Chapter 148: Victory in the War to Resist America and Aid Korea

At 10 a. m. on July 27, 1953, the news of the Korean armistice reached the front; the soldiers were first stunned, then erupted in thunderous cheers. The young soldiers tossed their caps into the sky, hugging each other while crying and laughing.

Li Ping'an stood alone on the high ground of the front, staring dreamily at the distant mountains. Three years had passed; at last he could go home.

Leaving already, yet still reluctant to part with this hill? Lin Xueqing appeared behind him at some point.

Li Ping'an turned and saw her carrying a simple bundle of luggage, and said softly: "After this parting, I don't know when we'll meet again."

Lin Xueqing gave a faint smile, took a notebook from the medical box, tore out a page and wrote an address: "This is the address of my home in Beiping. When you settle down, remember to write."

Li Ping'an solemnly took the slip, carefully tucked it into the notebook he carried. That notebook was filled with three years of combat experiences and countless names of fallen comrades.

Certainly. He promised earnestly.

At parting, the two lightly shook hands at the tunnel entrance, and all the unspoken words turned into a deep gaze.

The journey home was unusually quiet. When the train crossed the Yalu River, everyone crowded at the windows, looking at the motherland across the river and wiping tears. The mountains and rivers remained, but those who returned were no longer the youths of three years ago.

Back in Four Nine City, after leaving the train station, Li Ping'an went straight to the military reemployment placement office.

The office was hazy with smoke, and several officials were processing paperwork for demobilized soldiers. When it was Li Ping'an's turn, the officer in charge pushed his glasses and examined his file carefully.

Battalion Commander Li, you have two positions to choose from. The officer pointed to the posting board on the wall: deputy director of the Nanluoguxiang Police Station, or chief of the Security Section at the Red Star Steel Rolling Mill.

An older veteran waiting to process paperwork interjected: "If you ask me, pick the deputy director! That's a post with real authority."

Li Ping'an, however, stared dreamily at the words "Red Star Steel Rolling Mill." He recalled the days when he rented a room in Courtyard No. 95, which was close to his sister's school and where the neighbors were familiar.

"I choose the steel mill," he said calmly.

The officer was taken aback: "Are you sure?"

"Sure enough." Li Ping'an nodded; it's close to home.

The paperwork went smoothly. He took his reemployment certificate, household registration book, and grain ration book and headed straight to the street office.

Li Ping'an arrived at the street office. The gatekeeper stopped him: "Hey, what are you doing, trying to barge in?"

Li Ping'an only then remembered that not long ago there were still many spies, and gatekeepers were generally retired soldiers, veterans of the battlefield, so he took out a cigarette, handed one to the gatekeeper, and said: "Sir, I'm a demobilized soldier just back from the Korean front, I'm here to handle my household registration." As he spoke, he handed his documents to the gatekeeper; the gatekeeper looked, saw the special merit and first‑class merit, and felt reassured.

Gatekeeper: For military reemployment placement, see Director Wang; there's a door number inside. It's easy to find.

Li Ping'an thanked the gatekeeper, entered the courtyard, found Director Wang's office, knocked, and only after receiving a response did he push the door open and go in.

A middle‑aged woman with short hair sat at the desk, looking over documents.

Director Wang saw a young man enter and asked automatically: "Comrade, what can I do for you?"

Li Ping'an: Director Wang, hello, I am Li Ping'an, a demobilized soldier just back from the front. I am here to register my grain ration book and settle my household registration, and I will be working at the steel mill. I have no housing now, so I hope Director Wang can arrange a place for me.

Director Wang took his documents and honor certificates and examined them carefully.

"Comrade Li Ping'an, with your rank as Battalion Commander and as chief of the Security Section at the steel mill, you should have been assigned an apartment building." Director Wang adjusted his glasses, but now there are many reemployed soldiers and housing is really tight, so you'll have to stay in a Siheyuan. Fortunately, Courtyard No. 95 has a West Cross Courtyard vacant, with three main rooms and a small courtyard, close to the steel mill. "Shall I take you over to see it?"

Li Ping'an waved his hand quickly: "Director Wang, I know Courtyard No. 95; I lived there before, I can go by myself."

"You lived there?" Director Wang looked up in surprise, "How did I not know?"

"That was back during the War of Resistance." Li Ping'an smiled.

Carrying his simple luggage into the familiar Siheyuan, Li Ping'an was surveying the changes in the courtyard when a sudden shout came from behind.

"Li Ping'an? Weren't you fighting in Korea?"

Yan Bu Gui pushed his bicycle in from outside, his eyes behind the glasses bulging: "Could it be… you're a deserter?"

Li Ping'an frowned slightly and said calmly: "Third Elder, the armistice has been signed; I'm a regular re‑enlistment."

"Oh dear! Look at my mouth!" Yan Bu Gui quickly forced a smile, "Where have you been transferred to?"

Red Star Steel Rolling Mill.

"Good unit!" Yan Bu Gui's eyes lit up, "Did you get a room? Want to stay at my place for a few days first?"

"No need to trouble you, Third Elder; I'm assigned to the West Cross Courtyard."

Yan Bu Gui's smile froze for a moment, then became warm again: "West Cross Courtyard is fine! It's been empty for a long time, so tell Third Elder if anything's missing."

Li Ping'an sneered inwardly; this Third Elder was still the same, always looking for a benefit. He remembered clearly that when he fled to Four Nine City years ago, the only family in the courtyard that had ever helped him was He Daqing's.

