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

March 20th, early morning.

When Chen Yu opened his eyes, it was already bright outside. Sunlight streamed in through the newly pasted window paper, casting warm dappled patterns on the floor. Beside him, Qin Huairu was still fast asleep, a faint smile on her lips, sleeping peacefully and sweetly.

He quietly got up without disturbing her, put on his clothes, and went out of the room.

In the courtyard, the pomegranate tree has sprouted tender green buds, and the rose bushes in the corner have also budded. By the hand pump, the firecracker debris from last night has not yet been swept up, and it is covered with a red carpet, exuding a festive atmosphere.

Chen Yu took a deep breath of the morning air, and a sense of peace he had never felt before welled up in his heart.

I got married.

In this unfamiliar era, he has his own home, someone to spend his life with, and a child about to be born.

"Brother Chen?" The courtyard gate was gently pushed open, and Ding Qiunan poked her head in, carrying a basket. "Is Sister Qin up yet?"

"Not yet," Chen Yu said with a smile. "So early?"

"It's getting late, it's already past seven." Ding Qiunan walked in and placed the basket on the stone table in the courtyard. "I've brewed some medicinal food to help with pregnancy. I'll heat it up for Sister Qin to drink when she wakes up."

Chen Yu opened the basket, inside was a bowl of soup in a thermos, still steaming. He smelled it and saw that it contained several herbs that were good for replenishing qi and calming the fetus, in just the right amount.

"Qiu Nan, your medical skills have improved very quickly," he praised.

Ding Qiunan blushed slightly: "It's all thanks to Brother Chen's excellent teaching. And Sister Qin has been so good to me, I have to do something for her."

Just then, the door opened, and Qin Huairu came out. Seeing Ding Qiunan, she smiled and said, "Qiunan, you're here? So early."

"Sister Qin, I've prepared some medicinal food for you." Ding Qiunan quickly brought it over. "Drink it while it's hot."

Qin Huairu took it, tasted it, and her eyes lit up: "Delicious! Qiu Nan, your cooking skills are getting better and better."

Ding Qiunan smiled, her eyes crinkling into crescent moons: "I'm glad Sister Qin likes it."

The three sat in the courtyard, chatting and drinking soup. The spring sunshine was warm and felt wonderful on their skin.

"Chen Yu," Qin Huairu finished her soup and put down her bowl, "what are the plans for today?"

"I'll go to the store first, then I'll go to the neighborhood office," Chen Yu said. "Director Wang said there's some kind of awards ceremony and he wants me to attend."

"An awards ceremony?" Qin Huairu asked curiously. "What are they recognizing?"

"They say it's a contribution to the neighborhood," Chen Yu smiled. "It might be related to the technological innovations I helped the steel rolling mill with before."

Ding Qiunan's eyes lit up: "Brother Chen is amazing!"

"What's so great about it? It's just what I should do." Chen Yu stood up. "You two stay home, I'll be right back."

"I'll go to the shop with you." Qin Huairu stood up as well. "I haven't been there for several days, and Aunt Zhang can't manage everything by herself."

"Don't go," Chen Yu said, pressing her down. "You're under special protection now, so stay home and rest. Aunt Zhang and Qiu Nan are handling things at the shop."

Qin Huairu wanted to object, but seeing Chen Yu's serious expression, she could only nod and say, "Alright then."

After Chen Yu left, Qin Huairu and Ding Qiunan sat in the courtyard, chatting while basking in the sun.

"Qiu Nan," Qin Huairu suddenly asked, "Have you thought about the future?"

Ding Qiunan was taken aback: "In the future?"

"Yes." Qin Huairu looked at her. "You can't just keep helping out at the shop, can you? Have you thought about learning something, or doing something else?"

Ding Qiunan was silent for a moment, then said softly, "I want to study medicine. Real traditional Chinese medicine."

Qin Huairu smiled: "Then you should learn. Didn't Chen Yu say that once you have a solid foundation, he will teach you real medical skills?"

"But..." Ding Qiunan hesitated, "Brother Chen is so busy, I'm afraid I'll take up his time."

