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

August 8th is the beginning of autumn.

"An early start to autumn brings a cool breeze, a late start to autumn brings scorching heat." This year's start to autumn falls in the afternoon, which, according to the old saying, is a "late start to autumn," meaning it will be hot for a while longer. But since autumn has arrived, there is already a slight chill in the morning and evening breezes.

In the small courtyard in front of the gate, the pomegranates on the tree have grown even larger, turning from green to red, weighing down the branches. The green beans, cucumbers, and tomatoes in the vegetable garden have been harvested several times. The surplus has been pickled by Qin Huairu and dried.

Nian'an, wearing a vest and shorts, ran around in the yard. He ran to the edge of the vegetable garden, squatted down to look at the eggplants—the eggplants were a bright purple, hanging on the vines like little lanterns.

"Dad, can we pick the eggplants now?" he called out as he turned around.

Chen Yu was tidying up inside when he heard this and came out to take a look: "They're ready to pick. Pick a few, and Mom will make braised eggplant for dinner."

Nian'an reached out to pick it, but couldn't reach it. He stood on tiptoe, but still couldn't reach it. He got anxious and jumped up, but still couldn't reach it.

"Dad, please help!"

Chen Yu walked over and gently tugged, picking the two large eggplants. Nian An took them, holding them tightly in his arms, as if afraid of dropping them.

"Nian'an is holding the eggplant like she's holding a doll," Qin Huairu said with a smile as she came out of the kitchen.

"Nian'an's doll is an eggplant!" Nian'an looked down at the eggplant in her arms and carefully gave it a name, "It's called...it's called Zi Zi!"

Everyone laughed.

Lin Demao has been here for half a month and is gradually getting used to life in the courtyard. He can't sit still; every morning he gets up to help Qin Huairu water the vegetable garden and sweep the yard, in the afternoon he goes to the pharmacy to help brew medicine, and in the evening he talks with Lin Zhiyuan and his son. He Yuzhu calls him a "restless old ox," to which he just smiles憨厚ly.

"Brother Lin, today is the beginning of autumn, so we need to eat more to prepare for winter," Qin Huairu said. "We'll have braised pork for dinner tonight."

"Okay, okay." Lin Demao nodded repeatedly. "I'll help you out."

Nian'an ran over carrying eggplants: "Uncle Lin, Nian'an picked these eggplants!"

"Nian'an is really capable." Lin Demao patted his head.

In the morning, Chen Yu went to the market and bought two pounds of pork belly, a fish, and some vegetables. When he returned, He Yuzhu was also there, carrying a chicken.

"Chen Yu, today is the beginning of autumn, let's add an extra dish!" He handed the chicken to Qin Huairu, "It's home-raised, let's make soup."

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

"It's no trouble at all, it's not like we bought it." He Yuzhu sat down and saw Lin Demao sweeping the yard. "Brother Lin, take a break. This yard doesn't need to be swept every day."

"I've got nothing better to do," Lin Demao said with a smile. "Let's stretch our muscles."

He Yuzhu smiled and stopped trying to persuade him.

At noon, Ding Qiunan and Lin Zhiyuan returned from the pharmacy for lunch. Lin Zhiyuan has made rapid progress recently and can now independently diagnose some minor ailments such as headaches and fevers. Ding Qiunan watched over him, occasionally offering corrections.

"Zhiyuan, how many patients did you see today?" Chen Yu asked.

"I've seen five," Lin Zhiyuan said. "One of them was a common cold caused by wind and cold, and I prescribed Guizhi Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction). My master said the prescription was correct, but the dosage needed to be adjusted."

"Good job, keep up the good work," Chen Yu praised him.

Lin Zhiyuan smiled sheepishly.

Nian'an lay on the table, listening to the adults talking, and suddenly said, "Brother Zhiyuan, when Nian'an grows up, I'll go see a doctor too."

"Okay, when you grow up, your brother will teach you."

"Pinky promise."

"Pinky promise."

