Courtyard Houses: From Bronze Compasses to Global Reach

Chapter 214 The way rich people solve problems: throw money at them!

Around 8 PM, Alexander contacted Lin Yan, who was practicing piano in the music room, through his spiritual connection: "Young Master, the matter you instructed has been taken care of. The basketball coach we found is a former NBA player, specializing in fundamentals and physical training; the piano and violin teachers are also senior professors from the Juilliard School. They will be waiting for us at the villa after school tomorrow afternoon."

"Not bad efficiency," Lin Yan replied, then continued to "compete" with the Steinway piano, trying to control the force and make the tone softer.

The situation didn't improve immediately during the basketball club activity the following afternoon. Although Lin Yan had realized his problems, his clumsy tactical positioning, his still easily impulsive defense, and his not-yet-fully-adapted strength made his performance seem "terrible"—at least in his own eyes. Several times, he knocked down people because he charged too hard, or his passes after grabbing rebounds were too powerful, sending the balls flying out of bounds. This feeling of powerlessness ignited his intense competitive spirit, and when the bell rang, he was almost silently the first to leave the gymnasium.

Mike and Tom had already quit their part-time jobs at the bar yesterday, and now they quickly followed him. They could sense the oppressive aura emanating from Lin Yan, exchanged a glance, and dared not say anything more.

At the school gate, Lin Gang's black Lincoln Continental was already waiting quietly. Lin Yan opened the car door, then seemed to snap out of his daze, and greeted the two of them, "Get in."

The car started smoothly, but instead of heading towards Queens, it drove directly into the heart of Manhattan—the Upper East Side. Tom and Mike knew Lin Yan came from a wealthy family, but they also understood what the Upper East Side meant; it wasn't just about money, but a symbol of status. When the car finally stopped in front of an imposing detached house with a private yard and wrought-iron gate, the excitement they had felt about the upcoming meal was instantly replaced by an invisible pressure, leaving them somewhat flustered.

Charles, already dressed in a smart butler's uniform, was waiting at the door. Lin Yan got out of the car and introduced them to Charles: "Charles, these are my classmates, Mike and Tom."

Charles immediately bowed, performing a standard English butler's bow, his tone respectful yet friendly: "Mr. Mike, Mr. Tom, good day. Welcome to our home, please come in."

Stepping into the astonishingly high-ceilinged living room, Mike felt his eyes could barely take it all in. Smooth marble floors, a massive crystal chandelier, walls adorned with seemingly ancient yet evocative Eastern paintings, and soft wool carpets that practically sank into his ankles… everything silently proclaimed ultimate luxury. He couldn't help but mutter to Tom, "My God… the Lin family's living room feels bigger than our entire house plus our backyard…"

Tom was also shocked, but he tried to remain calm and just kept nodding in agreement.

Just then, a white shadow rushed in from the corridor connecting the courtyard like lightning, accurately pouncing into Lin Yan's arms and making an affectionate "woof woof" sound.

Lin Yan smiled and hugged it, introducing it to his two friends who were staring in disbelief: "Don't be afraid, this is my little pet, its name is Xiao Qi."

Xiao Qi understood. It poked its fluffy little head out of Lin Yan's arms, its big, dark eyes curiously looking at the two unfamiliar guests. Then it wagged its snowball-like tail in a friendly manner as a greeting.

This heartwarming scene slightly dispelled the awkwardness in Mike and Tom's hearts. Lin Yan was still the same classmate they knew—the one who would treat them to lunch, protect them, and occasionally make silly mistakes on the basketball court.

As Charles led three professionals with distinctly different auras into the spacious living room, Lin Yan had just calmed Xiao Qi, who was circling around his feet. He stood up and went to greet them.

"Young master, these three are the teachers Alexander has hired for you," Charles introduced, stepping aside.

The first was a muscular, middle-aged white man in a sports jacket with sharp, eagle-like eyes. He had short, neat hair and exuded an aura of sculpted skill honed through years of training. "Hello, Mr. Lin. I'm Marcus Holt, a former NBA player who has focused on youth basketball fundamentals since retiring. Mr. Alexander mentioned your amazing physical talent and your urgent need for basic skills." His voice carried the directness of someone on the basketball court.

