Courtyard House: The Frog Boy Brings Back a Genetic Potion at the Start

She paused, her feigned composure faltering slightly as a faint blush crept across her face, and her voice lowered. "Oh, right, there's something... Didn't my parents mention before that they'd like to invite you over for a casual meal?"

My mom asked me to ask if you're free on the 23rd of the twelfth lunar month, the day before the Lunar New Year.

Although the words were spoken subtly, both of them understood the underlying meaning perfectly.

The Little New Year, a day for family reunion, and the formal invitation from parents—this is almost an obvious test.

Hao Jianguo nodded almost without hesitation: "I'm free."

The date is approaching, I need to think carefully about what to bring when I visit.

He answered solemnly, as if this was not a simple meal, but a very important matter.

Seeing how earnest he was, Yu Li felt a sweet warmth spread through her heart, but she still scolded him, "It's good that you have the intention, don't spend too much money."

For her, the value of the gift was irrelevant; what mattered was his attitude of cherishing her dearly.

Just like now, being able to walk quietly with him for a while, watching our shadows lengthen and shorten on the bluestone slabs, fills my heart with a peaceful joy.

Hao Jianguo shook his head, his expression unusually serious: "This is the first time I've formally visited your home, how can I be careless? We must be mindful of our manners."

He pondered for a moment, his gaze falling on Yu Li's cloth shoes, and suddenly said, "You always walk around like this, it's too tiring."

How about I get you a bicycle too? It'll be more convenient when we meet in the future, or when you go anywhere.

These words surprised Yu Li.

In those days, a bicycle was a real "big-ticket item," requiring not only a lot of savings but also the rare ration coupons that were hard to come by.

So many people were eagerly anticipating it, yet he spoke of it so casually, as if it were just buying a cabbage.

"This...this is too expensive, I can't accept it."

She hurriedly waved her hand.

Hao Jianguo stopped and gazed at her intently.

In the twilight, his eyes were exceptionally clear and gentle: "Anything I give you, no matter how precious, is worth it."

Besides, with a car, wouldn't it be much easier for us to meet? Leave this to me."

Yu Li opened her mouth, but ultimately did not refute it.

It would be a lie to say that I have no interest in bicycles.

Who wouldn't want a convenient mode of transportation, braving wind and rain? What touched her heart even more was the undeniable tenderness and responsibility in his words.

A warm current enveloped her heart, and she quietly squeezed his hand back, feeling as if the evening breeze had become exceptionally tender.

It seems I really did find the right person.

Her eyes were lowered, and she couldn't suppress the smile on her lips.

As the young man from the Hao family led the young woman into the courtyard, all eyes in the courtyard quietly turned to them.

The two held hands, their expressions natural, and anyone with eyes could tell what was going on.

Last time when Miss Yu came, the courtyard was deserted and few people were seen; today was different. After dinner, the neighbors gathered in twos and threes under the eaves and in the courtyard, and this scene was seen by everyone.

"Jianguo, are you dating someone? You've been keeping this a secret for a long time."

"You two are a perfect match! The girl is very beautiful, and when you stand together, you look like you've stepped out of a painting."

A few cheerful greetings were offered.

Saying nice things costs nothing and shows intimacy, so who wouldn't be happy? Besides, the girl is indeed pretty, so it's not like I'm being dishonest.

Several bachelors in the courtyard watched with envy, their Adam's apples bobbing involuntarily. When they looked at Hao Jianguo again, their eyes were filled with an indescribable mix of envy and bitterness.

Yan's son let out a long sigh, turned his head away, afraid that his gaze might be too inappropriate and alert Hao Jianguo.

Liu's son and Xu Damao, whose face was still bruised, both lowered their heads, their fingertips unconsciously tracing patterns on the muddy ground, praying to some deity, hoping that their families could also have such a marriage soon.

Yu Li's arrival was like throwing a pebble into a calm pond.

Seeing that she was in the prime of her youth and radiant with beauty, many people couldn't help but compare her to Qin Huairu.

After all, Qin Huairu almost became Hao's daughter-in-law back then.

The difference was immediately apparent, and someone whispered with a sigh, "Look at Hao Jianguo, he's really made something of himself now, even the girl he found is so beautiful."

