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

Yao's mother poured tea for Liu Shuanzhu and Wang Xiuhe, and then asked about Liu Yuheng's childhood. Seeing that Yao's mother had taken the initiative to ask, Wang Xiuhe slowly opened up and talked about Liu Yuheng's childhood, saying that he had good grades in school and that when he was thirteen years old, he ran off to join the revolution without saying a word, and was gone for more than ten years.

Yao's mother listened attentively, nodding occasionally and offering a few words of reflection. As they chatted, the atmosphere gradually relaxed, and Wang Xiuhe became less reserved.

Yao's father talked more with Liu Yuheng. The two discussed everything from military matters to the current situation, and from the current situation to the future development of the country, and the conversation became increasingly in-depth.

Although Yao's father was a teacher, he was quite familiar with current affairs and spoke clearly and logically about the domestic and international situation, hitting the nail on the head every time.

Liu Yuheng was initially worried that his father-in-law, being a scholar confined to his study, would not be able to connect with him. However, after a few words, he discovered that Yao's father had a profound understanding of these matters and a pragmatic judgment about the future.

Mr. Yao gradually began to look at Liu Yuheng with new respect. He had initially thought Liu was just a pure military officer, but after talking with him, he discovered that Liu also had his own insights into the country's industrial construction and technological development, with clear thinking and logical speech. Mr. Yao glanced at him from behind his teacup and nodded secretly.

After a round of tea, Yao's mother steered the conversation back to business: "Since both children are willing, we, as elders, can't hold them back. How do you plan to arrange the wedding date?"

Upon hearing Yao's mother's question, Wang Xiuhe subconsciously glanced at Liu Yuheng. Liu Yuheng put down his teacup and said earnestly, "Auntie, I'm going on a business trip out of town the day after tomorrow to inspect the troop reduction situation in several military regions. I estimate I won't be back for several months. However, I will definitely be back before the rank conferment ceremony. After the conferment, I should officially transfer to local work. So I'd like to set the wedding date around the time of the rank conferment, and then we can properly arrange it after I'm done with this busy period."

Yao's mother and father exchanged a glance and a look.

Mr. Yao was silent for a moment, then nodded: "The timing of the conferment of ranks is appropriate. We understand that you young people should prioritize your work. As for the specifics, we can discuss them in detail when you return from your business trip."

Yao's mother nodded and looked at Liu Yuheng: "Be careful when you're out and about."

Liu Yuheng nodded solemnly.

The family sat for a while longer, chatting about everyday things. Liu Shuanzhu and Yao's father talked about the dishes and cooking skills at the restaurant, and the two actually got along quite well. Wang Xiuhe and Yao's mother chatted about household chores, from pickling vegetables to sewing shoe soles, and the atmosphere became more and more relaxed. Liu Yuheng and Yao Qingwan sat on the other side, occasionally saying a word or two, but mostly just listening quietly to the elders' conversation.

Time passed unnoticed. The sunlight outside the window moved from the east to overhead, the tea on the coffee table was changed twice, and a plate of snacks was added. Wang Xiuhe glanced at the sky outside the window, then at the clock on the wall, and gave Liu Yuheng a wink. Liu Yuheng understood, stood up, and took his leave.

Mr. and Mrs. Yao invited her to stay for lunch, but Wang Xiuhe quickly waved her hand and said, "Some other time." Liu Yuheng also politely declined, saying that he had something to do at noon.

The family saw her off at the gate, where Yao Qingwan stood and waved to Liu Yuheng.

The jeep started and slowly drove out of the quiet alley. Liu Shuanzhu and Wang Xiuhe, sitting in the back seat, both let out a long sigh of relief.

Wang Xiuhe leaned back in her chair, a smile on her lips: "Dad, a weight has finally been lifted off my shoulders."

Liu Shuanzhu hummed in agreement, his face beaming with undisguised joy: "The Yao family is good, and their daughter is good too."

It was already noon when the car stopped at the entrance of Nanluoguxiang Hutong. Liu Yuheng turned off the engine, and Liu Shuanzhu and Wang Xiuhe got out of the back seat, both with undisguised joy on their faces.

As soon as the three entered the No. 95 compound, several middle-aged women from the front yard surrounded them. Yi Zhonghai's wife quickened her pace upon seeing Wang Xiuhe: "Sister-in-law Wang, you're back? How was it? Is the girl's family well-off?"

Liu Haizhong's wife also came closer to listen. Yan Bugui's wife, still clutching a bunch of chives, picked at them while leaning in, her ears practically bulging out. Jia

Surrounded by a group of people, Wang Xiuhe's voice rang out: "How could she not be good? Her daughter works at the Women's Federation, and her parents are both university professors—a respectable scholarly family! Her home is always spotless, and she speaks and acts with the demeanor of a cultured person. She's also very generous; she calls me 'Auntie' when she sees me, without any airs."

She spoke with great enthusiasm, embellishing her description of the few hours she spent at the Yao family's house, from the layout of the courtyard to the color of the tea brewed by Yao's mother, making it sound very vivid and detailed.

Liu Yuheng stood on the periphery of the crowd, listening to Wang Xiuhe getting more and more excited. He shook his head and didn't interrupt her. He then went back to the east wing with Liu Shuanzhu.

As evening fell, the lively atmosphere in the courtyard gradually subsided. Liu Erhe returned from get off work, unbuttoning his work clothes as he asked, "How's it going, brother? How's things at home with your wife?"

Before Liu Yuheng could answer, Liu Tingting interrupted, "Mom said they're from a university professor's family, they live in a detached courtyard house, their home is very clean, and my sister-in-law is beautiful!"

She turned to look at Wang Xiuhe and said, "Right, Mother?"

Wang Xiuhe was busy at the stove when she heard this. Without turning her head, she said with a smug smile, "Of course. Not only is that girl beautiful, but she also speaks so gently and softly. She's clearly well-mannered. I chatted with her mother all morning, and she wasn't at all pretentious. She even invited us to stay for dinner."

As she spoke, she began another round of "praise performance," from the color of Yao's mother's cheongsam to the glasses Yao's father wore, from the bamboo in Yao's yard to how nimbly Yao's younger brother helped move things. Liu Tingting's eyes lit up, Liu Erhe nodded along, and even Liang Fangfang put down her needlework to listen with great interest.

Liu Yuheng sat at the dining table, listening to Wang Xiuhe's increasingly outrageous remarks, such as "The Yao family girl looks like a virtuous woman," "She and our Yuheng are such a perfect match," and "Their future children will definitely be smart and good-looking." He couldn't help but twitch his lips a couple more times.

Wang Xiuhe finally finished speaking and turned to serve the dishes. The family gathered around the dining table, the sound of chopsticks hitting the rim of bowls and the soft murmur of conversation blending together—the most ordinary yet most comforting moment of the day.