Since returning from the last visit to the big courtyard, Zhou Jiao has not left the military district compound again. During the day, she either chats and watches movies with new girlfriends she's met in the courtyard or plays chess and cooks new dishes in the kitchen.
Lately, Zhang Guoqing has often been taken out for strolls by his father-in-law, Zhou Xiaozheng. Sometimes, he's dragged by the courtyard elders for drinks and ideological lessons, and in the evenings, he chats and plays around with his buddies like Fang Fei.
The life in the courtyard is colorful for the two of them.
With just a few days left until New Year's Eve, the couple learned that more than forty free markets have opened in seven districts of Beijing since the second half of last year. They were secretly pleased, knowing they arrived at the perfect time.
