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

At the entrance to the east wing, Liu Shuanzhu and Liu Erhe were sitting on the threshold, eating noodles with bowls in hand. Steam rose gently from their bowls in the cool evening air. Inside, Wang Xiuhe was busy with something; the clatter of pots and pans could be faintly heard.

As Liu Yuheng walked over, Liu Shuanzhu saw him first, quickly put down the bowl he was holding, stood up, and called into the house, "Mother! Yuheng's here! Go make another bowl of noodles!"

Liu Yuheng quickly waved his hand to stop him: "Dad, don't bother, I'll go back and eat later." He went into the house and said the same thing to Wang Xiuhe. Only then did Wang Xiuhe stop touching the stove, but she still put a plate of peanuts and a pot of tea on the table and asked him to sit down and have a few sips of water before leaving.

Liu Yuheng sat down at the table, picked up his teacup and took a sip, then turned to Liu Erhe: "Erhe, could you go to the Intermediate People's Court and find He Yuzhu? I need to talk to him about something."

Liu Erhe was slurping the last noodle in his bowl when he heard this. He quickly put down the bowl, wiped his mouth, and said, "Okay, I'll go right now." He turned and left quickly.

Liu Yuheng then turned to Liang Fangfang, who was sitting beside him sewing shoe soles, and asked, "Sister-in-law, are you getting used to working at the supply and marketing cooperative?"

Liang Fangfang put down her work and said with a smile, "I did a great job. Director Li took special care of me, putting me in charge of the bicycles and radios. The work wasn't heavy, and there weren't many people around. The older women there were also very easy to get along with. They taught me how to identify the goods and their prices, so there wasn't anything difficult."

Liu Yuheng nodded: "That's fine then. If you encounter any difficulties, just tell Director Li directly, don't hesitate. If he doesn't care, give me a call."

"Don't worry, big brother, it's really fine, there are no difficulties."

Not long after, Liu Erhe returned with He Yuzhu. He Yuzhu had run all the way, his steps still a little flustered, unsure of what had happened. He stopped at the door, cautiously peeking inside. He saw Liu Yuheng sitting at the table drinking tea, his tone uncertain: "Brother Liu... did you need something?"

Seeing his nervous expression, Liu Yuheng couldn't help but laugh and cry at the same time: "Zhuzi, what are you so nervous about? I need to ask you for a favor. Are you free tomorrow? Come over to my place and cook a meal. A few of my old comrades are coming from Nanjing."

Upon hearing this, He Yuzhu visibly relaxed, his expression shifting from tense to relaxed: "That's it? Yes, yes, I'm free tomorrow, no problem!"

Liu Yuheng added, "You can go tomorrow afternoon. I'll have your sister-in-law wait for you at home. I've already had the logistics department prepare some ingredients. Just let me know if you need anything. Just cook whatever you like; nothing too complicated, just simple home-style dishes."

He Yuzhu nodded repeatedly: "I understand, I understand. Don't worry, I know what I'm doing. I'll come over tomorrow and make sure you understand everything clearly."

Liu Yuheng thought for a moment, then said to Liu Erhe, "Oh right, Erhe, I have two bottles of wine and two cartons of cigarettes in my car, which is parked outside. Go and get them for me."

Liu Erhe took the package, turned around, and went out. He returned shortly afterward carrying two packs of cigarettes and two bottles of liquor, all placed in a cloth bag.

Liu Yuheng took out a pack of cigarettes and a bottle of wine from the bag and placed them on the table. He said to Liang Fangfang, "Take the remaining cigarettes and wine to Xiao Li when you go to work tomorrow. Just say it's for him to try."

Liang Fangfang immediately replied, "Okay, I know. I'll bring it to work tomorrow."

Liu Yuheng thought for a moment and then turned to He Yuzhu: "Zhuzi, when you go tomorrow, your sister He Yushui will be home alone, right? Just have her come to my parents' house for dinner, don't let her make do by herself."

He Yuzhu was visibly taken aback upon hearing this, his expression shifting slightly before he finally nodded. "Oh, thank you, Brother Liu. I'll tell Yushui before I leave tomorrow and ask her to come eat at Uncle and Aunt's."

Liu Yuheng waved his hand: "We all live in the same courtyard, no need to be so polite."

After he finished speaking, he stood up and called out to Liu Shuanzhu and Wang Xiuhe, "Dad, Mom, I'm leaving now." As he turned to leave, Liu Tingting suddenly appeared from the inner room, grabbed his sleeve, tilted her head back, and looked up at him with expectant eyes, "Brother! Can I come over to your place to play too?"

Liu Yuheng glanced down at her, then reached out and ruffled her hair. "You've already started school, and you have class tomorrow. What are you playing around for? When you have winter break, you can stay in the north of the city for a few days if you want, and I'll take you out to play then. Now you'd better go to school properly."

Hearing his words, Liu Tingting knew it was hopeless, so she reluctantly let go, retreated to lean against the doorframe, and mumbled something indistinctly. Liu Yuheng smiled, ignored her, turned and left the east wing, crossed the courtyard and walked out the gate.

Dusk was gradually falling, and lights were starting to come on in the alleyways. He got into his car, started the engine, and the car slowly drove out of Nanluoguxiang into the deepening night.

Back at the North City compound, Liu Yuheng washed his hands, sat down at the dining table, and picked up his chopsticks: "Li Yunlong and the others will arrive in Beijing tomorrow and come over for dinner tonight. I just went back to the courtyard to find He Yuzhu and asked him to come over tomorrow afternoon to cook a meal. The ingredients will be delivered by the logistics department tomorrow, so you can just wait at home."

Yao Qingwan sat down opposite him and nodded: "Okay, then I'll come back early tomorrow afternoon."

The next afternoon, just as the sun was beginning to set, He Yuzhu went out. Liu Er had given him a detailed explanation of the address and directions to the North City Compound the night before. With the note containing the address in his hand, he took two bus stops and walked for about ten minutes before finally finding the entrance to the compound.

There were sentries standing guard at the gate. He Yuzhu gave Liu Yuheng's name, registered it, and the sentry checked it before letting him in. He walked along the cement path in the compound, glancing around as he went.

This place was a completely different world from the crowded courtyard in Nanluoguxiang where he lived. Neatly trimmed holly bushes lined both sides of the road, and rows of small brick buildings were arranged in a pleasing, orderly fashion, with spacious open spaces between them. It was quiet and tidy. When he arrived at the door of Liu Yuheng's small building, he couldn't help but take a second look. It was a two-story building with three steps leading up to the door. The holly bushes on both sides of the steps were neatly trimmed, and the windows were polished to a shine, exuding a clean and efficient atmosphere.

He sighed inwardly, then thought of his own small, dark house, shook his head, and knocked on the door.