Courtyard House: The Thief System of All Realms

Chapter 28 A Warm Welcome to Relatives and Neighbors, Amidst Joyful Enthusiasm

As soon as everyone stopped walking, their inherent restraint resurfaced. They stood obediently to the side, not daring to even breathe loudly, for fear of disturbing the tranquility of the courtyard or accidentally damaging the objects.

Qin Huairu was talking to her mother, Zhao Xue, when Zhao Xue suddenly leaned closer to her daughter somewhat awkwardly and spoke in a low voice, her tone a little embarrassed: "Huairu, I feel the urge to relieve myself."

"I'll take you there." Qin Huairu immediately breathed a sigh of relief and quickly agreed to help her mother, afraid that her family members might not know the proper etiquette and cause an embarrassment.

As soon as he finished speaking, the Qin brothers, Zhijun and Zhixue, scratched their heads and echoed him, their faces full of embarrassment: "We wanted to go too. We didn't realize it when we were making a scene at the Intermediate Court, but now that we've relaxed, we just can't hold back anymore."

The group had barely taken a step when a gentle voice called out to them. Sun Jingyuan, who was reclining in a rocking chair in the courtyard, looking relaxed, saw Qin Huairu leading her family out and slowly raised his eyes to ask, "Where are you planning to go?"

"We're looking for a place to use the restroom, thank you for your help." Qin Huairu's cheeks flushed slightly, her tone a little embarrassed. After all, she was staying at someone else's house, and it was really difficult to ask about such a trivial matter.

"No need to go outside, it's right here in the courtyard." Sun Jingyuan casually raised his hand and pointed directly to the small house near the moon gate. "It's right there."

When he renovated the yard earlier, he had already reorganized the original three main rooms into a four-room layout. The quietest corner was kept as a bedroom, the largest room was converted into a room that could be used for receiving guests and reading, and the small room near the gate was divided in two, with one half converted into a separate bathroom and the other half into a spacious and clean kitchen, making daily life very convenient and eliminating the need to squeeze into the public toilet in the yard.

Qin Huairu's eyes widened instantly, her face filled with disbelief, and her voice unconsciously rose slightly: "You... you actually built your own toilet in your house?"

In those days, every household in the courtyard house had to squeeze into a public toilet, which was not only dirty and messy, but also had long queues every morning and evening. Sun Jingyuan was the only one in the entire courtyard who could have a private toilet in his own yard, which was a rare thing.

"What's so strange about that?" Sun Jingyuan chuckled lightly, his tone indifferent. "I've always disliked trouble and didn't want to queue up with everyone in the hospital every day, so I simply cleaned out a room for my own convenience."

Qin Huairu gave him a reproachful look, then stopped saying any more pleasantries. She quickly helped her mother and led her two brothers toward the small house, but couldn't help but sigh inwardly at how refined and comfortable Sun Jingyuan's life was.

As soon as he pushed open the bathroom door, Qin Zhijun, who was walking in front, couldn't help but gasp. He stood there stunned, muttering to himself, "This isn't a toilet; it's brighter and cleaner than the main house in our country home."

The bathroom was brightly lit by a 40-watt incandescent bulb. The walls were painted snow-white, and the floor was covered with smooth tiles that felt dry and clean underfoot, without any of the unpleasant smells or grime typical of public restrooms. Against the wall, three sinks of different heights were built with cement, one for washing, one for mopping, and one for washing clothes. The areas were clearly defined and meticulously organized, reflecting a high level of attention to detail.

"I'll go first, you guys wait outside." Zhao Xue looked at the clean environment and felt relieved. She went in first, while the others waited quietly outside the door without making any noise.

While waiting, Qin Huairu's sister-in-law, Qian Mei, couldn't help but lean closer to her and ask in a low voice, "Huairu, I see that Dr. Sun is young and has good qualities, why isn't he married or dating anyone?"

"He just graduated from university not long ago, and it's the time for him to build his career." Qin Huairu smiled and explained softly, "The city is not like our countryside, where early marriage is not fashionable. At his age, there is no rush to talk about marriage."

"That's true, but I'm still curious." Zhou Yu, the second sister-in-law, also leaned in, her eyes full of inquiry. "Do you know what kind of girl Dr. Sun has his eye on?"

"I haven't asked much before, so I really don't know." Qin Huairu shook her head gently, her fingertips unconsciously clenching the hem of her clothes.

Qin Zhixue, standing nearby, waved his hand, interrupting the two with a self-deprecating tone: "I think even if there were, they wouldn't be interested in our country girls. Sisters-in-law, don't overthink it, lest you create unnecessary embarrassment."

"That's not necessarily true." Qin Zhenbang said cheerfully, looking at Sun Jingyuan in the courtyard with admiration. "Dr. Sun is a very capable person. He helped Huairu secure a formal job in the city with just one sentence. His vision is beyond what ordinary people can compare to. In his eyes, whether a girl comes from the city or the countryside doesn't matter at all, as long as she is down-to-earth and honest."

"Father is right!" Qian Mei and Zhou Yu exchanged a glance, suddenly realizing the truth, and their gazes toward Qin Huairu became more meaningful.

