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

The aroma was incredibly tempting, but after a few more sniffs, it made one's stomach rumble with hunger.

"How are we supposed to eat this?!"

Yi Zhonghai slammed his chopsticks on the table.

The aroma of food wafting from Hao Jianguo's house filled him with irritation.

Especially now that an older woman complains about his smell and refuses to sit at the same table with him for meals, Yi Zhonghai feels extremely frustrated.

In the courtyard, it wasn't just one family that was bothered by gossip.

These days, Jia Zhangshi has also tasted the bitterness of being isolated.

Now she can only sit far away in a corner when she eats, and can no longer sit at the same table with Qin Huairu and the others.

The smell was so lingering that it hadn't dissipated even a little after several days, as if it had become an indelible mark on her body.

Qin Huairu sighed deeply, and when she looked up at her mother-in-law, her brows furrowed involuntarily.

"That's strange, this smell seems to have taken root... The New Year is almost here, if it's still like this..."

She muttered to herself, feeling uneasy just thinking about it.

Just then, the aroma of food wafted over from Hao Jianguo's house.

Now the Jia family's house was bustling with activity.

The stench mingled with the fragrance; some people were paralyzed, others were stinking, and there wasn't a single clean spot in the entire house.

"Damn it! I curse him—"

Jia Zhangshi started cursing at the top of her lungs.

I wanted to rush outside and yell, but my sprained ankle was still hurting, so I was too lazy to move. I could only slam my chopsticks on the table and silently sulk.

Jia Dongxu also joined in the cursing, and the room immediately became noisy.

Qin Huairu was filled with remorse upon seeing the scene before her.

One of them reeks of stench, another is bedridden, and yet another has a reputation as a thief… How can anyone go on living like this? How did I ever even step into this family's house in the first place?

You have to swallow your bitterness; you chose this path, so you have to finish it, even if you have to crawl on your knees.

She is now single-mindedly trying to reconnect with Hao Jianguo, even if it's just to ease things up a bit, it will make life a little easier.

She thought to herself that she still had some charm, and if she was willing to swallow her pride and pursue him, what man could be so heartless? There should be some hope.

With that thought in mind, she didn't bother with the cursing mother and son, and made up an excuse to leave.

Coincidentally, Hao Jianguo just pushed open the door and saw Qin Huairu walking towards him.

Upon seeing him, Qin Huairu instantly got into character, her face immediately adopting a pitiful expression.

If this appearance were seen by Sha Zhu, he would probably soften his stance before she even had a chance to speak.

"Jianguo, I... I'm here to apologize to you."

There have been quite a few misunderstandings between the two families lately, please don't take them to heart.

She spoke in a low, soft voice, so that an unsuspecting person would think she was having a private conversation.

"And... about the time we broke off the engagement, even after all this time, I still feel guilty towards you."

I know I can't be as good as I used to be, but if you were...

Hao Jianguo felt increasingly uneasy as he listened. Was this person trying to attach themselves to him?

Ha, do you really think he's a junk collector?

"Stop."

He interrupted impatiently, "I don't have time to listen to this. I have important business to attend to. Go back to where you came from."

Qin Huairu was taken aback. "What's so important? It's almost dark, why are you going out?"

Hao Jianguo glanced at her and felt there was nothing to hide.

"Blind date."

Those two short words felt like a stone hitting Qin Huairu, and her heart sank.

Just then, the matchmaker brought Yu Li over.

Seeing Yu Li's young and pretty appearance, full of vitality, and thinking about her own current situation, Qin Huairu couldn't help but feel a little ashamed.

An inexplicable sense of jealousy quietly welled up from the bottom of my heart.

The matchmaker approached with a smile, but frowned when she noticed a woman standing next to Hao Jianguo.

"Jianguo, and who is this?"

She hurriedly asked, not wanting anything to go wrong so soon after bringing people over.

Hao Jianguo remained calm and casually replied, "My neighbor, Aunt Qin."

"Auntie"

The two words reached Qin Huairu's ears, and she was stunned. She was so angry that she gritted her teeth.

She's gotten older, and even if she can't compare to a young girl, how did she become an old lady?

What annoyed Qin Huairu the most was that Yu Li had obediently walked up to her and introduced herself in a soft voice: "Hello, Aunt Qin, I am Yu Li."

