Courtyard House: Home Alone

The afternoon sun streamed into the room through the window, making it warm and cozy. Lin Yifan leaned back on the sofa, listening to Wang Ma clearing the dishes in the kitchen and his sister's occasional murmurs. A long-lost tranquility and peace enveloped him.

He knew that this time might be short, but as long as his family was safe and sound, everything he had done would be worthwhile.

The next morning, Lin Yifan saw his mother making breakfast, so he ran out and bought some meat buns. Yesterday afternoon, Meng Zhuolin had already quit her job at the church hospital, and Wang Ma had also left with her salary.

After being fed formula twice, Yu'an became more familiar with him. No longer shyly hiding in her mother's arms like before, she would actively reach out her chubby little hands to be held.

As soon as Lin Yifan reached out, she giggled and jumped into his arms, rubbing her little head against his chest, pressing her soft cheeks against him, and letting out a satisfied sigh.

Lin Yifan held the soft little life in his arms, his movements as gentle as if he were holding a rare treasure. He would lift her high, making Yu An laugh like a silver bell. That laughter was like a clear spring, washing away his fatigue and tension from the past few days.

He would gently tap her little nose with his finger or tickle her armpits, and Yu'an would wriggle her little body, laughing so hard she almost fell over. Her big, dark eyes would curve into crescent moons, filled with dependence and affection for this suddenly appearing "brother".

Sometimes, Yu'an would reach out her little hand and clumsily touch Lin Yifan's face, or grab his fingers and hold them in her mouth with her toothless little mouth, gently nibbling at them. The warm touch and the unguarded intimacy melted Lin Yifan's heart.

Meng Zhuolin watched the brother and sister laughing and playing in the living room, her eyes almost overflowing with joy. As she picked vegetables, she would occasionally look up and scold them, "Xiao Fan, be gentle, don't drop your sister."

Lin Yifan spun Yu An around in his arms, caught her steadily, and replied with a smile, "Mom, don't worry, I know what I'm doing."

Yu'an giggled in his arms, waving her little arms and legs excitedly, as if it were the most fun game in the world.

Sunlight streamed through the window, casting dappled shadows on the floor and capturing this heartwarming scene, as if a sweet scent was floating in the air.

Looking at the long-lost relaxed smile on her son's face, and then at her little daughter who was being amused in her arms, Meng Zhuolin felt the weight of worry in her heart finally lift.

Looking at his mother who had already washed the vegetables, Lin Yifan asked, "Mom, do you know where there's a dental clinic nearby?"

Meng Zhuolin paused in her movements, looked up at him with some confusion, and asked, "Dentist? Why are you asking this? Is your tooth bothering you?"

She looked Lin Yifan up and down, her eyes full of concern. "Did you bump or hurt yourself while you were running around outside?"

Lin Yifan held Yu'an in his arms, letting her sit in his embrace. He reached out and teased her chin, making the little one giggle again. Then she answered her mother, "It's not that my teeth are uncomfortable. I want to rent a big house with a yard."

I was also thinking of getting you, Dad, and your sister a bigger, newer house nearby, in a better environment so you'd be more comfortable. The real estate brokerage has listings for houses, right? I'd like to go check it out and see what's on the market.

Yu'an seemed to understand the word "house". Although she didn't understand what it meant, she clapped her hands excitedly and made "ee-ee-ya-ya" sounds.

Lin Yifan was amused by his sister's reaction and playfully pinched her nose: "You little rascal, you even know that houses are good things."

Hearing her son's plan, Meng Zhuolin felt a warmth in her heart and quickly waved her hand, saying, "Why rent a big house? We're fine where we live now. We know our neighbors, and it's convenient to go out and buy things. There's no need to move. This house may be a bit old, but it's enough for us. Moving would be a waste of money."

She knew her son wasn't short of money, but she didn't want him to be extravagant. Lin Yifan, however, had his own considerations. He carried Yu'an to his mother's side and said earnestly, "Mom, the house you're renting is indeed a bit small. You see, Yu'an is growing up, and she needs her own place to play."

Moreover, I need a relatively independent and safe environment since I'm back here on business, so renting a large house with a yard would be more convenient.

As for moving you and Dad to a new house, it won't be right away. We can look around first and choose a quiet place with good security. That way, it'll be easier for you and Dad to live there, and your little sister will have a better environment to grow up in. Don't worry about the money; it's nothing to me.

Looking into his son's determined eyes, Meng Zhuolin knew that once he made up his mind, it was hard to change it, so he sighed and said, "Alright, if you want to see it, then go ahead. But don't be too extravagant, just make sure it's practical."

There's a dental clinic nearby called "De Shun Dental Clinic," right in front of us. It's been open for quite a few years. The owner's surname is Liu; he's a fairly honest person. We rented this place through him. You can go there and ask. It's just across the street, around the corner.

"Okay, thank you, Mom."

Lin Yifan smiled and agreed. He played with Yu'an for a while longer before handing her over to his mother. "Mom, I'm going to the brokerage. I'll be right back."

Meng Zhuolin instructed, "Be careful on the road, and come back early for lunch."

"Okay," Lin Yifan replied, picked up his coat, and went out the door.

Lin Yifan tightened his coat and walked down the street. The buildings on both sides were mostly gray-walled and black-tiled, with a few Western-style buildings scattered among them, revealing a unique mixed atmosphere of this era.

There weren't many pedestrians on the road; most were rickshaw pullers hurrying along or housewives carrying shopping baskets. Occasionally, you could see a few young people in school uniforms, their eyes filled with both longing and confusion for the future.

Following the directions his mother gave him, he walked for a short while and then saw the sign for "De Shun Dental Clinic" at the corner of the street ahead.

It was a somewhat old wooden signboard with the four large characters "De Shun Dental Clinic" written in black paint on it, and a simple house pattern drawn next to it.

The pawnshop had a small storefront with two open wooden doors, and the interior was somewhat dimly lit.

Lin Yifan stepped inside. The shop was simply furnished, with an old eight-immortal table in the middle, a few chairs on each side, and some rolled-up drawings and documents piled up in the corner.

A middle-aged man wearing a long gown and a melon-shaped hat was sitting behind a table, holding an abacus and checking the accounts with a loud clatter.

Seeing someone come in, he looked up, a professional smile plastered on his face: "Hey kid, whose family are you? I don't think I've seen you before. Go home, this is a brokerage firm, not a place for you to hang out."

Upon hearing this, Lin Yifan couldn't help but laugh and cry. He knew that although he drank spiritual spring water every day, he was only eight years old and didn't look like someone who was there to discuss business.