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

The conversation in the courtyard was getting lively. Liu Erhe was talking to Jia Dongxu, while He Yuzhu was eating melon seeds and occasionally chiming in. Yan Bugui strolled over with a teacup to join in the fun. The group formed a circle and chatted, their conversation shifting from Liu Yuheng's work to the steel rolling mill's performance evaluation this year.

Just then, the courtyard gate was pushed open from the outside.

A middle-aged man wearing a dark blue Zhongshan suit walked in, carrying a bag of pastries neatly wrapped in oil paper, with a red paper on top, clearly prepared for the New Year.

Liu Erhe was facing the courtyard gate and was the first to see the person approaching. His gaze lingered on the man's face for a moment, then his eyes lit up. He quickly put down the sunflower seeds he was holding and hurried over to greet him, saying, "Director Li? What brings you here? Happy New Year!"

The man who arrived was Director Li from the Dongzhimen Supply and Marketing Cooperative. Liu Erhe recognized him; they had met a few times when Liu Erhe went to the cooperative to pick up Liang Fangfang. Although they weren't particularly close, Director Li was always very polite to Liu Erhe and took good care of Liang Fangfang.

When Director Li saw Liu Erhe approaching, his face immediately lit up with a smile. He held up the bag of snacks in his hand and said, "Brother Erhe, Happy New Year! It's the New Year, so I came to visit the old man and woman and also to wish our former leader a Happy New Year."

As he spoke, he glanced into the courtyard again, his gaze carrying a casual, probing quality.

Liu Erhe immediately understood his meaning. Director Li claimed to be visiting Liu Shuanzhu and his wife, but his eyes were actually fixed on Liu Yuheng. However, since they had come on the first day of the Lunar New Year with gifts, showing them great respect, Liu Erhe naturally wouldn't embarrass them.

He picked up the conversation, his tone somewhat sincere: "Director Li, you've come at an inopportune time. My brother had some business at his department and went out early this morning, so he's not home right now. But your wife is here, would you please come in and have a seat?"

Upon hearing this, Director Li's momentary disappointment was almost imperceptible, quickly transforming into a more natural smile: "That's fine too, it's good to wish your sister-in-law a Happy New Year."

He followed Liu Erhe through the courtyard. Liu Erhe lifted the curtain of the east wing room, and a warm breeze rushed towards him.

Several people in the room looked up at the same time.

Liang Fangfang recognized the person first, quickly put down the sweater she was holding, and slowly stood up, supporting herself on her knees. Her face showed a mixture of surprise and politeness: "Director Li? What brings you here?"

Liu Erhe shifted his body to the side and introduced the people in the room: "Dad, Mom, sister-in-law, this is Director Li from Fangfang's supply and marketing cooperative. Director Li helped Fangfang get into the cooperative." He then turned to Director Li, "Director Li, this is my father Liu Shuanzhu, my mother Wang Xiuhe, and that is my sister-in-law Yao Qingwan."

Director Li immediately stepped forward, placed the bag of snacks he was carrying on the table beside him, and then bowed slightly to Liu Shuanzhu and Wang Xiuhe, speaking with utmost politeness: "Happy New Year, sir! Happy New Year, madam! I am Li Qingyang from the Dongzhimen Supply and Marketing Cooperative. I have come here today specifically to wish you both a Happy New Year. I brought some snacks, just a small token of my appreciation, for your family to try."

Liu Shuanzhu was a little stunned by being called "Old Man," as he had never been addressed that way before.

He paused for a moment before realizing what was happening, then quickly put down his teacup, stood up, shook hands with Director Li, and said somewhat hesitantly, "Director Li, right? Oh, you've come all this way, why did you bring anything? Please, have a seat!"

Wang Xiuhe quickly stood up, invited Director Li to sit down, and then turned to pour water.

Director Li responded with an "Yes," but didn't sit down immediately. Instead, he turned to face Yao Qingwan, his smile deepening. He bowed slightly and spoke in a tone even lower than before: "Happy New Year, sister-in-law!"

The moment the word "sister-in-law" was uttered, the atmosphere in the room fell into a subtle silence. Liu Shuanzhu paused, holding his cup, Wang Xiuhe slowed her pouring, and even Liang Fangfang showed a hint of surprise.

After all, Director Li was already in his early forties, with the lines of time etched on his face, while Yao Qingwan was only in her early twenties, her eyes still bright and youthful. The sight of a forty-year-old calling a twenty-something "sister-in-law" was truly bewildering.

Yao Qingwan, however, remained calm and showed no embarrassment. She put down the magazine in her hand, smiled at Director Li, and said in a gentle and generous tone, "Director Li, please don't be so polite. You're a guest, so please sit down and let's talk." She then gave Liu Erhe a look, "Erhe, pour some tea for Director Li."

Liu Erhe quickly responded and turned to get the thermos and cup.

Director Li then sat down on the stool, his posture careful and appropriate, neither too casual and impolite, nor overly reserved and uncomfortable. He accepted the hot tea offered by Liu Erhe, held it with both hands, and gave a slight bow towards Yao Qingwan, his tone sincere yet with just the right amount of intimacy: "Sister-in-law, I should have come to wish our former leader a Happy New Year yesterday, but thinking that your family would be reunited on New Year's Eve, I didn't want to disturb you, so I came today. I didn't expect our former leader to be so busy that he couldn't even celebrate the New Year; he's really working hard."

Yao Qingwan picked up her water glass, took a sip, and replied with a smile, "It's enough that Director Li's intention is there. Yu Heng has indeed been very busy these past two days, with one departmental matter after another. When he returns, I will tell him that you came."

Director Li nodded repeatedly: "Of course, of course. Our old leader works so hard for the country, it's not easy for him. I won't take up his time. I'm just happy that he can come and wish your parents and sister-in-law a Happy New Year."

He then turned to Liang Fangfang, his gaze lingering for a moment on her prominently protruding belly, his tone carrying the concern of a superior for a subordinate: "Comrade Liang, you're quite far along this stage. You'll be seven or eight months along after the New Year, won't you?"

Liang Fangfang was surprised that Director Li would specifically call on her, and quickly nodded: "Seven months, Director Li."

Director Li waved his hand, his tone serious: "With your current health, standing at the counter definitely won't be enough. Don't worry about the supply and marketing cooperative. If you feel tired or uncomfortable, just have your brother Erhe come and tell me, and I'll approve your leave. Take as many days as you want. Your salary will be paid as usual, so don't worry about anything being deducted."

Liang Fangfang quickly thanked him, her tone somewhat flattered: "Director Li, you're too kind. I can manage. Sister Zhang and the others at the supply and marketing cooperative have also taken good care of me, not letting me do any heavy work..."

Yao Qingwan chimed in at the opportune moment, her tone gentle yet weighty: "Since Director Li says so, then we won't stand on ceremony. Fangfang is a strong-willed person and rarely asks for leave, so with your words, Erhe feels at ease. Thank you for your consideration, Director Li."

Director Li quickly waved his hand: "Sister-in-law, please don't say that! If it weren't for my old leader, I would have lost my life long ago. Let alone taking care of Comrade Fangfang, even if it's something bigger, as long as I, Li Qingyang, can do it, I will never hesitate."

Yao Qingwan's gaze lingered on Director Li's face for a moment, and she nodded slightly.