This was like adding another knife to her heart; Qin Huairu was so angry she almost vomited blood.

Do you guys have any sense of propriety?

"I...you...how did I become an auntie?"

Qin Huairu gritted her teeth, glared at Hao Jianguo, and questioned him word by word.

Hao Jianguo scoffed, his eyes full of contempt: "Why not? You're a mother of three, do you really think you can compare to a young woman? Look at your figure, you're so out of shape, what else should I call you but 'Auntie'?"

His self-righteous tone was like a cold iron nail, piercing Qin Huairu's heart.

In an instant, Qin Huairu's eyes turned red, she stomped her foot, turned around and left.

She couldn't bear the shame any longer; if she stayed any longer, she was afraid she would want to crawl into a hole and disappear.

"Auntie, walk slowly and watch your step. Your bones are brittle at your age, so don't fall."

Qin Huairu hadn't taken more than a few steps when Hao Jianguo's leisurely voice drifted over from behind her.

These words infuriated her.

Watching that indignant departing figure, a hint of sarcasm flashed through Hao Jianguo's mind.

Looking at yourself like this, you still think you can make a move on me?

That's incredibly foolish. Only a simpleton like Sha Zhu would be led by the nose by you, almost causing the incense offerings to go out of business.

"Is Aunt Qin... alright?"

Yu Li watched the departing figure and asked somewhat uneasily.

Hao Jianguo waved his hand: "Never mind her."

"Come on in, let's eat. The food is all ready."

Upon hearing this, Yu Li and the matchmaker's eyes lit up immediately.

Actually, they had smelled the enticing aroma as soon as they entered the courtyard, and now that he mentioned it, their stomachs immediately started rumbling.

"This...this is way too elaborate!"

Upon entering the house, they saw a table full of dishes—roast chicken, braised pork, scrambled eggs with tomatoes, hot and sour shredded potatoes… a total of seven or eight dishes, which made the two of them stare wide-eyed.

"Please sit wherever you like, make yourself at home, and don't be shy."

Hao Jianguo greeted him with a smile.

Although he didn't think these dishes were anything special, he knew in his heart that being able to put up such a table in this day and age was already quite respectable.

"Yu Li, see, I wasn't wrong, was I? Jianguo is a very capable man, and his cooking is delicious. I don't think even the top chefs in restaurants can compare to him."

After receiving the gifts, the matchmaker showered Hao Jianguo with compliments, praising him to the skies.

"With such excellent skills, you'll be truly blessed if you marry him in the future."

Yu Li's cheeks flushed as she listened, but her heart was filled with sweetness.

She took a liking to Hao Jianguo from their very first meeting.

"Jianguo's conditions are really unbeatable. He has a proper job in the factory and a bright future."

Look at you, not only is there meat and vegetables at home, but you've also bought a bicycle—oh my! Isn't that a Shanghai brand watch on your wrist? That's quite valuable!

The matchmaker stared wide-eyed at the gleaming watch.

Yu Li couldn't help but look at the watch, her eyes flashing with surprise and envy.

She had been skeptical when the matchmaker praised Hao Jianguo's qualifications, fearing that the matchmaker was exaggerating.

Now that I've seen it with my own eyes, I realize I was overthinking it.

Hao Jianguo just smiled and said, "It's nothing."

When I'm actually ready to settle down, I also plan to get a sewing machine and a radio, so I can have the complete set of "three turns and one sound."

Hearing this warmed Yu Li's heart, making her feel even more that he was capable and had a plan.

The matchmaker chimed in, praising him for being promising and shrewd, as if it would be a huge loss for Yu Li if she didn't marry him.

Yu Li quietly raised her eyes and quickly glanced at Hao Jianguo, a faint blush rising on her face again.

She was indeed very satisfied—he was good-looking and had good qualities. The fact that such a person was still unmarried was like a treasure falling from the sky to her.

The matchmaker showered Hao Jianguo with praise, making even Hao Jianguo himself feel a little embarrassed.

"Yu Li, tell your aunt, do you think Jianguo is a good match for you?"

The matchmaker looked at Yu Li with a smile, "If you don't think it's a good fit, your auntie can arrange another girl for him, right?"

She observed Yu Li's expression; having been a matchmaker for so many years, she had long understood the other party's intentions.

People these days are simple-minded and don't have many hidden agendas.

