Lu Ping’an’s father didn’t have his son’s confidence, but he wouldn’t dampen his enthusiasm either.
After walking for more than an hour, they finally arrived at Dongzhimen and entered Kyoto from there.
Their first stop was naturally Second Uncle’s home. Since he had recently moved, this was Lu Ping’an’s first time visiting the new place.
To his surprise, Second Uncle now lived in Dongsi Fifth Alley, part of the Dongsi Hutong area.
This was a residential district. If he remembered correctly, the former residence of Chongli was somewhere nearby.
He had once read about the Dongsi Hutong area—formed as early as the Yuan Dynasty.
The alleys were neat and orderly, full of everyday life.
Walking behind his father, Lu Ping’an carried the pheasant and fish in his hands. Passersby couldn’t help glancing at them twice.
Soon, they stopped in front of a courtyard. At the gate stood a familiar figure.
It was his second uncle, Li Jianguo.
The moment he saw them, Li Jianguo stepped forward.
He looked to be in his thirties, fair-faced, his clothes slightly faded from repeated washing.
Compared to Lu Ping’an’s father, he looked six or seven years younger.
In fact, he was only two years younger.
“Hello, Second Uncle!”
Lu Ping’an greeted politely.
Li Jianguo sized him up and smiled. “Good, good. It’s enough that you’re fine.”
“When I visited your house that day and saw you unconscious in bed, you really scared me.”
“I was planning to visit again, but your father said you were fine, so I was relieved.”
“Come, come, let’s go home. Your aunt is waiting.”
As he spoke, Li Jianguo reached for the bundle on Lu Ping’an’s father’s back.
Father smiled. “No need, I can carry it.”
Li Jianguo didn’t insist and led them into the courtyard.
Inside, two middle-aged women were standing there, both looking at them.
“Manager Li, this must be the nephew you often mention. Handsome indeed!”
One of the women greeted him with a smile.
Li Jianguo laughed. “Sister Huang, this is my brother-in-law and my nephew. My brother-in-law will also be working at the Kyoto Snowflake Refrigerator Factory.”
“But he won’t live here. He’s just visiting today to familiarize himself with the place.”
“My nephew Lu Ping’an will stay at my house for a few days. When I’m not home, I’ll trouble you two sisters to keep an eye on him.”
The other woman waved her hand. “No need for that talk. Once you’re in this courtyard, we’re all family!”
Lu Ping’an remained silent throughout. He had watched dramas about courtyard life—people seemed polite on the surface but were full of tricks behind the scenes.
He observed that this courtyard housed five families—not many, far fewer than the famous large courtyards elsewhere.
Fewer residents meant fewer troubles.
On the way in, two elderly men came out and greeted Li Jianguo.
From their conversation, Lu Ping’an learned that his second uncle was actually the courtyard manager.
The manager had some authority—cooperating with the neighborhood office and patrol units to handle minor affairs, easing the burden of local administration.
As they reached the door, it opened from inside.
A girl about twelve or thirteen stood there.
She was Li Lingyi, Second Uncle’s daughter—of course Lu Ping’an recognized her.
Second Aunt had poor health. After giving birth to Lingyi, she waited nearly eight years before having a son.
The siblings were eight years apart.
“Hello, Uncle! Hello, Cousin!”
Lingyi greeted brightly.
Just as she finished speaking, Second Aunt Zhang Huimei appeared with a smile.
“Brother-in-law, Ping’an, you’re here!”
Father responded warmly.
“Aunt, hello. Lingyi, hello!”
Lu Ping’an stepped forward to greet them.
Inside, he looked around but didn’t see his younger cousin.
“Cousin, are you looking for my brother? Grandpa and Grandma took him to the countryside.”
“Dad went to fetch him, but he refused to come back. He plays in the mud all day, chases chickens and ducks, teases puppies—he’s having the time of his life!”
Lingyi handed Lu Ping’an a cup of water as she spoke, her expression clearly revealing she didn’t miss her mischievous brother at home.
She soon went to examine the live pheasant—her first time seeing one up close.
Lu Ping’an looked around the house. It was simple: aside from the kitchen, there were three rooms.
That was already impressive—Second Uncle had bought it for nearly a thousand yuan.
In this era, few families could afford such a sum.
At that moment, Second Uncle and Father approached.
“Ping’an, you stay at home,” Li Jianguo said with a smile.
“I’ll accompany your father to the factory to finalize the job and handle other procedures.”
“Alright, Second Uncle. You go ahead.”
Li Jianguo nodded, wheeled out his Phoenix bicycle from the courtyard, and left with Father.
After sitting for a while, Lingyi returned holding several pheasant tail feathers.
“Cousin, it’s only a little past nine. Lunch won’t be for at least two hours. Want to go out for a walk?”
Lu Ping’an had long wanted to explore.
He had been here in his previous life, so the place wasn’t unfamiliar.
Bringing Lingyi along was really just a cover—otherwise, Second Aunt would never let him go alone.
Lingyi’s eyes lit up. She nodded quickly and whispered, “You tell my mom. If I say it, she won’t agree.”
Lu Ping’an laughed and called toward the kitchen:
“Second Aunt, Lingyi and I are going out for a stroll. We’ll be back before lunch!”
Before he finished speaking, Zhang Huimei appeared, smiling.
“Alright, go have a look around.”
She handed him one yuan and a sugar coupon.
“You can go to the supply and marketing cooperative and buy some candy as a snack.”
Lingyi huffed quietly. She had begged many times and never received such generosity.
Now that Cousin was here, her mother handed it over without hesitation—so unfair!
Lu Ping’an had intended to refuse, but after a moment’s thought, he accepted it.
“Thank you, Second Aunt.”
“Go on, just don’t stay out too long.”
She returned to the kitchen.
Lu Ping’an and Lingyi walked out side by side.
Lingyi’s eyes darted about as she carefully planned how to spend the huge sum of one yuan.
She couldn’t spend it all on candy—she also wanted to buy a pretty hair clip.