The second person was a slightly older, elegant, and composed Caucasian woman with her gray hair neatly styled in a bun and wearing gold-rimmed glasses. "Good afternoon, Mr. Lin. I am Isabella Adler, a piano professor at the Juilliard School." Her voice was soft yet resonant, and her gaze fell on the Steinway piano in the corner of the living room with the appreciation of a professional.

The third person was a relatively young-looking middle-aged man with typical artist's long curly hair and passionate eyes. "Nice to meet you, Mr. Lin. I'm Dario Rossi, also from Julia, and I teach violin." His tone, with the characteristic Italian intonation, was quite infectious.

"Hello, teachers. Thank you so much for your willingness to guide me in such a short time." Lin Yan's attitude was humble, a stark contrast to his fierce competitive spirit on the basketball court. He gestured for everyone to sit on the sofa in the living room, and Charles promptly served them black tea.

Lin Yan got straight to the point, expressing his needs: "I know I'm just a beginner in both basketball and music, especially basketball. Although I have some physical attributes, my technique and awareness are almost nonexistent. I'm also just starting out in music. I hope to undergo systematic and intensive learning."

He first looked at Marcus Holt: "Coach Holt, regarding basketball, I'd like to have training every afternoon after school, focusing on fundamentals, tactical understanding, and teamwork." He pointed to Tom and Mike beside him, "These two are my classmates, Tom and Mike. They're not only my friends, but also my regular practice partners, specifically to assist me with tactical positioning and contact drills. They will participate in all training sessions. For this, I'm willing to pay double their salary to ensure the completeness and effectiveness of the training. I have many questions and need your strict guidance on the three of us."

Marcus Holt glanced at Tom and Mike, who, though somewhat nervous, tried to straighten their backs. A knowing look and appreciation flashed in his eyes; training with a fixed partner was indeed very beneficial for developing teamwork. "Double pay shows your sincerity, Mr. Lin. No problem, I will train the three of you as a whole, focusing on refining your fundamentals and individual techniques, while incorporating a lot of teamwork drills. Your physical condition is top-notch; what we need to do is quickly address your technical weakness and build chemistry."

Then, Lin Yan turned to Isabella Adler and Dario Rossi: "Ms. Adler, Mr. Rossi. Regarding piano and violin, considering my studies and basketball training, I would like to concentrate the lessons on weekends. Could you arrange for two consecutive lessons each weekend, for example, piano in the morning and violin in the afternoon? This would ensure the continuity and intensity of my studies."

Isabella Adler nodded slightly: "Continued weekend lessons are feasible, Mr. Lin. This will help you immerse yourself and solidify your memory. I will start with touch, tone control, and basic music theory to build a solid foundation for your piano skills."

Dario Rossi smiled and agreed: "Of course! Music requires passion and consistent practice. Intensive weekend lessons are perfect for your current state. I'll teach you how to hold the violin correctly, how to use the bow, and how to feel the soul of the violin."

The course schedule was quickly finalized. Lin Yan's decisiveness, clear planning, and care for his friends left a deep impression on the three teachers. They could sense that this young man was not just acting on a whim, but genuinely wanted to learn these things well, and had the ability and resources to support him in achieving his best.

"Then, let's start basketball training tomorrow afternoon." Marcus Holt stood up, full of enthusiasm.

"I look forward to your first piano lesson at nine o'clock on Saturday morning." Isabella Adler rose gracefully.

"We'll begin our violin journey at 2 p.m. on Saturday!" Dario Rossi added enthusiastically.

After seeing the three teachers off, Tom and Mike excitedly surrounded Lin Yan.

"Double pay?! Lin, you really are..." Tom didn't know what to say.

Mike nodded excitedly, "We'll definitely practice hard! We absolutely won't hold you back!"

