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

On New Year's Eve, before dawn, Liu Yuheng woke up.

He rolled over and got up. There was already noise coming from the kitchen downstairs; Xiao Li was lighting the stove to boil water, and there were also sounds from the living room—Liu Tingting was pacing back and forth, humming some tune.

Liu Yuheng got dressed and went downstairs. Liu Tingting had already tidied herself up neatly.

Liu Yuheng had originally planned to have Liu Shuanzhu's family spend the New Year in his small house. The house was spacious, with several rooms upstairs and downstairs, enough for the whole family. However, Liu Shuanzhu waved his hand as soon as he heard this, saying, "Forget it. It's the New Year, and all the old neighbors in the courtyard will be visiting each other to exchange New Year's greetings on the first day of the lunar new year. It wouldn't be appropriate if everyone came to wish you a happy new year and no one was home."

Besides, although Liu Yuheng's place is big, it's still quite deserted since he just moved in. It's not as lively as the courtyard house. We'll talk about it again next year when everything is settled.

Liu Yuheng didn't insist after hearing this. He knew his father's personality; he was used to living in a courtyard house all his life and couldn't let go of the feelings for his neighbors.

The three of them quickly washed up, boiled a few eggs, and ate them. Liu Tingting even saved one for Liu Yixuan. Liu Yuheng picked up the prepared items: two bottles of good wine, several packets of pastries, two cans of meat, and a few packs of cigarettes he had saved from the holiday supplies issued by the army. He thought for a moment, then stuffed a handful of fruit candies into his pocket. There were many children in the courtyard, and it was the New Year, so he wanted to give them some sweets.

Xiao Li had already started the Jeep, and the engine was humming softly in the yard. The three of them got into the car, and as the car drove out of the courtyard gate, some people in the distance had already started putting up Spring Festival couplets, the red paper and black characters fluttering slightly in the morning breeze.

As the car entered Nanluoguxiang, the alley was already bustling with activity. Several teenagers were setting off firecrackers, sending red paper scraps flying everywhere with a loud bang. As the jeep drove by, the children moved aside, peering curiously into the car. Liu Tingting leaned against the window and waved to them; the children recognized her and waved back.

Spring Festival couplets have already been pasted up at the entrance of compound number 95. They are on bright red paper with rich ink, and are in the handwriting of Yan Bugui. Although he is known for his penny-pinching nature, his handwriting is indeed quite good.

Liu Yuheng pushed open the door and went in. Several children in the front yard were gathered together, chattering about something. When they saw him come in, all their eyes turned to him.

Yan Jiefang was the first to run over. He was Yan Bugui's second son, only seven years old this year. He was thin and small, wearing a new cotton-padded jacket that was obviously a size too big, with the cuffs rolled up several times to reveal his little hands. He ran up to Liu Yuheng, looked up at him, his eyes sparkling, and didn't say a word.

Then Yan Jiekuang ran over. He was a year younger than Yan Jiefang, with a round face, wearing a floral cotton-padded jacket, and looked like a New Year's picture doll. Several younger children also gathered around. There was Liu Haizhong's youngest son, Liu Guangfu, who was only five years old and stumbled along behind. There was also He Yushui, who was eight years old and had two little braids. She stood timidly outside the crowd, not daring to come forward, but her eyes were fixed on what Liu Yuheng was holding.

Further away, He Yuzhu, Xu Damao, Yan Jiecheng, Liu Guangqi, and a few other teenagers stood at the entrance of the central courtyard, watching from a distance without crowding around.

He Yuzhu was eighteen this year, wearing a faded old cotton-padded jacket. Standing next to Xu Damao, his hands were in his pockets, and he looked like an adult. Xu Damao was two years younger than him, tall and thin, wearing a newly made blue cotton-padded jacket. Yan Jiecheng and Liu Guangqi were also fourteen or fifteen years old, the age when they were too shy to come up and snatch candy from the kids. They just called out "Hello, Brother Liu" from afar and then looked away.

