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

The next morning, just as dawn was breaking, Liu Yuheng woke up. He turned over, glanced at the watch on the bedside table, and saw it was just past six o'clock.

He got up, washed up, got dressed, and knocked on Xiao Li's door next door. Xiao Li was already up, his blankets neatly folded, and he was adjusting his military uniform in front of the mirror. The two went downstairs, checked out of the room, and got into the jeep.

"Let's go to the courtyard house first," Liu Yuheng said.

When they passed a steamed bun shop, Liu Yuheng asked Xiao Li to stop the car. The steamed bun shop was small, with a large steamer at the entrance, steaming up. The owner was an old man in his fifties, wearing a faded blue cloth jacket, who was busy picking steamed buns out of the steamer.

Seeing the man in military uniform approaching, the shop owner quickly put on a smile: "Comrade, want to buy some steamed buns? They're fresh out of the steamer, pork and scallion filling, still piping hot!"

"Give me fifteen," Liu Yuheng said, taking money out of his pocket.

The shopkeeper deftly wrapped fifteen large steamed buns in oiled paper, making sure the paper was tightly sealed. Steam escaped through the paper, carrying the aroma of meat and dough. Liu Yuheng took the package, got into the car, and the car continued driving forward.

The car stopped at the entrance of Nanluoguxiang Hutong. The snow hadn't been swept yet, and a thick layer had accumulated in the hutong, crunching underfoot. Liu Yuheng carried the steamed buns, with Xiao Li following behind, and the two of them trudged into the alley.

Some residents in the alley had already gotten up. Voices and coughs could be heard coming from the courtyards, and people were sweeping snow, the brooms making a rustling sound as they swept the blue brick ground.

The gate to compound number 95 was open, and Liu Yuheng pushed it open and went inside.

In the front yard, Yan Bugui was shoveling snow. Hearing footsteps, he looked up, squinting behind his glasses as he sized up the person approaching.

Upon seeing Liu Yuheng for the first time, he didn't recognize him, but habitually asked, "Comrade, what can I do for you?"

Liu Yuheng did not stop, but simply nodded and walked past Yan Bugui.

Yan Bugui paused for a moment, then looked more closely and suddenly recognized him. He almost dropped the broom in his hand, and his voice rose a few decibels: "Hey, isn't this the eldest son of the Liu family? When did you get back? I didn't hear a sound!"

Liu Yuheng had already taken several steps when he turned back, glanced at the package, nodded slightly as a greeting, and continued walking towards the east wing. Yan Bugui stood in the snow, looking at the oil paper package in Liu Yuheng's hand, smelling the aroma of meat buns wafting over, and swallowed hard.

The door to the east wing was ajar. Liu Yuheng pushed it open and went inside. The room was warm and cozy, with the stove burning brightly.

The family had just gotten up. Liu Shuanzhu was sitting on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed) putting on his shoes, Wang Xiuhe was tying her apron and preparing to make breakfast, Liu Erhe was yawning as he came out of the inner room, Liang Fangfang was holding Liu Yixuan and sitting on a chair putting shoes on the child, and Liu Tingting's hair was still uncombed and was draped messily over her shoulders.

Upon seeing Liu Yuheng enter, Liu Tingting was the first to react, jumping up from her chair: "Brother! Why are you here so early!"

Liu Er stopped yawning halfway through, his mouth still open, but his eyes lit up: "Brother, what did you buy? It smells so good!"

Liu Yuheng smiled and held up the oil paper package in his hand, calling out to the crowd, "Come on, come on, I bought big steamed buns, come and eat while they're hot!"

As soon as the oil paper package was opened, the aroma of the meat buns instantly filled the room. Steam and fragrance wafted out together, mingling with the smell of pork and scallions, making one's mouth water. Liu Erhe and Liu Tingting were the first to crowd around, each grabbing one. They scalded their hands, switching them from left to right, blowing on them to cool them down, but neither of them was willing to put them down.

Liu Yuheng picked up a steamed bun and handed it to Liu Shuanzhu, then picked up another and handed it to Wang Xiuhe, and then gave one to Liang Fangfang. Liang Fangfang took it, broke off a small piece, and fed it to Liu Yixuan. The little guy took a bite, his eyes lit up, and he reached out his chubby little hand to grab the big steamed bun, shouting, "More! More!"

Liu Yuheng picked up another bun and handed it to Xiao Li. Xiao Li took the bun and stood aside, eating it heartily, his mouth dripping with oil. He then picked up the last one himself, took a bite, and found the dough soft and fluffy, the meat filling tender and juicy, bursting with flavor in his mouth—it was indeed delicious.

While eating, Wang Xiuhe muttered, "I'm wasting money again. Why buy so many buns? We have cornbread at home, we can just heat it up. Why waste money like this..." Despite saying this, she ate quickly and finished a bun in no time.

Liu Yuheng smiled but didn't reply.