"He won't mind you taking up his time." Qin Huairu held her hand. "Since he promised, he will definitely teach you. Study hard, become a good doctor in the future, and help more people."

Ding Qiunan's eyes reddened slightly, and she nodded emphatically: "Yes, I will definitely study hard."

When Chen Yu returned, it was almost noon. He held a red certificate in his hand and had a smile on his face.

"Is the commendation finished?" Qin Huairu went up to greet her.

"That's it." Chen Yu handed her the certificate. "It was issued by the neighborhood committee. I'm an advanced worker."

Qin Huairu took it, looked at the words on it, and felt sweeter than if she had eaten honey: "That's wonderful."

"And this too." Chen Yu pulled an envelope from his pocket. "Fifty yuan reward."

"So many?" Qin Huairu exclaimed in surprise.

"They said it was a reward for my contributions to the neighborhood," Chen Yu said with a smile. "Perfect, we can save it up for our kids."

Qin Huairu blushed, but her eyes were full of happiness.

At noon, Ding Qiunan cooked lunch, and the three of them ate together. After lunch, Chen Yu called Ding Qiunan aside.

"Qiu Nan, starting tomorrow, I will teach you real medical skills."

Ding Qiunan's eyes lit up: "Really?"

"Really," Chen Yu said, "but there's a condition."

"What are the conditions?"

"You can't give up halfway." Chen Yu looked at her. "Studying medicine is tough; you have to memorize a lot of things and practice for many years to become a qualified doctor. Can you persevere?"

Ding Qiunan nodded solemnly: "I can."

"Okay." Chen Yu took a book out of his pocket and handed it to her. "This is the Yellow Emperor's Inner Classic, the foundation of traditional Chinese medicine. Memorize it first, and I'll test you in a month."

Ding Qiunan took the book; it was a thick volume, several hundred pages long. But she didn't back down; instead, her eyes shone with excitement.

"I will definitely memorize it."

From that day on, Ding Qiunan's life became even busier. She helped out at the shop during the day and then spent her evenings studying the *Huangdi Neijing* (Yellow Emperor's Inner Classic). When she encountered something she didn't understand, she would write it down and ask Chen Yu about it the next day.

Chen Yu never got annoyed and answered every question, explaining things to her in a simple and easy-to-understand way. Sometimes, when he got into the swing of things, he would even use his spiritual power to simulate the meridians in the human body, making it easier for her to understand.

A month later, Ding Qiunan had indeed memorized the "Huangdi Neijing" (Yellow Emperor's Inner Classic). Although she didn't know it perfectly, she could recite the important chapters.

"Not bad," Chen Yu praised. "Next, we'll study the Treatise on Febrile Diseases."

Ding Qiunan took the book, her eyes filled with fighting spirit.

Days passed by like this.

Qin Huairu's belly grew bigger day by day, and she gradually handed over the shop's affairs to Zhang Xiulan and Ding Qiunan. Chen Yu accompanied her for walks and chats every day, and at night he would enter his small world to cultivate. Occasionally, he would go to the Dragon Palace to see the old dragon, or go to the Xuanming Hall to give some instructions.

Life is peaceful and fulfilling.

One evening in June.

Chen Yu and Qin Huairu sat in the courtyard enjoying the cool evening air. The sunset painted half the sky red, and the pomegranate tree was already laden with unripe, green fruits.

"Chen Yu," Qin Huairu suddenly clutched her stomach, "he...he moved."

Chen Yu quickly placed his hand on it, and sure enough, he could feel slight fetal movements through his belly, like a little fish blowing bubbles or a butterfly flapping its wings.

"Son, it's Dad," he said softly.

The baby inside seemed to understand and moved again.

Qin Huairu smiled, her smile filled with happiness.

Chen Yu looked at her, and his heart was filled with boundless tenderness.

This is his home.

This is the person he wants to protect for the rest of his life.

As the sunset faded, the stars began to twinkle in the sky.

In the small courtyard, a family of three (although the third child has not yet been born) were enjoying a happy time together.

But the new story has only just begun.