He Yuyang: The tough eldest brother of the courtyard house

The day of the move was a bright and sunny one. As soon as the sun climbed over the old locust tree at the entrance of the alley, He Yuyang, along with several movers he had hired in advance, began moving their belongings to No. 95 Nanluoguxiang. The courtyard was already tidied up; the bluestone pavement was polished to a shine, and the stone table and benches under the old locust tree were spotless. They were just waiting for the furniture to be moved in, and then the new home would be completely settled.

He Daqing and Liu Yan looked after the rain at the guesthouse, while He Yuzhu ran around doing chores, helping the workers carry boxes and keeping watch at the alley entrance to see if anything had been forgotten. He was wearing a new jacket that He Yuyang had made for him, full of energy, with beads of sweat streaming down his face, but he didn't bother to wipe them away.

"Brother, this wardrobe is really heavy!" He Yuzhu helped the workers carry a mahogany wardrobe into the main room, straightened up and rubbed his back. "What kind of wood is this thing made of? It's heavier than the stone lock I use for practicing martial arts."

"It's made of mahogany, very sturdy." He Yuyang smiled and handed him a towel. "Take a break before you start working on it, no rush." ​​He had taken this wardrobe out of his spatial storage. It was an old-fashioned style, with simple intertwined floral patterns carved on it. It looked unremarkable, but it was actually made of solid materials and could be passed down for generations. He had deliberately chosen this kind of understated furniture because he was afraid it would be too conspicuous.

The workers were busy carrying the last few boxes into the side room when suddenly the creaking of a tricycle came from outside the courtyard gate, followed by a familiar loud voice, slightly shrill, piercing through the noise of the alley: "So that's why courtyard number 95 is so lively! Turns out a new family has moved in!"

He Yuyang paused in his work. That voice... sounded familiar. He straightened up and looked towards the door. He saw a man wearing a blue short jacket and a melon-shaped hat, standing on tiptoe and peering into the yard. A tricycle was parked at the door, its cargo bed filled with needles, thread, oil, salt, soy sauce, and vinegar. He was clearly a small business owner.

When the man saw He Yuyang in the courtyard, his eyes widened in shock. The abacus in his hand fell to the ground with a clatter, but he didn't bother to pick it up. He strode into the courtyard, pointed at He Yuyang, and said in a trembling voice, "You...you're He Yuyang?"

He Yuyang recognized him too. Who else could it be but Yan Bugui? He hadn't changed much in the years since they last met, except that his cheekbones were higher and he had a goatee on his chin. The shrewdness in his eyes could be seen from a distance.

"Uncle Yan?" He Yuyang greeted him with a smile, "I really didn't expect to run into you here."

"Of course it's me!" Yan Bugui slapped his thigh, bent down to pick up the abacus from the ground, and wiped it clean as if it were a treasure. "I heard the other day that Teacher Li from the east courtyard sold his house, and I was wondering which kind of person moved in. I never expected it to be you! You little rascal, when did you come to Beijing? Why didn't you give me a heads-up!"

Behind him followed a woman in a blue cotton shirt, holding the hands of two boys, the older one about five years old, the younger one just learning to walk, tugging timidly at the woman's clothes and hiding behind her. The woman had delicate features, though her face bore the marks of hardship. When she saw He Yuyang, she smiled and said, "This is... Yuyang, right? He's grown so tall."

"Hello, Aunt Yan." He Yuyang quickly greeted her. He remembered that Yan Bugui's wife's surname was Yang. Back when they lived in the courtyard house, she was always quiet and reserved, unlike Yan Bugui who was so talkative.

"Okay, okay," Madam Yang replied with a smile, pushing her youngest son closer to her. "Quickly call him Brother He."

The younger son timidly hid, while the older one, unafraid of strangers, looked around the yard with his round eyes, then glanced at He Yuyang and called out in a clear voice, "Hello, big brother! My name is Yan Jiecheng!"

"Hey, good job." He Yuyang smiled and patted his head, then took out two pieces of fruit candy from her pocket—made in her space, wrapped in cellophane, shiny and crumpled. "Here, for you and your brother."

Yan Jiecheng's eyes lit up, and he was about to reach out to take it when Yan Bugui slapped his hand: "No manners! How can you just take things like that?" He said this, but his eyes were fixed on the candy, clearly very fond of it.

"Uncle Yan, what's wrong with the kid having a piece of candy?" He Yuzhu came over. He had recognized Yan Bugui earlier, but had been busy moving things and hadn't had time to talk to him. "Besides, we used to be neighbors, no need to be so polite!"

"You are... Yuzhu?" Yan Bugui finally noticed him, looking him up and down. "Goodness, you've grown so strong in the last few years! I heard you opened a martial arts school? You've got some skills!"

"Hey, just messing around." He Yuzhu scratched his head and chuckled.

Yan Bugui then remembered his business and pointed to the gate of the neighboring courtyard: "It's quite a coincidence, I moved here last year. You see, I live in that west wing, right next to yours by a wall. I opened a general store at the entrance of the alley a while ago, it's close by, so it's convenient to get supplies." He patted the back of his tricycle, "Just now, I came back from buying supplies in the city and saw your courtyard was bustling with activity."

