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

On the first day of the Lunar New Year, before dawn, the sound of firecrackers filled the air.

Nian'an was woken up by the noise. She rubbed her eyes groggily, but hearing the crackling sounds outside, she wasn't scared anymore. She poked her little head out from under the covers, her eyes sparkling: "Daddy, is it New Year's?"

Chen Yu was already up and getting dressed. Hearing his son's voice, he turned around and smiled, "Yes, it's New Year's. Nian'an, get up quickly, we're going to pay New Year's visits today."

Nian'an jumped up and put on his cotton-padded coat—though he buttoned it wrong again. Qin Huairu came over, both amused and exasperated, and helped him button it correctly. She then put a new hat and scarf on him, making him look like a New Year's picture doll.

"Mom, is Nian'an pretty?" He looked down at himself, then looked up and asked.

"Beautiful, the most beautiful." Qin Huairu kissed him on the cheek.

Nian An ran out happily, circled around the yard, and stepped on the firecracker debris from yesterday, making a rustling sound. The door to the east wing also opened, and Ding Qiunan came out wearing a new outfit, a light blue cotton-padded jacket, which made her fair complexion and delicate features stand out.

"Happy New Year, Auntie!" Nian'an rushed over.

Ding Qiunan picked him up and took out a red envelope from her pocket: "Happy New Year, Nian'an, you're another year older."

Nian'an took the red envelope and also took out a red envelope and handed it to her—it was prepared by Chen Yu last night, and it contained one yuan: "Auntie, Nian'an also gives Auntie New Year's money."

Ding Qiunan was taken aback, her eyes slightly warmed, and she accepted the red envelope, saying softly, "Thank you, Nian'an."

"Don't cry, Auntie." Nian'an wiped her eyes with her little hands. "You should smile during the New Year."

Ding Qiunan smiled, her eyes curving into crescent moons.

Breakfast was dumplings, which were made last night and eaten on the morning of the first day of the Lunar New Year. Qin Huairu cooked a pot of them, steaming hot, and Nian'an ate five, her little belly round and plump.

After dinner, Chen Yu, his family of three, and Ding Qiunan went to pay their respects to He Yuzhu's family. He Yuzhu's family lived at the east end of the alley; it was a small courtyard, smaller than Chen Yu's, but neatly tidy.

"Brother Zhu, sister-in-law, Happy New Year!" Chen Yu called out from the doorway.

He Yuzhu came out to greet them with a big smile: "Come in, come in! Nian'an, wish your uncle a Happy New Year!"

Nian'an, acting like a little adult, bowed and said, "Happy New Year, Uncle! Happy New Year, Aunt!"

He Yuzhu was overjoyed and pulled out a handful of candy, stuffing it into his hands: "Here, Nian'an, have some candy."

His wife also took out a red envelope and stuffed it into Nian'an's pocket.

Nian'an then paid New Year's greetings to He Yuzhu's son and received a handful of peanuts and melon seeds in return.

After leaving He Yuzhu's house, we went to Yan Bugui's house. Yan Bugui's house was in the front yard, and his third aunt was making dumplings. When she saw Nian'an, she liked him very much and hugged him and kissed him several times.

"Nian'an, Auntie saved some dumplings for you. Eat them later."

Nian'an shook her head: "Nian'an is full, Auntie can eat by herself."

The three aunties were even more delighted and gave him another red envelope.

After completing the round of prayers, Nian'an's pockets were bulging with red envelopes and candies. He couldn't walk anymore, so he snuggled into Chen Yu's arms, burying his face in his shoulder and muttering, "Daddy, Nian'an is tired."

Chen Yu smiled and hugged him tightly: "If you're tired, take a nap. Daddy will hold you."

Nian'an closed her eyes and fell asleep in no time.

Ding Qiunan walked beside him, looking at his sleeping face, and whispered, "Nian'an is such a good boy."

"Yes," Qin Huairu said, "He's more sensible than other children his age."

"Like Brother Chen." Ding Qiunan said, her face slightly flushed.

Chen Yu pretended not to hear and continued walking forward.

