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

Liu Erhe followed behind Liu Shuanzhu, passing through the hanging flower gate in the middle courtyard, and walked along the blue brick path in the front courtyard towards the east wing.

The night wind blew in from the doorway, causing the hems of their cotton-padded coats to flutter slightly, but Liu Erhe was completely unaware. His face still held the excitement he had accumulated while watching the excitement earlier, and his steps were lighter than usual. He had a sense of satisfaction that "tonight's show was worth watching."

He caught up with Liu Shuanzhu in a few steps, turned his head, and said with barely suppressed excitement and gossip in his voice, "Dad, you said that scene just now was really lively. Oh, if I had known it would be this exciting, I should have brought some melon seeds. Just standing there watching felt like something was missing."

Liu Shuanzhu didn't stop walking, but his brows furrowed slightly: "Alright, that's enough now that the show's over. This has nothing to do with our family, so don't get involved or spread rumors. You've lived in this compound for so many years, don't you know Yi Zhonghai? He's petty and vindictive. If you say a few words about him behind his back today, who knows what he'll hold a grudge against tomorrow. If you run into him in the compound later, who knows what kind of trouble he'll cause you."

Upon hearing this, Liu Erhe slowed his pace, pursed his lips, and muttered under his breath with a youthful scorn and a hint of resentment, "Afraid of him? What can he do to me? Besides, he won't be able to cause trouble in the yard for much longer. Before, everyone called him 'Grandpa,' which was a sign of respect."

"Who in the courtyard doesn't know what he's done? He even schemed against his own apprentice. What kind of authority does someone like that have? Besides, with Jia Zhangshi causing this scene, everyone in the courtyard is watching him. What trouble can he possibly cause now?"

Liu Shuanzhu paused, turned around and glanced at Liu Erhe: "What do you know? What do you mean he won't be able to keep up for long? The more you look at someone like that, the less you should underestimate him. He's worked at the steel mill for over twenty years, and he's connected with everyone in the factory, from top to bottom. He knows all sorts of people. Today he fell into Jia Zhangshi's hands because he didn't expect her to be so ruthless. But if you think that's the end for him, you're being too naive."

Liu Shuanzhu paused for a moment, then continued walking forward: "It's better to avoid trouble. We don't have a deep relationship with the Jia family, and we don't have any real conflict with Yi Zhonghai. Let them make their fuss, we'll just watch from the sidelines and not get involved."

"Your brother's position is what it is now. Everyone in our family is watching what we do and what we say. If you get into trouble because of this trivial matter of watching the show, won't your brother be the one to clean up your mess in the end? Think about whether it's worth it."

Liu Erhe was speechless after his father's words. He scratched the back of his head, and although his face still showed some reluctance, his steps became noticeably more obedient, and he did not quicken his pace. He followed behind Liu Shuanzhu, through the shadow of the old locust tree in the front yard, and pushed open the door of the east wing. A warm breeze rushed towards them, instantly dispelling most of the chill that enveloped them.

The dining table inside the house hadn't been cleared away yet. Wang Xiuhe was sitting on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed), slowly drinking a bowl of hot soup. Liang Fangfang was sitting next to her, feeding Liu Qingyan. The little guy was sitting in Liang Fangfang's lap, holding a small piece of steamed bun in his hand and putting it into his mouth, his face covered in crumbs.

Liu Tingting sat on the other side of the table with an open textbook in front of her, but her eyes were not on the pages at all. She was listening intently to the sounds in the yard. As soon as she saw Liu Erhe and Liu Shuanzhu come in, she immediately perked up, pushed the textbook aside, and moved closer to the two of them.

Wang Xiuhe put down her soup bowl, glanced at the two of them, and asked with a hint of curiosity and inquiry, "What's wrong? It sounds like Jia Zhangshi is making noise. Who is she arguing with again?"

Liu Erhe was bending over and warming his hands by the stove when he heard this. He immediately straightened up, sat down on the stool by the table, and, as if he had finally gotten his chance to show off, vividly recounted the farce that had just happened in the Central Courtyard from beginning to end.

Liang Fangfang's eyes lit up when she heard this. She even forgot to continue feeding Liu Qingyan, her spoon frozen in mid-air. The little one tugged at her sleeve in dissatisfaction, and she finally came to her senses. While continuing to feed Liu Qingyan, she asked, "Really? Xu Damao really said that in front of the whole hospital? He's so bold. Isn't that like stabbing Sha Zhu in the heart?"

Liu Tingting slammed her textbook shut, leaned over the edge of the table, and buried her face in front of Liu Erhe, her expression one of regret and frustration at missing such a great show: "Oh dear! If I'd known it was this exciting, I should have come with you guys! It's so much more interesting than reading these books!"

Hearing this, Wang Xiuhe's face darkened: "What are you watching the show for? You only have half a year left until the college entrance exam, do you even know that? Every minute and every second is precious now. What does other people's excitement have to do with you? Studying well and getting the questions right is more important than anything else."

After being scolded, Liu Tingting's excitement immediately vanished by half. She shrank back and muttered under her breath, "Studying during the New Year... It's the same every year." Her voice was very low, as if she were talking to herself, but Wang Xiuhe, with her sharp ears, immediately glared at her.

Liu Tingting quickly put on a flattering smile, lowered her head and reopened her textbook, pretending to read attentively, but her eyes kept glancing at Liu Erhe, clearly still thinking about the commotion from earlier.

After laughing enough, Liu Erhe picked up the teacup on the table and took a sip of water. As if suddenly remembering something, he put down the cup and looked at Liu Shuanzhu, his voice serious and thoughtful: "Father, do you think... that Jia Dongxu matter was really caused by Yi Zhonghai?"

Liu Shuanzhu sat down on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed), picked up his pipe, slowly filled it with tobacco, struck a match, lit it, and took a couple of puffs. The smoke curled away in the warm yellow light before he spoke unhurriedly: "Who knows? But if you ask me, I'd say it's probably true."

"Think about it, besides Yi Zhonghai, who else in this courtyard would scheme against the Jia family like this? Jia Dongxu is his apprentice, he knows the Jia family's background best, and he's the first to know what Jia Dongxu is up to. Even if others wanted to stop him, they wouldn't have the same convenient conditions as him."

Hearing this, Wang Xiuhe put down her bowl, her voice filled with undisguised disgust: "That Yi Zhonghai is a real scoundrel. The Jia family was already struggling financially, and they finally had a glimmer of hope, but he still sabotages them behind their backs. No wonder they're childless; even Heaven can't stand people like him. It's no wonder he's extinct."

Liu Shuanzhu frowned, put his pipe back in his mouth, and waved his hand at Wang Xiuhe: "Alright, alright, let's mind our own business. Let the Jia family and Yi Zhonghai deal with their own affairs. Everyone hurry up and eat. After you finish eating, those who need to wash the dishes should wash them, those who need to study should study, and those who need to sleep should sleep. Don't keep thinking about other people's trivial matters. It's none of your business, and thinking about it won't help." He then glanced at Liu Tingting, "You shouldn't be eavesdropping here either. Take your book back to the inner room and review what you learned today while it's still fresh in your mind."

Liu Tingting pursed her lips, but seeing Liu Shuanzhu's uncompromising expression, she didn't dare to say anything more, picked up her textbooks, and went into the inner room.