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

The 20th day of the twelfth lunar month is three days before the Little New Year.

Beijing has fully entered the festive atmosphere of the Lunar New Year. On Qianmen Dashilan Street, people come and go, shoulder to shoulder, with vendors selling New Year pictures, firecrackers, candied hawthorns, and Spring Festival couplets, their shouts rising and falling, creating an incredibly lively scene.

Chen Yu held Nian'an in his arms, squeezing through the crowd. Nian'an was three years old, the age when she was curious about everything, her little head turning this way and that, her eyes never seeming to know what to do with everything.

"Dad, what's that?" He pointed to a sugar figurine stall by the roadside.

"Those are sugar figurines, small animals blown out of sugar."

"Nian'an wants it!"

Chen Yu went over and bought Nian'an a little monkey for two cents. Nian'an held it, reluctant to eat it, and looked at it over and over again.

"Daddy, the little monkey is so pretty!"

"Eat it, or it'll melt," Chen Yu said with a smile.

Nian'an stuck out her tongue and licked it, her eyes lighting up: "Sweet!"

The two bought some New Year pictures, couplets, firecrackers, and a large bag of candy and snacks before heading back.

When we returned to the courtyard in front of the gate, it was already bustling with activity. He Yuzhu was killing a chicken, Yan Bugui was putting up Spring Festival couplets, Zhang Xiulan was making dumplings, Qin Huairu was busy at the stove, and Ding Qiunan was also there, helping to knead the dough.

"You're back?" Qin Huairu peeked in. "What did you buy?"

"Sugar figurine!" Nian'an ran over, holding up the little monkey. "Mommy, look, a little monkey!"

Qin Huairu took it and looked at it: "It's really beautiful, who bought it for you?"

"dad!"

"Dad is so good."

Nian'an nodded proudly and ran to show Ding Qiunan, "Auntie, Nian'an's little monkey!"

Ding Qiunan praised him with a smile, which made him even more proud.

Chen Yu put his things down and joined the busy work. He Yuzhu finished killing the chicken, handed it to Qin Huairu, and then went to help chop firewood. Yan Bugui finished putting up the Spring Festival couplets and then went to hang lanterns. In no time, the courtyard was filled with warmth and the festive atmosphere of the New Year.

"Chen Yu, you've prepared enough for the New Year this year, so you'll have a good holiday," He Yuzhu said while chopping wood.

"Yes, it's much better than last year," Chen Yu said with a smile.

At this time last year, Nian'an was just over a year old and couldn't run yet. This year, she's running all over the place, can say a lot of words, and chases after people every day asking to hear stories.

"This time next year, Nian'an will be even more mischievous," Yan Bugui said. "Boys get naughtier as they get older."

"Being naughty is good; it shows energy," He Yuzhu said. "I can't stand those listless kids the most."

Just then, there was a knock on the courtyard gate. Zhang Xiulan went to open it, and there stood a person outside—it was Jia Dongxu.

Everyone was taken aback. Since that incident, Jia Dongxu had rarely come to Qianmen. Occasionally, when they bumped into each other on the street, he would lower his head and walk past quickly.

"Dongxu? Is something wrong?" Zhang Xiulan asked.

Jia Dongxu, carrying a basket, said somewhat awkwardly, "Um... my mom asked me to bring some New Year's goods. Homemade cured meat and a few pieces of rice cake."

Everyone looked at Chen Yu. Chen Yu walked over, took the basket, and examined it; it was indeed made by Jia Zhangshi.

"Please thank your aunt for us," he said.

Jia Dongxu nodded, then hesitated for a moment before saying, "Chen Yu, my mom said... if it's convenient during the Spring Festival, she'd like Huai Ru to take the child back to visit. She... she misses An."

Chen Yu was silent for a moment, then said, "I'll discuss it with Huai Ru."

Jia Dongxu nodded repeatedly, then turned and left.

Inside the house, Qin Huairu overheard their conversation, came out, looked at the basket in Chen Yu's hand, and said softly, "She has really changed."

Chen Yu nodded: "People always change when they get old."

"Going back to visit during the New Year?" Qin Huairu asked.

"Go back if you want," Chen Yu said. "I'll go with you."

Qin Huairu smiled, her eyes slightly moist.

In the evening, the dumplings were ready. Steaming hot, plump and white, they smelled incredibly delicious when dipped in vinegar and minced garlic.

Nian'an took a small bowl and ate by herself. Although her face was covered in food, she ate very seriously.

"Nian'an, is it delicious?" Ding Qiunan asked.

Nian'an nodded, her mouth full, and mumbled, "Good (eat)!"

Everyone laughed.

After dinner, it was already dark. He Yuzhu and the others set off several strings of firecrackers in the yard. The firecrackers crackled and popped, and Nian'an covered her ears, hiding in Chen Yu's arms, but her eyes were fixed on them.

"Dad, it rings!"

"Yes, it's Chinese New Year."

After the firecrackers were set off, the guests said their goodbyes and left. Ding Qiunan was about to leave as well, but Nian'an held her hand and wouldn't let go.

"Auntie, don't go."

"Auntie, come again tomorrow," Ding Qiunan said softly as she squatted down.

"Nian'an is going to see her aunt off."

Chen Yu picked him up, and the three of them walked together towards Donghuashi Hutong. There were still many people on the street, carrying lanterns and New Year's goods, hurrying along.

Upon arriving at the clinic, Ding Qiunan took out her key and opened the door. Nian'an looked at her and suddenly said, "Auntie, come and have dumplings for Chinese New Year."

Ding Qiunan was taken aback for a moment, then smiled and said, "Okay, Auntie will come."

"Pinky promise."

"Pinky promise."

With their little fingers, one tall and one short, hooked together, Nian'an smiled so hard her eyes curved into crescent moons.

On the way back, Nian'an leaned on Chen Yu's shoulder, feeling a little sleepy.

"Dad, will Auntie be scared all by herself?" he suddenly asked.

Chen Yu was silent for a moment, then said, "Auntie is an adult, don't be afraid."

"Does Auntie miss home?"

"My aunt's house is right here," Chen Yu said softly.

Nian'an thought for a moment and said earnestly, "Nian'an will spend more time with Auntie from now on."

Chen Yu felt a warm glow in his heart and kissed him on the cheek: "Good son."

Back in the courtyard, Nian'an was already asleep. Chen Yu put him on his small bed and covered him with a blanket.

Qin Huairu sat on the edge of the bed, looking at her son with tenderness in her eyes.

"Asleep?"

"Um."

The two sat in the courtyard, looking at the stars in the sky. The winter night sky was exceptionally clear, and the stars were exceptionally bright.

"Chen Yu," Qin Huairu suddenly said, "what do you think Nian'an will be like when she grows up?"

"I don't know," Chen Yu said, "but no matter what, he's still our son."

Qin Huairu smiled and leaned on his shoulder.

"Yes, no matter what, he is still our son."

Night had fallen, and the courtyard was quiet.

In the distance, the occasional sound of firecrackers reminds people that the end of the year is approaching.

Another year.

It is a new hope.