In the fiery red era of the heavens, refrigerators are refreshed daily.

Chapter 120, Page 119: Class Reunion, the Female Lead Makes Her Appearance

In the sweltering heat of August, the air was so thick it felt like you could wring water out of it.

It was another Sunday morning, and Yang Guangming woke up in the sweltering heat.

The clanging of the neighbor's aunt washing the toilet and the splashing of the spittoon outside the window, along with the faint sounds of the market coming from the direction of the small vegetable market, all combine to form the most common morning melody in this Shikumen alleyway.

He briskly got up, splashed cold water on his face, and quickly finished his breakfast with the leftover rice porridge from last night and a small dish of pickled cucumbers. Beads of sweat were already seeping from his forehead.

Since their last lavish dinner and exhilarating game of ping-pong at Lin Shunan's house, the three of them agreed to contact more old classmates who remained in the city and get together again.

A large and lively crowd can add some life to Shu Nan's small, somewhat lonely pavilion.

Wu Hongtao, a kind-hearted man, had been organizing this whole thing. He rode his old "Forever" bicycle around, running from place to place, and finally managed to get everyone together today.

With his slightly worn military green satchel slung over his shoulder, Yang Guangming locked the door and quickly merged into the crowd at the alley entrance.

He needed to catch the bus.

On Sundays, the buses are as crowded as sardine cans, as usual.

The platform was crowded with people. When the train arrived, people rushed to board.

Relying on his youth and strength, Yang Guangming squeezed sideways into the car door, struggling to find a foothold in the impenetrable wall of people, and tightly gripped the metal ring above his head, which had been polished to a shine by countless hands.

The vehicle swayed, carrying a full load of people struggling to make a living, heading towards their destination.

After getting off at a stop near his destination, Yang Guangming, familiar with the area, turned into a quiet alleyway filled with broken bricks and tiles.

This place is not far from Shu Nan's house, but few people go there.

He cautiously scanned his surroundings, making sure no one was following him, and then stood in the shadow cast by a half-collapsed wall.

He took a deep breath and held his breath. His consciousness instantly sank into that strange space—a huge refrigerator silently suspended within it, emanating a constant coolness.

With a slight thought, several items silently appeared in the worn military green satchel in his hand from the refrigerated section, including:
Two pounds of plump, golden-brown roasted chestnuts; a drunken chicken tightly wrapped in oil paper, exuding a rich aroma of rice wine and spices; a salted duck with glossy, tempting skin and firm meat; and two pounds of deep red, glossy sausages with alternating layers of fat and lean meat.

The bag suddenly felt heavy in my hand, and the aroma of food wafted over me, almost wafting through the paper.

Without delay, he quickly zipped up his satchel, straightened the collar of his sailor shirt, and strode into the flow of people on the main road, as if the commotion from earlier had never happened.

Before we even reached the entrance of Lin Shunan's alley, we could see two figures standing under the dense shade of the plane trees in the distance.

Lin Shunan was wearing an old shirt that had been washed until it was faded and had frayed edges on the collar and cuffs. He was still as thin as a bamboo pole, but his back seemed to be straighter than before, no longer the habitually slight hunchback.

Next to him was Wu Hongtao, leaning against his beloved "Forever" bicycle, talking animatedly, gesturing excitedly with one hand, spittle flying in the sunlight.

A smile appeared on Yang Guangming's face as he quickened his pace and walked over.

"Shunan! Hongtao! Have you been waiting long?" His voice was clear and cheerful, with a hint of a smile.

"Light!" Wu Hongtao turned around at the sound, his voice so loud it could shake the leaves off the trees.

He raised his hand and vigorously wiped the glistening beads of sweat from his forehead, a signature, infectious, and hearty smile spreading across his face.

He patted the bulging canvas bag strapped to the back of his bicycle. "Just arrived a little while ago. Look, I brought some company perks—canned fruit and some pickled mustard greens my mom made. They're perfect with rice!"

Lin Shunan smiled shyly, her smile less awkward than before. Her gaze fell on Yang Guangming's equally bulging shoulder bag, and she said softly:
"Ming-ge, it's good that you're here. You don't need to bring so much stuff every time."

