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

On the afternoon of the 28th day of the twelfth lunar month, the sky was overcast, as if a snowfall was still gathering.

When Liu Yuheng and Yao Qingwan walked side by side into the gate of No. 95 Courtyard, there was a group of people gathered in the front yard.

Yan Bugui stood in front of an old eight-immortal table, his sleeves rolled up to his elbows, holding a large wolf-hair brush in his hand, and was writing swiftly on a piece of red paper.

Several newly written Spring Festival couplets were spread on the table, the ink still wet, emitting a faint fragrance in the winter air. Neighbors gathered around, pointing and whispering, occasionally letting out a few words of praise.

"This is wonderful! 'May Heaven add years to your life and may spring fill the universe and may blessings fill your home'—Teacher Yan's calligraphy is getting more and more vibrant!"

"Look at this stroke of the pen, the rhythm and pauses are so precise, it's clear that he's practiced for many years."

As Yan Bugui listened to these compliments, a reserved yet smug smile appeared on his face. He said, "Not at all, just writing something," but his pen didn't stop. He wrote another line on a newly unfolded red paper.

Just as he was about to continue writing, the courtyard gate was pushed open.

Liu Yuheng walked ahead, wearing a dark gray woolen overcoat with a section of dark blue scarf peeking out from the collar, looking neat and upright. Yao Qingwan followed half a step beside him, wearing a navy blue woolen overcoat, her hair tied up in a bun at the back of her head, looking clean and tidy.

Almost simultaneously, everyone in the courtyard noticed them. Yan Bugui's pen froze in mid-air, ink nearly dripping onto the red paper.

He Yuzhu, who was standing nearby, was the first to react and shouted at the top of his lungs, "Brother Liu is back!"

This sound was like a floodgate being opened, and everyone in the courtyard turned around, greeting each other in a flurry of voices.

Xu Damao squeezed through the crowd, his face beaming with smiles: "Hello, Brother Liu! Hello, Sister-in-law! It's almost Chinese New Year, are you two back to see the old man?"

Yi Zhonghai put down the bundle of red paper in his hand, nodded to Liu Yuheng, and greeted him with a smile. Liu Haizhong stood to the side, his gaze sweeping over the woolen coats worn by Liu Yuheng and Yao Qingwan before quickly looking away.

Liu Yuheng smiled and responded to everyone one by one, neither appearing distant nor overly enthusiastic.

His gaze swept around the courtyard, finally landing on the doorway of the east wing. Liu Erhe was standing on the threshold, holding two sheets of red paper, as if he had just asked Yan Bugui to write Spring Festival couplets and was about to take them inside. When he saw Liu Yuheng and Yao Qingwan, a delighted smile immediately appeared on his face. He quickly switched the red paper to one hand and rushed over to greet them.

"Brother! Sister-in-law! What brings you here? Come in, come in, it's cold outside!" Liu Erhe said, stepping aside to make way for them, then turned back and shouted into the house, "Father! Mother! Big brother and sister-in-law are here!"

The curtain to the east wing was immediately lifted, and a warm, cozy steam rushed out.

Liu Yuheng and Yao Qingwan followed Liu Erhe into the house. It was much warmer inside than outside. The iron stove in the corner was burning brightly, and an enamel kettle sat on the stove lid, steam rising from its spout and making a soft hissing sound.

Wang Xiuhe was sitting cross-legged on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed) sewing shoe soles, while Liang Fangfang sat on a small stool next to her, holding a small garment in her hand and sewing the hem. Her belly was already very large, and her seven-month pregnant belly stretched the cotton-padded jacket into a rounded arc.

Liu Tingting was squatting by the carpet, playing with Liu Yixuan. The little guy was holding a wooden horse in his hand, and he was making "giggle" sounds as he ran along the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed).

As soon as Liu Tingting turned around and saw Liu Yuheng and Yao Qingwan enter, she immediately dropped her little nephew and stood up, her eyes lighting up: "Brother! Sister-in-law! You're here!"

Liu Yixuan recognized Liu Yuheng and immediately abandoned his pony, rushing over on his short legs. He hugged Liu Yuheng's leg, looked up at him, and called out, "Uncle!" Then he turned to Yao Qingwan, tilted his head, thought for a moment, and called out again, "Auntie!"

Yao Qingwan bent down, reached out and touched his little face, took out a piece of fruit candy wrapped in oil paper from her coat pocket, unwrapped it, and held it to his mouth.

Liu Yixuan immediately opened his mouth and took it in, his cheeks puffing out into a small bump. He mumbled "Thank you, Auntie," and then ran back to continue playing with his toy horse.

When Wang Xiuhe saw Liu Yuheng and Yao Qingwan enter the room, she immediately put down her needlework, patted the scraps of cloth on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed), and said with undisguised surprise, "Yuheng? Qingwan? What brings you here? I was just thinking of having Erhe ask you tomorrow where you're spending the New Year this year."

As she spoke, she looked Yao Qingwan up and down again, her gaze lingering for a moment on her slightly protruding belly, and her smile deepened: "Qingwan, you look great, you've gotten a bit plumper than the last time I saw you."

Liu Yuheng sat down on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed), unbuttoned his woolen overcoat, and replied with a smile, "Mother, we came to talk to you about this. This year, you should all come and spend the New Year at my place."

Wang Xiuhe paused, her awl still in her hand, and looked up at him.

Liu Shuanzhu was sitting on a chair in the corner of the room smoking. Hearing this, he took the pipe out of his mouth, hesitated for a moment, and then said, "Your place is spacious, but..."

He paused, glanced in Liang Fangfang's direction, and continued, "What about Erhe and his in-laws? They've always been together in previous years. Now you're suddenly asking us all to go to your place. What will happen to the couple there? We can't just leave them to spend the New Year alone."

Liu Yuheng seemed to have anticipated this response, waving his hand with an air of unwavering certainty: "What's so difficult about that? Just invite them to come along. I'll arrange the transportation; I can just pick them up. It'll be more lively with more people; I have plenty of room."

Liu Shuanzhu opened his mouth, as if to say something, but Liu Yuheng, seeing this, simply waved his hand, his tone carrying an undeniable certainty: "Dad, listen to me. I'll be busy these few days of the New Year, basically not home during the day, only able to come back for dinner in the evening. Qingwan is alone at home, and her belly is getting bigger every day, I'm worried about her. If you and Mother go over there, you can keep her company, and I can be at ease while I'm out running around during the day."

He paused, then said, "Besides, I have everything I need and plenty of space. If all else fails, we can all squeeze in and sleep comfortably after dinner."