Courtyard House: Home Alone

After driving for about another hour, the outline of the city walls of the Fog City could be seen in the distance. Master Yao breathed a sigh of relief: "We're almost there. The journey has been relatively smooth."

Lin Yifan sat up straight and straightened his clothes: "Master Yao, thank you for your trouble. Just take us directly to Jingya Lane."

Master Yao responded and skillfully turned the steering wheel, driving the truck towards the familiar urban area.

Lin Yifan knew that in this chaotic world, everyone was struggling to make a living, and behind Master Yao's composure were countless days of hard work and perseverance.

He didn't say anything more, just silently looked out the window. The streets of the foggy city gradually became bustling, forming a stark contrast with the dilapidated shantytowns.

There were street vendors carrying their wares and calling out their wares, hurried passersby, and uniformed police officers patrolling the streets.

The shadow of war seemed to be temporarily overshadowed by this commotion, but on everyone's face, there was a hint of worry that was more or less imperceptible.

The truck wound its way through the narrow alleyways before finally stopping at the entrance to Jingya Alley. It was relatively quiet there, with old courtyard houses on both sides, their walls covered in moss.

Lin Yifan jumped off the car first, then helped Qi Haishan's wife unload the wooden crates from the carriage. He then carefully helped the woman and carried Xiaobao and Yaya down.

"Sister-in-law, we've arrived. This is Jingya Lane, your temporary lodging."

Lin Yifan pointed to an inconspicuous courtyard gate not far ahead and said, "There are a few other families like yours. I'll pick them all up and we'll travel together. You should also take a break and rest. Otherwise, the long journey will be too much for both you and the children."

The woman, holding Ya Ya in her arms, looked at the unfamiliar alleyway before her, her eyes filled with curiosity and a hint of nervousness. Xiao Bao, meanwhile, curiously surveyed his surroundings, his little hands tightly gripping his mother's clothes.

After parking the truck, Master Yao came over and patted Lin Yifan on the shoulder: "Mr. Lin, I've delivered the person to you. I'll head back now to say hello to Boss Li and prepare the things for tomorrow's trip to Xinqiao Town."

"Okay, Mr. Yao, please be careful on the road. I'll be waiting for you here early tomorrow morning. Please give this two thousand yuan to Boss Li as a deposit for the next few days." Lin Yifan said as he took out two thousand yuan from his pocket and handed it to Mr. Yao.

Master Yao took the money, weighed it in his hand, didn't even count it, and stuffed it directly into his pocket: "Okay, Mr. Lin, don't worry, don't you trust me to handle things? I'll be here on time at eight o'clock tomorrow morning." After saying that, he turned around, jumped onto the truck, started the engine, and quickly disappeared around the corner of the alley.

Lin Yifan carried the wooden box and led his wife and children toward the courtyard gate.

He took out his key, unlocked the door, and went inside. He went to the main room, put down his suitcase, and said, "Sister-in-law, this room was just rented yesterday. You and the children can choose a room to clean first. I'll go buy you some daily necessities and food."

There's a stove and water tank ready here, and some firewood has been prepared, so we can easily cook a hot meal in the evening. Let me know if you need anything, don't hesitate to ask.

The woman quickly agreed, looking gratefully at Lin Yifan's busy figure, her eyes welling up with tears again.

The two children wandered around the yard curiously. Xiao Bao even reached out and touched the rough bark of the old locust tree in the corner of the yard, a long-lost smile appearing on his face.

After settling them in, Lin Yifan turned and left the courtyard. The evening air in Jingya Lane was filled with the aroma of food and the faint scent of cooking smoke.

He walked along the cobblestone path in the alley toward the nearby market. Passing a general store, he went in and bought some oil, salt, soy sauce, vinegar, bowls, chopsticks, spoons, and bedding, and asked the shopkeeper to take them back.

Then, as he walked, he filled his space with a bag of rice, a bag of vegetables, meat, a whole chicken, and eggs. He also filled his space with some apples, peaches, and pears, which were rare items for children in the shantytown.

When they returned to the courtyard carrying large and small bags, the woman had already cleaned the main room and a small side room next door.

Xiao Bao was holding a broom and helping his mother sweep the yard in a very professional manner, while Ya Ya was squatting by the water vat, splashing water with her little hands, creating ripples.

Upon seeing Lin Yifan return, the woman hurriedly came forward: "Mr. Lin, why did you buy so many things? It's too extravagant..."

"Sister-in-law, don't say that. The children are growing and need to eat well, otherwise they'll collapse from exhaustion on the road. You need to eat well too, otherwise I won't dare to take you on the road."

Lin Yifan placed the items on the table in the main room. "Look, this rice and vegetables are enough for a few days. We'll make a soup with the meat and ribs tonight for the kids to enjoy."

The woman looked at the things on the table, her eyes reddening again. She choked back tears and said, "Mr. Lin, you are such a good person... It's a blessing for Haishan to know a friend like you..."

"Sister-in-law, please don't say that. Brother Qi did it for the country... It's only right that I do these things." Lin Yifan interrupted her, afraid that she would be sad again. "You should rest for a while. I'll start a fire and cook."

"No, no, Mr. Lin, how can I let you do it? You are a guest, let me do it." The woman quickly waved her hand, took the firewood from Lin Yifan's hand, and skillfully went to the stove to get busy.

Lin Yifan didn't insist any further. He walked into the yard and looked at the two children. Xiao Bao had already put down the broom and was looking at him curiously, while Ya Ya hid behind her brother, secretly observing him with a hint of shyness on her face.

"Xiao Bao, come here." Lin Yifan smiled and waved, taking an apple out of his pocket and handing it to him. "Here, wash it before you eat it."

Xiao Bao's eyes lit up. He looked at his mother, and when she nodded, he carefully took the food, wiped it with his sleeve, and then handed it to his younger sister: "Ya Ya, you eat first."

Ya Ya shook her head and pushed the apple back: "Brother, eat it."

"You can all eat together," Lin Yifan said with a smile, taking out another apple. "There are also pears."

Seeing the satisfied smiles on the children's faces as they shared the apple, Lin Yifan felt a warmth in his heart. In these chaotic times, this little bit of sweetness could bring the children immense comfort.

Soon, the aroma of meat wafted from the kitchen. The woman worked quickly and efficiently, simmering a pot of fragrant pork rib soup and stir-frying two simple green vegetables. Although it wasn't anything fancy, it was a rare treat for the mother and her two children, who hadn't had a proper meal in a long time.

During the meal, Xiao Bao and Ya Ya ate heartily, their little mouths stuffed full. The woman kept serving food to the children while thanking Lin Yifan repeatedly. Lin Yifan just smiled and told her to eat quickly, while he himself ate a few bites.

After dinner, the woman cleared the dishes, while Lin Yifan took the children for a walk in the yard. He told the children some interesting stories from the outside world, and although they didn't quite understand many of them, they listened with great interest.

Ya Ya gradually opened up and became less shy. Occasionally, she would ask Lin Yifan a question or two out of curiosity.