Then I think of Qin Huairu... Sigh, thank goodness it didn't work out back then.

"That's right. If he really gets in, who knows what kind of trouble he'll bring to the Hao family."

Whispers drifted like the wind, gently sweeping across the courtyard.

Qin Huairu was standing by her own door when those words entered her ears without missing a single one.

She bit her lip, her fingers clenched tightly, her nails almost digging into her palms.

Old Mrs. Jia sat on the doorstep, clutching the sole of a shoe in her hand, her triangular eyes following the young couple's movements with a sinister glint in her eyes.

Seeing Hao Jianguo living such a prosperous life only fueled her rage. "That shameless little beast, why does he get to live so comfortably? He should be the one suffering!"

She spat, a calculating glint in her cloudy eyes. "Dating? I'll ruin your good fortune!"

Hao Jianguo went inside to prepare dinner and told Yu Li to take a walk around the yard.

Seeing an opportunity, Granny Jia forced a smile and stepped forward. "Young lady,"

She lowered her voice, feigning friendliness as she pulled Yu Li's arm and led her to a corner. "I heard you're talking to this family right now? There are some things I, as someone who's been through this, need to talk to you about..."

Yu Li thought to herself that the two of them hadn't known each other for long, and their relationship probably wasn't very deep. She was afraid that with a little trick, their relationship would be cracked.

Jia Zhangshi's phrase "finding a partner"

As soon as she spoke, a faint blush spread across Yu Li's cheeks. She lowered her eyelashes and nodded gently.

She was unfamiliar with most of the people in this courtyard. Although Hao Jianguo had mentioned the neighbors a few times, how could the names he mentioned match the living, breathing people in front of her? She didn't recognize the old woman with the injured foot and the smiling face at all.

Seeing the other person's difficulty walking, Yu Li's heart was touched, and she naturally didn't feel any sense of caution.

Little did she know that while Jia Zhangshi wore a kind expression, a vicious thought was brewing in her mind—look at that girl's shy demeanor, she's obviously inexperienced.

Jia Zhangshi was indeed a skilled actress.

At this moment, her expression suddenly became complicated. Her gaze towards Yu Li flickered uncertainly, and her lips moved a few times, but then she seemed to swallow her words back.

This demeanor made the simple-minded Yu Li anxious, and she couldn't help but ask, "Mother-in-law, is there something you want to say? Please speak frankly."

Madam Jia sighed, "Alright, since you asked, it's not that this old woman likes to gossip... Girl, let me give you some advice, that family is really not that great."

You're young, don't make a mistake in your judgment.

Before she could finish speaking, she started talking non-stop.

This scene was witnessed by Aunt San from a distance.

Although she couldn't hear the specific words, Aunt San immediately understood from Jia Zhangshi's gesturing, pouting, and frowning manner, coupled with the long-standing animosity between the Jia family and Hao Jianguo—this old hag was definitely gossiping again.

She quickly called Yan Bugui out of the house and gestured in that direction with her lips.

"Look at her, Jia Zhangshi can't stay still for a moment. She's only been out for a short while, and her illness has flared up again."

If she keeps spouting this nonsense, I think she'll definitely ruin things between this girl and Hao Jianguo.

Aunt San knew all too well how good Jia Zhangshi was at spreading rumors and gossip. In her eyes, Yu Li standing in front of Jia Zhangshi looked just like a naive little lamb.

Yan Bugui looked in that direction, his brows furrowed, his face full of disapproval.

Aunt San suggested in a low voice, "Why don't I go over there now and expose her lie to her face? That way, we can help Teacher Hao and also bring the two families closer together."

Grandpa San quickly weighed the options in his mind, but ultimately shook his head. "Don't go looking for trouble."

"You know Jia Zhangshi's temper. Aside from the time she suffered at Hao Jianguo's hands, who has ever lost to her? If she gets on your nerves, you can forget about having any peace and quiet from now on."

Even though he respectfully addressed Hao Jianguo as "teacher," Yan Bugui still chose to avoid trouble when it came to his own interests.

After saying this, he looked regretful and shook his head.

"I think this marriage is likely to go wrong."

