I feel right at home in the world of the courtyard house.

Early Sunday morning.

Yan Bugui rushed to the market and grocery store before dawn, returning with a mountain of vegetables and meat piled on the table. His aunt, seeing the display, couldn't help but gasp, "Dad, buying so much stuff today? Are you trying to save money?"

Yan Bugui sighed, his expression still grim: "Sigh, it's all because of Jie Cheng's matter. I went to his place yesterday specifically to promise to treat him to dinner today."

"There's no need to buy so much! Can't you just make a few simple dishes?"

"He said it wouldn't be good to invite only him, so he wanted to invite Liu Haizhong, Xu Damao, and Qin Huairu, and even specifically asked Shazhu to be in charge of cooking."

Upon hearing this, the old woman's face immediately fell: "Old man, you've been talking about the radio for so long, and now you can't listen to it again."

"Let's get through this first! Put all this money in Jiecheng's account, and he can pay it back slowly after he starts working."

"Yes, this is something I did for Jie Cheng. Thinking about it that way makes me feel much better," the third aunt said, trying to comfort herself.

Just then, Sha Zhu shouted from the courtyard gate. Yan Bugui went out to greet him and heard him say bluntly, "Li Jing'an just asked me to tell you to take all your things to his courtyard and have lunch there. He also said he knows you're a fishing expert and wants to try some of your catch today."

After saying that, Sha Zhu turned and left.

Yan Bugui froze on the spot, stamping his feet in frustration: "Fish? What are we going to do? Can't I go catch one right now?"

He sighed heavily, reluctantly pushed the cart, gritted his teeth, and went out to buy fish again.

At noon, Li Jing'an's courtyard was bustling with activity. Sunlight streamed into the yard, smoke filled the house, and voices rang out. In the kitchen, Sha Zhu, wearing an apron, acted like a master chef, directing Yan Jiecheng to wash vegetables, scrub pots, and assist him, keeping the young man running around like a headless chicken.

Inside the main room, Liu Haizhong, Xu Damao, and Qin Huairu were already seated. Li Jing'an glanced at the uneasy Yan Bugui and said with a smile, "Third Uncle, why don't you pour Huairu a glass of water? What, are you looking down on women?"

"No need, no need, I can do it myself." Qin Huairu was about to get up when Li Jing'an gently pressed her down.

"Huai Ru, today is Uncle San's treat, so just sit and wait to eat, you don't need to worry about anything."

Seeing this, Xu Damao immediately sensed something was up—Yan Bugui wanted something from Li Jing'an! He couldn't miss this opportunity, and immediately joined in the commotion: "Third Uncle, pour some for me too!"

Liu Haizhong, standing to the side, chimed in with a grin, "Old Yan, there's mine too."

Yan Bugui had no choice but to put on a smile and pour tea and water for everyone, adopting an extremely humble attitude.

Li Jing'an picked up the wine bottle on the table again, glanced at it, and slowly said, "Third Uncle, these two bottles aren't enough for you. Go get another one."

"Yes, Uncle, since you're treating us today, I have to drink at least one bottle myself. Otherwise, I wouldn't want to disappoint you with such a generous offer," Xu Damao immediately replied.

"Then let's get two more bottles," Li Jing'an decided.

Yan Bugui could only slink out of the house and go to the kitchen to call Yan Jiecheng to buy two more bottles of wine.

"Hey, hey, bring me two packs of cigarettes!" Sha Zhu poked his head out. "Uncle, you're treating, so I'll cook for you for free. Getting two packs of cigarettes isn't too much to ask, is it?"

Yan Bugui opened his mouth as if to say something, but ultimately swallowed it back and could only tell his son to buy the cigarettes with a sullen face.

The food was quickly served, a table full of steaming hot dishes that smelled delicious. Sha Zhu wiped his hands and pulled up a chair to sit down.

Li Jing'an glanced at everyone: "Why hasn't the eldest uncle arrived yet?"

Qin Huairu replied, "The old man said he has something to do today and won't be coming."

"What's the solution?"

"I told him to go home first," Yan Bugui said quickly.

"What kind of talk is that? You've been busy all morning, why are you going home without even eating?"

"I've made some at home, I'll eat something when I get back..." Yan Bugui thought to himself, telling his son to stay away first, lest he ruin the situation because he was being naive.

"Alright, let's begin the meal then." Li Jing'an didn't ask any more questions.

"Okay!" Xu Damao reacted the fastest, standing up abruptly. "Then the first drink must be to Brother An, thank you!"

This infuriated Liu Haizhong, who was eager to claim the credit, so much so that he was secretly holding his breath and was a step too slow.

Li Jing'an waved his hand: "Don't thank me, you should thank Uncle San for his generosity today."

"Yes, yes, thank you, Uncle Xie!"

Everyone raised their glasses and drank them down in one gulp.

"Third Uncle, pour the wine!" Xu Damao said with a wicked grin.

"That's right, Third Uncle, how can you be so blind?" Sha Zhu chimed in with a joke.

Xu Damao and Shazhu, who usually fought fiercely, surprisingly formed a united front today, both teasing Yan Bugui. The room was filled with laughter and toasts, but Yan Bugui was heartbroken, eating every bite with utmost discomfort.

After a hearty meal, with the table littered with cups and plates, everyone got up to say goodbye, patting their bellies with satisfaction.

Seeing that Yan Bugui was dawdling and showed no sign of leaving, his eyes glued to the leftover food on the table, Li Jing'an immediately said, "Da Mao, take Uncle San home."

"Alright! Uncle, come on, shall I help you?"

"No need, you guys go first. I'll tidy up here before I leave." Yan Bugui was reluctant to part with the meat and vegetables, his tone filled with a hint of reluctance.

"Uncle, we can't trouble you with this. Huai Ru, can you pack it up?" Li Jing'an looked at Qin Huai Ru.

"Alright, Uncle, you can go back now. Leave this to me."

Yan Bugui was reluctant to part with the leftovers, but dared not object, and stood frozen in place. Xu Damao and Shazhu, one on each side, grinned and half-dragged him out the door. Yan Bugui looked back every few steps, full of resentment, but there was nothing he could do.

When he got home, his aunt and several children were already sitting at the table, eagerly waiting for him to bring back the leftovers for a meal. Their stomachs were growling with hunger.

As soon as Yan Bugui returned, Auntie San immediately stood up, her eyes lighting up: "Dad, are you finished eating? How much food is left? I'll grab a bowl and bring it back right away!"

He was about to rush out when he said that.

"Don't bother, there's no need to go." Yan Bugui waved his hand wearily, as if all his strength had been drained away.

"Huh? So many dishes, you ate them all?" The third aunt couldn't believe it.

"No, Qin Huairu is tidying up over there."

"Why should she clean up our vegetables? No way, I have to get them back!" The third aunt was so anxious that she stomped her feet.

"Come back!" Yan Bugui suddenly shouted at her. "Li Jing'an has already spoken, what are you going to do? The matter isn't resolved yet, do you want me to lose everything?"

"We haven't eaten yet, and the whole family is waiting for those leftovers..." the third aunt muttered.

"What are you talking about!" Yan Bugui's anger, which had been building up all morning, finally exploded. He roared, "We've spent so much money today, we're almost broke. Perfect, let's not eat anything today and save some money."