Two days later.
Houhai Courtyard House.
It was past eight in the morning when Dong Xuebin finally crawled lazily out of bed. After washing up and getting dressed, he checked the time, grabbed his bag, and left the courtyard.
"Little Dong."
"Yes, Aunt Zhou?"
"Where are you headed?"
"Ah, it's time to go back to work today."
"You haven't eaten breakfast, have you? Here, Auntie will give you two steamed buns."
"Oh, Aunt Zhou, you really don't have to. You're too kind."
"Take them when I tell you to. I steamed them myself, and they're still hot. Just wait."
"Uh, all right then. Thanks, Aunt Zhou. I'll make some pork belly later and bring you some."
A few minutes later, Dong Xuebin got into his Xiali with the steamed buns given to him by his next-door neighbor, whom he had only met the day before. His heart felt warm. When he saw someone else ahead greeting him, Dong Xuebin rolled down his window and exchanged a few pleasantries before driving out of the alley. After what had happened two days ago, everyone had formed a good impression of Dong Xuebin. They also knew that a highly connected young man had moved into their alley, living in that detached courtyard that had stood empty for twenty or thirty years. Dong Xuebin had more or less blended into the local circle.
He drove onward.
Dong Xuebin took the time to eat the steamed buns. They were fragrant and generously filled with meat, much tastier than the ones from breakfast stalls. He ate them with great relish.
One...
Two...
Three...
He wolfed all the steamed buns down.
Only after eating his fill could he properly go to work. Sigh, back to work again.
The thought of work left Dong Xuebin listless. It was