Chapter 6
The next day, before dawn, Yi Lan Lin climbed out of bed and began preparing for the day's mission.
To avoid suspicion, when she returned from Uncle Shengli’s house the day before, she had deliberately chosen a blind spot to sit in, making it nearly impossible to be seen leaving. Before heading out, she had even taken the family bicycle, so that her grandparents would think she was going to the library.
With everything meticulously prepared, Yi Lan hid the bicycle and took shelter in her chosen spot wearing a straw hat.
Soon, the bugle from the military camp beside the courtyard sounded.
Hearing the familiar call, Yi Lan tucked herself in a little tighter.
As the sounds of cooking began to fill the air, one by one, people started to emerge from their homes.
The courtyard where Grandpa Lin lived was vast but housed a relatively simple community—military officers and their families. Most buildings were multi-story apartment blocks; on the east side were a few detached two-story houses reserved for high-ranking leaders, while the west side still had some single-story houses yet to be renovated, mostly inhabited by retired leaders.
According to the news Yi Lan had heard recently, the west side was soon to be rebuilt into apartment blocks, which would then be allocated to active-duty officers. Retired leaders like her grandfather would then move to a dedicated retirement community.
Watching more and more officers in military green uniforms leaving the building where Uncle Shengli lived, Yi Lan straightened up and prepared herself.
“Good morning, Sister Zhao, Aunt Liu,” she greeted.
“Aunt Liu, why are you out so early today? Is your whole family going out together this morning?”
“My daughter-in-law insisted on accompanying me for a hospital check-up. I really don’t understand the younger generation’s thinking—going to the hospital when you’re not even sick.”
“Mom, how long has it been since your last check-up? You should have a proper examination.”
“Alright, alright, A Hong, I’m listening to you now. Stop nagging me.”
“Aunt Liu, Sister-in-law and Captain Zhao are just worried about your health. Getting a check-up will ease their minds.”
Hearing the three chatting, Yi Lan finally breathed a sigh of relief.
This was all she could do. Whatever happened next was beyond her control.
Thinking this, she felt an itch on her face and slapped herself lightly.
“Damn, even mosquitoes are up this early.”
After confirming that her grandmother’s former leaders had gone for their check-ups, Yi Lan grabbed her bag, found her bicycle, and rode out of the courtyard.
Though she wasn’t short—actually a bit taller than in her previous life—riding the old-fashioned “28-inch” bicycle was truly exhausting.
She wobbled along, heading toward the carpenter’s house she had contacted earlier.
Passing through several alleys and the city’s furniture factory, Yi Lan dismounted at the entrance of a large communal courtyard.
Though it was past starting hours, the yard was still bustling.
“Can you stop dumping water right in front of our door?”
“Who dumped it? It flowed there on its own—does it have eyes or what?”
“How dare you speak like that! You good-for-nothing, never working, thinking you’re some big shot in the city? What a little punk.”
“Who the hell are you talking about?”
Yi Lan stepped into the courtyard and immediately saw the commotion. It was lively indeed—she wondered if the neighbors ever got tired of such daily quarrels.
A stranger entering the yard instantly drew everyone’s attention.
Noticing all eyes on her, Yi Lan quickly explained, “Good morning, I’m here to have something made by Uncle Zhao.”
The scolding woman eyed Yi Lan then shouted, “Zhao Wooden Head, someone’s here to have something made.”
“Coming.”
“You’re the first one this early to come see the carpenter,” the woman mumbled under her breath.
Though she spoke softly, Yi Lan heard and could only smile awkwardly, rubbing her nose.
Zhao Wooden Head yawned, stepping out wearing cloth shoes and a short-sleeved shirt. Seeing Yi Lan at the door, his expression changed immediately. “Oh, you’re here so early?”
Yi Lan tugged at her bag strap. “Uncle Zhao, I finished drawing the designs, so I came straight to you.”
“And I needed it urgently, so I came right after breakfast.”
Zhao glanced up at the sun. “You really did come right after breakfast.”
His wife appeared, quickly tapping Zhao on the shoulder. “Watch your words! Comrade Lin, come anytime you want.”
“Don’t worry, we’ll get your designs made right away.”
