Courtyard House: I fish in the heavens, a professional bird abuser.

Inside Quanjude's antique-style, brightly lit hall, the noise was deafening and the aroma filled the air.

The huge round table was packed with two tables full of people, all of whom were fellow workers from the fitter workshop.

The table was laden with cups and plates, the most eye-catching of which was the glistening, red roast duck, exuding an irresistible aroma! The duck-slicing master was highly skilled; with a flash of his knife, the crispy duck skin and tender duck meat were sliced ​​as thin as cicada wings and neatly arranged on a clean white plate. Next to it were translucent lotus leaf pancakes, emerald green cucumber strips, shredded scallions, sweet bean sauce, and a small dish of snow-white sugar.

"Come on! Everyone, don't be shy! Eat as much as you want! Plenty of roast duck and drinks!" He Yuanchao raised his glass, stood up, and spoke in a loud voice, full of the pride of a host, "I'm so happy today! Thank you all for your usual support! This first glass is for everyone!"

"Respect to Master He!"

"Congratulations on your promotion, Master He!"

"Master He is so generous!"

The workers cheered loudly, raised their glasses, and the atmosphere was instantly ignited! The clinking of glasses, laughter, and exclamations filled the air.

Yan Bugui sat in the guest of honor seat next to He Yuanchao, his face flushed with excitement and his hands trembling slightly.

He had never seen anything like this in his life! This spectacle! This aroma! Looking at the glistening roast duck in front of him, he felt like he was dreaming! He carefully imitated what others did, picking up a thin, translucent lotus leaf pancake, using chopsticks to pick up two pieces of crispy, oily duck skin, and dipping them in white sugar—a technique he had secretly learned from a meticulous old worker next to him.

The moment the duck skin entered his mouth, Yan Bugui felt a sudden jolt throughout his body!

"Crunch!" A very slight crisp sound burst in his mouth—the ultimate crispness of the duck skin! Immediately afterward, the hot, rich fat melted on his tongue, carrying an unparalleled aroma! The granulated sugar, far from being jarring, perfectly neutralized the greasiness, bringing a wondrous, soul-stirring sweetness! This texture! This flavor! Yan Bugui was so blissfully happy he almost fainted on the spot! He closed his eyes, savoring it carefully, letting out a sigh of utter satisfaction, almost a groan.

It was worth it! It was worth it for my life!

Next up was the duck meat roll.

Tender duck meat dipped in savory and sweet bean sauce, paired with refreshing cucumber strips and slightly spicy scallions, rolled up in a soft lotus leaf pancake, and then put into your mouth.

A rich array of flavors unfolded on the tongue: the aroma of duck, the richness of sweet bean sauce, the crispness of cucumber, and the spiciness of scallions blended perfectly! Yan Bugui couldn't stop eating; his chopsticks danced across the table, completely forgetting his usual reserve and calculations. His cheeks were bulging, and he didn't even bother to wipe the oil dripping from the corners of his mouth.

The other workers ate their fill.

The golden and crispy salt and pepper duck frame was devoured in no time, followed by the fresh and tender roasted duck heart, the soft and flavorful salted duck liver, the refreshing and palatable wasabi duck feet... one exquisite duck dish after another was served in a continuous stream.

There was plenty of Erguotou (a type of Chinese liquor) and draft beer, and shouts, drinking games, and clinking glasses filled the air.

"Master He! I, Old Wang, am convinced! Your skills are top-notch! And you're a very generous person! From now on, if anything happens in the workshop, just say the word!" An old worker patted his chest, his face beaming.

"Brother Yuanchao! From now on, you're like a brother to me! Just let me know if you need anything!" The young men were even more excited.

"Master He, try this duck soup, it's so delicious!" The female worker with braided hair who handed He Yuanchao the lunchbox blushed and served him a bowl of soup.

He Yuanchao welcomed everyone, chatted and laughed, and toasted his fellow workers, creating a warm and harmonious atmosphere.

His gaze occasionally swept over Yan Bugui, who was sitting next to him, engrossed in his meal and with a greasy face, and a slight smile appeared on his lips.

Although this old coward is cunning, at least he said something sensible yesterday. Bringing him here not only repays the favor but also gives those beasts in the courtyard a resounding slap in the face! Judging from Yan Bugui's smug look, as if he wanted to have "I am He Yuanchao's man" engraved on his forehead, the effect was obviously outstanding.

After several rounds of drinks and five courses of food,

Yan Bugui looked at the many good dishes left on the table, especially the half-sliced ​​roast duck, and felt a pang of heartache.

His eyes darted around, and taking advantage of everyone's enjoyment and lack of attention, he quietly pulled the waiter in charge of their table aside, put on a smile, and lowered his voice:

"Comrade... um... look at this dish... it's a shame to leave it... could you... help me pack it up?" He rubbed his hands together, a fawning smile on his face, his small eyes gleaming with a calculating light.

Quanjude's roast duck! I'll bring some back for my wife and kids to try; they'll be talking about it for half a year!

The waiter glanced at He Yuanchao, who was seated at the head of the table.

He Yuanchao had noticed Yan Bugui's little actions long ago, found them somewhat amusing, but nodded indifferently.