At that moment, Jia Zhangshi poked her head out of the house and shouted in a high voice: "Oh! Isn't that Ping'an? I heard you went to the army, how come you're back so quickly? You aren't a deserter, are you?"

That shout drew everyone in the courtyard out. Yi Zhonghai, hands behind his back, stepped out of the house; Liu Haizhong, belly protruding, followed behind, and even the Deaf Old Lady from the back yard came out, leaning on her cane.

"The Korean War victory, I've been demobilized and returned; the street office gave me a house in the West Cross Courtyard." Li Ping'an surveyed the crowd, knowing they would now be his neighbors.

He hoisted his luggage and walked straight toward the West Cross Courtyard, leaving the courtyard full of people staring at each other.

Jia Zhangshi hurried over to Yi Zhonghai: "First Elder, you're Dongxu's master. Dongxu is about to get married; he can't still be crammed into a room with this old lady, can he? Look, Li Ping'an has three rooms to himself; could you ask him to give up one?"

Yi Zhonghai frowned: "That's a house assigned by the street office. Besides, he was a company commander in the army, and we don't even know if he was promoted before reemployment. Offending him won't end well."

After sending Jia Zhangshi away, Yi Zhonghai sauntered to the back yard to look for the Deaf Old Lady.

"Old lady, do you think Li Ping'an's return will interfere with our affairs?"

The Deaf Old Lady squinted: "I keep an eye on that kid; he's not interested in courtyard matters. If you don't provoke him, he won't bother you."

The Deaf Old Lady truly lives up to the saying that age brings wisdom; she sees through the issue clearly.

Dust had settled on the West Cross Courtyard; Li Ping'an rolled up his sleeves and began cleaning. Just after wiping the windows, he heard a knock.

"Brother Ping'an! It's really you back!"

He Yuzhu, holding a fish at the doorway, grinned broadly: "I just got off work, heard you're back, and specially bought a fish to give you a warm welcome!"

Li Ping'an finally showed a genuine smile. When he fled to Four Nine City years ago, if He Daqing hadn't helped him obtain a civilian permit and find work, he would have starved on the streets. He has always remembered that kindness.

"Zhuzi, you've grown so tall." He took the fish, "Shall we have dinner together tonight?"

"Sure! I'll stir‑fry a couple of dishes!" He Yuzhu cheerfully ran toward the Central Courtyard.

At dusk, Li Ping'an was preparing to cook when Yan Bu Gui strolled over again.

"Ping'an, now that you're just settling in, tell Third Elder if anything's missing or lacking." He rubbed his hands and said, "My bicycle broke down; I heard you learned repairs in the army?"

Li Ping'an didn't look up: "In the army I fought, I didn't fix vehicles."

Yan Bu Gui shuffled away. A moment later, Xu Damao peeked out furtively.

Ping'an ge, I want to ask you something. He lowered his voice: "Is Yi Zhonghai causing you trouble? If he is, tell me—I've long disliked him!"

Li Ping'an raised his eyebrows: "You have a grudge against him?"

"Last time when we elected the First Elder, he tripped me up!" Xu Damao said angrily, "Ping'an ge, from now on in the courtyard I'll stand by your side!"

After seeing off Xu Damao, Li Ping'an shook his head. This courtyard is still the same as before—everyone is busy with their own little schemes.

Early the next morning, Li Ping'an took a vehicle to West City to pick up his sister. In Su Shifu's embroidery workshop, Li Pingle was embroidering a peony picture.

Pingle.

The familiar voice made her hand tremble, the needle pricking her finger. Looking up and seeing the person standing at the doorway, the embroidery frame in her hand fell to the ground.

Li Ping'an opened his arms, and the little girl flung herself into his embrace like a swallow.

"Brother! You've finally come back!" Li Pingle cried, her shoulders shaking, "They all said you...... they all said you......"

"They said I wouldn't come back?" Li Ping'an gently patted his sister's back, "Silly girl, I promised you I'd return."

While helping his sister pack her luggage, Su Shifu quietly pulled Li Ping'an aside.

"Pingan ah, this child Pingle has talent; she's learned quite well these years with me." She handed over a cloth bag, "This is what she's embroidered these past days, and she's saved quite a bit of money."

On the way back to the Siheyuan, Li Pingle clung tightly to her brother's arm, afraid that if she let go he would disappear.

"Brother, are we really moving back to Courtyard 95?" she asked softly, "I remember the people in that courtyard......"

"Don't be afraid." Li Ping'an tightened his grip on the luggage, "I'm here."

As the brother and sister entered the Siheyuan, Jia Zhangshi, who was washing vegetables, pursed her lips: "Oh, you've brought your sister too? Two people in three rooms—really spacious."

He Yuzhu rushed out from the house: "Pingle's back? Tonight I'll show off a skill, give you a welcome feast!"

Xu Damao also came over: "Ping'an ge, if you need any help, just say the word!"

Li Ping'an nodded slightly, taking his sister into the Xi Kua Yuan. He closed the door, shutting out all those probing gazes.

"Brother, they all seem afraid of you?" Li Pingle asked curiously.

Li Ping'an hung up his military uniform, the corner of his mouth slightly raised: "It's not fear, it's guilt."

Outside the window, the evening cooking fires of the Siheyuan rose one after another. In this utterly ordinary evening, Li Ping'an's new life had just begun.