Courtyard House: From Deputy Division Commander to Civilian, Progressing All the Way

The walls along the street, once plastered with big-character posters, have been cleaned spotless. Although the paint is still somewhat peeling, the fear and trepidation on the faces of pedestrians have vanished. Several workers in blue overalls ride bicycles, ringing their bells and greeting each other loudly; the crisp sound of the bells carries far in the slightly chilly air.

The dark clouds dispersed, and dawn broke.

"The commander said all those clowns who jumped the gun have gone in." The major driving the car glanced at the two men in the rearview mirror, his tone filled with genuine respect. "Weidong, Jianguo, you two are truly amazing. You've finally made it through."

The jeep sped along, passing directly through the bustling city center and heading towards Yuquan Mountain in the western suburbs.

Yuquanshan Military Region.

Three heavily armed sentries checked the major's top-secret pass and immediately stood at attention to let him pass.

The jeep came to a smooth stop in front of the entrance to Building A, No. 6.

The car door opened, and Lin Weidong and Lin Jianguo, carrying two worn-out green canvas bags, strode out of the car.

Hearing the commotion outside, the two heavy solid wood doors of the small villa were pushed open from the inside.

Tian Yu had an apron tied around her waist and was holding a bunch of dripping green vegetables in her hand. She almost ran to the porch, and when she saw the tall figure standing at the bottom of the steps, the green vegetables in her hand fell to the ground with a "thud".

"Wei Dong..."

Tian Yu's eyes instantly turned red, and tears fell like beads from a broken string.

She quickly walked down the steps and hugged her son, who was now a full head taller than her.

"Mom, I'm back." A touch of sonly warmth finally melted across Lin Weidong's face, which had been as hard as a rock. He reached out his rough hand and gently patted his mother's back.

"You've lost weight...you've gotten darker...how did your hands become so rough..." Tian Yu touched her son's face, which was as smooth as sandpaper, and when she saw the horrifying old scar on the back of his hand, her voice trembled with heartache.

"Auntie!" Lin Jianguo said from the side, his eyes also reddening.

"Jianguo has grown into a strong, muscular man!" Tian Yu wiped away her tears and quickly grabbed Lin Jianguo's hand. "Quick, come inside! Your dad and mom flew back from the southwest in a military plane last night and are waiting for you inside!"

Upon hearing that his parents had returned, Lin Jianguo was startled and immediately followed Tian Yu into the Western-style building.

In the spacious and bright living room.

Lin Fan was dressed in a dark blue Zhongshan suit. Although his temples were already gray, the calm and composed demeanor of someone in charge of a 100,000-strong factory was even more profound. Ding Qiunan stood beside him; this once aloof and detached factory doctor was now sobbing uncontrollably.

"Dad! Mom!" Lin Jianguo threw his canvas bag on the ground, knelt down on the carpet, and kowtowed heavily.

"Get up! Why are you kneeling, child!" Lin Fan pulled his son up, his eyes red as he examined his son's broad shoulders and strong chest. He patted him twice forcefully. "Good! You haven't disgraced the Lin family! This physique is like that of a true man!"

Ding Qiunan stroked her son's face tenderly, sobbing uncontrollably, "You must have suffered a lot in that saline-alkali land of northern Jiangsu, right? Look at these clothes, they're worn through so many times..."

"Mom, it's not hard." Lin Jianguo grinned, revealing a set of white teeth. "Over there, we drove the tractor that Second Uncle built and turned that barren land upside down! Now the villagers in the brigade can eat dry rice every day!"

Just as the living room was filled with the joy and warmth of their reunion.

From the top of the stairs on the second floor came the sound of steady, powerful leather footsteps.

The lively living room instantly fell silent.

Lin Yang was wearing a white shirt with the cuffs slightly rolled up. He had one hand in his trouser pocket as he slowly walked down the stairs.

Those deep, abyss-like eyes looked down at the two young people standing in the center of the living room.

There was no mother's emotional tears, nor the uncle's caring concern. Lin Yang's gaze was like that of a supreme commander scrutinizing a soldier returning victorious from a bloody battlefield.

Lin Weidong suddenly turned around, his body instantly straightening like a javelin.

He brought his feet together with a crisp "snap," and raised his right hand sharply to give a perfect military salute.

"Reporting, sir! Lin Weidong and Lin Jianguo have successfully completed their assignments and are ordered to return to their posts! Please provide further instructions!"

The voice was loud and clear, like a sharp sword drawn from its sheath, echoing for a long time in the spacious living room.

Lin Yang walked down the last step and came to stand in front of Lin Weidong.

Instead of returning the greeting immediately, he stretched out his hands and grabbed Lin Weidong and Lin Jianguo's right hands.

Lin Yang lowered his head and rubbed the thick calluses on their palms and the base of their thumbs with his thumbs.

That wasn't forged by writing with a pen; it was forged by gripping the control lever of a thirty-ton tank, swinging a pickaxe weighing dozens of kilograms, and shedding flesh layer by layer in the ice and snow of minus thirty degrees Celsius and the muddy ponds of northern Jiangsu, until steel armor was forged through shedding flesh and blood.

A hint of undisguised pride and emotion finally surfaced in Lin Yang's eyes.

"it is good."

Lin Yang slowly uttered a single word, then released their hands, took a half step back, and returned a solemn military salute with his posture perfectly upright.

"The mission was completed exceptionally well. You did not disgrace Lin Yang."

This affirmation was more weighty and glorious for Lin Weidong and Lin Jianguo than any medal of honor. Lin Weidong's eyes finally welled up with tears, but he clenched his teeth and refused to let them fall.

"Sit down and talk," Lin Yang said, gesturing to the sofa.

Everyone took their seats. Tian Yu and Ding Qiunan quickly went to the kitchen to pour tea and wash fruit.

Lin Yang looked at his son and nephew sitting opposite him, as steady as two iron towers, and lit a cigarette.

"Four years, from an armored division in the Northwest to a muddy swamp in northern Jiangsu. Have you ever resented me?" Lin Yang exhaled a puff of bluish-gray smoke, his sharp gaze fixed on Lin Weidong.

Lin Weidong sat up straight and shook his head without hesitation.

"Dad, I understand what you mean. If I hadn't gone to the armored division, I would never have known how dangerous the country's borders were, or how terrifying the Russians' armored onslaught was. If I hadn't gone to the saline-alkali lands of northern Jiangsu, I would never have known how miserable the farmers there were, or how important the machines we built were."

Lin Weidong took a deep breath, his tone revealing a maturity and depth beyond his years.

"Only by stepping into the deepest mud can one know where the foundation of this nation lies. You are rebuilding the very essence of me and the nation. Resentment? I only regret that I didn't build more irrigation canals in northern Jiangsu!"

Upon hearing this, Lin Fan couldn't help but gasp, staring at his nephew in shock.

How could an eighteen-year-old say such a thing? This is clearly the work of a future general who has been tempered and honed through countless trials and tribulations and already possesses a high-level strategic vision!