The restraint in his eyes had lessened considerably, replaced by a genuine warmth, like spring water quietly flowing beneath the ice.

“The more people, the more lively it is. Everyone needs to chip in to make sure there’s enough to eat.” Yang Guangming patted his bag, his tone casual and natural, yet with an undeniable certainty. “I can’t just come empty-handed to bother you.”

Wu Hongtao and Lin Shunan glanced at the bulging handbag, smiled knowingly, and, being prepared, neither of them asked any further questions.

These days, it's not easy for anyone to get anything good. If everyone can chip in a little, it's already a favor.

The three stood under the shade of a tree, chatting about their recent lives.

Wu Hongtao spoke loudly, recounting amusing anecdotes from the traditional Chinese medicine shop; Lin Shunan listened quietly, occasionally interjecting a word or two; Yang Guangming responded calmly, his gentle gaze sweeping over his two old friends.

Not long after, two more people arrived one after the other.

First came Yan Jun. He rode up on a bicycle that was even older than Wu Hongtao's, creaking and groaning, with fine beads of sweat on his forehead.

He and Yang Guangming were childhood friends who grew up together, and were also classmates. Their relationship was the closest and most intimate.

Yan Jun is gentle and introverted, doesn't talk much, but is very thoughtful.

"Guangming!" Yan Jun parked the car and greeted him with a smile. His voice was soft, carrying his unique gentleness and a hint of shyness.

His canvas bag was also full, and you could vaguely see the edges of the oil paper package and the shape of the kraft paper bag. It probably contained some popular snacks and cooked food that could only be bought at the grocery store with an internal employee ID.

"Yan Jun, you're here." Yang Guangming responded with a smile. The two approached each other tacitly, briefly bumping fists and lightly touching shoulders. Everything was understood without words; their deep friendship needed no further explanation.

Immediately afterwards, a brand-new "Forever" 28-inch bicycle, accompanied by the crisp sound of its bell, glided swiftly and came to a steady stop in front of the crowd.

A tall young man jumped out of the car; it was Wu Kai.

He looked exceptionally energetic in his brand-new, crisp polyester short-sleeved shirt. His hair was meticulously combed, clearly styled with hair oil, and shimmered slightly in the sunlight.

Wu Kai has an ordinary appearance, but his shrewd and capable demeanor, cheerful and enthusiastic smile, and upright posture make him appear neat and confident.

"Oh! You're all here! Sorry, sorry, something came up at home and I was a little late, even though I rushed here."

Wu Kai has a loud voice, and carries the familiar and smooth manner typical of a purchasing agent.

He skillfully parked the car and untied a bulging canvas bag. The contents inside rattled and made noises, indicating that it was quite heavy.

"Wu Kai!" Yang Guangming greeted him warmly with a genuine smile.

Since graduating and leaving school in June, everyone has gone their separate ways, and it's been a month and a half since we last saw each other.

We were just ordinary classmates who barely knew each other in school, but now that we've met again in society, the bond of friendship seems to have instantly bridged the distance, bringing a sense of kinship.

"Guangming! Oh my, it's been so long!"

Wu Kai also warmly extended his hand and shook hands firmly with Yang Guangming, looking him up and down with undisguised admiration and envy in his eyes:

"Hongtao has been talking about you a lot! You're something else! The full-time secretary to Deputy Director Zhao Guodong in the factory affairs office of Hongxing State-owned Cotton Mill! Tsk tsk, a cadre position! Your luck is truly unstoppable!"

His tone was full of sincere envy and blessings, and also carried a hint of pride in his old classmate's "success."

He knew roughly about Yang Guangming's family situation, and this opportunity was indeed unexpected and delightful.

"Just lucky, I just started and am still figuring things out." Yang Guangming smiled modestly, then changed the subject with a hint of teasing, "And you? Purchasing agent, that's a coveted job, I heard it's quite lucrative?"

He said this half-jokingly, his gaze sweeping over Wu Kai's brand-new bicycle and bulging canvas bag.