Yi Lan parked her bike in a corner of the yard. “Alright, thanks to you both.”
“By the way, have you had breakfast? If not, wait until you’ve eaten, then we can talk.”
Zhao was about to say he’d half-eaten when his wife interrupted, “Of course he’s eaten. Comrade Lin, please.”
Seeing that, he nodded, “Yes, yes, I’m done. Let’s discuss your designs.”
Yi Lan followed Zhao inside, politely smiling at those left outside.
Once inside, the people outside began whispering.
The scolding woman poked the short-haired lady beside her. “Did you see that girl’s bag? Military green, and the fabric looks like authentic army material. When did our Zhao Wooden Head get connected with such a person?”
The short-haired lady tiptoed to peek inside Zhao’s house. “Look at the bike she rode, and the army water bottle she’s carrying—not someone ordinary.”
“Looks like we need to be a bit more respectful to Zhao from now on,” a young man washing dishes chimed in.
The scolding woman scoffed, “A bootlicker, always fussing over useless things.”
The young man shook the water off his hands. “Auntie, I was just being polite earlier. Don’t take it the wrong way.”
The woman sized him up, raised an eyebrow, smiled, and turned away.
The young man fumed, “What do you mean by that?”
Their argument soon drifted inside.
Zhao’s wife immediately brought a bowl of water to Yi Lan. “Don’t mind them, this communal yard is always noisy.”
Then she shouted toward the yard, “So noisy! Can you keep it down early in the morning?!”
Seeing this, Yi Lan quickly took several design sheets from her bag and handed them to Zhao. “Uncle Zhao, these are the designs I drew. Can you make these?”
Her designs weren’t complicated—just parts for handrails.
Ever since recalling the reason behind her grandmother’s accident, Yi Lan had applied her knowledge of universal and accessible design to create designs for her grandparents’ home.
Most handrails required metal components but needed wooden edges, so she sought out Uncle Zhao.
Zhao took the papers, glanced at Yi Lan, and said, “Wow! You’re professional, huh? Didn’t realize before.”
Yi Lan just smiled, unsure what to say.
After a moment, Zhao marked the papers with a pencil, then fetched a stack of worn draft papers from his drawer.
He flipped through her designs, jotting notes on the drafts.
Curious, Yi Lan peered over. “Uncle Zhao, is there something wrong with my drawings?”
Zhao pulled a pencil from behind his ear. “No, no. I was just calculating some measurements.”
“No wonder you came to me. Those handrails with these dimensions aren’t sold anywhere, and even if they are, you wouldn’t be able to buy them.”
After some muttering, Zhao looked up.
“I see you want to design several types of handrails, but you’re probably asking me to cover them with wood, right? Have you found anyone else for the other parts? This should be the last part I handle.”
Yi Lan nodded. Though he looked a bit slow, when it came to his craft, he spoke confidently.
“Yes, I’ve already arranged for the other parts to be made. This is the only part left to start.”
“Any other thoughts after looking at the designs?”
Zhao’s wife glanced at the papers. Though she couldn’t understand the drawings, this was much more professional than any previous designs they’d seen.
She stole a few looks at Yi Lan, thinking, “You never show your true colors, huh? No signs of your skills at all.”
“Your designs don’t need any changes from me. Luckily, no one’s asked me to make anything lately, so I can start right away. But do you want me to make these parts first, or wait until you have all the components to assemble together?”
Zhao tucked the pencil behind his ear.
Yi Lan thought for a moment. With school starting soon and no problem assembling herself, she said, “Just start now. I’m on a tight schedule.”
“Oh, and Uncle Zhao, could you apply a coat of varnish to the wood?”
He nodded.
Since it was their first collaboration, to protect both parties’ interests, Yi Lan asked Zhao to draft a contract as a guarantee.
After paying the deposit, she rode her bicycle home.
On the way back, watching the pedestrians, Yi Lan noticed subtle new changes in the city compared to a month ago. The streets looked more colorful, and many girls had started curling their hair.
She felt anew the rush of a rapidly developing era sweeping through. She was caught in the current, unable to escape—only unsure if she could seize the opportunity and rise with the tide or lose her way amidst the flood.