That girl is quite pretty. If she really breaks up with Hao Jianguo, do you think... you could act as a matchmaker for us?

Grandpa San's mind was racing with calculations.

However, before he could finish speaking, a clear and resolute voice suddenly rang out:

"You're not telling the truth! I don't believe you!"

Yu Li's sudden reaction startled Jia Zhangshi.

Her eyes widened as she stared in disbelief at the seemingly docile girl in front of her—her own set of persuasive words, which usually swayed so many people, how come this little girl was so stubborn?

What alarmed Jia Zhangshi even more was that Yu Li's shout was quite loud and had already alerted the neighbors.

Several door curtains were lifted, and curious eyes turned towards them.

When everyone saw Yu Li and Jia Zhangshi standing together, they roughly guessed what was going on.

Yu Li straightened her back, her voice trembling uncontrollably: "Who exactly are you? What gives you the right to fabricate such accusations against Jianguo? How can you be so heartless!"

Yu Li immediately raised her voice and questioned her.

More and more people gathered around, their eyes all falling on Jia Zhangshi, pointing and whispering.

Jia Zhangshi's face turned pale and then red. She wanted to argue, but Yu Li stepped forward and pushed her away.

Yu Li usually appears gentle and mild-mannered, but if she hears someone say something bad about her beloved, she will never back down an inch.

Jia Zhangshi was pushed backward and almost fell.

She opened her mouth to curse, but Yu Li had already pointed at her face and asked:

"You say Jian Guo is not faithful in his relationships? I absolutely do not believe it."

He has always only had eyes for me.

During the day, his workshop foreman tried to introduce him to other people, but he flatly refused.

"Besides, isn't there a woman in your courtyard named Qin Huairu who married into the heartless Jia family out of greed for wealth? I heard that her mother-in-law is mean and cruel. If you ask me, Qin Huairu's fate is simply retribution."

"Ever since Jian Guo was dumped by that materialistic woman, he has never been in a relationship with anyone."

How can this be considered being unfaithful? Would a truly unfaithful person do something like this?

As soon as Yu Li finished speaking, Jia Zhangshi's lips twitched, and her face turned even uglier.

Those watching from the surroundings couldn't help but burst into laughter.

Many people almost blurted out to Yu Li: the wicked mother-in-law she was talking about was standing right in front of her.

This time, Jia Zhangshi was truly left speechless and dared not admit her identity.

"You say he's stingy and bullies people, but that's completely baseless."

Jianguo was always generous to his fellow workers, often treating them to meals, and he even planned to give me a bicycle.

"Where is he being stingy? As for saying he treated the Jia family badly—that's even more ridiculous."

"The Jia family is a bottomless pit of heartlessness; anyone who treats them well is truly a fool."

Yu Li kept arguing, leaving Jia Zhangshi speechless.

An elderly man named Yi Zhonghai, who was standing not far away, also darkened his face. He had only come to join in the fun, but he had been caught in the crossfire of the conversation, and he felt a sense of frustration.

But at that moment, no one noticed Yi Zhonghai's expression.

Everyone's attention was immediately drawn to those three words in Yu Li's words: bicycle.

Everyone was secretly surprised.

Hao Jianguo just bought a new car a while ago, and now he wants to buy another one?

Just how wealthy is he?

For a moment, many onlookers felt as if they had been hit hard in the chest, and a feeling of envy welled up inside them.

Compared to them, Hao Jianguo was living a real life, while he himself was barely surviving in this compound.

Yi Zhonghai's face turned ashen.

He always thought he was the wealthiest person in the compound, but he was never so extravagant as to buy cars one after another.

Uncle Liu Haizhong stood in the crowd with his hands behind his back, feeling a pang of jealousy.

As a leader in the institute, shouldn't he get to buy a bicycle first, given how prestigious that is?

"Hao Jianguo is the same. He has extra money, but he doesn't even know how to give it to me, the person in charge."

He thought sourly, completely unaware that he was the "leader".

Just how much does his identity really amount to?

Meanwhile, Uncle Yan Bugui was calculating in his mind.

"They spend too much...they really don't know how to manage money."

Two cars, over three hundred yuan! We're practically family now, isn't one car enough?