"Hey! What's so lucrative about it? It's just serving the people!" Wu Kai laughed, but couldn't hide his smugness. "It just means running around more and talking faster, begging and pleading. It's not as stable as your office job, where you're protected from the wind and rain."

He skillfully avoided the real issues.

The two stood under the shade of a tree and asked each other about their workplaces, their relationships with colleagues, and their job duties.

Although we had heard the general outlines from Wu Hongtao's loudmouth, talking about it face-to-face made the details more real and the feelings more vivid.

Wu Kai recounted amusing anecdotes from his time running a sales and distribution business, while Yang Guangming chatted about the daily minutiae of the factory administration office.

Several other people also came over.

Wu Hongtao took out "Pegasus" brand cigarettes and distributed them around.

Yan Jun silently took it and lit it; Lin Shunan hesitated for a moment, then waved his hand and didn't take it; Wu Kai skillfully took out his "Daqianmen" cigarette and exchanged it with Hong Tao.

Several young people were puffing on cigarettes, chatting about new things happening at work and the strange and interesting people they had encountered.

Yan Jun didn't talk much, but he listened very attentively, occasionally interjecting with a few words about insider information about the grocery store's supplies, such as where a batch of canned fruit had arrived for clearance or which store might have some unplanned white sugar. His information was accurate and useful.

Lin Shunan was much more relaxed than last time. Although she still didn't talk much, she always had a faint smile on her face. Her eyes no longer darted around, and she listened attentively to everyone's conversation. Occasionally, when she was amused, she would laugh along.

Just as they were chatting animatedly, Wu Hongtao's eyes suddenly lit up. Pointing to the other end of the alley, he excitedly exclaimed, "Look! Feiyang and the others are here! And... wait?"

Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw that, in addition to their classmates Xie Feiyang and Feng Xianghong, there was also an unfamiliar, extremely beautiful young woman walking towards them, chatting and laughing.

The August sunlight filtered through the gaps in the sycamore leaves, dappling their bodies with playful dappled light that illuminated their youthful faces, creating a scene resembling a vivid painting from afar.

As the three drew closer, apart from Yang Guangming, who was used to seeing storms in his previous life and had a calm temperament, the boys under the shade of the tree couldn't help but stare blankly, and even Yan Jun took a few more glances.

There's no other reason than that the unfamiliar girl was simply too outstanding!

She looked to be about sixteen or seventeen years old, wearing a brand new, high-quality white short-sleeved shirt with delicate little ruffles at the collar, which accentuated her long neck and fair, almost translucent skin, like the finest mutton fat jade.

Her thick, black, medium-length hair was tied into two neat braids, which swayed gently behind her shoulders with her light steps, the ends of which were tied with simple red ribbons.

Her face was exquisitely beautiful, her eyebrows and eyes were as clear as unpolluted spring water in a mountain stream, pure and without a trace of impurity; her nose was straight and elegant, with a perfect curve; her lips were naturally red, without any makeup.

What's most captivating is her innate charm, innocent and pure, with a naive purity, like a white magnolia just beginning to bloom in the morning dew, beautiful without any aggression, yet enough to hold everyone's gaze and make it hard to look away.

The three of them came closer.

Feng Xianghong stood still with a graceful demeanor, a gentle yet slightly mischievous smile on her face. Her gaze swept over the somewhat stunned boys, and she cleared her throat before speaking first:
"Is everyone here? Let me introduce you."

Standing next to Feng Xianghong, Xie Feiyang glanced at everyone and puffed out his chest in a cooperative manner.

Standing at 1.75 meters tall, he wore a crisp white shirt and neatly pressed military green trousers, with Warrior sneakers on his feet, looking handsome and energetic.

His face bore the slightly reserved yet confident smile typical of children of high-ranking officials, and his gaze swept over the crowd with a hint of scrutiny and familiarity.

As Feng Xianghong introduced the girl, his gaze, now filled with a smile, fell upon the pretty young woman beside him.

"And this one..."

Feng Xianghong affectionately linked arms with the pretty girl next to her, her tone carrying a hint of boastfulness:

"She is my very best friend, Lin Jianyue. Her father, my father, and Xie Feiyang's father are all old comrades-in-arms. They were just transferred back to Shanghai last month."

