Courtyard House: Home Alone

So he smiled and said, "Uncle He, you can go early later. When you get there, find a guy named Shi Tou and tell him he's my neighbor. Just tell him what you need and he'll arrange it for you. But don't go with the Jia and Yi families from your courtyard."

He Daqing paused for a moment, looking at Lin Yifan with some doubt: "Shitou? You know people in the black market?" He had lived to such an old age and worked in the trade, so he knew quite a few people in Beiping.

Although he didn't get involved in those things, he knew the black market was a dangerous place, and not just anyone could be trusted to talk to you. How could Lin Yifan, a mere teenager, know anyone with a name in the black market?

Lin Yifan remained calm, offering no further explanation, only saying, "We have some acquaintance, I suppose. By my master's standards, he should call me 'Young Master.' Uncle He, you can go without worry. Just say I sent you, and he'll look after you. As for those two families in the Central Courtyard…"

He paused, a hint of detachment in his voice, "They have their own ways; let's just go our separate ways."

He didn't want the He Daqing family to get involved in unnecessary trouble with the Jia Zhang family and the Yi Zhonghai family because of him.

Jia Zhangshi is greedy and selfish, while Yi Zhonghai appears fair but is actually cunning. Getting involved with them will only lead to bad outcomes.

Looking at Lin Yifan's determined gaze, He Daqing still had some doubts, but seeing that Lin Yifan was unwilling to say more, he didn't press the matter.

He knew that Lin Yifan had become somewhat taciturn since his parents left, but he was very sensible in his actions.

Since Lin Yifan said that, he must be quite confident.

Moreover, Lin Yifan specifically reminded him to avoid the two families in the Central Court, which made He Daqing nod inwardly.

He never had a good impression of the Jia and Yi families, especially Jia Zhangshi, who was always gossiping and spreading rumors, which was annoying.

"Okay," He Daqing nodded, keeping Lin Yifan's words in mind. "I understand. I'll go back and tell Grandpa Zhang and the others so we can go check on them as soon as possible."

He understood that food was precious these days, especially refined grains, which were often hard to come by even with money. Since this opportunity presented itself, he naturally wanted to seize it. He remembered Lin Yifan's kindness in pointing him in the right direction.

"Thank you for your help, Uncle He," Lin Yifan said.

"Don't be so polite with your uncle." He Daqing waved his hand, turned to leave, but after taking a couple of steps he remembered something, turned back and reminded him, "Eat those noodles quickly, don't let them get cold. Make sure to cover the stove when you go to bed tonight, be careful of the coal smoke."

"Okay, I understand. Thank you for your concern, Uncle He," Lin Yifan replied.

He Daqing then left with peace of mind. Lin Yifan closed the door and carried the steaming bowl of soup noodles back into the house.

The noodles are hand-rolled and very chewy, the fried eggs are golden brown on both sides, and the soup is topped with scallions and a few drops of sesame oil, giving off an enticing aroma.

He picked up his chopsticks, scooped up a mouthful of noodles, blew on it to cool it down, and put it in his mouth. The warm noodles slid into his stomach, bringing a comforting warmth that dispelled the chill of the winter night and warmed his heart.

Not all the neighbors in this courtyard were as wretched as Jia Zhangshi. The simple kindness of He Daqing and his wife, and the innocent enthusiasm of He Yuzhu, were like this bowl of hot soup noodles, offering him a rare comfort and a touch of human warmth in this turbulent era.

After finishing his noodles, Lin Yifan washed the bowl clean and put it away, intending to return it to He Daqing the next day. He sat by the stove, watching the leaping flames, and began to ponder He Daqing's words.

It was indeed he who had Old Master Tang arrange for the grain on the black market to be distributed, with the aim of alleviating the urgent needs of the nearby people and allowing them to have a good New Year.

Old Master Tang is meticulous in his work, and the people he hires are all trustworthy. Sending He Daqing and his team to find the stones ensures they get the benefits while avoiding unnecessary trouble.

As for the Jia and Yi families in the Intermediate People's Court, Lin Yifan's lips curled into a cold smile. Jia Dongxu had one hand crippled by him, and Jia Zhangshi must hate him to death, probably talking behind his back.

Yi Zhonghai, on the other hand, was secretly plotting to seize his own house. Lin Yifan had never had a good impression of such hypocrites, and naturally wouldn't let He Daqing and his group get involved with these two families.

"Thump, thump, thump."

Just as Lin Yifan was pondering, the knocking sounded again. This time, the knocking was more urgent, accompanied by a shrill female voice: "Open the door! Open the door! Lin Yifan, come out here!"

Lin Yifan frowned. Who else could that voice be but Jia Zhangshi's? Her coming to his door at this time couldn't be anything good.

Lin Yifan's eyes turned cold; this Jia Zhangshi was truly persistent. He put down the fire tongs, walked to the door, but didn't open it immediately. Instead, he asked in a deep voice, "Who is it? What is it?"

Seeing no response from inside, Jia Zhangshi knocked even louder, shouting in a shrill voice, "Stop pretending to be deaf! I know you're in there! Lin Yifan, you little beast, open the door right now! Or I'll smash your door down!"

"My door is perfectly fine, what right do you have to smash it?" Lin Yifan's tone was calm, revealing neither joy nor anger. "If you have something to say, say it. If not, I'm going to rest."

"Resting? I think you've done something wrong and are too ashamed to face anyone!"

Madam Jia started throwing a tantrum outside the door, "You beat my Dongxu's hand like that, and I haven't settled the score with you yet! Do you think you can get away with it by hiding at home?"

"Let me tell you, if you don't come up with fifty silver dollars for medical and nutritional expenses today, I'm not letting you off the hook!"

Lin Yifan sneered inwardly upon hearing this. Fifty silver dollars? This Jia Zhangshi was really asking for an exorbitant amount. He opened the door and looked coldly at Jia Zhangshi, who stood outside with her hands on her hips and a mean expression on her face.

"Aunt Jia, you can eat whatever you want, but you can't say whatever you want."

Lin Yifan spoke calmly, "Everyone in the neighborhood saw how Jia Dongxu got hurt. First, you falsely accused me of stealing your money, and then he hit me first. I was just defending myself."

Let me tell you, I'm being kind by not making your Jia family line end. Also, I'm warning you one more time: if you come here again to cause trouble, you'll face the consequences.

"Self-defense? I think you're completely lawless!"

Jia Zhangshi was speechless for a moment after Lin Yifan's words, then jumped up and screamed, "How could our Dongxu, such an honest boy, possibly hit you first?"

"It was clearly you, you little beast, who was so cruel and ruthless, beating him up like that! I'm telling you, you have to give me those fifty silver dollars today! Otherwise, I'll report you to the military police and have the army arrest you!"

"Send the locust army to capture me?"

Lin Yifan seemed to have heard the biggest joke in the world. His eyes suddenly turned sharp as knives. "Jia Zhangshi, how dare you! Are you addicted to being a traitor?" His voice was not loud, but it carried a chilling aura that made Jia Zhangshi shiver involuntarily.