Courtyard House: Home Alone

As soon as you enter He Yuzhu's house, a wave of heat mixed with the smell of coal smoke and the aroma of food hits you. The house is simply furnished with a square table, a few benches, and an old cabinet against the wall with some odds and ends on it.

The kang (a heated brick bed) was covered with a coarse cloth mattress; although simple, it was kept fairly clean.

Han Fengzhi pulled Lin Yifan to sit down on the kang (a heated brick bed), then turned and picked up the kettle from the stove, pouring him a bowl of hot water: "Here, Xiaofan, drink some hot water to warm yourself up. Is your master's house far away? It must have been a difficult journey back, right?"

Lin Yifan held the warm bowl in both hands, the warmth spreading from his palms to his whole body. He smiled and said, "It's not far, Aunt Han. My master's house is near Zhengyangmen. Fortunately, the journey was relatively smooth." He didn't elaborate on his experiences, only mentioning them vaguely.

Han Fengzhi sighed, looking at Lin Yifan with heartache in her eyes: "You child, you're so young and you're already out there all alone, without any family around. It's almost Chinese New Year, if you don't mind, why don't you spend it with your aunt's family? It'll be more lively with more people."

"Yes, yes, Brother Xiao Fan!" He Yuzhu nodded vigorously from the side, his mouth still stuffed with half a cornbread, and said indistinctly, "Spend the New Year with us, and I'll have my dad make you your favorite braised pork! My dad's cooking is the best."

Lin Yifan felt a warmth in his heart. The simplicity and enthusiasm of Han Fengzhi's family were like the warm sun in winter, which relaxed his tense nerves a lot.

He shook his head and politely declined, saying, "Thank you, Aunt Han, thank you, Zhu Zi. No, I still want to wait at home. What if my parents send someone over? They'll be worried if they can't find me."

Han Fengzhi knew what he was thinking, so she didn't press him further. She simply said, "That's fine then. But it must be lonely for you to be home alone. If you need anything to eat or use, just tell your aunt. Don't be shy. We're neighbors, so it's only right that we help each other out."

Just then, a loud bang came from outside the courtyard gate, as if someone had pushed it open. Immediately afterwards, a slightly gruff voice rang out: "Zhu Zi! Zhu Zi! You brat, where have you been running off to again?"

Upon hearing the voice, He Yuzhu's face fell, she stuck out her tongue, and whispered to Lin Yifan, "It's my dad who's back."

Han Fengzhi glared at He Yuzhu, then got up and went out to greet him: "What's all the commotion about? The child is inside."

He Daqing was stunned for a moment when he saw Lin Yifan in the room, then a look of surprise appeared on his face: "Xiao Fan? You're back?"

"Uncle He, I'm back." Lin Yifan quickly stood up and greeted him politely.

He Daqing put down the cloth bag in his hand, patted the snow off his body, walked to the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed), sat down, picked up the pipe that Han Fengzhi handed him, rolled a cigarette, lit it, and took a deep drag.

He then slowly spoke, "It's good that you're back, it's good that you're back. It's not safe outside, it's safer to stay at home." He paused, then looked at Lin Yifan, "Xiaofan, you need to be careful lately. Because of Jia Dongxu's matter, his family has been thinking about how to get revenge on you. Yi Zhonghai and I have advised them several times."

Lin Yifan nodded and said calmly, "Uncle He, it's alright! If your whole family wants to bully me, then let them try."

He Daqing grunted, smoke billowing from his nostrils, his eyes filled with a complex expression: "That kid Jia Dongxu was spoiled rotten by his mother since he was a child, he's no good."

It's good that you taught him a lesson. However... that Jia Zhangshi is no pushover; you still need to be careful in the future, lest she scheme against you.

"I understand, Uncle He," Lin Yifan replied. He understood He Daqing's good intentions; everyone in the courtyard knew about Jia Zhangshi's ability to throw tantrums.

He Daqing took a few more puffs of his cigarette, tapped the pipe on the sole of his shoe, and stood up: "Alright, we'll start our annual leave this afternoon. I'll go cook after sitting for a while."

Xiao Fan, come over for a bite to eat later, so you don't have to cook for yourself. Zhu Zi, you stay put and don't run around, you hear me?

"I understand, Dad," He Yuzhu replied softly, not daring to say another word.

Han Fengzhi went to the kitchen to get busy preparing lunch. Lin Yifan sat for a while, then got up to say goodbye: "Aunt Han, Uncle He, I won't be coming over for lunch. I need to go home and tidy up, then rest for a bit."

"Won't you stay a little longer? Have lunch before you leave," Han Fengzhi urged.

"No, Aunt Han, I'll go back and pack up." Lin Yifan smiled, turned around and left the He family.

Back in his quiet little room, Lin Yifan tidied up a bit. There were some odds and ends piled up in the corner, and a thin layer of dust covered the windowsill.

He took out some clean bedding from his storage space and spread it on the bed. He also wiped down the tables and chairs, and the room immediately looked much tidier.

After doing all this, he closed the door, entered the space, washed up thoroughly, and then went to sleep in the space.

Lin Yifan slept until after 5 p.m., then stretched, got out of bed, quickly washed up in the space, ate something, and left the space to return to his room.

By then, it was already dark outside. He lit the oil lamp in the house and then started to light the stove. Just as he finished lighting the stove, there was a knock at the door.

Lin Yifan put down the fire tongs, walked to the door, opened it, and saw He Daqing standing there, holding a rough porcelain bowl with steam rising from it.

"Xiao Fan, I made you a bowl of hot soup noodles. Have some first."

Lin Yifan quickly stepped aside to let He Daqing in, and said somewhat apologetically, "Uncle He, you're too kind, making you come all this way."

He Daqing handed him the bowl and waved his hand, saying, "Don't mention it. When your parents were home, they were the ones who helped us when we had a headache or fever."

You're home alone, so you probably haven't cooked. Eat it while it's hot to warm your stomach.

He glanced around the room and saw the newly lit stove. He added, "The stove has just been lit, and the room is still cold. After you finish your noodles, hurry up and get on the kang (heated brick bed) so you don't get cold."

Lin Yifan took the bowl of steaming noodles. A poached egg rested in the center, topped with vibrant green scallions, and the aroma was irresistible. On this cold winter night, this bowl of noodles was undoubtedly the most comforting solace. Touched, he repeatedly said, "Thank you, Uncle He, you really are..."

"Alright, hurry up and eat. I have to go back. Zhu Zi's mother is waiting for me." He Daqing interrupted him and prepared to turn around and leave.

He suddenly stopped and turned around, saying, "By the way, Xiao Fan, do you want to buy some grain? I heard that since yesterday, fine grains have been practically given away for free on the black market near the capital. I'm planning to go check it out with Uncle Zhang and the others from the front yard later."

Lin Yifan was secretly pleased. He had asked Grandpa Tang to distribute the food and supplies, and he figured he would have to go out again to get another batch.