Chapter Fifty-Eight: Renting the Courtyard

"Hello, hello." Mr. Yan greeted him warmly with a handshake. "How many people will be living here?"

"Six," Lin Hongda replied. "But we can't buy it just yet. Can we rent it for now?"

"Only rent?" Mr. Yan seemed a bit disappointed.

Still, he quickly relented. "Come, let me show you the courtyard."

Lin Hongda nodded and entered the alley with his family, while Yang Shi stayed outside to watch over the carriage.

Mr. Yan stopped at the door of one of the houses, took out a key, and unlocked it.

The courtyard was quite spacious, and the house itself looked fairly new. There were three rooms, a storage area, a main hall, and a bright, roomy kitchen that Lin Sangqian found delightful.

"This courtyard was built four years ago. It's really nice—if my eldest brother's family hadn't moved to the city, they would never have considered selling it," Mr. Yan said. "But since you're interested in renting, I'm willing to do that. As for the rent, I'll be direct with you—eight taels of silver a month. What do you think?"

Eight taels was, in truth, a bit expensive.

However, the whole family was quite satisfied with the little courtyard. It was close to where the second and third sons attended school, and not too far from the Yu family and Fortune Restaurant.

On ordinary days, they could easily bring food to the boys at the academy.

They inspected every room carefully, then gathered to discuss for a while. Finally, Lin Hongda said to Mr. Yan, "We have no objections. May I ask, what is the minimum rental period?"

Mr. Yan thought for a moment. "That's not a problem. Just give me two months' rent up front. Two months from today, I'll come by to collect the next payment, or you can find me if you prefer."

"Agreed."

Lin Hongda shook hands with him again, sealing their agreement, then they prepared to go to the village head to formalize the contract.

But Lin Sangqian noticed that Mr. Yan seemed to breathe a sigh of relief.

Was he simply happy to have rented out the house?

Yang Shi had been waiting at the mouth of the alley. When he heard the courtyard was theirs, he was delighted and immediately drove the carriage to take them to the village head.

Mr. Yan had his own carriage and left in it.

Once the paperwork was completed, they handed Mr. Yan sixteen taels of silver.

After a few parting pleasantries, Mr. Yan departed.

Standing in their newly rented courtyard, Lin Sangqian, her parents, and her elder brother felt deeply satisfied.

"Let's go home and start packing. We'll move in tomorrow!" Liao Shuxia said excitedly. "From now on, we won't have to worry about those troublesome relatives turning up uninvited!"

"Yes, I have to report to the Yu residence in three days, so let's move in while we can," Lin Hongda added.

"Father, will you be able to come home at night?" Lin Wenyen asked.

"As long as Young Master Yu isn't traveling, I can come home every evening," Lin Hongda reassured him, ruffling his hair. "Don't worry—I'll make time to teach you martial arts properly."

Lin Wenyen breathed a little easier, silently making a promise to himself. With Father and his two brothers gone, he was the only man left at home—he must protect Mother and his little sister.

They did not linger, but soon returned to the village.

Once home, Liao Shuxia and Lin Wenyen began to pack. In truth, they had been so poor before that there was little to pack.

As for their threadbare bedding, they decided to leave it behind and buy new ones in town.

Lin Hongda sat in the courtyard chopping wood, while Lin Sangqian went to find Aunt Wu and Uncle Qin, inviting their families to join them for dinner that evening.

After all, with their impending move and the good relationship they shared, it was only right to have a meal together.

Aunt Wu was astonished to hear they were moving to town and could hardly close her mouth in surprise.

Though she had sensed that the third Lin family had changed for the better and their lives were improving, she never expected that, in such a short time, they'd actually be moving to town!

"Sangqian, your family is really something," Aunt Wu said admiringly. "Already buying a house in town!"

"Not really," Lin Sangqian replied with a modest smile. "We're just renting a courtyard. Since my second and third brothers are attending school in town, we thought we might as well move. There's not much keeping us in the village these days."

As she spoke, a thought struck her. "Aunt Wu, there's actually something I've been meaning to ask you."

"Go ahead," Aunt Wu replied.

"When my father separated from my uncles, how much land should he have received?"

She had been quite young when the family was divided and remembered little about it.

Aunt Wu hesitated before sighing, "I'm not entirely sure of the specifics—I only recall hearing bits and pieces from others. Your father should have gotten at least one mu of land."

One mu wasn't much, but it was rightfully Lin Hongda's share.

However, Lin Shengrong and Lin Jiantong had divided what should have been his.

"And the house—there were supposed to be two rooms for you. As for money, it's not even worth mentioning. Your grandfather had considerable savings, but your family didn't receive a single coin."

At the time, some in the village had disapproved of Lin Shengrong and Lin Jiantong's conduct.

But such matters were considered family business, and since the original Lin Hongda was seen as hopeless, no one intervened.

"I see," Lin Sangqian said.

At that moment, Wu Kuan returned. Upon seeing Lin Sangqian, his face lit up with a cheerful smile. "Sangqian, you're here!"

"Brother Wu Kuan," she greeted him with a smile. "Come to dinner at our house tonight."

"Of course!" Wu Kuan agreed readily. "What’s the occasion?"

"They're moving to town," Aunt Wu replied with a smile.

Wu Kuan was momentarily stunned, and a trace of disappointment flickered in his eyes.

Lin Sangqian was moving to town? Wouldn't that mean he’d hardly see her anymore?

"I'll be going, then, Aunt Wu. Don't forget to come!"

"Don't worry, we will. Take care!"

After Lin Sangqian left, Aunt Wu looked at her son, who seemed lost in thought, and couldn't help but tap him on the head. "What are you thinking about? You look like you've lost your soul."

Wu Kuan snapped out of it. "It's nothing, Mother…"

"You," Aunt Wu sighed, "I gave birth to you—do you think I don't know you? Tell me, do you like that Sangqian girl?"

Wu Kuan’s face flushed red and he stammered, unable to speak.

"But she's only ten!"

"Mother, I don't have any improper thoughts—I just think she's wonderful," Wu Kuan said. "I can wait until she grows up."

Aunt Wu shook her head, unable to tell her son that there could never be anything between him and Lin Sangqian.