Back home, Nian'an woke up and was full of energy, running around in the yard. Chen Yu sat under the pomegranate tree, watching his son play wildly, feeling very at ease.

"Dad, Nian'an wants to set off firecrackers!" Nian'an ran over and tugged at his sleeve.

"Setting off fireworks during the day isn't pretty; it's much prettier at night."

"Let's set them off tonight!" Nian'an ran to Ding Qiunan again. "Auntie, let's set off fireworks tonight!"

Ding Qiunan was helping Qin Huairu pick vegetables when she looked up and smiled, "Okay, Auntie will keep Nian Anfang company tonight."

Nian'an clapped her hands happily.

In the evening, He Yuzhu and Yan Bugui came to visit again, and Zhang Xiulan also came, bringing homemade fried cakes. Ding Qiunan stayed to have dinner with everyone.

"This year's Lunar New Year is so lively!" He Yuzhu said, taking a big bite of fried rice cake. "It's much better than in previous years."

"Yes," Yan Bugui nodded, "It used to be quiet and deserted, but this year it's lively with Nian'an and Qiu Nan."

Qin Huairu poured everyone a glass of wine: "Come on, let's have a toast! Wishing everyone a healthy and prosperous New Year!"

"Cheers!"

Nian'an also raised her glass of water and shouted, "Cheers!"

Everyone laughed.

After dinner, it got dark. He Yuzhu started setting off fireworks, arranging a row in the yard. Once lit, they shot into the sky and exploded into colorful flowers.

Nian'an looked up, her mouth agape, unable to close it for a long time.

"Daddy, you look so beautiful!"

"Yes, beautiful."

Nian'an held Ding Qiunan's hand: "Auntie, look! That's red! That's green! That's yellow!"

Ding Qiunan squatted down and let him sit on her lap so they could watch the fireworks together.

"Auntie, when Nian'an grows up, I'll set off fireworks for you too."

"Okay, Auntie will wait."

The fireworks were over, and a faint smell of gunpowder lingered in the courtyard. Nian'an yawned; she was sleepy.

"Dad, I'm sleepy."

Chen Yu picked him up and said to everyone, "You all sit for a while, I'll put him to sleep first."

Qin Huairu took Nian'an from her and carried her inside. Nian'an lay down and held her hand, asking, "Mommy, will we celebrate Chinese New Year again next year?"

"Yes, we celebrate it every year."

"Is Auntie coming again?"

"Come, come every year."

Nian'an nodded in satisfaction, closed her eyes, and quickly fell asleep.

Qin Huairu gently covered him with the blanket and left the room.

In the courtyard, everyone was still chatting. Ding Qiunan sat to the side, listening quietly, occasionally interjecting a word.

"Qiu Nan," Qin Huairu walked over, "stay here tonight."

Ding Qiunan hesitated for a moment, then nodded: "Okay."

As night deepened, the guests took their leave. Qin Huairu and Chen Yu finished cleaning up the dishes and sat in the courtyard to catch their breath.

"Is Nian'an asleep?" Chen Yu asked.

"She's asleep, sleeping soundly." Qin Huairu leaned on his shoulder. "This child is exhausted today."

"We can go even crazier tomorrow," Chen Yu laughed.

After a moment of silence, Qin Huairu suddenly asked, "Chen Yu, do you think Qiu Nan likes our family?"

Why do you ask that?

"The way she looks at Nian'an is like she's looking at her own child," Qin Huairu said softly. "She treats Nian'an even better than her own aunt."

Chen Yu was silent for a moment: "She's all alone, and she's placed all her hopes on Nian'an."

"Then she..." Qin Huairu hesitated, wanting to say something but stopping herself.

"Huai Ru," Chen Yu held her hand, "no matter what, she's still family."

Qin Huairu nodded and said nothing more.

The light was still on in the east wing. Ding Qiunan sat at the table, holding the red envelope Nian An had given her that day—a crisp, brand-new one-yuan note.

She looked at it for a long time, then gently placed it under her pillow.

Outside the window, the moon rose, cold and clear, but her heart was warm.

This year was wonderful.