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

Chapter 200 Winter Solstice - Reunion

November 7th, the Beginning of Winter.

"Winter Solstice nourishes the body, filling an empty stomach." The weather in Beijing has turned completely cold; this morning, everything in the yard was covered with a thin layer of frost. The pomegranate tree was bare, its branches trembling slightly in the morning breeze. The radishes and cabbages in the vegetable garden had been harvested, the soil turned over, and they were ready to be replanted next spring.

Nian'an put on a thick cotton-padded coat, his little face buried in the fur collar, only his pair of bright black eyes showing. He squatted under the eaves, looking at the icicles hanging from them—it was cold last night, and the water that had accumulated had frozen into ice, hanging down one by one, crystal clear.

"Dad, what's that?" he asked, pointing to the icicles.

"Icicles, also called icicles."

"It's beautiful!" Nian'an stood up, tiptoed, and reached out to grab it, but couldn't. Chen Yu walked over, gently broke off a piece, and handed it to him.

Nian'an took it. The icicle melted quickly in his palm, water dripping from between his fingers, cool and refreshing. He licked it, but it had no taste. He then held it up to the sun, where the icicle reflected a rainbow of colors.

"Daddy, there's a rainbow inside!"

"Yes, it's from sunlight reflecting off the ground."

Nian'an stared at it for a long time, until the icicle melted into a puddle of water, before she could bear to throw it away.

"Dad, is there any more tomorrow?"

"It will be settled tomorrow."

Nian'an nodded happily.

Qin Huairu was busy inside. Today was the Beginning of Winter, and according to tradition, they had to eat dumplings. She had gotten up early to knead the dough and chop the filling—pork and cabbage, Nian'an's favorite.

Ding Qiunan came out of the east wing and helped with the wrapping. Lin Demao was also there, rolling out the dumpling wrappers quickly and well, making them thicker in the middle and thinner at the edges, round and uniform in size.

"Brother Lin, your cooking skills are really good," Qin Huairu praised.

"Back in my hometown, I was the one who rolled out the dough for the New Year," Lin Demao said with a simple smile.

Lin Zhiyuan returned from the branch store—the branch store had been open for almost a month, and business was getting better and better. He left early and returned late every day, but never complained of being tired.

"Zhiyuan, are there many patients today?" Ding Qiunan asked.

"About ten." Lin Zhiyuan washed his hands and sat down to help make dumplings. "One of them is a long-term patient who recovered after taking more than ten doses of medicine. He came here today specifically to thank me."

"That's because you're capable," Ding Qiunan said with a smile.

Lin Zhiyuan scratched his head sheepishly.

Nian'an ran in and leaned over the table, watching the adults make dumplings. He reached out to grab a piece of dough, but Qin Huairu stopped him.

"My hands haven't been washed yet."

Nian'an went to wash her hands, then came back and pinched off a small lump of dough. She imitated the adults, flattened it, put in the filling, and pinched it closed. She put in too much filling, so she added another wrapper and made a "big-bellied" dumpling.

"Nian Anbao's!" He held up the crooked dumpling with a smug look on his face.

"Nian'an is really capable," Ding Qiunan praised him.

Nian'an wrapped several more, each one more impressive than the last. He placed them on a separate plate, saying he would eat them himself later.

At noon, the dumplings were cooked. Steaming hot, plump and white, they smelled amazing when dipped in vinegar and minced garlic.

Nian'an ate the few he had made himself. Although some of them were torn and the filling was exposed, he ate them with relish.

"Mom, Nian'an's dumplings are delicious!"

"Eat more if it's delicious."

Nian'an ate seven or eight, and her little belly was round and plump.

After dinner, the family sat inside drinking tea. It was too cold outside to go out into the yard, but the fire in the stove was burning brightly, making the house warm and cozy.

"Daddy, Nian'an wants to hear a story." Nian'an lay on Chen Yu's lap.

"What story should I tell?"

"Tell...a story from winter."

Chen Yu thought for a moment and then told a story about the "Winter-Weather Bird." Nian An listened attentively, and when she heard that the Winter-Weather Bird had frozen to death, she frowned and said, "That bird was so pitiful."

"Therefore, Nian'an must be diligent and not be like the cold-weather bird."

Nian'an nodded: "Nian'an is hardworking. Nian'an helps her mother with chores and helps her aunt with chores."

Chen Yu smiled and patted his head.

In the afternoon, He Yuzhu came to visit, carrying a chicken, saying it was for adding to the dishes for the Beginning of Winter. Yan Bugui also came, carrying a packet of tea, saying it was sent by his old comrade-in-arms.

"Chen Yu, it's the beginning of winter today, shall we have a couple of drinks?" He Yuzhu shook the bottle in his hand.

"Okay." Chen Yu took the wine bottle and asked Qin Huairu to cook some side dishes to go with the wine.

Zhang Xiulan also arrived, bringing her homemade cured meat. Everyone sat together, drinking, eating, and chatting.

"This year's Spring Festival was really good," He Yuzhu exclaimed. "Much better than in previous years."

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

Nian'an was playing with building blocks nearby when He Yuzhu teased him, "Nian'an, what do you want to be when you grow up?"

"Nian'an wants to open a pharmacy!" Nian'an said without looking up.

"Opening a pharmacy is a good idea; learn from your aunt."

"Nian'an also wants to learn spiritual practice from her father."

"Cultivation?" He Yuzhu was taken aback and looked at Chen Yu.

Chen Yu laughed and said, "The kid is just talking nonsense."

He Yuzhu didn't pay any attention and continued drinking.

As evening fell, darkness descended. The moon rose, a large part of it missing, but it was still very bright. Nian'an pressed her face against the window, looking at the moon, and asked, "Daddy, is it cold on the moon?"

"It's cold, very cold."

"Why doesn't Chang'e come back?"

"She's not coming back."

Nian'an thought for a moment and said seriously, "When Nian'an grows up, I'll go and bring her back."

Chen Yu smiled and said, "Okay, Dad will go with you."

Nian An nodded in satisfaction.

As night deepened, the family members returned to their rooms. Nian'an lay on his small bed, and Qin Huairu tucked him in.

"Mom, Nian'an is happy today."

"As long as you're happy, go to sleep."

"Mom, Nian'an loves you both."

Qin Huairu was taken aback, her eyes reddened slightly, and she lowered her head to kiss him on the cheek: "Mom loves Nian'an too."

Nian'an closed her eyes and quickly fell asleep.