Courtyard House: Drunk and tipsy, the whole courtyard exposed at the start.

Zhang Dabiao's expression never softened after leaving the art academy.

He rode his bike in silence, his mind a jumble of thoughts, a jumble of ideas swirling around him.

Back at No. 95 Courtyard, Zhang Dabiao parked his motorcycle in Yan Jiecheng's yard in the outer courtyard. He walked into the east wing, and the sound of the wooden gate hinges startled Qin Jingru, who was feeding chickens in the yard.

The little girl was wearing a faded old cloth shirt and was scattering a handful of corn grits on the ground, while a flock of chickens and ducks clucked and scrambled for the food at her feet.

Upon seeing Zhang Dabiao, her eyes lit up, and she quickly dusted off her hands and stood up.

"Brother Da Biao, you're back! How did things go with the inquiry? Sister Wanqing, she..."

Zhang Dabiao didn't answer. He went straight into the house, picked up the large enamel mug on the table, and gulped down half a mug of cold boiled water. Only then did the anger in his chest subside a little.

He walked out, plopped down on a small stool in the yard, took out a cigarette case from his pocket, knocked out a cigarette, lit it, and took a deep drag.

Thick smoke billowed from his mouth and nose, obscuring his unattractive face.

At this moment, He Yushui also strolled from the central courtyard into the east courtyard. She had just finished get off work and was still wearing the blue work clothes from the cotton mill.

"Da Biao, judging from your face, something's not going well?"

Zhang Dabiao exhaled a long puff of smoke, the ash drifting in the air.

"I have to go to northern Shaanxi."

His voice was flat, devoid of any emotion, but each word seemed to be squeezed out from between his teeth.

"Pursue Wanqing."

Qin Jingru and He Yushui were both stunned.

Qin Jingru's face turned pale instantly, and her lips trembled as she said, "Go...go to northern Shaanxi? That's so far!"

"She can't be transferred back for the time being." Zhang Dabiao took another drag of his cigarette, his gaze drifting into the distance, as if he could see through the courtyard to the Loess Plateau. "I have to go there and get married to her first!"

As soon as he said that, the yard fell silent except for the sounds of chickens and ducks pecking at their food.

Qin Jingru's eyes instantly welled up with tears. "Brother Da Biao, how long are you going to be gone?"

Zhang Dabiao shook his head and flicked his cigarette ash: "It's hard to say. It could be a few months sooner, or later... who knows? But I'll definitely be back for the New Year."

Seeing the little girl on the verge of tears, he felt a pang of sympathy and softened his tone.

"My trip isn't entirely for personal reasons. The publishing house had a field research assignment, which I volunteered for; it's a long-term overseas assignment. The letter of introduction is already prepared. I'm going there to work, and I'll receive a daily stipend."

Qin Jingru lowered her head, tears still welling up in her eyes.

She knew in her heart that once Brother Da Biao made a decision, no one could stop him.

Mu Wanqing left, and his heart flew away with her. How could he possibly stay peacefully in Beijing?

She was simply reluctant to leave. Since she came to this courtyard at the age of twelve or thirteen, Zhang Dabiao had been her everything, her pillar of support.

Now that half the sky has collapsed, she feels empty inside, as if a piece of her heart has been ripped out.

He Yushui leaned against the door frame, her arms crossed over her chest. She wasn't crying, but her face was a little pale.

"Da Biao, then... be careful on the road."

She graduated from university this year and was just assigned to the materials and processes department of the city's cotton mill. She is still in her probationary period.

She understood the weight of the words "obey assignments" better than anyone else.

If your work unit assigns you a task, whether it's going to northern Shaanxi or Tibet, you have to pack your bags and leave immediately.

Zhang Dabiao looked up at her. He Yushui, who used to be a skinny, chubby girl, had now grown into a young woman in work clothes.

"Rain, you've just started working, so do your job well and don't learn your brother's reckless temper."

He Yushui nodded vigorously, her nose feeling a little sore.

Zhang Dabiao then turned to look at Qin Jingru, who was still sobbing with her head down.

He sighed, stood up, and rubbed her head.

"Alright, stop crying. It's not like you're not coming back."

"This little yard is yours to manage from now on. You can weed the vegetable garden whenever you have time, and plant whatever you want. I'll take a few of those chickens, ducks, and geese with me, and you can decide what to do with the rest—eat them or keep them to lay eggs."

Qin Jingru stopped crying after he said that. She raised her head, wiped her face haphazardly with her sleeve, and her eyes were red, like a rabbit's.

"Don't worry, Brother Da Biao! If anyone dares to break into our yard and steal anything, I... I'll beat them to death with a big broom!"

She waved her little fists, looking like she was ready to fight someone.

Zhang Dabiao was amused by her appearance, and the gloom in his heart dissipated considerably.

"Okay, I'm relieved to hear that."

He whistled loudly.

From the doghouse, a large, shiny black dog suddenly darted out like a black lightning bolt, pounced on Zhang Dabiao's lap, wagging its tail and whimpering affectionately.

"Erhei has to come with me." Zhang Dabiao patted Erhei's big head.

"No one else can feed this dog, I have to take it with me."

Qin Jingru squatted down and carefully stroked Erhei's head. Erhei glanced at her warily, but did not flinch.

"Erhei, you have to protect Brother Dabiao."

"Woof!" Erhei barked, as if in response to her.

Watching this scene, He Yushui couldn't help but mutter under her breath, "This dog is much smarter than some of the people in the yard."

Zhang Dabiao looked at the large flock of clucking chickens, quacking ducks, and the proud, majestic white goose in the yard, and felt troubled.

Taking away so many living creatures would be inconvenient on the road and would make us a bigger target.

But if they all stayed, Qin Jingru, a mere young girl, wouldn't be enough for those envious members of the Jia family to covet.

He thought about it for a moment and then had an idea.

"Jingru, go and put that busy-laying speckled hen and that big white goose in their cages. I'll take them with me on the way."

Qin Jingru was taken aback: "You're bringing the goose too?"

"Take it!" Zhang Dabiao waved his hand. "This thing is fiercer than a dog when it comes to guarding the house. It might come in handy over there."

This goose is very familiar to him and Mu Wanqing; it would be perfectly fine as a guard dog in northern Shaanxi.

As for whether they can be raised or not—that's a joke. Does Zhang Dabiao lack supplies?

He then pointed to the remaining chickens and ducks.

"Kill the rest! Tonight, call Guangqi, Damao, Yan Jiecheng, and Shazhu over for a farewell dinner!"

Qin Jingru winced with heartache: "It would be good if that gray hen laid eggs..."

"Then keep them!" Zhang Dabiao waved his hand, making the final decision. "I'll keep the two that lay the most eggs for you to save up for eggs to eat. The rest will all be on the table tonight!"

He wanted everyone in the hospital to know that he, Zhang Dabiao, was going on another long trip.

He either eats the food in his yard himself or gives it to his brothers; no one can take advantage of him after he leaves.

Everything we can't take with us today—we'll make it all!