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

Zhao Gang stood up and shook hands with Liu Shuanzhu and Wang Xiuhe respectively, his attitude polite and proper: "Uncle, Aunt, congratulations."

Zhao Gang then introduced himself to Mr. and Mrs. Yao. When Mr. Yao heard that Zhao Gang worked in the electrical machinery department, he asked a few more questions about the department, and the two ended up chatting for a bit.

Liu Yuheng had been chatting with her for a few minutes, but before he could catch his breath, there was another commotion at the door. This time, the noise was much louder than before, accompanied by a booming voice that could be heard clearly even through the door: "Little Liu! Where are you? I'm here and you're still hiding?"

Upon hearing the loud voice, Liu Yuheng immediately laughed and strode towards the door.

The old brigade commander, dressed in a dark gray officer's uniform, strode over, followed by two bodyguards. Seeing Liu Yuheng come out to greet him, his face immediately broke into a smile. He deliberately put on a stern expression and said, "You little rascal, quite the entourage today. What, not planning to give your old matchmaker a big red envelope?"

Liu Yuheng quickly stopped and gave a standard military salute: "Good morning, old brigade commander! Don't worry about the red envelopes, I'll cover all the money we received today!"

The old brigade commander burst into laughter, reached out and slapped him on the shoulder: "You little rascal, you're making fun of me again!"

The old brigade commander entered the living room and greeted everyone in the room. Although he was of high rank, he was easygoing, and his few words warmed up the atmosphere.

When Wang Xiuhe saw the old brigade commander, she was incredibly enthusiastic, calling him "old commander" repeatedly, pouring tea and offering cigarettes, keeping herself busy.

Not long after, the old political commissar arrived. As soon as he entered, he waved to Liu Yuheng and said, "Little Liu, congratulations. Today is an auspicious day, I've come to ask for a drink of celebratory wine."

Liu Yuheng hurriedly went to greet him: "Old Political Commissar, I'm so glad you could come!"

The old political commissar walked into the living room and glanced around. Seeing that the old brigade commander was already sitting inside, he walked over with a smile and said, "Old Chen, you're here early."

The old brigade commander patted the seat next to him: "Of course, shouldn't the matchmaker come early to collect her red envelope?"

The two former leaders sat together, exchanging a few jokes, which immediately warmed the atmosphere. Afterwards, Liu Yuheng's old comrades-in-arms from the army arrived one after another—mostly his former colleagues and leaders. The living room filled up, and the seats gradually became full; the later arrivals had to squeeze onto the chairs nearby.

Liu Tingting and Liu Erhe's family had already voluntarily moved to the seats against the wall, giving the main seats to the guests. Yao Lei also stood to the side, looking somewhat awkward, unsure of where to stand. Liu Yixuan, on the other hand, was not shy at all, weaving in and out of the crowd, looking at this and touching that. Liang Fangfang tried to stop him several times but couldn't, so she had to let him be.

Mr. and Mrs. Yao, along with Liu Shuanzhu and Wang Xiuhe, sat at another table, awkwardly responding to the pleasantries of Liu Yuheng and his group of former leaders. Liu Shuanzhu was usually quite at ease dealing with anyone in the restaurant, but facing these old cadres who spoke in official jargon and exuded an air of authority, he felt that nothing he said was quite right.

Wang Xiuhe was the same. Usually, she would chat with her neighbors in the courtyard, but now she could only nod frequently and occasionally respond with a "yes, yes, yes" or "right, right, right," while her fingers unconsciously twisted the hem of her clothes on her knees.

Liu Yuheng noticed this scene, apologized to the old brigade commander, walked over to Liu Shuanzhu's table, bent down and whispered, "Dad, Mom, you can sit here, you don't need to go over and talk to them. Just call me if you need anything." He then turned to Yao's parents, "Dad, Mom, you can sit and rest too. You are honored guests today, no need to bother."

The group relaxed a little. Liu Shuanzhu picked up his teacup, took a sip, and let out a long sigh of relief.

Around 10 a.m., the dishes began to be served one after another. The two helpers that Liu Shuanzhu had borrowed from the restaurant, along with the people that Liu Yuheng had hired from the logistics department, were working busily at the kitchen, bringing out dish after dish in a continuous stream.

Liu Yuheng sat at a table with the old brigade commander, the old political commissar, and Zhao Gang. After a few rounds of drinks, the old brigade commander started by raising his glass to Liu Yuheng: "Come on, Yuheng, you're the groom today, you have to drink this."

Liu Yuheng picked up his wine cup, stood up, tilted his head back, and drank it all in one gulp.

The old brigade commander refilled his glass, and an old comrade-in-arms next to him joined in the fun: "Old Liu, you can't cheat today, one cup for each of you, no one can go without one."

As he drank glass after glass, Liu Yuheng's face gradually turned red. He usually had a decent alcohol tolerance, but with so many people present today, and each person offering a toast, he had downed more than a dozen glasses. His stomach was burning, and his head was starting to feel heavy. He secretly ate a couple of bites of food to calm himself down while everyone was talking, then picked up his glass again to continue socializing.

The banquet lasted from noon until two or three in the afternoon before gradually ending. The guests took their leave one after another. When the old brigade commander left, he patted Liu Yuheng on the shoulder and said, "Live a good life." The old political commissar also shook his hand and said a few words of advice. When Zhao Gang left, he smiled and waved to him, saying, "When Lao Li and the others come, I'll bring them to ask you for a drink."

Liu Yuheng saw them off to the door one by one, responding with a smile, his steps already a little unsteady.

After the last group of passengers boarded the car and left, Liu Yuheng stood at the door watching the taillights of that car disappear around the corner of the intersection before slowly turning around and walking back.

He walked to the living room doorway, stood for two seconds holding onto the door frame, and felt everything in front of him swaying slightly. He felt dizzy and even his steps were unsteady.

Wang Xiuhe and Liang Fangfang were helping the canteen staff clear away dishes in the kitchen, while Yao's mother was also helping to wipe the table with her sleeves rolled up. Yao Qingwan was standing in the living room clearing away empty plates and wine glasses when she looked up and saw Liu Yuheng leaning against the door frame. She quickly put down what she was doing and went over to him, reaching out to support his arm: "How much did you drink? Your face is all red."

Liu Yuheng waved his hand and mumbled "Not bad," but his steps were clearly unsteady.

Yao Qingwan sighed, half-helping and half-supporting him, led him to the bedroom on the second floor, made him sit on the edge of the bed, bent down to take off his shoes, and then pulled the quilt over him.

"You lie down for a while, I'll go downstairs to tidy up," she said, turning to go downstairs.

Liu Yuheng reached out and grabbed her wrist, the grip was light, like an unconscious action after getting drunk.

He stared at her with his eyes open, his gaze somewhat unfocused, but a slight smile played on his lips: "Today... I'm happy."

Yao Qingwan glanced down at him without saying a word, but gently pulled her wrist away from his hand and tucked the blanket around him: "Alright, I know, you can go to sleep."