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

Chapter 136, Section 135: Two Couples, Lovers on a Date

On Sunday morning, Yang Guangming, carrying a slightly worn military green satchel, walked steadily toward Ruikangli.

The heavy satchel weighed down on his shoulder.

Xie Feiyang was already waiting under the iconic old locust tree at the entrance of the alley.

He was also carrying a bulging canvas satchel and was idly kicking small pebbles on the ground with his toes.

Upon seeing Yang Guangming appear, he immediately flashed his signature dashing smile and greeted him.

"Guangming! You're on time!" Xie Feiyang patted Yang Guangming's shoulder hard, his gaze sweeping over Yang's equally bulging satchel. He winked mischievously. "Oh, well prepared! Looks like we're going to have to fight a big battle at this 'revolutionary friendship meal' today!"

Yang Guangming laughed and patted his bag: "Likewise, Comrade Feiyang. Comrade Xiang Hong, which family do you belong to?"

“Look, isn’t that it!” Xie Feiyang gestured towards the depths of the alley.

Feng Xianghong was standing at the entrance of a Shikumen (stone gate) building, tiptoeing and craning her neck to look towards the alleyway.

Upon seeing the two of them, a bright smile immediately bloomed on his face, and he waved and called out from afar, "Feiyang! Guangming! Over here! We've been waiting for you for ages!"

The two walked quickly over. Stepping into the deep courtyard of the Shikumen, a damp smell of moss mixed with water vapor hit them.

The courtyard was small, with the ground paved with smooth bluestone slabs.

Beside the tap in the corner, Lin Jianyue was bending over, intently washing a basket of bright green vegetables.

Clear water flowed gurglingly, washing over her fair and slender fingers and splashing up tiny droplets.

She wore a faded light blue floral blouse, and two jet-black braids hung down her chest, tied with small red ribbons at the ends. The morning light slanted across her, outlining her soft silhouette.

On a small stool next to the pool, there was a piece of pork belly wrapped in fresh lotus leaves, with alternating layers of fat and lean meat, glistening with oil.

Xie Feiyang spotted the piece of meat immediately, his eyes lighting up with exaggerated surprise: "Wow! What a huge piece of pork belly! Xiang Hong, what big event are you planning for lunch today? This is like celebrating the New Year!"

Feng Xianghong was leading them inside when she heard this and turned back with a smile, saying, "Uncle Lin had someone bring this yesterday, saying it was to improve our meals. We're planning to make braised pork and some fresh meat wontons for lunch today. How about that, isn't that generous?"

Yang Guangming smiled and nodded, "Great, great, we're in for a treat."

Just then, Lin Jianyue finished washing the vegetables and straightened up. Water droplets dripped from her fingertips. She looked up, and her gaze met Yang Guangming's gentle, smiling eyes.

Although they had met twice and exchanged many letters, sharing the trivialities of life and the glimmers of thought, Lin Jianyue's heart still skipped a beat as she saw his tall figure and deep, calm eyes so close in the sunlit courtyard.

A sweet blush quickly crept up her cheeks and turned her ears red.

She quickly lowered her head and greeted softly, "Brother Feiyang, Comrade Yang Guangming...you've arrived."

Her voice still carried the soft, gentle tone of the Jiangnan water towns, but it felt more intimate than at the last gathering.

"Comrade Jianyue, hello." Yang Guangming's response was calm and natural, with just the right amount of warmth, which eased her slight awkwardness.

After exchanging greetings, Xie Feiyang, an impatient man, immediately took off his canvas satchel from his shoulder and placed it on the stone table in the courtyard, shouting as he unzipped it:
"Come, come, see what good stuff I brought to support my comrades!"

He deftly pulled out: a cardboard box with foreign letters printed on it, containing half a pound of beautifully packaged imported chocolates; a large bag of biscuits wrapped tightly in kraft paper and printed with the word "Evergreen"; and a bag of dark brown, tightly tied dried seaweed.

"Chocolate is a rare treat. I asked someone to get some from the Friendship Store for the two ladies to sweeten their mouths. Biscuits will fill their stomachs, and seaweed is especially good for soups and stews!"

