Courtyard House: Home Alone

Although Shen Jingbo's younger siblings were still somewhat reserved, smiles were clearly on their faces. After all, in these difficult times, seeing so much food and meat was undoubtedly a great joy.

Watching everyone busy at work, Lin Yifan felt much more at ease. He knew that now that the gasoline problem was solved, the next step was to get everyone settled in this temporary "home" as soon as possible, ensuring they were well-fed, warmly clothed, and healthy enough to make their journey to Beiping much safer.

Soon the kitchen was filled with the aroma of food, and everyone had chosen and cleaned their own rooms.

Looking at the newly renovated house and smelling the aroma of meat wafting from the pot, Mrs. Shen's eyes welled up with tears. She took Lin Yifan's hand and choked out, "Mr. Lin, our family has truly met a great benefactor... If it weren't for you, we don't know if we would have been able to make it to the autumn harvest."

Lin Yifan quickly helped her up and said softly, "Auntie, please don't say that. Brother Shen is protecting our country on the front lines, so it's only right that I take care of his family. Come on, the food is almost ready, let everyone eat it while it's hot."

At dinner time, a small wooden table was crammed full. The aroma of pork and radish soup stewed by Qi Haishan's wife filled the air, and although Shen Jingbo's younger siblings were still shy, they couldn't help but reach for the meaty parts with their chopsticks.

Little Stone held a steamed bun bigger than his face, eating it with his mouth full of oil, which made everyone laugh. Father Shen took a sip of the baijiu Lin Yifan handed him, and sighed deeply, "If Jingbo were here, we could have this meal together."

Lin Yifan put down his chopsticks and comforted him, "Uncle, once we get to Beiping, we'll definitely see Brother Shen soon. Then, we'll have him drink with you to your heart's content." Father Shen nodded, and hope rekindled in his eyes.

After the meal, Lin Yifan called Shen Jingbo's younger brother, Shen Jingtao, aside and asked, "Jingtao, how old are you this year? What are your plans?"

Shen Jingtao puffed out his chest and said, "I'm eighteen! I want to go find my brother and fight the Japanese devils with him!"

Lin Yifan gave him an approving look: "A good man's ambition lies in all corners of the world. However, your family needs you more right now. Once we get to Beiping and settle down, if you still want to go to the front lines, I can help you find a way."

Shen Jingtao's eyes lit up, and he nodded vigorously: "Really? Thank you, Brother Lin! No, thank you, Mr. Lin!"

Night deepened, and the courtyard gradually quieted down. Lin Yifan sat in his room, thinking about the gasoline for tomorrow.

He took out seven barrels of gasoline, each with a capacity of 145 kilograms, from his storage space and piled them on the side of the courtyard gate. Only after doing all this did he feel at ease enough to go to sleep.

The next morning, as expected, Master Yao arrived on time. Seeing the gasoline cans in Lin Yifan's yard, he asked in surprise, "Mr. Lin, what are these...?"

Lin Yifan smiled mysteriously and said, "Master Yao, take a look at this."

Master Yao stepped forward, opened the can lid, and took a sniff. His eyes widened instantly: "Gasoline! This is gasoline! Mr. Lin, you really got some?"

Lin Yifan nodded: "I was lucky, I managed to get some through a friend, just over a ton. That should help your boss, Mr. Li, out of his predicament, right?"

Master Yao rubbed his hands together excitedly, "Yes! Yes! Absolutely! Mr. Lin, you're truly our lucky star!"

He circled the several barrels of gasoline twice, his wrinkles beaming with a smile. "With this gasoline, the car dealership won't have to shut down! I'll go back and tell Boss Li to arrange manpower and vehicles as soon as possible, and we'll set off this afternoon!" After saying that, he bowed deeply to Lin Yifan, then ran out with light steps, as if he had become several years younger.

Watching Master Yao's departing figure, Lin Yifan breathed a sigh of relief. The gasoline problem was solved; now it was time to prepare to head to Nanchong.

He turned and went back into the courtyard, starting to gather everyone. Seeing that everyone had arrived, he said, "As you can see, I have to go to Nanchong this afternoon. There is a comrade's family member there who I need to pick up."

It may take a few days on the road. During my absence, you must take good care of yourselves, especially Uncle Shen and Aunt Shen. The journey to Beiping is long, and if you are old and not in good health, you cannot withstand the hardship.

Everyone should eat more every day, don't worry about not having enough food and meat. Jingtao, you are the only man in the family, so you need to take good care of your younger siblings and Xiaoshitou, and don't let them run around. This foggy city looks calm, but it's actually not safe. Try not to go out, and don't talk to strangers easily.

"Sister-in-law Qi, please take good care of things here. Just go and buy anything you need. Once I return from Nanchong, we'll immediately head to Beiping. Everything will be alright there."

As he spoke, he took out five hundred yuan from his pocket and handed it to Shen Jingtao, saying, "Take this money. If you ever need it urgently, don't be stingy."

Shen Jingtao took the banknotes, clutched them tightly in his hand, and nodded emphatically: "Mr. Lin, please rest assured! We will be fine and wait for your return!"

Mrs. Shen wiped away her tears and said, "Mr. Lin, please be careful on the road!" Lin Yifan smiled and agreed, then gave a few more instructions before starting to pack his backpack.

At the same time, he also used his mental power to check the bullets and delayed grenades in the stationary warehouse to ensure that everything was in order.

After getting ready and saying goodbye to everyone, I headed home. I'd be gone for several days, so I needed to tell my mother when I got back.

Lin Yifan returned home to find his mother holding Yu'an, playing in the yard. Seeing her son return, Meng Zhuolin smiled gently: "Xiaofan, where have you been these past two days? Why are you back now?"

"Mother, I went to the countryside to pick up people these past two days. I've settled them in the house in Jingya Lane. In a few days, I'll take them all to Beiping."

"I came back to let you know that I have to go to Nanchong this afternoon, and it will probably be a few days before I'm back." Lin Yifan walked to his mother's side and teased his younger sister.

Upon hearing this, Lin's mother's smile faded slightly, and a hint of worry appeared in her eyes: "Nanchong? That's such a far place, what are you going to do there? It's not safe out there right now."

"I'm also going to pick up the family of a comrade-in-arms. He's fighting on the front lines, and his family has no one to take care of them. I have to bring them to Chongqing and then send them to Beiping together," Lin Yifan explained simply. He didn't want his mother to worry too much, so he didn't go into details about the dangers they might encounter on the way.

Lin's mother sighed and reached out to straighten her son's collar: "You're just too kind-hearted. Be careful on the road, always keep your eyes open, and don't be too reckless."

"I know, Mother, don't worry."

Lin Yifan comforted him, "I will take good care of myself. You should also eat well at home and not overwork yourself."

"I know, go quickly, don't delay important matters," Lin's mother urged, her eyes showing reluctance but also understanding and support for her son's actions.

Lin Yifan nodded, said a few more words to his mother, and then turned and left home.