I Have a Lake as I Walk Through the Courtyard

The experienced worker unloaded the goods very quickly. As soon as he finished putting them into storage, Lin Peng looked up and saw that there were at least 20 people in line! Each of them was carrying a basket.

Everyone was in a hurry to pay and buy things, and the two of them were so busy they barely had time to breathe!

"Xiao Lin! Remember to come to the neighborhood office tonight."

Lin Feng looked up and realized it was Director Wang. "Director Wang, what brings you here?"

"Can't I come here?" Director Wang smiled at Lin Feng. Lin Feng glanced at Sister Zhao out of the corner of his eye and suddenly realized why he wasn't doing so well. He didn't know how to use the resources he had.

"Director Wang, what's the matter?"

"The neighborhood committee is having a social gathering tonight, and all you single guys have to go, understand? Don't force me to go and invite you!"

As soon as Director Wang finished speaking, the women around him burst into laughter, and Lin Feng looked embarrassed. "I understand, I'll definitely go tonight!"

After finishing his busy morning, the shop finally quieted down. Lin Feng had just taken out his boxed lunch to treat his rumbling stomach when he heard someone knocking on the counter a few times.

Lin Feng reluctantly put down the lunchbox. "What would you like to buy, sir?"

"Haha! You're the most polite salesperson I've ever met!"

The voice sounded familiar, and Lin Feng looked up and stared at it for a long time. "Are you that little girl from that day?"

"What little girl! My name is Sun Ling, like the bell! You haven't forgotten me, have you?"

Lin Feng gave an awkward smile and carefully examined the legs. "Your legs are so much better now!"

"Yes! I came here today specifically to thank you! Thank you for saving my life..."

"Oh, you're welcome, it was nothing!" Lin Feng felt embarrassed to be thanked like that by a girl.

Sun Ling smiled and handed over an invitation. "My grandfather originally planned to come in person, but he's getting old and hasn't been feeling well lately, so he'd like you to come over so he can thank you personally! He hopes you can grace our humble abode with your presence."

Lin Feng accepted the invitation. "Isn't this too much trouble? It might be unlucky tonight; I already promised the neighborhood committee I'd be going on a blind date!"

"A blind date?"

"Yes! We have to go to all the bachelors in the alley, otherwise the old ladies will come knocking on our doors..."

"Hahaha! Your alley is really interesting!" Sun Ling's eyes darted around. "Then let's meet tomorrow night. We'll be waiting for you at home! You have to come!"

Lin Feng stared at Sun Ling's retreating figure, his eyes seemingly fixed in one direction by an invisible force.

"Alright, stop looking, the girl's already gone!"

Lin Feng snapped out of his daze. "Sister Zhao, you're making fun of me again!"

"Have you taken a fancy to that girl? She's a good match for your age!"

Raymond Lam opened the invitation and glanced at it. "What's the use of being age-matched?"

Sister Zhao curiously leaned closer. "Oh! He lives here, a kid from a wealthy family!" After looking at the invitation, Sister Zhao looked at Lin Feng with a hint of pity. "No wonder he's so handsome!"

Lin Feng stopped talking, otherwise, given Sister Zhao's gossipy nature, she wouldn't get away with it until she explained everything clearly today!

The shop was very busy before the New Year, and time flew by when things got busy. As soon as it was time to leave work, Sister Zhao would rush off.

After tidying up the shop and locking the door, Lin Feng carried a basket back to the courtyard house.

"Hey, what good stuff did you buy?" The old man standing at the door twitched his nose.

Lin Feng hurriedly covered the basket with the cloth even more tightly. "Good stuff, let's improve our meals!"

Watching Lin Feng's retreating figure, the third uncle muttered, "They're all so cunning!"

At Nan Yi's doorstep, Liang Ladi smiled and took the basket. "Goed fishing again?"

Lin Feng rolled his eyes. "We've got some good stuff today! Offal and pig intestines, and some eggs!"