In the afternoon, Qin Huairu and Lin Demao started working in the kitchen. The braised pork needed to be stewed for a long time to absorb the flavor, and the chicken also needed to be simmered slowly. Nian'an was playing in the yard when she smelled the aroma and ran into the kitchen several times, tiptoeing to look at the pots on the stove.

"Mom, when can we eat?"

"It's still early, it's evening."

Nian'an swallowed hard and ran off to play again.

In the evening, He Yuzhu's family and Yan Bugui's family arrived. Zhang Xiulan also came, bringing homemade jujube cakes. Two tables were set up in the courtyard, one for adults and one for children—there was only one child, Nian'an, but he insisted on sitting at his own table, so Qin Huairu gave in and set out a small stool and table for him.

"Nian'an, are you eating alone?" He Yuzhu teased him.

"Nian'an is all grown up now, eat by yourself!" Nian'an puffed out her little chest, the bowl in front of her already piled high with vegetables.

Everyone laughed.

The dishes arrived—braised pork belly, stewed chicken, sweet and sour fish, braised eggplant, stir-fried green beans, cucumber salad, and a large bowl of winter melon and meatball soup. Nian'an stared wide-eyed at the table full of food.

"Mommy, Nian'an wants to eat meat!"

"Eat up, eat more."

Nian'an picked up a piece of braised pork, stuffed it into her mouth, chewed a few times, and narrowed her eyes into slits: "Delicious!"

Everyone sat around the table and began to eat in a lively atmosphere. He Yuzhu drank, Chen Yu accompanied him, and Yan Bugui also had a few drinks, his face turning red.

"This autumn is really great," He Yuzhu exclaimed. "There's plenty to eat and drink, and lots of laughter and conversation. It's much better than in previous years."

"Yes," Yan Bugui nodded, "Life is getting better and better."

Ding Qiunan sat quietly eating her food. Lin Demao put a chicken leg on her plate: "Qiunan, eat more, you're too thin."

"Thank you, Brother Lin," Ding Qiunan said with a smile.

Lin Zhiyuan was busy serving food to his master and Nian'an.

Nian'an ate half a bowl of rice and several pieces of meat, his little belly round and full. He patted his belly and let out a burp: "Nian'an is full."

"Go play after you've eaten," Qin Huairu said.

Nian'an got off the chair, ran to the pomegranate tree, and squatted down to watch the ants. The ants were lined up, carrying food, busily working.

"Ants, do you also gain weight for winter?" he asked in a low voice.

The ants ignored him and continued carrying their load.

As night fell, the guests took their leave. The family finished cleaning up the dishes and sat in the courtyard to enjoy the cool air. The moon rose, large and round, its light and cold light filtering through the air.

"Dad, what's on the moon?" Nian'an asked.

"There's Chang'e, the Jade Rabbit, and Wu Gang chopping down the cassia tree."

Nian'an wants to go and take a look.

"Okay, when you grow up, Dad will take you."

Nian An nodded in satisfaction, lay down on Chen Yu's lap, and fell asleep in no time.

Qin Huairu carried him into the house.

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

"Qiu Nan, how's the pharmacy doing lately?" Chen Yu asked.

"It's great," Ding Qiunan said. "With Zhiyuan able to help, I feel much more relaxed. Brother Lin also helps with brewing the medicine and cleaning, so the pharmacy is much tidier than before."

"That's good."

"Brother Chen," Ding Qiunan suddenly said, "Do you think our family will keep getting bigger and bigger in the future?"

Chen Yu smiled: "Maybe. But no matter how old we are, we're all family."

Ding Qiunan nodded, a smile playing on her lips.

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

In the east wing, Lin Demao lay on the kang (a heated brick bed), listening to the chirping of insects outside the window, lost in thought. His son was doing well, and his master's family treated him well; he had nothing to worry about.

"Zhiyuan, study hard and don't let people down," he said softly.

Outside the window, the moonlight was like water.

The courtyard was peaceful and serene.