Courtyard Check-in: Starting with a Small World of Cultivation

December 15th, evening.

In the small courtyard in front of the gate, Chen Yu sat under the pomegranate tree, with a small table in front of him and the book "Ding's Medical Cases" on it. Ding Qiunan sat opposite him, holding a brush and paper, intently recording something.

The afterglow of the setting sun bathed the courtyard in a warm golden light. Qin Huairu was cooking in the kitchen; the clinking of the spatula and the aroma of the food wafted out, making the evening exceptionally cozy.

"...This section records the principle of 'yin-yang harmony'," Chen Yu said, pointing to a page in the medical record. "He said, 'When yang is in excess and yin is insufficient, fire is excessive; when yin is in excess and yang is insufficient, cold congeals.' This is the foundation of traditional Chinese medicine and also the basis of alchemy."

Ding Qiunan nodded earnestly and wrote a few lines on the paper. She studied very hard, and in the past ten days or so, she had memorized the first half of "Ding's Medical Cases" perfectly.

"Brother Chen, I have a question." She looked up.

"explain."

"My father repeatedly mentions the difference between 'elixir fire' and 'heart fire' in these pages, but I don't quite understand it," Ding Qiunan pointed to the page. "He says, 'Elixir fire is the fire of heaven and earth; heart fire is the fire of the seven emotions. Elixir fire can be used to refine medicine, heart fire can burn the body.' What does that mean?"

Chen Yu nodded secretly. This girl really is talented; her questions were all spot on.

"Dan fire is real fire, used for refining elixirs and crafting weapons. Heart fire refers to human emotions; anger, anxiety, and fear can all generate heart fire. Excessive heart fire can harm the body and even lead to qi deviation," he explained. "Your father is reminding you that before refining elixirs, you must first cultivate your mind."

Ding Qiunan nodded thoughtfully.

As the two were talking, there was a knock on the courtyard gate.

Chen Yu scanned with his spiritual sense—it was He Yuzhu.

"Brother Zhu is here." He got up to open the door.

He Yuzhu strode in, carrying a basket, his face beaming: "Chen Yu! Huai Ru! I've brought you some delicious food!"

"What is it?" Qin Huairu poked her head out from the kitchen.

"My wife made braised beef!" He Yuzhu put the basket on the table. "Her family sent some things today, beef, cured meat, a whole bunch. So, they asked me to bring some over for you."

Chen Yu laughed and said, "Brother Zhu, are you guys opening a general store?"

"Of course!" He Yuzhu plopped down, then paused for a moment when he saw Ding Qiunan. "Oh, and this is...?"

"This is Ding Qiunan, a new hire at the store," Chen Yu introduced.

"Hello, Miss Ding!" He Yuzhu greeted her warmly. "Working for Chen Yu is a promising career! That kid's got talent!"

Ding Qiunan smiled shyly: "Hello, Master He."

"Master He? Just call me Brother Zhu!" He Yuzhu waved his hand. "That's what everyone calls me."

Qin Huairu brought out the food, and the four of them sat down together to eat dinner. He Yuzhu kept talking, eating and chatting about what was happening in the courtyard—who Jia Zhangshi had argued with again, no one was home at Xu Damao's house, and Third Uncle had recently become obsessed with chess…

Ding Qiunan listened quietly, occasionally glancing up at everyone, her eyes flashing with complex emotions.

She hadn't eaten with people like this in a long time.

Since her parents passed away, she has been living alone. She eats alone, sleeps alone, and endures those long nights alone.

Now, with so many people and such a lively atmosphere, she felt a little uncomfortable, but also thought...it was wonderful.

After the meal, He Yuzhu said goodbye and left. Chen Yu saw him to the door, and He Yuzhu suddenly lowered his voice: "Xiao Chen, there's something I need to tell you."

"What is it?"

"A few days ago, someone inquired about you in the alley," He Yuzhu said. "He was in his forties, wore glasses, and was very polite. He said he was looking for an old friend."

Chen Yu's heart skipped a beat: "What are you asking about me?"

"They asked where you lived, what you did, and who lived in your family," He Yuzhu said. "I didn't say much, just that you ran a breakfast stall, and that's all I knew."

"What else did that person ask?"

"He also asked...if anyone had seen a girl surnamed Ding." He Yuzhu frowned. "I found it strange at the time, why ask Chen Yu and then Miss Ding? Is there something wrong with this guy?"

Chen Yu nodded: "Brother Zhu, thank you. If that guy comes again, ignore him and just tell me."

"Okay." He Yuzhu patted him on the shoulder. "Be careful."

After seeing He Yuzhu off, Chen Yu returned to the courtyard.

Ding Qiunan was helping Qin Huairu clear the dishes when she saw him come in. She looked up with a questioning look in her eyes.

Chen Yu didn't say anything, just smiled and said, "It's nothing, just chatting with Brother Zhu."

But he knew in his heart that Zhou Mingyuan had not given up after all.

