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

At the entrance of the guesthouse, Li Jing'an was shaking hands with someone, a jeep was parked nearby, and Zhou Yufei stood quietly beside Li Jing'an.

The person on the other end smiled and said, "Thank you for your hospitality, Director Li. Don't worry, I'll arrange for the factory's technicians to go to Comrade Zhou's house to take measurements as soon as I get back. I guarantee it will be done with the same high quality and quantity as before."

Li Jing'an smiled and waved his hand, feigning displeasure as he said, "Hey, how can you say it's like assigning a task? I don't like hearing you say that. We're friends, we're always helping each other out. In the end, you're the one helping me, so don't be so formal."

"It's my fault, my fault. Look at me, I'm so tongue-tied." Factory manager Du of the furniture factory replied with a smile.

"Alright, that's all for today. We'll keep in touch when we have time." Li Jing'an continued, "The furniture that Comrade Yufei's family bought this time is the same as the furniture that my father's family bought. I'll have the guesthouse prepare a list of supplies later, and we'll go through the proper procedures to report it as a unified replacement and addition of furniture for our guesthouse."

After saying that, he raised his hand and gently patted the other person's shoulder.

Factory Director Du immediately understood: "Understood, understood. I'll go back and arrange for it to start right away. When the furniture style or design is finalized, if Comrade Zhou has any dissatisfaction, he can just bring it up directly, and I'll adjust it to the required standard."

"Thank you for your trouble, Factory Manager." Zhou Yufei said with a smile, nodding politely to the Factory Manager.

Factory Director Du then turned around, got into his car, and drove away.

After the jeep drove away, Li Jing'an turned to Zhou Yufei beside him and asked, "How was it, Yufei? I haven't been to your house yet. Are you satisfied?"

Zhou Yufei smiled broadly and replied happily, "Satisfied, extremely satisfied! To have my own toilet and kitchen, what more could I ask for?"

She continued, rambling on, "The apartment was originally 35 square meters, a one-bedroom, one-living room layout, which I thought was quite spacious. But when the contractor came to measure the furniture, he had the workers partition it up and create a separate room, turning it into two small bedrooms. My son and I will each have our own room, so that when he grows up, he'll have his own place to live."

"Oh, right, when we're making the furniture, we should also make a desk and bookshelves for our son at the same time, so that he won't have nowhere to put his books and study when he goes to school..."

Zhou Yufei kept talking about one thing after another, unable to stop.

Seeing her rambling on and on, Li Jing'an smiled and interrupted her directly: "Alright, alright, Yufei, that's enough."

"You can design and decorate however you like, without having to skimp or compromise. All expenses for materials, workmanship, and furniture will be directly offset through the official account under the guise of replacing the guesthouse's furniture."

"You don't need to spend a single penny of your own money. Just be bold and decorate as you like."

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.

In Zhangjia Village, Huairou District, at the grain drying ground at the west end of the village.

Li Jing'an's eldest uncle, wearing a thick military overcoat, stood quietly in place, looking up at the vast expanse of green wheat fields before him. His gaze was distant, and he seemed to be pondering something in his heart, silently planning the future affairs of Ming Village.

After the New Year, he was officially appointed by the commune as the brigade secretary of Zhangjia Village, replacing the previous person. Looking at the boundless, thriving fields of crops before him, a complex mix of emotions welled up inside him. A farmer who had toiled in the land his whole life, he had little formal education, and the myriad feelings in his heart were simply indescribable. He only felt that his back was now straight and strong, and he exuded an unprecedented sense of confidence.

He subconsciously imitated the others, shrugging his shoulders forcefully and casually shaking off and adjusting the military overcoat draped over his shoulders. This was the gesture he often saw the commune secretary make—swaying his shoulders and adjusting his overcoat as he walked, exuding an air of authority. Over time, he unconsciously and subconsciously adopted it.

He still wore a soft military cap, a uniform he now wore wherever he went. Ever since Li Jing'an took him and his grandson to the local armed forces department in Huairou, not only did he successfully secure his grandson's enlistment, but he also conveniently picked up two proper military overcoats for him from the department before leaving. Once he put on those coats, he couldn't bear to take them off.

As he was gazing intently into the distance, lost in thought as he looked at the wheat field, a voice carrying a hint of complaint suddenly came from behind him.

"Dad, Dad, what are you doing here? It's so cold."

The eldest uncle slowly turned around upon hearing the voice. Seeing it was his eldest son, his brows immediately furrowed, and he coldly reprimanded, "Why haven't you gone back to work today? Doesn't the factory care about you? They think you can just come and go as you please?"

Ever since he became the brigade secretary, his eldest son has been running to the village every few days, instead of working properly in the city. He was furious with himself.

The older cousin's face instantly showed a hint of embarrassment, and he quickly and carefully explained, "Dad, I was just worried you wouldn't be able to manage everything at home. You know, how can we manage without an adult male in the family? I'll come back and help you with some village matters."

"Bullshit! What nonsense are you spouting? Do I need your help?" The eldest uncle immediately flew into a rage and shouted angrily.

"I've been here for so many years, what don't I know? You still want to help me? Let me tell you, you'd better get back to the city to work tomorrow! Don't you even think about how much effort Jing'an has put into getting you factory jobs, and you're almost ready to transfer your household registration? Why aren't you working properly? What are you doing running back home all the time?"

His face was full of anger and disappointment as he glared at his good-for-nothing son.

The eldest son, after being scolded, showed no anger whatsoever. Instead, he stubbornly continued to argue, "Dad, I'm doing this for your own good! Look at how old you are now, your energy isn't what it used to be. In a few years, if you can't do it anymore, who will take over the position of brigade secretary?"

He took two steps forward, his eyes full of calculation, and his tone tentative: "How about I quit my job at the factory and come back to help you now, and in a few years I'll take over the business? Wouldn't that be perfect, Dad?"

"You son of a bitch! All you ever think about is this!" The eldest uncle glared angrily and retorted, "Let me tell you, stop dreaming. I'm in great shape; I can work for another twenty years without a problem. Even if I retire, I won't let you do it, and don't count on the second son either. I'll pass it on directly to my grandsons. You're really dreaming! Do you have something to say? If not, get the hell out of here!"

"Something's up! You scolded me just now, and I completely forgot about the important matter!" My older cousin suddenly slapped his thigh and exclaimed as if he had just realized something. "People from the Jing'an Guesthouse have arrived with four trucks, carrying four loads of cement. They've already driven over from the east end of the village and are all parked at the village entrance!"

"Why the hell didn't you say so earlier! All that nonsense is just wasting time!" The eldest uncle's face immediately darkened, and he launched into another scathing reprimand.