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

"Get up, get up! Why are you so lazy!"

The next day, just as dawn was breaking and Zhou Feng was still dreaming in bed, Bai Ling's clear knocking came from outside.

"Hmm—? What time is it? You're already here?"

Zhou Feng groggily stretched his arm out from under the covers and glanced at the watch on his wrist. It was only a little past seven!

"Miss, my factory doesn't open until 8:30!"

"Stop talking nonsense! Get up and eat breakfast. Didn't we agree to go to the steel mill together yesterday? Have you forgotten? If you don't get up, I'll... I'll just open the door!"

Bai Ling's clear voice came from the doorway, leaving Zhou Feng feeling somewhat helpless.

"No, no, no! I'll get up right away! Wait a minute! I need to get dressed!"

As soon as Zhou Feng lifted his blanket, goosebumps rose all over his body.

The weather has turned quite cold now. Although it hasn't snowed yet, at night, a thin layer of ice floats on some puddles.

At this moment, the electric blanket under his body and the down comforter covering him were the most powerful seal in the world. Every time Zhou Feng got out of bed, he had to expend most of his willpower.

"Hey Bai Ling, it's so early in the morning, it's my turn to go to work, not yours, why are you in such a hurry..."

Zhou Feng muttered to himself as he put on his thermal underwear.

He also had thick clothes from that era, but they were too bulky. The close-fitting thermal underwear he brought back from modern times was much more comfortable.

"Hurry up, I'm still holding this porridge! It's getting cold!"

Bai Ling's voice outside continued to urge him on, which made Zhou Feng's movements much faster.

"Here it comes! Humph, I'll go find my brother Li again and get him a permit to go out and buy supplies, then I can live a carefree life for many more days! Then..."

Zhou Feng slipped on his shoes to open the door, and as soon as he opened it, Bai Ling squeezed in sideways, carrying an enamel basin.

Then he quickly walked to the table and put the steaming bowl of white porridge down.

"I'll go get you some pickled vegetables now. You're a grown man, taking forever to get out of bed! What can you possibly do?"

Watching Bai Ling rush out in a flurry of activity, Zhou Feng's mouth stretched almost to his ears; he couldn't hide his smile at all.

In modern society, if you don't pay enough money, which girl would take such good care of you?

Looks like this guy has quite a bit of charm!

Someone once again misunderstood their own image.

"Come on, eat quickly, and then we'll go to the factory together."

Bai Ling walked in carrying a small dish of pickled vegetables. These weren't homemade; she had bought them from Liu Bi Ju earlier, and they weren't cheap!

"Okay! Whatever you say! I'll go wash my face and be right back!"

While the two were bickering, the elderly couple across the street, Yan Bugui's family, were peering out from behind their window.

"Hey? You mean... what's going on with Comrade Zhou and Comrade Bai?"

The third aunt lowered her voice and nudged Yan Bugui with her elbow. The latter smacked his lips smugly and said, "What's going on? It's just about living together. Who knows, maybe we'll be able to have a feast in our courtyard soon!"

Regardless of whose family is hosting an event, as the only teacher in this courtyard, he is basically the universally recognized accountant.

Not only can they help collect and keep accounts of the gifts, but they can also help arrange miscellaneous goods such as peanuts and melon seeds.

Of course, after contributing their efforts, their family always brought back the most leftover food from the banquets!

Whether it's vegetable soup or vegetable leaves, there's no leftover food that Old Yan's family can't get!

Given his current relationship with Comrade Xiao Zhou, how could they possibly not ask Old Yan for help if they needed it done?

Besides, given Comrade Zhou's style and the abundance of rice, noodles, and meat at home, a banquet would be an unprecedentedly grand affair!

Thinking of this, Yan Bugui's eyes were practically overflowing with hope!

Zhou Feng, who was carrying a basin out to wash up, never expected that while things were still in the early stages of their plans, the Yan family across the street had already started planning their banquet!

Zhou Feng took the washbasin out to wash up, preparing to come back for dinner. Bai Ling, who was inside the room, was also busy. She walked to the bedside and reached out to fold the quilt for him, but she froze as soon as her hand touched the quilt.

The blanket on Zhou Feng's bed... feels so soft, and it's still so warm!

Touching the mattress where Zhou Feng was lying again, it was scalding hot.

This is... an electric blanket!

The concept of electric blankets did exist in this era, but it was just that—it existed. The factory hadn't even produced any samples yet!

After all, although those factories know the technical concept behind this, with the current power system and materials technology, it is simply impossible to apply it on a large scale.

Zhou Feng must have retrieved this from the future!

Bai Ling followed the white power cord on the electric blanket to the bottom of the bed and saw the power source, which was still lit and working.

Before she could continue her research, she heard footsteps approaching from the doorway.

"Ahem... well... as you know, I have some connections in the US, they're all friends, so they're happy to send me anything they need..."

Standing at the door, Zhou Feng watched Bai Ling's actions and knew that she had discovered his little gadget. He smiled awkwardly.

The latter pursed her lips and nodded, her face expressionless: "Let's eat!"

"Yes, yes, let's eat first!"

After the two sat down at the table, Zhou Feng could clearly sense that Bai Ling was somewhat absent-minded, but he also knew that it was probably because of the electric blanket incident earlier. So he simply buried his head in his porridge and pretended to be an ostrich, remaining silent.

The main problem is that these kinds of things are impossible to explain clearly, aren't they?

After breakfast, the two headed to the steel rolling mill. Bai Ling, who was following behind Zhou Feng, was stopped by security personnel as soon as they reached the factory gate: "Madam, please show your identification and state your purpose!"

Zhou Feng was about to take out his ID to show off to Bai Ling before taking her inside, but unexpectedly, the latter calmly pulled out an ID with a dark blue cover.

The security officer took it and examined it carefully. His expression immediately turned solemn and respectful. After a simple registration, he let them pass.

Even if she had pulled out a municipal bureau ID, it might not have been valid at the steel rolling mill, but this ID was surprisingly easy to use!

"Sister, Sister Bai! What's that certificate of yours? It doesn't look like your original one. It seems to say 'Special Operations Division' on it!"

As soon as they entered the factory area, Zhou Feng came over and watched with bated breath as Bai Ling put her ID card into her pocket.

He knew about the Special Operations Division; it was the unit of Sun Yue, whom he had met before!

I never expected that Bai Ling would have some connection with them!

"What are you asking about? It's none of your business!"

Bai Ling glanced at Zhou Feng sideways and walked straight towards the purchasing department.

"Wait... wait, didn't you say yesterday that you didn't know who the new head of the purchasing department was? Why are you walking around like this today, like you're going back to your own backyard?"

Zhou Feng followed Bai Ling with some surprise, watching her stroll around as if she were returning to her own backyard, completely at ease!

"Did I say that? How come you don't remember?"

Bai Ling didn't stop, skillfully turning two corners before entering the purchasing department's office.

At that moment, in the inner room of the office, Hao Pingchuan was hanging up his coat when he saw Bai Ling walk in with Zhou Feng.

"Old Hao! I heard from the comrades yesterday that you were transferred, so I specifically inquired about it. I didn't expect you to be transferred to the steel rolling mill!"