Chapter 4

After a long while, until his stomach let out a growl, Xiao Feng finally realized that he had been standing in the courtyard for quite some time, and his feet were numb.

"Looks like I'm still just an ordinary person!" Xiao Feng shook his head in self-mockery and left the space!

'People are iron, food is steel; one meal skipped and you're starving!' Even though the Purple Bamboo Space contained countless riches, he still needed to fill his stomach first.

Xiao Feng quickly put the rare treasures and gold bricks out of his mind, picked up his wallet, and went out to eat.

Jinxing Village was home to a large number of migrant workers, and as a result, a not-so-big 'commercial street' had emerged, with various small restaurants, grocery stores, barbershops, laundries, and more, solving many problems for bachelors like Xiao Feng.

After spending several hours in the Purple Bamboo Space, it was already past eleven o'clock. Xiao Feng decided to combine breakfast and lunch and headed straight for the 'Sichuan Fragrance Restaurant' where he often went.

Some say that wherever there are Chinese people, there are Sichuan restaurants of all sizes, much like the shoe stores of Wenzhou people in the past.

Although this statement is somewhat exaggerated, the popularity of Sichuan cuisine in recent years has indeed led to the widespread opening of Sichuan restaurants across the country, which are highly favored by mid-to-low-income consumers.

" Aunt Yang, give me a plate of pickled fish!" As soon as he arrived at the Sichuan Fragrance Restaurant, Xiao Feng directly shouted to the plump aunt sitting at the entrance.

During the National Day holiday last year, Xiao Feng had eaten at the 'Sichuan Fragrance Restaurant' by chance and found the taste good and the price reasonable, so he became a regular customer. Normally, Xiao Feng would order one or two stir-fried dishes at most, but today he was in a good mood and decided to treat himself to a big dish.

"Old man, make a pickled fish for Xiao Feng!" The plump aunt shouted to the kitchen and then turned to Xiao Feng, saying, "Xiao Feng, you haven't been here for a few days!"

The dialects of Xichuan and Dianan are similar, so Xiao Feng always spoke in the local dialect when he came to the Sichuan Fragrance Restaurant, which made them feel more connected.

"I've been a bit busy these days. I just finished up this morning and didn't even have breakfast!" Xiao Feng smiled and asked, "Aunt Yang, business has been good these past few days, right?"

Xiao Feng naturally wouldn't mention his unemployment. Seeing no customers in the restaurant, he chatted with Aunt Yang to pass the time, as the pickled fish would take some time to prepare.

"Still the same!" Aunt Yang's plump face beamed with a smile as she poured tea for Xiao Feng and said, "These days, rent and prices are rising, and running a restaurant isn't easy. Unlike you college students, who have easy jobs and good income!"

Xiao Feng had often come to the Sichuan Fragrance Restaurant over the past half year, and his generous spending and decent appearance made Aunt Yang naturally assume that his job was going well, unaware that Xiao Feng was now an unemployed youth.

"College students are numerous these days, and competition is fierce!" Xiao Feng could only laugh and change the subject, asking, "Aunt Yang, has the restaurant hired new staff?"

Xiao Feng saw a girl helping Xiao Qin at the counter, and his first thought was that the 'Sichuan Fragrance Restaurant' was expanding and hiring new staff.

"Do we need to hire new staff for our small restaurant?" Aunt Yang still smiled and said, "This is my daughter, Yang Qian. She just got accepted into Haizhou University and came early!"

Mentioning her daughter, Aunt Yang's face lit up. She had heard that Haizhou University was one of the top three universities in China, second only to the two universities in the capital. Her daughter's admission was a testament to their hard work and dedication.

"Aunt Yang, in a few years, you and Uncle Yang will be able to enjoy a comfortable life!" Xiao Feng gave Aunt Yang a thumbs up and sincerely praised her.

Haizhou University was a top-tier university that Xiao Feng could only dream of, and he was surprised to see the shy girl at the counter was so capable, truly a golden phoenix from the mountains!

After a bit of small talk, Xiao Qin brought out a large basin of pickled fish!

Xiao Feng, who was starving, didn't waste any time and started eating.

Although the 'Sichuan Fragrance Restaurant' used farmed grass carp, Uncle Yang's skills and the carefully selected pickled vegetables and chili peppers prepared by Aunt Yang made the pickled fish a feast for the senses. While it didn't match the standards of high-end restaurants, for 58 yuan, it was a great value!

Whether it was because he was too hungry or Uncle Yang's skills had improved, Xiao Feng not only finished the large basin of pickled fish but also a large bowl of white rice. Even Aunt Yang and the girl, Yang Qian, were somewhat stunned.

After paying at the 'Sichuan Fragrance Restaurant,' the sun was scorching hot. After eating the spicy and sour pickled fish, Xiao Feng bought a bottle of soda and walked back in the shade of the eaves.

On the way, Xiao Feng bought several packs of carpet grass seeds and tools like a small hoe and a watering can from a seed store, planning to try planting them in the Purple Bamboo Space. As the new owner of the Purple Bamboo Space, Xiao Feng naturally wanted to explore its various functions and characteristics.

Not knowing much about other things, he decided to start by planting a lawn, as the bare black soil in the space wasn't very appealing!

Just before getting home, Xiao Feng saw someone selling puppies and bought two, one black and one white, both just over a month old, along with some dog food in a cardboard box. Fortunately, he didn't run into the landlord on the way, or the landlord would definitely not have let him in with a hoe and puppies.

Back home, Xiao Feng didn't waste any time. He threw the things he bought aside and quickly entered the Purple Bamboo Space.

The weather in Haizhou at the end of July was scorching hot, and the rental apartment had no air conditioning. The electric fan only blew hot air, and even with his shirt off, he was drenched in sweat.

In contrast, the temperature in the Purple Bamboo Space was about 25 degrees Celsius, and it wasn't as dry and cold as an air-conditioned room, making it very comfortable.

As soon as he entered the space, Xiao Feng immediately felt a cool breeze and involuntarily shivered.

He moved the bamboo chair to the spring and lay down, listening to the tinkling of the water, slowly drifting off to sleep.

From yesterday to now, first losing his job and then gaining the Purple Bamboo Space, the emotional highs and lows had left Xiao Feng mentally and physically exhausted.

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