Lin Yan looked at his two friends and smiled, "Alright, my 'official' sparring partners. Now it's our turn. Let's go eat!"

That evening, Lin Yan asked Wang Yuling to prepare a sumptuous hot pot feast. It was winter in New York, perfect for hot pot.

Tom and Mike's eyes widened when they saw the antique-style copper hot pot with two broths placed in the center of the table, along with the dazzling array of various dishes, most of which they couldn't name. The bubbling red oil broth and the light mushroom broth beside it emitted distinct yet equally enticing complex aromas, a blend of spiciness and umami that stimulated their sense of smell.

"Lin... what is this...?" Mike looked at the plates of paper-thin slices of bright red meat (top-grade Wagyu beef), crystal-clear shrimp paste, tender green vegetables, unique tripe, offal such as beef aorta, and the dishes of sesame oil and garlic sauce, and felt that his understanding had been refreshed once again.

"This is called hot pot," Lin Yan explained with a smile. "If you want to eat something, just pick it up with your chopsticks, cook it in the pot, and then dip it in the sauce." He demonstrated by easily picking up a slice of beef with his chopsticks, dipping it three times in the boiling red broth, then dipping it in the oil sauce, and putting it in his mouth with a satisfied expression on his face.

Tom and Mike imitated him, clumsily picking up their chopsticks. Tom finally managed to pick up a slice of beef, frantically trying to put it into the pot, but he lost his grip, and the slice disappeared into the red broth. "Oh! No!"

Mike successfully cooked a piece of meat in the broth, then, imitating Lin Yan, dipped it in the sauce and eagerly stuffed it into his mouth.

The next moment, it was as if the two of them had been muted.

"!!!"

Tom's eyes widened instantly, and his cheeks turned red at a visible speed. He opened his mouth and kept fanning himself with his hand, clearly overwhelmed by the spiciness of the chili oil, but he didn't stop chewing. His eyes were filled with a complex emotion of pain and pleasure.

Mike's reaction was even more exaggerated. He froze, savoring the incredibly complex and unprecedented flavors in his mouth—the exquisite tenderness of the beef, the combined impact of the spicy and savory broth, the rich and spicy aroma of the sesame oil and minced garlic…all of it exploded on his taste buds. He finally let out a long sigh, as if his soul had just returned, and murmured, "God… what… what an amazing flavor…"

Then, the two completely stopped talking and immersed themselves in the sea of ​​food. They clumsily but enthusiastically tried all kinds of ingredients—the bouncy shrimp paste, the crisp tripe, the fresh vegetables soaked in the broth… each one brought a new surprise. They followed Lin Yan's example, switching between the chili oil and mushroom broth, trying different dipping sauce combinations.

The initial awkwardness and politeness had long since vanished, leaving only the clinking of chopsticks, the satisfying sounds of chewing, and the hissing sounds of people gasping for breath from the spiciness yet unable to stop themselves from eating. Wang Yuling watched from the side, her face beaming with joy, constantly adding soup and dishes for them.

Tom even tried a slice of beef that had been cooked in the chili oil for a while, sweating profusely and almost crying from the spiciness, but he still gave Lin Yan a thumbs up and mumbled in praise: "So...so amazing! This flavor!"

Mike, on the other hand, had a particular fondness for shrimp paste, eating it one after another without being able to stop.

During this hot pot feast, the two of them truly ate in complete silence, because all words seemed pale and powerless in the face of such an extreme taste experience. They could only express themselves through actions—that is, to eat like crazy until they could eat no more.

When the two put down their chopsticks, slumped in their chairs, patted their round bellies, and their faces beamed with happiness and satisfaction, the way they looked at Lin Yan was as if they were looking at a God of Cookery who was leading them to a new world...

"Lin..." Tom said weakly, "I declare that from today onwards, I am a devout believer in Chinese food, especially hot pot!"

Mike nodded vigorously, adding, "This is a hundred times better than any pizza, burger, or barbecue I've ever had!"

Lin Yan couldn't help but burst into laughter when he saw the "miserable state" of his two classmates.