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

Yao Qingwan took out the signed leave slip and went downstairs. As she passed the duty room on the first floor, Sister Li poked her head out again, her face beaming: "Little Yao, your boyfriend is really dashing! He even drives a car from the Central Military Commission. When are you going to introduce him to everyone?"

Yao Qingwan blushed at her question and mumbled "Next time" before quickly leaving through the door.

The sunlight outside was a bit dazzling. She squinted for a moment at the doorway, then walked towards Liu Yuheng.

Liu Yuheng was leaning against the car door, a cigarette between his fingers, having just taken two puffs. He heard footsteps, turned around, saw Yao Qingwan coming out, and casually stubbed out his cigarette on the nearby trash can and threw it in.

"Have you taken the leave?"

Yao Qingwan nodded: "Please come in, let's go."

She had barely finished speaking, and before she even reached the car, a black sedan turned into the alley and came to a smooth stop in front of the Women's Federation building. The car door opened, and a woman in her forties stepped out of the back seat. She was wearing a gray Lenin suit, had a gentle face, and a composed demeanor; she was clearly no ordinary person.

Liu Yuheng was opening the passenger door to let Yao Qingwan get in when he caught a glimpse of the other car and paused slightly. He turned his head to look at it, his gaze lingering on the woman's face for a moment, before quickly closing the door and striding over to her. He stopped a few steps away and gave a slight bow: "Big sister, you've arrived."

As Sister Deng was about to walk into the building, she heard someone call her, so she stopped and turned her head. She looked Liu Yuheng up and down for a couple of seconds, and her expression changed from confusion to realization: "Oh, you're Little Liu, right? Little Chen's old subordinate."

Liu Yuheng nodded: "It's me. Big sister, you have a great memory."

Sister Deng smiled and waved her hand, "It's not that I have a good memory, it's just that Old Chen mentioned you at the last meeting." She paused, glanced at the car behind Liu Yuheng, then looked at Yao Qingwan standing beside the car, and said in a measured tone, "What brings you to the Women's Federation today? Looking for someone?"

Liu Yuheng smiled and said, "My girlfriend works here, so I came to pick her up today."

Sister Deng said "Oh," glanced thoughtfully at Yao Qingwan, and then looked at Liu Yuheng: "I remember Xiao Chen was mentioning last time that you're not getting any younger and still single. Is that all settled?"

Liu Yuheng scratched the back of his head, a hint of embarrassment in his smile: "Sister Lao, you're too kind. The old brigade commander introduced me to someone before, her name is Yao Qingwan."

As he spoke, he turned to the side and waved to Yao Qingwan, who was standing next to the car. Upon seeing this, Yao Qingwan quickly walked over and stood next to Liu Yuheng.

Sister Deng's gaze fell on Yao Qingwan, taking in her features, her clothes, and then the natural yet poised demeanor she exuded when standing next to Liu Yuheng. She smiled and asked, "You must be Xiao Yao?"

Yao Qingwan nodded: "Hello, elder sister."

Sister Deng looked her up and down, nodded, and smiled with the gentle warmth of an elder: "Not bad. Little Liu has good taste, and Little Yao is a good girl too."

Yao Qingwan blushed slightly and lowered her head without replying.

Sister Deng glanced at Liu Yuheng again: "Now that it's settled, let's get things done as soon as possible. Don't keep the young lady waiting too long."

Liu Yuheng nodded seriously: "We're planning to do it. I came here today to discuss the wedding date with her."

"That's good." Sister Deng waved to the two of them. "Alright, you young people go ahead and do your things. I won't keep you any longer." After saying that, she turned and walked into the building. After taking a couple of steps, she turned back and said, "Oh, by the way, Xiao Liu, you have to send me some wedding candy when you get married."

Liu Yuheng smiled and said, "Of course."

Sister Deng smiled and shook her head, then turned and walked into the building. Only after her figure disappeared through the door did Liu Yuheng turn his gaze back to Yao Qingwan: "Let's go, get in the car."

The two got back into the car. Liu Yuheng started the engine, and the car slowly drove away from the entrance of the Municipal Women's Federation.

Yao Qingwan leaned back in her seat, looking through the car window at the receding gray building in the rearview mirror, and casually asked, "Are you very familiar with Sister Deng?"

Liu Yuheng, steering the wheel, said casually, "We're not very familiar. We've only met a few times back in the Holy Land, and then bumped into each other a few times at meetings."

Yao Qingwan nodded and didn't ask any more questions.

The car drove along the street at a leisurely pace. Liu Yuheng glanced at Yao Qingwan and asked, "Where do you want to go next?"

Yao Qingwan thought for a moment and said, "Let's go to Ditan Park. It's less crowded and quiet there, it'll be nice for a walk."

Liu Yuheng nodded and turned the steering wheel eastward. After about twenty minutes, the car stopped at the entrance of Ditan Park.

The park wasn't crowded in the morning. Groups of elderly people sat on benches under the shade of trees, chatting and fanning themselves. Occasionally, one or two young people would ride bicycles along the tree-lined path, their bells jingling.

Liu Yuheng parked the car on the side of the road, and the two got out and walked into the park gate side by side.

The two walked slowly along the tree-lined path.

After walking for a while, Liu Yuheng spoke first: "It's already August, and the rank conferment will be at the end of September. I'll probably be reporting to the Ministry of Heavy Industry in October. As for our wedding, I think we should either hold it before the rank conferment or wait until after the conferment and my job is settled."

Yao Qingwan slowed her pace for a moment, then turned to look at Liu Yuheng: "You should be awarded the rank of general this time, right?"

Liu Yuheng did not deny it, and nodded: "It should be. The rank was probably decided a couple of days ago, two stars."

Yao Qingwan lowered her head and remained silent for a few steps before saying, "Then let's do it before the conferment of ranks."

Liu Yuheng paused, slowing his pace slightly: "Before the conferment of ranks? Why?"

Yao Qingwan stopped and turned to look at him, her voice calm: "Once you receive your title, it will definitely cause quite a stir. There will inevitably be gossip, whether people say I'm trying to climb the social ladder or that I'm relying on connections. I don't care about those things, but my parents are both teachers, and they care a lot about their reputation. I don't want them to hear those rumors for no reason."

She paused for a moment, then lowered her voice: "Besides, I want to get married before the official rank is conferred, so that at least to outsiders, it will appear as an equal relationship."

Liu Yuheng looked at her, listened to her finish speaking, and remained silent for a moment.

He nodded: "You're right. Let's do it your way."

Upon hearing this, Yao Qingwan's lips curled into a very slight smile: "What do you think about two weeks from now?"

Liu Yuheng considered it in his mind: "Half a month is enough time. I'll go back and make arrangements, prepare what needs to be prepared, and notify those who need to be notified. I'll handle things properly and make sure you don't suffer any grievances."

Yao Qingwan nodded: "Then I'll go back and tell my parents."