Courtyard House: My System - Artificial Human

The close relationship between the Liu and Jia families has drawn mixed reactions: some are optimistic, some are indifferent, and others find it troublesome.

On the surface, the one who is suffering the most is not Yi Zhonghai, but Yan Bugui.

Today, Lao Yan specially used the leftover red paper from writing couplets at home to copy a copy of Miscellaneous Sayings, Book Four – “On Horses” – for Liu Haizhong and Jia Dongxu.

"Old Liu, people say that talented horses are common, but discerning judges are rare. You are simply Dongxu's discerning judge! You two are a match made in heaven, master and apprentice! Look at this I copied for you..."

Yan Bugui handed Liu Haizhong a congratulatory gift, and his words almost made Lin Weidong burst out laughing. "Damn, this is a match made in heaven! Old Yan is truly a talent!"

Although Liu Haizhong was unhappy with Yan Bugui's stinginess, it was still a compliment, so he didn't say anything.

Madam Jia Zhang grimaced as she listened.

She didn't understand anything about talent scouts or anything like that, and she didn't care what people said. In her eyes, Yan Bugui was just there to take advantage of her family, and he was still the same stingy person he always was.

Today's banquet was mostly borne by the family. Jia Zhangshi was already annoyed when she heard that Jia Dongxu had sponsored Liu Haizhong with another ten yuan. Now, seeing that Yan Bugui was trying to take advantage of her, she was seething with anger.

As one of the parties involved, Jia Dongxu's mother, Jia Zhangshi, is entitled to a seat at the table today.

After the food was served, she sat down next to Yan Bugui.

As soon as the food and drinks were served, Yan Bugui was about to have a big feast. He happily agreed with his neighbor's suggestion, his eyes fixed on a bowl of juicy braised pork.

But just as he reached out with his chopsticks, Jia Zhangshi beat him to it.

Yan Bugui thought he had struck gold, so he went to grab another piece.

Seeing this, Jia Zhangshi, before even swallowing what was in her mouth, immediately made her move.

They cut a piece of meat in half with their chopsticks, and Yan Bugui was well aware that Jia Zhangshi was doing it on purpose.

He slumped down and immediately began to mutter unhappily.

"Hey Aunt Jia, why are you trying to take all the vegetables from me?"

Jia Zhangshi heard it, but she pretended not to.

He kept pinching the meat while keeping a close watch on Yan Bugui.

This made Yan Bugui feel terrible, as if he had swallowed a fly.

"Hey Aunt Jia, what's wrong with you? Why don't we talk about it after dinner? Why are you being so argumentative at the table?"

Madam Jia rolled her eyes, thinking to herself that her mother did have a problem with it.

Look at other people's families, the worst they get are a few eggs. Even Lin Weidong, who was invited, left a pack of cigarettes on the table for everyone to smoke.

You think you can get a meal with just a scrap of paper?

Why don't you just look amazing?

"Hey Lao Yan! Don't slander me. I was just tired from cooking today and ate a little fast. Who's arguing with you?"

"Why are you targeting me if we're not even arguing? I'm telling you, Aunt Jia, today is supposed to be a special day for Dongxu, is it appropriate for you to cause trouble like this?"

Yan Bugui was so angry that his face turned red, but he was not willing to suffer a loss, so he put a big accusation on him in his words.

The other people at the table were either watching the spectacle or disapproving of Jia Zhangshi's disregard for decorum.

But they are one of the main owners today, and besides, they only robbed Yan Bugui, not their own.

The people at the table watched with amusement and did not stop him, since they all had meat in their bowls and Yan Bugui was the one who suffered a loss.

It's better to die for your fellow Daoist than for me!

Upon hearing this, Jia Dongxu's expression darkened. He got up from another table, intending to go over and stop his mother from causing trouble on such a special day.

But in Lin Weidong's opinion, it was Jia Dongxu who was really causing trouble!

I came to this banquet just to watch the fun. If I really wanted something delicious, I could have plenty of good food at home.

Noticing Jia Dongxu's action, Lin Weidong immediately picked up his wine glass.

"Dongxu, let's have a chat! Today's a lucky day for you, congratulations! From now on, learn well from Master Liu, and you'll make something of yourself sooner or later!"

This Lin Weidong, he's really gotten addicted to acting like an elder!

Jia Dongxu was inwardly cursing, but under the watchful eyes of everyone and given Lin Weidong's current power, he didn't have the courage to slap him in the face.

