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

Chapter 183 Breaking 5 - Dumplings

The fifth day of the first lunar month is called "Breaking Five".

According to tradition, on the fifth day of the Lunar New Year, people eat dumplings, set off firecrackers, send away the God of Poverty, and welcome the God of Wealth. Before dawn, the alley was filled with the crackling sound of firecrackers, one after another, even more lively than the first day of the Lunar New Year.

Nian'an was woken up by the noise. She rubbed her eyes and found that it was still dark outside the window. She muttered, "It's not dawn yet," turned over, and fell asleep again.

Chen Yu was already up and tidying up in the yard. Firecracker debris from last night was scattered all over the ground, red and crunching underfoot. He swept it into a pile with a broom, then shoveled it into a basket and dumped it at the garbage station at the alley entrance.

Qin Huairu was busy at the stove, kneading dough and chopping filling, preparing to make dumplings. Today is the fifth day of the Lunar New Year, and dumplings are a must-eat, symbolizing "pinching the mouths of villains" so that one will not be mistreated for a year.

Ding Qiunan also came and helped wrap the dumplings. When Nian An got up, half of the dumplings were already wrapped.

"Mom, what are we having for dinner today?" Nian'an leaned over the stove, her eyes fixed on the plump, white dumplings on the counter.

"Dumplings, we eat dumplings on the fifth day of the Lunar New Year."

"Nian'an wants to wrap some too!" Nian'an reached out to grab the dough.

Qin Huairu quickly stopped her: "You haven't washed your hands yet, go wash them."

Nian'an ran to the hand pump, put his little hands into the icy water, and grimaced from the cold, but he insisted on washing them. Qin Huairu tied a little apron on him and gave him a small ball of dough.

Nian'an imitated the adults, flattening the dough and putting in a small amount of filling—but if she put in too much, it wouldn't be able to be contained, and the filling would squeeze out.

"Dad, Nian'an's dumpling broke." Nian'an held up the crooked thing, her face full of grievance.

Chen Yu laughed: "It's okay, it's always like this the first time you make them. Put less filling next time."

Nian'an tried again, but this time he put in too little filling, and it turned out to be a flat pancake. He looked at it himself and was not satisfied, so he added a little more filling and pinched it again—this time it looked a bit better, although it was still crooked, but at least it didn't break.

"Mom, look! Nian'an made these!" Nian'an proudly showed off the dumplings.

Qin Huairu took it, looked at it, and smiled, "Nian'an is really amazing, you wrapped it so well."

Nian An was delighted and wrapped several more, each one more impressive than the last. Ding Qiunan watched from the side, her eyes full of tenderness.

"Qiu Nan," Qin Huairu suddenly said, "it's time for you to settle down and start a family."

Ding Qiunan paused, then lowered her head to continue making dumplings, and said softly, "Sister Qin, I don't want to get married."

Why?

"I want to study medicine properly and save more lives." Ding Qiunan looked up and smiled. "Once you're married, you'll be busy with the kitchen; where will you find the time to study medicine?"

Qin Huairu was about to say something, but Chen Yu stopped her with a look.

"Qiu Nan has her own ideas, don't force her," Chen Yu said.

Qin Huairu nodded and said nothing more.

The dumplings were cooked, steaming hot. Nian'an held a small bowl and picked up the one he had made with chopsticks—it was broken and the filling was leaking out, but he ate it with great relish.

"Nian'an's dumplings are delicious!" he exclaimed.

Everyone laughed.

After dinner, He Yuzhu came over for a visit, carrying a string of firecrackers: "Chen Yu, let's go set off some firecrackers!"

Nian'an's eyes lit up, and she grabbed Chen Yu's hand: "Dad, Nian'an wants to go too!"

Chen Yu picked him up and followed He Yuzhu out the door. A crowd had already gathered at the alley entrance; adults were setting off firecrackers, while children covered their ears and watched from the sidelines.

He Yuzhu hung the firecrackers on a bamboo pole, lit them, and they crackled and popped. Nian'an covered her ears and hid in Chen Yu's arms, but her eyes were wide open, both scared and curious to see.

After the firecrackers were set off, a layer of red paper scraps covered the ground. Several children rushed to pick up the duds that hadn't exploded. Nian'an wanted to pick them up too, but Chen Yu stopped her.

