Courtyard House: Home Alone

The three got into the car and drove towards the city. Not far into the city, Lin Yifan told the driver to stop the car. "Thank you, I'll get off here."

The pilot and driver nodded, didn't ask any more questions, said goodbye, and drove back to the office.

Lin Yifan stood on the street, looking at the familiar yet somewhat unfamiliar street scene before him. He took a deep breath of the air, which was filled with the unique humid moisture of the foggy city. After a year away, he was finally back.

He straightened his clothes, picked up his suitcase to avoid attracting attention, turned and turned into Ping An Lane next door. Following the address he remembered, he walked home. After walking for a few minutes, he saw the familiar black lacquered courtyard gate, and could faintly hear his younger sister Yu'an's giggling laughter coming from the courtyard.

Lin Yifan's heart jumped into his throat, and he gently knocked on the courtyard gate.

The courtyard gate creaked open from the inside, and it was Wang Ma, the family's former maid, who opened it. She paused for a few seconds before recognizing the person, and her face instantly lit up with a delighted smile: "Oh my, it's the eldest young master! We've been waiting for you!"

She quickly stepped aside to let him in, calling out loudly, "Master! Madam! The eldest son is back!"

As soon as Lin Yifan stepped inside, he heard a series of footsteps. A small figure, clutching a rag doll, stumbled and ran from the direction of the main room, staring at him timidly with wide, round eyes.

Lin Yu'an just turned four last year and doesn't remember people's faces very well. She only remembers her mother saying that she has an older brother in the north. Looking at the older brother standing in front of her with a box, she didn't dare to go closer.

Lin Yifan's heart melted as he looked at his cuddly little sister standing at the bottom of the steps. He bent down, opened his arms, and said softly, "Yu'an, don't you recognize your brother?"

Lin's mother followed closely behind and came out of the house. Her eyes immediately reddened. She wiped her eyes and said with a smile, "Come here quickly. This is the brother you've been talking about every day."

Lin Yu'an then realized what was happening, hugged the doll to her chest, and called out in a clear voice, "Brother!" before taking her short little steps and rushing into Lin Yifan's arms.

Lin Yifan hugged his younger sister tightly, stood up, looked at his parents who had followed him out, and called out with a smile, "Dad, Mom, I'm back."

Lin's father stood at the door of the main room, hands behind his back, nodding with a smile on his lips: "It's good to be back. Are you tired from the journey? Come in and warm up. Your mother probably knew you were coming back, so she stewed your favorite pork ribs early this morning."

Lin Yifan carried Yu'an inside. The little girl clung to his neck, refusing to let go, chattering about the family's affairs over the past year. She said the winter plum blossoms in the yard had bloomed, that her mother had made her a new cotton-padded jacket, and that she had even learned to write her brother's name. Her soft voice warmed Lin Yifan's heart.

After he sat down inside, Lin's mother busied herself pouring him hot tea and bringing over the sweet cakes that had been prepared beforehand. She held his hand and looked him over from left to right, constantly asking him if it was cold in the north, if he was cold, and if he was used to the food.

Lin Yifan answered them one by one, taking out the gifts he had brought with him. He brought his father two bottles of aged Fenjiu liquor from the north, his mother a fine jade hairpin, and his mother a small silver lock and jade pendant that he had prepared in advance. The jade pendant was from Puyi's body.

Yu'an clutched the silver lock and jade pendant, overjoyed. She grabbed Lin Yifan's hand and tried to pull him to see the garlic sprouts she had planted in the yard. The family was having a lively time, and the festive atmosphere of the New Year filled the whole house.

Lin Yifan listened to his sister talk while peeling chocolates for her, occasionally responding with a few words. His heart was filled with warmth. He had been busy with production and equipment in Beiping for the past year, amidst the clash of swords and shadows. It had been a long time since he had been able to sit down and have a hot meal with his family in peace.

Of course, while eating, he secretly added a lot of spiritual spring water to his family's food. Meng Zhuolin ate while watching his son, "Son, watching you eat makes today's food taste especially delicious!"

