Courtyard House: From Deputy Division Commander to Civilian, Progressing All the Way

"Mom, just shut up." Jia Dongxu stubbed out his cigarette, his voice low. "When Lin Yang left just now, that security guard glanced at our window. My legs went weak. If you dare to go out and talk nonsense again, next time it won't be as simple as a slap."

Madam Jia shuddered and instinctively covered her cheek, as if the burning pain returned. She shut her mouth and could only swallow the poison that filled her stomach.

Unlike the gloomy atmosphere in the other families, the He family's house was filled with laughter and joy.

He Daqing was preparing a plate of peanuts, drinking Erguotou (a type of Chinese liquor), and humming Peking Opera with great satisfaction.

Sha Zhu sat to the side, his face full of excitement.

"Dad, Commander Lin went to the military compound, that's where all the top officers gather! Do you think Brother Lin might get a position too?"

He Daqing took a sip of wine and smacked his lips. "Zhuzi, remember what your father said. Lin Fan is practically a living Buddha in this courtyard now! When you're at the factory, go to the warehouse more often, pour water for Brother Lin, sweep the floor. As long as you get along well with Brother Lin, our He family will definitely be on the right track in the future!"

Sha Zhu thumped his chest loudly, "Dad, don't worry! Brother Lin is like my own brother now! If anyone dares to trip him up in the yard, I, Sha Zhu, will be the first to chop them up with a cleaver!"

……

On a sunny weekend morning, the snow began to melt, and rows of crystal-clear icicles hung from the eaves.

Lin Fan got up early.

He specially wore his crisp serge Zhongshan suit today and polished his leather shoes until they were spotless. Today was the first time his younger brother, Lin Yang, had invited him over since moving to the military compound.

Pushing his brand-new Flying Pigeon bicycle, Lin Fan walked out of the courtyard gate.

Along the way, when he encountered neighbors from the courtyard, whether it was Yan Bugui from the front courtyard or Yi Zhonghai from the middle courtyard, they all stopped when they saw Lin Fan, their faces full of fawning smiles, and some even took the initiative to bow and greet him.

"Brother Lin, going out?"

"Brother Lin Fan, this bike is sparkling clean, ride slowly."

Lin Fan simply nodded, without lingering. He knew very well that these people were not respecting him, but rather his younger brother.

Riding his bicycle, Lin Fan passed through several bustling streets and headed towards the western suburbs.

After riding for about half an hour, the surrounding buildings gradually decreased, replaced by rows of towering poplar trees. The road also changed from a bumpy stone slab road to a smooth and wide asphalt road.

Soon, a towering red wall stretching endlessly came into Lin Fan's view.

This is the most mysterious and imposing military compound on Yuquanshan Road in Beijing!

Lin Fan felt an invisible pressure even when he was still dozens of meters away from the gate.

At the main gate, two tall guard posts were manned by heavily armed guards. Their postures were as straight as pines, and their eyes were as sharp as eagles, scrutinizing every person and vehicle that approached.

The huge iron gate was tightly closed, with only a small door on the side for people to enter and exit.

Lin Fan pushed his bicycle, his palms sweating. He swallowed hard and forced himself to remain calm as he walked to the front gate.

"Comrade, please show your identification!" A guard reached out and stopped him, his voice loud and clear, exuding the authority of a tough soldier.

Lin Fan quickly took out the pass that Lin Yang had sent in advance from his pocket and handed it over with both hands.

The guard took the pass, carefully checked the name and photo on it, and then glanced at Lin Fan. The seriousness on his face instantly turned into respect.

"So you're Deputy Division Commander Lin's older brother! The commander instructed that you should go straight in. It's Building A, Number Six. Just walk straight along this main road, turn left, and it's the third building!"

The guard handed the pass back to Lin Fan with both hands, then stepped back and gave a standard military salute.

"Thank you, thank you, comrade." Lin Fan was flattered and quickly returned the greeting, pushing his bicycle into the courtyard.

As soon as Lin Fan stepped through that big iron gate, it felt like he had entered another world.

There's no crowding or noise like in the alleyways, no coal dust or dirty water everywhere. Everything here is so orderly, so spacious and bright.

Along the wide asphalt road are rows of neat Soviet-style red brick villas. Each villa has its own small courtyard with pine, cypress and holly trees.

Occasionally, officers in their overcoats would walk by, exchanging standard military salutes. Even the children playing by the roadside radiated confidence and vitality.

"This is where people should live..." Lin Fan pushed his bicycle, looking at the scene before him, and was deeply shocked.

He recalled the neighbors in the courtyard who would argue endlessly over half a pound of cornmeal, and then looked at the peaceful, dignified scene here. He finally understood why everyone was so eager to climb the social ladder.

Following the guard's directions, Lin Fan arrived at the entrance of Building No. 6, Class A.

This is a two-story villa with its own courtyard, built of red bricks and gray tiles, which looks very grand. The iron gate to the courtyard was half-open, and a cheerful voice could be heard coming from inside.

Lin Fan parked his bicycle, pushed open the door, and went inside.

"Brother! You're here!"

Tian Yu, who was shoveling snow in the yard, saw Lin Fan and immediately put down her shovel, greeting him with a big smile.

"Tian Yu, where's Yangzi?" Lin Fan asked with a smile, looking at his younger brother and sister-in-law, who were dressed in neat Lenin suits and looked radiant.

"He's upstairs in his study looking at documents. I'll go get him. Come inside quickly, it's cold outside."

Tian Yu led Lin Fan into the Western-style building.

As soon as you enter, a warm, spring-like heat wave hits you.

Lin Fan was surprised to find that there was no coal stove in the house, but it was warmer than the courtyard house with two stoves.

"Brother, these are radiators for the central heating system." Tian Yu noticed Lin Fan's confusion and pointed to a row of white metal sheets on the wall, explaining with a smile, "There's a dedicated boiler room in the compound that heats water and provides heating 24 hours a day. We no longer have to get up in the middle of the night to add coal briquettes."

Lin Fan touched the scorching hot radiator and clicked his tongue in amazement.

The living room is very spacious, with a thick wool carpet on the floor. The leather sofa, the imported floor-standing radio, and the portrait of a great man hanging on the wall all demonstrate the high status of this house.

"elder brother."

With a series of steady footsteps, Lin Yang, wearing a loose sweater, came down from the second floor.

"Yangzi, this place of yours... is absolutely amazing! It's even more magnificent than the imperial palace!" Lin Fan exclaimed sincerely as he looked at his younger brother.

Lin Yang walked over and pulled Lin Fan to sit down on the leather sofa. Tian Yu brought over a steaming cup of West Lake Longjing tea.

"Brother, the conditions in this compound are indeed much better than outside. Whether it's security, heating, medical care, or special-supply stores, they are incomparable to those outside."

Lin Yang picked up his teacup, looked at Lin Fan, and said earnestly, "Brother, this building is quite big, and there are three empty rooms on the second floor. Why don't you move in with me?"