I Have a Lake as I Walk Through the Courtyard

On New Year's Eve, Yu Shui returned home with great enthusiasm during her first Spring Festival at work. However, instead of a warm and quiet family atmosphere, she was met with a large group of people keeping her busy non-stop.

After finally getting the food ready, Yushui wiped her hands and prepared to sit down to eat, only to find that there was no longer a seat for her.

There was a table, with the old lady sitting in the middle, leaving a seat for Sha Zhu and pouring wine for him. Qin Huairu's family of five sat in a circle around the table, leaving only Qin Huairu and Yu Shui under the table!

Qin Huai smiled apologetically at Yu Shui. "Yu Shui, let's sit down at the table after they've finished eating!"

Yu Shui smiled at Qin Huairu, noticing that Qin Huairu seemed to have nothing wrong with her expression. Then, looking at her brother, who was talking animatedly and happily drinking with the old lady, the two women silently walked into the kitchen.

Because the Jia family was large, the little food that Sha Zhu and the old lady had was not enough for them to eat. There was nothing left in the kitchen. After finally finishing the meal, Jia Zhangshi cleaned up the leftovers on the table. Once the rain started, all the plates were clean and didn't need to be washed.

Sha Zhu looked at his younger sister apologetically. "Sorry, little sister, I got so caught up in the fun that I forgot to save you any food. How about I make you some noodles?"

"Yes, I have some flour at home, bring it over." The old lady noticed that Yu Shui's expression was off and hurriedly spoke up.

Yu Shui didn't speak, but glanced at her brother with a complicated look in her eyes before silently turning around and leaving. She couldn't remember how many New Years had been like this. She had thought that things would be better without Yi Zhonghai, but it was still the same.

When she went out, Yushui could no longer hold back her tears, which she had been holding back, and they fell like beads from a broken string. When Shazhu chased after her, there was no trace of his sister.

"No need to chase after her. She's probably gone to the front yard. She and that guy are on good terms. He works at the supply and marketing cooperative, so he won't miss out on her for a living."

Hearing the old lady's words, Sha Zhu waved his hand, then finally went back into the house in frustration. "It's just a bite to eat! Is it really that big of a deal? Giving us attitude during the New Year!"

The old woman, annoyed, slapped Sha Zhu's arm. "The rain's gotten heavier. You're not a child anymore. You've graduated from vocational school and are now a cadre. You should have some self-respect!"

"Hey, we're all family, why bother with these things? I'll go check the front yard."

The old lady quickly pulled the careless man back. "Alright, you'll only make your sister angrier. Let that boy coax her a bit, and then you apologize to him later. Siblings shouldn't hold grudges overnight, right?"

"Please excuse my poor appearance, ma'am! Let me take you home. I wonder if that old lady has eaten yet?"

"So what if she didn't eat? The little bit you made was all taken by the entire Jia family, they even took some for themselves! I've never seen such people before!"

Sha Zhu gave an awkward laugh. "That family of orphans and widows is having a tough time... Qin Huairu didn't even sit at the table, did she? Unlike Yu Shui, who's so inconsiderate..."

Hearing Sha Zhu's words, the old lady would have definitely swung her cane at him if it weren't for the New Year. Looking at his honest smile, she was so angry she didn't know what to say.

"Alright, take me home now!"

Hearing the knocking and sobbing, Lin Feng immediately guessed that Yu Shui had arrived. He sighed and hurriedly went to open the door!

The moment Yu Shui saw Raymond Lam, she couldn't hold back anymore and burst into tears.

"Alright, alright, stop crying! Crying during the New Year is bad luck. I left you some food. You know what kind of person your brother is, what's there to look forward to?"

Lin Feng persuaded Yu Shui to go to the living room, went into the kitchen, took out a large plate of dumplings from his spatial storage, made four other dishes, and carried a bottle of wine before coming to Yu Shui.

Looking at the lavish dinner, Yu Shui put a dumpling in her mouth, choking back sobs. "Thank you! This is the only decent New Year I've had since my father passed away..."

"Sigh! It's all in the past now. You have a job now, so find someone to date. You can celebrate the New Year every year with joy and excitement. Don't be sad. I'll have a couple of drinks with you."

Hearing Lin Feng's words, a hint of disappointment flashed in Yu Shui's eyes. She wiped away her tears and smiled brightly. "Cheers!"

As the two ate and drank, the sound of firecrackers rang out. The two young people, like children, set off firecrackers at the door, even though there was a pile of delicious food on the table!

There are no other advantages to working at the supply and marketing cooperative, except that you can buy whatever you want first once you pay and get a ticket. Firecrackers are one of them, and Lin Feng bought plenty.

The crackling sounds attracted a bunch of children. Seeing the lively courtyard, Lin Feng's playful side emerged. He disassembled the firecrackers into small pieces and distributed them to the children. Before long, the entire courtyard was filled with smoke and laughter.

Yu Shui was a little drunk, her face flushed. Having eaten and drunk her fill and had a great time, she didn't return to her house until the early hours of the morning, smiling broadly. Before entering, she glanced at her brother's house and slowly closed the door.

The next day, New Year's Day, there was a loud knocking on Sha Zhu's door. He opened it, still half-asleep and with his hair a complete mess. "Oh, it's you guys... Come on, come on, everyone get a red envelope!"

"Thank you, Uncle Silly, Happy New Year!"

He chuckled, gave each of the three children fifty cents, then suddenly his eyes darted around. "Do you want to make a lot of money?"

Bang Geng was clever from a young age, and soon followed Sha Zhu to the front yard. Sha Zhu was tall and strong, and knocked loudly on Lin Feng's door.

"No need to knock! Raymond Lam has already left!"

Sha Zhu frowned. "Why would you go out on the first day of the Lunar New Year?"

The old man gave the guy a sympathetic look. "You'll see in a minute!"

"So mysterious..." Sha Zhu muttered to himself as he led the three children to the backyard. The children had a good haul after walking around, but the neighbors in the yard were full of complaints, especially Xu Damao's wife, Lin Xiujuan. If it weren't for the New Year, she would have almost beaten him out with a broom!

Who brings a door-breaking ceremony when visiting someone's home for New Year's? Only this guy would do something like that. If Xu Damao hadn't stopped her, Lin Xiujuan would have grabbed a knife. "Shazhu, you're not a child anymore. Children are lovable, giving them a red envelope is only right. Isn't your method a bit too cruel? There are women in the house, is it appropriate for you to come in like this?"

Sha Zhu grinned mischievously, which infuriated Xu Damao, though he hesitated because of Sha Zhu's strength. "Wife, that's enough, that's just how he is. The more you talk to him, the more excited he gets! Alright, Sha Zhu, you've got the red envelope, now get out of here! If you do this again, I'll report you to the neighborhood committee for indecent assault!"

"Oh, don't be angry today, it's New Year's Day. Happy New Year to you both! You two can go back to sleep! I'll go out and close the door for you..."

The couple lay in bed watching Sha Zhu leave. Lin Xiujuan angrily threw a pillow towards the door. "How could he be like that?"