I Have a Lake as I Walk Through the Courtyard

Lin Feng patted his head, inwardly scolding himself for his loose tongue! Why couldn't he have just kept quiet? Why was he so impulsive? Looking at Sha Zhu's expression, if he didn't reveal something, he wouldn't be able to have a good day today.

"Brother Zhu! I only heard it from someone else. You wouldn't believe it even if I told you. If you ask Yi Zhonghai, you might end up blaming me for spreading rumors! But I do have a solution."

"What method?" Sha Zhu seemed to sense something was amiss. "Why are you so hostile towards that old man?"

"Do you still want to hear a solution?"

"Okay, okay, go ahead and say it!"

"You definitely won't get the truth if you try to find out for yourself. The only way is to have Sister Yushui find out! She'll definitely find out the truth, but in the end, it depends on whether you believe her or not!"

Sha Zhu stared at Lin Feng for a long time. "Couldn't you just tell me directly? Why did you have to go through all this trouble!"

"This concerns your marriage! Don't you want to get to the bottom of this? If you don't, your wife probably won't be able to marry into your family!"

Sha Zhu left Lin Feng's house with a heavy heart. Lin Feng's words made him lose his appetite for cooking. This was the first time in so many years that he couldn't concentrate in the kitchen!

"Zhu is cooking!" Yi Zhonghai walked straight in, looked at the silly Zhu who was sitting next to the stove with his head down, and asked softly.

"Yes, old man!" Sha Zhu didn't even look up when he heard the voice. He was staring at the fire on the coal stove, deep in thought.

The old man cursed inwardly; every time Sha Zhu came out of Lin Feng's house, he caused trouble. "Zhu Zi, what's on your mind? Tell this old man."

The aroma from the pot gradually wafted up, but Sha Zhu seemed not to hear it. Finally, as if he had made up his mind, he took the pot off the stove, sealed the stove, and suddenly stood up.

"Sir, I have to go out urgently. Let's talk later!"

After finishing speaking, Sha Zhu ignored Yi Zhonghai's expression, didn't even bother to close the door, and went straight out of the courtyard. Yi Zhonghai narrowed his eyes as he watched Sha Zhu's retreating figure!

When Sha Zhu arrived at his sister's school, he was stopped by the school gatekeeper. "You say you're looking for your sister, what grade and class is she in?"

Sha Zhu was stunned by the question. Apart from the time he brought his sister here after she was admitted to a vocational school, this was only the second time he had come. Hearing the gatekeeper's words, Sha Zhu froze on the spot.

"You're not here to tease me, are you? You don't even know which class your own sister is in, do you?"

The old gatekeeper's words made Sha Zhu feel utterly ashamed. He lowered his head like a schoolboy who had done something wrong. "Grandpa, I... I forgot!"

"Heh! You're really something, forgetting even which class your own sister is in. Well then, you can try to remember at the door. You're not being specific; with so many people in the school, how am I supposed to find her?"

After the old man finished speaking, he gave Sha Zhu a disdainful look, then ignored him as he sat at the door.

Sha Zhu clutched his hair, a wave of guilt rising from the bottom of his heart. Thinking of the little girl who used to follow behind him, Sha Zhu's eyes unconsciously welled up with tears.

Yu Shui was reading in the classroom after finishing her meal when Yu Haitang came running up, panting. "Yu Shui! I saw your brother sitting at the school gate!"

"No way, how could he possibly be in the mood to come see me?"

"It really is him! I've looked at it several times! Go outside and see for yourself..."

Rain looked at her best friend with a skeptical expression. "Are you trying to tease me again?"

"Oh, I'm telling the truth! I didn't get enough to eat at the cafeteria, so I went out and bought a sweet potato. I saw a man sitting by the door, and I just took a second look out of curiosity. You'll believe me, okay?"

"Fine, fine, I give up! I'll go outside and see, okay?" Yu Shui helplessly closed the book, carefully put it into her schoolbag, and accompanied Yu Haitang, who was skipping along, out of the classroom.

"It really is him!" Even if his own brother turned to ashes, he'd recognize him! He hurried over to Sha Zhu's side. "Brother, why are you sitting here?"

Hearing the familiar voice, Sha Zhu grabbed his sister, tears welling in his eyes as he looked at the rain. "Brother, I'm so sorry!"

Yu Shui was taken aback by Sha Zhu's sudden display of affection. "Brother, don't scare me! Did you do something wrong? You took the factory's leftovers again! Didn't I tell you not to take them anymore..."

Sha Zhu felt a warmth in his heart upon hearing this. He wiped away his tears and looked at the thin raindrops. "You haven't eaten yet, have you? Let me treat you to a meal!"

"Brother, no need, I've already eaten! Eating out is too expensive!"

"It's alright! This must be Yu Haitang! You two can go together."

"Really? That's great! I wasn't full from the sweet potatoes we had earlier... Let's go, Rainwater!"

"Ugh, I'm really fed up with you guys, wasting money like this!"

The three of them found a state-run restaurant. Sha Zhu looked at the dishes on the menu and, ignoring his sister's objections, generously ordered a plate of braised pork and two vegetable dishes!

"If it's not enough, let's order more. We're happy today!"

Seeing her brother in high spirits, the rain didn't dampen their spirits. She knew her brother's income all too well. When the dishes were served, the two girls' mouths watered as soon as they saw the bowl of braised pork!

"Eat up, don't be shy! If you're still hungry, I'll order more. Even at restaurants, you can't always get meat. This is a rare opportunity, don't waste it!"

Upon hearing this, He Yushui and Yu Haitang could no longer maintain their composure. They immediately stopped talking and began eating meat and rice with great relish.

Silly Zhu sat silently to the side, watching his younger sister eat, and felt as if something had stabbed him in the heart!

Both girls were stuffed; the three dishes were left untouched, having been completely cleaned by the two girls! Yu Shui slumped in her chair and let out a satisfied burp.

"Now you can tell me, what exactly happened today? You seem really off!"

Sha Zhu looked at Yu Haitang sheepishly. "It's okay, she's my best friend, one of my own!"

Hearing Yu Shui say this, Yu Haitang was extremely satisfied. "Yes, Brother Zhu, just say what you want to say, I'll definitely stand by your side!"

Yu Haitang smiled, dazzling Sha Zhu for a moment. She took a deep breath and recounted her entire conversation with Lin Feng.

"That's easy!" Yu Haitang patted her still-developing chest. "I've been treated to a good meal by you, so I'll help you with this! I promise I'll find out all the information for you!"

Rain thought for a moment and realized that her best friend was more suitable to handle this than she was. "We'll go back during the New Year's holiday! But before that, you're not allowed to tell anyone about this, otherwise I can't help you."

"Why is that?"

"You're so stupid! Why doesn't Lin Feng just say it directly? Don't you know who he's wary of? I know that guy too well, he's incredibly shrewd! If he's willing to tell you, it's probably true!" Yu Haitang looked at Sha Zhu with exasperation.

"Is that so?" For some reason, Sha Zhu suddenly thought of Yi Zhonghai. "Fine, I won't tell anyone!"