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

Around 4 p.m., the number of people at the supply and marketing cooperative gradually increased again, mostly nearby residents coming to buy grain, oil, and salt after get off work.

Liang Fangfang stood behind her counter, watching the figures coming and going through the door, when she suddenly heard a familiar voice coming from the doorway: "Weigh out five jin of cornmeal for me."

Liang Fangfang looked up, and when her gaze fell on the person who had just arrived, she paused slightly. Standing at the door was Yan Bugui's wife, clutching a handful of loose change and a few grain coupons, waiting in front of the grain and oil counter. Her gaze swept around, and when it landed on Liang Fangfang, she too froze. The expression on her face changed from casual to surprised, then from surprised to incredulous, and her eyes widened in disbelief.

"Erhe's wife?! What are you doing here?" Yan Bugui's wife's voice rose half an octave, carrying a sense of unexpected surprise.

Liang Fangfang was also a little surprised, but she quickly recovered, nodded to her, and replied naturally, "Auntie, I work here."

Yan Bugui's wife opened her mouth slightly, staring intently at Liang Fangfang: "Going to work? You...you've always been a stay-at-home mom, haven't you? When did you find a job?"

Liang Fangfang smiled and didn't say much, simply replying, "I just started working today, my first day."

Yan Bugui's wife stood there stunned for two seconds, then seemed to suddenly understand something, her expression changing from surprise to understanding: "You work here... that must have been arranged for you by the eldest son of the Liu family. With his abilities, arranging a job for his sister-in-law is a piece of cake for him. The Liu family is truly blessed to have produced such a successful person."

The sales clerk at the grain and oil counter next to her had already weighed the cornmeal, wrapped it in oil paper, and pushed it in front of her, calling out, "Five jin of cornmeal, ticket and money."

Yan Bugui's wife quickly handed over the grain coupons and money, picked up the bag of cornmeal, glanced at Liang Fangfang again, mumbled "Then you go ahead with your work," and then turned and hurriedly walked out, her steps much faster than when she came, as if she was in a hurry to go back and tell the others in the courtyard the news.

Liang Fangfang watched her figure disappear into the entrance of the supply and marketing cooperative, gently shook her head, and looked away. Sister Zhang, who had somehow appeared beside her, also glanced towards the entrance, her tone tinged with curiosity: "You know her?"

"Yes, a neighbor in the same courtyard."

Sister Zhang nodded, didn't ask any more questions, and turned to organize the shelves.

Around 6 p.m., Liu Erhe appeared at the entrance of the supply and marketing cooperative.

He came directly from the steel rolling mill after get off work, still wearing his work clothes and with a bit of travel dust on his face. He stood at the door and looked inside. Seeing that Liang Fangfang was still standing behind the counter, he didn't come in. Instead, he found a spot where he wouldn't block the way and waved to her.

Liang Fangfang saw him, but didn't rush out because there were still a few customers watching the radio. She gestured to Liu Erhe, indicating that he should wait a little longer. Liu Erhe nodded, leaned against the doorframe, took out a cigarette, lit it, and waited quietly without urging him.

As Sister Wang passed by, she saw a young man standing by the door smoking. Seeing Liang Fangfang gesturing to him, she leaned over and asked, "Is that your husband?"

Liang Fangfang nodded: "Yes, he came to pick me up from get off work."

Sister Wang glanced at the clock on the wall: "Our supply and marketing cooperative closes a little late, at 6:30. We'll have to wait a while."

Liang Fangfang was a little embarrassed: "It's okay, I've already talked to him."

Sister Wang smiled, said nothing more, and turned to tidy up her counter.

As soon as the clock struck 6:30, Liang Fangfang packed her things, greeted Sister Zhang and Sister Wang, then quickly walked to the door, pushed it open, and went out.

Liu Erhe had been waiting at the door for almost half an hour, smoking three cigarettes, with several cigarette butts lying on the ground beside him. Seeing Liang Fangfang come out, he stubbed out his half-smoked cigarette and threw it into the nearby trash can, then went up to her and asked, "Are you tired? Standing all day on your first day, are your feet sore?"

Liang Fangfang shook her head with a smile: "Not tired. There aren't many people around in the bicycle and radio sales area anyway; I spend most of my time sitting."

The two walked back side by side along the street.

"How was your day? Did you get along well with your colleagues?"

"It's great. Sister Zhang and Sister Wang are both very kind to me. Director Li even gave me his lunch at noon and told me to bring my own lunch tomorrow, since there's a stove in the back to heat it up."

Liu Erhe nodded: "That's good. I'll remind you to bring your lunch tomorrow morning, don't forget again."

"Hmm," Liang Fangfang responded. After walking a short distance, she suddenly spoke again, "I ran into Auntie San today. She came to buy cornmeal. She recognized me. I bet she'll tell everyone in the hospital when she gets back."

Liu Erhe paused for a moment, then laughed: "Just say it, it's not like it's anything shameful."

Hearing this, Liang Fangfang couldn't help but laugh.

When Liu Erhe and Liang Fangfang walked into the No. 95 compound side by side, it wasn't completely dark yet, but the noise in the compound was already as lively as a pot of boiling water.

In the small open space in the front yard, groups of middle-aged women gathered together, some squatting on their doorsteps, others leaning against the wall. The noodles or porridge in their bowls were steaming, their chopsticks hovering in mid-air, but they never stopped talking.

When Liu Erhe and Liang Fangfang pushed open the courtyard gate and walked in, the whispers suddenly dropped a notch, but didn't completely disappear, as if they were whispering about something shameful.

Liu Erhe walked ahead, his gaze sweeping over the faces in the courtyard. Liang Fangfang followed behind Liu Erhe and naturally noticed those gazes as well. She heard a phrase drifting from somewhere, "When one attains enlightenment, even his chickens and dogs ascend to heaven," the voice low, but still faintly carried on the evening breeze.

When Yan Bugui saw Liu Erhe enter, he put on a warm smile: "Erhe, you're back! I heard your wife started working at the supply and marketing cooperative? Congratulations!"

Liu Erhe stopped and nodded at him: "Third Uncle is really well-informed."

Yan Bugui chuckled twice and then said, "Erhe, your wife works at the supply and marketing cooperative, which is a great place. If they ever have anything on clearance or cheap, remember to let me know. I live right next door, just a few steps away, it won't bother you at all."

Liu Erhe's lips twitched involuntarily. The thought, "Old Man Yan is really good at scheming," was already rising in his throat, but he maintained a polite smile on his face: "Alright, Third Uncle, I'll let you know if there's any news later."

Having received this promise, Yan Bugui felt as if he had gotten a bargain, and with a beaming smile, he retreated back to his own doorstep.