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

The 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month is the Little New Year.

In the small courtyard in front of the gate, the snow had already been swept into piles, but snowflakes were still falling heavily from the sky. Wisps of smoke rose from the kitchen chimney, mingling with the snow mist and drifting into the air above the alley.

Chen Yu stood in the courtyard, gazing at the snowy scene, a sense of indescribable peace welling up within him. Almost two years had passed since he came into this world; from the initial bewilderment to now having a wife and children in his arms and surrounded by friends, it all felt like a dream.

"Daddy—Daddy—" came a child's innocent voice from inside the house.

Chen Yu turned and went into the house. Nian An was sitting on the kang (a heated brick bed), patting the edge of the kang with her little hands. When she saw him come in, her eyes lit up and she opened her arms for a hug.

Nian'an is over a year old. She can take a few steps, say "Papa" and "Mama," and give people silly smiles. She's affectionate with everyone she sees. Qin Huairu always says that this child is naive, but Chen Yu thinks it's good that way—innocent, carefree, and without worries.

"Here you are." Chen Yu picked him up and kissed him on the cheek. "Did you miss your dad?"

Nian'an giggled and reached out to grab his face with her little hands.

Qin Huairu came out of the kitchen, carrying a bowl of steaming dumplings: "Try them, they're fresh out of the pot, with sauerkraut filling."

Chen Yu took it, took a bite, and found the pickled cabbage to be tangy and the meat filling to be savory and fragrant—just the taste he loved.

"Delicious!" he praised. "Huai Ru, your cooking skills are getting better and better."

Qin Huairu laughed and said, "That's right, you should know who taught you. Aunt Zhang passed on all her best skills to me."

As they were eating, the courtyard gate was pushed open. He Yuzhu carried in half a pork carcass, followed by Yan Bugui carrying two bottles of wine.

"Chen Yu! Huai Ru! I've brought you New Year's goods!" He Yuzhu placed the pork on the table in the yard, patted the snow off his hands, and said, "This pork is from my wife's family; it's genuine black-haired pig, and it smells wonderful!"

Yan Bugui put down the wine: "This is a good wine given to me by my old comrade-in-arms. I've never been willing to drink it, but I'm bringing it here for everyone to try today."

"Brother Zhu, Uncle San, come inside and warm up." Qin Huairu hurriedly greeted them.

Everyone entered the house. The kang (a heated brick bed) was warm. Nian'an sat on the kang and, seeing He Yuzhu, opened her arms wide: "Uncle—hug—"

He Yuzhu was overjoyed and picked him up in his arms: "Oh my, Nian'an has gotten heavier again! He'll definitely grow into a big young man!"

Nian'an was amused and laughed, reaching out to tug at He Yuzhu's beard.

Yan Bugui, watching from the side, laughed and said, "This child gets along well with everyone; he'll definitely be popular in the future."

Everyone sat down, eating and chatting. He Yuzhu mentioned some interesting things happening in the courtyard—Jia Dongxu had actually taken the initiative to deliver New Year's gifts to everyone this year, although it was just a package of pastries, it was still quite a rare occurrence. Jia Zhangshi's health had improved; she could walk around again and wasn't scolding people all day long like before.

"It seems things have really changed," Yan Bugui sighed. "People always have to experience things to know what's good and bad."

Chen Yu nodded. He had also noticed the changes in the Jia family. Ever since he and Qin Huairu visited Jia Zhangshi last time, the old hag seemed like a different person, becoming much more amiable towards Qin Huairu. A few days ago, she even sent over a pair of tiger-head shoes, saying they were made for Nian'an.

"It's all because Huai Ru is kind-hearted," Zhang Xiulan said from the side. "If it weren't for her, Jia Zhangshi wouldn't be where she is today."

Qin Huairu shook her head: "We're all family, why bother with so much?"

Just then, there was another knock on the courtyard gate. Ding Qiunan came in carrying a basket of things, covered in snow, her face red from the cold.

"Qiu Nan is here? Come in and warm up!" Qin Huairu quickly pulled her into the house.

Ding Qiunan put down the basket, which contained several packets of medicinal herbs and two small garments—clearly made by herself.

"This is for Nian'an." She picked up Nian'an and kissed him on the cheek. "Nian'an, did you miss your aunt?"

Nian'an giggled and reached out to touch her face with her little hand.

"Qiu Nan, you come to see him every day, how could he not miss him?" Chen Yu said with a smile.

