Courtyard House: Time Traveler Not Yet a Ghost

The golden falcon faded its light in a remote mountain valley on the western outskirts of Beijing, and He Damin's body quietly appeared. He still carried that worn canvas bag on his back, and a gray wool scarf was casually draped around his neck, just as when he left, as if he had really just returned from hunting in the mountains.

He went back to the courtyard house first. When he pushed open the gate, it was afternoon, and the sunlight lazily streamed into the yard. He Daqing was hunched over, holding a worn-out broom, listlessly sweeping the loose soil and fallen leaves on the ground in the middle courtyard, his movements revealing a cautious, timid demeanor. Hearing the door open, he looked up sharply, saw it was He Damin, and instinctively straightened his back, then quickly bent down again, his eyes darting around, yet also pleading: "Damin...you're back? In the mountains...are you alright?"

"Hmm," He Damin responded, his gaze sweeping over the yard, which was fairly tidy. "Where's the rainwater?"

"I just...I just took her to school, she should be there by now," He Daqing said hurriedly, putting down the broom and rubbing his hands. "I did as you said, dropping her off in the morning and picking her up in the afternoon, and...I didn't miss a beat."

He Damin didn't ask any more questions and went straight to the main room. The room was still clean and tidy, and a cup of water on the kang table was still warm. He put down his backpack and, seemingly from inside, but actually from his inner world, took out two plump wild rabbits, a brightly colored pheasant, a string of glistening, fatty cured pork tied with straw rope, and several dried cured fish. These "mountain goods" were naturally taken from the inner world's inventory, and were of excellent quality.

"Clean these up. Hang the cured meat and fish above the stove and eat them slowly. Stew the wild rabbit and pheasant tonight to nourish Zhuzi and Yushui," He Damin instructed.

He Daqing looked at the substantial amount of game and cured meats, which were clearly high-quality goods. His throat bobbed, and he quickly nodded, "Okay! I'll get them right away!" He carefully took them, his movements becoming much more efficient. In an era when oil and meat were scarce, these things were truly valuable currency. The fact that his younger brother had given him such a generous gift made him feel that his brother was unfathomable.

He Damin didn't stay in the yard long. After putting his things down, he went out again and headed towards Hongxing Elementary School. Judging by the time, Yushui would be letting out of school soon.

A group of parents, mostly women and elderly, had gathered at the elementary school gate to pick up their children. They were bundled up in thick cotton-padded coats, hunching their shoulders and stamping their feet to ward off the cold wind. He Damin, in a crisp cotton robe, stood out from the crowd with his refined air, attracting many curious glances. He remained calm, his gaze fixed on the school gate.

As the school bell rang, the children poured out like birds released from their cages, cheering. He Damin immediately spotted Xiaoyushui, with her two little braids and green canvas backpack. She was talking to a little girl with pigtails next to her, a smile on her face. But when she looked around and saw He Damin, her smile instantly brightened, her eyes crinkling into crescents, and she called out in a clear voice, "Uncle!" Then, like a little swallow, she flew over.

He Damin crouched down, caught his little niece who rushed towards him, and patted her head: "School's out? How was school today?"

"Great!" Yu Shui nodded vigorously, and pulled a drawing out of her schoolbag like a treasure. "Uncle, look, this is what I drew in art class! The teacher praised my drawing and gave me a little red flower!" The drawing paper had a house, a sun, and a little person drawn with crayons. Although it was childish, it was full of childlike fun.

He Damin looked at it carefully and nodded: "It's a good drawing. Let's go home, we'll have meat for dinner."

"Really?" Yu Shui's eyes lit up even more. She grabbed He Damin's hand and started chattering about the funny things that happened at school—which classmate had fallen down, what new story the teacher had told. He Damin listened patiently, occasionally responding with a word of agreement.

When the two returned to the courtyard house, He Daqing had already prepared the rabbit and pheasant and was boiling water at the stove. The rich aroma of meat filled the air. Yushui sniffed as soon as she entered: "It smells so good!"

"Rain is back?" He Daqing poked his head out from the kitchen, forcing a smile. "We're having meat for dinner, rabbit stew with mushrooms, your uncle brought them back from the mountains."

Yu Shui glanced at He Daqing, then at He Damin, and whispered, "Dad." He then ran to He Damin's side and said no more.

He Damin told Yushui to do her homework, then rolled up his sleeves and went into the kitchen. He Daqing quickly made way for her: "The water's almost boiling. I've started soaking the mushrooms; they're hazel mushrooms from last year, they taste great."