Now, we both work at the Dongfang Machinery Factory. She's a statistician in the labor and personnel department, and I'm a cashier in the finance department. And we even live together!

Her tone was light and cheerful, clearly showing that the two had a very good relationship and were like sisters.

Lin Jianyue, being held by Feng Xianghong, seemed a little embarrassed, her head slightly lowered, her long eyelashes fluttering gently like butterfly wings, casting a faint shadow on her fair cheeks.

When Feng Xianghong introduced her, she raised her clear eyes and quickly glanced at everyone, her eyes as pure as a newborn fawn.

Her voice was sweet and clear, with a soft, gentle Jiangnan accent, and she said in a soft tone: "Hello everyone, my name is Lin Jianyue."

Her voice, like her, was pure and untouched by the world, as if it could wash away the summer heat.

As Feng Xianghong introduced everyone one by one, Lin Jianyue's gaze involuntarily lingered on Yang Guangming several times.

Today, Yang Guangming wore a short-sleeved sailor shirt that he had just bought. The blue and white stripes accentuated his broad shoulders and narrow waist, making his posture even more upright and strong.

He already possessed striking features, a high and straight nose, and deep, steady eyes. Now, accentuated by his new clothes, he stood out even more, exuding a mature, reserved, and composed strength unlike his peers, making him exceptionally dazzling in the crowd.

His gaze was calm and gentle, yet it seemed to see into people's hearts, giving Lin Jianyue a strange sense of security.

"This is Yang Guangming," Feng Xianghong introduced him, her tone carrying a hint of familiarity and obvious admiration. "He works in the factory affairs office of the Hongxing State-owned Cotton Mill, and is now the full-time secretary to a deputy factory director. He's incredibly capable!"

Yang Guangming keenly noticed Lin Jianyue's gaze again, smiled at her kindly, nodded slightly, and said politely and gently, "Hello, Comrade Lin Jianyue." His voice was not loud, but clear and steady.

This smile, like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, rippled across Lin Jianyue's heart.

Her heart skipped a beat for no apparent reason, and two faint, exquisitely beautiful blushes instantly rose on her fair cheeks, like rouge spreading across her skin.

She hurriedly looked away, her long eyelashes fluttering nervously, and whispered, "Hello."

Her shy and innocent appearance added to her captivating charm.

Yang Guangming was also deeply impressed by Lin Jianyue.

It wasn't just because of her stunning beauty—which, given his past life's experiences, was enough to be considered top-tier; it was also because of the innocent and naive quality she possessed, as pure as an autumn pool, untouched by worldly affairs.

In this era of fiery noise and resounding slogans, such purity seems especially precious and special, like a breath of fresh air amidst the clamor.

After the introductions were finished, the group exchanged a few pleasantries and then walked together into the alleyway.

Xie Feiyang and Feng Xianghong walked side by side in front of them naturally.

His speech and mannerisms exuded an indescribable familiarity and ease.

Xie Feiyang said something, and Feng Xianghong naturally rolled her eyes at him, with a hint of reproach, or gently pushed his arm; while Xie Feiyang chuckled, not annoyed, his eyes full of indulgence and pampering.

This subtle interaction exudes an intimacy that is difficult for outsiders to penetrate.

This subtle atmosphere was quickly noticed by the sharp-eyed and nosy Wu Hongtao.

He deliberately lagged behind by two steps, moved closer to the equally gossipy Wu Kai, nudged Wu Kai's lower back with his elbow, winked and lowered his voice, a mischievous smile on his face:

"Hey, Lao Wu, look at them! Fei Yang and Xiang Hong, why are they... you know... much closer than before? Look at the way Fei Yang looks at her, tsk tsk tsk, it's so cheesy!"

Wu Kai had noticed it long ago, and immediately understood with a knowing smile, echoing it without lowering his voice much:
"That's right! Xiang Hong, your pushing action has gone a bit beyond the scope of revolutionary friendship, hasn't it?"
"Tell me honestly, what's going on? Keeping it from us old classmates isn't very nice of you!"

His shout drew everyone's attention, even Xie Feiyang and Feng Xianghong, who were walking ahead, stopped in their tracks.

