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

September 15th is the Mid-Autumn Festival.

The courtyard in front of the gate was bustling with activity early in the morning. The pomegranate tree was laden with bright red fruit, some of which had already split open, revealing their glistening seeds. The osmanthus trees in the corner were in bloom, their sweet fragrance filling the entire courtyard, a scent that soothed and comforted the soul.

Nian'an is two and a half years old. He can run very fast and speak very fluently. Wearing a newly made blue cotton jacket and a small hat, he runs around in the yard, helping the adults "do chores"—actually, he just makes a mess.

"Nian'an, don't touch that, it's hot!" Qin Huairu was making mooncakes on the stove when she saw Nian'an reach for the steamer and was so frightened that she shouted.

Chen Yu picked him up and said, "Son, come help Dad set the table."

Nian'an's attention was diverted, and he followed Chen Yu to move the small stools. He arranged the stools one by one, counting, "One, two, three, four, five... Daddy, are five enough?"

"That's enough, there's still Uncle Zhu and the others," Chen Yu said with a smile.

Nian'an tilted her head and thought for a moment: "Then add one more, for Auntie."

Chen Yu felt a warm glow in his heart and added another stool.

Just as they were busy, the courtyard gate was pushed open. He Yuzhu came in carrying a large basin full of crabs, still alive and waving their claws.

"Chen Yu! Huai Ru! I've brought you some crabs!" He Yuzhu's voice was so loud that the whole alley could hear him. "Genuine Yangcheng Lake crabs, my brother-in-law brought them back from Shanghai!"

Nian'an ran over, leaned over the edge of the basin, and stared wide-eyed: "Uncle, what's this?"

"Crabs!" He Yuzhu teased him, "Nian'an, do you dare to catch one?"

Nian'an reached out to grab it, but got pinched by the crab. She cried out, but didn't cry. She just pulled her hand back and looked at the red spot on her finger.

"Nian'an, is it in pain?" Qin Huairu rushed over.

Nian'an shook her head and pointed at the crab: "It's bad, it bites!"

Everyone laughed.

Yan Bugui also arrived, carrying two bottles of wine and a bag of mooncakes: "These were made by my wife, with five-nut filling. Have a taste."

Zhang Xiulan came in carrying a basket of fruit, including apples, pears, and grapes, all freshly picked.

"Everyone's here, come and sit down!" Qin Huairu greeted them, bringing out freshly baked mooncakes, steaming hot and fragrant.

Everyone sat around the large table in the courtyard, drinking tea and chatting. Nian'an sat on Chen Yu's lap, holding a mooncake in her little hands, her face covered in crumbs from eating it.

"Nian'an, are the mooncakes delicious?" Ding Qiunan asked. She had specially closed her clinic today and came early in the morning.

Nian'an nodded and held the mooncake to her lips, saying, "Auntie, have some."

Ding Qiunan took a small bite and smiled, "It's so sweet."

Nian'an then offered the food to Chen Yu: "Dad, have some."

Chen Yu also took a bite.

Nian'an then offered the food to Qin Huairu: "Mom, have some."

Qin Huairu also took a bite.

Nian'an looked at the mooncake in her hand, which already had several bites in it, and frowned: "I've eaten them all, Nian'an doesn't have any left."

Everyone laughed.

He Yuzhu teased him, "Nian'an, can Uncle have a bite too?"

Nian'an looked at the mooncake in her hand, hesitated for a moment, and then handed it over: "Uncle, have a little bit."

He Yuzhu took a small bite, and Nian'an quickly withdrew her hand, looking at the mooncake with only a little bit left, her little face full of grievance.

"Uncle was just kidding you." He Yuzhu took a new one from the plate and handed it to him. "This is for Nian'an."

Nian'an took it and smiled happily.

As evening fell, the moon rose. Big and round, it hung in the sky, and its light bathed the courtyard.

The table was set with mooncakes, fruit, crabs, and food and drinks. Everyone sat around it, eating and chatting.

Nian'an leaned over the table, looking at the moon, and asked Chen Yu, "Dad, what's on the moon?"

Chen Yu thought for a moment: "There's Chang'e, there's the Jade Rabbit, and there's Wu Gang chopping down the cassia tree."

Who is Chang'e?

"She is a fairy."

"Are the fairies pretty?"

"nice."

Nian'an asked earnestly, "Is she prettier than Mom?"

Chen Yu glanced at Qin Huairu and smiled, "Mom is the prettiest."

Nian'an nodded, then asked, "What about the Jade Rabbit? Is it a little white rabbit?"

"Yes, it's a little white rabbit."

Nian'an's eyes lit up: "Nian'an wants a little white rabbit!"

Qin Huairu smiled and said, "Okay, I'll have Dad buy one for Nian'an tomorrow."

Nian'an clapped her hands happily.

Night fell, and the banquet ended. He Yuzhu and the others said their goodbyes and left, and Ding Qiunan also had to return to the clinic. Nian'an held her hand tightly, refusing to let go.

"Auntie, don't go."

Ding Qiunan squatted down and said softly, "Nian'an, be good. Auntie will come again tomorrow and bring you something delicious."

"What's delicious?"

Osmanthus cake.

Nian'an thought for a moment and asked, "Is there the osmanthus flower on the moon?"

Ding Qiunan smiled: "Yes, it's made with osmanthus flowers."

Nian'an then released her grip: "Auntie keeps her word."

"Keep your word."

Ding Qiunan left, and Nian An stood at the door, watching her retreating figure.

Chen Yu walked over and picked him up: "Son, it's time to sleep."

Nian'an leaned on his shoulder and whispered, "Daddy, Nian'an is happy today."

Chen Yu smiled: "Dad is happy too."

Back inside, Qin Huairu had already made the bed. Nian'an lay down and quickly fell asleep, a smile still on her little face.

Chen Yu and Qin Huairu sat on the edge of the bed, looking at their son.

"This child is becoming more and more sensible every day," Qin Huairu said softly.

"Yes," Chen Yu nodded, "In a few years, they'll be able to go to the Small World with us."

"Is he capable of spiritual cultivation?"

"Yes," Chen Yu said. "I'll teach him when he's a little older."

Qin Huairu leaned on his shoulder and didn't say anything more.

Outside the window, the moonlight was like water.

The courtyard was filled with the fragrance of osmanthus blossoms.

It's another night of reunion, another happy family.