Courtyard House: Home Alone

Suddenly, with a creak, the study door was gently pushed open.

Tang Baolin turned around abruptly and saw a child dressed in Japanese school uniform standing at the door; it was Lin Yifan.

"Who are you? How did you get in?" Tang Baolin demanded.

Lin Yifan did not answer his question, but slowly walked into the study and closed the door behind him.

"Don't be nervous, Grandpa Tang, I'm Lin Yifan!" Lin Yifan smiled at Tang Baolin and said softly.

"I've delivered another batch of supplies. They're still in the same few courtyards. Please arrange for someone to take them over as soon as possible."

Upon hearing the name "Lin Yifan," Tang Baolin was struck as if by lightning. The anxiety on his face was instantly replaced by shock. He staggered back a step, staring incredulously at the young-looking man before him.

"You...you are Lin Yifan?!" He had only heard of him before, but never seen him in person. Although he knew that the other party was young, seeing such a young face in person, he still found it hard to associate him with the mysterious figure who had turned the military police and the Japanese headquarters upside down overnight.

Lin Yifan nodded slightly: "That's right. Grandpa Tang, there's no time to lose. Those supplies need to be distributed as soon as possible to avoid any unforeseen complications."

Tang Baolin then came to his senses, quickly composed himself, and showed an excited and grateful expression on his face: "Young friend Lin... you are truly... truly a second parent to the people of Beiping!"

"I'll arrange it right away! The supplies you left behind yesterday were just distributed this morning. I thought there wouldn't be any more."

He knew the value of these supplies; in those chaotic and resource-scarce years, they were enough to save countless lives.

"Also," Lin Yifan added, his gaze sharp, "the Japanese expatriates in Dongjiaomin Lane have been completely cleared out by me."

I also confiscated their weapons, ammunition, and supplies. The subsequent cleanup and takeover will require Mr. Tang's coordination to avoid unnecessary chaos.

"What?!" Tang Baolin was once again utterly shocked. Cleaned up? What thunderous methods lay behind those four short words!

He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but found his throat tightening.

After a long silence, he solemnly bowed deeply to Lin Yifan: "You truly deserve my respect, young master. I, the people of Beiping, will never forget your great kindness! Please rest assured, young master, I will do my utmost to handle the follow-up matters and will never fail you!"

Lin Yifan looked at his trembling body and nodded: "Grandpa Tang is a reasonable man. With you here, I am at ease. I have other matters to attend to, so I will take my leave first."

After saying that, he vanished from the study as silently as he had come, leaving Tang Baolin standing in front of the empty doorway, his heart surging with emotion, unable to calm down for a long time.

Outside the window, the sky was overcast, as if it was about to snow, but in Tang Baolin's heart, it was as if a ray of light shone in, dispelling the gloom and despair of the past few days.

He knew that the situation in Beiping might be about to change.

Lin Yifan, who had been busy for twenty-four hours, was now on his way home. If his parents wanted someone to look for him, the period around the Lunar New Year would be the most likely time. Besides, if they were truly Communists, they should also know about the elimination of the Japanese troops in Beiping.

Therefore, it's better to stay at home before and after the Lunar New Year. To look more energetic, I drank some spring water before going to the courtyard house. A refreshing coolness instantly spread throughout my body, dispelling the fatigue of the past few days, and my previously dim eyes regained their sparkle.

He took out a bag from his spatial storage and put some grain and meat inside. Then, he straightened his slightly disheveled clothes, making sure he looked as usual, before pushing open the gate of the courtyard house.

The courtyard was quiet, with snow piled up in the corner of the wall, and a few sparrows hopping on the bare branches, chirping softly.

Lin Yifan tiptoed towards the backyard. Just as he entered, he saw He Yuzhu building a snowman by himself. Looking up and seeing Lin Yifan, He Yuzhu quickly clapped his hands and stood up, calling out, "Brother Xiaofan, it's been so long! Where have you been?"

"I went to my master's place. What's wrong, Zhuzi? Is someone looking for me?" Lin Yifan asked He Yuzhu, who was sniffling.

"No! I was just bored at home and wanted to play with you." He Yuzhu sniffed, rubbing her small, red hands, her eyes sparkling as she looked at Lin Yifan: "Brother Yifan, you're finally back! You're not leaving again, are you?"

As he spoke, he stomped his foot in frustration, the snow crunching softly beneath his feet. "Look at the snowman I built, doesn't it look like you? I specially added two lumps of coal for its eyes, but I couldn't find a suitable nose. It's such a waste to use carrots; my mom said she'd save them for making dumplings for Chinese New Year."

Lin Yifan looked in the direction he pointed and saw a crooked snowman standing in the center of the yard. It had a big head and a small body, its arms were two bare tree branches, and its face was indeed covered with two black lumps of coal, making it look rather adorable.

He couldn't help but chuckle, reaching out to ruffle He Yuzhu's hair, finding it icy cold to the touch. "Hmm, it does look like him, just a bit too thin. I'll find you a red chili pepper for your nose later, I guarantee it'll look even more like him."

"real?!"

He Yuzhu's eyes lit up, and he immediately perked up, his previous grievances vanishing. "Great! Brother Xiaofan, what other fun things can you do?"

I heard from the adults in the compound that things weren't peaceful in the city a few days ago. Were there Japanese devils? Is it safe where your master is?" He asked a series of questions, his little face full of curiosity.

Lin Yifan's heart skipped a beat, but he remained expressionless, simply patting his shoulder: "It's fine in the city, my master's place is very safe."

"Hey! By the way, didn't you like hanging out with Jia Dongxu? What's wrong, he's not taking you along anymore?" Lin Yifan asked.

"Him? Humph! You broke his hand, I'm not playing with him. I'll stick with you because you're better than him." He Yuzhu said, puffing out his chest smugly, as if Lin Yifan's prowess had also brought him some glory.

"Besides, Jia Dongxu is always whining at home, and his mother is constantly cursing and swearing, saying that you're the one who beat her son like this, and that she's going to settle accounts with you when you come back. I'm not going to mess with their family."

Lin Yifan listened, a barely perceptible smile curving his lips. Jia Dongxu's fate was, in a way, his own doing.

He then looked at He Yuzhu's ears, which were red from the cold, and reached out to tuck a strand of hair behind his ear: "It's cold outside. We've done enough building the snowman. Come inside, or you'll catch a cold."

"No, Brother Xiao Fan," He Yuzhu tugged at Lin Yifan's sleeve, refusing to let go, "You haven't found me any red peppers yet, and besides, you just got back, I want to talk to you more."

"By the way, do you know kung fu? Could you teach me? My dad said if you don't teach me, he'll take me to the overpass; he has a friend who practices wrestling there. But I still want you to teach me!" He looked up at me, his eyes full of dependence and expectation.