Courtyard House: Time Traveler Not Yet a Ghost

The morning mist had not yet dissipated, but there was already activity in the courtyard. He Yuzhu had gotten up very early, and without He Damin urging him, he quietly started a fire, boiled water, heated up the leftover porridge from last night, and chopped some pickled vegetables from the jar. Although his movements were still a little clumsy, his earnestness was completely different from his usual habit of sleeping until noon and eating irregularly.

"Uncle, Yushui, dinner's ready." He placed the porridge and pickled vegetables on the small table and called out to him.

He Damin, still a little groggy, finished washing up, and the three of them sat around the table. The simple breakfast was eaten with unusual quiet. He Yuzhu ate quickly, his eyes frequently glancing towards the door, a mixture of barely concealed anticipation and a hint of nervousness in his gaze.

"Zhu Zi, when you go to Hongbinlou, observe more, ask more questions, and be more diligent. Master Li is strict, but it's for your own good," He Damin said calmly, putting down his bowl.

"Yes, Uncle! I've got it!" He Yuzhu nodded vigorously. "I'll definitely study hard and not let you and Master Li down!" He wiped his mouth hastily, stood up, and said, "Shall I go now?"

"Go."

Watching He Yuzhu practically leap out of the courtyard gate, a barely perceptible hint of relief flickered in He Damin's eyes. This child, finally, is on the right track. He hoped that the smoke and skill of cooking in the kitchen could truly wash away the shadows of his past, giving him a means to make a living and a future.

He turned to look at Xiaoyushui. The little girl was sipping her porridge, her eyes following her brother's retreating figure with curiosity until he disappeared from sight. She had changed into a new floral cotton-padded jacket made yesterday, and her hair was tied into two small buns with a red ribbon by He Damin. Although her face was still a little thin, it was a world of difference from the dirty and frightened look he had shown her at first sight. She now possessed a cleanliness and intelligence befitting a child.

However, her eyes still held the timidity and excessive quietness characteristic of a child who has long lacked a sense of security. At seven years old, she should be running around the yard, chattering away on her way to school, but she rarely even left the courtyard, let alone played with other children her age or learned to read and write.

"Rain," He Damin said gently, "After you finish eating, Uncle will take you somewhere."

Raindrops looked up, their big eyes asking a question.

"Go to school," He Damin said. "Go to read, learn to read, learn arithmetic, and play with lots of other children."

"School?" Yu Shui repeated softly, her eyes filled with longing, but also with obvious fear and confusion. For her, "school" was a distant and unfamiliar concept. Her brother would occasionally tell her about watching other children carrying their schoolbags to school in the alley, his eyes full of envy, but to her, that seemed like something from another world.

"Yes, school," He Damin said patiently. "Yushui is very smart and will definitely do well in school. When she learns to read, she can read books by herself, write letters to her brother and uncle (even though they live together), and understand many principles."

Rain seemed to understand, but looking into her uncle's calm and resolute eyes, her fear seemed to dissipate somewhat. She nodded obediently, "I'll listen to you, Uncle."

After dinner and tidying up, He Damin changed into a less flashy but still somewhat old-fashioned dark gray outfit, his long hair still tied up. He took Yushui's little hand and walked out of the courtyard.

He first went to the street military control committee. He was received by Director Yang Chengdong again. After the previous issues with the property and household registration, Director Yang was deeply impressed by He Damin, who had a unique temperament and made decisive decisions.

"Comrade He Damin, what brings you here today?" Yang Chengdong asked amiably.

"Director Yang, it's about my niece He Yushui's schooling." He Damin gently pulled Yushui forward. "The child is almost seven years old this year. Due to special circumstances at home, she never had the opportunity to go to school. Now that things have settled down, I want to send her to school as soon as possible and enroll her in the first grade."

Yang Chengdong glanced at He Yushui, who was petite but neatly dressed. The little girl shyly hid behind her uncle. He nodded: "This is important. The child should be starting school. We'll get a certificate; you can take it to the principal of the nearby Hongxing Elementary School to process it. School has been in session for a while now, so transferring to another class might require specific arrangements from the school."

"Thank you for your trouble, Director Yang." He Damin bowed slightly.

The formalities were completed quickly. Holding the letter of introduction stamped with a red seal, He Damin, soaked with rain, walked towards Hongxing Primary School, located several alleys away.

Hongxing Primary School is an old school, converted from a former private school. The school buildings are made of blue bricks and gray tiles. The playground is not large, but it is kept clean. It was during class time, and the campus was very quiet. The sound of reading could be faintly heard from the classrooms.

The old gatekeeper looked at the letter of introduction, then glanced at He Damin and the little girl he was holding, and without asking any further questions, pointed out the location of the principal's office.

