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

The two walked around Ditan Park for a while longer, circling the tree-lined path twice.

As the sun gradually moved overhead, the sunlight filtering through the leaves already carried the intense heat of midday.

Liu Yuheng glanced at his watch, then turned to Yao Qingwan and said, "It's almost noon, let's find somewhere to eat. What would you like to eat?"

Yao Qingwan thought for a moment and said, "Anything will do, no need to be too particular."

Liu Yuheng nodded, and the two left Ditan Park, got into the car, and drove along the street for about ten minutes before stopping in front of a small, clean-looking restaurant.

The two ordered a few home-style dishes, one meat dish, two vegetable dishes, and some steamed buns. While waiting for the food, Liu Yuheng poured Yao Qingwan a cup of tea and chatted for a while, talking about how busy she was at work and her younger brother's studies. The atmosphere was relaxed and comfortable. After the food was served, the two ate and chatted for almost an hour, taking their time.

After finishing their meal and leaving the restaurant, Liu Yuheng stood by the car, his hand resting on the door, and glanced at Yao Qingwan: "If you don't have any plans this afternoon, would you like to come with me to the north of the city? You haven't been to my place yet, so we can see if we need anything and I'll buy it in the next few days."

Yao Qingwan hesitated for a moment. The two hadn't been together for very long, and although the marriage was arranged, she hadn't been to Liu Yuheng's place yet, so she felt a little uneasy.

She lowered her head and thought for a few seconds, then looked up at Liu Yuheng. Seeing his calm expression, she nodded: "Okay, go take a look."

Liu Yuheng opened the car door and let her get in. He then got into the driver's seat, started the car, and drove towards the north of the city.

The car passed through several checkpoints, and the sentries saluted and let it pass after checking the documents. It then drove along a road lined with poplar trees on both sides and stopped in front of a small blue brick building.

Liu Yuheng turned off the engine, got out of the car, and went around to the other side to open the car door for Yao Qingwan: "We're here, this is it."

Yao Qingwan got out of the car and stood at the door, looking around. The building was two stories high, with blue bricks all the way to the top. There were three steps in front of the door, and on either side of the steps was a clump of neatly trimmed holly bushes. There was a small open space in front of the building, paved with cement, and Liu Yuheng's jeep was parked next to it. The whole building looked clean and neat, unassuming, and exuded a sense of order and sophistication.

Liu Yuheng took out his key, opened the door, and stepped aside to let Yao Qingwan go in first.

The first floor consists of a living room and a dining room. The living room has minimal furniture: a dark gray fabric sofa, a wooden coffee table, and a bookcase against the wall with a few books and souvenirs scattered around.

Yao Qingwan sat down on the sofa and glanced around the room again: "There are a few things missing; it looks a bit empty."

Liu Yuheng sat down on the single sofa next to her and nodded: "We just moved in not long ago. We were in Jinling before, and there are a lot of things we haven't had time to buy. That's why I asked you to come and take a look today. Please give me your suggestions on what we're missing or what we need to add, and I'll take the time to get everything we need in the next few days."

Yao Qingwan nodded, put down her water glass, and stood up: "Then I'll look around."

Liu Yuheng stood up as well and led her to see the first floor. Besides the living room, dining room, and kitchen, there was a small south-facing room on the first floor. The door was ajar, and Liu Yuheng pushed it open to show it to her: "I plan to use this room as a study in the future. It hasn't been tidied up much yet; there's just a table and a few bookshelves."

Yao Qingwan peeked out and saw that the room was well-lit; the south-facing window overlooked the locust tree in the courtyard, and sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting shimmering golden light on the table. She nodded: "This room is nice; the light is good, making it comfortable for reading and writing."

The second floor is the bedroom. The stairs are wooden, and they creak slightly when you step on them. The first room on the left after going upstairs is the master bedroom, Liu Yuheng's room. The door is open, and you can see a bed, a wardrobe, a bedside table, and a north-facing window. The room is very tidy, the quilt is folded neatly, and there is a lamp and a few books on the bedside table.

Yao Qingwan glanced at the room from the doorway but didn't go in. Her gaze swept around the room before turning to the other end of the corridor: "How many rooms are there over there?"

Liu Yuheng led her over: "This room used to be where the guards lived. I don't have guards anymore, so it's empty now. There's just a bed and a cabinet inside."

He pushed open the door. The room was indeed very simple: a single bed, a wardrobe, and a small table on the bedside table. The table was clean and tidy, without even a water glass.

"My sister stayed in the room next door." Liu Yuheng pushed open the door next door. "She tidied it up a bit when she came; there's just a bed and a cabinet."

Yao Qingwan glanced around and noticed that the room was furnished a little more than the guard's room. The bed sheets were light pink, clearly from a girl's home, and there was an empty flowerpot on the windowsill, though she wondered what had been planted in it before.

She looked around the entire building, then went back downstairs and sat down on the sofa again. As if gathering her thoughts, she said, "Actually, we don't lack anything. We have all the necessary furniture. It's just..."

She thought for a moment, then pointed to the blank wall in the living room: "The wall is too plain. We could hang a couple of paintings or a few photos. We could also change the color of the curtains; they're too plain now and look stuffy. The kitchen is missing a cupboard; I see several dishes piled up next to the stove, which isn't very convenient. And the study has too few bookshelves; with so many documents and materials, it definitely won't have enough space in the future."

Liu Yuheng sat beside her, nodding as he listened. He waited until she finished before speaking, "Okay, whatever you say. I'll go buy them in the next few days. I'll get the cupboard ready tomorrow. You decide on the color of the curtains; I'll buy the fabric and have someone make them later."

The two sat in the living room for a while longer, chatting casually.

Liu Yuheng glanced at the clock on the wall: "It's getting late, let me take you home."

After the two left the small building, Liu Yuheng locked the door and drove her back to the Yao family home.

When the car stopped in front of the Yao family's courtyard, Yao Qingwan got out of the car, stood at the door, and waved to him: "Be careful on the road."

Liu Yuheng nodded, watching her push open the courtyard gate and walk in. Only after hearing the wooden door gently close behind him did he start the car, turn around, and leave the quiet alley.

After leaving the Yao family, Liu Yuheng did not go directly back to the North City Compound, but instead turned around and drove towards Nanluoguxiang.