"Danger, don't pick it up."

"Dad, Nian'an wants to play."

"Dad will buy you firecrackers later, those are safe."

Nian'an then obediently followed him home.

In the afternoon, Chen Yu indeed went and bought firecrackers, a small box containing dozens of them. Nian'an threw them in the yard, one after another, pop, pop, pop, having a great time.

Ding Qiunan sat on the steps watching him play, a smile always on her lips.

"Auntie, you can play too!" Nian'an ran over and handed her a few.

Ding Qiunan took it and gently dropped one. With a "smack," Nian An clapped her hands happily.

"Auntie is amazing!"

Ding Qiunan laughed, and then fell down again.

In the evening, He Yuzhu and Yan Bugui came to visit again. Zhang Xiulan also came, bringing homemade fried meatballs. Everyone sat together, drinking tea and chatting.

"This year's Spring Festival was really good," He Yuzhu said with emotion. "In previous years it was quiet and deserted, but this year with Nian'an, it was lively."

"Yes," Yan Bugui nodded. "Children are the treasures of the family. With children, there is hope."

Nian'an couldn't understand what the adults were saying; she was only focused on eating fried meatballs, her mouth covered in oil.

"Nian'an, don't eat too much. We'll eat dinner later," Qin Huairu said.

Nian'an nodded, grabbed another one, and stuffed it into her mouth.

Qin Huairu was helpless, and everyone laughed.

As night deepened, the guests took their leave. Ding Qiunan also wanted to return to the clinic, but Nian'an held her hand tightly, refusing to let go.

"Auntie, don't go. Stay here tonight."

Ding Qiunan looked at Chen Yu and Qin Huairu. Qin Huairu smiled and said, "Stay here, the east wing room is reserved for you."

Ding Qiunan hesitated for a moment, then nodded.

Nian'an was overjoyed and pulled her to see his treasures—he had acquired several new toys in the past few days, all gifts from relatives during the Chinese New Year. He introduced them to Ding Qiunan one by one, and Ding Qiunan listened attentively, praising him from time to time.

"Auntie, Nian'an has grown up and bought you lots and lots of toys."

"Okay, Auntie will wait."

Nian'an yawned, feeling sleepy. Ding Qiunan picked him up and patted him gently, and he quickly fell asleep.

Qin Huairu took Nian'an and carried her inside. Ding Qiunan stood in the courtyard, looking at the stars in the sky, and took a deep breath.

"Qiu Nan," Chen Yu walked over, "Are you cold?"

"It's not cold." Ding Qiunan shook her head. "Brother Chen, I'm thinking of... opening a pharmacy."

Chen Yu was taken aback: "Don't you have a clinic?"

"The clinic is too small; it can only treat patients, not sell medicine," Ding Qiunan said. "I want to open a bigger one, where I can both treat patients and dispense medicine. That way, patients won't have to go to two different places."

Chen Yu thought for a moment and said, "That's great. If there's anything I can help you with, just let me know."

"About the money..." Ding Qiunan hesitated for a moment, "I've saved some, but I'm still a little short."

"How much difference?"

"About... five hundred dollars."

Five hundred dollars was a considerable sum in 1971. But Chen Yu had it; he had grown a lot of medicinal herbs in his small world, which he could sell for a good amount of money.

"I'll pay for it for you," Chen Yu said.

"Brother Chen, I..."

"Don't mention it," Chen Yu waved his hand. "You can pay me back when you've made some money."

Ding Qiunan's eyes were slightly red, and she nodded.

It was late at night, and Chen Yu went back to his room. Qin Huairu was still awake and sat on the edge of the bed waiting for him.

"Qiu Nan wants to open a pharmacy?" she asked.

"Hmm, you heard that?"

"Hmm," Qin Huairu said softly, "This girl is promising."

Chen Yu lay down and stared at the ceiling: "Yeah, he's got potential."

"Chen Yu," Qin Huairu suddenly said, "Do you think Qiu Nan has feelings for you?"

Chen Yu was silent for a moment: "I don't know. But she never said anything."

"She didn't say anything because she didn't want to cause us any trouble," Qin Huairu sighed. "That girl is so sensible."