Xie Feiyang, instead of being annoyed by being exposed in public, seemed to have had an itch tickled, and chuckled smugly, habitually scratching the back of his head, neither admitting nor denying anything.
"What nonsense are you talking about! What's wrong with old classmates being affectionate when they meet? Is that a problem?"

That's what he said, but the smile in his eyes and the wide grin on his face clearly betrayed his true intentions.

Feng Xianghong blushed deeply, the redness spreading all the way to her ears.

Her fiery temper was brought out; she forced a calm glare at Wu Hongtao and Wu Kai, her voice rising eight octaves, tinged with barely concealed embarrassment:
"Get lost! You two are so sharp-eyed! We...we're just close friends, we grew up together, is that a problem?"

She tried to explain, but the guilt in her tone and the barely concealed sweetness were unmistakable.

Yang Guangming watched this amusing scene with a smile on his lips.

His gaze shifted to Lin Jianyue, who was standing next to Feng Xianghong, blinking her clear, innocent eyes, curiously watching everyone cheer, her face still showing a hint of bewilderment.

This girl was as innocent as a blank sheet of paper. She was still quite unfamiliar with everyone and seemed detached from the lively atmosphere.

She was looking down slightly, her fingers unconsciously twisting the end of her braid, seemingly lost in thought, probably not quite understanding what had happened, like a child who had wandered into the adult world.

Yang Guangming wanted to help her integrate as quickly as possible, but also harbored a mischievous curiosity about the truth. So he spoke gently, his gaze fixed directly on Lin Jianyue:
"Comrade Lin Jianyue, you are familiar with them, why don't you tell me, what exactly is the revolutionary friendship between Comrade Xie Feiyang and Comrade Feng Xianghong now? You must know the answer."

Lin Jianyue was taken aback when Yang Guangming called her name. She looked up, her clear eyes showing a hint of bewilderment at being suddenly questioned.

She glanced at Xie Feiyang, who was grinning smugly, then at Feng Xianghong, who was trying to remain calm but whose face was as red as an apple, and finally at Yang Guangming's gentle, smiling eyes that seemed very trustworthy.

She was completely unaware that this was a "sweet trap," and felt that she should tell the truth, and since Yang Guangming had asked her, she should answer him properly.

She nodded straightforwardly, answering in her clear, innocent voice, with a slightly soft, gentle tone at the end:

"Them? They just started dating not long ago. They even came to my house for dinner last Sunday, and both sets of parents gave their approval!"

She even held up two fingers to indicate "two families".

These words were like a bombshell dropped on a calm lake!
"oh--!!!"

"Hahaha! I knew it! You couldn't hide it from me!"

"You, Xie Feiyang! Still putting on airs!"

"Comrade Xiang Hong, you've given yourself away now!"

Wu Hongtao, Wu Kai, Yan Jun, and even the usually composed Yang Guangming all burst into laughter, chattering and jeering.

Laughter echoed through the alley, attracting several neighbors who were picking vegetables or relaxing at their doorways to peek out.

Lin Shunan stood aside, watching this long-awaited lively scene, seeing his friends' unrestrained smiles, and seeing Xie Feiyang and Feng Xianghong's barely concealed sweetness and embarrassment. He couldn't help but smile, revealing a long-lost, truly joyful smile.

Sunlight filtered through the leaves and fell on his face, dispelling some of the gloom between his brows.

Xie Feiyang couldn't hold back any longer. His face turned slightly red, but he felt more joy and pride at being publicly acknowledged, as well as a sense of relief that it was "finally officially announced."

He simply grabbed Feng Xianghong's hand, raised it high, and loudly proclaimed in a slightly exaggerated revolutionary tone:

"Alright, alright! Comrades, confess and you'll be treated leniently!"

We forged a deep revolutionary friendship under the guidance of the great leader's thought, with the approval of our parents.

That's why we decided to elevate this great friendship and move towards the goal of becoming revolutionary partners!

He stood tall and proud, as if making a declaration.

Feng Xianghong was so embarrassed by his grab and lift, and hearing the even louder laughter from the crowd, that she wanted to disappear into the ground. Even her neck turned pink.

