Courtyard Houses: Starting with Li Yunlong's Comrades-in-Arms

Liang Fangfang had already packed her things, folded her apron and placed it under the counter. She said goodbye to her colleagues and came out of the door, just in time to see Liu Erhe riding his new bicycle and stopping in front of her. She helped herself onto the back seat and gently put one arm around Liu Erhe's waist.

When the car turned into Nanluoguxiang, it was already completely dark. There were no streetlights in the alley, but the warm yellow light coming from the windows of each household illuminated the stone path underfoot.

The two stopped at the gate of compound number 95 and pushed their cart through the gate. It was the busiest time of evening, around dinnertime. Some people were squatting on the threshold eating their meals, others were drawing water from the well, and several children were chasing and playing in the yard, their laughter and shouts mingling together.

Liu Erhe pushed his brand-new Phoenix bicycle through the gate, and before he could even properly prop it up, he heard an almost piercing exclamation from beside him: "Erhe! You actually bought a bicycle!"

Yan Bugui suddenly appeared out of nowhere, as if he had been lying in ambush by the door. His eyes were fixed on the gleaming bicycle, and his voice carried an emotion that Liu Erhe could not describe.

Liu Erhe's lips twitched involuntarily. He truly hadn't expected Yan Bugui to be waiting for him at the door. He could only give a bitter laugh to himself; Yan Bugui's bottom line was indeed always lower than he imagined.

At this moment, the people in the courtyard heard the commotion and came out one after another. Yi Zhonghai, Liu Haizhong, He Yuzhu, Xu Damao, Jia Dongxu, and the aunties and wives from each household all poked their heads out of their houses or walked to the door, their eyes all falling on the brand-new Phoenix bicycle.

Standing at his door, Yi Zhonghai said to Liu Shuanzhu, "Congratulations, Lao Liu, your Erhe has also bought a bicycle," his tone warm and polite.

Liu Shuanzhu stood at the door of the east wing, his face full of wrinkles from smiling, saying, "The children bought it themselves," but his back was straighter than usual.

Liu Haizhong nodded beside him, his gaze sweeping over the car and then at the brand-new stamp on the frame. He didn't say anything, but the envy on his face was impossible to hide.

Jia Dongxu, He Yuzhu, Xu Damao, and a few others gathered around and circled the car twice.

Xu Damao reached out and touched the brand-new paint on the handlebars, clicking his tongue twice: "Phoenix brand, this bike isn't cheap."

Jia Dongxu stood to the side, not saying much, but simply reached out and touched the bicycle bell, gently ringing it. The bell rang out with a clear, melodious sound in the twilight.

Liu Erhe stood in the middle of the crowd, surrounded by people asking him all sorts of questions, a hint of undisguised pride on his face. From today onwards, he, Liu Erhe, was a man who owned a bicycle.

Just as he was feeling smug, Yan Bugui's voice rang out again: "Erhe! Your family has such a big celebration with the purchase of a bicycle, shouldn't you throw a couple of tables to celebrate?"

Liu Erhe's lips twitched even more violently. He cursed inwardly, "Old Man Yan, you're really good at scheming," but he could only force a smile and wave his hand, saying, "Uncle Yan, after buying this bicycle, I really have no money left. Let's wait a while, then I'll buy some candy to share with everyone, just as a token of my appreciation."

As he spoke, he quickly pushed his bicycle toward the east wing, as if afraid that if he was a step too late Yan Bugui would say something like, "Then we can set up a table there."

The crowd watched his figure disappear through the door of the east wing, and then discussed it for a while.

Yan Bugui curled his lip and said in a low voice, "Buying a car and then saying you're broke? Who would believe that? The eldest son of the Liu family has been sending so much stuff to the Liu family this month, how could Liu Erhe be broke? Besides, if Liu Erhe is broke, how could Liu Yuheng be broke? I've heard that Liu Yuheng's monthly salary is over two hundred..."

Those around him listened; some chuckled, some shook their heads, and some nodded silently, as if they were mentally calculating the consequences.

The people in the courtyard gradually dispersed and went back to their houses to eat, but the talk about the Liu family buying a new bicycle would probably linger in the alley for quite some time.

The curtain of the east wing was drawn down, blocking out all the noise. The warm yellow light inside cast the shadows of the family onto the paper windows, creating a cozy and warm atmosphere.

Liu Erhe pushed the brand-new Phoenix bicycle into the east wing, carefully placed it against the wall, and then covered the seat with an old cloth, as if afraid of getting a speck of dust on it.

Liu Tingting had already rushed out of the inner room, circled the bike twice, touched the bell on the handlebars, then squatted down to look at the clear steel stamp on the frame, clicking her tongue in admiration: "Second brother, this bike is so beautiful! You must teach me to ride it when the holidays come!"

Just as Liu Erhe was about to respond smugly, Wang Xiuhe turned around from in front of the stove, still holding a spatula in her hand. She glanced at him and said with a hint of reproach, "Serves you right for showing off. You bought it, fine, but you had to come back and push it around the yard like you were afraid no one would know."

Hearing her words, Liu Erhe scratched the back of his head and said somewhat embarrassedly, "Mother, I didn't expect Yan Bugui to be so shameless, asking me to treat everyone right off the bat. I've never seen anyone else in the courtyard throw a banquet just for buying a small item..."

Wang Xiuhe snorted, didn't reply, and turned back to continue stirring the vegetables in the pot.

Liu Shuanzhu sat at the dining table without saying a word. He picked up his bowl of porridge, took a sip, and put it down, the bottom of the bowl making a soft thud on the table. Then he spoke: "Erhe, Tingting, you two remember this. Our Liu family's success today, Fangfang's job, and the future of Tingting, Yixuan, and the child in Fangfang's belly all depend on your eldest brother."

"Your brother's success today didn't fall from the sky; he earned it through real battles, risking his life one by one. Don't be arrogant outside, and don't cause him trouble."

Liu Erhe's smile faded slightly, and he looked down at the tips of his shoes. Liu Tingting also became obedient, standing beside the bicycle and no longer daring to reach out and touch it.

The room was quiet for a few seconds, then the food in the pot sizzled. Wang Xiuhe scooped the food into a plate and placed it on the table.

Liu Shuanzhu glanced at the two of them, his tone softening slightly but still serious: "So, don't cause trouble outside. What others say or think is their business. Just be mindful of yourselves."

Liu Erhe raised his head and said earnestly, "Dad, I understand. Next year, I will definitely take the Level 5 worker exam, work hard, and not let my older brother down."

Liu Tingting nodded in agreement, her voice clear and bright: "I'll also get into high school, and then go to university."

Upon hearing this, Liu Shuanzhu's expression softened. He picked up his bowl of porridge, took a sip, and waved to the two of them, saying, "Alright, let's eat."

The family sat around the dining table, the clinking of bowls and chopsticks mingling with occasional chatter, unfolding as usual under the warm yellow light.