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

July 7th, Lesser Heat.

The heat was intense, and even the cicadas seemed to be singing listlessly. In the small courtyard in front of the gate, the pomegranate tree spread out a thick shade, the roses were wilting from the sun, but the green beans in the vegetable garden were growing vigorously, hanging down in rows, tender and green.

Nian'an, shirtless and wearing only shorts, sat on a small stool under the shade of a tree, holding a slice of watermelon and eating it until her face was covered in juice. The watermelon was freshly pulled from the well by Chen Yu; it was ice-cold, and one bite sent the coolness from her mouth to her heart.

"Dad, the watermelon is so sweet!" Nian'an looked up, with watermelon seeds still stuck to the corners of her mouth.

"Eat more if it's sweet." Chen Yu sat next to him, also holding a piece of watermelon, and slowly ate it.

Qin Huairu came out of the house, holding a palm-leaf fan, and fanned Nian'an: "Eat slowly, don't swallow the melon seeds."

"Mom, what happens if you swallow a sunflower seed?"

"A watermelon will grow inside your belly."

Nian'an was startled and quickly spat out the sunflower seeds in her mouth. She looked at them carefully to make sure she hadn't swallowed them before she felt relieved.

Ding Qiunan came out of the east wing, carrying several medicinal herbs in her hand, ready to be dried. She spread the herbs on a bamboo tray and carried it into the sun.

"Auntie, what's this?" Nian'an ran over.

"It's mint; you can dry it and steep it in water to drink."

"Nian'an wants to drink!"

"Okay, once it's dried, Auntie will make it for you."

Lin Zhiyuan returned from the pharmacy, covered in sweat, and drank most of the herbal tea in one go.

"Brother Zhiyuan, are you hot?" Nian'an asked, looking up at him.

"It's hot." Lin Zhiyuan wiped his sweat. "There were a lot of patients today, and I was busy all morning."

"Brother Zhiyuan, you've worked hard." Nian'an handed him her half-eaten watermelon. "Eat some watermelon."

Lin Zhiyuan took it, took a bite, and smiled, "It's really sweet."

At noon, Qin Huairu made mung bean soup, cooked it until very soft, and let it cool down to drink, which was refreshing. Nian'an drank a big bowl and then asked for another.

"Nian'an, don't drink too much, or you won't be able to eat later," Qin Huairu said.

"I can eat!" Nian'an patted her belly. "Nian'an has a big belly!"

Everyone laughed.

After finishing his meal, Nian'an got sleepy and fell asleep on Chen Yu's lap. Chen Yu carried him into the room, put him on the small bed, and covered him with a light blanket.

When they came out, Ding Qiunan was still drying medicinal herbs in the yard. Chen Yu went over and helped her turn over the herbs.

"Qiu Nan, how's business at the pharmacy lately?"

"That's great," Ding Qiunan said. "Zhiyuan can now diagnose some minor ailments independently, which makes things much easier for me."

"That child learns quickly."

"Yes," Ding Qiunan said with a smile, "In another year, he will be able to stand on his own."

After a moment of silence, Ding Qiunan suddenly said, "Brother Chen, I'm thinking of... having Zhiyuan's father come and live in the city."

Chen Yu was taken aback: "His father lives alone in Tongzhou?"

"Yes, his mother is gone, and it's just his father. Zhiyuan is worried about him, but he can't go back," Ding Qiunan said. "I was thinking, if we clean up that empty room behind the pharmacy, someone can live there. If his father comes, Zhiyuan can focus on studying medicine."

Chen Yu thought for a moment and said, "Okay, I'll help him clean up later."

Ding Qiunan smiled and said, "Thank you, Brother Chen."

In the evening, He Yuzhu came to visit, carrying a basket of cucumbers, saying they were from his own field and he couldn't finish them all.

"Chen Yu, I've brought you some cucumbers. You can use them in salads or stir-fries."

"Brother Zhu, I've made you spend money again."

"It's no expense, we grew them ourselves." He Yuzhu sat down and saw Nian'an chasing dragonflies in the yard. "That kid is tough and doesn't mind the heat."

"Children have a lot of temper," Chen Yu said.

Nian'an chased the dragonfly for a long time but failed. She ran back and lay on Chen Yu's lap, panting, "Dad, the dragonfly flew too fast."

"You'll be able to catch up when you grow up."

Nian'an retorted, "Nian'an is all grown up now!"

He Yuzhu laughed: "Good, good, Nian'an has grown up."

In the evening, Qin Huairu prepared several cold dishes—smashed cucumber, eggplant with minced garlic, and cold tomato salad—and also cooked a pot of mung bean porridge. The family ate in the courtyard, where a cool breeze made it more pleasant than inside.

Nian'an ate half a bowl of porridge and several pieces of tomato, her little mouth just wouldn't stop.

"Mom, the tomatoes are delicious."

"Eat more if it's delicious."

After dinner, it got dark. The moon rose, round and bright. Nian'an lay on Chen Yu's lap, listening to the adults talking, and soon fell asleep.

Qin Huairu carried him into the house.

Chen Yu and Ding Qiunan were still sitting in the courtyard.

"Qiu Nan, have you told Zhiyuan about his father's matter?"

"Not yet," Ding Qiunan said. "I want to wait until everything is ready before telling him, to give him a surprise."

Chen Yu smiled: "You've thought of everything."

"Brother Chen," Ding Qiunan suddenly said, "Do you think our family will always be like this?"

"Do you want things to stay like this forever?"

Ding Qiunan thought for a moment and nodded: "I want to."

Chen Yu looked at her and said softly, "Then it will always be like this."

Ding Qiunan's eyes were slightly red, but she had a smile on her lips.

As night deepened, the two went back to their respective rooms.

In the east wing, Lin Zhiyuan was still reading under the lamp. He closed the book, blew out the lamp, and lay down.

Thinking about his master's words about bringing his father over, he felt a warm glow in his heart.

"Father, your son will be here to pick you up soon," he said softly.

Outside the window, the moonlight was like water.

The courtyard was quiet.