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

Jia Dongxu listened to every word Yan Bugui said, and it pierced his heart like a needle.

He thought of Qin Huairu. Qin Huairu had been married to him for years, managing the household chores, carrying loads of rice, and taking care of his mother; her hands were rough and calloused, yet she didn't even have a proper job. If only she could get a job at the supply and marketing cooperative… no, not the supply and marketing cooperative, any unit would do, as long as it was a permanent position with a salary.

By then, the Jia family will be a dual-income family, with two salaries a month. Their lives will be much more comfortable than they are now.

His heart warmed for a moment, then cooled. Why should Liu Yuheng help him? Although he and Liu Erhe were neighbors, their relationship had never been particularly close. In fact, due to some minor conflicts between Jia Zhangshi and Wang Xiuhe, the two families didn't interact much.

Now that I want their help, why should they give me that attitude?

He needs to find a suitable opportunity to carefully plan how to get in touch with the Liu family.

Liu Erhe's lips twitched at Yan Bugui's words, and he was speechless.

His older brother is capable, but not everyone can come to him for a job, right? Does the supply and marketing cooperative belong to the Liu family?

He rubbed his hands together, forced a polite smile, and said in a tone that was somewhat deliberate and diplomatic, "Uncle Yan, this matter... I can't say for sure. Whether the supply and marketing cooperative hires people or not is up to Director Li. How can a worker from a steel rolling mill like me have any say in it?"

"Besides, Brother Jie is still young. If you ask me, you should tutor him more. Maybe he can get into high school. If he gets into a vocational school, he can become a government cadre right after graduation, which is much better than being a sales clerk in a supply and marketing cooperative."

Upon hearing this, Yan Bugui's smile froze for a moment, then he curled his lip, his tone carrying a hint of disdain and disappointment: "Take the high school entrance exam? That's still somewhat hopeful. Take the vocational school entrance exam? That's something only a lucky person can achieve. My Jie Cheng isn't cut out for studying; he'd be lucky to even graduate from junior high."

He shook his head and sighed, "Erhe, just put in a good word for me. I don't need you to guarantee anything, just pass on the message. Whether it works or not is another matter."

Liu Erhe could only offer a few more perfunctory words, "I'll mention it to Director Li when I see him later, but I can't guarantee whether it will work out," and only after much persuasion did he manage to send Yan Bugui away.

He wiped the sweat from his brow, turned and strode quickly toward the east wing, thinking that he couldn't take on this task again, or the whole hospital would be coming to him for help arranging jobs tomorrow.

When he lifted the curtain and entered the east wing, several people were talking inside.

Liang Fangfang sat on a small stool, her pregnant belly protruding, still knitting the little sweater in her hands. She looked up at Liu Erhe and said with a hint of curiosity and emotion, "Erhe, why did Director Li suddenly come to our house to wish us a Happy New Year today? Come to think of it, we should be the ones wishing Director Li a Happy New Year. He has taken good care of me at the supply and marketing cooperative and has always left us gifts during holidays."

Liu Erhe walked to the stove, sat down, rubbed his hands together, and casually replied, "They said they came to see the old man and woman and to wish our brother a Happy New Year."

Yao Qingwan picked up her water glass, took a sip, smiled, and explained slowly, "Director Li's purpose in coming today isn't complicated. The Dongzhimen Supply and Marketing Cooperative is a coveted position, and many people are eyeing it. Sitting there without anyone backing him up, he's bound to feel uneasy. Although Yu Heng transferred from the military to civilian life, his status is still there, and it's enough for him at the supply and marketing cooperative level. With Yu Heng around, anyone who wants to touch him will have to think twice."

She paused for a moment, then continued, "Besides, if Director Li wants to advance in the future, he'll need someone to help him. His visit today is both a New Year's greeting and a way to remind Yu Heng of his existence. Of course, his old comradeship with Yu Heng also plays a part; it's not all about self-interest. But he handles all social niceties flawlessly."

After listening, Liang Fangfang nodded thoughtfully, "So that's how it is... I was wondering why Director Li, although usually very polite to me, acted completely differently today." She then looked at Yao Qingwan with admiration in her eyes, "Sister-in-law, you handled it so well just now, not nervous at all."

Wang Xiuhe chimed in from the side, "That's right. When I saw Qingwan talking to him, she was so natural and poised. She's so different from us country bumpkins."

Yao Qingwan was a little embarrassed by the praise, and smiled with her head down, her tone somewhat candid: "Actually, it wasn't that easy. A while ago, Yu Heng made me take a few extra lessons, saying that I would definitely be in these kinds of situations in the future, so I should be prepared. He told me several times what to say to whichever person comes, what to respond to and what not to respond to. Today was the first time I actually did it, so I was actually quite nervous."

Hearing this, Wang Xiuhe looked at her with heartache: "You've had it tough too, having to worry about all this while pregnant."

Yao Qingwan smiled and shook her head, her tone filled with contentment: "What's a little thing like this? It's just seeing a few people and saying a few words while pregnant. Women in the countryside, don't they still have to work in the fields while pregnant? I heard from Fangfang that Qin Huairu in our courtyard was washing her whole family's clothes by the well even with her big belly. That's really not easy for her."

Wang Xiuhe nodded, her expression tinged with a hint of regret: "Jia Zhangshi is just a lazy bum. Qin Huairu has had a tough time marrying into their family. Such a young girl, stuck with such a mother-in-law, her life is miserable."

Liu Shuanzhu, who hadn't said much until now, put down his pipe, glanced at Yao Qingwan, and asked a rather practical question: "Qingwan, are there many people coming to pay New Year's visits like today? Will you have people coming often in the future?"

Yao Qingwan thought for a moment and replied seriously, "This year is alright, not many. Yu Heng just transferred to civilian work, and the Second Ministry of Machine Building is still in the process of being reorganized. Many people don't know which way the door faces, so there weren't many visitors this year. Next year, I estimate that the directors and bureau chiefs from the ministries, as well as the leaders from the major factories in Beijing and the surrounding areas, will all come to visit."

After listening, Liu Shuanzhu nodded slowly, picked up his teacup and took a sip. His gaze fell on the dappled shadows of the trees in the courtyard outside the window, as if he was slowly digesting the information.

He knew that the higher his son's status rose, the more challenges the family would face, and it would no longer be the quiet, secluded Liu family it once was.

Wang Xiuhe was quite open-minded. She put down her work, patted the loose threads off her hands, and said with a mother's characteristic steadfastness, "Let them come. We'll treat them well. It hasn't been easy for Yuheng to get to where he is today. As elders, all we can do is not cause him any trouble and take care of things at home. With Qingwan here, we can lend a hand when guests come and go."

Liang Fangfang nodded in agreement, her knitting continuing, and whispered, "Mother is right. If we take good care of the house, my brother won't have to worry about us while he's away."