The Beginning of a Courtyard House: Sixty Years of Internal Strength

"I heard yesterday that you went to Li Jian's house to ask for food. I've been so busy lately that I didn't notice that your family was out of food."

"I was thinking of bringing this over this morning, but no one was home. So I brought you some flour now." Yi Zhonghai quickly placed the flour on the table.

"Uncle Yi, thank you so much. This is such a precious thing, you should take it back." He Yuzhu was so moved that he quickly refused.

"It's alright. Look how thin you and your sister have become. Eat some wheat flour to help you recover. By the way, where did you two go this morning?" Yi Zhonghai asked, looking at the two of them curiously.

He had heard from Yan Bugui that the brother and sister had gone out with Li Jianguo.

"Uncle Yi, it's nothing. My sister and I went to collect trash." Sha Zhu remembered Li Jianguo's instructions and didn't mention calling the police.

"Oh, I heard you went out with Li Jianguo? Or came back together?" Yi Zhonghai was a little angry when he saw that the fool didn't mention Li Jianguo. They had only met a few times, and he was already lying to him.

"Yes. Li Jianguo treated us to breakfast before we parted ways. We happened to run into each other on our way back, and he said he would give us some food." Sha Zhu was good at lying, except when he was being silly with Qin Huairu, he was quite clever at other times.

"Oh, that's fine. I've left the flour here for you. Eat it as you see fit." With that, Yi Zhonghai went home.

When I got home, I started thinking about it. I wondered if Li Jianguo was doing this on purpose. I had just told him not to get involved in Sha Zhu's affairs.

The very next morning, he treated his siblings to lunch and even brought them food, deliberately going against me. What was he trying to do? No, I'm going to the factory tomorrow. I have to think of something.

Li Jianguo carefully examined He Bao's collection, fed the chickens and ducks, and then started preparing lunch in his space.

Suddenly, he remembered that the seasonings were also incomplete. There were no cigarettes or alcohol, so Li Jianguo went to the supply and marketing cooperative again. The supplies at the supply and marketing cooperative were not as complete as they would be later.

It's only just starting to become popular. I spent 8 yuan on a pack of Daqianmen cigarettes and another 4000 yuan on two jin of Erguotou liquor.

I bought some basic seasonings like soy sauce, vinegar, salt, Sichuan peppercorns, and star anise. Surprisingly, they even had MSG! Did they already have MSG in this day and age?

Li Jianguo even saw oyster sauce. Were all the condiments available in this era?

After buying his things, Li Jianguo went home, only to unexpectedly run into Yan Bugui again.

Since it was just some seasonings, Li Jianguo didn't put them into his storage space. He thought it would be strange to come home empty-handed every time.

When Yan Bugui saw that Li Jianguo was carrying a full load of things, he immediately came over happily.

"Jianguo, you're going to buy seasonings? They're heavy, let me help you." After saying that, Yan Bugui reached out to take them.

Li Jianguo immediately dodged: "Forget it, Teacher Yan, with your skills, who in the courtyard doesn't know you? Old Man Yan's name has been known throughout Nanluoguxiang for a long time."

After saying that, Li Jianguo ignored him and went straight back into the house. When Yan Bugui saw Li Jianguo's attitude, he shoved his back hard and went back to check the door.

After locking the door, Li Jianguo went into the space, arranged all the seasonings, and personally cooked a braised pork dish.

This body seems to have not eaten meat in a long time; it's so greedy, its mouth was watering the whole time it was being prepared.

After cooking, Li Jianguo would first try to get a cigarette. In those days, these low-grade cigarettes didn't even have a mouthpiece, and he had to exhale a few puffs of smoke every now and then.

This body has never been exposed to cigarettes before. The first puff was a bit uncomfortable, and I coughed several times.

After finishing his cigarette, Li Jianguo poured himself some wine and began to eat and drink, taking a bite of meat and a glass of wine at a time.

After eating and drinking to their heart's content, they simply used their minds to clean up the pots and pans.

With nothing else to do, I spent the afternoon cultivating in my spatial dimension. It seems that I only infused myself with internal energy; techniques like these are really difficult.

I just can't seem to get the White Rainbow Palm technique right. Looks like I guess I'm one of those people who lack aptitude.

I practiced all afternoon and took a bath in the pond. I also washed my clothes while I was at it.

That's great, it even saves us the trouble of using a washing machine, but we can't do this all the time.

Otherwise, it wouldn't make sense to the people in the courtyard; they wear new clothes every day but never wash them. Anyone would find that strange.

And this room also needs cleaning. Should we ask Old Man Yan's stingy wife?

But this body is old enough. Shouldn't I find a wife? And who should I choose?

Logically, if you need luck points, it would be most suitable to find supporting characters from the original drama.

However, the people involved don't really like the accessories. Qin Jingru, Qin Huairu's younger sister, would be a good fit, since she's obedient. But judging by the timeline, she's probably still too young, right?

However, when I first transmigrated here, the spirit said it was a combined world of courtyard houses, and there should be other movies and TV shows. I'll have to investigate properly tomorrow. I'll find a female lead to be my wife. Not only will she be beautiful, but I'll also gain some luck from her.

The next day, Li Jianguo went to the factory to collect his tasks for the week, and then left the factory.

The first thing that came to his mind was the TV series "The Little Woman Under the Zhengyang Gate," so he went to Zhengyang Gate to see if there were any taverns and silk shops from the original series.

Unexpectedly, Li Jianguo actually found the tavern, but when he pushed open the door, he discovered that it wasn't Xu Huizhen at all.

The current boss is still Old Man He, so it seems Xu Huizhen hasn't married into the family yet. But thinking about Xu Huizhen's appearance, she doesn't seem to be my type. I don't really like her.

I wouldn't say she's not pretty, it's just that her looks don't fit my aesthetic standards. I still think Chen Xueru is prettier.

Li Jianguo still ordered two liang (2ml) of Erguotou (a type of Chinese liquor) and a plate of peanuts. After all, he was already inside, so he might as well try some.

That old man He is really dishonest in business; it was definitely watered down, and it didn't taste the same as yesterday's. Oh well, I'll just have to make do. I quickly finished it and left the tavern.

I found a silk shop nearby and went straight inside.

The silk shop is now managed by Chen Xueru. Li Jianguo spotted Chen Xueru immediately; it wasn't the first time, as she is now married.

She got married way too early; he should be her first husband now. Oh well, too late.

"Hello, sir, what kind of clothes do you need made?" At this moment, Chen Xueru saw Li Jianguo and came up to greet him.

"Oh, make me a Zhongshan suit." Li Jianguo really didn't know what kind of clothes to make, so he just randomly suggested something that was popular.

Then Chen Xueru arranged for a tailor to take his measurements. He left a deposit of 5 yuan; a Zhongshan suit made of ordinary materials would still cost 18 yuan. Quite expensive.

If we're talking about Zhengyangmen, there should also be a Han Chunming, right? Judging by the timeline, Han Chunyan would only be a teenager. Sigh, that doesn't seem appropriate either.