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

The next morning, just as dawn was breaking, Liu Yuheng woke up. After getting up, he hesitated in front of the wardrobe for a while, and finally chose the newly issued military uniform. He straightened his collar in front of the full-length mirror on the first floor, and dusted off the seams of his trousers to make sure he was neat and tidy from head to toe before going out.

When Liu Yuheng arrived at the entrance of Nanluoguxiang Hutong, it was not yet 7:30. After parking the car, he walked into the No. 95 courtyard and found the door of the east wing already open.

Liu Shuanzhu and Wang Xiuhe were already up. Liu Shuanzhu had changed into a newly made dark gray Zhongshan suit, the buttons neatly fastened, and his hair combed meticulously; he looked much more energetic than usual. Wang Xiuhe wore her dark red jacket, her hair styled in a round bun at the back of her head, adorned with a dark red velvet flower, and a new pair of cloth shoes, looking exceptionally solemn.

The gifts bought yesterday were neatly wrapped in red paper and placed on the table. Next to them were several bottles of wine and two packets of tea, which were obviously added by Wang Xiuhe later.

Standing at the door, Liu Yuheng felt a surge of inexplicable warmth as he looked at his parents' solemn expressions.

He stepped across the threshold, smiling as he called out, "Father, Mother, are you ready? Let's go over now."

Liu Shuanzhu nodded, stood up, and straightened his clothes. Wang Xiuhe patted the wrinkles on her jacket, bent down to check the things on the table again, and only straightened up after confirming that nothing was missing. Liu Tingting was squatting on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed), looking at Liu Yuheng expectantly.

"Brothers, can you take me with you? I haven't seen what my future sister-in-law looks like yet..."

Before she could finish speaking, Wang Xiuhe interrupted, her tone crisp and decisive: "Where are you going? You have school today, so go to school properly! Don't meddle in family matters."

Liu Tingting pouted, wanting to say something, but seeing Wang Xiuhe's uncompromising expression, she glanced at Liu Yuheng.

Liu Yuheng shrugged helplessly at her, and Liu Tingting could only say "Oh" dejectedly before lowering her head to pack her schoolbag.

Liu Yuheng picked up the gifts on the table, and Liu Shuanzhu and Wang Xiuhe followed behind him. The three of them went out of the east wing.

The courtyard was already bustling with activity as people went to work one after another. Just then, they saw Liu Shuanzhu and Wang Xiuhe, dressed in new clothes, following behind Liu Yuheng as they walked out.

Yi Zhonghai stood in the crowd, his hands tucked into his sleeves, watching Liu Shuanzhu and Wang Xiuhe get into the jeep. His gaze swept between the jeep and the people inside, a complex mix of emotions swirling in his mind. He had never ridden in a jeep before; the two rickshaw rides he had taken in his youth were already rare experiences.

Now Liu Shuanzhu and his wife are even riding in a jeep. He glanced at Jia Dongxu walking out of the crowd, and sighed inwardly, thinking that he still needed a biological son.

If I had a biological son, I would definitely raise him well so that he could be as successful as Liu Yuheng, and then I could be called "Old Master Yi" by others.

Liu Haizhong stood in the crowd, watching Liu Shuanzhu get into the jeep. His envy was even more direct than Yi Zhonghai's. He wondered if Liu Yuheng, being so capable, could also promote him and arrange a minor position for him in the steel rolling mill? Even a team leader would be fine.

He glanced at Liu Guangqi, who was standing at the back of the crowd preparing to go to school, and secretly plotted that he would have to raise Guangqi properly when he got back. He couldn't let those two good-for-nothings, Guangtian and Guangfu, influence their older brother. He had to make sure Guangqi studied hard so he could have a bright future. As for Liu Guangtian and Liu Guangfu, he would have to give them a good beating when he got back, so they wouldn't hold Guangqi back.

Liu Yuheng was oblivious to the stares behind him. He started the car, and the jeep slowly drove out of the alley and merged into the morning traffic.

The car drove through several streets and stopped in front of a clean and tidy small courtyard house.

Liu Yuheng turned off the engine and had just pushed open the car door when the courtyard gate opened. Yao Qingwan stood at the gate, followed by a couple in their fifties. The man wore glasses and a dark gray Zhongshan suit, exuding a refined air; the woman wore a navy blue cheongsam, her hair tied in a bun at the back of her head, her face gentle. Their gazes simultaneously fell on Liu Yuheng at the gate, carrying a hint of scrutiny, but more so the judgment of elders.

Yao Qingwan quickly came forward, her voice clear and bright: "You've arrived? Come in quickly." As she spoke, her gaze passed over Liu Yuheng and fell on Liu Shuanzhu and Wang Xiuhe behind him. She then added with a smile, "Uncle, Aunt, you must be tired from your journey."

Wang Xiuhe, carrying her things, had her wrinkles smooth out when Yao Qingwan called her "Auntie," and she quickly replied, "It's not hard work, it's not hard work, I'm just a little nervous."

Yao Qingwan was amused by Wang Xiuhe's honest words and stepped aside to let her in: "Please come in!"

Liu Yuheng turned around and unloaded the items from the car one by one: several bottles of good wine, two packets of tea, several cans of food, a bucket of grain and oil, and the pastries he had bought yesterday, all neatly wrapped in red paper. Yao Qingwan and her younger brother Yao Lei, who was standing next to her, quickly stepped forward to help carry the items.

Once the family entered the courtyard, Liu Yuheng took a closer look at the Yao family's courtyard house. The courtyard wasn't large, but it was very clean and tidy, with blue bricks paving the ground and swept spotlessly. A clump of bamboo grew against the wall, swaying gently in the morning breeze. A pot of orchids stood in front of the window of the main house, its leaves glossy and green.

Although it couldn't compare to Liu Yuheng's small building, it was much better than the large courtyard where Liu Shuanzhu's family lived, exuding a relaxed and scholarly atmosphere.

Mr. and Mrs. Yao invited Liu Shuanzhu and Wang Xiuhe to sit down in the living room, made tea, and served several plates of snacks and fruit.

Liu Shuanzhu and Wang Xiuhe sat on the sofa, their backs ramrod straight, looking somewhat reserved.

Liu Shuanzhu was usually quite confident speaking to anyone in restaurants, but today, sitting across from Yao's father, facing this bespectacled, slow-talking intellectual, he felt unsure what to do with his hands, repeatedly stroking the rim of his teacup. Wang Xiuhe was the same; she usually chatted fluently with neighbors in the courtyard, but now, facing Yao's mother's gentle yet distant gaze, she hesitated before daring to speak, her words swirling in her mind.

Fortunately, Mr. and Mrs. Yao were very kind. Mr. Yao spoke first, with a gentle tone characteristic of a scholar: "I heard from Qingwan that you served in the army for more than ten years. Are you a veteran revolutionary?"

Liu Yuheng nodded: "Counting from when I joined the army in 37, it's been almost eighteen years now."

Mr. Yao hummed in agreement, a hint of respect in his eyes: "That's truly remarkable. Qingwan has told us some things about you. After so many years of fighting, to be able to return safely and rise to your current position is something not everyone can do."

Yao's mother chimed in with a laugh, "Qingwan said you even learned a foreign language on the battlefield? You really put in the effort."

Liu Yuheng smiled, without elaborating further, and simply said a few words.