Siheyuan: Tathagata's Palm suppresses the entire courtyard!

As the oil in the pot heated up, Xu Mingjie put the chopped chicken into the pot, and the aroma quickly spread. The sizzling sound from the kitchen seemed to be the prelude to dinner, reminding him of those ordinary but beautiful moments in life. His eyes sometimes looked at the pot, and sometimes fell on the gradually darkening night outside the window. Those troubled thoughts seemed to get a short rest during this simple cooking process.

Just as he was concentrating on cooking, his cell phone rang again. Xu Mingjie wiped his hands, walked to the dining table and picked up the phone, and found that it was a call from an old family friend, Li Ming. Li Ming had a long-standing friendship with Xu Mingjie in the family, and his arrival often meant some unexpected information or help.

"Mingjie, have you had dinner?" Li Ming's familiar voice came from the other end of the phone, with a bit of concern and ease, "I just came back from another place, and I just wanted to come and see you."

"Li Ming, I'm just preparing dinner." Xu Mingjie said with a hint of ease, "Would you like to come over and eat with us?"

Li Ming smiled on the other end of the phone, "That's great. I'll be right over. What are you preparing?"

"A simple stir-fry of chicken and some vegetable soup." Xu Mingjie replied, secretly looking forward to a gathering with old friends. Such a gathering might bring some new ideas and inspiration.

After hanging up the phone, Xu Mingjie returned to the kitchen and continued to work. His mood became much more relaxed because of Li Ming's visit. The kitchen gradually filled with tempting aromas, the color of the chicken gradually became golden and attractive, and the vegetable soup also began to emit a faint aroma.

He served the fried chicken, prepared all the side dishes and soup, and placed them on the dining table. At this time, the doorbell rang. Xu Mingjie walked to the door and saw Li Ming standing outside with a friendly smile on his face.

"Welcome, Li Ming." Xu Mingjie opened the door to greet him, "Come in, dinner is ready."

Li Ming walked in, looked around, and said with a smile: "Your kitchen is really clean and cozy. It looks like we will have a wonderful dinner tonight."

Xu Mingjie took Li Ming to the dining table, and the two sat down and started dinner. The atmosphere at the table was relaxed and happy. Li Ming's arrival brought Xu Mingjie a lot of joy and relaxation. The two chatted about interesting family stories and bits and pieces of life, and Xu Mingjie's nervousness gradually eased.

"Have you got any new news recently?" Li Ming asked with concern while enjoying dinner. "I heard that you are dealing with some problems within the family. I wonder how the progress is?"

Xu Mingjie smiled slightly, feeling a little warm in his heart for Li Ming's concern. "Indeed, I have been dealing with some financial issues recently, which involve some complicated situations in the family."

Li Ming's expression became serious. "Are these questions complicated?"

"Yes," Xu Mingjie nodded, "Our family's financial problems involve many aspects, and some things need further investigation. However, I believe that through hard work, we can always find a solution."

Li Ming nodded, an understanding look on his face. "In that case, you must be more careful. If you need help, feel free to tell me."

Xu Mingjie looked at Li Ming gratefully, "Thank you for your concern, I will. Your support is very important to me."

The dinner continued with relaxed conversation and a pleasant atmosphere. Although Xu Mingjie was still a little nervous and uneasy, the communication and sharing with Li Ming made him feel a long-lost relaxation and comfort. The aroma in the kitchen, the dishes on the table, and the company of friends all became a small comfort for him to temporarily escape from complex problems.

As dinner was over, Li Ming and Xu Mingjie cleaned up the table together. The two continued chatting until the night went on. Li Ming's arrival made Xu Mingjie feel the warmth of interpersonal relationships, and also made him realize that in addition to complex investigations and problem solving, it is equally important to maintain a good rhythm of life and interpersonal communication.

When Li Ming left, Xu Mingjie stood at the door, watching his friend walk away in the night, and the pressure in his heart seemed to be relieved a little. He knew that tomorrow's meeting would be a critical moment, but tonight's relaxation and the care of his friends helped him regain some balance and determination.

Xu Mingjie sat quietly in the study for a long time. Although the relaxation during dinner and Li Ming's care brought him a moment of comfort, his inner tension and thoughts were still not completely calmed. He knew that the problems in the family were far from being solved. Tonight's relaxation was only a temporary relief. The real challenge was still waiting for him.

In the morning, Xu Mingjie sorted out the documents he had prepared in his study to make sure everything was ready before meeting with Officer Zhao. While he was busy sorting out the documents, he suddenly received a call from Lou Xiao'e. Lou Xiao'e was another important member of the family. She had a complicated relationship with Xu Mingjie. Although the two did not have much contact, her sensitivity and competence in family affairs made her occupy a place in Xu Mingjie's heart.

"Xu Mingjie, I need to discuss something with you." Lou Xiao'e's voice was calm and direct. "Is it convenient for you to meet now?"

"Sister Lou, good morning." Xu Mingjie responded, feeling a little uneasy. "Of course it's convenient. When do you want to meet?"

"We can meet right now. I'm nearby." Lou Xiao'e remained calm. "I'm at a cafe near your house. We can meet there."

Xu Mingjie thought about it for a while and then agreed. He knew that Lou Xiao'e's arrival might be related to the family's problems. Although he was a little uneasy about her arrival, he decided to go and see her. After sorting out the documents, he left home and walked towards the cafe.

In the cafe, Xu Mingjie found a quiet corner and sat down, patiently waiting for Lou Xiaoe's arrival. The atmosphere in the cafe was quiet and comfortable, with soft music and the aroma of coffee intertwined, making people feel relaxed. Although Xu Mingjie was a little nervous, he gradually calmed down. He was thinking about what kind of news Lou Xiaoe would bring, or what purpose she would have.

Not long after, Lou Xiao'e walked into the cafe. She was wearing a neat suit and a professional smile on her face. Her aura formed a sharp contrast with the surrounding environment, which made her particularly eye-catching. When Lou Xiao'e saw Xu Mingjie, she walked straight to him and sat down, saying with a smile: "Xu Mingjie, nice to meet you."