Liang Ladi lifted the cloth covering the basket and gasped. "Where did you buy this? You're amazing!"

"Hehe, it was recommended by an acquaintance. Consider these two pounds of pork belly as a service fee. Ask Chef Nan to braise it for me. As for the large intestine, I'll just make it to order. I know Chef Nan has a specialty dish called Nine-Turned Intestine!"

"These will be quick to prepare! I'll take them to the kitchen right away." Liang Ladi said, picking up the basket and running into the kitchen. Lin Feng smiled and walked into the living room. Sure enough, Old Man Yang, that foodie, was here.

"Kobayashi, what exciting delivery did you bring today?"

Lin Feng kept everyone in suspense. "You'll find out in half an hour."

The aroma of braised pork is incomparable to that of stir-fried dishes. More than 20 minutes later, the domineering smell swept through the entire courtyard. Lin Feng kept his mental energy focused on the kitchen. Even though the pot lid was not lifted, the smell had at least spread beyond the alley.

Old Yang sipped his tea, swallowing hard. "My goodness, this tastes amazing! It really is pork! I'm in for a treat today."

At Uncle San's house, Yan Bugui put down his chopsticks and took a deep breath facing the window. "It's not even New Year's yet, why are they already using a braising pot! Too extravagant..."

"That guy, an official of the Eighth Rank, can afford to eat like that. He's full and his whole family isn't hungry. I can't help but envy him!" Yan Jiecheng's mouth watered, and he couldn't stop stuffing salted vegetables into his mouth.

As Jia Zhangshi held a cornbread in her hand, the aroma made her drop her chopsticks. She glanced at her daughter-in-law, who was eating with her head down, opened her mouth, but ultimately made no sound.

"Mom! When are we going to buy meat?"

Hearing her son's call, Qin Huairu looked up. "We only get two ounces of meat coupons a month, and you can't even buy that at the market. Your mother has to work every day, how can I have time to go to the market? We'll talk about it during the New Year holiday!"

"Oh..." After being disciplined, Bang Geng became much more obedient. His own mother's strength was increasing, and the beatings really hurt.

Liu Haizhong ate his egg with a bland expression. "Honey, go get some meat tomorrow! Remember, don't cook it, I'll ask the guy in the front yard to make it... It smells so good!"

The second aunt wasn't angry at her husband's words. "He's a real chef, I can't compare! Tomorrow I'll get up early and buy some meat, you can go have a treat..."

Liu Haizhong nodded. "They eat together every day, so I should stick with them too, don't you think?"

"Ah, yes, yes, yes..."

Liu Haizhong glanced at his second son. "The neighborhood committee is having a matchmaking event today. After dinner, tidy up and don't embarrass the Liu family!"

The three of them ate until almost 8 o'clock. Lin Feng praised the food highly, saying that it was indeed worthy of Nan Yi's signature dish, Nine-Turned Intestines!

"I have a blind date today, arranged by the neighborhood committee, I can't skip it. It's almost time, you two enjoy your drinks, I won't keep you company!"

"Go on, go on! This is serious business!" Old Yang chuckled, putting down his wine glass. "If you really can bring a girl back, just tell me what you want to eat, and I'll write back home!"

Lin Feng chuckled. "I'll remember that. I'm really craving your local chicken and mushroom stew..."

"What's so difficult about that! Someone from the main factory will come before the Spring Festival. I'll have my family get two flying dragons then. Just wait and see!"

Lin Feng cupped his hands in greeting, took the braised vegetables that Nan Yi had prepared back into the house, threw them into his spatial storage, changed his clothes, and left the courtyard.

As soon as Lin Feng entered the neighborhood office, the social gathering was about to begin. The huge auditorium was already packed with people. Lin Feng signed his name at the door and was about to go in to find a seat when someone patted him on the shoulder.

"What did you have for dinner? It smells so good!"

Lin Feng looked up and asked, "Sun Ling? What brings you here?"