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

When the car stopped at the entrance of No. 95 compound, the afternoon sun was already beginning to set. The compound was much quieter than in the morning. People who had gone to work had not yet returned. Only a few children were chasing and playing in the compound, their laughter echoing through the alley.

Liu Yuheng pushed open the courtyard gate and went inside. The door to the east wing was open. Wang Xiuhe was sitting on the edge of the kang doing needlework, Liang Fangfang was sitting on a small stool next to her picking vegetables, and Liu Yixuan was lying on the kang playing, muttering something under his breath.

Wang Xiuhe was the first to see him, and she put down her needlework: "You're back? Have you eaten?"

"You've already eaten. You ate outside with Qingwan." Liu Yuheng walked to the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed) and sat down, reaching out to pat Liu Yixuan's head. The little guy looked up, called out "Uncle" in a childish voice, and then lowered his head to continue playing with his toys.

Liang Fangfang looked up and smiled at him: "Big brother is back."

Liu Yuheng nodded, then turned to Wang Xiuhe, his tone becoming more serious: "Mother, I have something to tell you. Qingwan and I have discussed it today, and we've set the wedding date for half a month from now."

Wang Xiuhe stopped her needlework, looked up at him, and her expression first froze for a moment, then turned to surprise: "Half a month? Didn't you say yesterday that it would be done after the conferment of ranks? Why is it suddenly brought forward?"

Liu Yuheng smiled and said, "Mother, Qingwan and I discussed it and we think it's more appropriate to hold the wedding before the official rank is conferred. After that, my job might be transferred. When I get to the new unit, there will definitely be one thing after another, so how will I have the energy to arrange a wedding?"

"That's true. When you go to a new company, you definitely need to get familiar with things first, so it's not good to be distracted. Let's do it in half a month then, it's settled, let's get ready. What are your plans for your side?"

Liu Yuheng took the bowl of water Liang Fangfang handed him, took a sip, put the bowl down, and said, "I'm thinking of having it held at the North City Compound. We can set up a few tables and invite some old comrades-in-arms, old leaders, and our family over."

Wang Xiuhe thought for a moment: "How many of your former leaders and comrades-in-arms are there? Is there enough space in the North City Compound?"

Liu Yuheng calculated in his mind: "It should be enough. I'm not inviting many people. Including my family, it's only about three or four tables, which can fit in the living room in the north of the city."

"What about our neighbors in the courtyard?" Wang Xiuhe asked again. "They usually greet each other when they see each other. It wouldn't be right for you to hold a wedding without inviting them, would it?"

Liu Yuheng leaned back in his chair and thought for a moment: "What I mean is, we won't invite them from the north side of the city. After I'm done here, I'll come back and set up two tables in the courtyard as a way of thanking our neighbors. That way, we'll take care of both sides and won't make people think we're impolite."

"Have you prepared the wedding candy and cigarettes? What about the wine? The food? And who are you planning to invite? You need to make a list..."

Liu Yuheng was a little overwhelmed by her barrage of questions, and waved his hand with a smile: "Mom, don't rush, there are still half a month left, we'll take it one step at a time. I have enough tobacco and alcohol rations. I'll buy the wedding candy tomorrow. As for the menu, Dad can decide on it later."

Wang Xiuhe finally felt a little relieved and sat back down on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed), muttering, "That's right, there's still time. I'll have to tell him when he gets off work, so he's aware of the situation. He knows a lot of people at that restaurant, so maybe we can borrow a few plates and bowls to use."

In the evening, the courtyard gate was pushed open, and people returning from get off work came back one after another.

Hearing the commotion, Liu Yuheng came out of the east wing and greeted everyone at the door.

Yi Zhonghai nodded to him and said with a smile, "The eldest son of the Liu family is back." Liu Yuheng nodded and didn't exchange any more pleasantries.

Liu Shuanzhu and Liu Erhe entered the east wing. Liu Shuanzhu placed the cloth bag on the table, took off his coat and hung it up. Wang Xiuhe had already gone up to him, her voice filled with barely concealed joy: "Father, I have something to tell you. Yuheng just said that the wedding is in half a month."

Liu Shuanzhu paused, his hand still unbuttoning his collar. "Half a month?"

Liu Yuheng walked over, sat down at the table, and recounted the story again.

Liu Shuanzhu glanced at Liu Yuheng: "If you hold the wedding at the North City Compound, what about all the people in the compound? They see each other all the time. It's embarrassing not to invite them to your wedding, isn't it?"

Liu Yuheng shook his head: "Dad, I didn't say we wouldn't invite them. What I meant was, we won't invite them from the North City Compound. You think about it, on my wedding day, the old brigade commander and the division commander will definitely come, as well as several of my old leaders and comrades-in-arms from the Military Commission, all of them high-ranking cadres. There are all sorts of people living in this compound. You know how sharp-tongued Jia Zhangshi is. If she says something wrong or makes a fool of herself, not only will I lose face, but the old leaders won't look good either."

Upon hearing this, Liu Shuanzhu remained silent for a moment. The image of Jia Zhangshi's gossipy face involuntarily surfaced in his mind, along with her usual unreasonable behavior in the courtyard. He nodded in agreement. Liu Yuheng was right; it was indeed inappropriate to invite these people from the courtyard to that occasion.

"So you mean...?"

"I'm thinking that once I'm done with things in the north of the city, I'll come back and set up two more tables in the courtyard to treat all the neighbors to a meal. That way, I won't offend them, and I won't let them cause any trouble in the north of the city. It's a win-win situation."

After listening, Liu Shuanzhu nodded: "That arrangement will work. What about the dishes? What are your plans for the north side of the city? You can't manage three or four tables by yourself."

Liu Yuheng thought for a moment and said, "Don't worry about the north side of the city. I'll ask my old comrades in the logistics department for help. They have the connections, so food and supplies will be easy for them. I'll let the canteen know in advance and ask them to lend a couple of people for a day."

Hearing this, Liu Shuanzhu felt a little more at ease: "Alright, you can handle things in the north of the city yourself. I'll prepare things in the courtyard. I'll let you know if anything is missing. If you have any extra drinks or wedding candy, just share some with me. If not, I'll buy more."

Liu Yuheng nodded: "I'll definitely have enough drinks and wedding candy. I'll have someone send some over, so you won't need to buy any more."

The father and son thus settled on their division of labor. Liu Shuanzhu picked up his bowl of porridge and took another sip. The rim of the bowl obscured half his face, but a barely suppressed smile could still be seen in his eyes and brows. His son was getting married, and as a father, he was happier than anyone else.