Yang Guangming also placed his handbag aside, opened it, and took out his things:

Two large strings of sausages, bound together with thin hemp rope, were deep red and glossy, with alternating layers of fat and lean meat, emitting a rich aroma of cured meat; there was also a heavy oil paper package, which, when opened, contained plump walnut kernels.

"Sausages are great for steaming rice and stewing dishes, and walnuts are good for the brain. Reading and writing are tiring, so they come in handy," he explained simply and practically.

"Wow! Sausage! Walnuts!" Feng Xianghong's eyes lit up. "Comrade Guangming, you've gone too far! Xie Feiyang's little bit of chocolate is nothing compared to this!" She teased Xie Feiyang with a smile.

Xie Feiyang didn't care at all, and instead shook his head smugly: "We're all doing our best, giving it our all for this delicious lunch!"

Looking at the small mountain of precious ingredients piled on the table, Lin Jianyue felt both touched and a little embarrassed. She said softly, "This is too much... We have a small place here, and we can't cook anything fancy..."

“Many hands make light work, and things are more lively when they’re all together,” Yang Guangming gently interrupted her. “Besides, we brought things with us, so we’ll have to trouble you to make them, won’t we?” He skillfully changed the subject and soothed her unease.

"That's right! Let's go, let's visit your 'revolutionary base' first!" Xie Feiyang suggested enthusiastically.

Feng Xianghong and Lin Jianyue readily agreed and led the two into the interior of the Shikumen.

This shikumen house has a typical single-bay layout. Passing through the courtyard, you enter the main living room, which is small but square, with an old square table and several chairs placed against the wall.

Behind the main hall was a small kitchen, with a coal stove in the corner.

A narrow, steep wooden staircase leads to the second floor from one side of the kitchen.

The front room on the second floor, which is slightly larger, is the bedroom of Feng Xianghong and Lin Jianyue.

In addition, there is a small pavilion room and a small drying platform.

The space is compact yet fully functional, and with only two girls living there, it feels quite spacious and comfortable.

"It's spacious and very clean, much more comfortable than Shu Nan's small room!" Xie Feiyang commented.

"It's mainly just the two of us, and we don't have much stuff," Feng Xianghong said with a smile. "We've piled up some miscellaneous items in the pavilion, and the drying platform is nice for hanging clothes. It's also nice to go up there to enjoy the cool breeze on summer evenings."

Yang Guangming observed quietly. On the five-drawer chest against the wall in the living room, a gleaming harmonica lay quietly, catching his eye.

After a brief tour, I checked the time and it was almost noon.

Feng Xianghong clapped her hands: "Alright, the revolutionary tour is over! Now it's time for work! Goal—make wontons and cook lunch!"

The four people entered the kitchen and began working around the square table. The space was cramped, and the four of them could barely turn around.

Feng Xianghong took out the prepared wonton wrappers and the mixed fresh meat filling. However, apart from Yang Guangming, the other three's cooking skills were clearly at a "beginner level".

Xie Feiyang picked up a wonton wrapper, clumsily scooped a large spoonful of filling onto it, and tried to pinch it closed. As a result, the filling squeezed out from all directions, making his hands greasy, and the wonton became a strange, open-mouthed "smile".

Feng Xianghong wasn't much better; either she put too little filling in, making the dumplings dry and shriveled, or she used too much force, tearing the skin.

Lin Jianyue was exceptionally cautious, each movement a beat slower than the last. The wontons she made were barely passable, but her speed was comparable to a snail, and her delicate nose was covered in beads of sweat from her anxiety.

Looking at this "horrible" situation, Yang Guangming couldn't help but laugh.

He washed his hands and picked up a wonton wrapper to demonstrate:
"Lay the dough flat, put the filling in the middle, and don't put too much in."

Moisten your fingers with water and apply it to the edges of the leather to help it adhere. Fold it in half, pinch the middle tightly, then fold the two corners towards the middle and pinch gently.

Look, like this.

His fingers flew across the paper, his movements swift and fluid, and a plump, firm wonton, shaped like a gold ingot, stood steadily in his palm.

