Courtyard Houses: From Bronze Compasses to Global Reach

Chapter 199 Pre-class Preparation

Emerging from the somewhat solemn principal's office, Lin Yan didn't immediately go home. He stood on the street outside Bryant High School, the crisp winter air invigorating him. Since he was going to play the role of an ordinary student, he needed to be fully prepared.

He strolled slowly along the streets surrounding the school, his gaze sweeping over the shops. Soon, he found a stationery store that looked quite old. He pushed open the door, and the bell on the door rang crisply. The store was filled with the smell of paper, ink, and wood, and the shelves were piled high with all kinds of stationery.

He wasn't particularly picky; following the standard setup for an average student, he picked out five sturdy-looking fountain pens and five common ballpoint pens. Considering fountain pens need refilling, he also grabbed two bottles of blue-black ink. Next were several thick notebooks with simple lined or plain covers. Finally, he chose a dark blue canvas pencil case and put all the pens and ink inside. At checkout, the price was so cheap it made him slightly dazed.

Carrying a simple stationery bag, Lin Yan walked out of the store and hailed a taxi.

"Fifth Avenue," he said, giving the address.

The taxi drove away from Queens, and the streetscape outside the window gradually became more bustling and sophisticated. Reaching Fifth Avenue, he paid and got out, blending into the flow of people on this world-famous commercial street. He needed some sports equipment; after all, high school life wouldn't be complete without physical education classes and extracurricular activities.

He walked into a fairly large sporting goods store, which displayed a variety of sportswear and equipment. Basketball is extremely popular among American teenagers, so he went straight to the basketball section and, according to his size, casually picked out five sets of basketball uniforms in different colors, made of comfortable and sweat-wicking fabric, from vests and shorts to athletic socks and shoes. He completed the process quickly, with a clear goal in mind.

Carrying his newly bought basketball uniform and his old stationery, Lin Yan stood on the side of Fifth Avenue, his brow slightly furrowed. Next came the question of elective courses. According to the course information he had received, arts were required credits. Drama performance? Choir? The thought of performing exaggeratedly or singing loudly in front of a crowd, even with his cultivator's composure, made him feel that the scene was a bit…too "socially awkward." He'd choose a musical instrument instead—quiet and peaceful, perfect!

Piano or violin would be good choices. The key point is that he hasn't studied it systematically, which fits the image of a beginner and makes it less likely to be obvious.

He asked a passerby for directions, turned into a relatively quiet side street, and found a musical instrument store that looked quite professional and upscale. The window displayed violins with a warm, lustrous sheen and beautifully shaped pianos.

Pushing open the heavy glass door, the store's interior was elegant, with a faint scent of pine and wood in the air. A well-dressed manager with meticulously combed hair greeted us.

"Good afternoon, sir. Is there anything I can do for you?" The manager's gaze quickly swept over Lin Yan's clothes and the ordinary shopping bag he was carrying, but his professionalism kept him perfectly polite.

"I'd like to see the piano and violin," Lin Yan said calmly.

"Of course, please come this way." The manager guided him on the tour.

Lin Yan wasn't completely ignorant about musical instrument brands. He skipped over the ordinary brands and stopped in front of a grand piano with a sleek design and a mirror-like finish in the piano section.

"This is a Steinway Model L, also known as the 227 size. It has a balanced tone and is very suitable for home practice and performance," the manager introduced at the opportune moment.

Lin Yan gently pressed a key, and a rich, full tone resonated in the quiet exhibition hall. He nodded.

"This one will do."

A flicker of surprise crossed the manager's eyes, but he quickly concealed it. Then, arriving at the violin section, Lin Yan's gaze fell upon a finely crafted violin with beautiful wood grain.

"This is a work by Maestro Palisenda; its tone is warm and penetrating..."

"Okay." Lin Yan made his decision before the manager could finish speaking. "I'll take this Steinway 227 and this Palisade violin. Deliver them to this address." He gave the address of the New York villa.

The manager took the address, his attitude becoming even more respectful, and quickly calculated the price. "Sir, the total is two hundred and fifteen thousand US dollars. What do you think…?"

Lin Yan pretended to take a cash checkbook from the inside pocket of his coat, but actually took it from his storage ring. He neatly signed the amount and his name, tore off a check, and handed it over. "Deliver it as soon as possible."

"Of course! We will deliver it on time tomorrow morning!" The manager accepted the check with both hands, his tone full of enthusiasm.

With the manager almost bowing as he saw him off, Lin Yan, carrying a bag containing cheap stationery and basketball jerseys that was completely disproportionate to the amount he had just spent, walked out of the music store with a normal expression and rejoined the crowd on Fifth Avenue.

January 11th, Monday. A winter morning, the sky was just beginning to lighten.

Lin Yan finished packing and walked down the stairs with his backpack containing new stationery and textbooks. Wang Yuling was already waiting in the lobby. When she saw him come down, she quickly stepped forward and stuffed a sandwich wrapped in oil paper and a sealed glass bottle into his hands.

"Young Master, you can't go to bed on an empty stomach in the morning. This is a freshly made ham and egg sandwich, and the animal milk in the bottle is warmed up. Remember to eat it in the car." Wang Yuling said with concern in her eyes, giving him a long, nagging instruction.

Lin Yan accepted the still-warm breakfast and nodded, "Okay, I got it." Then, remembering something, he added, "Xiao Qi is still sleeping in my room. If it wakes up and can't find me, throw a tantrum. Just roast some spirit beast meat for it and coax it a little."

Lin Yan's lips curved slightly as he imagined Xiao Qi looking pitiful after waking up because she couldn't find him.

"Don't worry, I know. I'll definitely take good care of Young Master Qi," Wang Yuling replied with a smile.

Lin Yan then turned around, pushed open the door, and walked out. The cold morning air instantly enveloped him.

Outside the villa, a black Lincoln Continental sedan was parked quietly on the street, the faint sound of the engine warming up coming from under the hood. Lin Gang, dressed in a neat dark outfit, stood beside the car. Seeing him get out, he immediately bowed and opened the back door.

Lin Yan originally planned to follow local customs and take the subway to school like most New York students. However, his only previous experience with the mixed smells and crowded conditions in the carriages was too much for his germaphobia to bear, so he had to give up and accept this "not-so-ordinary" way of commuting.

He bent down and sat in the warm car, placing his schoolbag beside him. Lin Gang gently closed the door, returned to the driver's seat, and smoothly started the car.

The car merged into the increasingly busy morning traffic, heading towards Long Island. Lin Yan leaned back in the comfortable rear seat, unwrapped the oil paper package, took a bite of the sandwich, and gazed at the receding street scene outside the window. He began to slowly enjoy this warm breakfast, preparing for his first day at William C. Bryant High School.