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

The four of them then had a meal together. At the table, the old brigade commander chatted with Liu Yuheng about work, asked about the troop reduction situation, and then the topic returned to marriage.

The old brigade commander was clearly genuinely happy for Liu Yuheng, and he talked much more than usual. His older sister chimed in from time to time, while Yao Qingwan sat quietly eating, occasionally glancing up at Liu Yuheng.

After the meal, the old brigade commander glanced at the clock on the wall and said to Liu Yuheng, "Alright, you can take Xiao Yao home now. It's getting dark, don't let the young lady walk alone."

Liu Yuheng stood up, picked up his coat, and Yao Qingwan also stood up to say goodbye to her elder sister and the old brigade commander.

The two went outside, and the old brigade commander stood at the door and waved to them.

After the two got into the car, Yao Qingwan told the driver the address. The car drove through the streets and alleys of Beijing in the night and stopped in front of a quiet courtyard house.

Yao Qingwan got out of the car, and Liu Yuheng followed her out. They stood at the gate and looked around. This courtyard was much better than No. 95 Nanluoguxiang, a small siheyuan with its own entrance.

He turned his gaze away and said to Yao Qingwan, "I'll be visiting your parents the day after tomorrow morning. Could you please let them know in advance?"

Yao Qingwan stood at the door, her hands in her pockets, and nodded: "I understand."

She paused, then added, "Be careful on the road."

Liu Yuheng nodded: "Let's go back, it's cold outside."

Yao Qingwan turned around, pushed open the courtyard gate, and went inside. Before the gate closed, she looked back at him and then the gate closed gently.

Liu Yuheng stood at the door, staring at the closed door. He remained silent for two seconds, then turned and went back to his car.

......

The next morning, Liu Yuheng got up very early. After washing up, he changed into clean casual clothes, took out a box of pastries from the cupboard, went out, and drove alone towards Nanluoguxiang.

The car stopped at the entrance of Nanluoguxiang Hutong. Liu Yuheng got out and walked towards the No. 95 courtyard with the snacks in his hand. The courtyard was already bustling with activity in the early morning; someone was lighting a stove in the yard, and wisps of blue smoke rose up.

Some people came out carrying enamel basins to pour water, some squatted at the door brushing their teeth, and several workers on the early shift were walking out together, chatting as they went.

As Liu Yuheng entered the courtyard, he encountered the morning rush hour in the courtyard. Yi Zhonghai was walking in front, talking to Liu Haizhong beside him, followed by several young workers, chatting and laughing as they walked out.

Yi Zhonghai, who was walking at the front, spotted Liu Yuheng immediately. His expression faltered for a moment, then he called out with a hint of surprise and scrutiny, "Comrade Liu? When did you get back?"

Liu Haizhong, Yan Bugui, Jia Dongxu, and the others following behind immediately looked over, their eyes all falling on Liu Yuheng.

"Oh, the eldest son of the Liu family is back? I haven't seen him for a while, I thought you were still in Jinling."

"Comrade Liu, where did you come from so early in the morning?"

Liu Yuheng nodded to everyone, his tone amiable: "I just arrived in the capital yesterday and came to visit my family today."

Before anyone could respond, Liu Erhe had already pushed his way out from behind the crowd, quickly walked up to Liu Yuheng, and exclaimed with a mixture of surprise and delight, "Brother? Why didn't you tell me you were coming back!"

Liu Yuheng chuckled and patted his younger brother on the shoulder: "I only received the transfer order the day before yesterday, and came straight back without even having a chance to call." He glanced at Liu Er and the others behind him, then added, "Go to work first, don't be late. We'll talk when you get back tonight."

Liu Erhe nodded, glanced at Liu Yuheng again, and then turned and followed the others out of the courtyard.

Liu Yuheng stood in the courtyard, watching their figures disappear around the corner of the alley, then turned and walked towards the east wing.

The door to the east wing was open, and the aroma of rice porridge and pickled vegetables wafted out. Liu Shuanzhu was sitting at the dining table, slowly sipping a bowl of porridge. Wang Xiuhe held a cornbread bun, while Liang Fangfang sat on a stool, holding Liu Yixuan in her arms, feeding the child. Liu Tingting sat on the other side of the table, eating and muttering to herself.

The family was having breakfast, and no one noticed that someone was standing at the door.

Liu Yuheng stood at the door for two seconds, stepped over the threshold, and called out, "Father, Mother, I'm back."

The room was quiet for a moment.

"Brother!" Liu Tingting was the first to react, rushing over in three strides and grabbing Liu Yuheng's arm. "Why are you back? You didn't even tell me!"

"Yuheng?" Wang Xiuhe finally realized what was happening and quickly walked to the door. "When did you arrive? Have you eaten yet?"

"I arrived yesterday and came over first thing this morning." Liu Yuheng said with a smile as he entered the house and sat down at the dining table. "I haven't eaten yet, so I'm just in time to catch you guys having breakfast."

Upon hearing this, Wang Xiuhe immediately turned around and busied herself at the stove: "Wait here, Mom will serve you a bowl of porridge and some cornbread, fresh out of the pot and still warm."

As she spoke, she deftly took a bowl, filled it to the brim with millet porridge, and placed two steamed buns on a plate before bringing it to Liu Yuheng: "Eat quickly, eat quickly, you must be exhausted from rushing back all the way."

Liu Yuheng took the bowl and chopsticks, picked up a piece of pickled vegetables and put it into the porridge. He blew on it to cool it down, took a big gulp, and felt warm all over his body.

Liu Tingting sat there restlessly, asking, "Brother, are you leaving again this time you're back?" and "You've been in Jinling for so long, did you bring us anything?"

Liu Yuheng was both amused and exasperated by her question. He answered while drinking his porridge, his mouth almost too busy to keep up.

Wang Xiuhe sat opposite him, watching him finish his bowl of porridge. She then picked up a piece of food with her chopsticks and handed it to him, asking, "Now that you're back, are you not leaving again?"

Liu Yuheng paused in his chewing. He put down his chopsticks, glanced at Wang Xiuhe, and his smile became tinged with apology: "Mother, I've been transferred back to my job, but I have to go on a business trip the day after tomorrow. It'll only be a few months; I'll be back soon."

Wang Xiuhe exclaimed "Ah," her smile visibly fading: "You said the same thing last year, that you'd be back in six months, but what happened? You ended up staying for over a year."

Liu Yuheng was speechless, caught off guard by these words. He put down his chopsticks, picked up his porridge bowl, took another sip to hide his embarrassment, and then put the bowl down seriously before saying, "Mother, this time it really is a few months. Besides, my job has been officially transferred back to the capital, and I won't be going far away again."

Wang Xiuhe glanced at him and didn't ask any further questions, but her expression still carried a hint of doubt.