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

Liu Yuheng gave a wry smile and shook his head: "Mother, there's no war anymore, and I've been transferred to civilian work. What danger could there be? It's just that the ministry has a rather important mission that requires me to go. Don't worry about me. I'm a grown man; what could possibly happen to me?" As he spoke, he lowered his head and ate a few mouthfuls of rice, finishing the porridge in his bowl. He put down the bowl, stood up, and said, "I'm going to see Erhe and his wife, and I'll just take a quick look at the child before I go back. Qingwan is still waiting for me at home."

Liu Shuanzhu nodded without saying anything more. Wang Xiuhe stood up and followed Liu Yuheng. The two left the east wing and walked to the door of Liu Erhe's room next door. Wang Xiuhe raised her hand and gently knocked twice. Liu Erhe's voice came from inside: "Who is it?"

"Me." Liu Yuheng pushed open the door and walked in sideways.

Liang Fangfang leaned against the kang (a heated brick bed), her head wrapped in a light-colored headscarf. Although her face still bore a slight pallor from childbirth, she was in good spirits, holding a small swaddled baby in her arms. Liu Erhe sat on the edge of the kang, holding a bowl of brown sugar water to Liang Fangfang's lips. Seeing Liu Yuheng enter, he quickly put down the bowl, stood up, and smiled with delight: "Brother? What brings you here!"

Liu Yuheng walked to the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed) and bent down to look at the swaddled baby in Liang Fangfang's arms. The little one had his eyes open, his bright black pupils darting around curiously, and his little mouth was moving slightly, as if he were sucking in air. His face had grown a bit more since he was in the hospital a few days ago, and it was rosy, like a little apple.

Liu Yuheng watched for a while, then straightened up, his tone carrying the gentleness characteristic of an elder brother: "The child is growing well, even bigger than when he was born." He turned to Liu Erhe, considered his words carefully before speaking, "Erhe, I have something to tell you. I have to go on a business trip for a while, and I'm afraid I won't be able to attend the child's one-month celebration."

Liu Erhe's smile faltered slightly, but he quickly recovered and nodded: "Work is important, brother, you should go. I'll discuss the full moon celebration with Dad, so don't worry."

Liu Yuheng nodded, then turned to Liang Fangfang: "If you need anything, or if you're missing anything, just have someone go to the North City Compound to find Qingwan."

Liang Fangfang nodded against the bedding, her voice soft and gentle: "Brother, don't worry, we have everything we need. You can focus on your business trip and don't worry about us."

Liu Yuheng nodded, glanced at the little one again, gently touched her cheek, then turned to Wang Xiuhe and said, "Mother, I'm leaving now," before leaving the house.

......

The next morning, just as dawn was breaking, Liu Yuheng woke up. He didn't linger in bed; he sat up, dressed, and went downstairs. When he came down, Yao's mother was already busy in the kitchen. Steam was rising from the pot on the stove, and the air was filled with the aroma of rice porridge and the sour smell of pickled vegetables. Yao Qingwan was also up, sitting on the sofa in the living room with a cup of hot water in her hand. Seeing Liu Yuheng come downstairs, her gaze lingered on him for a moment.

"Have breakfast before you leave." Yao Qingwan's tone was calm, revealing no particular emotion, but Liu Yuheng knew she was definitely worried about him.

He walked over and sat down next to her, took the bowl of porridge that Yao's mother handed him, took a couple of sips, put down the bowl, and glanced at Yao Qingwan: "I'll find a way to call you when I get there. If you can't contact me, just call the department and ask for Secretary Chen."

Yao Qingwan nodded without saying anything more, but simply reached out and smoothed out a wrinkle on his collar.

After breakfast, Liu Yuheng picked up his packed luggage and went out. It was a small canvas bag containing a few changes of clothes, a notebook, and some documents—light and convenient. He walked to the door and glanced back. Yao Qingwan was standing in the living room doorway, with her mother beside her, both looking at him.

Liu Yuheng nodded to them, turned and left the courtyard, bending down to get into the car waiting at the door.

The car arrived at the Second Ministry of Machine Building first. Two cars were already parked in front of the office building, and several young staff members were standing by the cars waiting. When they saw Liu Yuheng's car arrive, they all came forward to greet him.

Liu Yuheng knew most of these people; they were several key personnel transferred from the ministry: two were technical analysts, one was a general coordinator, and the other was a young comrade from the General Office who came to accompany him and take notes.

When the group saw Liu Yuheng, they all stood up straight and greeted him. Liu Yuheng nodded to them, briefly explained the itinerary, and then invited everyone to get into the car.

The convoy drove out of the Second Ministry of Machine Building compound and headed towards the garrison area.

Upon arriving at the garrison airport, the car stopped beside the tarmac. Liu Yuheng opened the car door and immediately saw a man standing by the tarmac, wearing a dark green military uniform with general's stars on his shoulder insignia, waiting with his hands behind his back. It was Commander Fu of the garrison.

When Commander Fu saw Liu Yuheng get out of the car, he immediately strode over to him, extending his hand from afar with a smile on his face, and called out, "The old commander is here!"

Liu Yuheng quickly stepped forward, shook hands with him, and waved his hand with a smile: "Old Fu, I can't accept the title of 'old commander' from you. I've only been in the garrison for a little over a year. In terms of seniority and contributions, you are the real veteran of the garrison. I'm just a passerby."

Commander Fu chuckled twice, holding Liu's hand tightly. "Minister Liu, what are you saying? No matter how long you've served in the garrison, you're still its first commander. If you don't take on this 'old leader' role, who will?"

As he spoke, he glanced at the group of people behind Liu Yuheng, nodded to them as a greeting, and then turned to Liu Yuheng, his tone becoming more serious than before: "The plane is ready, and it's fully fueled. You can get on and go."

Liu Yuheng nodded to Commander Fu, his tone filled with sincere gratitude: "Old Fu, thank you for your hard work, waiting here so early in the morning."

Commander Fu waved his hand: "Alright, enough with the formalities. Have a safe journey."

Liu Yuheng smiled and responded, then turned and beckoned the others who were with him to board the plane before following them up the gangway.

This is a transport plane produced by Big Brother. The cabin space is not small, but the seats are simple and lack the comfort of civilian airliners.

There was no soundproofing in the cabin. Once the engine started, the entire cabin was filled with a deafening roar, and even the person sitting opposite you had to shout to be heard.

Liu Yuheng sat down by the window, fastened his seatbelt, and glanced out the window. Commander Fu's figure on the tarmac was gradually getting smaller, and the airport runway was rapidly receding in his field of vision. Then the nose of the plane lifted, the fuselage tilted slightly, and the scenery on the ground began to shrink and recede, turning into a mottled, ever-changing map.