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

But Ding Qiunan burst into tears upon hearing this.

She grasped Lin Fan's calloused hands in return, nodded heavily, and a radiant smile bloomed on her face.

"Okay, let's get married after the New Year."

……

As night falls, the lights are on.

Yuquanshan Road, military compound, Building No. 6, Class A.

Outside the window, the cold wind howled and snow fell heavily, covering the entire courtyard in a silvery white. But inside this detached little villa, it was warm and cozy.

The radiators by the wall emitted waves of heat, completely dispelling the chill in the room.

The kitchen was filled with the rich aroma of pork rib soup.

Wearing a floral apron, Tian Yu stood in front of the gas stove, carefully skimming the foam off the soup noodles with a ladle. She had gotten off work early today and had specially gone to the specialty store to buy fresh pork ribs and winter melon.

With a "click," the villa's door was pushed open from the outside.

Lin Yang took off his snow-covered officer's coat, hung it on the coat rack behind the door, changed into slippers, and walked into the living room with steady steps.

"Yoko, you're back?"

Hearing the noise, Tian Yu peeked out from the kitchen, her gentle and pretty face full of domestic tenderness.

"Yes, I'm back."

Lin Yang walked to the kitchen door and watched his wife's busy figure. The fatigue of the day seemed to vanish in that instant.

He stepped forward, gently embraced Tian Yu's slender waist from behind, rested his chin on her soft shoulder, and took a deep breath of the fragrance emanating from her hair.

"It smells so good, what are you stewing?" Lin Yang's voice was deep and magnetic, with a hint of laziness.

Tian Yu blushed slightly at his sudden hug, gently shifting her body and playfully scolding, "Stop it, the kitchen is smoky. I made your favorite winter melon and pork rib soup, go wash your hands, dinner will be ready soon."

Lin Yang didn't let go; instead, he hugged her even tighter.

"What's a big deal about cooking fumes? Even if my wife's cooking is poison, I'd still eat it with relish."

Lin Yang turned his head and gently pecked Tian Yu's fair cheek.

Tian Yu's heart skipped a beat, and she held the soup spoon in her hand, her ears turning bright red.

Since moving into this military compound, free from the prying eyes of those beasts in the traditional courtyard houses, the couple finally enjoyed a truly private world of their own. Here, they didn't need to be wary of anyone or scheme against anyone; there was only pure warmth and tranquility.

"You're so sweet-talking." Tian Yu put down her soup spoon, turned around, and wrapped her arms around Lin Yang's neck, her beautiful eyes shimmering with tears.

Looking at her husband's handsome, resolute face, which exuded the authority of a superior, she was filled with endless love and admiration.

"Isn't the factory busy today?" Tian Yu asked softly.

"After Li Huaide and his group were arrested, the atmosphere in the factory completely changed. Zhou Zhenhua is a man of action, and I trust him with production matters. Today, I'm mainly in the office looking at the equipment blueprints sent from the Soviet Union."

Lin Yang put his arm around his wife and walked to the leather sofa in the living room, where he sat down and held her on his lap.

"By the way, my brother officially took office as the head of the security department today," Lin Yang said with a smile.

"Really?" Tian Yu's eyes lit up, her face full of surprise. "That's wonderful! Big Brother has finally made it through. Qiu Nan will be so happy if she finds out."

"Hmm, I reckon their wedding will be on the agenda soon. After the New Year, we'll throw them a big, lively wedding."

Lin Yang gently stroked Tian Yu's smooth, long hair with his large hand, his eyes becoming incredibly tender.

"Wife, once my elder brother gets married, the Lin family line will be continued. Shouldn't we... hurry up and have a child?"

Upon hearing the word "child," Tian Yu's face instantly turned as red as a ripe apple, the redness spreading all the way to the roots of her neck.

She buried her head in Lin Yang's broad chest and murmured a soft "hmm."

Lin Yang felt a surge of warmth in his heart, picked Tian Yu up in his arms, and strode towards the bedroom on the second floor.

"Oh dear! The soup... the soup is still simmering on the fire!" Tian Yu exclaimed, struggling shyly.

"Turn off the heat first, we'll drink later. Right now, we have more important things to do."

Lin Yang smirked and kicked open the bedroom door.

Snowflakes were falling heavily outside the window, and the cold wind was biting.

Inside, however, the room was filled with the warmth of spring and tender affection.

Lin Yang gently placed Tian Yu on the soft bed and climbed on top of her. Looking into his wife's watery eyes, the scene of their first meeting at the field hospital couldn't help but flash through his mind.

At that time, he was seriously injured and his life hung by a thread. It was Tian Yu who stayed by his bedside day and night, using her gentle hands to pull him back from the brink of death.

"My dear wife, marrying you is the greatest blessing I, Lin Yang, have ever had in this life."

Lin Yang lowered his head and kissed those two soft red lips deeply.

Tian Yu closed her eyes, responding passionately to her husband's demands. Having faced life and death on the battlefield, they knew better than anyone how to cherish this peace and happiness before them.

The night is still long.

……

In the following month.

Under Lin Yang's iron-fisted management, Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill ushered in its most glorious period since its establishment.

With Li Huaide, this major cancer, removed from the workforce, there were no more shortages or substandard supplies. The food standards in the workers' canteen improved dramatically, with every meal featuring plenty of oil and fat, and unlimited white steamed buns.

When you're well-fed, you'll naturally have more energy.

In addition, Zhou Zhenhua worked tirelessly to manage the production line, and the Soviet equipment purchased with the huge sum of money donated by Lou Zhenhua gradually arrived.

The entire steel rolling mill's production capacity doubled dramatically in just one month!

The towering chimneys spewed thick smoke day and night, and furnaces of molten steel poured out, forming the most solid steel framework for building the new China.

Lin Yang's prestige has reached an unparalleled level in the hearts of the more than 10,000 workers in the factory.

Now, at the steel rolling mill, every worker gives a thumbs-up whenever Secretary Lin's name is mentioned. Those troublemakers who used to follow Li Huaide around are now all under the thumb of the security department led by Lin Fan, and they don't dare to utter a single word.

One day at the end of the year.

The No. 1 square of the steel rolling mill was once again packed with people.

But this time, it wasn't a denunciation meeting, but a commendation meeting!

A vice minister from the Ministry of Metallurgy personally led a working group to the Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill.

Amidst the stirring strains of the "March of the Volunteers," the Vice Minister personally and solemnly handed Lin Yang a huge banner embroidered with "National Outstanding Collective of Heavy Industry."

"Comrade Lin Yang! Your Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill has achieved a remarkable turnaround! Not only have you purged corrupt elements within the plant, but you've also created the miracle of doubling your production capacity! The central leadership is very satisfied with your reports!"