Courtyard House: Time Traveler Not Yet a Ghost

Outside the window, the sea stretched endlessly. The waves tirelessly lapped gently against the rocks on the shore, making a "splashing...splashing..." sound. The sound was gentle and rhythmic, like the most touching and tender lullaby in the world, enveloping this villa filled with love.

He Damin's thoughts drifted away at that moment. He recalled many years ago, when he first arrived in this unfamiliar era, all alone and penniless. Back then, his only goal was to diligently cultivate, increase his strength, and then find his way home. He thought that this would probably be how his life would be—cultivating alone, walking silently on alone until the end of his life.

Later, he met Chen Xueru. This independent, resilient, yet soft-hearted woman was like a ray of light, illuminating his once bleak life. They went through thick and thin together, experiencing misunderstandings and arguments, but more often than not, they supported and comforted each other. He had a home, family, and someone he deeply cared about. Now, they are about to have a child.

He finally understood why those highly skilled cultivators, despite having the opportunity to pursue immortality, chose to abandon the Great Dao and remain in the mortal world. Because some things are more important than the elusive prospect of eternal life. They are love, family, the continuation of bloodlines, and the most genuine and warmest emotions in the world.

"Xue Ru." He whispered in her ear, his voice slightly hoarse.

"Hmm?" Chen Xueru responded groggily, like a lazy kitten.

"Thank you."

Chen Xueru slowly opened her eyes, looking at him with somewhat dazed eyes: "Thank me for what?"

"Thank you for marrying me," He Damin kissed her forehead, his voice so gentle it could melt water, "Thank you for walking this path with me."

Chen Xueru's eyes instantly reddened, and the tears that had been welling up finally spilled over. She buried her face in He Damin's arms, her voice muffled and choked with sobs: "I also thank you... thank you for not giving up on me, thank you for waiting for me, for giving me time, for giving me space..."

He Damin smiled, gently patted her back, and hugged her even tighter.

Outside the window, the moon slowly sank in the west, gently casting its light upon the earth. The sound of the waves continued, wave after wave, like an endless song, witnessing the happiness and promise of this loving couple.

The next morning, He Damin was awakened by sunlight streaming through the gaps in the curtains. He lazily opened his eyes, squinting at the glaring sunlight. He turned his head and saw Chen Xueru sitting on the edge of the bed, slowly combing her long, glossy black hair in front of a mirror.

Her hair was long and black, like a fine piece of black silk, flowing smoothly down to her waist and swaying gently with her movements. He Damin reached out, took a strand of hair, and gently smelled it. A faint jasmine scent lingered in his nose; it was the scent of Chen Xueru's usual shampoo, fresh and pleasant.

Hearing the noise, Chen Xueru turned around to look at him, her face showing a lazy and satisfied smile from just waking up: "Awake? Get up, wash up, and have breakfast. Yushui should be leaving soon; she seems to have an early meeting today."

He Damin sat up, rubbed his eyes, and kept his gaze following her. Sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating her profile. Her skin was so white it was almost translucent, as if it were glowing, and her eyes shone like two stars reflected in water, full of life. He suddenly asked, "Xueru, who do you think our child will resemble more?"

Chen Xueru paused in her hand, her cheeks flushing involuntarily. She avoided He Damin's gaze somewhat shyly, saying, "How would I know... it's not even a question yet."

"I hope to be like you," He Damin said earnestly, looking intently at her, "as beautiful, as gentle, and as kind as you."

Chen Xueru's face turned even redder, like a ripe apple. She gently nudged him: "Get up! Stop being so cheeky. If you don't get up, the porridge will get cold."

He Damin laughed heartily, threw off the covers, and got out of bed. He walked to the window and opened it. The morning sea breeze, carrying a hint of coolness and a salty, damp scent, rushed in, invigorating him. The warm sunlight poured in unreservedly, bathing him in its comforting warmth. In the distance, Victoria Harbour shimmered with light, and a huge cargo ship sounded its horn as it slowly sailed out of the harbor, heading towards the unknown horizon.

He Damin watched the cargo ship sail further and further away, a slight smile playing on his lips. He knew that the chessboard he had laid out in this era was still proceeding methodically. Banks, the internet, satellites, chips, cars, airplanes, yachts… these were merely pieces in his plan, tools for accumulating power and changing the world. The real game lay further away, concerning the future of the nation, and even the global landscape.

But now, all of that seems to be able to be put aside for the time being. He has something more important and happier to do—he's going to be a father. This realization fills his heart with an unprecedented tenderness and anticipation.

Chen Xueru's gentle voice came from behind: "Brother Damin, come and eat, the porridge is getting cold."