Yu'an nodded her little head, stuffing meat into her mouth and mumbling, "Delicious!"

Lin Yifan chuckled and scratched his head, not daring to mention the spirit spring. He simply followed the conversation and said, "That's all thanks to Mom's excellent cooking skills. During this year away from home, the thing I missed most was Mom's sweet and sour pork ribs."

Lin's mother smiled broadly upon hearing this, and kept piling food into his bowl until it was piled high.

After dinner, Lin Qiqing pulled him to the study, closed the door, and then asked, "Have you taken Tianjin?" Last year, Meng Zhuolin hadn't noticed that Lin Qiqing had managed to extract some information about Lin Yifan, but he had kept most of the secrets. He only knew that his son was also working for the Red Party.

Lin Yifan nodded: "We just took it yesterday, and the entire Tianjin area has been cleared out. Kong Jie and his men are going to attack Dezhou today. If nothing unexpected happens, they will be able to open up the passage to Shanxi in no time."

Lin Qiqing took a sip of tea and nodded: "The bald guy's side is also keeping an eye on the situation in North China. Your side is doing well, and Chongqing is also feeling the heat. Many people are saying that we might be able to launch a counter-offensive this spring. By the way, didn't you say last year that we should prepare our troops to attack the Northeast? What's the situation now?"

"Preparations for the attack on the Northeast are almost complete. The Anti-Japanese United Army has already begun its southward offensive from the north. In North China, after capturing Shicheng, we will begin our northward advance from Shanhaiguan."

At that time, with attacks from both sides, the Japanese in the Northeast will definitely not be able to hold out for long, and they will be able to take back the entire Northeast in less than half a year.

The Northeast Anti-Japanese United Army has now captured most of Heilongjiang Province and seized many military factories left behind by the Japanese. Once the Shanhaiguan Pass is breached, the mechanized forces of the North China Military Region can advance unimpeded, and the subsequent advance will only be faster.

Lin Yifan put down his teacup and said with certainty.

After listening, Lin Qiqing nodded, stood up, walked to the window, looked at the winter plum blossoms in full bloom in the yard, and said in a deep voice: "The bald man still harbors resentment towards the Red Party, but since the Japanese have not yet been driven out, he dares not openly cause trouble."

Recently, the Expeditionary Force has also been reporting frequent victories. It seems the Japanese are truly at their breaking point; all that's left is the division of spoils, as you mentioned.

However, given Baldy's past behavior, the higher-ups are worried they might betray China's interests. What's 'Ghost's' opinion on this?

Lin Yifan stood up and replied, "Dad, 'Ghost' mentioned this to me. He said he would give Baldy a heads-up beforehand."

In addition, they will also come up with a constructive negotiation guide. As for the outcome, that depends on the Western powers. There are some things that they can't just give us because we want them.

"At worst, we'll go get it ourselves."

Lin Qiqing looked at his son. It had only been a year since he last saw him, but his demeanor had become much more composed, and there was no trace of the playfulness of a twelve-year-old child. He felt both gratified and a little heartbroken. After a pause, he said, "You must be tired from your journey. Go back to your room and rest. Yu'an is definitely waiting for you outside."

Lin Yifan responded and had just stepped out of the study when Yu An, who was squatting by the door, grabbed his trouser leg. The little girl tilted her head up and shook his hand, saying, "Brother, come with me to see the garlic sprouts. The ones I planted have already sprouted leaves."

Lin Yifan smiled and took her little hand, following her to the corner of the yard. Looking at the small patch of lush green seedlings, he praised them a couple of times, which made Yu An smile and pull him along to say that she wanted to water the winter plum.

The warm afternoon sun of winter fell gently on the courtyard and on the roasted peanuts on the stone table, and even the wind carried the faint fragrance of winter plum blossoms.

Lin Yifan played house with Yu'an, listening to his mother talking to Wang Ma about preparing for the New Year in the main room downstairs. He felt all the tension in his body relax. This was the peace and stability that he was willing to risk his life to protect.