Qin Huairu didn't reply. She simply turned her head without making a sound, her gaze falling lightly on Sun Jingyuan in the rocking chair in the courtyard. After a moment, she silently looked away, without any extra expression, just quietly waiting for her family.

After the group finished using the restroom and returned to the courtyard, Sun Jingyuan was already up and busy. The charcoal fire was already burning brightly, the gleaming barbecue grill was steadily placed on the fire, various seasoning bottles and jars were neatly arranged, and skewered meat and vegetables were placed to the side, just waiting to be grilled.

"Don't stand there stiffly, sit wherever you like, help yourselves to whatever you want to eat, don't be shy with me." Sun Jingyuan straightened up, greeted everyone with a smile, his tone was casual and friendly, without the arrogance of a rich kid.

"Dr. Sun, we really have troubled you. We feel so bad that you took us in and spent so much money on us." Qin Zhenbang rubbed his hands together, looking embarrassed, and kept saying polite things.

"Since they are Huai Ru's family, they are friends. There's no need to be so formal," Sun Jingyuan said, waving his hand dismissively.

He turned his head and noticed that Zhou Yu was staring at the fresh fruit on the table, her eyes filled with curiosity but she didn't dare to reach out. So he smiled and comforted her, "Take whatever you want to eat, don't be shy. There's plenty of these things at home, enough to eat."

"Ah... I, I was just looking around, I didn't mean to eat." Zhou Yu's thoughts were exposed, and she blushed instantly. She quickly waved her hands to explain, her cheeks turning bright red.

"Sister Qin, could you please greet the family members and make sure they don't feel too uncomfortable?" Sun Jingyuan instructed Qin Huairu before turning and walking into the house.

As soon as he left, Qin Zhijun couldn't help but sidle up to Qin Huairu, staring at the glistening purple grapes on the table. He swallowed hard and whispered, "Little sister, are these grapes? In our countryside, they're a rare treat, something you only see during festivals."

"Take whatever you want. He just said to eat whatever you want, don't be shy." Qin Huairu shook her head helplessly, gently advising her family as they looked so reserved.

"This isn't right. This stuff is so precious, we can't just eat it like that." Zhao Xue quickly interjected, her face full of concern. "This stuff must be expensive in the city too. We can't be so inconsiderate."

"Mom, don't worry." Qin Huairu explained with a wry smile, "His salary is several times that of Jia Dongxu. These foods are really nothing special to him. Everyone can eat as much as they want."

The group sat around the table, looking at each other, but no one dared to make the first move, still feeling somewhat reserved.

A moment later, Sun Jingyuan came out of the house carrying a large enamel fruit bowl filled with sliced ​​watermelon, stemmed grapes, and diced cantaloupe. The bowl was piled high, leaving the entire Qin family stunned and speechless with shock.

"These are all things we always keep at home, everyone can eat as much as you want. There's more in the house when you're done." Sun Jingyuan put the fruit bowl on the table, then casually picked up two bottles of Moutai, turned to Qin Zhenbang and his son, and asked with a smile, "Brothers, would you like to have a couple of drinks to relax?"

"Gulp." Qin Zhenbang swallowed hard first. He didn't have much of a craving for fruit, but this Moutai was a truly rare and fine wine. Ordinary people might not be able to drink a drop in their entire lives, which was really tempting.

"Jingyuan, you mustn't! This wine is too precious; you can't just drink it casually." Qin Huairu hurriedly stepped forward to stop him, her heart filled with anxiety. She knew very well that a bottle of Moutai cost twelve yuan at the supply and marketing cooperative, and these two bottles were equivalent to Jia Dongxu's entire month's salary. Such precious wine was not something her father and brothers were qualified to drink casually.

"We're all family, no need for such formalities." Sun Jingyuan waved his hand with a smile, ignoring Qin Huairu's advice. With a deft flick of his fingers, he opened a bottle of Moutai, and the rich, mellow aroma instantly filled the entire courtyard, intoxicating all who smelled it. He then took out four glasses and filled each one to the brim, without a care in the world.

The country men, who do heavy work all year round, mostly like to drink a little wine to relieve their fatigue. Qin Zhenbang and his two sons were already so enticed by the aroma of the wine that they couldn't take their eyes off it. They didn't care about the dissuasive look Qin Huairu gave them, and they all reached out and picked up the wine glasses in front of them without thinking.

"Come on, gentlemen, it's our first time meeting, let me toast you all." Sun Jingyuan raised his glass and smiled as he gestured.

"Thank you, Dr. Sun, cheers!" Qin Zhenbang nodded emphatically, his hand holding the wine glass trembling with excitement.

The four wine glasses clinked gently, producing a crisp sound, and everyone tilted their heads back to take a sip.

"Good wine! Truly a rare find!" Qin Zhijun exclaimed after taking a sip, his face full of praise and his eyes shining.

"Of course, this is Moutai, you can't get it in ordinary places." Qin Zhenbang glared at his son, scolding him, but the corners of his mouth couldn't help but turn up, and he was full of joy.

"Drink as much as you like, there's plenty. I have plenty stored in my house, so don't worry about running out," Sun Jingyuan said with a smile.