He Damin hummed in agreement, took the cleaver, and skillfully chopped the rabbit meat into evenly sized pieces. His movements were fluid and graceful, carrying a unique sense of power and precision; although he was handling ingredients, there was an underlying rhythm to it. He Daqing watched from the side, remembering that his younger brother had never cooked before, or at least not with such skill, and his doubts deepened, but he dared not ask.

The rabbit meat was blanched, then stir-fried in a pot with scallions, ginger, Sichuan peppercorns, and star anise. A little Shaoxing wine (which He Damin "took" out of his backpack) was added, and the mixture was stir-fried until fragrant. Then boiling water and soaked hazel mushrooms were added. The mixture was brought to a boil over high heat, then simmered over low heat. Meanwhile, the pheasant was prepared in the same way, becoming braised chicken with chestnuts. A small piece of cured pork was cut and stewed with potatoes.

The kitchen was steaming and filled with enticing aromas, making one's appetite soar. This sumptuous meat feast is something that ordinary families might not even be able to enjoy during the Lunar New Year.

As evening fell, He Yuzhu returned from Hongbinlou Restaurant. As soon as he entered the courtyard, he was drawn in by the rich aroma of meat. "Wow! It smells so good! Uncle, you're back?" he exclaimed happily, striding into the kitchen. He saw He Damin cooking at the stove, with He Daqing assisting. He paused for a moment, then quickly recovered, saying, "Uncle, you've had quite a harvest in the mountains!"

"Okay. Wash your hands and get ready to eat." He Damin glanced at him. In just a few days, Zhu Zi's energy and spirit were even more abundant, his eyes were bright, and his lower body was stable. Obviously, the practice of Bajiquan and the effects of the Marrow Cleansing Pill were continuing to take effect.

The food was served. A large pot of bright red and fragrant rabbit stew with mushrooms, a pot of golden and tempting braised chicken with chestnuts, and a pot of cured pork and potatoes, all served with steaming hot rice. This was a feast comparable to a New Year's Eve dinner.

He Daqing sat awkwardly at the lower end of the table, not daring to touch his chopsticks. He Yuzhu served food to He Damin and Yushui, then glanced at He Daqing, hesitated for a moment, and also served him a piece of rabbit meat: "Eat."

He Daqing was flattered and nodded repeatedly, "Yes, good, good."

Rainwater's little mouth was glistening with oil, and her eyes were squinting as she ate: "Uncle, the meat is so delicious! It's much better than the meat slices in the cafeteria!"

"Eat more if you like it." He Damin put a chicken leg on her plate. "Zhuzi, eat more too, practicing martial arts takes a lot of energy."

The family of four sat around a warm table in their cozy home, enjoying a hearty dinner. Outside, the cold wind howled, but inside, the warm light and the aroma of food filled the air. The scene evoked a long-lost sense of homely warmth. He Daqing, head bowed, ate small bites of meat from his bowl, his eyes welling up with tears. How long had it been since he'd sat down to eat like this with his children? The last time… it seemed like it was when Bingxin was still alive.

After the meal, He Yuzhu took the initiative to clean up the dishes and wash them. He Damin called out to He Daqing, who was about to sneak back to the backyard.

"Zhu Zi is at Hongbinlou now. He's busy during the day and practices boxing when he gets back at night, so he needs nutrition. Yu Shui is growing, so he can't be deprived either," He Damin said calmly. "Keep these cured meats and fish safe and cook them for them every few days. I'll give you rice, flour, and oil regularly. Please take care of the daily grocery shopping and cleaning around the house."

"I know, I know! I will definitely take good care of it!" He Daqing quickly assured him.

"Also," He Damin glanced at him, "the construction site will be starting in the spring, and we'll need manpower. Your body has been neglected for too long; you need to get back into shape. Starting tomorrow, get up early every day and practice standing meditation with Zhu Zi."

"Standing...standing meditation?" He Daqing was taken aback.

"Yes. The foundation of Xingyi Quan. First, stabilize your lower body and breathing, so you won't be a burden when you go to the construction site," He Damin said without any room for doubt. "I'll be watching you."

He Daqing opened his mouth, but seeing his younger brother's unyielding gaze, he could only nod in the end: "...Okay, I'll practice."

So, the next morning, there was one more person in the backyard of the courtyard house. As dawn broke, He Yuzhu meticulously practiced the Xingyi stance of Bajiquan, his legs slightly bent, arms loosely clasped, and soon his whole body trembled, sweat beading on his forehead. After finishing his own practice, He Yuzhu would go over to correct his father's movements, his tone not exactly affectionate, but very serious. He Daqing gritted his teeth and persevered, daring not to slacken in the slightest.