Yan Bugui felt as if he had been granted a pardon. He quickly thanked the waiter and carefully took the oil paper package from him. He carefully wrapped up the remaining half of the sliced ​​roast duck, a few pieces of salt and pepper duck carcass, and some delicate side dishes that hadn't been touched much. He held them in his arms like family heirlooms, sat back down with satisfaction, and his smile became even brighter.

All good things must come to an end.

The workers, arms around each other's shoulders, hiccuping from their drinks, said goodbye with satisfaction, praising He Yuanchao's generosity.

He Yuanchao pushed his brand-new Forever 28 bicycle, while Yan Bugui, his face flushed and his steps unsteady, tightly clutched the oil paper package that exuded an enticing aroma.

Bathed in the first glow of the city lights, the two walked toward the courtyard house.

The evening breeze, carrying the slight intoxication of alcohol and the lingering aroma of Quanjude, blew on Yan Bugui's burning face. He felt that he had never been so glorious and happy in his life!

……

The courtyard was deep in the night, but it was far from peaceful.

As soon as Yan Bugui stepped into the front yard carrying the oil paper package, the irresistible aroma of roast duck mixed with salt and pepper spread like wildfire!

"Old Yan! You're back?" The third aunt had been waiting at the door, and when she smelled the aroma, her eyes lit up instantly, and she quickly came to greet him.

"Dad! What smells so good!" The two brothers, Yan Jiecheng and Yan Jiefang, rushed out of the house, sniffing and staring intently at the bulging, greasy paper package in their father's arms.

Yan Bugui's vanity was satisfied like never before! He straightened his thin back, his face beaming with undisguised pride and a ruddy glow, and spoke loudly, as if afraid others wouldn't hear him:

"I'm back! I'm back! Oh my, Quanjude truly lives up to its reputation!" he said, carefully opening the oil paper package.

Suddenly! Glistening red roast duck slices, golden and crispy salt and pepper duck racks, and several delicate side dishes were exposed under the dim light! The rich, domineering aroma, a blend of fruitwood smoke, oil, and salt and pepper, exploded like a bomb in the front yard!

"Whoa—!" Yan Jiecheng and Yan Jiefang's eyes almost popped out of their sockets, and their mouths drooled.

"My God! It's roast duck!" The third aunt's voice trembled with excitement, and she hurriedly went back into the house to get a plate.

Yan Bugui, like a victorious general, commanded: "Quick! Get the plates! Jiecheng, get the chopsticks! Jiefang, pour some hot water! Have your mother heat up the cornbread too! Today, our family will have a taste of something different!" He deliberately raised his voice a few decibels, making sure it was clearly heard in the middle courtyard.

The Jia family of the Intermediate People's Court.

Banggeng paced back and forth on the cold ground like a restless little animal, its little nose twitching wildly as it tried to catch the irresistible aroma of roast duck wafting from the front yard.

With each breath, the cravings in his stomach raged even more fiercely! He suddenly rushed to Qin Huairu, his face contorted with jealousy and longing:

"Mom! Smell it! Smell it! It's roast duck! Quanjude roast duck! Old Yan brought it back! Why?! Why does he have it?! I want to eat it too! I want to eat roast duck!" He shook Qin Huairu's arm hard, his voice filled with sobs and arrogance.

Qin Huairu sat blankly on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed), her swollen red eyes staring empty at the ground.

The sounds of laughter and chatter coming from the Yan family's house in the front yard, the aroma of roast duck, her son's frantic crying, her mother-in-law's suppressed curses and occasional "plop" sounds from the inner room, her husband's lifeless yet suspicious gaze... all of this intertwined into a huge net, tightly binding her and suffocating her.

The tears of regret have long since dried up, leaving only a numb, dead heart.

She didn't even have the strength to respond to her son's crying.

Jia Zhangshi lay sprawled on the kang (heated brick bed) in the inner room, listening to the commotion from the front yard and smelling the faint aroma of roast duck wafting in. Her stomach clenched violently again due to extreme jealousy and anger! She bit down hard on the corner of the quilt, hissing and cursing like a venomous snake: "Eat! Eat! Eat your whole family to death! Choke that bastard Yan Laokou to death! May he die a horrible death! Old Jia... come up here quickly... grab all those roast ducks for me..." Accompanying the vicious curse was another uncontrollable "plop plop" sound and an even stronger stench, making her gag herself.

In the backyard, the lights in He Yuanchao's small side room had already been turned off.

He lay in bed, oblivious to the noise in the front yard, the wailing and stench in the middle yard.

The triumphs he felt during the day and the satisfaction he gained at night brought him a long-lost sense of relaxation and fulfillment.

The beasts in the courtyard? They were nothing more than a few stones on his path to rise, destined to be crushed.

With this feeling of disdain, he fell into a deep sleep.

……

In the early morning, the leaden sky was just beginning to show a sliver of light.

He Yuanchao woke up on time, feeling refreshed.

The hangover from last night was like drinking water to his robust physique.

He habitually called out in his mind:

"System, check today's fishing opportunities."

[Ding! Detected that the host has completed a full natural day, gaining 2 fishing opportunities! Want to fish now?]

The cold, mechanical sound carried a pleasant rhythm.