Ding Qiunan blushed slightly, but the joy in her eyes was impossible to hide.

For over a year, she came to the courtyard almost every day, helping Qin Huairu take care of the children during the day and studying medicine with Chen Yu at night. Nian'an was particularly close to her, reaching out to hug her whenever she saw her.

"By the way, Qiu Nan," Chen Yu asked, "how's the preparation for your clinic going?"

Ding Qiunan's eyes lit up: "Almost done! The street office has approved the license, and the house has been rented. It's right at the entrance of Donghuashi Hutong, not far from here. We can open after the New Year."

"Great news!" He Yuzhu slapped his thigh. "We'll all come and support you!"

"That's settled then. Aunt Qiu Nan will open a clinic, and Nian An will be the first to see a doctor there," Qin Huairu teased Nian An.

Nian'an couldn't understand, but seeing the adults laughing, she also grinned foolishly.

After chatting for a while, He Yuzhu and Yan Bugui said their goodbyes and left. Zhang Xiulan also went back to prepare her own New Year's goods.

Only Chen Yu's family and Ding Qiunan remained in the house.

Outside the window, the snow was still falling. Inside, the fire in the stove was burning brightly, making it warm and cozy.

Nian'an got tired of playing and fell asleep in Ding Qiunan's arms. Her little mouth was slightly open, and she was breathing evenly.

"This child is so well-behaved," Ding Qiunan said softly, her eyes full of tenderness.

Chen Yu looked at her, a complex mix of emotions welling up inside him. Over the past year, Ding Qiunan had long since become a part of this family. She took care of Nian An, helped Qin Huairu with housework, studied medicine with Chen Yu, and occasionally cooked for them. Her presence made this family more complete.

"Qiu Nan," Qin Huairu suddenly said, "have you thought about what to do in the future?"

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

"Yes." Qin Huairu looked at her. "You can't be alone forever, can you? Have you ever thought about... settling down and starting a family?"

Ding Qiunan remained silent for a long time before softly saying, "Sister Qin, I...I don't want to get married."

Qin Huairu was taken aback: "Why?"

Ding Qiunan lowered her head, her voice even softer: "I want to learn medicine from Brother Chen, I want to master medical skills and save more lives. Once I'm married, I'll be busy with the kitchen, where will I find the time to learn medicine?"

Chen Yu and Qin Huairu exchanged a glance, both seeing the complexity in each other's eyes.

"Qiu Nan," Chen Yu said slowly, "it's your life, and you're in charge of it. Whatever decision you make, we'll support you."

Ding Qiunan looked up, her eyes slightly red, but filled with gratitude: "Brother Chen, Sister Qin, thank you."

Night fell, and the snow stopped.

Ding Qiunan said goodbye and left, and Chen Yu escorted her to the entrance of the alley.

"Qiu Nan," he suddenly said, "were you sincere about what you just said?"

Ding Qiunan was silent for a moment, then nodded: "I really mean it."

Chen Yu looked at her for a long time, then said softly, "Okay. Then remember, no matter what, this will always be your home."

Ding Qiunan's eyes reddened again, but this time she smiled, a bright and radiant smile.

"I know."

She turned and disappeared into the night.

Chen Yu stood at the entrance of the alley, watching her back as she walked away, a feeling he couldn't quite describe welling up inside him.

Back inside, Qin Huairu was coaxing Nian'an to sleep. Seeing him enter, she asked softly, "Did you see her off?"

"Um."

Qin Huairu looked at him and suddenly asked, "Chen Yu, does Qiu Nan like you?"

Chen Yu was taken aback, then shook his head: "She's just grateful to us."

"Grateful?" Qin Huairu shook her head gently. "A woman's intuition is more accurate than you think."

Chen Yu fell silent.

After a long while, he walked over, sat down next to Qin Huairu, and took her hand: "No matter what, you are the only one in my heart."

Qin Huairu looked at him, her eyes full of tenderness: "I know. I just... feel sorry for that girl."

The two remained silent, listening to the howling wind outside the window.

Inside the room, Nian'an turned over in her sleep and grabbed Qin Huairu's clothes with her little hand.

Looking at his wife and children, Chen Yu felt a surge of warmth in his heart.

No matter what the future holds, as long as they're together, that's enough.

Night had fallen, and the courtyard was enveloped in tranquility.

Snowflakes began to fall again, gently and softly, covering the whole world.

The new year is just around the corner.

And their story continues.