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

After chatting for a while, Yao's mother glanced at the clock on the wall, stood up, and patted the hem of her clothes. "Alright, I'm going to cook. You all sit and chat."

As she spoke, she walked towards the door, wiping her hands on a handkerchief as she did so.

Yao Qingwan also stood up, wanting to go to the kitchen to help, but before she could take a step, her mother pressed her back into her chair: "Don't move! You're pregnant, what are you doing in the kitchen? What if you get choked by the fumes? Just sit and wait to eat."

Yao Qingwan glanced helplessly at Liu Yuheng, who shook his head slightly, indicating that she should follow his instructions. Yao Qingwan had no choice but to sit back down, watching her mother tie on an apron and walk into the kitchen, the sound of chopping vegetables drifting up from there.

A moment of silence fell over the living room. Mr. Yao took another sip of his tea, then set it down. As if remembering something, his tone was casual yet deliberate: "Yuheng, let me ask you something. Your in-laws live in the compound at No. 95 Nanluoguxiang. Do you know someone named Lou Jingye?"

Liu Yuheng was sipping tea when he heard the name. He paused for a moment, his mind racing, but couldn't place it. He shook his head. "Not very familiar. Lou Jingye? What does he do?"

Mr. Yao added, "He's the former owner of the steel rolling mill, now it's a joint public-private enterprise, and he's just a private director. He's nicknamed 'Lou the Half-City,' have you heard of him?"

Upon hearing the nickname, Liu Yuheng immediately recognized it and nodded: "Lou Bancheng? I know that person; he used to be quite famous in the capital's business circles. What happened to him?"

Mr. Yao hesitated for a moment, as if carefully considering how to phrase his words: "I ran into him outside a while ago, and he took the initiative to talk to me. Before Liberation, we had met a few times, but we weren't close, just nodding acquaintances at most. He talked to me for a long time that day, and what he was implying was that he wanted to get to know you through me. I didn't dare to say anything at the time, so I just gave a vague answer."

He paused, glanced at Liu Yuheng, and asked with a hint of inquiry, "What do you think he means by this? Is it good or bad?"

Liu Yuheng put down his teacup, leaned back in his chair, and thought for a while, his expression becoming more serious. He had heard of Lou Jingye before; he was a well-known industrialist whose businesses used to be very large, involving flour, textiles, steel rolling, and other industries. He had extensive connections and influence, and was considered a prominent figure in Beijing. However, what truly made Liu Yuheng wary was not Lou Jingye's reputation, but rather his underlying identity: a capitalist.

After the public-private partnership, the situation of these former businessmen became quite delicate. Nominally, they still held titles such as private directors, but in reality, they no longer had decision-making power over the company. Some could still hold a sinecure in their original positions, while others had completely withdrawn.

These people may appear respectable on the surface, but they are actually quite anxious inside. Times have changed, and the winds of change have shifted; their label of "capitalist" is becoming increasingly conspicuous in this day and age.

Lou Jingye's initiative in approaching Yao's father was clearly motivated by what he wanted: to find a powerful backer. Lou Jingye intended to use Yao's father as a springboard to get closer to Liu Yuheng.

Liu Yuheng connected these clues in his mind, thought a few more steps ahead, and his heart was already on edge.

Others might not know, but he, a man from the future, knew perfectly well what kind of burden those "capitalists" would become in ten years, and what kind of repercussions those who were close to them would suffer. Lou Jingye still seemed like a respectable man now, but how long could that respectability last? Even he himself wasn't sure, and Liu Yuheng didn't want to get involved in anything like that.

Especially Yao's parents, university teachers and intellectuals, were already in a sensitive predicament. Liu Yuheng himself wasn't afraid; he was in charge of military industry at the Second Ministry of Machine Building and had no connection whatsoever with local capitalists. But Yao's parents were different; they were too vulnerable on this line.

Liu Yuheng had another plan in mind. Lou Jingye's intention in marrying his daughter to a family with a good social class and betrothing Lou Xiao'e to Xu Damao was all too clear: to improve their social class.

The word "capitalist" is becoming increasingly glaring in this day and age, so he has to find a way to save face for his family, even if it's just by using his son-in-law's background as a fig leaf. The fact that he has to be so meticulous about even his own daughter's marriage to save his own life shows just how panicked he is.

He paused for a few seconds before speaking, "Dad, I suggest you keep your distance from Lou Jingye. People of his status are managed by a special department now, which has nothing to do with my work. I'm just a minister in charge of military industry, so I have no connection with him. Besides, if the relationship isn't close to begin with, then we shouldn't have too much contact to avoid getting entangled later."

He paused, his tone becoming more serious: "I'm not saying there's anything wrong with him, but as you know, the situation is complicated now. After the public-private partnership, the old capitalists' circumstances are very complicated. We don't need to actively try to get into that circle. If you run into him on the street, just say hello, that's all."

After listening, Mr. Yao's expression shifted slightly, as if he understood something. He nodded and said, "Yes, you're right. I didn't respond to him at the time and just brushed it off. I know how to handle it when we meet again." He then picked up his teacup, took a sip, and didn't continue the topic.

The sizzling sound of oil in the pan and the skillful stir-frying of Yao's mother came from the kitchen. The aroma of food wafted out from under the door, filling the entire room. Liu Yuheng picked up his teacup and took another sip. His gaze fell on the thriving orchid on the windowsill. He didn't say anything more, but he had already memorized the name Lou Jingye in his mind.

Not long after, Yao's mother poked her head out of the kitchen and called out, "Dinner's ready! Come and sit down!"

Yao Lei was the first to stand up, quickly setting out the bowls and chopsticks and serving the dishes. Liu Yuheng also stood up, walked to Yao Qingwan's side, and gently supported her arm. The two of them then sat down at the table together.

The round table was laden with dishes: braised pork, sweet and sour fish, scrambled eggs, stir-fried cabbage with vinegar, and a steaming pot of chicken soup with a layer of golden oil floating on top, emitting a wonderful aroma.

While serving soup to everyone, Yao's mother kept saying, "Eat more, eat more, you have to eat well during the New Year." She picked up a piece of meat with her chopsticks and put it into Yao Qingwan's bowl, and then picked up a piece of vegetables with her chopsticks and put it into Liu Yuheng's bowl. Her movements were neat and natural.