I feel right at home in the world of the courtyard house.

After finishing his conversation with Director Zhao, Li Jing'an left the office and prepared to go to a private room in the restaurant for a meal.

As soon as I entered the hall, I saw the eldest son of the Lu family, his face bruised and swollen, looking around anxiously, like a stray dog ​​that had lost its bones.

Li Jing'an frowned and said to Director Zhao, "Tell him what we just talked about, and then have him wait outside the guesthouse. You go first, I'll wait for you in the private room."

Director Zhao nodded and bowed hurriedly: "Okay, okay, Comrade Li, you go first, I'll explain it to him right away."

Li Jing'an entered the restaurant's private room. Lin Wan and Director Wang were sitting inside, and they quickly stood up when he entered.

Li Jing'an chuckled and waved his hand, "Sit down, sit down. We're all family here, why bother with all this formality?" He had a friendly smile on his face, but he didn't linger. He went straight to the seat next to Lin Wan and sat down.

"Lin Wan, is there anything you'd like to eat?" He turned his head, his tone as gentle as if he were coaxing his own younger sister. "Tell Brother Li what you like to eat, and I'll have them make it. Don't be shy, just make yourself at home."

Lin Wan lowered her head, her fingers unconsciously twisting the hem of her clothes, and said somewhat awkwardly, "No need, Brother Li, I'm fine with anything."

Looking at her timid appearance, Li Jing'an's eyes flashed with a hint of barely perceptible satisfaction. He chuckled and asked, "By the way, Lin Wan, are you satisfied with the conditions we just discussed?"

Lin Wan hesitated for a moment, then quickly looked up and then lowered her eyes again: "Ah? Brother Li, wouldn't this be too... wouldn't it have some impact on you?" Her voice grew softer and softer, as if she was afraid of being overheard. The condition she was offering was that her house, which was originally 25 square meters, would be expanded by 5 square meters to become 30 square meters, and that the eldest son of the Lu family would have to pay her 300 yuan in compensation. She wouldn't even dare to dream of such a condition.

Li Jing'an smiled, a smile tinged with righteous indignation: "Don't think like that. You don't know, I don't tolerate any injustice. How can I show mercy to such bad elements? You have to believe me, even if it weren't your family, I would have helped any other passerby in this situation. That's just my temperament, that's just how I am." As he spoke, he stood ramrod straight, his eyes gleaming.

Lin Wan looked up, her eyes filled with gratitude and trust, and nodded vigorously: "Yes, yes, I believe in Brother Li, you're so kind."

Across from him, Director Wang wore a forced smile, but his toes were secretly digging into the ground inside his shoes, as if he wanted to dig a hole and disappear—he felt utterly superfluous in this private room.

Fortunately, Director Zhao arrived from outside at that moment.

Li Jing'an called out towards the door, "Yufei, serve the food. Also, open two bottles of Moutai."

---

Everyone was full and satisfied.

Li Jing'an sat drunk in the private room, his face flushed and his eyes somewhat unfocused. He waved to Director Zhao and Chief Wang, "Old Zhao, Old Wang, I won't see you off. Look, I've had a bit too much to drink." He then leaned back in his chair, looking languid.

Director Wang and Director Zhao quickly stood up and replied repeatedly, "No need to see us off, no need to see us off, we can go by ourselves."

Li Jing'an added casually, as if he were remarking on the nice weather: "Um, Director Zhao, could you have the eldest son of the Lu family settle the bill?"

Director Zhao readily agreed, "Of course, of course. Don't worry, I'll call him to settle the bill as soon as I get out."

Li Jing'an stood up, swaying like a tree in the wind. Lin Wan, who had been sitting next to him, quickly reached out to support his arm. Zhou Yufei also came over to support his other arm.

Li Jing'an frowned, his tone impatient: "Yufei, you don't need to help me. Go with Director Zhao and settle the bill. Go on, don't worry about me." He waved his hand as if shooing away a mosquito.

Zhou Yufei rolled her eyes, pouted, and followed Director Zhao out.

Li Jing'an turned to look at Lin Wan, his eyes somewhat unfocused: "Let's go. Take me back to my office, I've had a bit too much to drink... Lin Wan, is that you?" His voice was muffled, as if he had something in his mouth.

Lin Wan quickly replied, "It's me, Brother Li, it's me."

"Hmm, I almost didn't recognize you." Li Jing'an rubbed his temples. "How about this, you take me to my office first, and then I'll find a car to have a driver take you home."

Afterwards, Li Jing'an walked along the road with a limp, his steps unsteady. Sometimes he would trip and fall forward, almost falling. Lin Wan tried her best to help him up each time, but Li Jing'an was tall and strong, and her thin arms couldn't support him at all. She could only grit her teeth and hold on to his arm tightly, fine beads of sweat appearing on her forehead.

On the way, Li Jing'an stammered again, "Who are you?" His eyes were vacant as he stared ahead, as if he really couldn't recognize people.

Lin Wan patiently replied, "Brother Li, I am Lin Wan."

"Ah, you're Lin Wan." He paused, his brow furrowing. "Where's my wife? Where's Jialing?"

"Brother Li, you're at the guesthouse right now, not at home." Lin Wan's voice was gentle, like she was coaxing a child.

"Oh, really? I drank too much, I'm so dizzy I don't even know where I am..." he muttered, his steps becoming even more unsteady. "Jialing? No, Lin Wan, right? Okay."

As they spoke, they entered Li Jing'an's office. Guided by Li Jing'an, the two went into the lounge.

The moment the door closed, the air seemed to freeze.

"Ah—Brother Li!" Lin Wan exclaimed in the lounge, her voice filled with panic and bewilderment.

"Wife..." Li Jing'an's voice was muffled, as if he were talking in his sleep.

"Brother Li, I am Lin Wan, not Jia Ling..." Lin Wan's voice was trembling with sobs, but it was quickly swallowed up by something.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.