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

Dean Wu was startled by his words and quickly waved his hands, his face showing a hint of panic: "Oh, Minister Liu, please don't say that! I didn't mean it that way! I was just making a casual remark, how can you blame the higher-ups for this!"

Seeing his nervous expression, Liu Yuheng couldn't help but laugh and patted him on the shoulder: "Dean Wu, just kidding, don't take it seriously."

He paused for a moment, then his tone became more serious: "However, the problem you mentioned does exist. Changing people's attitudes is not something that can be done overnight; it takes time. In a few years, when people's living conditions improve and they receive more education, they will naturally get used to giving birth in hospitals."

Dean Wu finally breathed a sigh of relief, smiled and nodded, then glanced at Liu Yuheng: "Minister Liu, you have a long-term vision."

As they spoke, the group had already gone up to the second floor. The nurse led them to the door of a ward at the end of the corridor and pushed it open. The ward was not large, but it was very clean, with white walls and light blue curtains. Two beds were placed side by side against the window. The bed near the door was covered with snow-white sheets and pillows, while the other bed was empty.

The nurse helped Liang Fangfang sit down slowly on the hospital bed by the window, then helped her take off her coat and hang it on the coat hook next to her. She bent down and patted the pillow loose to put behind her back, her movements quick and gentle: "Comrade Liang, please lean back and rest for a while. The doctor will come to give you a simple examination in a little while. Please call us if you need anything."

Liang Fangfang felt a little embarrassed by the series of acts of kindness she received. She repeatedly said "thank you," then glanced at the room and sat somewhat awkwardly on the edge of the bed, her hand unconsciously touching the snow-white sheets beneath her.

Wang Xiuhe and Liang's mother had already carefully placed the bundle they brought on the small cabinet in the corner and started taking things out: a towel and toothbrush cup for washing, two lunch boxes, a few changes of clothes, a roll of diapers, and the thin quilt, all neatly arranged one by one.

Dean Wu gestured towards the door, and a middle-aged female doctor in a white coat walked in, carrying a stethoscope and a stack of medical records. She nodded to Liu Yuheng and Dean Wu respectively, then walked to Liang Fangfang's bedside, her voice gentle yet efficient: "Comrade Liang, let me do a quick check-up for you. Just relax."

She first listened carefully to Liang Fangfang's fetal heartbeat, then gently pressed her abdomen to check the baby's position. She then flipped through the medical record book, made a few notes, put down her pen, and looked up with a reassuring smile: "The baby is doing very well, the heartbeat is strong, the position is correct, and all of the mother's indicators are normal. Based on the current situation, the delivery date should be in the next few days, not too long. You don't need to be too nervous, everything is fine."

Upon hearing this, Liang Fangfang's tense shoulders visibly relaxed a bit, and Wang Xiuhe also quietly breathed a sigh of relief.

Liu Yuheng stood at the door, nodded to the female doctor, and said with sincere gratitude, "Doctor, thank you for your help during this time. Please let me know if there's anything I need you to prepare."

The female doctor smiled and waved her hand, "Minister Liu, you're too kind. This is all part of our job. We will monitor Comrade Liang's condition 24 hours a day and deal with any changes immediately. You can rest assured."

Dean Wu chimed in, "Yes, Minister Liu, rest assured, we have already arranged the most reliable personnel."

Liu Yuheng smiled and nodded, then shook hands with Dean Wu and the female doctor. He watched them leave the ward, and just as he turned around, he heard hurried footsteps coming from the corner of the corridor.

Immediately afterwards, Liu Er appeared at the end of the corridor, covered in sweat, still wearing his dark blue work jacket. His face was flushed from the journey, and he walked breathlessly to the ward door. He bent over, held his knees, and took a couple of breaths before straightening up.

"Brother... I'm here... The inpatient department is really hard to find. I circled around downstairs twice before I found the stairs..." Liu Erhe said, wiping the sweat from his forehead with his sleeve. He glanced into the ward and saw that Liang Fangfang was already comfortably leaning against the bed. Only then did the anxious look on his face relax.

Liu Yuheng glanced at him, his tone a mix of helplessness and amusement: "Alright, you're here, go in now. Everything's settled in here, I should head back."

He peeked into the ward and said to Wang Xiuhe and Liang's mother, "Mom, Aunt Liang, Erhe has arrived, so I'll head back now. You don't both need to stay here; one of you can stay and take turns. There are doctors and nurses on duty tonight; just call them if anything happens. You don't have to tough it out on your own."

Wang Xiuhe was bending down to tidy up the things on the cabinet when she heard this. She straightened up and nodded, "Okay, I understand. You can go back now. Qingwan is home alone, don't keep her waiting. Your mother and I are here, so don't worry."

Mrs. Liang nodded repeatedly, "Minister Liu, thank you so much today. If it weren't for you, we wouldn't know these intricacies."

Liu Yuheng waved his hand: "Aunt Liang, don't be so polite, we're all family." After he finished speaking, he glanced at Liu Erhe again, "Alright, you stay here with Fangfang, I'm leaving."

Liu Erhe hurriedly said, "Brother, let me see you off," but Liu Yuheng waved his hand to stop him: "What are you seeing me off for? You stay here and keep watch. Don't run back and forth. After Fangfang gives birth, call home." After he finished speaking, he turned around and walked along the corridor toward the stairwell. His footsteps rang steadily in the empty corridor, and he soon turned the corner.

Liu Erhe stood at the door of the ward, watching Liu Yuheng's figure disappear at the top of the stairs before turning and entering the ward. He walked to Liang Fangfang's bedside, bent down, and asked in a low voice, "How are you feeling? Are you feeling unwell?"

Liang Fangfang shook her head against the pillow, a faint smile on her lips: "It's alright, everything's fine. Big brother has arranged everything, so you don't need to worry."

Liu Erhe finally breathed a sigh of relief, sat down on the empty chair next to him, and rubbed his hands, which were red from being pressed against the handlebars.

Liu Yuheng went downstairs and walked out of the inpatient department. He bent down and got into the Volga that was waiting by the roadside, told the driver "Back to the north of the city," and the car slowly drove away from the hospital, heading back along the road into the night.