"Wow! Comrade Guangming, your skills are amazing!" Feng Xianghong exclaimed.

"Experienced! You can tell he's a trained fighter!" Xie Feiyang was also impressed.

Lin Jianyue watched intently, her clear eyes filled with admiration and a hint of...focus?
She imitated Yang Guangming, putting in the filling, dipping it in water, folding it in half, and pinching the corners. Although she was still slow, the wontons she made looked much better than before.

"Yes, that's it. It's okay to go slowly. The key is to squeeze it tightly," Yang Guangming affirmed at the right moment, his voice gentle.

Under his guidance and demonstration, the three gradually found their rhythm.

Although Xie Feiyang was still clumsy, at least he could wrap a complete shape; Feng Xianghong was faster; Lin Jianyue became more and more focused, and her movements became smoother; Yang Guangming coordinated while wrapping, and his efficiency was extremely high.

Soon, several trays of plump, white wontons were neatly arranged.

Next came cooking, and Yang Guangming naturally became the head chef.

"Comrade Xiang Hong, please wash and chop the tomatoes. Comrade Jian Yue, cut the tofu into thick slices and soak them in salt water so they won't break easily. Fei Yang, please soak and wash the kelp and cut it into strips."

Yang Guangming calmly assigned tasks, while he rolled up his sleeves and began to prepare the tempting piece of pork belly.

He first carefully scraped the hair off the pork belly skin, then blanched it in cold water to remove any unpleasant odor. After removing it, he cut it into even cubes. He heated a pan with cold oil, added a few rock sugar pieces, and patiently cooked them over low heat until they turned a caramel color. Then he added the pork cubes and quickly stir-fried them to coat them with the caramel.

Instantly, the aroma of caramelized oil mixed with the sweet scent of sugar filled the air, prompting Xie Feiyang, who was outside the kitchen, to peek in and exclaim, "Wow! This aroma! Absolutely amazing!"

Stir-fry the pork chunks until they release their oil and turn golden brown with a slight char. Then, add scallions, ginger slices, a few peppercorns, a star anise, and a few bay leaves. Pour in Shaoxing wine and soy sauce, stir-fry evenly, and then pour in hot water to cover the pork chunks. Cover the pot and simmer over low heat.

His movements were fluid and graceful, and his control over the heat and seasonings was as precise as a precision operation in a factory.

The braised pork was bubbling away in the pot, while Yang Guangming busily began preparing other dishes.

Stir-fried tomatoes and eggs is a simple and quick dish; the eggs are golden and fluffy, and the tomatoes are sweet, sour, and juicy.

Pan-fry the tofu until golden brown on both sides, then braise it with green garlic and wood ear mushrooms for a rich, savory sauce flavor.

Cut the Chinese sausage into thick slices, put them into a clay pot with soaked kelp strips and a few slices of ginger, add water and simmer. The aroma of the sausage and the freshness of the sea blend wonderfully.

The most anticipated dish is claypot rice with Chinese sausage.

Yang Guangming asked Lin Jianyue to help him wash the rice and set up a sturdy earthenware pot on the kerosene stove.

Place rice at the bottom of a bowl, add an appropriate amount of water, and then evenly spread the sliced ​​sausage on top of the rice. Cover the bowl, bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to a very low simmer.

He instructed Lin Jianyue to listen carefully to the sounds. When the bottom of the pot made a slight "crackling" sound and the aroma of rice mixed with the fragrance of sausage oil wafted out, it meant it was almost ready.

Finally, drizzle a ring of soy sauce and a little lard along the edge of the pot lid, and simmer for a few more minutes to form a golden and crispy crust at the bottom of the pot.

The fresh meat wontons were cooked by Feng Xianghong and Lin Jianyue. They sprinkled some scallions and seaweed into the clear broth, making it very fragrant.

When all the dishes were served one by one on the square table in the living room, the small space was completely filled with abundance and aroma.

The braised pork belly, glistening with a deep reddish-brown color, sits precariously in the bowl, the fat translucent and the lean meat tender and juicy.