Yu Li's face burned, but she still hurriedly nodded: "Auntie, I...I'm willing, please don't introduce him to anyone else..."

Before he could finish speaking, the matchmaker smiled, her eyes filled with a good-natured teasing.

Yu Li immediately understood, and her cheeks burned even hotter.

"Alright, then I won't get in your way. You young people can talk more."

The matchmaker, knowing the situation, got up and took her leave.

Before leaving, Hao Jianguo insisted that she take some of the untouched dishes back with her, which made the matchmaker beam with joy, feeling that the matchmaking trip had been truly worthwhile.

When only the two of them were left in the room, the air suddenly became quiet.

Yu Li sat on the stool with her head down, her fingers unconsciously twisting the hem of her clothes, too ashamed to look up.

Hao Jianguo got up and took an apple from the cupboard: "Let me wash this apple for you."

"Thank you."

Yu Li reached out to take it, her fingertips accidentally touching the back of his hand. She felt a slight tremor as if she had been electrocuted, and her heart began to pound wildly.

Yu Li felt as if her heart was about to jump out of her throat, pounding wildly in her chest.

Seeing her shy expression, Hao Jianguo found her rather cute.

Since it was their first meeting, he didn't tease her anymore, but just casually started chatting about some topics.

Gradually, Yu Li became less nervous and learned about his work and daily life at the factory from him.

The sky outside the window was gradually darkening.

Hao Jianguo naturally hoped that Yu Li could stay a little longer, but he also understood that it was inappropriate to bring it up now, as it might scare the girl away.

"It's getting dark, I'll take you home."

He then pushed out a bicycle.

Yu Li quickly waved her hand: "No need to trouble yourself, I'll just walk to the station and catch the last train."

Hao Jianguo patted the car seat with a smile, and then specially put a soft cloth on the back seat: "How can that be? I'm worried about letting you walk alone at night."

"If anything happens, I'll be heartbroken for the rest of my life."

Hearing this made Yu Li feel a sweet warmth in her heart.

Before she left, Hao Jianguo thoughtfully tied a scarf around her neck.

Just then, he caught a glimpse of a piercing gaze not far away.

Qin Huairu was coming out of the house when she bumped into the two of them standing at the door, and her heart felt like it had been pricked by a needle.

Then, thinking of the man lying paralyzed on his own bed, a wave of regret washed over her.

"Sister Qin, it's cold and windy, why don't you go back inside? Don't catch a cold."

Hao Jianguo tossed out a sarcastic remark.

That "elder sister"

It felt like a knife, cutting into Qin Huairu's heart and making her feel suffocated.

Once outside the courtyard gate, Hao Jianguo steadied the car and helped Yu Li get in.

It was Yu Li's first time riding a bicycle, and she was so nervous that she didn't know where to put her hands. Her body was stiff and straight, as if she was afraid of falling off.

Her face flushed, and she felt incredibly embarrassed by her clumsy and awkward manner.

Hao Jianguo smiled slightly and said softly, "Don't be nervous. Just hold onto my clothes or my waist, otherwise you might fall."

Hearing his gentle tone, Yu Li felt a sweet warmth rise in her heart.

She ultimately didn't have the heart to actually hug him around the waist; instead, she lowered her eyelashes and timidly tugged at the hem of Hao Jianguo's coat.

A mischievous smile flashed across Hao Jianguo's eyes. He noticed a shallow pothole on the road ahead and rode his bike straight over it.

The car body jolted violently the moment the wheels rolled over the pothole.

Yu Li gasped, thinking she was about to fall off the bike. In her panic, she could no longer care about being reserved and immediately wrapped her arms around Hao Jianguo's waist.

Her chest was almost completely pressed against his back.

Hao Jianguo raised his eyebrows in triumph.

……

In a corner of the courtyard house, several single young people were chatting idly.

Yan Jiecheng, Xu Damao, Liu Guangfu and others had seen Yu Li come to Hao Jianguo for a marriage proposal earlier, and when they saw the girl's face, their eyes widened.

"Hey, Hao Jianguo's already got a girlfriend? That girl's really pretty."

Yan Jiecheng smacked his lips, his face full of envy.

Xu Damao also sighed: "What can we do? He's successful now, so it's not surprising that he married a beautiful wife."

I wonder when our buddies will be so lucky.

For a moment, the bachelors felt a pang of envy.