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

The two walked side by side to the entrance of the courtyard house. Qin Jingru peeked inside first before cautiously following behind Zhou Feng.

"What are you doing? You're acting like a thief."

Looking at her resemblance to Jerry, Zhou Feng couldn't help but smile.

This girl is really quite lovable.

"You don't understand!"

Qin Jingru lowered her voice seriously, "I didn't tell my sister I was coming! If she finds out, she'll kill me!"

Zhou Feng cooperated with her, nodding heavily and seriously: "Okay, then you stay close, I'll cover you from the front."

The two acted as if they were on a secret mission. Zhou Feng slipped into the outer courtyard first, looked around, and then waved behind his back with his hands behind his back. Qin Jingru immediately followed on tiptoe.

Immediately afterwards, Zhou Feng ran to his front door and opened the newly installed lock as quickly as possible.

With a click, the door was pushed open, and Qin Jingru darted inside. Zhou Feng then closed the door behind her.

Inside the room, the two stared at each other for a few seconds, then burst out laughing in unison.

"Sit down and rest for a while. I'll find you some snacks and then I'll go cook."

As he spoke, Zhou Feng chuckled and went into the kitchen, pulled out a piece of pork belly, and prepared to make braised pork, which was, after all, his specialty.

While he was busy here, Bai Ling outside had already started taking deep breaths to calm herself down.

"Team Leader Bai, what's going on here...?"

The two comrades beside her looked at her actions with some puzzlement.

"That Qin Jingru is a relative of Qin Huairu. I'm worried that her character might also be questionable. I need to get to know her better so that she doesn't influence Zhou Feng."

As she spoke, Bai Ling let out a long sigh of relief and strode towards the gate of the courtyard house.

However, instead of going directly to Zhou Feng, she went back to her room first.

The remaining comrades exchanged glances, each suppressing a smile.

Sometimes, people just can't see what's in their own hearts.

In the kitchen, Zhou Feng was stir-frying chopped meat in a wok, tidying up the seasonings in his hands, and couldn't hide the smile on his face.

God knows how much of a sense of accomplishment it is for a man to have a little girl with an innocent and carefree face looking at you with adoration, and for every move you make to elicit a gasp from her!

Especially since you know in your heart that this girl isn't faking it, and every cheer comes from the heart!

There was no mirror in the kitchen, but Zhou Feng knew very well that he was about to be seduced, yet he was secretly delighted!

Is Comrade Zhou Feng home?

"I'm here!"

Bai Ling's voice came from outside the door. Qin Jingru was startled, but Zhou Feng naturally raised his chin, signaling her to open the door.

The little girl ran to open the door and immediately pursed her lips.

Standing outside the door was Bai Ling, wearing a brand-new dress. Her two braids were neatly combed and tied with pink ribbons. She looked so radiant that Bai Ling felt a little ashamed of herself.

"Hello comrade, I'm here to see Zhou Feng!"

Bai Ling nodded to Qin Jingru, then walked into the house as if she knew the way well, calling out to Zhou Feng in the kitchen, "What are you making? It smells so good!"

"You've come at the right time. This girl is Qin Jingru, Qin Huairu's cousin. I just made some braised pork; let's have some together!"

His words were so natural that Bai Ling secretly bit her lip.

Anyway, Zhou Feng was completely at ease. As a single man, he wouldn't have any problem having dinner with whomever he wanted, and it wouldn't be a problem even if he dragged two girls along, since it wasn't a blind date.

"You're Qin Huairu's cousin, right? I'm Bai Ling, and I'm also Zhou Feng's... friend."

Bai Ling rushed home to change into this outfit before coming over, but when she actually stood in front of Zhou Feng, she didn't know what to say.

She was afraid of saying something wrong and offending Zhou Feng, so she could only go with the flow and start chatting with Qin Jingru.

This conversation made Qin Jingru even more anxious.

This city girl, who looks as beautiful as a magazine star, actually works for the Municipal Public Security Bureau!

Already feeling intimidated by Bai Ling's aura, she became even more insecure after learning Bai Ling's identity.

She swallowed back all the questions she had originally wanted to ask Zhou Feng about his impression of her.

It wasn't until Zhou Feng brought the steaming hot braised pork to the table and offered her a bite that Qin Jingru's smile returned.

The little girl's eyes widened instantly as she put the glistening piece of pork belly into her mouth, exclaiming as she chewed, "Brother Zhou Feng, this meat you made...it's so delicious!"

After taking another bite of rice, the aroma of the meat and rice combined was so enticing that Qin Jingru almost fainted from the fragrance!

She wasn't faking it!

In the countryside, even for weddings and funerals, people would at most add a few slices of meat to stir-fries to enhance the flavor. You'd never see pork belly cut into such large chunks.

Besides, Zhou Feng uses very high-quality ingredients when cooking!

These days, white sugar is very precious. City dwellers are rationed to only two ounces a month, while people in the countryside can only taste sweetness during festivals.

As for rock sugar, it was an even higher-end luxury item in those days. The amount he used to make this one pot of food was enough to give as gifts twice!

With her stomach constantly hungry, Qin Jingru felt so happy to be floating on air when she encountered this bowl of sweet and fragrant braised pork. Even the rice in the bowl tasted extra sweet, and she felt like she could eat two big bowls in one go!

Bai Ling ate slowly, taking small bites. Seeing Qin Jingru's adoring look towards Zhou Feng, she paused in her eating.

She quickly went through the thought process in her mind, and she was absolutely certain that she could not possibly react in that way.

Never in my lifetime!

Just thinking about it makes me feel so pretentious!

The meal was finished amidst an atmosphere of silence from Bai Ling, excitement from Qin Jingru, and bewilderment from Zhou Feng.

"I'm leaving now, Jingru. Do you want me to take you to the bus station?"

Bai Ling was the first to say goodbye, glancing back at Qin Jingru.

Before Qin Jingru could speak, Zhou Feng interrupted, "No need, I have something to discuss with her."

This was also Zhou Feng's consideration. First, Qin Jingru hadn't told Qin Huairu that she was coming to the city, and following Bai Ling would easily expose the truth. Second, he really had something to discuss with this girl.

But as soon as he said that, Bai Ling simply nodded and turned to leave.

As soon as she stepped out the door, her expression turned ugly.

"Brother Zhou Feng..."

She tried to imitate half a sentence, but she shivered as soon as she tried. She really couldn't learn that kind of tone!

"Come here, Jingru, I really have something to tell you! I have something good to show you!"

Zhou Feng walked to the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed), opened the cabinet, reached inside and groped around, calling out to Qin Jingru.

The latter was taken aback, but his body behaved itself and he moved over involuntarily.