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

Liu Yuheng's expression turned serious: "Don't tell me you couldn't even get into high school."

Provoked by his words, Liu Tingting immediately straightened her back: "Who said that! I'm a little worried about getting into a vocational school, but I'm sure I can get into high school. Don't look down on me!"

Hearing this, Liu Yuheng's expression softened a bit, and he tapped her forehead: "That's good. Study hard, don't just think about playing all day. Getting into high school is the important thing."

Not long after, the sound of the courtyard gate being pushed open came in, followed by Liu Erhe and Liang Fangfang entering the house, chatting and laughing.

Liu Yuheng then told them the news of Yao Qingwan's pregnancy. Liu Erhe was stunned at first, then his face lit up with surprise. He rubbed his hands together and said, "Really? Does that mean I'm going to be an uncle again?"

Liang Fangfang also smiled and congratulated her, saying that after she gave birth, the two children could keep each other company.

A little while later, Liu Shuanzhu also came home from get off work. When he pushed the door open and saw Liu Yuheng there, he was somewhat surprised: "Why are you back today?"

Liu Yuheng repeated the message. Liu Shuanzhu was taken aback at first, then his hand holding the teacup paused in mid-air for two seconds before he slowly nodded, only saying "Okay, okay," but the smile lines at the corners of his mouth were impossible to hide.

Seeing that the whole family knew the news, Liu Yuheng stood up to leave, but Wang Xiuhe quickly stood up as well: "Eat before you go! I'm already getting the food ready to cook!"

Liu Yuheng shook his head: "No, Qingwan is still waiting for me at home."

Upon hearing this, Wang Xiuhe immediately changed her expression and waved her hand as if to shoo her away: "Then hurry back! When you get back, you cook. Don't let Qingwan get tired; she can't do heavy work right now."

Liu Yuheng's lips twitched, he smiled helplessly, turned around, lifted the curtain, and went out the door.

After leaving the courtyard and getting into the car, Liu Yuheng first asked the driver to return to the North City Compound.

When they got home, Yao Qingwan had just returned from get off work and was about to cook when Liu Yuheng immediately stepped forward and stopped her: "Don't cook, I'll take you somewhere."

Yao Qingwan was taken aback: "Where to?"

"Going back to my parents' house for a free meal." Liu Yuheng said, pulling a cloth bag out of the house. Inside were several cans of food, two bottles of wine, and a carton of cigarettes. "It's been a while since I visited my parents, so I'll go have a meal with them today."

Yao Qingwan's eyes lit up immediately, and she smiled at him, saying, "You certainly know how to make arrangements."

The two went out the door, Yao Qingwan bent down and got into the car, Liu Yuheng put the things in the trunk, went around to the driver's seat and started the car.

The car drove steadily through the streets of the capital in the gradually darkening twilight, heading towards the Yao family's residence.

Soon after, the car turned into the quiet alley where the Yao family lived. Liu Yuheng slowed down and brought the car to a steady stop in front of the Yao family's courtyard, then turned off the engine.

He got out of the car, went around to the other side to open the door for Yao Qingwan, and then took out the cloth bag containing canned food, cigarettes and alcohol from the trunk. Only then did the two of them walk side by side to the front of the courtyard gate.

The courtyard gate was locked, and warm yellow light shone from inside. The faint sound of traditional opera coming from the radio could be heard.

Liu Yuheng raised his hand and knocked twice on the door, his voice particularly clear in the quiet alley.

After a while, footsteps came from inside, followed by a young voice asking with some wariness, "Who is it?"

Yao Qingwan immediately stepped forward, her voice clear and bright: "Lei Zi, it's me, your sister."

The bolt clicked, and the gate opened from the inside. Yao Lei poked his head out and saw Yao Qingwan and Liu Yuheng standing in the doorway. He was startled at first, then his expression changed from wary to delighted: "Sister? Brother-in-law? What brings you here at this hour?" He quickly opened the door and stepped aside to let them in. "Come in, come in! Mom and Dad are eating!"

Liu Yuheng and Yao Qingwan entered the courtyard. The Yao family's courtyard was as clean and tidy as ever. The blue brick floor was swept clean, and the orchid on the windowsill was still lush and green in the night. The light in the main room was on, and a warm glow shone through the window paper.

The two pushed open the door to the main room and went inside. Yao's parents were sitting at the dining table eating. There were several small dishes and two bowls of porridge on the table, and a Peking Opera was playing on the radio.

Hearing the noise, the two looked up at the same time and saw Liu Yuheng and Yao Qingwan standing at the door, both showing surprise.

Mother Yao was the first to react. She put down her chopsticks and stood up, her face beaming with surprise: "Qingwan? Yuheng? Why are you here at this hour? You didn't even tell me beforehand!" As she spoke, she turned and beckoned into the house, "Xiaolei, quickly go and get two chairs!"

Yao Lei responded, put down the book in his hand, and quickly moved two wooden stools from the corner of the wall and placed them next to the dining table.

Yao's mother quickly walked up to the two of them, looked them up and down, and asked with concern, "Have you two eaten yet? It's so late, you haven't eaten yet, have you?"

Liu Yuheng handed over the cloth bag in his hand, smiling and saying, "Not yet, it just so happens to be your mealtime, I'm so sorry."

Mrs. Yao took the cloth bag, glanced down at the canned goods and tobacco and alcohol sticking out of it, and scolded, "You came all this way, why bring anything! We have everything at home, you can keep it for yourselves." She then took the items, turned around and put them in the kitchen cabinet, then poked her head out again, "You sit and wait a bit, I'll go make a couple more dishes, it'll be ready soon." Soon the sounds of chopping vegetables and lighting a fire came from the kitchen.

Mr. Yao gestured for the two to sit down: "Come, come, sit down and let's talk. What made you two suddenly decide to come over today?"

Liu Yuheng and Yao Qingwan exchanged a glance. Yao Qingwan nodded slightly, and Liu Yuheng put down his teacup, his tone filled with undisguised amusement: "Dad, I've come today to tell you some good news: Qingwan is pregnant."

A moment of silence fell over the room. The water glass in Yao's father's hand froze in mid-air. His expression shifted from casual to surprised, then from surprised to delighted, his eyes lighting up instantly: "Really?!"

Hearing this, Yao's mother, who was in the kitchen, turned around abruptly and rushed back to the dining table, her voice several octaves higher than usual: "Qingwan, is it true?!"

Yao Qingwan smiled and nodded: "I went to the hospital for a check-up at noon today, and the doctor said it's been more than a month."

Mr. Yao put down his water glass and burst into laughter, the sound echoing in the room and making the dishes on the table tremble slightly. "Great! Great! This is wonderful news!" He turned to Mrs. Yao, his voice brimming with barely suppressed joy, "Honey, we're going to be grandparents!"

Yao's mother had already walked to Yao Qingwan's side, bent down and took her hand, her gaze sweeping back and forth between Yao Qingwan's face and abdomen twice, her voice filled with barely suppressed excitement: "How are you feeling? Are you feeling unwell? Do you feel nauseous? Do you prefer sour or spicy food?" She bombarded Yao Qingwan with questions one after another, leaving Yao Qingwan somewhat overwhelmed.