r18novel Chapter 116 Taking the Seal to His Own Little Courtyard
Chapter 116 Taking the Seal to His Own Little Courtyard
Director Zhang acted swiftly and decisively. He called over his clerk, Xiao Li, and gave him a few instructions. Xiao Li then rode his bicycle briskly towards Ju'er Hutong.
In the office, Director Zhang was still enthusiastically telling Lin Zhou about the good things about Jiaodaokou Street, from its geographical location to its local customs and culture. His words implied that he hoped Lin Zhou could invest in some industry here so that his career could progress better.
Lin Zhou listened patiently, but his gaze unconsciously drifted to the window. The scene in the alley was spread out before him; several children chased after a vendor selling popsicles on a bicycle, their clear shouts and laughter filling the entire street.
At the foot of the wall, several retired old men were playing chess with teacups in their hands, and every now and then one could hear a few shouts of argument and cheers.
These scenes, full of everyday life, were like a key, instantly unlocking his long-sealed memories. Back then, before the special period when the wind was blowing, he would gather around these people and watch them play chess when he had no odd jobs.
Seeing that Lin Zhou looked preoccupied, Director Zhang didn't want to disturb him further, so he turned to Wang Jianguo and began to speak in hushed tones.
About an hour later, Xiao Li returned on his bicycle, followed by two other bicycles, each carrying a middle-aged man and woman on the back.
"Director Zhang, I've brought the person to you. They had all gone to work, and it took me a long time to find them," Xiao Li said, wiping the sweat from his forehead and panting heavily.
Director Zhang stood up, pointed at Lin Zhou, and said to the four of them, "This is Mr. Lin Zhou. The small courtyard house at No. 3 Ju'er Hutong was originally his family's ancestral home. Mr. Lin is back today to take the house back."
Upon hearing this, the four men's cautious expressions instantly turned into panic. One of the men rubbed his hands together and stammered, "Director Zhang, we...we've lived in this courtyard for over ten years. All our belongings are here. If we have to move out all at once, where will we go?"
Lin Zhou vaguely remembered this person. After thinking about it carefully, he recalled that when he escaped from the cowshed in the countryside, he found this person sleeping in his room when he returned home. At that time, he had taken all of the man's belongings as rent. Now, he figured that money was still quite a bit, and there was even a lot left over. Of course, Lin Zhou was not going to return it to them voluntarily.
The others quickly echoed, one of the women's eyes slightly reddening: "Yes, Director Zhang, we have three children, the youngest of whom has just started elementary school. We really don't have anywhere to stay for the time being."
Seeing their anxious expressions, Lin Zhou felt a pang of sympathy. He knew these families had it tough too; moving into this courtyard back then was a helpless act under special historical circumstances. Besides, they had been arranged to live there and had even paid rent. He didn't speak immediately but waited for Director Zhang to give the order.
Director Zhang's smile faded slightly, and his tone became more serious: "Old Wang, I know you're in a difficult situation, but this courtyard is the Lin family's ancestral property. Now that Mr. Lin has returned, according to policy, it should be returned to its rightful owner. Don't worry, the neighborhood committee won't abandon you. I've already sent someone to coordinate. That vacant warehouse at the entrance of the alley belongs to the neighborhood committee. If you clean it up properly, it can be used as a temporary place. Once a suitable house becomes available, we'll arrange one for you."
Old Wang sighed, lowered his head, and remained silent. He knew that Director Zhang's words made sense, but the thought of leaving the place he had lived in for more than ten years still made him reluctant to leave.
Lin Zhou then spoke slowly, his voice gentle: "Brother Wang, and sister-in-law, I know your difficulties. How about this, I'll give you two days to pack your things. I won't rush you during these two days. Also, I'll cover the moving expenses at fifty yuan each, as a small token of my appreciation."
Upon hearing this, Old Wang and the woman were both stunned. They looked up at Lin Zhou, their eyes filled with surprise. They had originally thought that this big boss from Hong Kong would be aloof and arrogant, but they hadn't expected him to be so understanding.
"Mr. Lin, this... this is too much trouble," Old Wang said, rubbing his hands together, somewhat embarrassed.
"Of course," Lin Zhou smiled. "After all, you've lived in this courtyard for so long and taken good care of it. I grew up in this courtyard and have an attachment to it. I hope we can part ways amicably."
Director Zhang clapped his hands and laughed, "Mr. Lin is so generous! Old Wang, did you hear that? Mr. Lin has said so, you'd better hurry up and pack up, don't delay his business."
Old Wang nodded emphatically, his eyes slightly moist: "Don't worry, Mr. Lin, we will definitely vacate the yard within two days!"
After the matter was settled, Director Zhang asked the group to stay for a while longer and chatted about the recent situation in the yard. Lin Zhou then learned that over the years, Old Wang and the others had taken good care of the pomegranate trees and grape trellises in the yard. Every autumn, the pomegranates were laden with fruit, and the grape trellises were always full of fruit.
Hearing this, Lin Zhou felt even warmer inside. That pomegranate tree was planted by his mother when he was a child, and he never expected that more than ten years later, it would still be growing lush and verdant.
As they left the neighborhood office, the sun was high in the sky, its July rays increasingly scorching, making the asphalt road surface almost hot. Wang Jianguo and Xiao Li accompanied Lin Zhou as they walked towards Ju'er Hutong.
After passing through several winding alleys and turning a corner, a small courtyard house with blue bricks and gray tiles appeared before Lin Zhou's eyes.
The courtyard gate consisted of two vermilion wooden doors, with exquisite carvings above the lintels, though the passage of time had eroded their former glory. The stone lions at the entrance still stood guard on either side, as if waiting for their master's return.
Lin Zhou stopped in his tracks, his gaze lingering on the courtyard gate, his eyes unconsciously reddening. More than a decade had passed; he was finally standing at the gate of his own home again.
Wang Jianguo noticed his excitement, patted him on the shoulder, and said softly, "Mr. Lin, please go in and take a look."
Lin Zhou took a deep breath and pushed open the heavy wooden door.
With a soft creak, the door opened.
The scene in the courtyard gradually overlapped with his memory. The blue brick floor, polished smooth and shiny by time, was now much taller and more lush than before. The pomegranate tree in the center of the courtyard had already been picked clean, leaving only its leaves. Under the grape trellis, the stone table and benches remained, their surfaces still smooth as mirrors, clearly indicating that they were still frequently used.
Lin Zhou walked slowly into the courtyard, his steps very light, as if afraid of disturbing the tranquility. He reached out and stroked the rough trunk of the pomegranate tree, the touch from his fingertips carrying a familiar warmth.
As a child, he loved to do his homework and play under the grape trellis, while his mother enjoyed sitting there making matchboxes. Those carefree days flowed slowly through his mind like scenes from a movie.
Wang Jianguo and Xiao Li didn't follow him in; they just stood at the courtyard gate, quietly watching him. They knew that Lin Zhou needed some time to properly reconnect with this courtyard and his past.