The claypot rice with Chinese sausage, a deep reddish-brown color, is steaming hot when the lid is lifted. The slices of Chinese sausage are glistening and tempting, the rice grains are distinct, and the bottom is covered with a tempting crispy rice crust.
The scrambled eggs with tomatoes are vibrant in color and have a rich, thick sauce; the homemade tofu is fragrant with soy sauce, tender and flavorful; the sausage and kelp have a rich and mellow aroma.

A large bowl of clear soup wontons, garnished with bright green scallions, has thin wrappers and generous fillings, resembling little white doves.

Feng Xianghong had also chilled the kvass and beer in advance, giving off a refreshing aroma.

"My God... this... this is too lavish!" Xie Feiyang stared wide-eyed at the table full of delicacies, his Adam's apple bobbing involuntarily.

Feng Xianghong and Lin Jianyue were also amazed.

Lin Jianyue looked especially at the bowl of braised pork and claypot rice, and then at Yang Guangming, who was wearing an apron, with beads of sweat on his forehead but a calm expression. Her admiration and some indescribable emotions deepened.

"Thank you for your hard work, Comrade Guangming. You are truly a hidden talent!" Feng Xianghong exclaimed sincerely.

"It's mainly because everyone prepared such good ingredients." Yang Guangming smiled modestly, took off his apron, and said, "Please sit down and eat while it's hot."

The four people sat down around the table.

Yang Guangming naturally picked up a spoon and served each person a small bowl of claypot rice with Chinese sausage, giving Lin Jianyue's bowl extra pieces of crispy rice.

Lin Jianyue took the bowl, her fingertips accidentally touching, a brief touch of coolness and warmth. Her heart skipped a beat, and she quickly lowered her head, whispering, "Thank you."

"Try this braised pork! It's made by Guangming, absolutely authentic!"

Xie Feiyang couldn't wait to pick up a trembling piece of braised pork and put it in his mouth. The fat melted in his mouth, the lean meat was tender and flavorful, and the rich aroma of the sauce mixed with a hint of sweetness exploded in his mouth.

He squinted his eyes in satisfaction, "Mmm...delicious! Soft, sweet, and juicy, but not greasy at all! Guangming, with your skills, it's a shame you're not a chef in a restaurant!"

Feng Xianghong also tried a piece and nodded repeatedly: "It's really delicious! Even better than my mother's cooking! Jianyue, eat more!" She put a big piece on Lin Jianyue's plate.

Lin Jianyue took small bites of the meat, savoring the wonderful taste melting on her tongue. She secretly glanced at Yang Guangming, who was eating quietly. Her cheeks flushed slightly, and her heart felt as sweet and warm as the braised pork.

Claypot rice with Chinese sausage is especially popular.

The rice absorbed the oil and aroma of the sausage, each grain glistening and fragrant. The sausage was savory and delicious, with a satisfying chew. The best part was the crispy rice crust at the bottom, golden and crunchy, making a satisfying "crunch" when you bit into it. It was the soul of the whole pot of rice, a perfect blend of the savory soy sauce and the richness of the pork fat.

Even Lin Jianyue, who usually doesn't eat much, couldn't help but eat a few more bites.

Yang Guangming's homemade tofu and scrambled eggs with tomatoes are equally top-notch, refreshing and not greasy.

The sausage and kelp soup is exceptionally delicious, and drinking it makes you feel completely comfortable.

The refreshing bubbles of kvass and beer perfectly balance the richness of the food.

The atmosphere at the dinner was relaxed and pleasant.

Xie Feiyang and Feng Xianghong, the young couple, exchanged sweet glances and served each other food, their affection practically overflowing.

Yang Guangming was not talkative, but he was calm and considerate, and would often add rice and hand drinks to Lin Jianyue's plate.

Lin Jianyue listened quietly most of the time, occasionally amused by Xie Feiyang and Yang Guangming's witty remarks, her eyes curving into crescent moons.

Her gaze would always unconsciously drift toward Yang Guangming, then quickly look away when he looked over, like a startled yet curious fawn.

They ate a very satisfying meal, and the plates and cups were almost empty.