Her usual fiery temper had turned into a forced "fierceness," and she punched Xie Feiyang's arm a few times.
"You're going to die! Who would want to transcend with you! Let go!"

She then turned to the jeering crowd, especially to Lin Jianyue, the instigator, and "lost her temper," her voice trembling with embarrassment and anger:
"Lin Jianyue! You little traitor! I'll teach you a lesson!"

As he spoke, he made a move to tickle Lin Jianyue.

Lin Jianyue then belatedly realized that she had "caused a big disaster." She exclaimed in surprise, like a startled deer, and instinctively hid to the side, just in time to hide behind the bright and spacious Yang Guangming.

She gripped the hem of his sailor shirt tightly, poked her head out, a mischievous smile on her face, and pleaded in a sweet, soft voice:

"Please spare me, Sister Hong! I'm telling the truth! Comrade Guangming asked me, and I can't lie! Comrade Guangming, please help me!"

She subconsciously used the bright sunlight in front of her as her most reliable "shield".

Yang Guangming was used as a "human shield" by Lin Jianyue. Feeling the slight breeze from the girl hiding behind him and the faint, elegant fragrance emanating from her, he was both amused and exasperated.

But looking at Lin Jianyue's innocent, naive yet slightly cunning appearance, one can only feel that this girl is so straightforward and adorable that it's hard to blame her.

He could only smile and open his arms to smooth things over, his voice gentle yet reassuring:
"Alright, alright, Comrade Xiang Hong, being a revolutionary couple is a joyous occasion, perfectly aboveboard! Everyone is happy for you two!"
"Come on, come on, we've arrived at Shunan's house. Let's hurry inside, or the neighbors will start to see us like a peep show!"

When Yang Guangming said that, and seeing Xie Feiyang's silly, proud look, Feng Xianghong's embarrassment and annoyance gradually turned into an intense, sweet feeling.

She glared at everyone reproachfully, especially Lin Jianyue, who was hiding behind Yang Guangming and making faces at her.

She walked over and grabbed Lin Jianyue's wrist: "You little rascal! I'll settle the score with you later!"

There wasn't a trace of anger in his tone; it was all affection.

The two girls, pulling at each other and laughing, walked into the deep courtyard of the Shikumen.

Sure enough, several neighbors had been drawn by the noise outside into the small courtyard. Some stood at their doorways, while others leaned out of their windows, their faces filled with curiosity and friendly smiles.

Lu Jianmin, who was washing vegetables at a public water tap, greeted Yang Guangming warmly in Shanghai dialect with a northern Jiangsu accent:
"Secretary Yang! You've come to see Xiao Lin again? There are so many people today, it's so lively!"

"Yes, Master Lu, it's a get-together with old classmates. Sorry to disturb everyone's rest!"

Yang Guangming responded with a smile, his attitude as humble and composed as ever, without the slightest air of a cadre.

Lin Shunan followed behind, trying to overcome her shyness and greet Master Lu and the other neighbors with a clear but not loud voice: "Hello Master Lu, hello Grandma."

The elderly woman from Ningbo, sitting in a wicker chair and fanning herself with a palm-leaf fan, smiled broadly, her eyes crinkling at the sight of the usually taciturn Lin Shunan taking the initiative to greet her. She repeatedly said:
"Great! Great! Little Lin has guests! This is wonderful! Let's make it lively! Let's make it lively!"

The other neighbors also smiled kindly and nodded in response.

This small change warmed Lin Shunan's heart.

Yang Guangming taught him the saying "a close neighbor is worse than a distant relative" last time, and he is clumsily but earnestly learning to do it.

The crowd gathered around them as they ascended the creaking, steep, and narrow wooden stairs.

Yang Guangming walked in front, Lin Jianyue followed behind with Feng Xianghong pulling her along, then Xie Feiyang, Wu Kai, Wu Hongtao, and Yan Jun and Lin Shunan walked at the very back.

The small wooden door of the pavilion was pushed open, and it was instantly filled with young figures and even louder laughter, brimming with the pure vitality of teenagers.

(End of this chapter)