"Thank you! Thank you!" Maintaining his last shred of dignity, Jia Dongxu only clinked glasses to express his gratitude without addressing the person.

The glasses clinked lightly, starting a new round of toasts, and the others congratulated Jia Dongxu as well.

Jia Dongxu was now stuck and could only watch helplessly as his mother's fight with Yan Bugui over vegetables was about to escalate into a full-blown brawl. He was incredibly frustrated!

Lin Weidong took a sip of wine and shook his head inwardly.

Even someone like Jia Dongxu isn't as perceptive as his mother!

Yan Bugui's gift today can't even be considered pretentious, after all, the people living in this courtyard are all ordinary families, and who doesn't exchange gifts based on practicality?

Even if you brought out a plate of pickled radish strips today, no one would say anything!

You're even using classical Chinese! Even if the theme is relevant, you should at least consider whether the environment is suitable for you!

With the support of many people, Jia Zhangshi went all out.

In the end, they didn't even leave Yan Bugui with leftovers or soup. After the meal, they even urged Liu Haizhong to leave Yan Bugui behind to clean up.

Seeing that the scene had not displeased Lin Weidong, Liu Haizhong saw Lin Weidong off and, upon returning, naturally agreed with Jia Zhangshi's opinion.

He immediately called out to Yan Bugui.

"Hey Yan, it's still early, let's chat! Hey, when does your school start?"

Yan Bugui thought Liu Haizhong kept him around as compensation, so he pretended to be expectant while also hoping for the best.

……

Lin Weidong didn't really care whether the food was good or not.

Anyway, he thoroughly enjoyed the power struggle between Jia Zhangshi and Yan Bugui at their table; it was more exciting than the "Heavenly Official Bestows Blessing" performance in the theater.

In a good mood, Lin Weidong returned to the courtyard, took the hangover tea handed to him by Jin Lu's wife, and opened the system to check while drinking it.

The module for the "Beijing Smoke and Fire" has been loaded; it's time to reap the rewards.

[Ding! The "Wolf Smoke Over Beiping" module has finished loading, and the fusion rewards are now available.]

[1. Congratulations, host, you have acquired the skill: Popularity and Harmony; Items: Whip of Punishment; 365 pills of the Perfect Tonic]

[2. Added the "Beijing Smoke Tower Check-in" feature. Checking in will earn you corresponding supplies, and there is a certain chance to receive special rewards.]

[Note: Popularity and Affinity: An aura-type skill. Once activated, your affinity is maximized, and your words will always be taken into consideration by others. The greater the difference in status, the more affected those with weak wills will be.]

[Note: The whip of punishment: takes many forms, and the severity of punishment is controllable]

Lin Weidong gripped the Whip of Punishment and swung it, his lips twitching inexplicably. How did this prop come about?

Could it be that Master Wen is known as the "Little Spinning Top of Beijing" and wants me to give him a good whack?

Compared to the usefulness of the Whip of Punishment, Lin Weidong actually values ​​the affinity with the masses more. In the past, his refreshing physique could only affect women, but now... it can even affect men?

Although he hadn't tried it yet, Lin Weidong was convinced of its power. However, such an outrageous skill, placed in the system's possession... didn't seem to be surprising enough.

[Should we integrate the "Beijing Smoke Tower Check-in" feature? If integrated, the rewards will remain the same, reducing repetitive and tedious operations.]

The system's question interrupted Lin Weidong's thoughts. Without the novelty and concerns he had experienced during previous integrations, Lin Weidong immediately chose to integrate before signing in.

[Merger successful, today's check-in begins]

[Sign-in successful, triggering the first sign-in event in Beiping, rewards doubled]

[Congratulations, host, you have obtained a recipe for a ten-course banquet and 500 catties of corresponding ingredients; a dim sum shop in Beijing (which can be inherited by any clone); a set of Browning firearms and a quantity of bullets; a vulnerability data file on a near-bankrupt overseas company; a Cadillac Sixty Special (early 1950s model) luxury car; and a Warsaw M20 economy sedan.]

Lin Weidong was so engrossed in the system space that he reviewed and made arrangements, and he secretly marveled at his own work.

The rewards for signing in are only substantial for the first time; otherwise, they're just meager sums that he doesn't even bother to pay attention to.

Just as Lin Weidong finished his reflections and was about to shut down the system and go to sleep in Courtyard No. 13, another message popped up.