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

Liu Yuheng was amused by her naive and straightforward reaction. He waved his hand and said, "There's no need to coax you. The official conferment of ranks will be held soon, and it will be published in the newspapers."

"I joined the revolution early. I ran with the December 9th Movement when I was ten, went to the holy land when I was thirteen, and have been a member of the Party for fifteen years now."

Yao Qingmu stood there, her eyes wide open: "Brother-in-law, you're amazing..."

Yao Qingmo coughed lightly beside him, his tone gentle but with a hint of fatherly authority: "Qingmu, don't be so rude, sit down."

Yao Qingmu stuck out her tongue and obediently sat back down in her seat, but her gaze kept glancing at Liu Yuheng from time to time.

The family chatted for a while until noon. Yao's mother poked her head out of the kitchen and called everyone to eat, so they moved to the dining room.

Several simple home-style dishes were laid out on the table. Neither Yao's father nor Yao Qingmo drank much, and Yao Lei, who was still in school, couldn't drink either. So the atmosphere at lunch was much more relaxed than at the wedding the day before. There was no lively toasting or drinking, just the usual scene of the family sitting together eating and chatting.

Liu Yuheng was fortunate enough to not have to deal with being pressured to drink, and he enjoyed a hearty meal, feeling completely relaxed.

After lunch, the group chatted for a while in the main room. Yao Qingmo asked Liu Yuheng a few questions about his experiences in the army, and Liu Yuheng briefly recounted some less sensitive topics. Yao Qingmu then took the opportunity to ask a few questions about the war, but Yao Qingwan smiled and pulled her away.

Around three o'clock in the afternoon, Liu Yuheng looked at the sky outside the window, stood up and said goodbye: "Dad, Mom, Second Uncle, Second Aunt, it's getting late, we'll go back now. We'll come to see you again next time we have time."

Mr. and Mrs. Yao tried to persuade him to stay a few more times, but seeing that he was really going to leave, they didn't insist. Mrs. Yao then slipped a packet of homemade pastries into Liu Yuheng's hand, telling him to take it home and try it. Mr. Yao saw him off to the courtyard gate, standing under the doorframe and waving goodbye.

Liu Yuheng and Yao Qingwan got into the car, started the engine, and the car slowly drove out of the quiet alley.

Time flies. After the excitement of the wedding subsided, life gradually returned to its normal rhythm.

Liu Yuheng left early and returned late every day, helping the military downsizing team at the Central Military Commission with the final touches. Yao Qingwan also returned to work at the Women's Federation. Every morning, the two would leave together; Liu Yuheng would first take her to her workplace, then go to the Central Military Commission himself, and pick her up in the evening. Their days were simple yet fulfilling.

That evening, when Liu Yuheng finished his work and came out of his office, it was already getting dark. He glanced at his watch and said to the driver, "Don't go back to the north of the city yet, go to Nanluoguxiang."

The car turned several streets and stopped at the entrance of Nanluoguxiang Hutong. Liu Yuheng got out of the car and walked alone into the No. 95 compound.

The courtyard was much quieter than during the day, with warm yellow light shining from the windows of each house, and the aroma of food wafting in the twilight. He walked to the door of the east wing, and before he even stepped inside, he heard laughter and chatter coming from inside, filled with an irrepressible joy.

Liu Yuheng pushed open the door and went inside. The room was indeed bustling with activity. Liu Shuanzhu sat in the main seat, with Wang Xiuhe beside him, and Liang Cheng and his wife sitting opposite them. Liu Erhe sat next to Liang Cheng, Liang Fangfang held Liu Yixuan in her arms on one side, and Liu Tingting sat on the other, munching on a cornbread. Several dishes and a bowl of steaming soup were laid out on the table, indicating that two families were eating together.

When Liu Yuheng pushed the door open and came in, everyone in the room was stunned for a moment.

Liu Erhe was the first to react, quickly standing up and offering his chair: "Brother? What brings you here? Please sit down!"

Liu Yuheng waved his hand, not sitting down, and looked around the room before asking, "Why is it so lively today?"

Wang Xiuhe's eyes crinkled with laughter as she put down her chopsticks, her voice brimming with undisguised joy: "Your sister-in-law is pregnant again! We just found out today, and we haven't had a chance to tell you yet!"

Liang Fangfang sat on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed), her face slightly flushed by Wang Xiuhe's words. She lowered her head, touched her stomach, and smiled.

Liu Yixuan sat in her lap, not quite understanding what the adults were saying. He just looked up at this one and then at that one, mumbling "Uncle" incoherently.

Liu Yuheng was taken aback at first, then smiled at Liu Erhe and patted him on the shoulder: "Erhe, congratulations. You're going to be a father again soon."

Liu Erhe rubbed his hands together, his smile a mix of nervousness and excitement: "I only found out when I got home from get off work today. My mother and Fangfang went to the health center to check, and they said it's been about a month." He couldn't help but chuckle twice as he spoke.

Liu Yuheng nodded, but the smile on his face suddenly faded, and his brows furrowed slightly. He glanced at Liang Fangfang, then at Liu Erhe, and remained silent for two seconds before speaking: "Didn't I say before that I would find a job for my sister-in-law? It was just arranged today, at the supply and marketing cooperative near Dongzhimen. One of my old subordinates is the director there, and I've already made the arrangements. But now..."

His words caused the festive atmosphere in the room to freeze for a moment.

Liang Fangfang's smile faltered for a moment, then she quickly stood up, her voice urgent, "Brother, it's alright! I'm perfectly healthy. I'm just pregnant and haven't shown yet, so it won't interfere with my work. The work at the supply and marketing cooperative isn't tiring; it's just standing at the counter selling things. I can go. I'll ask for leave when my pregnancy is more advanced."

Liu Yuheng glanced at her but didn't reply immediately. He turned to Liu Shuanzhu and Wang Xiuhe, as if seeking the opinions of his elders: "Father, Mother, what do you think?"

Liu Shuanzhu held the bowl, paused for a moment, and did not rush to express his opinion.

Wang Xiuhe spoke first, her tone hesitant: "Fangfang's health is indeed alright, it's just that standing all day at the supply and marketing cooperative must be tiring..."

Liu Erhe stood to the side, rubbing his hands and glancing back and forth, clearly undecided. He wanted his wife to have a stable job, but he was also worried about her going through too much hardship during her pregnancy, so he stood there in a dilemma.

At this moment, Liang Cheng, who hadn't spoken until now, put down his chopsticks and said, "I think it would be good to let Fangfang give it a try. She's only just gotten pregnant, and it's still a long way from showing. Going to the supply and marketing cooperative isn't like she'll be doing heavy work; she'll just be standing at the counter selling things. What could be so tiring? It's not too late for her to take leave once her belly gets bigger."

Liang Cheng's wife nodded in agreement, "Yes, Fangfang is in good health and not that delicate. Besides, it's not easy for her to get a stable job. If she misses this opportunity, who knows when she'll get another one."

Liu Shuanzhu nodded upon hearing this and glanced at Wang Xiuhe. Wang Xiuhe also relented, "Alright, since our in-laws have said so, and Fangfang, you're willing too, then go and give it a try. If you feel tired, we'll come back; we won't force you."