Courtyard Houses: From Bronze Compasses to Global Reach

Chapter 207 Lin Yan, who gave up physical coordination

Lin Yan finished all his homework efficiently in less than half an hour. He packed his schoolbag and went downstairs, where he found Mike and Tom playing catch on the small lawn in front of the house, a white baseball arcing between them.

Tom looked up and saw Lin Yan coming out. He immediately called out, "Hey, Lin! Finished your homework? Can you play baseball?"

Lin Yan quickly went through the rules of the sport in his mind and found that its complexity was indeed a bit "hellish" for someone like him who was used to solving problems directly. So he honestly shook his head: "I don't really know how."

Tom didn't lecture him; instead, he enthusiastically pulled him over and shoved the ball into his hands: "It's okay! Just toss it around and see how it feels!"

Lin Yan gripped the stitched ball, mentally calculating how much force he needed to conserve to avoid injuring Mike, who was catching it. He raised his arm, ready to throw the ball—

"Mike! Lynn! Tom! Dinner's ready!" Mrs. Anderson called out from the doorway at just the right moment.

Lin Yan immediately breathed a sigh of relief and shoved the ball back into Mike's hands, laughing, "Eating is the most important thing." The three of them laughed and ran back into the house.

In the living room, the two little radish-heads, Emily and Benjamin, were already sitting at the dining table, looking curiously at tonight's meal.

Mrs. Anderson made excellent use of the premium beef Lin Yan had sent. Instead of indulging in a large, luxurious roast, she mixed some of the premium ground beef with regular ground beef to create a classic American meatloaf. This way, she could enjoy the richer aroma and smoother texture of the premium beef while also being very economical and satisfying for the whole family. The meatloaf was brushed with a slightly sweet tomato sauce and baked until it was fragrant and charred.

A large bowl of steaming, creamy mashed potatoes sits in the center of the table, the perfect accompaniment to the meatloaf and to soak up the gravy. Next to it, a basket holds several slices of soft store-bought bread, also for dipping in any delicious leftover sauce from the plate.

Mrs. Anderson used the gravy from the top-quality beef that seeped out while baking the meatloaf to make a rich, brown sauce that could be poured over the mashed potatoes and meatloaf.

A plate of heated, slightly soggy canned green beans, and a dish full of the era's unique character—pale green lime-flavored jelly with canned fruit chunks and chopped walnuts suspended in it. This was a common dish on many family tables at the time, serving as both a side dish and dessert, and Emily and Benjamin were particularly interested in it.

There was tap water poured from a kettle on the table, as well as chilled milk prepared for the children.

As Mrs. Anderson served the food to everyone, she said to Lin Yan somewhat apologetically, "Lin, thank you for bringing the beef. I've put it in the meatloaf. I hope you like our family's flavor. I originally wanted to make a roast, but..." She smiled and didn't finish her sentence, but the meaning was clear: that would be too extravagant, and meatloaf would be more sustainable.

Lin Yan immediately understood her intention and said sincerely, "It smells wonderful, Mrs. Anderson. Meatloaf is a classic delicacy, and I'm really looking forward to it."

Mike scooped up a large spoonful of mashed potatoes and meatloaf soaked in gravy and stuffed it into his mouth. After chewing a few times, his eyes lit up: "Mom, the meatloaf tastes especially good today!"

Tom nodded repeatedly and said to Lin Yan, "Lin, the beef you bought is amazing! Even ordinary meatloaf tastes different!"

Emily carefully scooped up a trembling piece of jelly salad with a spoon, while Benjamin tried to dip his bread into the milk in his cup, but Mike quickly stopped him.

After dinner, Mike conscientiously helped his mother clean up the kitchen and wash the dishes before saying goodbye to Mrs. Anderson and heading out with Lin Yan and Tom towards the bar.