The principal was a kind-faced woman in her fifties, wearing glasses and with gray hair. Her surname was Sun. She took the letter of introduction and looked at it carefully. Then she gently asked Yushui some simple questions, such as how old he was, what his name was, whether he could count, and how many words he knew.

Yu Shui was initially very nervous, her voice barely audible, but with encouragement from Principal Sun and He Damin, she managed to answer haltingly. She couldn't count to more than ten and didn't recognize any characters, but when Principal Sun had her repeat a few simple syllables, she imitated them quite clearly.

"The child's foundation is a bit weak, but she seems quite bright and sensible," Principal Sun said to He Damin. "The main issue is that she's reached the age; if she doesn't start school soon, it will be a waste of her potential. Here's what we'll do: arrange for her to join Class 2 of Grade 1. Her homeroom teacher, Ms. Chen, is very patient. We can catch up on the missed lessons gradually, and the parents will also need to put in a lot of effort."

"Thank you very much, Principal Sun." He Damin said sincerely, "I will definitely cooperate with the school."

Principal Sun personally led them to Class 2 of Grade 1. Teacher Chen, a young woman in her twenties, was teaching a class. After hearing the principal's introduction, she warmly squatted down to talk to Yushui, took her little hand, and introduced her to the whole class.

Dozens of curious eyes turned to look at her in the classroom. Yu Shui's little hands were icy cold with nervousness as she clutched tightly to her uncle's clothes. He Damin gently patted her head and whispered, "Don't be afraid. This will be where Yu Shui studies from now on. Listen to your teacher, and Uncle will pick you up after class."

Perhaps it was her uncle's calm tone that gave her strength, or perhaps it was Teacher Chen's kind smile that reassured her. Raindrops slowly loosened their grip, and she timidly followed Teacher Chen to an empty seat. Her deskmate was a little girl with pigtails, who smiled at her warmly.

He Damin stood outside the classroom window for a while and saw that although Yu Shui was still reserved, she had begun to imitate the other children, sitting up straight and looking at the blackboard with her eyes. Only then did he turn and leave.

Stepping out of the school gate, the autumn sun shone brightly. With Yushui's schooling problem solved, another weight was lifted from his mind. A child's future requires knowledge and a healthy social environment; these are more important than simply providing her with enough food and clothing.

Standing on the street, watching the pedestrians and the occasional bicycle and bus passing by, He Damin's thoughts began to drift further. It was October 1951, a few years before the storm that would sweep the country. These few years provided a window of opportunity for many things to be done.

He didn't want to, nor did he need to, rely on the gold and resources in his small world to live off his savings. That was ultimately unsustainable. He needed a legitimate and sustainable business that could guarantee him and his two children a comfortable and respectable future, provide funding and cover for his possible actions, and perhaps even... make a "compliant" contribution to national development.

Cars...motorcycles...

This idea lingered in his mind. In his small world, he left behind a small number of intact trucks, jeeps, motorcycles, and a large quantity of spare parts. More importantly, he had a vision that transcended his time. He knew that the demand for motor vehicles would explode in the coming decades. At present, however, cars are still an unattainable luxury for the vast majority of Chinese people, reserved for government agencies and the military.

What if… he could establish a shop that integrates sales, repair, spare parts supply, and even simple modifications? Similar to the prototype of a modern "4S shop." As for sourcing? He could use connections and methods to obtain rare imported or domestic vehicles through special channels (such as using the Soul Refining Banner to control or influence well-connected individuals, or establishing secret channels in Hong Kong and other places through "Soul Banner Projection - External Avatar"). Regarding technology? He is proficient in mechanics, possesses a wealth of technical data in his small world, and could even "cultivate" or control technical personnel if necessary. As for capital? Gold and jewelry are hard currency in his small world.

As for the possibility of being labeled a "capitalist" in the future… He Damin's eyes remained calm and unwavering. Worldly class divisions and political movements were nothing more than fleeting clouds to a Nascent Soul cultivator. He had ample means to protect himself and his businesses, even to "disappear" or "change his identity" when necessary. Moreover, if he could legally introduce much-needed technology, equipment, or foreign exchange to the country through legitimate business activities, or even secretly support certain projects, he might even receive unexpected protection.

Of course, this matter requires careful planning and a step-by-step approach. First, a suitable shop or plot of land must be selected, preferably in a convenient location on the outskirts of the city where land prices are low and the space is spacious. Second, reliable personnel must be recruited and trained (perhaps from veterans or down-on-their-luck technicians). Third, a secret and secure supply chain needs to be established, which may require his alter ego to "travel" multiple times.

He walked slowly home, a clear blueprint already forming in his mind. The trivialities and grudges within the courtyard were merely ripples in a small space. The real world lay in the wider world. He wanted to lay a solid foundation for his two children, and for himself, in this great era of transition.

He stopped at the entrance of the alley and looked back in the direction of Hongxing Elementary School.