"Why did you decide to move to Beijing?" He Yuyang asked.

"You wouldn't know this, would you?" Yan Bugui lowered his voice and leaned closer. "Now that we're liberated, Beijing is the capital, there are so many people, business is booming! My little grocery store, don't let its size fool you, earns more in a day than I would in a month in the county town!" As he spoke, his eyes gleamed, and he couldn't help but ask, "And you? I heard you're a high-ranking officer in the army? How come you have time to move?"

"We just finished our rest and brought our family to stay in Beijing." He Yuyang didn't say much, but pointed to the workers in the yard, "Look, they're moving things now."

"Then I'll have to help you out!" Yan Bugui said, rolling up his sleeves, but his eyes darted around the yard. He spotted the mahogany wardrobe and the solid wood flooring, his eyes gleaming, and he clicked his tongue in admiration. "Your yard is so neat and tidy! Much brighter than when Teacher Li lived here. This flooring… is it new? It must have cost a lot of money!"

"It's not much, just some random tinkering." He Yuyang smiled, trying to change the subject. He waved his hand gently and said, "Your shop is so busy, I can't possibly trouble you to come and help again!"

"Alright then." Yan Bugui could tell that he didn't want to say more, so he wisely didn't press the matter. After chatting for a few more minutes about everyday things, he said he would bring the children over to familiarize themselves with the place that evening before pushing his tricycle back next door. Before leaving, Yang secretly slipped Yushui a small cloth bag. When He Yuyang opened it, she found a few pieces of milk candy, which she guessed were for the children. She couldn't help but feel a little more favorably disposed towards the woman.

The workers had just finished placing the last piece of furniture and hadn't even had a chance to catch their breath when footsteps echoed from the alley entrance, accompanied by a loud voice, slightly official in tone: "Why is it so lively in courtyard number 95? Is it a new comrade who moved in?"

Everyone looked up and saw a man in blue overalls with a red armband that read "Manager" on his sleeve leading a large family toward them. The man was about thirty years old, with his hands behind his back, walking with a straight back and a hint of arrogance on his face. Who else could it be but Liu Haizhong?

Behind him followed a woman carrying a swaddled baby and holding the hands of two boys, the older one a little over ten years old and the younger one five or six years old; they were his wife and children.

"Uncle Liu?" He Yuyang was a little surprised. He really didn't expect to run into Liu Haizhong here.

"Oh, it's Yu Yang!" Liu Haizhong was quite surprised. He had just heard from the people in the alley that a military officer had moved into courtyard number 95, and he was thinking of coming over to "look after" him. He didn't expect it to be an old acquaintance. The arrogance on his face subsided a bit, and his tone became warmer. "This is really like the flood washing away the Dragon King's temple, family members not recognizing each other! When did you come to Beijing? Why didn't you tell me?"

"I've only been here a few days and I'm busy settling into the house, so I haven't had a chance to visit yet," He Yuyang said politely.

"Hey, what's the point of visiting! We're all old neighbors!" Liu Haizhong patted his chest and pointed to the other end of the alley. "I'm a foreman at the machine factory on the east side, in charge of dozens of workers! I moved here for convenience, it's only two stops away from the factory." As he spoke, he deliberately puffed out his chest and patted the red armband on his sleeve as if showing off.

His wife, holding the baby, also greeted them. She seemed genuine, but not very talkative. The two boys curiously looked around the yard. The older one, like his father, stood with his hands behind his back, looking around curiously, while the younger one stared intently at the muscles on He Yuzhu's arms, his eyes sparkling.

"Your yard is really nice!" Liu Haizhong also started looking around the yard, and when he saw the gray brick wall of the bathroom, he paused, "What's this? A newly built little house?"

"We converted a toilet; it'll be more convenient now," He Yuyang said.

"Hey, that's impressive!" Liu Haizhong clicked his tongue. "My yard is still an old outhouse, it stinks. I'll have to learn from you and fix it up!" He said this, but he felt a little uneasy. He was a manager in the factory, a "cadre," but He Yuyang's yard was much better than his own.

"Uncle Liu, if you want to make changes, I have some extra cement and tiles here. You can take them and use them," He Yuyang said, seeing through his thoughts. He had plenty of these things in his space; giving some to the neighbors was nothing.

"That's great!" Liu Haizhong's eyes lit up, and the displeasure on his face vanished instantly. "Yu Yang, you're so sensible! Unlike some people, who forget their roots once they become officials." He was ostensibly praising He Yu Yang, but it was unclear who he was referring to in reality.

Yan Bugui, who had wandered over at some point, overheard this and rolled his eyes: "Some people just know how to take advantage. Yu Yang just moved, and her things aren't even properly organized yet, and they're already eyeing her."

"What's wrong with me using some cement and tiles?" Liu Haizhong immediately glared. "We're all old neighbors, isn't it only natural to help each other out? It's much better than some people who flock to things when there's something to gain and stay far away when there isn't!"

"Who are you talking about?" Yan Bugui was also unhappy and rolled up his sleeves, ready to argue.