He Damin turned around and looked at her. She stood in the morning light, wearing an elegant moon-white cheongsam that accentuated her shapely figure. Her hair was carefully styled into a bun, making her appear gentle and dignified. She wore a pair of white magnolia earrings that he had given her a few days ago; the jade was warm and lustrous, radiating a soft glow in the sunlight.

He walked quickly over and took her hand. Her hand was slightly cool, but very soft.

"Let's go eat."

The two smiled at each other and walked downstairs hand in hand.

In the living room, He Yushui was already sitting at the dining table, engrossed in reading a newspaper. On the table were steaming bowls of white porridge, several plates of delicate side dishes, and freshly steamed buns and mantou, emitting an enticing aroma.

Seeing them come down, He Yushui looked up with a mischievous smile: "Uncle, Aunt, good morning! You both look great today, especially Aunt, you're radiant."

He Damin glared at her and said irritably, "You're just a kid, always talking nonsense."

He Yushui chuckled and didn't refute.

Chen Xueru blushed and gently patted He Yushui: "Don't talk nonsense. Eat your food."

He Damin sat down opposite He Yushui and asked, "What are the plans for today?"

He Yushui put down her newspaper, picked up a meat bun, took a bite, and said indistinctly, "There's a board meeting this morning to discuss the investment plan for the next quarter. This afternoon I have to go to the TV station to oversee the recording of a new program, a talent show, the kind that's really popular right now. There's also a charity gala tonight, I have to make an appearance." As she spoke, she took out her daily schedule and flipped through it, her tone tinged with fatigue, but more so with enthusiasm for her work.

He Damin frowned slightly as he watched her busy herself. "Don't overwork yourself. Take your time with the TV station stuff; there's plenty of time. Health is the foundation of everything, you know?"

He Yushui felt a warmth in her heart and nodded with a smile, "I know, Uncle, don't worry. I'll be careful." She knew that her uncle cared about her.

Chen Xueru pushed the white porcelain bowl towards He Damin, a few grains of rice still clinging to the rim. "Drink it while it's hot, it'll form a skin when it cools down." As she spoke, there was still flour stuck to her apron, which she had gotten from steaming buns that morning.

He Damin picked up a spoon and scooped up a mouthful of porridge. The aroma of rice mixed with the sweetness of dates filled his nostrils. The rice grains were cooked until they were half-dissolved, thick and clinging to the spoon, sliding down his throat without needing to chew. He slurped down about half a bowl, a thin layer of sweat beading on his forehead, before finally feeling a little better.

The pomegranate tree in the yard gleamed in the sun, its branches laden with fist-sized fruits, as red as lanterns in a temple. A gust of wind rustled the leaves, and a ripe pomegranate split open, revealing agate-like seeds. He Damin squinted at the tree, suddenly remembering the day he moved in.

Seven years ago, he drove his small truck over. The tree was only waist-high, as thin as a clothesline pole, with sparse leaves. Once, during a typhoon, he came out in the middle of the night with a flashlight and built a support for it with bamboo poles. At the time, Chen Xueru laughed at him, saying, "Is a broken tree worth all this effort?"

"Brother Damin, what are you daydreaming about?" Chen Xueru came out of the kitchen carrying an empty plate, her apron draped over the back of her chair. She followed He Damin's gaze to the pomegranate tree, where red ribbons left over from last year's lantern hanging from the branches were still clinging to the branches.

He Damin slammed the bowl of porridge on the table, the porcelain bowl making a dull thud against the wooden table. "I'm wondering when this tree will bear fruit." He scratched the back of his head, his fingers still damp with mud he'd picked up from fixing the water pipes that morning.

Chen Xueru chuckled, bent down to pick up a leaf from under the pomegranate tree, rolled it into a tube, and whistled. "Are you still half asleep?" she said, pointing to the reddest pomegranate on the branch. "Last year the tree was full of fruit, and you said it was sour and didn't eat a single one."

He Damin looked in the direction she pointed, and the sunlight shone directly on the pomegranate, making it glow red. He remembered the pomegranate seeds Chen Xueru had brought last autumn, placed in a white porcelain dish, sparkling like they were sprinkled with diamonds. That day, she had also stood under the tree like this, wearing a faded blue cotton shirt.

"That's right, they've all borne fruit." He Damin picked up his spoon and took another sip of porridge, the sweet taste of dates spreading from the tip of his tongue all the way to his heart. The sea breeze blew through the yard, the pomegranate leaves rustling, like someone laughing softly. He saw Chen Xueru standing on tiptoe to reach the pomegranates on the tree, the hem of her blue cotton shirt fluttering gently in the wind.