The Self-Cultivation of a Reborn Massage Therapist

Chapter 326 The Stormy Front Court
The adult world is unpredictable and turbulent, but the sky of children is forever clear and pure.
Deep within the crowded courtyards along Beijing's Second Ring Road lies a rare, secluded courtyard.

The courtyard is lush and green, with jujube trees on one side and pomegranate trees on the other. The once wildly growing branches have been neatly pruned.

The main room facing the courtyard gate was open. The black and white photos on the long table against the wall had disappeared. If you looked up, you would find that the once gleaming bronze plaque had also been taken down.

Now, this is just an ordinary residential courtyard inside the Second Ring Road.

DouDou carefully stored his meager possessions—the gifts he received on the day he returned to his mother's side—in a cardboard box he had chosen, and wouldn't let anyone touch them.

Yangyang spends all day climbing up and down, either riding on the courtyard wall to scare away stray cats or trying to catch cicadas from the old locust tree outside the courtyard with a tattered fishing net. He's incredibly brave, but he can't stand Dou Dou's stingy attitude.

After a few days of temporary stay, the simple-minded Liu Li has adapted to life here. The old Beijingers lead leisurely lives, and even taking care of two troublesome children is just a fulfilling part of Liu Li's daily routine.

September 10th is Teachers' Day.

The early morning sunlight is just right.

Under the old jujube tree, there were several old door panels that families couldn't bear to throw away. Liu Li was drying her floral shirt next to the door panels.

DouDou sat under the jujube tree, occupying the only small stool, taking small bites of an apple, and even picking up the peel that fell off and holding it in her palm.

Yangyang, watching impatiently from the side, was about to reach out when Liu Li stopped him with a smile. She was standing on tiptoe to hang the bed sheet to dry, and without noticing, the corner of the wet sheet swept over the apple in Dou Dou's hand.

Seeing the apple roll into the ditch, DouDou burst into tears.

Liu Li hurriedly went to help, apologizing repeatedly.

Without a word, Yangyang turned and ran out of the yard. A little while later, he rushed back, holding a larger, freshly washed red apple. Without a word, he shoved it into DouDou's hand, who was still wiping away tears, and said gruffly, "Why are you crying! This is for you! It's sweeter than yours!"

DouDou held the apple, stunned, and forgot to cry.

Just then, the courtyard gate creaked open, and a gentle male colleague slowly pushed the plump receptionist in her wheelchair into the yard. Her complexion was rosy, and she was full of energy, clearly having recovered quite well.

"Dou Dou, Yang Yang," her voice was gentle yet carried an undeniable force, "it's time to get ready for kindergarten."

The two children immediately stood up straight, and Dou Dou quietly stuffed the big red apple into his schoolbag, as if hiding a precious secret. Then, he and Yang Yang each took the male colleague's hand and skipped and hopped towards the legendary kindergarten.

The children were innocent and naive, unaware of the special significance of this kindergarten, but the kind-hearted Liu Li knew all too well—if the two children could really make some childhood friends there, the friendships built in childhood might illuminate their future paths.

DouDou held the red apple, still glistening with water droplets, and for a moment forgot to cry. She just stared blankly at her seemingly rough but considerate friend.

Just then, the courtyard gate creaked open, and a gentle male colleague slowly pushed the plump receptionist in her wheelchair into the yard. Her complexion was rosy, and she was full of energy, clearly having recovered quite well.

"Dou Dou, Yang Yang," her voice was gentle yet carried an undeniable force, "it's time to get ready for kindergarten."

The two children immediately stood up straight, and Dou Dou quietly stuffed the big red apple into his schoolbag, as if hiding a precious secret. Then, he and Yang Yang each took the male colleague's hand and skipped and hopped towards the legendary kindergarten.

The children were innocent and naive, unaware of the special significance of this kindergarten, but the kind-hearted Liu Li knew all too well—if the two children could really make some childhood friends there, the friendships built in childhood might illuminate their future paths.

“Aunt Chen,” Liu Li pushed the wheelchair towards the main room and asked softly, “How much longer are we going to stay here?” The plump receptionist smiled gently: “What? Have you finished all those online courses?”

Liu Li pushed the wheelchair to the dining table, sat down opposite it, and smiled sheepishly.

Looking at the honest and simple-minded girl in front of her, the chubby receptionist's mood brightened a bit: "If you get tired of studying, go take a stroll on Jinbao Street next door. But..."

"Okay, okay," Liu Li said excitedly, handing a fried dough stick to the plump receptionist. "No cell phones allowed, only bank cards. Aunt Chen, come and eat."

"Hmm~" The chubby receptionist took the soy milk, but sighed inwardly.

When these three people can leave depends on when Zhao Xiaochui can come back to pick them up; or, if he never appears again, these three people who have lost their usefulness will eventually be quietly sent away by a certain bureau.

The morning light filters through the branches and leaves of the old jujube tree, casting dappled shadows on the dining table, as if telling the story of the uncertain future for everyone in this courtyard.

The future is uncertain, but the chubby receptionist is certain that the new day will definitely not be a pleasant start.

…………

A new day, September 11th.

A relaxed and leisurely waiting area for passengers.

The air was filled with soothing essential oil aromatherapy, and the soft background music should have been relaxing, but for young mother Li Wan, it was somewhat agitating.

She refused the tea offered by the young lady and nervously stared at the studio, but the glass partition was already frosted, and she couldn't see anything.

She shouldn't have refused the young lady's offer to accompany her, but faced with the radiant beauty of Guoguo, she felt somewhat inferior, so...

She sat down in the waiting area.

Ten minutes had passed, and her patience was gradually wearing thin.

Ignoring the security guard's reminder upon entering that "to ensure an immersive experience, we suggest you put your phone down temporarily," she secretly took her phone out of her bag and skillfully opened a short video app.

The first video pushed to us was of the place where she was.

Without any jarring background music or exaggerated titles, a tall woman in a crisp navy blue uniform suddenly appears in the center of the screen. Her strikingly healthy, voluptuous figure and mature charm are none other than Guo Guo, the very woman who had just made Li Wei feel ashamed of herself.

"Hello everyone, I'm Guoguo." Her voice was clear and bright, and her slight Northeastern accent made her seem more down-to-earth. "Today I'm going to share with you the 'Hu' technique from the traditional 'Six-Character Formula' for health preservation, which is specifically for regulating the spleen and stomach."

She stood with her feet shoulder-width apart, her posture as steady as a pine tree.

"The key to mastering the 'exhale' technique is to keep your breath steady and long."

She inhaled slightly, her full chest rising and falling gently. Then, she parted her red lips and let out a deep, long, and even "whoosh" sound from the depths of her throat.

(End of this chapter)