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

October 8th, Cold Dew.

"Cold Dew, Cold Dew, cold dew everywhere." It's already quite cool in the mornings and evenings. The pomegranate tree in the yard is completely bare, its bare branches stretching towards the sky like a traditional Chinese ink painting. The few rose bushes in the corner are still holding on, blooming their last batch of flowers, their petals thin but their colors exceptionally vibrant.

Nian'an put on a light cotton-padded jacket and chased a butterfly in the yard—it was probably the last butterfly of the year, its wings flapping weakly, flying erratically. Nian'an chased it for a few steps, but the butterfly flew over the wall and disappeared.

"Dad, the butterfly flew away." Nian'an said, somewhat disappointed.

"It went to find a warmer place," Chen Yu said. "It will come back next spring."

"real?"

"real."

Nian'an was then happy.

Today is a big day—Ding Qiunan's branch store is opening. The branch is located on Qianmen Street, a great location with lots of foot traffic. Renovations started a month ago, and it was finally all finished yesterday.

After breakfast, the family changed into clean clothes and prepared to attend the opening ceremony. Nian'an put on a newly made cotton-padded jacket, sewn by Qin Huairu herself, with blue floral patterns, which made his little face look rosy.

"Nian An is so handsome," Ding Qiunan complimented him.

"Auntie looks good too!" Nian'an exclaimed.

Ding Qiunan wore a light blue cotton-padded jacket today, her hair was neatly combed, and she had some rouge on her face, which Qin Huairu helped her apply.

"Qiu Nan, you look really energetic today," Qin Huairu said.

"Sister Qin, I'm a little nervous," Ding Qiunan said softly.

"What's there to be nervous about? It's not like you've never seen people before."

"It's different; today it's my own store."

Qin Huairu held her hand: "It's okay, we're here."

The group went out. He Yuzhu, Yan Bugui, and Zhang Xiulan were already waiting at the alley entrance, each carrying a flower basket.

"Qiu Nan, congratulations!" He Yuzhu handed her the flower basket.

"Thank you, Brother Zhu."

"Qiu Nan, you've really made something of yourself!" Zhang Xiulan said, pulling her hand. "You've opened a branch store! That's amazing!"

Ding Qiunan's eyes were a little red, but she held back.

A large crowd had already gathered in front of the Qiu Nan Pharmacy branch on Qianmen Street. Lin Zhiyuan had arrived early and was busy with the final preparations inside the store. Lin Demao was also there, helping to arrange the medicinal herbs and wipe the counter.

Above the shop entrance, a new signboard covered with a red cloth bears the four characters "Qiunan Pharmacy" written by Yan Bugui. The calligraphy is vigorous and powerful, making it even more impressive than the old shop's signboard.

The auspicious hour arrived, and firecrackers went off. Ding Qiunan personally unveiled the red cloth, and everyone applauded and cheered.

Nian'an stood in Chen Yu's arms, clapping her little hands and shouting, "Auntie is amazing! Auntie is amazing!"

Ding Qiunan looked at him and smiled.

The branch was twice the size of the original, with a consultation room, pharmacy, and decoction room, and a small room in the back that could be used as a residence. Ding Qiunan planned to have Lin Zhiyuan come and oversee things, while she herself would run errands between the two locations.

"Zhiyuan, I'm leaving this place to you from now on," Ding Qiunan said.

"Master, I'm afraid I won't do it well." Lin Zhiyuan said nervously.

"Don't worry, your master is here. I'll come every day at first, but I'll let go once you can handle things on your own."

Lin Zhiyuan nodded, feeling a warm glow inside.

The first patient came in; it was an elderly man who had been coughing for several days. Lin Zhiyuan glanced at Ding Qiunan, who nodded, signaling him to go in.

Lin Zhiyuan composed himself, took the old man's pulse, examined his tongue, inquired about his symptoms, and wrote a prescription. Ding Qiunan looked at the prescription and nodded: "Not bad, adjusting the dosage a bit would be even better."

Lin Zhiyuan quickly made the changes, and Ding Qiunan then signed them.

The old man took the medicine and left, and Lin Zhiyuan breathed a sigh of relief.

"Brother Zhiyuan is so amazing!" Nian'an lay on his lap, looking up at him with her little face.

Lin Zhiyuan smiled and patted his head.

At noon, Qin Huairu cooked lunch at the shop, and the whole family, along with He Yuzhu and the others, enjoyed a lively meal together.

"Qiu Nan, you're doing a great job running this shop. You're sure to make a fortune in the future," He Yuzhu said.

"I don't dare to think about getting rich, as long as I can help people, that's enough," Ding Qiunan said with a smile.

"This girl is kind-hearted," Zhang Xiulan remarked.

After the meal, the guests gradually left. Chen Yu and his family stayed behind to help Ding Qiunan clean up.

"Brother Chen, thank you all for today," Ding Qiunan said.

"No need to thank me, we're family," Chen Yu said with a smile.

Nian'an ran around the store, touching the medicine cabinet and looking at the bottles; everything was new and exciting to her.

"Auntie, this bottle is so pretty." He pointed to a blue and white porcelain bottle.

"That's for holding pills, it contains loquat syrup, for treating coughs."

Nian'an wants to try it.

"You don't have a cough, so you can't eat it."

Nian'an had no choice but to give up.

In the evening, the family returned to their courtyard. He Yuzhu came to visit, carrying a chicken, saying it was a gift for Ding Qiunan to celebrate.

"Brother Zhu, you've already sent a flower basket, why are you sending chickens too?" Qin Huairu asked.

"A flower basket is a flower basket, and a chicken is a chicken; they're two different things." He Yuzhu handed her the chicken. "Stew it up and eat it; it'll be good for your health."

In the evening, Qin Huairu stewed chicken soup, and the family sat together to drink it. Nian'an drank a small bowl, then asked for another, her little belly round and full.

"Mom, the chicken soup is so delicious."

"If it tastes good, drink more."

Nian'an took a few more sips and let out a burp.

After dinner, the family sat in the courtyard. The moon was full again, its light and cool illuminating the bare pomegranate tree.

Nian'an lay 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, are you tired today?" Chen Yu asked.

"A little, but I'm happy," Ding Qiunan said. "Brother Chen, do you think Zhiyuan can keep that shop afloat?"

"Yes," Chen Yu said. "He's improving very quickly. With you watching over him, he won't make any mistakes."

Ding Qiunan nodded.

"Brother Chen," she suddenly said, "do you think our family will keep getting bigger and bigger?"

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

"Yes," Ding Qiunan said, looking at the moon in the sky, "it's getting bigger and bigger."

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 today's opening and his master's trust, he couldn't sleep.

"Father, your son will definitely do his best," he said softly.

Outside the window, the moonlight was like water.

The courtyard was quiet.