Courtyard House: A System Connecting Two Worlds, Resources for the Nation

Zhou Feng, completely unaware that his home had been thoroughly searched, was still enthusiastically taking photos with his phone in the alley.

Putting aside the slightly dirty and messy corners that are unique to this era, if you find the right lighting and composition, these original hutong scenes are really photogenic.

Even the sets in those period dramas that are touted as big productions in later generations could not possibly be more realistic than the real scene in front of him!

He'll post it on his WeChat Moments to show off, saying these are all unique "old" photos!

Zhou Feng wandered around outside until it got dark before returning to the courtyard.

He didn't notice anything unusual when he entered the house. Although the door was still in its dilapidated state, he didn't care much. He took out the high-powered stun gun, stuffed it next to his pillow, and went straight to sleep.

As an unemployed person without a proper job, he naturally slept until late morning the next day.

When he opened his eyes and groggily glanced at the watch on his wrist, it was already past ten o'clock.

Faint voices could still be heard coming from the courtyard outside.

He slipped on his shoes, rubbed his sleepy eyes, and opened his dilapidated door with some disdain.

On the stone bench in the middle of the courtyard sat a strange girl, talking to the third aunt.

Hearing Zhou Feng open the door, the girl turned her head and grinned at him: "Hello comrade, I'm a new resident who moved into our compound. My name is Bai Ling."

Zhou Feng was stunned for a moment, and his sleepiness was instantly jolted away.

This girl... is really beautiful!

She had willow-leaf eyebrows, almond-shaped eyes, fair skin, and two glossy black braids. Her faded blue Lenin suit accentuated her slender figure.

But that's really not right!

He had crammed for "Full House of Love," and the female characters in the courtyard were at best only slightly above average in looks. How come there was such an eye-catching and beautiful girl who hadn't even shown her face in the show?

A beauty like her could never be an insignificant extra!

"What's wrong with you...?"

Bai Ling greeted Zhou Feng, then noticed that he was staring intently at her. She felt a little displeased, frowned slightly, and subconsciously raised her hand to tidy her sideburns.

Why is this person like this?

Staring at someone like that on the first meeting is incredibly rude!

"Xiao Zhou! What time is it? You're still not fully awake!"

Seeing this, the three aunties quickly raised their voices to smooth things over.

Deep down, I felt a slight disdain.

This inexperienced young man lacks self-control; his eyes light up when he sees a pretty girl.

"Comrade Bai Ling, Comrade Zhou Feng moved here around the same time as you, so you young people can get to know each other."

"Okay, thank you, ma'am!"

Bai Ling immediately smiled, her eyes crinkling into crescent moons, and reached out to take the arm of the third aunt in a familiar manner, appearing both affectionate and obedient.

Women of this age really do like lively and outgoing young people.

Of course, that old hag in the middle court who always had a long face was an exception.

Zhou Feng secretly glanced at Bai Ling a few more times, the strange feeling in his heart still lingering, but he didn't think much of it. He went back to the house to get a towel and soap, preparing to wash up at the public water tap in the yard.

On the surface, Bai Ling continued to slowly and methodically pack her simple luggage, but her eyes kept glancing at Zhou Feng out of the corner of her eye. The third aunt had also gone back to her own home to busy herself, leaving only the two of them in the yard.

Suddenly, her gaze settled on Zhou Feng's wrist, where he wore a small Casio digital watch.

The silver square dial has no complicated markings, and it looks like there is a small screen on it!

After all, it's a classic model without many fashionable elements, and it's considered a low-end watch in modern society, so Zhou Feng didn't bother to take it off.

But it was this watch that made Bai Ling unable to look away.

She has always prided herself on being knowledgeable and well-informed at work.

Born into a highly educated family in Shanghai and having studied at Moscow Central University in the Soviet Union, what rare things hadn't she seen?

But this was the first time she had ever seen a watch like this.

However, remembering Sun Yue's instructions, although she was very surprised, she forced herself to suppress it and did not ask rashly.

It wasn't until Zhou Feng opened a plastic soap box, took out a purple soap with a rich, pleasant fragrance, and lathered it up with a handful of fine, abundant foam before bending down to splash water and wash his face that Bai Ling finally couldn't help but speak up to remind him.

"Comrade Zhou Feng!"

Zhou Feng, his face covered in white foam, squinted, tilted his head slightly, and uttered a muffled syllable: "Hmm?"

"Your...your watch is about to get wet."

Bai Ling pointed to his wrist.

"Oh, it's nothing!"

Zhou Feng waved his hand dismissively, then splashed cold water on his face. "This watch is waterproof, thanks for reminding me!"

His casual attitude allowed Bai Ling to take the opportunity of him washing his face to carefully examine him from head to toe.

Upon closer inspection, even more unusual details were discovered.

At first glance, Zhou Feng's outfit appears to be the most common blue cloth trousers and jacket of the time, but upon closer inspection, the texture of the fabric, the evenness of the dyeing, and the fineness of the stitching are completely different from the ordinary goods sold in the supply and marketing cooperative.

Of course, there are high-end custom-made clothes these days, but they are definitely not something an ordinary, unemployed young man like him could afford, nor would they be made in this style.

Bai Ling's gaze unconsciously drifted to the waterproof watch that gleamed with a metallic sheen in the sunlight.

Wow, this watch is really nice.

Everyone loves beauty, and the style first created in the 1980s has remained popular for over forty years.

Even in this era, her looks are still stunning, which makes Bai Ling somewhat eager to try her out.

And the soapberry that guy used smelled so good!

She could clearly smell the fragrance even from this distance.

But she also knew perfectly well that whether it was a watch or a soap, they would probably be rare and priceless items here.

Even if she wanted to buy it, there was nowhere to buy it.

Moreover, she also carries a mission concerning Zhou Feng!

Most importantly, she didn't dare to try and get it from Zhou Feng indirectly.

This is not the future; regulatory authorities don't care whether it's a gift between friends or not.

If it's defined as bribery, without the endorsement of superiors, you're in for a world of trouble!

However, through these few minutes of conversation and observation, Bai Ling could almost conclude that Director Sun's judgment was probably not unfounded.

This Zhou Feng exudes an 'abnormality' that is out of step with this era.

But... how could something like this guy coming from the future really exist?

Even though she was an educated person, she couldn't believe this conclusion!