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

Early autumn, 1950.

Qianmen Railway Station in Beijing.

The sun was shining brightly, and the autumn air was crisp and clear. The entire train station was decorated with lanterns and colorful flags, and red flags were waving in the breeze.

Today is a great day for the main force of the anti-banditry troops in Southwest China to return in triumph!

At the train station square, gongs and drums resounded, and firecrackers crackled. Countless citizens spontaneously poured into the streets, waving flowers and ribbons to welcome the heroes' return.

On that day, the "Sijiu City Daily" unprecedentedly devoted three full pages to a detailed report on the glorious achievements of the anti-bandit campaign in the southwest.

The front page headline, printed in bold, large black font, carried a powerful and impactful title:

"Young War God Pacifies Southwest China! A Warm Welcome to the Triumphant Return of Comrade Lin Yang, Commander of the Special Mountain Independent Division!"

The newspaper published a profile photo of Lin Yang on the battlefield. Although his face was covered in mud and water, his upright posture and sharp, eagle-like eyes exuded an indomitable, iron-willed military spirit.

"Ugh—!"

Accompanied by a long whistle, a military train adorned with red and green decorations slowly pulled into the station.

On the platform, the military band played the majestic "March of the Chinese People's Liberation Army".

The car door opened.

Li Yunlong, Ding Wei, Kong Jie, and other high-ranking generals were the first to disembark from the train. Each of them wore a triumphant smile, but behind them, all eyes were fixed on the young figure who was the last to step off the train.

Lin Yang was wearing a brand-new division-level officer's uniform, knee-high leather boots, and his chest was covered with dazzling military medals.

Six months of bloody battles in the jungle had turned his originally fair skin into a healthy tan, and made his facial features more resolute and cold. He simply stood there quietly, and the powerful aura of someone who had survived countless battles made those around him hold their breath.

"Yoko! Well done!"

Commander Liu, who came to greet him, strode forward and, ignoring the cameras and crowd around him, hugged Lin Yang tightly and patted his back forcefully.

"A nineteen-year-old division commander! You took down Bai Chong without bloodshed! You've brought immense honor to our Fourth Field Army!" Commander Liu's voice trembled with excitement.

Lin Yang took a step back, stood at attention, and saluted: "Reporting, Commander! The Special Mountain Independent Division has fulfilled its mission and successfully completed the bandit suppression task!"

"Good! Good! Good!" Commander Liu nodded repeatedly, his eyes slightly red.

After receiving a brief inspection and welcoming ceremony from the military region leaders, Lin Yang declined the celebratory banquet that evening.

His eyes searched through the crowd, but he couldn't see that familiar figure.

"Old Li, I'm going back now," Lin Yang said, turning to Li Yunlong.

"Go on, go on! I know you miss your wife!" Li Yunlong laughed heartily, winking as he said, "I'm giving you half a month's leave. Go back and spend some quality time with your sister-in-law. She's been looking forward to seeing you every day for the past six months!"

Without wasting any words, Lin Yang climbed into a military jeep that had been waiting for a long time.

"Back to Yuquan Mountain."

With a roar, the jeep sped out of the train station like an arrow, heading towards the military compound.

……

Yuquanshan Road, the military compound.

Building No. 6, Class A.

The leaves of the sycamore tree in the yard have begun to turn yellow. The autumn wind blows through them, making a rustling sound.

Tian Yu took the day off today.

She was wearing a brand new white polyester shirt, paired with slim-fitting black trousers, and her hair was neatly combed.

From the moment she saw the newspaper in the morning, her heart was restless, like grass growing in the ground, unable to find any peace.

Six months.

For more than 180 days and nights.

Every night without Lin Yang by her side, she would wake up in a fright, fearing that she would see her husband bleeding and injured in her dreams. Every day, she would sit by the radio, carefully listening to every battle report from the southwestern front.

Now, her hero is finally coming back.

Tian Yu stood in front of the living room's French windows, her hands tightly clasped together, her gaze fixed on the end of the asphalt road in the courtyard.

Suddenly, the sound of a familiar car engine came from inside.

A jeep with military license plates came to a steady stop outside the iron gate of the small villa.

The car door opened.

The man, dressed in a crisp military uniform and with a sturdy posture, walked down with steady steps.

"Yoko..."

Tian Yu's tears instantly burst forth.

She could no longer care about being reserved. She pushed open the living room door and rushed out like a fledgling returning to its nest.

"daughter in law."

Lin Yang looked at the woman running towards him, and his cold face instantly blossomed into the gentlest smile. He opened his arms and steadily caught Tian Yu, who rushed into his embrace.

The immense impact forced Lin Yang to take a half-step back, but he held Tian Yu tightly in his arms, as if he wanted to meld her into his very bones.

"You're back...you're finally back..." Tian Yu buried her face in Lin Yang's broad chest, smelling the familiar scent of gunpowder, sweat, and a faint soap on his body, and burst into tears.

All the worries, longing, and fear of the past six months were completely released at this moment.

Lin Yang didn't speak, but gently stroked his wife's long hair again and again with his calloused hands.

He lowered his head and kissed Tian Yu's forehead deeply, wiping away the tears from the corners of her eyes.

"I'm back. I promised you, not a single hair is missing." Lin Yang's voice was deep and hoarse, filled with endless tenderness.

After tactfully carrying Lin Yang's luggage into the yard, Xiao Li quietly slipped out and closed the large iron gate.

Lin Yang scooped Tian Yu up in his arms, strode into the house, and kicked the door shut.

The house remained exactly as it had been when he left. The coffee table was spotless, the sofa was neatly arranged, and the faint scent of jasmine lingered in the air.

Lin Yang gently placed Tian Yu on the sofa, his deep gaze like two burning flames, fixed on his wife's face, which was tear-streaked yet even more beautiful.

"Yangzi..." Tian Yu's heart skipped a beat when he looked at her, and two blushes instantly appeared on her cheeks.

"Honey, have you missed me these past six months?"

Lin Yang's voice turned somewhat dangerous. He knelt on one knee on the edge of the sofa, placing his hands on either side of Tian Yu's body, casting her entirely in his shadow.

"I want to...I want to think about it every day..." Tian Yu turned her head away shyly, her voice barely audible.

"I miss you too. In the mud of the Ten Thousand Mountains, in the hail of bullets, as soon as I close my eyes, all I can think of is you."

Unable to suppress his desire any longer, Lin Yang lowered his head and kissed Tian Yu's soft red lips with a domineering yet tender gesture.

This kiss contained half a year of longing and the ecstatic joy after going through life and death.

Tian Yu closed her eyes, wrapped her arms around Lin Yang's neck, and responded passionately.