I Have a Lake as I Walk Through the Courtyard

As the group entered the house, the nanny had already placed the dishes on the table. Looking at the four bottles of baijiu on the table, Lin Feng couldn't help but swallow.

"If it weren't for your help the other day, my precious granddaughter would have been in unimaginable danger. Things are tough right now, so I just put together a simple meal. Please don't mind!"

Lin Feng glanced at the dishes on the table. The two meat dishes were already quite good, but the wine was of exceptionally high quality. "This is already very lavish, sir, you're too kind!"

After some pleasantries, the three men sat down at the table, while Sun Ling stayed with her mother, listening intently to the conversation outside.

Having experienced many business banquets in his previous life, Lin Feng, with his own life experience, chatted enthusiastically with the three of them until the banquet ended, at which point Old Master Sun looked at him seriously.

"Your job is good, but you're still young. Have you ever thought about taking a bigger step forward? Or aiming for a higher position?"

After listening, Lin Feng realized this was the real highlight of the day. "Grandpa, thank you for your kindness, but that's not why I saved him. Besides, I still want to rely on my own efforts when it comes to work!"

"Haha, young man, you have ambition! If you have any needs at work in the future, feel free to come to me. This old man can still lend a hand!"

Hearing this, Sun Ling stomped her feet anxiously in the room. Her grandfather never spoke up, and she never expected that this silly boy would actually refuse. If her mother hadn't been holding her back, she would have rushed out.

Sun's mother looked at her daughter with a headache. No wonder they say girls are outgoing! That's so true...

After the family dinner, Lin Feng felt very depressed. Although Grandpa Sun and his father were very polite, they were also very distant and did not ask about his personal situation. Having been around the dinner table for a long time, Lin Feng had a premonition that they were just thanking him.

After leaving the house, Sun Ling saw Lin Feng to the door. "Why did you refuse my grandfather's kindness?"

Lin Feng carefully examined the girl. Her face was completely free of makeup, making her a pleasing sight. "If I accept your grandfather's offer, what does it mean that I saved you? Wouldn't that just be a transaction?"

Sun Ling sighed. "You're so old-fashioned! Never mind, let's not talk about this anymore. Be careful riding your bike home tonight!"

Lin Feng nodded, mounted his bicycle, and made a dashing turn. The cold air made him shiver involuntarily, and his mind cleared up considerably. Thinking about the events at the banquet, a bitter smile appeared on Lin Feng's lips.

The next day at work, as soon as they finished their tasks, Sister Zhao approached them. "How did it go with our appointment yesterday?"

Lin Feng shook his head. "I'm just an ordinary citizen, why would I deserve anyone's special treatment?"

Sister Zhao patted Lin Feng on the shoulder. "Don't be too discouraged. You're nothing special at that level, but there are good and bad people among the masses. Many people envy your job!"

"That's true! Let nature take its course..."

The work at the supply and marketing cooperative was both leisurely and busy. On the last day of the Lunar New Year, the two of them took stock of everything in the store, made a record, and closed the door. The year was over.

The supply and marketing cooperative offers good benefits, and the steel rolling mill also offers good benefits. Today, the old man and his wife came out together. Watching their neighbors carrying piles of things, their smiles and hands never stopped.

When Lin Feng returned to the house, many neighbors were already wafting out delicious aromas, which included the smell of meat. Lin Feng also began to get busy.

Tomorrow is Lunar New Year's Eve. I pondered for a moment in the kitchen and then started preparing my dinner! Not long after I started, Yushui and Haitang knocked on the door and came in.

Happy New Year, old classmate!

"You're on holiday!"

"How strange! It's not like every factory gives employees holidays. You must be bored by yourself, so we came here especially to keep you company!"

Hearing Haitang's words, Lin Feng chuckled. "Welcome, welcome! But my skills are nowhere near as good as Yushui's brother's!"

The two girls ran familiarly into Lin Feng's kitchen. "Wow! Little Lin, you've struck it rich! You're eating so well!"

The two girls were dumbfounded. Other people would be stingy when making dumplings, adding a lot of cabbage and sauerkraut, and some would even omit any minced meat. But his dumplings had almost everything: chicken, duck, fish, and meat. The eggs in the basket were almost overflowing.

Haitang walked up to Lin Feng. "You're getting more and more extravagant with your food these days. You really work at the supply and marketing cooperative, huh? I'm so envious!"

Lin Feng chuckled. "We're all acquaintances, so don't stand on ceremony. Come help out and have a good meal here! Who knows, Yushui might have to go home hungry again later!"

"Hahaha! How can you talk about someone's brother like that?"

Rainwater rolled its eyes. "This guy's getting more and more cheeky..."

The two girls talked as they rolled up their sleeves. With many hands making light work, a sumptuous dinner was quickly prepared, making Yan Bugui, who lived across the street, drool with envy.

"Daughter-in-law, your sister is at someone else's house. Why don't you go and check on her?"

Yu Li lowered her head, leaving bite marks with her chopsticks. "I think it's better not to go; it wouldn't be appropriate for me."

"You're just too thin-skinned! What are you, a woman, afraid of? In today's society, thick skin will get you a lot!"

Listening to her father-in-law's nagging, Yu Li lowered her head even further, inwardly resenting her younger sister who never brought her anything when she ate and drank the best food.

When Sha Zhu returned home, the old lady came to his door. "Zhu Zi, you'll be home alone for the New Year. Why don't you come over to my place? It'll be more lively!"

With Yi Zhonghai gone, the unspoken understanding between the four families celebrating the New Year together was shattered. Sha Zhu thought for a moment, then packed up all the New Year's goods from the kitchen. "Grandma will come over to your house for the New Year!"

"That's right! Isn't the point of Chinese New Year to have a lively atmosphere?"

The two agreed and were just about to leave when Qin Huairu walked in unnoticed. "How about the three of us celebrate the New Year together?"

Despite the old lady's best efforts to prevent it, the woman still followed the scent and came over, her face clearly showing her displeasure.

Sha Zhu, however, acted as if he hadn't noticed the old lady's expression. "That's great! The more people, the more lively the New Year!"

After Sha Zhu finished speaking, he saw the old lady. "Why don't you come to my house? It's spacious here!"

"It's settled then, I'll come help out in a bit!" Qin Huairu quickly finalized the deal, and the old lady sighed as she looked at Sha Zhu.

"You're taking on so much responsibility, but do you even have enough food to eat?"

Sha Zhu looked embarrassed. "The old lady was right, I usually eat out, I don't keep much at home!"

"Oh! You! Go get it from my room! By the way, why don't I see any rainwater?"

"She's gone to the front yard for a nice meal; she doesn't even care about me anymore..."

The old lady narrowed her eyes. "You're still siblings, and she'll be getting married soon. There's no need to make things too tense! This girl should come back to help out during the New Year; what kind of behavior is it to go to someone else's place?"

"Isn't that the truth? I've told her, but she won't listen. Let her be. Nothing bad will happen to Haitang if she goes with her."

The old lady glanced at Qin Huairu's room. "You should find someone next year too. Come to my room and get some food."

Silly, he scratched his head and walked towards the backyard with a smile.