Liu Yuheng nodded to the boys as a greeting, then bent down, took out a handful of candy from his pocket, and handed it to the children: "Here, take these, Happy New Year."

The children's eyes lit up immediately.

Liu Yuheng lifted the thick cotton curtain at the entrance of the east wing, and a wave of heat carrying the aroma of flour and minced meat wafted out.

The room was warm and cozy, the stove was burning brightly, Liu Shuanzhu sat on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed), holding Liu Yixuan in his arms. The little guy was holding a red toy car in his hand, making "whoosh" sounds like an engine, and was having a great time playing with it.

Wang Xiuhe and Liang Fangfang sat facing each other on either side of the work surface, their hands moving swiftly to pinch dumpling wrappers. Two rows of plump dumplings, like little white ingots, were already neatly arranged on the work surface.

"Mother, I'm back." Liu Yuheng put the bags he was carrying on the table.

Wang Xiuhe looked up at him, her gaze sweeping over the bags, and said the same old thing again: "You're wasting money again! We have everything at home, why are you buying so much stuff?"

Liu Yuheng smiled, took off his military jacket and draped it over the back of the chair, saying, "Mom, this wasn't bought, it's a holiday gift from the army. It was free, a freebie."

"Given away for free?" Wang Xiuhe paused, her eyes lighting up. "Really?"

"Really, it's a special food allowance." Liu Yuheng walked to the table and took the items out of the bag one by one. "Two bottles of wine, a few packets of pastries, two cans of meat, and a few packs of cigarettes. I left some for Xiao Li so he can take it home for his parents to try when he takes his vacation after the New Year. I brought the rest with me."

Xiao Li followed behind, and when he heard Liu Yuheng mention his name, he scratched the back of his head sheepishly and smiled sheepishly: "Commander, you can keep it, you don't need to give it to me..."

Wang Xiuhe put down the dumpling wrappers in her hand, wiped her hands on her apron, and went over to rummage through the things.

Her fingers traced the items, a barely suppressed smile playing on her lips. She turned and asked again, "Really, it's free?"

"It's free." Liu Yuheng nodded. "Mother, please take it without worry."

Wang Xiuhe was relieved and began putting things away in the cupboard one by one, muttering, "Keep this canned food for guests during the New Year. Your father likes this wine, so keep it for him. These pastries... Where's Tingting? Didn't Tingting live with you? Where is she?"

As soon as she finished speaking, Liu Tingting poked half her head in from the doorway, holding up the two packets of osmanthus cakes as if presenting a treasure: "Mom! I'm here! Look, my older brother bought me these osmanthus cakes!"

Wang Xiuhe reached out and took the oil paper package. She opened a corner and looked inside. The golden osmanthus cake was cut into neat small pieces and arranged in an orderly fashion with oil paper, making it look very appetizing.

"I brought some back for you all to try! And some for Yixuan too!"

Hearing his name called, Liu Yixuan looked up from the car and saw his aunt had returned. He stretched out his little hands towards her, calling out in a childish voice, "Auntie! Auntie!"

Liu Tingting ran over, kissed her nephew on the cheek, then took out the boiled egg she had brought with her that morning from her pocket and stuffed it into the little guy's hand: "Here you go, I saved it this morning, it's still warm!"

Liu Yixuan held the egg in his hands, looked at his aunt, then at the egg again, his little face full of satisfaction, and he grinned so wide that drool dripped from his mouth.

Liu Yuheng rolled up his sleeves, walked to the work surface, and reached for dumpling wrappers: "Mom, let me help you wrap them."

Wang Xiuhe reacted quickly, stopping his hand and pushing him aside: "No need, no need! What can a grown man like you do to make dumplings? Don't break the wrappers. Go sit down and rest, talk to your father, don't cause trouble here."

Liu Shuanzhu chimed in, holding his grandson in his arms, and said slowly, "That's right, your mother is very good at making dumplings, she doesn't need your help. You rarely come back, so take a rest."