Feng Xianghong and Lin Jianyue took the initiative to clean up the dishes, allowing Xie Feiyang and Yang Guangming to rest.

After everything was tidied up, the lazy afternoon sunlight streamed in through the glass windows of the living room.

With a satisfied blush on her face from the meal, Feng Xianghong's eyes darted around, and she mysteriously pulled a small notebook carefully wrapped in blue-printed cloth from her room. "Come on, come on, now that we're full, let's have some intellectual nourishment!"

She carefully unwrapped the cloth bundle, revealing a thin, handwritten collection of poems with slightly yellowed pages and an elegant cover.

"These are my treasures that I've kept hidden away for a long time. Most of them are excerpts from 'New Moon Poetry Selection,' poems by Xu Zhimo, Wen Yiduo, and others."

I usually don't dare to take it out to look at, but today, how about we, a few of us who know each other well, read some poems together?

Xie Feiyang immediately responded, "Great! Reading poetry is wonderful, so elegant! Xiang Hong, you go first!"

Lin Jianyue also curiously moved closer, her clear eyes sparkling, clearly showing her interest in poetry.

Yang Guangming looked at the poetry collection and paused slightly.

In this day and age, the risks of privately circulating poems by these "old literati" are self-evident.

He admired Feng Xianghong's courage and understood the natural yearning of young people for all things beautiful, but deep down, he found it difficult to fully immerse himself in this kind of poetry reading with a touch of petit-bourgeois sentiment.

He prefers to express himself in a pragmatic or powerful way.

Feng Xianghong cleared her throat, opened the poetry collection, selected Xu Zhimo's "Saying Goodbye to Cambridge Again," and began to recite it softly with emotion:

"I leave as softly as I came; I wave goodbye to the clouds of the western sky..."

Her voice was soft, and she tried her best to imitate the imagery of the poem. Xie Feiyang listened intently, nodding occasionally. Lin Jianyue was also absorbed in the listening, her long eyelashes trembling slightly.

After reading it, Feng Xianghong handed the poetry collection to Xie Feiyang: "Feiyang, it's your turn!"

Xie Feiyang took it, flipped through it with an air of seriousness, and chose a poem by Wen Yiduo called "Dead Water," attempting to recite it in a passionate tone:

"This is a stagnant pool of despair, where even a gentle breeze cannot stir a ripple..."

Unfortunately, he used too much force, making it look exaggerated and comical. Feng Xianghong and Lin Jianyue couldn't help but cover their mouths and laugh.

"Jianyue, write one!" Feng Xianghong shoved the poetry collection into Lin Jianyue's hands.

Lin Jianyue was a little shy, but she still accepted it.

She chose Lin Huiyin's "You Are the April of This World," her voice sweet and gentle, carrying the unique purity of a young girl:

"I say you are the April day of the human world; your laughter lights up the surrounding breeze; your lightness dances and changes in the brilliance of spring..."

She read very attentively and intently, as if she herself were immersed in the poetic spring sunshine.

As Yang Guangming gazed at her focused profile and slightly parted lips, the sense of alienation he felt due to the generational gap dissipated somewhat, and he found the scene itself to be beautiful.

"Comrade Guangming, it's your turn!" Feng Xianghong smiled and turned her gaze to Yang Guangming.

Yang Guangming took the poetry collection and casually flipped through a few pages. The poignant and ornate sentences seemed somewhat out of place with the vicissitudes he had experienced and the profound weight that had settled in his heart.

It's not that he doesn't appreciate poetry, but he feels that reading these poems in this moment and in this situation is like looking through a delicate veil—not real enough, nor enjoyable enough.

He closed the poetry collection, smiled gently, and glanced at the gleaming harmonica on the dresser:

"The poem is good, but I'm probably more used to being straightforward."

How about this? I see there's a harmonica here, how about I play a tune for everyone to liven things up?
Everyone can sing a few songs to make it more lively.

The proposal received an immediate and enthusiastic response!

"Great! Playing the harmonica is great!" Xie Feiyang was the first to jump up and applaud.

"Comrade Guangming can play the harmonica? That's great!" Feng Xianghong's eyes lit up, and she immediately ran over to get the harmonica and handed it to Yang Guangming.

