Courtyard Houses: From Bronze Compasses to Global Reach

Chapter 275 Moving to London

Three days passed quietly amidst the sea breeze, waves, and the playful orcas. Lin Yan emptied almost a third of the fish he had stored in his spatial storage, finally feeding his saviors to their hearts' content.

The happiest of all was Xiao Qi. For the past three days, it had been having a blast. Sometimes it would reveal its true form as a Qilin, skimming low over the sea, causing the young orca to leap out of the water again and again. Other times it would transform back into its snow-white puppy form, being carefully perched on the nose of an orca, howling in the sea breeze. It had made friends—an experience it had never had before.

Therefore, when Lin Yan stood on the beach and softly said, "We should go," Xiao Qi, who had just been jumping for joy, froze instantly.

It turned its head, showing its rear end to Lin Yan: "Hmph!"

Lin Yan looked at the sullen figure, feeling both amused and helpless. He tried to reach out and touch it, but the little guy hopped two steps to the side, resolutely avoiding his touch and turning its back to him.

The orcas in the shallow waters seemed to sense the atmosphere of parting. They stopped frolicking and instead quietly lingered in the nearshore waters, emitting long, deep calls, as if trying to hold them back or seeing them off.

Looking at this situation where he was caught in the middle, Lin Yan could only shake his head and smile bitterly.

He faced the pod of whales, waved to the large, black-and-white creatures, and called out, "I'll come see you again when I have time!"

The whales' calls became more frequent, as if in response.

Then, he looked again at that stubborn white figure:

"Stop fooling around, Xiao Qi."

"We really should go."

The sea breeze blew, ruffling Xiaoqi's fur. Its little ears twitched slightly, but it stubbornly refused to turn around.

Dongxinglong Street, Beijing

A few days later, an invitation arrived, drawing Lin Yan to the renowned West Flower Hall.

The room was simply furnished, with dappled shadows of trees swaying outside the window. The gentleman, dressed in a slightly worn grey Zhongshan suit, personally poured Lin Yan a cup of tea, his smile warm and infectious: "Comrade Lin Yan, your observations of the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River, as well as the suggestions you made in Jinggangshan, are very valuable. On behalf of the country and the people, I want to thank you."

"You flatter me, sir. It's just my duty." Lin Yan accepted the teacup with both hands, his expression respectful yet neither servile nor arrogant. Amidst the rising aroma of the tea, he could sense the other man's insightful gaze and the profound weariness left by working tirelessly day and night for the country and its people.

After a few casual words, the conversation naturally turned to the current situation in various regions. When he talked about the encouraging data reported by some places, a hint of caution, barely perceptible, appeared in the depths of his eyes.

Lin Yan knew that the time had come.

He put down his teacup, his voice softening: "You're so busy with work, everything you see and hear consists of reports submitted layer by layer. Have you ever considered how many hands have 'polished' these reports before they reach your desk?"

The gentleman paused slightly in his tea-serving hand, his gaze suddenly sharpening, signaling him to continue.

"I once heard an old saying," Lin Yan didn't answer directly, but instead changed his perspective, "Those in positions of power are like eagles soaring high in the sky, with a broad vision that can see the grand scheme of things, but they often can't see how the mice in the forest dig their burrows or how the ants carry their food. If they only listen to the one-sided story of the hunters who are responsible for guarding the forest, they will inevitably be misled by the temporary silence or noise in the forest, thinking that everything is peaceful, or that there are huge problems."

He looked out the window, as if gazing at a wider world. "Hunters eager for promotion will instinctively report good news and conceal bad news, even portraying a rat infestation as a sign of abundant grain. If this eagle didn't have the eyes and determination to swoop down and investigate, then the 'world' it saw might only be the 'world' that hunters wanted it to see."

These words, though spoken very subtly, carried immense weight.

The gentleman fell silent. With his keen intellect, he immediately grasped Lin Yan's unspoken meaning—that outside the existing reporting system, one or more direct information channels leading to the grassroots, unaffected by intermediaries, must be established. He needed his own "eyes" to see the most authentic, unvarnished aspects of people's lives.

After a long silence, he slowly exhaled, his eyes filled with complex emotions. He looked at the young man before him, as if trying to understand him anew. "The higher you climb, the colder it gets... Sometimes, it's not because of the cold, but because the clouds obscure your vision. Comrade Lin Yan, your analogy is profound and timely."

Knowing that his goal had been achieved, Lin Yan said no more, only adding softly, "You bear a heavy responsibility; only with keen hearing and sharp eyes can you discern the subtle details and make the most realistic judgments."

Amidst the cicadas' chirping and the sweltering heat of Beijing, Lin Yan's domestic affairs had come to an end. In a small courtyard on Dongxinglong Street, he bid a brief farewell to Lin San.

"I'm leaving this to you." Lin Yan's tone was calm, but it carried a great deal of trust.

"Don't worry, young master." Lin San bowed, his meaning clear without words.

August 2nd, 8 PM, London

On a summer night, a light mist hung over the Thames River. Wearing a simple dark polo shirt, Willy Linyan stood in the shadow of Big Ben, watching the passing tourists with great interest.

Before the echoes of the bells had completely faded, a Rolls-Royce silently pulled up in front of him. The door opened, and Albert quickly walked around to Lin Yan, respectfully opening the door.

"Young Master."

Lin Yan nodded slightly and leaned down to sit in the soft leather seat inside the car. The car started smoothly again, merging into the London night traffic and heading towards Kensington.

The car interior was filled with the faint scent of wood and leather. Albert broke the silence by glancing at the boy in the back seat through the rearview mirror:

"Young Master, how long do you plan to stay in Europe this time?"

Lin Yan's gaze swept across the dazzling street scene outside the window.

"I won't be staying long." He paused. "I came to London just to tell you something in person."

He looked away, his gaze briefly meeting Albert's through the rearview mirror.

"Whether you do it or not is up to you."

After he finished speaking, he said no more, leaving only a pause that intrigued people.

"I'll tell you the details when we get home."

The car slowly came to a stop in front of a tall cast-iron gate, with a brass plaque on the side of the gate that read "North Court".

Albert opened the car door for Lin Yan. Before them stood a typical Queen Anne Revival-style mansion; in Kensington in 1960, such a distinctive and spacious villa was quite rare. The warm red brick walls and pure white window lintels appeared serene and elegant under the courtyard lights, while an asymmetrical tower on one side added a unique charm.

"We've arrived, young master."

Albert led Lin Yan through the meticulously maintained front yard. The 0.6-acre garden was a luxury in central London, with tall trees and shrubs outlining a deep silhouette in the night, completely isolating it from the hustle and bustle of the world.

The heavy oak doors slid open silently, revealing an interior with a calm and understated style that perfectly complemented the exterior architecture. Albert didn't linger, leading Lin Yan directly through the foyer to the study at the back.