I Have a Lake as I Walk Through the Courtyard

Yi Zhonghai's house was also full of guests. Qin Huairu brought the last dish to the table, and Sha Zhu and the old lady tidied up in the kitchen. Soon, at the old lady's invitation, Sha Zhu sat down at the table.

The freshly stir-fried pork emitted an irresistible aroma. Sha Zhu's culinary skills were indeed well-deserved. The dishes on the table were a feast for the eyes and the palate, making everyone's souls linger.

Once everyone had arrived, they patiently listened to the old lady's opening remarks. As soon as the old lady started eating, Jia Zhangshi and Bang Geng became like wild horses.

Qin Huairu sat in the corner with her head down. With her mother-in-law present, Qin Huairu didn't even dare to scold her son. The old lady glanced at him, and a perfectly good dish instantly became a mess. Before he could even take a second bite, more than half of the dish was gone!

Noticing the old lady's mood, Yi Zhonghai smiled. "Children don't need much oil in their stomachs, don't take it to heart, ma'am." He then picked up a dumpling and placed it in the old lady's bowl. "I'll have a drink with you!"

After saying that, she gave a wink to Sha Zhu, who was sitting next to her. Sha Zhu immediately understood, raised his glass, and smiled. "Grandma, I wish you a Happy New Year and a long and healthy life!"

"Haha, good, good, good!"

Before the group had even finished a few drinks, the good food on the table was almost gone. Jia Zhangshi and Bang Geng finally stopped eating, patted their stomachs, and looked at the remaining vegetables and dumplings on the table, no longer having the urge to eat.

"The locust flowers are still at home, I'll go back and check on them!"

"I'll go with Grandma."

The two had barely left the table when the old lady slammed her chopsticks down on it in anger. "These people from the Jia family, so old, and they have absolutely no manners!"

Qin Huairu trembled slightly in fright, lowered her head, and silently ate a white steamed bun with the cabbage in her bowl.

"Alright, Grandma, don't be angry anymore. That's just how Jia Zhangshi is, she's not presentable enough for formalities, so don't take it to heart! Zhu Zi, bring out the rest of the dumplings, we're running out of food!"

Sha Zhu, who was drinking, paused. The bowl of dumplings left in the kitchen was for his younger sister. Hearing Yi Zhonghai's words and looking at the situation on the table, he finally put down his wine glass and brought the dumplings to the table.

"My eldest grandson is so filial!" The old lady laughed heartily, and Sha Zhu blushed with pride.

Without Jia Zhangshi and Banggeng, the three people at the table drank more and more dumplings and wine, and they ate until after 9 p.m. before finally ending the meal satisfied!

"Zhu Zi, I left you two steamed buns, they're still warm!"

Hearing the old lady's words, Sha Zhu instantly snapped out of his daze. "Oh dear, my sister hasn't eaten yet!" Thinking that it was New Year's Eve, Sha Zhu looked at the two steamed buns in his hand and felt a little embarrassed.

"That's all that's left!" The older woman seemed to have seen through his thoughts and was a little embarrassed. She had prepared enough food for today, but she had underestimated Jia Zhangshi's appetite.

"Never mind, white flour buns are good too," Sha Zhu said, seemingly feeling a little better. "You guys go ahead with your work, I'm going to find my sister!"

"Go ahead! I'll take care of it!"

Sha Zhu stepped outside. The courtyard was still bustling with activity. Every household had their doors open today. The usually frugal neighbors didn't care about the electricity bill, illuminating the entire courtyard brightly. Children in patched clothes were jumping and playing in the yard, and the sound of firecrackers could be heard from time to time.

The entire courtyard was filled with the aroma of meat and wine, and everyone who met spoke kindly to each other, putting all past grievances behind them.

The cheerful atmosphere made Sha Zhu's smile even brighter. When he looked at his own house, it was dark and starkly different from the other houses in the yard.

Sha Zhu walked quickly to the front of Yu Shui's house. There were no lights on inside Yu Shui's house. Sha Zhu knocked on the door, but there was only silence in response!

Sha Zhu held two warm steamed buns in his hands, and suddenly felt anxious. "Won't my sister run away from home in anger? It's just a meal! The older she gets, the more temperamental she becomes!" Thinking of this, Sha Zhu's face suddenly turned pale, and he subconsciously walked towards the front yard.

The old man sat at his doorstep, watching Sha Zhu's hurried steps. "Going out during the New Year holiday?"

Upon hearing the voice, Sha Zhu stopped in his tracks, his eyes lighting up. "Third Uncle, have you seen my sister?"

"Your sister? I saw her." The third uncle took a deep breath. The yard smelled delicious with meat all day; he couldn't let it go to waste.

Sha Zhu's tense mood eased slightly as he glanced at the Third Uncle, who pulled out a half-smoked pack of cigarettes from his pocket.

The old man took the cigarette, held it to his nose, and smelled it. "He really is a master chef! Your sister is at his house!"

"Lin Feng's house?" Sha Zhu frowned, looking at Lin Feng's closed door. He felt a mix of emotions. At this hour, a man and a woman alone together still had the door closed so tightly. Thinking of this, Sha Zhu hurriedly walked to Lin Feng's door and raised his fist, as big as a sandbag, to pound on the door.

Lin Feng didn't expect Yu Shui to have such a high alcohol tolerance. The two drank slowly, but they finished the bottle. They had only eaten half of the dishes on the table, and the dumplings that Yu Shui had brought were already completely gone.

As the two were discussing sex, a knock came at the door, startling Lin Feng so much that he let out a burp. "That sound is probably your brother coming! I'll go open the door."

Raindrops dampened his spirits as he put down his wine glass. Lin Feng's knowledge had made him lose track of time while eating. If his brother arrived at this time, the meal would probably be over by then.

Lin Feng opened the door, reeking of alcohol. Sha Zhu frowned, looking at Lin Feng's fierce expression, and lowered his voice, "Where's my sister?"

Lin Feng stepped aside, and Sha Zhu looked up and saw Yu Shui sitting in the middle of the living room. He took three steps at a time and came to the living room. Looking at the food on the table, he quietly hid the steamed bun in his hand behind his back.

"Why aren't you home taking care of the house during the Lunar New Year?"

Seeing the awkward expression on her brother's face, Yu Shui knew he was just being stubborn. She sighed and looked at Lin Feng. "I'm full. Thank you for today. I had a very enjoyable meal. I have to go back now!"

"Go back home, it's the New Year, don't get upset!"

Rain smiled, everything was understood without words, and ignored Sha Zhu standing to the side, walking straight into the darkness outside the door.

"Life's not bad! Thanks for today!" Sha Zhu patted Lin Feng on the shoulder, gave an awkward laugh, and followed Yu Shui out the door.

The house quieted down. Lin Feng stood in the empty room and felt something was missing. He cleaned up the leftover food on the table, walked out alone, stood at his own door, and took a long breath. Happy New Year!