Lin Jianyue also raised her head, her eyes filled with anticipation, and clapped her hands gently.

Yang Guangming took the harmonica; it felt slightly cool to the touch and was very clean.

He tested the sound, and it was clear and pleasant to the ear.

After a moment's thought, he chose "Returning from Target Practice," a song with a bright and powerful melody that resonated with the spirit of the times.

A cheerful and flowing melody immediately poured from his lips, crisp and bright, instantly filling the entire living room.

"The sun sets in the west, the rosy clouds fly, the soldiers return to camp after target practice..."

Xie Feiyang was the first to belt out a song, his voice loud and clear, carrying his unique boldness.

Feng Xianghong joined in with a smile, her voice clear and crisp.

Lin Jianyue hummed along softly, her eyes sparkling as she watched Yang Guangming's nimble fingers move.

The harmonica music acted like an invisible thread, tightly connecting the emotions of the four people. After the song ended, the atmosphere was completely ignited.

"One more song! 'Ode to the Red Plum Blossom'!" Feng Xianghong excitedly suggested.

As the sunlight brightened, the harmonica music shifted, and the melodious and affectionate tune of "Ode to the Red Plum Blossom" flowed out.

"Red plum blossoms bloom on the Red Rock, treading on a thousand miles of ice and frost..."

This time, even Lin Jianyue's voice was more relaxed, her sweet voice intertwined with the harmonica, creating a unique charm.

After singing a few songs, Feng Xianghong suddenly had a brilliant idea. She looked at Lin Jianyue, then at Yang Guangming, a sly glint in her eyes:
"Hey, Jianyue, you play the harmonica so well! You even played 'Moscow Nights' for me last time!"

Comrade Guangming plays the flute so well, he must sing it just as well.

Why don't you play a tune too, and let Comrade Guangming sing a song for us? A solo! What do you all say?

"Great idea!" Xie Feiyang immediately chimed in, "Guangming, show us your skills! Jianyue, you accompany us!"

Lin Jianyue was caught off guard by this sudden suggestion, her cheeks flushed instantly, and she waved her hands repeatedly, "I...I'm not good at playing..."

"Oh, stop being modest! Hurry up!"

Without a word, Feng Xianghong shoved her beloved harmonica into Lin Jianyue's hands, then winked at Yang Guangming:

"Comrade Guangming, sing a song! How about... um, 'The Sun Never Sets on the Grassland'? Or 'Sing a Folk Song to the Party'? You choose!"

Seeing Lin Jianyue's shy yet eager expression, and the expectant looks from Feng Xianghong and Xie Feiyang, Yang Guangming knew he couldn't refuse.

In his previous life, he had studied vocal techniques for a period of time to prepare for social occasions, but due to limitations in his voice, his singing performance was mediocre.

But in this life, the young body has an exceptionally good voice, deep and powerful, with a wide vocal range.

After a moment's thought, he decided to choose "Night on the Prairie," a song with a beautiful melody and profound emotions.

This song is neither overly rousing or slogan-like, yet it carries the romance of the frontier and has a profound artistic conception.

"Alright, then I'll make a fool of myself." Yang Guangming cleared his throat, looked at Lin Jianyue who was holding a harmonica and seemed a little nervous, and gently encouraged her, "Thank you, Comrade Jianyue, just play the tune of 'Night on the Prairie,' you're familiar with it, right?"

Lin Jianyue took a deep breath, nodded, and brought the harmonica close to her lips.

She composed herself, and a soothing, melodious tune, tinged with a touch of sadness and vastness, flowed from her small harmonica—the prelude to "Night on the Prairie."

Her technique may not be as refined as Yang Guangming's, but her breath control is steady, her pitch is excellent, and what's even more remarkable is the complete focus she has when playing, which fills the simple melody with moving emotion.

As the prelude ended, Yang Guangming's mellow and magnetic baritone voice rang out:
"How serene the beautiful night is."
Only my music remains on the grassland.

I want to write a letter to the girl far away.

It's a pity no postman came to deliver my love..."

