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

Xu Damao took a couple of puffs of his cigarette, his gaze falling on Liu Yuheng's dark gray woolen overcoat. He reached out and gently touched the fabric of the cuffs, his tone filled with undisguised envy: "Brother Liu, your overcoat is really nice. The material feels different; it's much better than the cotton-padded jackets we get at the factory."

Liu Yuheng flicked his cigarette ash, smiled, and said in a gentle tone with a hint of an elder, "Study hard, and if you can become an engineer in the future, you can wear a woolen overcoat like this too."

Xu Damao's face immediately turned awkward, and he almost dropped the cigarette in his mouth. He chuckled dryly, scratched the back of his head, and muttered somewhat embarrassedly, "I... I'm already working, you know. How much education do engineers need? I could never pass the exam."

Liu Erhe, who was standing nearby, chimed in to smooth things over for Xu Damao: "Brother, Damao just started working at the steel rolling mill a while ago, learning projection from Uncle Xu. Now he's showing movies at the factory, so he's officially starting work."

Upon hearing this, Liu Yuheng's lips twitched slightly, but he didn't say much. He simply nodded and glanced at Xu Damao: "Being a projectionist is good too, enriching the spiritual and cultural life of the people. The country is currently undergoing construction, and after a long day of work, it's a good thing that our workers can watch a movie in the evening."

Upon hearing this, Xu Damao's expression immediately brightened, and he straightened his back slightly. He glanced at He Yuzhu beside him, gave a smug snort, as if he had finally regained his pride.

He Yuzhu munched on sunflower seeds leisurely beside him, and only after Xu Damao finished humming did he slowly speak up: "Brother Liu, I noticed you're not wearing your military uniform today? That uniform is so handsome. Just standing there in it changes the whole atmosphere of the courtyard."

Liu Yuheng shook his head, his tone calm yet tinged with emotion: "I've already transferred to civilian work, and I won't be wearing a military uniform anymore."

Upon hearing this, the people around were all taken aback.

Xu Damao was the first to react, quickly putting his cigarette back in his mouth and saying with a beaming smile, "No matter where Brother Liu works, isn't it all contributing to the country? In the army, it's protecting the country; in civilian life, it's building the country—it's all the same! I, Xu Damao, respect you just the same!"

Upon hearing this, Liu Yuheng couldn't help but twitch his lips again. He shook his head inwardly, thinking that Xu Damao was still the slick and worldly Xu Damao he would become later; even his flattery was so stiff and blatant that it was easy to see through. However, he didn't care too much about that. For a young projectionist who had just joined the factory, it was already quite good.

He took a drag of his cigarette and turned his gaze to Liu Guangqi, who hadn't said much beside him: "Guangqi, I heard from Erhe that you got into a vocational school this year? What's your major?"

When Liu Guangqi was called out, he immediately stood up a little straighter, his voice carrying the nervousness unique to young people and a hint of undisguised pride: "I studied mechanical manufacturing at that vocational school in the south of the city."

Liu Yuheng nodded and praised, "Your mechanical manufacturing skills are excellent. The country is currently in dire need of talent in this field. Study hard, and you'll have plenty of opportunities to use your skills when you start working."

Upon hearing this, Liu Guangqi nodded vigorously, his initial nervousness fading considerably, and his eyes shining with a light that only comes with recognition.

Seeing Liu Yuheng talking to Liu Guangqi, Jia Dongxu, who was standing next to him, took half a step forward and interjected with a somewhat ingratiating tone, "Brother Liu, I'm also taking the Level 3 worker exam at the factory. I should be able to pass it next year."

No sooner had he finished speaking than Liu Erhe, who was standing next to him, chimed in, "I'm also preparing for the Level 5 exam next year."

Jia Dongxu's face instantly turned bright red, as if he had choked on something. He opened his mouth and then closed it again. He Yuzhu next to him cracked sunflower seeds much faster, and Xu Damao's lips curled into a gloating smile.

Seeing Jia Dongxu's embarrassed appearance, Liu Yuheng sighed inwardly. He glared at Liu Erhe, his tone tinged with helplessness: "You think you're so capable?"

Liu Erhe shrank back after being glared at by his older brother and stopped talking, but he couldn't suppress the smug smile on his lips.

Just as the atmosphere became somewhat awkward, the curtain to the east wing was lifted from the inside, and Liu Tingting poked her head out, chewing on something, and mumbled, "Brother! Second Brother! Dinner's ready! Stop chatting! The dishes are all on the table!"

Liu Yuheng stubbed out his cigarette on the steps, turned back to Liu Tingting and responded, then turned back to the others and nodded: "Okay, I'll go in first. You should all go home and eat early too, don't keep your families waiting."

After he finished speaking, he turned around, lifted the curtain, and went inside. Liu Erhe followed him in. The curtain fell, once again shutting out the warm light and the aroma of food from inside the room.

The young people at the door stood there, watching the curtain sway a few times. They exchanged glances, stubbed out their cigarettes, and went home.

The curtain of the east wing room fell down, keeping out the dry, cold north wind from the courtyard.

Wang Xiuhe had already served all the dishes. An old eight-immortal table had been moved to the center of the room and was filled with food.

Liu Shuanzhu was already seated in the main seat, with an unopened bottle of baijiu in front of him. Seeing Liu Yuheng and Yao Qingwan come in and take their seats, he picked up the bottle, unscrewed the cap, and was about to pour it into the glass in front of Liu Yuheng.

Liu Yuheng quickly reached out to stop him, his tone apologetic: "Dad, you drink with Erhe. I drove here today and I have to drive back tonight, and I'm also taking Qingwan with me, so I won't drink."

Liu Shuanzhu paused for a moment, glanced at him, and clicked his tongue in regret, but still turned the bottle towards Liu Erhe: "Alright, Erhe and I will have a drink. You have to have a couple of drinks with me on New Year's Eve."

Liu Yuheng smiled and nodded: "Of course, I'll drink to my heart's content with you on New Year's Eve."

Liu Erhe had already picked up his glass, and Liu Shuanzhu poured him a glass and then filled his own. The father and son clinked glasses, each taking a sip. The spicy liquor slid down their throats, and Liu Erhe's brow furrowed slightly before relaxing, and he smacked his lips.

Liu Yuheng picked up his chopsticks, took a bite of food, chewed a few times, swallowed, and then turned his gaze to Liang Fangfang sitting opposite him. Liang Fangfang was sitting on a stool with her large pregnant belly, a bowl of soup in front of her, which she was carefully sipping with a spoon.

"Sister-in-law, you're seven months pregnant now, right? You'll be almost eight after the New Year. Should I talk to Xiao Li and ask him to give you some time off?"

Liang Fangfang's spoon froze in mid-air. She quickly waved her hand, a slightly embarrassed smile on her face: "No need, no need, brother. I'm fine now. I don't feel tired standing at the counter. Sister Zhang and the others at the supply and marketing cooperative have taken good care of me and won't let me do any heavy work. When I really can't walk anymore next month, I'll ask Director Li for leave. It's just a matter of letting you know, no need to trouble you."