With a creak, the courtyard gate swung open.
Luo Yan looked into the courtyard. The place he had bought with his own money had been mostly spared from the flames of war.
Aside from a section of the courtyard wall collapsing and several large holes punched through the main house, the rest was still in decent condition.
It was far better than the buildings at the base entrance. Those had been reduced almost entirely to ruins, and the people from Thunderfire were clearing them now.
Even Chang Qing's hotel had collapsed halfway. It would take two or three days at least to clear it.
"Thank goodness our home is still here." Little Rascal dropped the bags and bundles of luggage and stared blankly.
"My rabbits are gone, my chicks are gone, and my Big Yellow too..."
Several children ran to the pens where they had once raised small animals. Looking at the empty pens, tears began to well up in their eyes.
Little Rascal ran over and lightly tapped each of the little ones on the head.
"What are you crying for? It's already a blessing that everyone's still alive. We can raise rabbits and chicks again later."
The children covered their heads. One little girl with braided pigtails cried out, "My Big Yellow is gone too."
"All right, all right. I'll find you another Big Yellow when I get the chance." Little Rascal slapped his chest hard. The poor boy was malnourished, yet he still stood a head taller than these children and wore an air of world-weary maturity.
Luo Yan smiled and walked into the courtyard. "Let's patch up the roof first. It'll be troublesome if it rains."
Xiaodao nodded vigorously, then called to Little Rascal, "Let's go find some materials and tools."
If Luo Yan had asked,