Life seemed to have returned to a relatively stable rhythm. He Damin continued his daily "strolls," but now he had more places to go. Occasionally, he would visit the wasteland enclosed by a wall in the northwest suburbs. Although the permafrost hadn't thawed and construction had stalled, looking at the tall wall and the flat land, the blueprint became increasingly clear in his mind. He also began to inquire, intentionally or unintentionally, about car parts, repair tools, and even gasoline coupons, preparing for the future service station.

Chen Xueru came even more frequently. Sometimes she brought newly arrived dried fruits or pastries from the south, saying it was for Yushui to try; sometimes she brought some fashionable fabric samples for He Damin to "give his opinion"; and once, she even managed to get a small bucket of precious peanut oil and insisted on giving it to He Daqing, saying it was "for the children to use for cooking." She was polite but distant towards He Daqing, maintaining proper etiquette, but her eyes always couldn't help but follow He Damin.

He Damin's attitude towards her seemed to have softened somewhat. Although he still didn't talk much, he would invite her to stay for meals and occasionally ask about the shop's business. Chen Xueru was a smart woman who knew how to proceed gradually, knew when to stop, and never lingered. She simply used her enthusiasm and attentiveness to slowly permeate He Damin's life.

The 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month is the Little New Year. Chen Xueru closed her shop in the afternoon, carrying a bag of candied melon, a bag of Guandong candy, some minced meat, and flour, and went to Nanluoguxiang.

"Brother He, today is the Little New Year. It's just my mom and me at my place, so it's all quiet. I'd like to come and celebrate with you all, make dumplings, and have some fun, okay?" She smiled brightly, looking at He Damin with expectant eyes.

He Damin glanced at the abundant New Year's goods in her hands, then at the glistening tears in Yushui's eyes beside her, and nodded: "Come in."

Chen Xueru immediately went inside with a smile and began to get to work with practiced ease. She kneaded the dough, prepared the filling, and rolled out the wrappers with practiced ease. He Daqing wanted to help, but she politely sent him off to boil water. He Yuzhu came home from get off work and joined in the dumpling-making. Chen Xueru chatted and laughed, recounting the fun stories of celebrating the Lunar New Year on Qianmen Street, creating an atmosphere in the house more lively than ever before.

The dumplings, plump and white like ingots, tumbled in the boiling water as they hit the pot. Outside the window, children from somewhere set off firecrackers, their crackling sounds adding to the festive atmosphere of the New Year.

During the meal, Chen Xueru sat next to He Damin, constantly putting dumplings on his plate: "Brother He, try this cabbage and pork dumpling, I made the filling." "This three-delicacy dumpling is also delicious, I added dried shrimp." The dumplings in He Damin's bowl were piled up like a small mountain. He ate silently, but his ears seemed to be slightly red.

Yu Shui ate a candied melon, her little mouth saccharine with sweetness. She looked at her uncle, then at Aunt Xue Ru, who was smiling like a flower, and suddenly blurted out, "Aunt Xue Ru, will you come to our house for dinner every day from now on?"

The room fell silent for a moment.

Chen Xueru's face flushed red, and she stole a glance at He Damin. He Damin paused, but didn't say anything, continuing to eat his dumplings.

He Yuzhu coughed and picked up a dumpling for Yushui: "Eat quickly, and after you finish, I'll take you out to watch other people set off firecrackers."

He Daqing lowered his head, picking at the dumplings in his bowl, his eyes filled with complex emotions.

Chen Xueru composed herself, patted Yushui's head, and said in a gentle but firm voice, "If Yushui likes it, Auntie will come often when she has time."

Outside the window, night deepened, and the sporadic sounds of firecrackers mingled with laughter from inside, blending into the cold December air, yet exuding a deep, human warmth. This winter seemed less unbearable.

He Damin put down his chopsticks and looked out at the dark night sky. His divine sense seemed to penetrate the roof tiles and see the beacon fires in the icy snow of the distant north, as well as the mountain of supplies and the silent silver-gray flying saucer in the inner world.

The road ahead is still long. But for now, with the warmth of the hearth, the company of loved ones, and the devoted companionship of one person, it seems... not so bad. He picked up his teacup, took a small sip, and the ancient ice deep in his eyes seemed to have been gently melted by the warmth of human connection, with a barely perceptible ripple.