"What are you doing?" Liu Haizhong said, sticking out his neck.

"Alright, alright," He Yuyang quickly stopped him. "It's no big deal. Uncle Liu needs cement and tiles; I'll have Yuzhu deliver them to you later. Grandpa Yan, don't get involved; the children are watching."

He Daqing and Liu Yan walked in from outside, soaking wet as if they had just been through a torrential downpour. Their clothes clung to their bodies, and their hair was drenched, sliding down their faces. Just as the two were feeling utterly disheveled, they happened to witness the scene unfolding before them.

The atmosphere inside was unusually tense, as if an argument was about to erupt. Seeing this, He Daqing and Liu Yan quickly stepped forward to try and mediate. Liu Yan, while pulling the things she was carrying further inside, said with a smile, "Oh dear, we're all old friends! Why let such a small thing cause an unpleasantness? Come, come, I specially stewed a big pot of delicious meat for lunch today! Let's have lunch together here, and have a lively get-together!"

"Hey, Liu Yan, you really know how to talk." Yan Bugui immediately went along with it. "Then I won't stand on ceremony. It'll be a good opportunity for the children to try your cooking."

Liu Haizhong didn't press the matter further and snorted, "Fine, I'll benefit from Yu Yang's fame too."

Lunch was laid out on the table, a feast for the eyes and ears. Liu Yan was a good cook; the braised pork was tender and the vermicelli had soaked up all the broth. There were also soft and delicious steamed buns taken from her spatial storage. Yan Bugui's two sons and Liu Haizhong's kids had their eyes glued to the bowl of meat, eating with gusto.

The adults sat around the stone table, drinking rice wine that He Yuyang had taken out of his spatial storage, and chatting about the past few years.

"It really is fate," He Daqing said with a sip of wine. "Back when we lived in the courtyard house, who would have thought that in these chaotic years of war, we would end up together in Beijing and become neighbors?"

"That's right." Yan Bugui took a bite of rice. "When I came to Beijing, I was a little worried that I wouldn't be able to make it in a place I didn't know well. But now that you guys are here, I feel much more at ease."

Liu Haizhong sighed, "Back in the courtyard house, life was always tough. I was always worried about getting enough to eat. Now it's better. We're liberated. I work in a factory, I get a monthly salary, and the children can go to school. It's just..." He changed the subject, putting on airs again, "Being a manager means there's a lot of work to do. It's not as leisurely as before."

He Yuyang didn't say much, just listened to their chatter. Looking at these familiar faces, listening to the shouts from the alley, the children's laughter, and the occasional bicycle bell in the distance, a warm feeling suddenly welled up in his heart.

Eight years have passed since he transmigrated to this era. From the initial fear and anxiety to the later bloody battles, he has always been on edge, fearing for his family's safety and that he might not be able to protect those he wanted to protect. But now, seeing his family sitting peacefully beside him, watching his former neighbors gathered together, eating and chatting, he suddenly felt that all the hardships and injuries he had endured were worth it.

"Come on, let's have a drink." He Yuyang raised his glass to everyone. "No matter what happened before, we'll still be neighbors. Let's look after each other and live a good life in this Beijing city."

"Well said!" He Daqing was the first to respond, raising his glass.

"Yes, let's live life to the fullest!" Yan Bugui and Liu Haizhong also raised their glasses, the glasses clinking together with a crisp sound.

Sunlight filtered through the leaves of the old locust tree, warming everyone's faces. Yushui, having had her fill of milk candy given to her by Aunt Yan, chased after Yan Jiecheng and the others in the yard, her laughter like silver bells, carrying far and wide.

Watching this scene, He Yuyang couldn't help but smile. He knew that life in Nanluoguxiang was just beginning. In the days to come, there might be Yan Bugui's scheming, Liu Haizhong's "official ambition," and the friction of family matters, but more often, there would be this kind of everyday life, the peace of his family, the warmth of the neighbors, and this hard-won stability.

He quietly placed a piece of meat into his mother Liu Yan's bowl, and looking at her rosy complexion, he felt very at ease. The spiritual spring water had a very good effect; his mother's health was much better than before, which was more important than anything else.

"Eat more, Mother," he said softly.

"Hey, you eat too." Liu Yan smiled, her eyes less worried and more peaceful and content.

Outside the courtyard gate, the vendors in the alley started calling out again: "Selling candied hawthorns—sweet and sour candied hawthorns—"

Upon hearing this, He Yuzhu immediately shouted, "Brother, I'll go buy a few skewers!"

"Go ahead, buy some for the kids," He Yuyang said with a smile.

Watching He Yuzhu's figure gradually disappear into the distance, the clear, melodious laughter of the innocent children in the courtyard echoing in his ears, He Yuyang couldn't help but smile slightly, revealing a contented and doting expression. He slowly put down the wine cup he was holding, took a small sip of the rice wine, and found himself completely captivated by the sweet taste as it slid down his throat—a feeling just like the life he was experiencing right now, ordinary yet full of warmth and comfort; if one savored it carefully, one could appreciate its endless beauty and happiness!