Courtyard House: Home Alone

Looking at his son's determined eyes and listening to his clear and logical explanation, Meng Zhuolin felt a weight lift from his heart, but he knew that things had come to this point and there was no point in saying anything more.

She sighed, took Yu'an's belongings, wiped her hands with her apron, and said somewhat helplessly, "You child, you're always so impulsive. What's done is done, what can you do? Just be more careful with your money in the future, don't be so extravagant."

"Okay, Mom, I understand."

Seeing that his mother no longer objected, Lin Yifan smiled and said, "Let's eat quickly, the food is getting cold."

Meng Zhuolin then remembered the food in the pot, hurriedly turned around and went to the kitchen, muttering, "You, you didn't even discuss it with me beforehand, really..."

Although he complained, he couldn't hide the smile in his eyes. After all, who doesn't want a home that truly belongs to them? Especially in such turbulent times, a stable place to live is more important than anything else.

Around four o'clock in the afternoon, Lin Yifan went out again. He told his mother that his father would be back today, and he was going out to buy some groceries so the family could have a reunion dinner together that evening.

He first went to the nearby farmers' market, which was bustling with activity and filled with the sounds of vendors hawking their wares. He walked around the market to see what was available.

Then, he headed home. When he was almost home, he took out three bags from his spatial storage. One bag contained five live hens, which he had specially selected from his spatial storage since they had just laid eggs.

There was another bag containing two live geese, and another bag containing a goose that had just been killed in the space, two roosters, and some potatoes, green beans, eggplants, and peppers.

That evening, he planned to show off his skills by stewing a goose for his family. They used to live in Beiping and were used to northern cuisine. The goose in the room weighed more than ten kilograms, enough for the whole family.

Back home, when Meng Zhuolin saw him take so many live chickens and geese out of the bag, she almost dropped her jaw in astonishment: "Xiao Fan, why...why did you buy so many live chickens and geese? Are you planning to have them lay eggs?"

"Yes, Mom, these are all hens that just laid eggs. I bought them all when I saw them at the market. That way, you won't have to worry about not having enough eggs anymore, and my little sister can start eating solid food. We can steam an egg custard for her every day."

Fortunately, the original owner of the house may have raised chickens, so there is a ready-made fence and chicken coop in the corner of the yard.

As Lin Yifan spoke, he put the chickens and geese into the enclosure.

Meng Zhuolin looked at the clucking hens and the geese craning their necks to look around curiously in the enclosure, and then at the cleaned goose and the bag full of fresh vegetables that her son was carrying.

The expression on her face slowly changed from surprise to a mixture of amusement and exasperation: "You child, you bought so many, how much money did that cost? Besides, bringing back so many live animals at once, won't the yard be in complete chaos?"

Despite saying that, she couldn't help but approach the fence and carefully examine the spirited chickens and geese, a hint of fondness in her eyes. "These chickens look quite robust, and these geese have such glossy plumage."

Lin Yifan put down the vegetables, clapped his hands, and laughed, "Mom, don't worry about the money. If we raise a few more, we'll have more chicken and goose eggs than we can eat, and you and Dad can also get some nourishment."

As for the noise, their squawking makes the house lively and gives it a bit of life. I'll make you a stewed goose in an iron pot tonight, along with some cornbread. I guarantee you and Dad will love it.

My sister mashed some potatoes from the goose meat for her, and I steamed some egg custard for her too.

Meng Zhuolin gave him a reproachful look: "You always have so many ideas. Alright, alright, hurry up and take these vegetables into the kitchen. I'll go boil some water. When your dad comes back and sees this, he'll probably be shocked." She turned and went into the house, but her steps were much lighter than before.

Lin Yifan watched his mother's retreating figure, a warm smile playing on his lips. He knew that although his mother was complaining, she was actually happy inside.

In this era of scarcity and widespread anxiety, his greatest wish at this moment is to enable his family to live a peaceful life and have a full meal.

He took the vegetables into the kitchen one by one and began washing and arranging them to prepare for the family reunion dinner that evening.

In the yard, hens and geese strolled leisurely, occasionally crowing, adding a touch of life and warmth to the somewhat simple courtyard.

Soon, the kitchen was filled with an enticing aroma of meat, the rich and mellow fragrance of stewed goose in an iron pot, mixed with the sweetness of potatoes and cornbread, wafting out of the kitchen and permeating the entire courtyard.

Yu'an was babbling in the room, her little nose seemed to smell the fragrance, and she was fidgeting restlessly.

While playing with her daughter, Meng Zhuolin listened intently to the sounds coming from the kitchen, her face beaming with anticipation and a smile.

The afterglow of the setting sun streamed in through the window, casting a soft golden hue over this heartwarming scene.

"What day is it today? What delicious stew are you making? It smells so good!" A moment later, Lin Qiqing's voice came from the doorway.

Meng Zhuolin glanced at her husband who walked in through the door: "Our son came to see us from Beiping. He said he wanted to show off his skills and make us stewed goose in an iron pot."

Upon hearing this, Lin Qiqing's eyes lit up. He strode into the yard and immediately spotted the chickens and geese in the enclosure. The rich aroma wafting from the kitchen filled the air. He exclaimed with delight, "Wow! My son's back makes all the difference! He even bought so many live animals! This goose smells amazing!"

He put down his briefcase and went straight to the kitchen. "I'm going to check on Xiao Fan."

Lin Yifan was intently stirring the goose in the pot when he heard his father's voice. He turned around and smiled, "Dad, you're back! It'll be ready soon. Just wait a little longer, the pancakes will be cooked too."

Lin Qiqing looked at the bubbling goose in the pot, the potatoes already stewed until soft, and the golden cornbread stuck to the side of the pot, its edges slightly charred. He couldn't help but swallow hard: "Good, good, no rush, no rush, it smells authentic!"

Meng Zhuolin carried Yu'an out, smiling at her husband, "You, all you ever think about is food. Xiao Fan not only brought us all this, but he also bought us a small house with a yard in Fu'an Lane!"

"Buy a property?"

Lin Qiqing was stunned for a moment, then looked at Lin Yifan with surprise on his face, "Xiaofan, is this true?"

Lin Yifan nodded and briefly recounted what had happened. After listening, Lin Qiqing remained silent for a moment, then patted his son's shoulder heavily: "Good lad, you've got potential! Dad didn't raise you for nothing. It's just that this money..."

"Dad, don't worry, I have a plan for the money. It's all from legitimate sources. You and Mom can just relax and wait to move into the new house," Lin Yifan interrupted his father, his tone firm.

Looking at his son's composed demeanor, Lin Qiqing was filled with mixed emotions, which finally turned into a sigh of relief: "Good, good, you've grown up and have your own ideas now. Dad believes in you."