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

The old brigade commander nodded in satisfaction: "That's more like it. When you're transferred back, I'll have your older sister introduce you to some people. She knows a lot of people, both in the military and in the civilian world; there are plenty of good girls out there. Don't always think you're too busy; no matter how busy you are, you have to keep this in mind."

The older sister happened to come out from the inner room and overheard the rest of the conversation. She smiled and added, "Yes, leave this to me. You focus on handling your affairs in the military first. Once you're transferred back, I'll keep an eye out for you. I guarantee I'll find you a good one."

Liu Yuheng quickly stood up and bowed slightly to his elder sister: "Elder sister, I'll have to leave it to you then."

The older woman smiled and waved her hand, "You're welcome, you're welcome, it's my pleasure."

After chatting for a few more minutes, the old brigade commander raised his wrist to check his watch. Footsteps and voices came from outside the door; the next group of people coming to offer New Year's greetings had probably arrived. Liu Yuheng tactfully stood up and saluted the old brigade commander: "Old commander, I'll be going now. You have guests to attend to, so I won't disturb you any longer."

The old brigade commander stood up and saw him to the door: "Okay, call me anytime if you need anything."

"Yes!" Liu Yuheng said, stepping out the door.

The sunlight in the courtyard had risen higher, casting a warm, orange glow on the gray bricks and tiles. Liu Yuheng walked through the courtyard, his steps lighter than when he had arrived. He got into the car, and Xiao Li started the engine: "Commander, where to next?"

"The deputy brigade commander's house," Liu Yuheng said, "and the political commissar's house too, I have to go there too."

The car drove out of the compound and headed towards its next destination.

......

The next morning, just as dawn was breaking, Liu Yuheng woke up.

He lay in bed staring at the ceiling for two seconds before turning over and getting up. He was leaving today, heading back to Jinling. He had already contacted the logistics department last night to arrange a car to take him to the train station; the driver would be waiting at the entrance early in the morning.

After going downstairs, Xiao Li was already packed and standing at the door with his own bag on his back, Liu Yuheng's large bag next to him. A black jeep was parked at the gate, and the driver, a young soldier in a neat uniform, was waiting beside the car. When he saw Liu Yuheng come out, he stood at attention and saluted: "Commander Liu, I've been sent by my superiors to take you to the train station."

Liu Yuheng returned the greeting, glanced at the car, and nodded, "Thank you for your hard work." Then he turned to Xiao Li, "Did you bring everything?"

"All done." Xiao Li patted the bag next to him.

The two got into the car, the driver started the engine, and the jeep slowly drove out of the compound gate.

As the car left the compound gate and was about to turn onto the main road, Liu Yuheng's gaze inadvertently swept over the roadside and suddenly stopped.

A row of people stood by the roadside, wrapped in thick cotton-padded coats, huddled up in the cold wind, stamping their feet to keep warm; they had clearly been there for a while. Leading the group was Liu Shuanzhu, with Wang Xiuhe standing beside him, carrying a cloth bag, the contents of which were unknown.

Liu Erhe stood behind them, wearing a blue cotton-padded work jacket. Liang Fangfang held Liu Yixuan and stood next to him. The little guy was wrapped up tightly, with only his bright black eyes showing as he curiously watched the vehicles coming and going on the road. Liu Tingting stood at the very edge.

Liu Yuheng was stunned. He had clearly told them the day before yesterday that they didn't need to come and see him off, that he would be back in a few months. But his family still came, and he didn't know how long they had stood by the roadside, just to see him off one last time.

"Stop the car," Liu Yuheng said.

The driver slammed on the brakes, and the jeep came to a smooth stop on the side of the road.

Liu Yuheng pushed open the car door and got out. He walked quickly to the roadside, stood in front of the family, and looked at their faces and noses red from the cold. He didn't know what to say for a moment.

He opened his mouth, but it turned into a helpless sigh, his voice tinged with heartache and reproach: "Didn't I tell you I'd be back in a few months? What are you doing here? Standing here in this freezing weather, what if you catch a cold?"

Liu Erhe smiled, rubbed his hands together, and breathed out of his mouth. His voice was very relaxed: "Brother, we don't have anything to do anyway, and we're just sitting at home doing nothing, so we came to see you off."

Wang Xiuhe stepped forward and stuffed the cloth bag in her hand into Liu Yuheng's arms: "These are a few pairs of shoes that your mother made for you. Take them with you. The shoes issued in the army are stiff and rub your feet when you walk. The soles of the shoes your mother made are soft and comfortable for you. I don't know if they'll fit, so try them on first. If they're too small, your mother will make you another pair next time you come back."

Liu Yuheng looked down at the cloth bag in his arms, which contained several pairs of brand-new cloth shoes. The stitches were dense and tight, indicating that they had been made over several nights.

Liu Tingting squeezed out from the back of the crowd, looked up at Liu Yuheng, her nose red from the cold: "Brother, write to us when you get to Jinling! Don't forget!"

Liu Yuheng reached out and ruffled her hair: "I can't forget."

Liu Yixuan peeked halfway out of Liang Fangfang's arms, stretched out his chubby little hand to grab Liu Yuheng, and called out in a childish voice, "Big Brother! Hug me!"

Liu Yuheng reached out and gently pinched the little guy's cheek, saying, "Yixuan, be good. I'll bring you a big airplane next time I come back."

He glanced at his watch; it was almost time. He waved to his family, "Alright, go home now. I'm leaving, I'll be back in a few months." He turned and strode back to the jeep, opened the door, and got in. The car started again and slowly drove away from the roadside.

He saw in the rearview mirror that the family was still standing by the roadside, waving in the direction the jeep had gone. Wang Xiuhe leaned against Liu Shuanzhu and wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. Liu Tingting jumped up and down waving, while Liu Yixuan stretched out his little hands and made "ah ah" sounds in Liang Fangfang's arms.

Liu Yuheng withdrew his gaze, leaned back in his chair, closed his eyes, and remained silent.

The train station was quite crowded, though a bit quieter than usual, but still packed with travelers. Liu Yuheng and Xiao Li got out of the car, took their luggage from the trunk, and Liu Yuheng turned to the driver and said, "Thank you for your hard work." The driver saluted, got back into the car, started the engine, and drove off.

Liu Yuheng led Xiao Li into the waiting room, checked their tickets, and boarded the train.

After a day and a night of clattering, the train finally stopped at Jinling Station.

Winters in Nanjing aren't much warmer than in Beijing, but the air lacks the dry chill of Beijing; instead, it has a damp chill that seeps into your bones.

Liu Yuheng and Xiao Li got off the car, carrying their luggage as they walked out of the station exit. A grass-green military jeep with military license plates was parked in the station square. A young soldier stood beside the vehicle; seeing Liu Yuheng emerge, he quickly stepped forward and saluted: "Commander! The political commissar sent me to pick you up!"

Liu Yuheng returned the greeting, saying, "Thank you for your hard work." He then got into the car, and Xiao Li, after putting the luggage away, also got into the passenger seat. The car drove through the streets of Jinling City, heading towards the camp.