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

"Mom, I'm fine, I'm perfectly healthy, I can eat anything and I don't vomit." Yao Qingwan smiled and patted her mother's hand. "Don't be so nervous, you've only just gotten pregnant, there's nothing wrong with you."

Only then did Yao's mother feel a little relieved, but she still stood next to Yao Qingwan for a while longer, gently touching her arm as if to confirm something, before turning around and going back to the kitchen, muttering, "Then I have to cook another dish. Qingwan needs nutrition now and can't eat too much vegetarian food..." Soon, the sounds of pots and pans clattering and oil sizzling echoed in the kitchen again.

Sitting opposite Liu Yuheng, Yao's father's smile lingered for a long time. He picked up his teacup, took a sip, then put it down, and gave Yao Qingwan a few words of advice: "Qingwan, you're not alone anymore. Ride your bike slowly to and from get off work, don't rush. If you're too tired at work, take a few days off, don't push yourself. If there's anything you want to eat, just tell your family, and your mother will make it for you."

Yao Qingwan nodded and said she understood.

After a while, Yao's mother came out of the kitchen carrying two plates of food. She put the food on the table, served Yao Qingwan a bowl of porridge, and then sat down, holding Yao Qingwan's hand and asking her about her health again in detail.

Surrounded by her family, Yao Qingwan was bombarded with questions. She felt both amused and touched, and could only repeat, "It's really nothing."

Liu Yuheng sat beside her, watching the family fawn over Yao Qingwan, a smile playing on his lips. He turned his head to look at Yao Lei sitting next to him and casually asked, "Xiao Lei, next year's the college entrance exam, right? How's it going? Any confidence?"

Yao Lei was eating when he heard this. He looked up, thought for a moment, and then said, "It should be about right." Liu

Yu Heng nodded: "That's fine then."

As the family was talking, Liu Yuheng put down his chopsticks, as if he had remembered something, and his tone became more serious than before: "Dad, Mom, there's something else I need to tell you. I received my transfer order today and have been discharged from the army."

The moment he said that, the noise at the dinner table stopped abruptly. Yao Qingwan turned to look at him, a hint of surprise on her face, but she quickly regained her composure. Although she had somewhat expected it, hearing him say it himself still stirred something within her.

Facing several pairs of gazes, Liu Yuheng spoke calmly: "This morning, the boss spoke with me and gave me the order to retire from active service. My new transfer order has also come down; I'm going to the Ministry of Heavy Industry as Vice Minister, at the administrative level seven. I'll only know the specifics of my job duties when I report for duty in the next couple of days."

A few seconds of silence filled the room. Yao's mother spoke first, her tone carrying the characteristic concern of an elder: "You've worn this military uniform for so many years, are you really going to take it off so easily? Are you really willing to part with it?"

Liu Yuheng was silent for a moment, then smiled: "Whether you're willing to give it up or not, you have to take it off when the time comes. The country's development focus has shifted from war to construction, so some people have to be transferred from the military to civilian life."

Father Yao slowly picked up his teacup and took a sip: "That's not surprising. Throughout history, after the founding of a dynasty, the focus of domestic development always shifts from military to civil administration. When conquering the country, the army is relied upon; when governing the country, construction is relied upon. This is the natural order."

Liu Yuheng nodded, looking at Yao's father with a hint of respect: "Dad is right. I also think that after these years of war, our country has just gained a foothold, and the people are no longer bullied by foreign enemies, but life is still very difficult. There is not enough food, the industrial base is weak, and many places are still hungry."

"For a long time to come, the country's focus will have to shift to development, improving people's living standards, eradicating poverty, and improving people's livelihoods. At the same time, the military must also be modernized, and we must strive for greater international influence. This is the real great power game, not something that can be resolved by just a few battles."

After hearing this, Yao's father put down his teacup, leaned back in his chair, and looked at him with a serious scrutiny in his eyes. Then he smiled and said, "Yuheng, what you said is quite remarkable. Many professors at our school might not be as good as you when they talk about these issues on the podium."

Liu Yuheng waved his hand, with a hint of humility: "Dad, you're flattering me. I'm just showing off my limited skills in front of an expert. I've learned some things in the army over the years and read a lot of reports and documents, so I have some ideas. But when it comes to theoretical knowledge, I still can't compare to you, someone who has taught all your life."

Mr. Yao smiled and waved his hand, not saying anything more, but there was a clear increase in his approval when he looked at Liu Yuheng.

Yao Qingwan sat next to Liu Yuheng, listening quietly to his conversation with his father, her gaze occasionally falling on Liu Yuheng's profile.

After sitting for a while, the food on the table was almost finished, and it was completely dark.

Liu Yuheng glanced at his watch, stood up, and said, "Dad, Mom, it's getting late, we should go back now. You two should get some rest."

Mr. and Mrs. Yao stood up and saw her to the door. Mrs. Yao held Yao Qingwan's hand and gave her a few more instructions, such as "Ride your bike slowly," "Wear more clothes in the cold," and "Go to the hospital immediately if you feel unwell," and so on, going on and on.

Yao's father stood at the door, nodded to Liu Yuheng, and said only one sentence: "Do a good job at your new workplace."

Yao Lei stood by the door frame and waved to the two of them.

Liu Yuheng helped Yao Qingwan out of the courtyard and into the car. The car started and slowly drove out of the quiet alley, its headlights casting two bright beams in the night.

The car slowly drove towards the north of the city in the night, and the carriage remained quiet the whole way.

As they approached the entrance of the North City Compound, Yao Qingwan turned her head and asked, "When are you planning to report to the Ministry of Heavy Industry? Also, after you're transferred, will we need to move?"

Liu Yuheng slowed down the car, thought for a moment, and then replied, "I'll report for duty tomorrow. I shouldn't need to change my accommodation. I've asked around, and there are still a few cadres from our institute who have transferred to local positions and are still living here." As he spoke, he turned to look at Yao Qingwan, "You don't need to worry about these things; I've arranged everything."

Yao Qingwan nodded and didn't ask any further questions. The car stopped briefly at the gate of the compound, and after the sentry checked the identification, it was allowed to pass and drive to the entrance of the small building.

The two got out of the car. Liu Yuheng locked the car door, walked to the door, took out his keys, and opened it. The house was just as it had been before he left. The living room light was still on, casting a warm yellow glow that enveloped the entire house in a quiet halo.

After washing up and changing their clothes, the two lay down on the bed. Yao Qingwan quickly fell asleep, her breathing becoming even and deep. Liu Yuheng, however, lay in the darkness with his eyes open for a while, staring at the blurry outline on the ceiling, pondering the arrangements for reporting for duty tomorrow. After a long while, he turned over, closed his eyes, and fell asleep again.