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

Upon hearing the words "Brother Liu," Liu Erhe rolled his eyes, glanced at Xu Damao speechlessly, and said with a mix of exasperation and amusement, "Damao, forget it. I haven't seen my brother for half a month. He's so busy at the Second Ministry of Machine Building that he can't even go home, let alone have time to come to the compound for drinks. If your Xu family is hosting, there's no doubt he won't come."

Upon hearing this, Xu Damao's smile faltered for a moment, but quickly returned with a persistent, unwavering determination: "Then... then I can come when I have something to do. Erhe, could you ask him for me? If Brother Liu doesn't have time, that's fine. If it really doesn't work out, your wife can come too. If she can come, that would be quite an honor."

Looking at Xu Damao's smiling face, Liu Erhe shook his head, thought for a moment, and said, "Alright, I'll ask for you. But Damao, don't get your hopes up too high. I can't control what happens to my brother; when he's free and when he's not is not up to me. As for your sister-in-law, it depends on whether she has time. I can only pass on a message; whether it works out or not is another matter."

Xu Damao nodded vigorously, his smile returning, and he thanked him repeatedly, "Okay, okay, Erhe, just pass on a message for me, whether it works or not, thank you anyway. Here, have another one." He took out another cigarette from his pocket and handed it to him.

Liu Erhe waved his hand: "I haven't even smoked that one yet, don't waste it." He took the cigarette out from behind his ear, lit it with the match Xu Damao handed him, took a puff, and glanced at the other end of the courtyard.

Liu Guangqi was walking out of his house, wearing a brand-new gray Zhongshan suit with a small red silk flower pinned to his chest. His expression was somewhat reserved, but there was a smile on his lips. Liu Haizhong was beside him, whispering something to him while straightening his collar.

More and more people gathered in the courtyard. The children, all dressed in clean clothes, ran around in the yard. Several middle-aged women carried plates of prepared vegetables onto a makeshift cutting board.

Liu Erhe pushed the bicycle to the center of the courtyard, where several young men gathered around, busily wrapping red silk ribbons around the handlebars and placing a red cloth under the back seat. Xu Damao stood by, gesturing and directing, saying things like, "This side is crooked," and "Tie the red silk ribbons tighter."

Yan Jiecheng squatted on the ground tying red ribbons, and without even raising his head, replied, "If you can do it, then you do it," leaving Xu Damao speechless.

Liu Haizhong came out of the house and saw that the bicycles were already decorated. He nodded in satisfaction, glanced around the yard, and raised his voice to shout, "Almost done! Everyone who needs to leave, get ready to go! Guangqi, you take Da Mao and Jie Cheng, the three of you ride your bikes to pick up the bride! Be careful on the road, don't be reckless!"

Liu Guangqi responded, pushed a bicycle out of the house, and tried it out. Xu Damao and Yan Jiecheng also each pushed a bicycle.

The three children mounted their bicycles and rode out of the No. 95 compound in a row. People were already peering out of their doors in the alley. A few children chased after the bicycles for a few steps before their parents called them back.

Liu Haizhong stood at the courtyard gate, watching the three bicycles turn out of the alley. His expression carried a mixture of satisfaction and nervousness, as if he were in charge. He rubbed his hands together, turned back into the courtyard, and shouted at the top of his lungs, "Don't just stand there! Set the table! Set the bowls and chopsticks! The newlyweds will be back in a bit!"

About half an hour later, the wedding procession still hadn't returned, but people in the courtyard began to emerge one after another.

Yi Zhonghai came out of his house and walked to the courtyard. Liu Haizhong was standing under the old locust tree, directing several young men to set up tables and benches. Yi Zhonghai stood by and watched for a while, without offering to help, but simply nodded to Liu Haizhong.

Xu Fugui had come all the way back from the movie theater. When he entered the courtyard, his face was still covered with a light sheen of sweat from his journey. He first bowed to Liu Haizhong and said congratulations, then walked into the middle of the crowd, took out a cigarette, and offered it to everyone.

Liu Shuanzhu took the cigarette and tucked it behind his ear, Yan Bugui took it and put it in his mouth, Yi Zhonghai waved his hand and said, "I just smoked one," Xu Fugui didn't insist, lit one for himself, and stood with the others smoking.

In the open space of the courtyard, He Yuzhu and several middle-aged women had already prepared most of the dishes. Meat was simmering on the stove, and the aroma wafted through the courtyard.

Liu Erhe, He Yuzhu, and Jia Dongxu huddled together under the shade of the old locust tree next to the moon gate. The three of them lit cigarettes and chatted idly under the shade of the tree.

He Yuzhu took a drag of his cigarette, then suddenly turned to look at Liu Erhe, his tone inquiring: "Erhe, let me ask you something. Master Liang has been gone for about half a year, hasn't he? Do you know where he went?"

Liu Erhe, who was flicking his cigarette ash, paused upon hearing this. He looked up at He Yuzhu, his mind racing, but didn't immediately reply. He knew perfectly well where Liang Cheng had gone, but Liu Yuheng had instructed him not to say a word, and he wouldn't utter a single syllable.

"Why did you suddenly ask that?" Liu Erhe flicked his cigarette ash onto the ground, asking casually.

He Yuzhu waved his hand, glancing casually at Yi Zhonghai before quickly looking away, his voice lowered slightly: "It's nothing, just asking casually. The factory hasn't given us any definite news in the past six months, just saying they've gone on a mission, and nobody knows when they'll be back."

Liu Erhe naturally noticed He Yuzhu's look just now. He knew perfectly well that He Yuzhu's question to Liang Cheng was most likely because of Yi Zhonghai. In recent months, especially after Liang Cheng and Fang Tie left for half a year, Yi Zhonghai had become increasingly arrogant in the factory, flaunting his status as an eighth-grade worker.

When Liang Cheng was around, there were three level-eight fitters. Yi Zhonghai was a bit reserved in his work, always polite to everyone on the surface. Now that Liang Cheng is gone, and another senior craftsman is semi-retired, he's the only level-eight fitter left in the workshop, and he can't hide his airs anymore.

He criticizes this person today and scolds that person tomorrow, always bringing up "my status as an eighth-grade worker," which has offended several senior workers in the workshop.

Liu Er cursed inwardly, but said nothing aloud, only vaguely replying, "I'm not too sure either. Since the higher-ups aren't telling us, let's not bother asking. We'll come back when it's time."