In winter in New York, darkness falls early. The streets are already shrouded in night, the streetlights casting a dim, yellowish glow in the cold wind. Alongside them are many workers hurrying home, bundled up in their coats, their weary faces etched with longing for the warmth of family. This stands in stark contrast to the three teenagers heading towards an entertainment venue.

The bar was in the opposite direction from the school. After walking for about fifteen minutes, they saw their destination on a street corner—"Blue Shack" bar. Its facade was inconspicuous, with some mottled dark wooden walls, and one or two letters of the neon sign "Blue Shack" flickered as if they were malfunctioning. The windows were completely covered by dark curtains, with only a faint light and muffled music coming through the cracks in the door.

Pushing open the heavy wooden door, a wave of heat, a mixture of alcohol, tobacco, old wood, and the warmth of the crowd, rushed out, instantly dispelling the chill outside. The bar was more spacious than expected, dimly lit, mainly illuminated by spotlights on the bar shelves behind the bar and small candle lamps on each table. The air was filled with the blue smoke of cigarettes. Yellowed jazz posters and abstract paintings adorned the walls. It wasn't even seven o'clock yet, but quite a few people had already arrived, mostly sitting around small round tables drinking and chatting, with upbeat jazz records playing in the background.

"We've come at the perfect time, the band doesn't start until eight!" Tom led them to a seat that wasn't too far from the small stage. A bartender wearing an apron quickly came over, and Tom and Mike expertly ordered beer. Tom looked at Lin Yan, who only ordered a soda.

Around eight o'clock, a four-piece band took to the small stage. They called themselves "Midnight Comet." The members were all young men in their early twenties, sporting the then-popular ducktail hairstyle, and wearing skinny jeans and leather jackets. Their instruments were simple: lead guitar, rhythm guitar/vocals, bass, and a set of drums that looked a bit old.

Without any pleasantries, after tweaking their instruments a few times, the lead singer shouted into the microphone, "Okay, guys, get up!" Immediately, a powerful, primal rhythm exploded out!

Their music blends the powerful rhythms of early rock, the swing of rhythm and blues, and a touch of the rawness of country music. They've covered several early Elvis Presley songs, such as "Jailhouse Rock," and also played dance-infused tracks like Chubby Checker that sparked the twist dance craze. The music is simple and direct, with heavy drumbeats and bass lines pounding in the chest, and the guitar riffs, while not complex, are incredibly energetic.

As the music grew louder and the alcohol took effect, the atmosphere in the bar quickly heated up. People who were originally sitting at the tables stood up and crowded into the small open space in front of the stage.

Twist dancing has become the absolute mainstream! Young men and women no longer follow the traditional rules of ballroom dancing, but instead freely and joyfully twist their hips and bodies to the rhythm of the music, swinging their arms freely, their faces beaming with liberated joy and excitement. Laughter, screams, and whistles mingle with the music.

Tom and Mike, unable to contain themselves any longer, pulled Lin Yan into the dancing crowd. Tom was clearly a pro, his exaggerated dance moves quickly attracting girls who started dancing around him. Mike was a little shy, but he also swayed clumsily but happily to the rhythm.

Lin Yan stood there, feeling somewhat out of place, letting Mike pull his hand and sway him from side to side like a penguin with long legs, yet he was also touched by this pure, primal energy. Forget dancing! He saw that, catalyzed by alcohol and the heart-pounding rock music, the excess hormones in the young man's body were completely ignited and released.

On the dance floor, the gazes of men and women became bold and passionate. Their bodies drew closer and rubbed against each other, intentionally or unintentionally. At the most intense moments, under the dim, flickering lights, some figures embraced tightly, kissing passionately, completely oblivious to their surroundings. The entire bar seemed like a giant, boiling vessel, filled with youthful restlessness, rebellion against tradition, and the most unabashed desires for life.

The band "Midnight Comet" sweated profusely on stage, responding to the passion of the audience with wilder guitar solos and heavier drumbeats. The lead singer's hoarse voice, coming through the microphone, seemed to be shouting a declaration of a new era of youth.