I Have a Lake as I Walk Through the Courtyard

The old lady's eyes were filled with tears. "Yi Zhonghai has taken care of me for so many years, there are some things I can't deny. People are strange like that, there are some things they can't let go of! It's the same with your son, if something happens to him I will protect him just as much."

Looking at the old lady's pleading eyes, He Daqing remained silent for a long time. The old lady's hand trembled as she pulled a box from the headboard. When the box was opened, the golden light almost blinded He Daqing.

"I'm so old now, these things are of no use to me anymore. When people get old, all they crave is family affection. Originally, all these things, including this house, were going to be your son's after I passed away! Now, take all of this as my sincere token of appreciation!"

He Daqing couldn't help but tremble. His eyes were fixed on the gold bars in the box and he couldn't look away. After a quick glance, the most eye-catching thing was the five large yellow croakers, and there were at least twenty small yellow croakers!

"Grandma, why are you doing this? You're so old, how can you manage without these things to protect yourself?"

The old lady pushed the gold bars in front of He Daqing. "When you reach my age, you'll understand. Money really is just an external thing! I've seen everything Yi Zhonghai has done over the years. I'm caught in the middle, and there are some things I can't say, some things I can't do. Although your son's situation was Yi's scheme, wasn't it also something he did willingly?"

"I've already told you about your situation. You helped my son arrange his marriage, but he was a disappointment, so I have nothing to say about it! However, I, He Daqing, am clear about my actions and my relationships with others."

After speaking, He Daqing took three large yellow croakers from the box. "This is the money Yi Zhonghai paid to save his life! After this, I'll repay your favor!"

The old lady looked at He Daqing and smiled. "What a pity! I like you more than Yi Zhonghai, but you! Sigh! Both you and your father are entangled with widows. Don't be in such a hurry!"

After the old lady finished speaking, she took out a piece of paper from under the box containing the gold bars. He Daqing took it and looked at the old lady with disbelief.

"Old lady, you!"

"If only you hadn't left back then! I really liked that kid, Shazhu! I've already made this will. I was originally planning to give these gold bars to Yi Zhonghai. Yi Zhonghai also treated your son as his caretaker, so these things would eventually belong to your son!"

He Daqing carefully put the will away. "Grandma! There's something I've kept in my heart for a long time. Back then, when I met Widow Bai, I fear I was also tricked by Yi Zhonghai!"

"So what if you've figured it out? It was your own choice! Just like your son now, who could persuade you back then? Who can persuade your son now? Keep the will regarding the house safe. Although Xiao Yi is a cunning man, he only cares about so few things. His methods may be despicable, but he didn't want your money or your life. What can I, an old woman, say?"

He Daqing gave a wry smile. "You're right! What's done is done, there's no going back! Since we're at the table, we have to accept the consequences. I, He Daqing, have that much guts. I've agreed to Yi Zhonghai's case! As for how the police will judge it, that's beyond my control!"

The Spring Festival always seems too short. On the morning of the fourth day of the Lunar New Year, Lin Feng got out of bed grumbling. "Three days off for the Spring Festival, really three days off! It feels like I haven't even had a proper holiday, and it's already over."

He slipped out of his spatial dimension after getting dressed, and sneezed as soon as he stepped outside! Lin Feng rubbed his nose. "Damn it, I'm bound to catch a cold sooner or later!"

It was freezing cold, and Lin Feng was too lazy to even ride his bicycle. He jogged to the purchasing station and skillfully started a fire to cook.

With the famine year just over, even the Spring Festival wouldn't bring any good food. Looking at the kitchen supplies, Lin Feng sighed. He continued with his usual three dishes: cornbread, thin porridge with pickled vegetables—a must-have, even if you don't like it!

Grandpa Zhao was, as always, the first to arrive for food. "You've finally come! I've been so bored these past few days... You never even come to see this old man!"

Grandpa Zhao expertly brought in the lunchbox, but frowned upon seeing the food. "Why is it this again? This purchasing manager, Li, is so irresponsible! It's the first day back to work after the New Year, and she can't even get something decent!"

"Life is tough in the countryside these days. This year the snow was heavy, so there shouldn't be another drought! Hopefully, this year will bring a good harvest!"

Hearing this, Old Master Zhao smacked his lips. "Sigh, if we had this stuff before, I'd be so happy to have enough to eat that I couldn't sleep for days. Now that life's better, I've become too fussy... You're right, fill it up!"

My colleagues, who had just finished celebrating the Spring Festival, were in no mood to work. After breakfast, they would chat in groups of three or five in the cafeteria, and no amount of chasing them away would get them to leave! The station manager turned a blind eye to it, which made things difficult for Lin Feng, who could only obediently wash the dishes! He didn't even dare to use his social media account.

While preparing lunch after a long day's work, Station Chief Chen brought a young man with him. "Lin Feng! There's something I need to tell you! Put down what you're doing and come to my office!"

Hearing this, Lin Feng glanced at the young man, a bad feeling creeping into his heart. He wiped himself on the apron around his waist and took it off as he did so.

In the office, Station Chief Chen made Lin Feng a cup of tea. "Have some tea first, then sit down and I'll tell you slowly."

Lin Feng obediently sat across from the desk, feeling uneasy. Station Chief Chen smiled at him.

"Your father and I were old comrades-in-arms. He used to be the cook in the army. It's a pity that when good times came, his body couldn't hold out!"

Lin Feng held a hot teacup in his hands, quietly twirling it between his palms, his head down, and did not reply.

"Your father loves to cook, but after watching you for two years, I can tell you have no talent for it, let alone a passion for it. I was originally planning to work you out for a few more years before giving you a chance, but things didn't go as planned, and your opportunity has finally arrived!"

"Uncle Chen, what opportunity is it?" Lin Feng's heart skipped a beat when he heard this, and the title almost came out of his mouth.

"You've finally come to your senses! You know to call me Uncle Chen now... You didn't even come to see me for the New Year, and your aunt was still nagging me about it!"

A long-forgotten memory slowly resurfaced. The original owner's dull personality had actually kept his distance from such a powerful figure. Lin Feng wanted to swear at the thought.

"I'm sorry, Uncle Chen! I was ignorant before!" Lin Feng seized the opportunity and called him that more and more naturally.

Chen Liansheng's laughter grew louder. "I'm not teasing you anymore. A person with connections has joined the kitchen, and in exchange, I've got you a spot as a purchasing agent! How about that? Isn't your Uncle Chen generous?"

Lin Feng's heart skipped a beat when he heard this. Thinking about it, Chen Liansheng had really treated him well all along. The booklet inside the state-run restaurant alone was no ordinary favor. Now he was a scrap collector. Although he was ostensibly a scrap collector, the scrap collectors in this era were completely different from those in later generations.

In this era, being a purchasing agent was a legitimate state-owned job with a formal position. Although the salary was only a little over thirty yuan a month, the potential for illicit income was substantial. The shrewd ones were always able to snag bargains, and they were all incredibly shrewd! Their working hours were flexible, and they were practically regulars in the black market and the pigeon market.

Thinking of this, Lin Feng became excited, but then calmed down. Being a buyer was a good job, but it wasn't without its requirements. If you didn't do well, the monthly targets could crush you.