Courtyard House: Time Traveler Not Yet a Ghost

In October 1954, after the formal signing of the public-private partnership agreement, the daily operations of "Red Star" gradually entered a new phase. The new factory director, surnamed Zhou, was transferred from the Municipal Bureau of Industry. He was in his early forties, wore black-rimmed glasses, acted with composure, and showed considerable respect for He Damin. As agreed, He Damin withdrew from daily management, retaining only the empty title of "honorary advisor." He would visit the factory once or twice a month to check on the situation, but never inquired about specific matters.

Suddenly, life became much more leisurely.

Chen Xueru's silk shop also completed its "transition" this month—she did not adopt He Damin's "one-dollar lease" plan, but instead followed her husband's advice and found a reliable manager to take over the daily operations, retaining only the right to check the accounts monthly. The property of the silk shop was bought by Chen's father many years ago, with clear ownership, so whether it is kept for rental income or liquidated in the future, it is a stable source of income.

He Yuzhu's driving skills became increasingly proficient, and his repair skills also improved. He was registered at the "Red Star" training base and occasionally gave practical lessons to new students, earning a part-time salary. He Yushui was in the second grade of elementary school, skipping and hopping to and from school every day with her schoolbag on her back, and her complexion was much better than when she first arrived.

He Daqing and Qin Huairu lived a peaceful life. Qin Huairu managed the household chores in the east courtyard very well. Apart from working as a chef at the Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill, He Daqing either fetched rainwater or daydreamed in the west wing of the backyard. Occasionally, he would help Zhuzi chop firewood, sweep the yard, and play with his youngest son, He Yuliang.

Back in Hong Kong, the Edward Lawrence law firm sends a thick email every two months containing acceptance notices, grant certificates, and detailed progress reports from patent offices in various countries. The US patent for the three-point seatbelt was officially granted in June 1954, and applications in European countries are being approved one after another. "Spark Technology Company" has already accumulated more than twenty patents related to automotive technologies, covering multiple areas such as seatbelts, turn signal linkage systems, and disc brake improvements.

In a recent letter, Lawrence wrote: "Mr. He, your patents have begun to attract the attention of some automakers. The legal departments of Ford and Mercedes-Benz have both inquired about patent licensing. Based on current trends, these patents are expected to generate hundreds of thousands of dollars in licensing revenue annually over the next few years."

Hundreds of thousands of dollars.

In this era, this is an astronomical figure. But He Damin knew that the real explosion was yet to come—when the automotive industry truly realized the commercial value of safety, and when countries began to legislate to mandate the installation of seat belts, the value of these patents would increase exponentially.

But he didn't tell anyone.

Chen Xueru only knew that her husband received letters about "overseas business" every few months, but she never asked about their contents. He Yuzhu only knew that his uncle often sat alone by the window, lost in thought, but he didn't know what he was thinking. He Daqing didn't ask anything either, nor did he dare to.

On the last weekend of October 1954, He Damin made a decision.

That afternoon, he went to Dong'an Market.

The market was bustling with people, the stalls selling vegetables, meat, fabrics, and general merchandise packed tightly together. He Damin stood in front of the meat stall for a moment, then bought two jin of good quality pork belly, a jin of spare ribs, a few pork bones, a bag of winter bamboo shoots, and two bunches of garlic sprouts. The butcher recognized this regular customer and diligently helped him pick out the lean and fatty parts, muttering, "Boss He, are you entertaining a distinguished guest today? This pork belly, three layers of fat and two layers of lean, is perfect for braised pork!"

He Damin smiled but offered no explanation.

Distinguished guest? I suppose so.

Back home, Chen Xueru was hanging out the bedding to dry in the yard. Seeing the large bags He Damin was carrying, she paused slightly, "You bought so much stuff?"

"I'm inviting my older brother over for dinner tonight." He Damin carried the meat and vegetables into the kitchen. "Make a few of your specialties, and I'll make some braised pork. We'll have a couple of drinks together."

Chen Xueru put down the bedding she was carrying and followed him into the kitchen. She watched He Damin place the pork belly on the cutting board and suddenly asked softly, "Are you going to tell Big Brother about that?"

He Damin didn't turn around, he just hummed in response.

Chen Xueru remained silent for a moment, without asking any further questions, and simply rolled up her sleeves to start washing the vegetables.

In the evening, the setting sun bathed the pomegranate trees in the east courtyard in a golden hue.

He Daqing was somewhat reserved when he was invited over. He had lived in the west wing of the backyard for almost two years, rarely stepping into the east wing except to ferry rainwater. Each time he came, it was because He Damin had something to tell him, and he would leave immediately after listening, never lingering. He knew that since Lü Bingxin's death, his younger brother He Damin had been very unfriendly to him.

Tonight is different.

As soon as he entered the main room, he smelled a familiar aroma—braised pork belly, the kind that's been stewed for a long time, the soy sauce and caramel color perfectly balanced, the meaty fragrance mingling with the fresh scent of winter bamboo shoots, making his mouth water. On the octagonal table were four dishes and a soup: braised pork belly, sweet and sour pork ribs, stir-fried cured pork with garlic sprouts, and sliced ​​pork with winter bamboo shoots, plus a large bowl of hot and sour soup. Chen Xueru was still busy in the kitchen, Qin Huairu was helping to set the table, He Yuzhu was peeling garlic on the doorstep, and He Yushui was leaning over the table, gazing longingly at the plate of braised pork belly.

He Damin came out of the inner room, carrying a bottle of wine.

"Brother, please sit down."

He Daqing paused for a moment, then silently sat down at the table.

