I Have a Lake as I Walk Through the Courtyard

Seeing Lin Feng's expression, Director Wang laughed. "Weren't you very afraid of seeing me? Why aren't you afraid now?"

"How could that be! Director Wang, it's all a misunderstanding! Look, it's getting late, and I have to rush to work!"

Director Wang poured Lin Feng a cup of tea. "The procedures still need to be followed! But do you, a sales clerk at a supply and marketing cooperative, really need to go to the black market?"

"Director Wang, you know our little shop, I'm craving meat too..."

"You little brat, you're craving meat! You're the only ones in your compound who eat meat every day. At least two or three people report you every week. I think you've just gotten too picky!"

Lin Feng chuckled. "That has nothing to do with me. Actually, we didn't eat anything that good. You know, Chef Yang in the courtyard is from the north, and his family often sends him food. I'm just basking in his warmth!"

"That being said, you should still be mindful of the consequences!" Director Wang sighed, thinking of Master Yang's background. "Alright, alright! I've practically watched you grow up. I won't lecture you this time, and I won't notify your workplace. Just sign this and go to work. Be careful when you go to the black market in the future, and don't get caught again!"

"Oh, thank you so much! Director Wang, you're like family to me!"

"Smooth talker!" Director Wang said, but he couldn't help but laugh at Lin Feng's comical appearance.

Inside the hospital, Sun Ling was scolded by her grandfather for at least half an hour. She jumped up and down, grabbing his arm. "Grandpa, the neighborhood watch team confiscated the gift I bought for you! It cost over 200 yuan..."

"Can't I get it back?" The old man looked at his granddaughter with annoyance. "You're too reckless! Going to the black market all by yourself, trying to pick up bargains? Those people are all desperate criminals! What if something happens to you? How am I supposed to explain this to your parents!"

"What could possibly happen? I have a gun with me!" Sun Ling's face darkened as she said this. "Grandpa, the gun you gave me has been confiscated too..."

"Serves her right!" The old man said this, but his face remained calm as he looked at his granddaughter who was unharmed.

"I heard that a young man carried you out yesterday. Can you tell Grandpa about it?"

Sun Ling blushed slightly and recounted the events of yesterday in detail. The old man was so frightened that he broke out in a cold sweat.

"Luckily, you met a good person. If that person had been even slightly cowardly and abandoned you, the consequences would have been unimaginable. The people in the black market are all kinds of people, so you must never go alone again!"

"Understood, Grandpa! I'll definitely bring your bodyguard with me next time I go!"

The old man glared at his granddaughter. "You want to go again?"

"I'm not going, I'm not going..."

"By the way, who is that young man? We should thank him properly for his kindness!"

"I know who he is. I'll go find him when my leg is better..."

Back at the supply and marketing cooperative, Lin Feng explained the events of the previous night to Sister Zhao and then began working alone. Looking at the massive amount of supplies in his storage space, Lin Feng sat alone at the counter, lost in thought. If he didn't find a way to sell the pig in large quantities after slaughtering it, it would be such a waste!

After finally getting off work, Lin Feng arrived at Lou Xiao'e's place. "Sister Xiao'e, something's up!"

Hearing the call, Lou Xiao'e rushed out of the courtyard in a panic, looking like a thief to Lin Feng. "What's wrong?"

"Sister Xiao'e, why do you seem so guilty?"

"Oh, don't even mention it! This courtyard is full of gossips and people. With my status, at least a dozen pairs of eyes are watching me whenever I step out. I'm helpless about it..."

Lin Feng looked around, and the two arrived at a secluded spot. "Sister Xiao'e, the New Year is almost here. Does your father need fresh pork and fish?"

"You mean pork? And fresh pork!"

"Oh dear, my goodness, keep your voice down..."

Lou Xiao'e hurriedly covered her mouth with her hand. "Yes! How much do you have?"

"Currently, the conservative estimate is three pigs and tens of thousands of kilograms of fish... The village is quietly looking for ways to get them!"

Lou Xiao'e's eyes widened, she gasped, and it took her a while to react. "What do the villagers want?"

"Of course, money and cloth coupons, grain coupons would be best! Tobacco and alcohol coupons would also be fine..."

Lou Xiao'e frowned. "I can get some tickets, but not many. Can I use money? Those tickets have expiration dates and are hard to get. I can offer a 20% premium so the villagers can buy the tickets themselves, is that alright?"

Lin Feng pretended to be hesitant. "Alright then! I'll talk to them about it later. There's a lot of stuff now, so it should be easy to get them to listen!"

Lou Xiao'e's eyes darted around. "Tomorrow night, have the villagers do the work of slaughtering a pig and sending it there, along with 200 catties of fish! I'll go home and ask my father too!"

"Do you need to go into the water?"

"Of course! My cook is a master chef; you can't miss a single pig hair..."

"What about chicken eggs, duck eggs, and goose eggs?"

"Hehe! I'll give away 500 chicken eggs, 300 duck eggs, and 100 goose eggs! I can decide that!"

Lin Feng silently noted down the numbers. "You want so much? Can your family finish it? There are only a few people in your family, don't waste it..." Lin Feng didn't care much about money, but he couldn't bear to waste food in this day and age.

"Don't worry, I'm being very conservative! I have many uncles and aunts, I'll go back and ask my dad right away, they'll only ask for more, not less, so you should send them over as soon as possible!"

"Safety first! I'll deny everything once I've taken the money!"

Lou Xiao'e looked around. "Don't worry, we're more cautious than you! You've done my family a huge favor; I'll send you something nice later."

"What good stuff is it?"

"You'll see when the time comes! By the way, do you like seafood? My dad got a lot from Tianjin..."

"No way! I can't afford that stuff!" Lin Feng was a little annoyed, having the title of chef but not knowing how to cook!

Lou Xiao'e patted him on the shoulder. "I'm not taking your money! We'll talk about it later, let's take care of business first!"

Finally, the next evening arrived. Yingfeng saw that it was completely dark. He walked to the vicinity of the agreed location, took out a cart from his spatial storage. The goods on the cart had already been placed on it. When he pushed it to the entrance of the alley, the people arranged by Lou Xiao'e had already come out.

"Is that Kobayashi?" The person shone a flashlight when they heard the voice.

"Yes, Uncle Zhao! There's a lot of stuff, come and lend a hand!"

After making contact, four people rushed out of the darkness, and everyone hurriedly pushed the cart into the yard. "Luckily, I'm in a secluded spot in the yard. Wow, this is really something new! Have a seat for a moment, I'll have the brothers weigh it!"

Lin Feng nodded, and then a large scale was brought out of the room. After weighing everything, Uncle Zhao grinned, showing off his bright white teeth. "Miss Zhao has already spoken to me. This fresh pork will all be priced 20% higher, and it will be sold separately from the offal. This whole pig will be roughly 400 yuan. Is that alright with you?"

Lin Feng did a quick mental calculation. "Great!" Another year's salary in hand, what a rip-off!

"The prices remain the same, keep your money safe!" Lin Feng nodded, put the money in his pocket, and Uncle Zhao pushed the empty cart all the way to the alley entrance.

"These things are nice, our young lady might want some more! She'll look for you later!"

Lin Feng was delighted to hear this; he'd been doing business with Lou Xiao'e for so long without any problems. "I understand!"