After Liu Yixuan finished the small piece of minced meat, he stretched out his hand and said, "More!" Liang Fangfang broke off another piece and fed it to him. The little guy ate it with his mouth full of oil, his little face full of satisfaction, and he nestled in Liang Fangfang's arms, giggling.

The family gathered around the stove, eating steamed buns with hot tea, sweating profusely as they ate. They ate all fifteen large buns, leaving not a single one, not even the bun wrappers.

After finishing breakfast, Liu Erhe wiped his mouth, stood up, put on his coat, and headed outside. As he reached the door, he ran into Yi Zhonghai, Jia Dongxu, Liu Haizhong, and a few others who were also coming out of their rooms, preparing to go to the steel rolling mill together.

The group of people were taken aback when they saw Liu Yuheng standing at the door of the east wing.

Yi Zhonghai was the first to react, nodding to Liu Yuheng and calling out, "Comrade Liu is back?"

Liu Yuheng nodded in response: "Good morning, Master Yi."

Yi Zhonghai smiled, said nothing more, and turned to walk out.

Several people walked out of the courtyard, and Liu Er walked with them. Their voices could be faintly heard.

"Erhe, when did your older brother get back?"

Yesterday.

"How long can you stay this time? Are you leaving or not?"

"Let's go, I'll be away for a while longer, I'll be transferred back next year."

"Transferred back? Transferred back to the capital? That's great, your family will be reunited."

The sound faded into the distance and gradually became inaudible.

After everyone left, the courtyard became quiet. Liu Yuheng turned around and said to Wang Xiuhe, "Mother, let's go buy some things together, and then we'll go take a look at the house."

Wang Xiuhe took off her apron, wiped her hands, and glanced at Liu Shuanzhu.

Liu Shuanzhu was sitting on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed) smoking his pipe. He waved his hand and said, "Go ahead, I'll rest for a bit and then go to work."

Wang Xiuhe nodded, rummaged through the cabinet and pulled out a small cloth bag containing the money she had saved for a long time. She put the bag in her bosom, patted it, and made sure it was safe.

Liang Fangfang held Liu Yixuan, putting a hat and scarf on the child, wrapping him up tightly. Liu Tingting, already dressed in her cotton-padded coat and with her hair in a ponytail, stood at the door impatiently urging, "Hurry up, hurry up, I can't wait!"

Liu Yuheng led his family out the door. Xiao Li had already driven the jeep to the alley entrance, the door open, waiting for them to get in.

It was Wang Xiuhe's first time riding in a car. Standing by the door, she was a little flustered, unsure how to get in. Liu Yuheng helped her, showing her to step on the footrest first, and then sit down. After Wang Xiuhe got in, she touched the leather seat cover and exclaimed in admiration, "This car is so soft, even softer than the kang (heated brick bed) at home!"

Liang Fangfang carried Liu Yixuan into the car. It was the little guy's first time riding in a car, and he was incredibly curious, looking around and reaching for the window, but Liang Fangfang held him back. Liu Tingting, on the other hand, was quite experienced; she had ridden in a car once three years ago. Although three years had passed, her excitement hadn't diminished at all. As soon as she got in the car, she pressed her face against the window to look outside.

Xiao Li started the car, and the Jeep drove out of Nanluoguxiang and onto the main road.

The car didn't head towards the supply and marketing cooperative, but instead headed directly towards the north of the city. Wang Xiuhe watched the street scene outside the window change from familiar alleyways to wide main roads, and then to quiet tree-lined avenues. It took her a while to realize what was happening, and she turned to Liu Yuheng, asking, "Weren't we going to buy something? Why did we come here?"

Liu Yuheng smiled and pointed to the cluster of buildings outside the car window, saying, "Mom, there's a supply and marketing cooperative, a movie theater, a bathhouse, a barbershop, everything in there, even more complete than outside. Let's go to the supply and marketing cooperative to buy things first, and then go straight to the house, saving us the trouble of going back and forth."

"A movie theater?" Liu Tingting's ears perked up immediately, her eyes shining like stars. "Brother, there's a movie theater in here? Can I come here to watch movies in the future?"

Liu Yuheng smiled and glanced at her, then reached out and ruffled her hair: "Once I'm officially transferred back, you can come whenever you want. Not now, though. This courtyard isn't fully finished yet, and I don't even know if the movie theater is open."

Liu Tingting pouted, but quickly became excited again, pressing her face against the car window to look out, muttering, "This yard is so big, much bigger than ours..."

The jeep stopped briefly at the gate of the compound. Liu Yuheng showed his identification, the sentry saluted, and let him through. The car drove in; the road inside was wide, with neat rows of trees on both sides, and small buildings nestled among the pines and cypresses, creating a very peaceful atmosphere.

The supply and marketing cooperative was located in the southeast corner of the courtyard. It was a row of gray brick bungalows with a wooden sign that read "Supply and Marketing Cooperative" hanging at the entrance. Inside, it was filled with all kinds of goods.

