I Have a Lake as I Walk Through the Courtyard

Lin Feng politely handed the documents to Director Wang. "Director Wang, I'm here to register something; my house needs some repairs!"

The materials were prepared by Master Zhao, and were very detailed. Director Wang glanced at them, then casually took out a pen and stamp from his drawer. "Repairing a house costs a lot of money, you rascal! You've finally figured it out! Are you planning to find a wife once the house is fixed?"

Lin Feng was speechless. "Director Wang, I still have two years left!"

"Hahaha!" Director Wang laughed, seeing Lin Feng's embarrassment. "You little rascal, you're so easily teased. Don't you have a suitable date? Want me to introduce you to someone?"

"No need, no need!" Lin Feng waved his hands repeatedly, his happy life had only just begun!

Director Wang readily completed the formalities and handed the documents back to him. "You're too frail. The house needs repairs, and you need to improve your nutrition. Your parents are gone; you need to learn to take care of yourself, understand?"

"Thank you for reminding me, Director Wang. I understand!"

After leaving Director Wang's office, to be honest, Lin Feng didn't feel uncomfortable at all. Although it was just verbal concern, it was enough for a stranger.

After the certificate was completed, Lin Feng spent the next day running around with Master Zhao, purchasing almost all the necessary materials!

Ah, things are better in later years. These days, there's no such thing as door-to-door delivery. Three people bought materials and carried them into the yard, and they were all panting heavily from exhaustion.

"Oh, so you're getting ready to renovate your house!"

"Yes, my house leaks drafts terribly!"

The three women looked at the materials. "This must have cost a lot of money!"

Lin Feng smiled but did not answer. He was so exhausted that he had piled all the materials in front of his house.

"Everything's almost ready. I'll bring my apprentice to work tomorrow! I'll set up the kitchen for you first, then you'll have a place to sleep!"

"Thank you so much!"

After seeing Master Zhao off, Lin Feng went out for a nice meal. As soon as he returned to the courtyard house, he saw three old men standing at his door.

"Were you waiting for me?"

Liu Haizhong looked at Lin Feng with displeasure. "Lin Feng, tell me honestly, are you planning to repair the house?"

Lin Feng looked at the fat man speechlessly. "What do I need to explain when I'm just fixing a house?" he thought. "Yeah, so what?"

"What else is wrong! Why didn't you consult us three old men beforehand about such a big matter? Don't you have any respect for us leaders and neighbors?"

Feeling utterly humiliated, Lin Feng felt like the sky had fallen. Why was he being treated like he'd done something terrible just for repairing his house? "There aren't any rules, but I need your and the neighbors' permission to repair my house, right?"

"What kind of attitude is that?" Liu Haizhong was extremely dissatisfied, his fat face turning red.

Lin Feng ignored the guy and instead looked at the other two. "You two think the same way?"

Seeing Lin Feng's lack of fear, Yi Zhonghai coughed twice, covering his mouth with his fist. "Xiao Feng! That's the rule from above. If you're repairing your own house, all three of us need to agree!"

Lin Feng squinted his eyes and looked at Yan Bugui. "You mean the same thing?"

"Hehe, Lin Feng! Our compound is a community after all. Your house repairs will inevitably cause some noise, which will affect the lives of the neighbors. So it's always good to let them know in advance!"

Lin Feng gave Yan Bugui a meaningful look. "So, what do you think I should do?"

"Renovating a house is a joyous occasion, and everyone is happy for you. How about you host a couple of tables?"

"So you were trying to take advantage! Such a big fuss, it scared me to death!" Lin Feng said, patting his chest nervously. "Judging by this setup, if I don't set up two tables, my house won't be finished, right?"

Yan Bugui's face darkened upon hearing this, and he turned his head away, pretending to be very angry. Yi Zhonghai, on the other hand, looked at Lin Feng with a grin.

"Xiaofeng, you don't need to say such harsh things. The three of us are your elders, and we're all your neighbors. It's inevitable that you'll need to do some hammering and banging when you're building your house. Inviting everyone to a meal beforehand will reduce the resentment in the yard. Wouldn't that be more conducive to harmony?"

"Yi Zhonghai! Don't try to use your seniority to get back at me. I haven't gotten over what happened last time. I was planning to deal with you later, but now you're coming to cause trouble again. Don't blame me for that."

"What do you want? Let me tell you, the three of us are the leaders in this compound. You have to inform us of everything, big or small!"

Lin Feng was extremely displeased when he saw Fatty Liu pointing at him. Almost instinctively, he grabbed the two fingers Fatty Liu had extended and gently twisted them upwards. Fatty Liu cried out in pain and knelt on the ground.

"You call yourself a leader? Bah! You didn't even become an official, but you've already learned how to extort and bribe. Do you even have an official seal? Do you even hold an official position? And you're trying to put on airs like others? Are you even cut out for this?"

"It hurts... Let go, let go!"

Lin Feng delivered a straight kick, leaving a size 39 shoe imprint on Liu Haizhong's face. "Are you blind? Do you think I'm one of those neighbors who work at the steel mill and have to give you face? If you dare to lay a finger on me again, I'll break it in half next time."

How could you hit your elders?

Seeing Lin Feng suddenly erupt in anger, Yan Bugui subconsciously took a step back, while Yi Zhonghai glared at him angrily.

"And you call yourselves elders! Yi Zhonghai, I think the three of you have heard too many nice things lately and have forgotten your place. How clever do you think you are? You're always scheming against this person and that person. Let me tell you, most of the people in this compound are workers from the steel rolling mill. They're only being lenient with you because they're afraid you'll cause trouble at the factory. You really think you're something special!"

As Lin Feng spoke, he took out a certificate from the neighborhood committee from his pocket and grabbed the heaviest one, Fatty Liu, pulling him over with such force that the other two were secretly shocked.

"Look closely, Fatty Liu! This is a certificate from the neighborhood committee. See this official seal? See this signature? This is what a leader does. Who do you think you are? You call yourself a leader? Is there even a place for your signature on this paper?"

Fatty Liu was so embarrassed that his face turned red, and he stammered for a long time without being able to say anything.

"Xiaofeng, our positions were also approved by the neighborhood committee."

Seeing that Yi Zhonghai was still stubborn and unwilling to give up, Lin Feng put the approval document from the subdistrict office into his pocket.

"What kind of positions did the neighborhood committee give you? Just liaison officers! Their main duties are to guard against enemy agents and spread government policies! What function do you have that allows you to oversee my house repairs? Yi Zhonghai, you're always using your worthless old man's position to bluff your way through life. Do you really think everyone can't see through you?"

Lin Feng's voice was loud, and the neighbors who had gathered to watch the commotion all whispered among themselves when they heard him.

"Lin Feng, am I not being reasonable? Won't your house renovations disturb the neighbors?"

Seeing Yi Zhonghai's exasperated expression, Lin Feng chuckled. "Reason is reason, and rights are rights! No wonder you're just a worker now, so clueless. Or are you deliberately refusing to distinguish between them? Do you think we cooks are so easily fooled!"

The silly guy behind him turned pale, feeling offended.