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

September 8th, White Dew.

"White Dew and autumn wind at night, each night cooler than the last." The wind in the morning and evening has a noticeable chill, the pomegranate leaves in the yard have begun to fall, and the few rose bushes in the corner are still in bloom, but the petals are always covered with glistening dewdrops.

Nian'an put on a thin padded jacket and ran around in the yard, his feet crunching on fallen leaves. He squatted down, picked up a yellow leaf, and examined it closely.

"Dad, why are the leaves turning yellow?"

"Because autumn has arrived, there is less chlorophyll in the leaves, so the xanthophyll becomes more visible."

What is chlorophyll?

"It's something that makes leaves turn green."

"What about lutein?"

"The thing that makes leaves turn yellow."

Nian'an thought for a moment, then asked, "Do you have any erythromycin?"

Chen Yu laughed: "Yes, the red color of maple leaves comes from lycopene."

Nian'an suddenly realized, "So leaves can change color! That's amazing!"

Qin Huairu came out of the house, carrying several thick clothes, which she hung out to dry in the sun. Ding Qiunan also came out to help, taking out winter cotton-padded jackets and trousers to let them air out.

"Qiu Nan, winter is coming early this year, we need to prepare early," Qin Huairu said.

"Yes." Ding Qiunan shook out a cotton-padded jacket. "This one belongs to Nian'an, right? It's too small, she can't wear it anymore."

"Then make him a new one." Qin Huairu took it. "I'll go buy the fabric later."

Nian'an ran over and touched the little cotton-padded jacket: "Mommy, is this Nian'an's?"

"It belongs to Nian'an, but it's too small for her, so we're giving it to another child."

"Nian'an has grown up!" Nian'an puffed out her little chest.

"Yes, Nian'an has grown up." Qin Huairu smiled.

Lin Zhiyuan and his son have been back in Tongzhou for half a month and haven't returned yet. Ding Qiunan said they'd be back after the harvest, but Nian'an asks every day, "Auntie, when is Brother Zhiyuan coming back?"

"It'll be soon, in a few more days."

Nian'an misses him.

"My aunt misses him too."

Just then, the courtyard gate was pushed open. Lin Zhiyuan came in carrying large and small bags, followed by Lin Demao, who was also carrying a bundle.

"Brother Zhiyuan!" Nian'an rushed over and threw herself into Lin Zhiyuan's arms.

Lin Zhiyuan put down his bundle and picked him up: "Nian'an, did you miss your brother?"

"I want to! I want to think about it every day!"

Lin Zhiyuan smiled and took out several large peaches from his pocket: "Here, these are big peaches from Tongzhou, Nian'an's favorite."

Nian'an took the peach, hugged it to her arms, and said with bright eyes, "Thank you, Brother Zhiyuan!"

Lin Demao put down the bundle and took out several bags from it: "This is freshly harvested millet, this is mung beans, and this is peanuts. They are all grown by ourselves."

"Brother Lin, why are you carrying so much stuff?" Qin Huairu asked.

"It's homegrown, so it's not worth much," Lin Demao said with a simple smile.

The family entered the house, and Qin Huairu poured them tea. Lin Zhiyuan drank a large bowl and sighed, "Home is the best."

"Is everything settled in Tongzhou?" Ding Qiunan asked.

"It's all packed up," Lin Zhiyuan said. "The land has been acquired, what needed to be sold has been sold, and what needed to be stored has been stored. My father said we'll stay for a while this time."

Lin Demao nodded: "Yes, stay a few more days and help out."

Nian'an hugged the peach, reluctant to eat it, turning it over and over in his hands. Ding Qiunan teased him, "Nian'an, if you don't eat it, give it to your aunt."

"No!" Nian'an hid the peach behind her back. "Nian'an will eat it herself."

Everyone laughed.

At noon, Qin Huairu prepared a table full of dishes to welcome Lin Demao and his son. There was braised pork, stewed chicken, scrambled eggs, cucumber salad, and a large bowl of millet porridge. Looking at the table laden with food, Lin Demao remarked, "You've gone to so much trouble again."

"It's no expense, they're all grown and raised by ourselves," Qin Huairu said with a smile.

Nian'an gnawed on a chicken leg, her mouth glistening with oil, her little mouth never stopping.

After finishing their meal, Lin Zhiyuan went back to the east wing to pack his things. Nian'an followed him, helping him make the bed and arrange the pillows, busy and happy.

"Brother Zhiyuan, you're not leaving this time, are you?"

"I'm not leaving; I'll stay until the New Year."

Nian'an clapped her hands happily.

In the afternoon, Chen Yu went to work—something had come up at the steel rolling mill, and he was asked to go check it out. Qin Huairu and Ding Qiunan were making cotton-padded jackets at home, Lin Demao was chopping firewood in the yard, and Nian An was squatting beside them watching.

"Uncle Lin, what are you chopping wood for?"

"For lighting the stove in winter."

"Nian'an also wants to chop it up."

Lin Demao laughed: "You're still young, you can chop it when you're older."

Nian'an was unconvinced. He picked up a small piece of wood, lifted it, and slammed it to the ground. The wood didn't break, but his hand went numb from the impact. He shook his hand and grinned.

Lin Demao looked at the child and felt a warm glow in his heart.

In the evening, Chen Yu returned. He Yuzhu also came to visit, carrying a basket of pears, saying they were from trees in his hometown.

"Chen Yu, have a taste, it's crisp and sweet."

Chen Yu took one, took a bite, and found it sweet.

Nian'an also took one, took a bite, and juice dripped down her chin: "Uncle, it's delicious!"

"Eat more if you like it." He Yuzhu sat down, looking at the chopped firewood in the yard. "Brother Lin, you really can't sit still."

"We're just idling around anyway," Lin Demao said with a smile.

In the evening, after dinner, the family sat in the courtyard to enjoy the cool air. The moon was full again, its light and cool glow illuminating the fallen leaves scattered throughout the yard.

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, how are the preparations for the branch going?" Chen Yu asked.

"The location has been decided, it's near Qianmen Street, and renovations can start next month," Ding Qiunan said. "I want Zhiyuan to go over and keep an eye on things, to give him some experience."

"Okay, that child can do it."

"I think so too," Ding Qiunan said. "Brother Chen, do you think our family will keep getting bigger and bigger in the future?"

Chen Yu laughed: "It's getting bigger and bigger."

Ding Qiunan smiled too.

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

In the east wing, Lin Zhiyuan sat at the table, opened his medical book, and continued studying. Lin Demao lay on the kang (a heated brick bed), watching his son's back as he walked away, feeling at peace.

"Zhiyuan, go to bed early."

"Understood, Father."

Outside the window, the moon is full again.

The courtyard was quiet.