Wang Xiuhe got into the swing of things as soon as she entered, her eyes scanning the shelves. She first went to the fabric counter, bought a few feet of white cloth to use as bed sheets, and then bought two quilts. She needed pots and pans; a large iron pot for cooking, thick bowls to prevent breakage, and a pair of bamboo chopsticks—cheap and good. She also bought a kettle, a washbasin, towels, soap, and laundry detergent, filling two large sacks with all the odds and ends.

Liu Yuheng was about to pay when Wang Xiuhe stopped him, saying, "Keep your money; you'll need it for a lot of things later." She took out the cloth bag from her bosom, opened it layer by layer, counted out a few bills, handed them to the cashier, counted out the change one bill at a time, stuffed it back into the bag, rewrapped it, put it in her bosom, and patted it down.

After shopping, Liu Yuheng handed two large sacks to Xiao Li: "You take them back in the car first and wait at the entrance. I'll take them back on foot and let them look around."

Xiao Li responded and started the car, driving off first. Liu Yuheng, along with Wang Xiuhe, Liu Tingting, and Liang Fangfang carrying Liu Yixuan, slowly walked along the path in the yard. The path was slippery after the snow, and Wang Xiuhe walked slowly, so Liu Yuheng slowed his pace to accompany them.

Rows of small buildings, with gray bricks and red tiles, line both sides of the road, nestled among pine and cypress trees. Some buildings have black cars parked in front of them, while others have flowers and trees in their courtyards. Although they are bare in winter, one can imagine what they will look like in spring and summer.

As Liu Tingting walked, she looked around and suddenly pointed to a small building by the roadside and asked, "Brother, is your house like this one?"

Liu Yuheng looked at it; it was a two-story building with a small courtyard, similar in layout to his own. He nodded: "Pretty much, just like that."

"Wow—" Liu Tingting drew out her voice and jogged forward, wanting to see if there were any more beautiful sights ahead.

A group of people walked along, and occasionally a black sedan would slowly drive past them, its wheels making a soft, rustling sound as they rolled over the snow.

Sometimes the people in the car would roll down the window, nod at Liu Yuheng, and call him "Commander Liu" or "Old Liu." Liu Yuheng would nod in response and exchange a few polite words such as "You're back" or "Come and see the house."

After walking for about fifteen minutes, they arrived at the entrance of the gray brick building. Xiao Li had already unloaded the two large sacks and placed them on the steps at the entrance, and was carrying the items inside one by one.

Wang Xiuhe stood at the door, looking up at the two-story building, her mouth slightly open, unable to close for a long time.

The walls were gray brick, the roof red with tiles, and the windows were large with gleaming glass that reflected the blue sky and white snow. There was a small set of steps in front of the door, with a pot of holly on each side. Although most of the holly was covered by snow, its greenness still peeked out from beneath.

"This...this is your house?" Wang Xiuhe's voice trembled slightly, unable to believe that this was where her son lived.

Liu Yuheng nodded: "Yes, this is the one."

Wang Xiuhe stepped onto the stairs, stood at the doorway, and looked back once more, as if to confirm that she wasn't dreaming. Liang Fangfang, carrying Liu Yixuan, followed behind her, also looking astonished. Although she was from the city, she had always lived in an ordinary alleyway courtyard and had never seen a two-story detached house like this before.

"Big brother, this house is really nice," Liang Fangfang said softly, looking down at Liu Yixuan in her arms.

The little one, not understanding why the adults were all standing there, anxiously reached out his little hand towards the door, calling out, "Come in! Come in!"

Liu Tingting couldn't wait any longer and was the first to push open the door and rush in. Then, a gasp came from inside: "Wow—it's so big—"

The living room was very large, larger than the entire east wing. The windows faced south, and sunlight streamed in, illuminating the light-colored floor.

The living room was empty, without any furniture, but the space itself was enough to amaze people.

Liu Tingting walked around the living room, saw the stairs, and ran up them without saying a word. The wooden stairs thumped under her feet, and she disappeared from the second floor like a gust of wind.

"Tingting! Slow down!" Wang Xiuhe called out from behind, but Liu Tingting could no longer hear her.

Seeing his aunt run away, Liu Yixuan struggled to get down from Liu Yuheng's arms, reaching out his little hands towards the stairs, calling out, "Auntie! Auntie! Hug me!"

Liu Yuheng put him down. The little guy, wearing a thick cotton-padded coat, wobbled like a little ball as he walked towards the stairs. After a few steps, he was blocked by the steps and couldn't climb them. He stomped his feet in frustration.

Liang Fangfang smiled, went over and picked him up, then followed him up the stairs.

Wang Xiuhe stood in the middle of the living room, pacing around, looking at the ceiling and then at the windows, muttering to herself, "This house is so big and bright, so much better than our old yard..."