almost here, so we need to be more careful with our money."

Jia Dongxu smiled and said:

"It's okay, I'll be a level three worker soon, and then my salary will increase."

Qin Huairu had a vague feeling that Jia Dongxu seemed particularly sensitive about matters related to Lin Zhuo.

Lin Zhuo is truly an uninvited guest. Why does he have to barge in when I'm living a perfectly good life?

"+4 from Jia Zhang's wish power".

"+3 from the stick melon's wish power."

"+3 from Xiaodang's wish power".

"+4 from Qin Huairu's wish power".

"+5 from Jia Dongxu's wish power."

Lin Zhuo listened to the pleasant system notifications at home, feeling exceptionally relaxed.

As expected, the Banggeng siblings did not disappoint him. Not only did they contribute themselves, but they also got their parents and grandmother to contribute as well.

Lin Zhuo opened the door and poked open the stove that had been sealed off overnight, letting the fire burn brightly again.

Place the lunchbox containing the soy milk on the stove.

When cooled soy milk is heated, it releases its unique soy milk aroma again.

As dawn broke, many houses turned on their lights.

The door of the third uncle's house across the street opened, and the eldest son, Yan Jiecheng, and the second son, Yan Jiefang, came out.

Yan Jiecheng sniffed and said:

"Liberation, can you smell something?"