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

The next morning, Liu Yuheng woke up early. He got out of bed, went to the bathroom to wash up, and changed into a clean Zhongshan suit. Yao Qingwan had also changed into a light beige coat and was waiting for him at the bottom of the stairs.

After the two ate breakfast, Liu Yuheng loaded the jar of pickled vegetables that Wang Xiuhe had given him yesterday, along with two bottles of wine and two packets of tea, into the car. Then he started the car and drove towards the Yao family's house.

When the car stopped in front of the Yao family's house, the gate was already open. Voices could be heard coming from inside, making the place much livelier than usual. Liu Yuheng got out of the car carrying some things and walked into the courtyard with Yao Qingwan.

Several people stood in front of the main house. Yao's parents were still standing at the front, flanked by a middle-aged couple who looked a few years younger than Yao's father. The man wore gold-rimmed glasses and a neatly ironed gray shirt, exuding a refined and scholarly air. The woman wore a simple blue cotton coat and a scarf, her face gentle. Next to them stood a young woman of about twenty, with a ponytail and a floral dress, her bright eyes watching Liu Yuheng and Yao Qingwan walk in with curiosity.

Upon seeing the family of three, Yao Qingwan quickened her pace noticeably, a delighted smile spreading across her face: "Second Uncle! Second Aunt! When did you get back?"

She strode forward, first greeting the middle-aged man with glasses, then turning to the middle-aged woman beside him and calling her "Second Aunt," before finally looking at the young girl, "Qingmu is back too?"

Yao Qingmo smiled and nodded: "I just arrived yesterday, and I managed to make it in time for your event. It's just that I'm two days late and missed your wedding banquet." As he spoke, he turned his gaze to Liu Yuheng behind Yao Qingwan and looked him up and down.

At this moment, Yao's father stepped forward and introduced Liu Yuheng, saying, "Yuheng, this is my younger brother, Yao Qingmo, Qingwan's second uncle. This is your second aunt. And next to her is their daughter, Qingmu." He then turned to Yao Qingmo, "This is Qingwan's fiancé, Liu Yuheng. They just got married the day before yesterday."

Liu Yuheng placed the things he was carrying on the stone table beside him, extended his hand to Yao Qingmo, and bowed slightly: "Hello, Second Uncle, hello, Second Aunt." He then turned to Yao Qingmu and nodded, "Hello, Qingmu."

Yao Qingmo reached out and shook hands with Liu Yuheng, smiling warmly, "Hello, hello. I heard my older brother mention you when I came back yesterday. He said you work in the army and are very promising." As he spoke, he turned to the side and gestured for Liu Yuheng to come in, "Don't stand there, come in and sit down."

Everyone entered the main room together. Tea and several plates of snacks were already set on the octagonal table in the main room, and Yao's mother invited everyone to sit down. Yao Qingmu sat down next to Yao Qingwan, and the two whispered a few words to each other. Yao Qingmu would occasionally glance at Liu Yuheng, as if she were sizing up her new brother-in-law.

Yao Qingmo sat down in the chair next to Liu Yuheng, took the teacup handed to her by her father, took a sip, and then spoke up: "It's quite a coincidence, our family just finished the review procedures yesterday and came here today. We were hoping to make it in time for Qingwan's wedding, but we're still two days short."

He put down his teacup, his tone tinged with regret, and continued, "I've been abroad all these years, and I haven't been able to take care of anything big or small at home. It's quite a coincidence that I'm back in time for your event."

Liu Yuheng nodded: "Second Uncle has been abroad for many years, hasn't he?"

"Ten years," Yao Qingmo said, her gaze lingering slightly into the distance. "I went abroad four or five years ago and have been studying and doing research there ever since. A couple of years ago, I saw the call from the government for overseas students to return and contribute to the country, and I've been wanting to come back ever since. I submitted my application last year, and the process took more than a year. It was finally approved recently."

Liu Yuheng asked curiously, "What field is Second Uncle studying over there?"

Yao Qingmo adjusted his glasses, his tone humble yet with the focused intensity characteristic of an academic: "Fluid mechanics and aerodynamics. I've been conducting theoretical research and experiments in these areas for years, and I plan to continue working in related fields after returning to China."

"Where was Second Uncle assigned?" Liu Yuheng picked up his teacup, took a sip, and asked casually.

Yao Qingmo hesitated for a moment, as if carefully choosing her words: "Currently, they say I'll be going to the Fifth Hospital, but they haven't told me the specific address or job details yet. They only told me to report for duty after I've settled in. It might involve some confidential matters, so it's not convenient to say more right now."

"The Five Academies." Liu Yuheng put down his teacup and nodded thoughtfully.

Yao Qingmo noticed his reaction and was slightly taken aback: "Yuheng, have you heard of this unit? I asked the comrade in charge of the liaison a few times, and he said that this unit is involved in national defense scientific research and has a high level of secrecy. He didn't reveal too much about the specifics to me. I thought that people outside should not know much about it."

Liu Yuheng smiled and said, "I've had some contact with this through my work. The Fifth Academy is supposed to be involved in cutting-edge technology research, and aerodynamics is a perfect fit. Uncle's major is quite fortunate to have come at the right time."

Upon hearing this, Yao Qingmo's expression changed slightly, and her gaze toward Liu Yuheng became more inquisitive and scrutinizing.

He paused for two seconds, as if considering his words, before asking, "I heard from my older brother that you work in the military, but I don't know exactly where?"

Liu Yuheng put down his teacup and said calmly, "I'm still helping out at the Central Military Commission, mainly participating in the final stages of the downsizing group. After the conferment of ranks, I'll probably be transferred to a local position. The specific department hasn't been finalized yet, but it's likely to be the Ministry of Heavy Industry, where I'll be responsible for military-related work."

"The Ministry of Heavy Industry... the military industry." Yao Qingmo nodded thoughtfully. "That means they're dealing with the defense industry, and they're on the same side as us researchers."

Yao's father had been listening intently. Before the marriage was finalized, he had been hesitant to ask about Liu Yuheng's military rank. Now that the marriage was complete and the two families were officially in-laws, his reservations had largely dissipated, and he finally couldn't help but ask, "Yuheng, I've been too embarrassed to ask, what rank did you receive this time?"

As soon as he asked the question, everyone in the room turned their attention to Liu Yuheng.

Liu Yuheng smiled, his tone neither deliberately modest nor boastful, simply saying, "Lieutenant General."

The main room fell silent for a moment.

Yao Lei nearly dropped the peanuts in his hand, his mouth agape wide enough to fit an egg: "Lieutenant General?! Brother-in-law, are you serious?"

Yao Qingmu's reaction was even stronger than Yao Lei's. She stood up abruptly, quickly walked around the table to Liu Yuheng, bent down, and carefully looked him over: "Brother-in-law, how old are you? I heard from my uncle that you're only thirty this year!"