He had acquired these wines through the Thief Space earlier, and had stockpiled more than ten cases. He himself didn't drink much on a regular basis, so it was just right to use them to entertain guests, and it wasn't a waste.

"Stockpiled...a lot?" Qin Zhenbang and his two sons were instantly stunned. Their hands, holding the wine glasses, trembled slightly, and their faces were full of disbelief. In their eyes, being able to drink a sip of Moutai was a luxury. They never expected that Sun Jingyuan would actually stockpile it by the case. This family fortune was truly unfathomable.

Sun Jingyuan didn't say anything more. He picked up the skewered meat from the side and placed it on the oiled barbecue grill. Under the charcoal fire, the meat slices quickly sizzled and dripped oil. The rich aroma of meat mixed with the smell of charcoal wafted out instantly, filling the entire courtyard in no time. The enticing fragrance made people's mouths water.

The aroma quickly wafted to the backyard, where Sha Zhu and Xu Damao, who also lived there, were the first to be tempted. Sha Zhu, smelling the fragrance from inside the house, muttered curses under his breath but was too embarrassed to come over; Xu Damao, on the other hand, couldn't sit still and followed the scent all the way to Sun Jingyuan's courtyard gate, peeking inside.

"Hey, Brother Lin, no, Brother Sun, drinking and eating meat here, what a great time!" Xu Damao smiled and approached, his face beaming, his eyes fixed on the meat on the grill.

"It's Brother Xu! Have you eaten yet? If not, come sit down and have a drink and a bite to eat with us." Sun Jingyuan looked up and saw him, greeting him warmly with a smile. In his eyes, although Xu Damao was cunning, he was much more pleasing to the eye than those hypocritical people like Yi Zhonghai in the compound, and he was easier to get along with.

"Then I won't stand on ceremony! I have two more bottles of good wine in my house, I'll go back and get them right now!" Xu Damao never liked to freeload, and as he spoke, he turned to go home to get the wine, but his eyes swept over the Moutai on the table, and he instantly stopped in his tracks, unable to help but gasp, "Brother Sun, you've got quite the entourage, actually drinking Moutai!"

"I was just thinking that Brother Xu might come, so I specially saved this for you," Sun Jingyuan said with a smile, jokingly following up on the conversation.

"Brother Sun really understands me. I won't go home to get any more wine. I'll just drink your Moutai today!" Xu Damao laughed heartily, and without any ceremony, he pulled up a stool and sat down, acting very familiar with everyone.

Sun Jingyuan took out another empty cup and poured him a full glass of Moutai. Xu Damao picked up the glass, smelled it, and looked thoroughly enjoying himself, saying that it was a very generous gesture.

The meat on the grill was quickly cooked to perfection, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, with an irresistible aroma. Sun Jingyuan beckoned to Qin Huairu, signaling her to come and take the cooked meat away.

"You gentlemen, take your time eating and drinking. We'll take care of things ourselves, no need to bother us." Qin Huairu quickly stepped forward, picked up a plate of roasted meat, and felt completely at ease. She gradually realized that rather than finding another cowardly and despicable man like Jia Dongxu, it would be better to stay by Sun Jingyuan's side. Even without a formal title, it would be a hundred times better than suffering in the Jia family. From now on, she would repay this kindness in her own way.

Sun Jingyuan smiled and nodded, without further formalities, and distributed the roasted meat to Xu Damao and Qin Zhenbang and his son.

Everyone ate their roasted meat and drank their wine, savoring the delicious flavors and showing expressions of satisfaction on their faces.

"This is what a truly good life looks like. Back in the countryside, we could never eat meat this delicious in our entire lives," Qin Zhijun said, chewing on a piece of roasted meat with deep emotion.

"Brother, don't think everyone in the city lives like this." Xu Damao took a bite of roasted meat and chuckled as he continued, "Your ex-brother-in-law, Jia Dongxu, only earns twenty-seven yuan and fifty cents a month, barely enough to make ends meet; but our Brother Sun earns almost ninety yuan a month with his salary and subsidies. There's no comparison between the two, so their lives are naturally worlds apart."

"So that's how it is. I understand now. Life in the city is also divided into different classes." Qin Zhijun suddenly realized and nodded heavily. Over the years, they had been associated with the Jia family and had seen Qin Huairu living frugally and suffering all kinds of grievances in the Jia family. Not to mention supporting her own family, she often went back to her own family to beg for money. Her life was miserable. How could it compare to the life they had now?

"Come on, stop talking and let's have another drink!" Sun Jingyuan raised his glass and greeted everyone with a smile. The atmosphere in the courtyard became more and more lively, with laughter and cheerful conversation filling the air.

Xu Damao was naturally good at creating a lively atmosphere, and with just a few words, he made Qin Zhenbang and his son burst into laughter, completely dispelling their initial restraint. Everyone toasted and ate and drank to their hearts' content. Qin Huairu, along with her sisters-in-law, busied themselves preparing the barbecue and greeting everyone. They worked quickly and efficiently, and the courtyard was filled with the lively atmosphere of a barbecue.