That evening, Ding Qiunan said goodbye and returned to her residence. Chen Yu escorted her to the alley entrance, watching her disappear into the night before turning back to his courtyard.

"That Zhou Mingyuan has reappeared?" Qin Huairu asked.

"Yes. I'm inquiring about Qiu Nan."

"What does he want to do?"

"It's probably because of that medical record book," Chen Yu said. "Some of the contents in that book are very valuable, and it might be more than just medical skills."

Qin Huairu was silent for a moment, then said softly, "That girl Qiu Nan is so pitiful. We have to help her."

Chen Yu nodded: "I know."

As night deepened, Chen Yu entered the small world and took out the book "Ding's Medical Cases" to study it again.

This time, he looked more carefully.

He had only glanced at the prescriptions for several pills recorded on the last few pages of the medical record before. Now, upon closer inspection, he discovered that one of the prescriptions, the "Soul Nourishing Pill," was actually helpful for the cultivation of the soul during the Golden Core stage.

"If I could refine this, it would be beneficial for breaking through to the Nascent Soul stage," Chen Yu thought to himself.

However, refining the Soul Nourishing Pill requires several special medicinal herbs, one of which is "Netherworld Grass." He had only planted one of these in the spirit field of the small world, and it was not yet mature.

"Let's talk about it when the medicinal herbs are ripe."

He closed the medical record and began his cultivation.

In this little world, several more days have passed.

December 20th, evening.

Ding Qiunan came to the courtyard to study medicine as usual. Today she learned some basic principles of prescription formulation. Chen Yu explained in detail, and she listened attentively.

Halfway through my lesson, there was another knock on the gate.

Chen Yu scanned the area with his spiritual sense and his expression changed slightly—it was Zhou Mingyuan.

"Who is it?" Qin Huairu asked.

"That person," Chen Yu stood up and said to Ding Qiunan, "You go inside first, don't come out."

Ding Qiunan's face turned pale, but she still nodded, got up and went into the main room.

Chen Yu opened the courtyard gate.

Zhou Mingyuan stood outside the door, a smile on his face, but his eyes remained gloomy: "Boss Chen, we meet again."

"Comrade Zhou, what's the matter?" Chen Yu stood blocking the doorway, showing no intention of moving aside.

"I've come to see Miss Ding," Zhou Mingyuan said. "There are some things I'd like to discuss with her."

"She's not here."

Zhou Mingyuan stared at Chen Yu for a few seconds, then suddenly laughed: "Boss Chen, let's not beat around the bush. I know that book, 'Ding's Medical Cases,' is in Miss Ding's hands. It's Ding Zhongming's life's work and should be handed over to the country, to someone who truly understands it. It's useless for a breakfast stall owner like you to keep it."

Chen Yu laughed as well: "Comrade Zhou, firstly, I don't know what kind of medical case you're talking about. Secondly, Ding Qiunan is an employee of my shop, and I don't interfere in her private affairs. Thirdly, what makes you think that someone who runs a breakfast stall can't understand medical cases?"

Zhou Mingyuan's expression changed slightly, but he quickly regained his smile: "Boss Chen, I'm just making a suggestion. Some of the contents of that medical case involve state secrets. If you know about it and don't report it, then..."

"What will happen then?" Chen Yu said calmly. "Will you report me?"

Zhou Mingyuan was momentarily speechless.

Chen Yu stepped forward, looking down at him condescendingly: "Comrade Zhou, I don't care who you are or who's backing you. But I'm warning you, don't harass Ding Qiunan again. Otherwise—"

He paused, then his tone turned cold: "You'll bear the consequences."

Zhou Mingyuan's face turned ashen, but he didn't dare say anything more and turned to leave.

Chen Yu watched his figure disappear before closing the door.

Ding Qiunan came out of the house, her eyes slightly red: "Brother Chen, thank you."

"Don't mention it," Chen Yu said. "But this person won't let it go easily, so be careful."

Ding Qiunan nodded.

Chen Yu thought for a moment, then took out a small porcelain bottle from his pocket and handed it to her: "This is a talisman. Carry it with you at all times. If you encounter danger, just crush it."

The small porcelain bottle contained a simple talisman he had crafted. It would automatically release a defensive shield when in danger, capable of blocking attacks from those below the Foundation Establishment stage.

Ding Qiunan took it and held it tightly in her hand.

"Brother Chen, I'm thinking..." She hesitated for a moment, "...to make a copy of that medical record for you. In case something happens to me, at least the record will still be there."

Chen Yu shook his head: "No need. What I've taught you is enough. Keep the medical records yourself; they were left to you by your father."

Ding Qiunan looked at him, her eyes glistening with tears, but she didn't say anything more.

After seeing Ding Qiunan off, Chen Yu stood in the courtyard, gazing at the night sky.

Who exactly is behind Zhou Mingyuan?

Was it merely for medical case purposes, or was there another motive?

he does not know.

But he knew that no matter who the other party was, he would protect Ding Qiunan.

This was his promise.

It is also his responsibility.