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

Liu Yuheng quickly waved to everyone, his tone casual and gentle: "Sit down, everyone. Don't stand up just because we're here. Look where you want to look, say what you want to say, don't be shy."

As he spoke, he helped Yao Qingwan to the bedside, pulled over the chair by the window for her to sit down, and stood beside her, his gaze fixed on the tiny swaddled baby.

The little one was wrapped in a small floral cotton blanket, with only his rosy little face showing. His skin still had that light pink color that is unique to newborns. His little mouth was slightly pursed, and he was sleeping soundly, breathing lightly and evenly, his chest rising and falling gently with each breath.

Yao Qingwan bent down and looked closely for a while, her gaze tracing the little one's face carefully before straightening up and smiling at Liang Fangfang: "So pretty, your eyebrows and eyes are like yours. Your cheeks are rosy, you look so healthy."

Liang Fangfang lay on the hospital bed, her hair a little disheveled, her face showing postpartum fatigue, but she was in good spirits. Hearing this, she smiled and said softly, "Sister-in-law, you should sit down. Standing will be tiring."

Yao Qingwan waved her hand to indicate that she was fine, then looked down at the little one and gently touched the edge of the swaddling clothes with her fingers, her movements light and gentle, as if afraid of waking the little life.

Liu Yixuan, standing on a stool nearby, watched anxiously and muttered under his breath, "When will my little sister be able to play with me?"

This made everyone in the room laugh.

After Yao Qingwan sat down, Liu Yuheng turned to Liu Erhe, his tone carrying a hint of elder's concern: "What did the doctor say? Is Fangfang alright? How many days will she need to stay in the hospital?"

Liu Erhe quickly replied, "The doctor said Fangfang has a good constitution and the delivery went smoothly, so there are no major problems. She can go home to rest for three or four days, and then go back to the hospital for a check-up."

Liu Yuheng nodded, thought for a moment, and said, "Let me know in advance when you're discharged, and I'll send a car to pick you up. Don't ride your bike to take them home yourself; it's still getting chilly."

Upon hearing this, Liu Erhe immediately agreed: "Okay, brother, I understand. I'll definitely call you in advance."

Liu Yuheng then turned to Liu Shuanzhu and asked casually, "Father, are we still going to have the baby's one-month celebration? If so, what are your plans?"

Liu Shuanzhu was standing by the window with a teacup in his hand. Hearing this, he put down his cup, thought for a moment, and then said, "Of course we have to do it. This is a big event for the Liu family, and we can't not do it." As he spoke, he glanced at Yao Qingwan's belly and added, "But I've been thinking, why don't we wait until your child is born too, and then do both celebrations together? It'll be a lively affair, and it'll save us the trouble of doing them separately."

Liu Yuheng shook his head, his tone carrying a firm sense of proportion: "Father, the children here should be treated as they are, and it's only right to have a lively celebration. But my children are different. Given my current status, it's not appropriate to hold a grand celebration. When the time comes, the relatives from the Yao family and our own family members can just come to my place for a meal. There's no need to invite outsiders or hold a banquet."

He then turned to Mr. and Mrs. Liang, his tone sincere: "Uncle Liang, Aunt Liang, you two must come too."

Liang Cheng nodded hurriedly in agreement: "I will definitely come, I will definitely come. Minister Liu, you are too kind."

Hearing this, Liu Shuanzhu picked up his teacup, took a sip, and thought for a moment. He understood Liu Yuheng's meaning; his son's status was different now, and everyone was watching him. It was better to avoid trouble. He put down his teacup and nodded: "Okay, I'll listen to you. We'll handle things here at Erhe. As for your side, we'll just have a meal with our own family and keep quiet."

Liu Yuheng then remembered something else and turned to Liu Shuanzhu, his tone becoming more serious: "Father, there's one more thing I need to tell you beforehand. For this full moon celebration, don't let the monetary gifts we receive exceed one yuan."

After listening, Liu Shuanzhu immediately nodded in agreement: "Okay, I know what's important. I'll make it clear to the people in the courtyard that we won't accept more than that."

Liu Yuheng nodded in relief. He sat in the ward for a while longer, said a few words to Liang Fangfang to reassure her and help her rest, then looked at the little one who was sleeping soundly. After confirming that everything was alright, he stood up and said to Yao Qingwan, "It's getting late, you should go back and rest."

Yao Qingwan responded and slowly stood up, supporting herself on the armrest of the chair.

Liu Yuheng nodded to everyone: "Then we'll head back first. I have work to do tomorrow, and Qingwan needs to get some rest too."

Everyone stood up to see them off, but Liu Yuheng waved his hand and said, "No need to see them off, you all go about your business." He was about to leave with Yao Qingwan in his hand when he suddenly stopped at the door, as if he remembered something. He turned around and looked at Liu Shuanzhu and Liu Erhe.

"There's one more thing. The birth of a child is a joyous occasion, but it's inevitable that some people will use this as an excuse to give gifts. If someone brings you a gift, especially from someone of unusual status, you need to be careful and not accept everything."

Liu Erhe looked somewhat bewildered, and Liu Shuanzhu also frowned slightly.

Liu Yuheng paused for a moment, then directly named Lou Jingye, saying, "For example, Lou Jingye, the private director of your steel mill. If he sends you anything under the guise of your child, don't accept it, not even a single needle or thread."

Liu Erhe was stunned for a moment before he realized what he meant, then quickly nodded, "Brother, I'll remember!"

Liang Cheng nodded beside him, his expression becoming more serious. Although Liu Shuanzhu didn't quite understand the intricacies of the situation, he nodded in agreement when his son spoke so solemnly, without asking any further questions.

Seeing that everyone had agreed, Liu Yuheng turned around and led Yao Qingwan out of the ward. The two walked slowly down the corridor to the stairwell, Liu Yuheng supporting Yao Qingwan's arm, his steps steady and slow.

After going downstairs and getting into the car, it slowly drove away from the hospital. The car was quiet for a moment. Yao Qingwan leaned back in her seat and closed her eyes briefly, then opened them again, turning her head to look at Liu Yuheng: "You mentioned Lou Jingye earlier… are you wary of him?"

Liu Yuheng turned his gaze away from the road ahead and glanced at her sideways: "I guess so. Those kinds of people, once you get involved with them, it's hard to explain later. It's best to draw a clear line now before we have any interaction."

Yao Qingwan listened and didn't ask any more questions. She just gave a soft "hmm" and leaned back in her seat, her gaze fixed on the twilight outside the window.

The car drove smoothly through the night, and soon turned onto that familiar side road, stopping in front of the small brick building.

Liu Yuheng got out of the car first, walked around to the other side to open the door for Yao Qingwan, and helped her out of the car. The two walked into the house side by side, and the door closed behind them, keeping out the chill of the spring night.