The liquor was Xifeng liquor, which He Damin had stored away years ago and had never been willing to drink. He poured a full cup for He Daqing, then poured one for himself, and then picked up his glass.

"Brother, let's have a drink."

He Daqing picked up his wine glass, his hand trembling slightly. He looked at He Damin's calm face, wanting to say something but not knowing where to begin, and finally just drank the wine in one gulp.

The wine burned my heart with a fiery spiciness, from my throat down to my stomach.

Chen Xueru sent He Yuzhu and He Yushui to the next room for dinner. Qin Huairu, after helping serve the dishes, also tactfully withdrew to look after the two children next door. Only the brothers He Damin and He Daqing remained in the main room.

As darkness fell outside the window, Chen Xueru lit a kerosene lamp and brought it in, then gently closed the door behind her.

He Damin picked up a piece of braised pork and put it in his mouth, chewing slowly. He Daqing lowered his head, staring at the wine glass in front of him, not daring to touch his chopsticks.

"Eat up," He Damin said. "I specially bought pork belly and stewed it for two hours."

He Daqing then picked up his chopsticks, took a small piece of meat, and put it in his mouth.

The meat was stewed until tender and melted in his mouth, with a rich, savory sauce. As he chewed, his eyes suddenly welled up with tears.

"Big brother." He Damin put down his chopsticks.

He Daqing raised his head.

"I'm leaving."

He Daqing's hand trembled violently, and he almost dropped his chopsticks on the table.

"Go? Where to?"

"Hong Kong." He Damin didn't beat around the bush. "There's some business to manage there. Xue Ru is coming with me, Zhu Zi is going too, and Yu Shui is going too."

He Daqing opened his mouth, as if something was stuck in his throat.

He had known this day would come. How could someone like He Damin be confined to this small courtyard house for the rest of his life? From the winter before 1940, when this younger brother suddenly appeared before him and learned to cook, he knew—this man wouldn't stay long.

But even though he knew it, when he actually heard those words, he still felt a void in his heart.

"When are you leaving?" he asked in a hoarse voice.

"After Yushui finishes this semester, after the New Year and spring begins," He Damin paused, "there are still some procedures to complete, which will probably take another three or four months."

He Daqing nodded, unsure of what to say.

He Damin looked at him.

Three years have passed. This "elder brother," once a vague memory, is now an old, humble man, living cautiously. He lives in the west wing of the backyard, fetching rainwater, chopping wood, and sweeping the floor every day, rarely uttering a word. He knows his place in this house—not the master, not the guest, but someone who needs to be tolerated.

"Brother," He Damin slowly began, "would you be willing to come with us?"

He Daqing suddenly looked up, staring at him in disbelief.

"What did you say?"

"I'm asking you, would you like to come to Hong Kong with us?" He Damin's tone was calm, as if he were asking if the dinner tonight was to his liking. "Take Qin Huairu and Yu Liang with you."

He Yuliang is Qin Huairu's son, born last year, and He Daqing's youngest son. The little guy has just turned one year old and is at the age of learning to speak. Every day, the first thing He Daqing does when he comes over from the backyard is to hold him and not let go.

He Daqing's eyes were completely red.

His lips trembled, and it took him a long time to squeeze out a sentence: "You...you're willing to take me with you?"

"You are my older brother," He Damin said.

Just these four words.

He Daqing lowered his head, his shoulders trembling violently. He covered his face with his hands, not daring to let He Damin see him crying.

Three years ago, he abandoned his children and eloped with a widow. Three years later, his grown-up younger brother said, "You are my older brother," and was willing to take him to a completely new place to start over.

What merit or ability does he possess?

"Damin..." he choked, his voice breaking, "I...I'm sorry to you, sorry to Zhuzi, sorry to Yushui and her mother...I..."

"Let's not talk about the past," He Damin interrupted him.

He looked at He Daqing, his gaze as calm as a deep pool of water.

"You are a member of the He family. As long as you still consider this family, I will not abandon you."

He Daqing could no longer hold back, so he buried his face in his arms on the table and burst into tears.

The cries echoed through the silent courtyard. In the next room, Qin Huairu held Yu Liang in her arms, tears streaming down her face. He Yuzhu sat on the threshold, head bowed, his expression unreadable. He Yushui, bewildered, didn't know what had happened and simply snuggled closer to Chen Xueru.

Chen Xueru gently patted her back without making a sound.

After a long while, He Daqing's crying gradually subsided.

He raised his sleeve and wiped his face haphazardly, looking at He Damin with red eyes.

"Damin, Qin Huairu..." he stammered, "...would she be willing to come with me?"

"You'll have to ask her," He Damin said. "You're the one who married her, go ask her yourself."

He Daqing fell silent.

Qin Huairu was more than twenty years younger than him. What was she after by following such a good-for-nothing man? He knew perfectly well. He had nothing to give her except the identity of being surnamed "He" and a place to stay under the eaves of the east wing.

Now that He Damin wants to take his whole family south, is she willing to give up everything and go with him to a completely unfamiliar place?

he does not know.

"Go ask them." He Damin picked up his wine glass, took a sip, and said, "Tell me what you find out."

He Daqing stood up, walked to the door, and then turned back.

"Damin..."

"Um?"

"Thanks."

He Damin did not speak.

He Daqing pushed open the door and went out, disappearing into the night.

Qin Huairu was in the next room, holding Yu Liang, sitting on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed) in a daze.

When He Daqing pushed the door open and came in, she looked up, her eyes red, clearly having just cried as well.

"You heard everything?" He Daqing stood at the door, not daring to go in.

Qin Huai nodded.

He Daqing remained silent for a long time.

"Would you... like to come with me?"