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

The morning passed faster than Liang Fangfang had expected. When she first stood at the counter, she was a little nervous, afraid that someone would come and ask about prices and she wouldn't be able to answer. Fortunately, as Director Li had said, there weren't many people coming to this area.

All morning, only two middle-aged men came in to look at the bicycle, asked a few questions about the price and brand, circled the bike a couple of times, and left without buying anything. An elderly man came in to ask if the radio could receive CCTV. Liang Fangfang helped him adjust the knobs, and the radio signal came through intermittently. The old man nodded in satisfaction, didn't buy anything, and left with his hands behind his back.

Sister Zhang and Sister Wang took good care of her. After selling a batch of fabric, Sister Zhang would come over and chat with her when she had some free time, teaching her how to identify different brands of bicycles and radios, saying things like, "This Flying Pigeon brand is a little cheaper than the Forever brand, but the quality is about the same," and "This radio is made in Shanghai, so it sells better than the local ones." Sister Wang was less talkative, but she would always chime in to smooth things over and help Liang Fangfang out when she didn't know how to answer a customer.

As noon approached, the number of shoppers gradually decreased. Sister Zhang leaned against a shelf, took a sip of water from her enamel mug, and let out a long sigh of relief. Liang Fangfang looked around and, taking advantage of the lull, asked Sister Zhang, "Sister Zhang, are we the only ones here?"

Sister Zhang put down the jar and waved her hand, "How could that be! We're the biggest supply and marketing cooperative in the Dongzhimen area. We have everything: rice, flour, grain, oil, cloth, and general merchandise. If it were just a few of us, we'd be worked to death!"

Sister Wang chimed in, glancing at Liang Fangfang with a smile: "You've come at the right time. There are about a dozen people in our supply and marketing cooperative. Today, a colleague's son is getting married, and several of them went to the wedding banquet. Some will be back this afternoon. There are also a few who work in purchasing and transportation, so they don't stay here often. You'll see them later."

Liang Fangfang said "Oh" and nodded, feeling a little more at ease.

When it was lunch break time, Sister Zhang and Sister Wang each took a lunchbox from under the counter, went to a small room in the back, and sat down at a wooden table to eat.

Liang Fangfang stood by the counter, watching them take out their lunchboxes, when she realized that she hadn't asked clearly that she hadn't brought any food.

She touched her pockets a little embarrassedly, wondering if she should go out to find a place to buy something to eat, when Director Li came out of his office with an aluminum lunchbox in his hand. He was stunned for a moment when he saw Liang Fangfang still standing in front of the counter, then walked over and stuffed the lunchbox into her hand.

"Here, eat first." Director Li's tone was uncompromising. "It's your first day here, don't go hungry. You're not alone, you're carrying someone else."

Liang Fangfang quickly pushed it back: "Director Li, no need, no need, I'll just go out and buy a pancake, you can eat it yourself."

Director Li pushed the lunchbox back, his expression stubborn and brooking no refusal: "Just take it. At my age, missing a meal or two isn't a big deal, but you're pregnant, so it's more important for you. Eat up, don't be shy."

Liang Fangfang glanced at the lunchbox in her hand, then at Director Li's determined expression, and had no choice but to stop refusing, nodding, "Thank you, Director Li."

Director Li waved his hand and added, "Our supply and marketing cooperative has few employees and no dedicated canteen. Remember to bring lunch from home next time. There's a stove in that small room in the back; you can heat it up yourself so you don't have to eat cold food."

"Okay, I got it."

Director Li turned and went back to his office, closing the door gently behind him. Liang Fangfang carried the aluminum lunchbox to the small room at the back. Sister Zhang and Sister Wang were already sitting there, each with their lunch spread out in front of them. The two exchanged a glance, their eyes carrying a tacit smile.

Sister Zhang spoke first, lowering her voice and speaking with a hint of gossip: "Director Li is so good to you. We've worked at the supply and marketing cooperative for several years, but we've never seen Director Li give his meals to anyone."

Liang Fangfang sat down opposite them, opened her lunchbox and glanced inside. It contained white rice with stir-fried vegetables and two pieces of braised pork, all steaming hot.

"I heard from Director Li that my husband's brother saved his life before."

Sister Zhang and Sister Wang exchanged another glance, this time their gossip turned into sudden realization.

Sister Zhang nodded, her tone tinged with emotion: "No wonder. I was wondering why Director Li cared so much about you; it turns out there's this connection. That was truly a life-saving grace, no wonder he takes such good care of you."

Sister Wang nodded and didn't ask any more questions. The three of them sat in the small house eating their lunch. The sunlight shone through the glass window and cast warm patches of light on the table.

Around 3 p.m., people started returning to the supply and marketing cooperative. First, footsteps and laughter came from the doorway, then seven or eight people in blue work clothes filed in, men and women, some carrying wedding candies. They walked and chatted, their tone filled with the joy of having just attended a wedding banquet.

The man walking at the front looked to be in his forties or fifties, wearing reading glasses and with a pen tucked into his breast pocket; he appeared to be an accountant. Behind him followed two young women, several middle-aged men, and a short but capable-looking young man with a jacket draped over his arm.

Liang Fangfang stood behind the counter, watching these people walk in with a curious look in her eyes. Sister Zhang walked by and quickly called out, "Old Wu, you're back! Come here, let me introduce you. This is our new colleague today, Liang Fangfang."

The man with glasses walked over, glanced at Liang Fangfang, nodded, and extended his hand: "Hello, Comrade Liang, my surname is Wu, and I'm in charge of the accounts."

Liang Fangfang quickly shook hands with him: "Hello, Master Wu."

Sister Zhang then pointed to the two young women next to her: "These are Chen Li and Zhao Fang, both sales clerks, working at the counter just like us."

The two girls smiled and nodded at Liang Fangfang. Chen Li looked to be about the same age as Liang Fangfang, with two braids and her eyes crinkled when she smiled. Zhao Fang was taller, with short hair, and looked neat and efficient.

Sister Zhang then pointed to the capable young man: "This is Xiao Zheng, who is in charge of transportation and delivery. He's not usually in the store; he's mostly out on field trips."

Xiao Zheng grinned at Liang Fangfang as a greeting.

"And this one," Sister Zhang pointed to a tall, thin middle-aged man, "this is Lao Liu, he's in charge of the warehouse. You can get to know the warehouse procedures from him when you have time."

Sister Zhang leaned close to Old Wu's ear and whispered something. Old Wu's eyebrows twitched slightly after hearing it. He glanced at Liang Fangfang again, his polite scrutiny now carrying a deeper meaning. But he didn't say anything, just nodded and turned to tidy up the account books on his desk.

Liang Fangfang understood that Sister Zhang had probably explained her relationship with Director Li.