The moment his voice rang out, the other three held their breath!

This voice was different from his usual deep speaking voice; when he sang, it seemed to be infused with magic, becoming rich, mellow, and full of resonance.

The pitch, rhythm, and emotion were all perfectly captured.

The song seemed to carry the gentle breeze of a grassland night and the longing under the starry sky, deeply affectionate and touching the heart.

Especially the line "It's a pity there's no postman to deliver my love," which he sang with such poignant emotion, carrying a hint of helplessness and lingering longing, that it brought a slight lump to my throat.

Lin Jianyue's harmonica playing became the perfect complement to the singing, their voices harmonizing perfectly as if they had practiced countless times.

As she played, she couldn't help but look up at Yang Guangming, who was focused on singing. Her heartstrings were deeply touched by his charming voice, and her cheeks flushed even more.

As the music ended and the harmonica's lingering notes faded away, a brief, almost frozen silence fell over the living room.

Immediately, thunderous applause erupted!

"Great! That's fantastic!" Xie Feiyang slapped the table excitedly. "Guangming! Your voice! It's amazing! Even better than what you hear on the radio! You're a hidden gem! Absolutely a hidden gem!"

Feng Xianghong clapped enthusiastically, her eyes filled with amazement: "Comrade Guangming, you sang so well! Your emotions were so rich! I was... oh my, I don't know how to describe it! Jianyue played the flute so well too, it was a perfect match!"

Lin Jianyue put down her harmonica, her chest still rising and falling slightly, her fair cheeks flushed red like a ripe apple from excitement and shyness.

She looked at the bright sunlight, her clear eyes filled with undisguised admiration and a hint of dreamy light, her voice brimming with genuine joy:
"Comrade Yang Guangming, you sang... really well."

This was the clearest and most heartfelt compliment she gave today.

Looking at the three people's enthusiastic reactions, especially Lin Jianyue's incredibly bright eyes, Yang Guangming felt a long-lost sense of pure pleasure from being appreciated.

He smiled and said modestly, "It's because Comrade Jianyue plays the harmonica so well and carries it so well. I'm glad everyone likes it."

This little musical interlude completely ignited the afternoon. The atmosphere grew even more lively and harmonious in the time that followed.

Yang Guangming and Lin Jianyue took turns playing the harmonica, while the others sang in chorus or solo. Songs like "Meeting at the Aobao," "Why Are the Flowers So Red," and "Katyusha"—melodic, sentimental, or joyful—echoed in the small living room.

Yang Guangming's stunning singing voice naturally became the main attraction, drawing heartfelt praise and applause with every note he sang.

As they sang, the four of them naturally split into two groups without anyone noticing.

Xie Feiyang and Feng Xianghong sat on chairs by the window, heads touching, their voices low and sweet smiles on their faces, seemingly engaged in a lively discussion—perhaps about future plans, or perhaps about their next meeting, immersed in their own world.

Yang Guangming and Lin Jianyue sat on the other side of the square table.

A quiet silence fell between the two as the song ended.

Without the cover of the singing, a subtle, indescribable atmosphere quietly spread.

Lin Jianyue lowered her head and gently stroked the harmonica in her hand, while Yang Guangming picked up his teacup and looked out the window.

Only Xie Feiyang and Feng Xianghong's occasional, indistinct whispers remained in the living room.

The sky outside the window was already ablaze with a magnificent sunset. Brilliant orange-red and gold dust painted the horizon, gilding the rooftops and clothes drying in the alleyways with a warm golden edge. A few wisps of clouds, ignited by the setting sun, resembled molten gold leaf.

Yang Guangming quietly looked at the magnificent sky without saying a word.

Lin Jianyue followed his gaze. She didn't speak, but sat there quietly, her profile outlined softly and beautifully by the sunset, her long eyelashes casting faint shadows under her eyelids, her small harmonica unconsciously twirling in her hand.

Time seemed to slow down and become viscous at this moment.

A faint aroma of tea wafted in the air, along with a subtle, youthful scent.

There was no deliberate conversation, no eye contact, only the magnificent twilight outside the window and the quiet companionship of the person beside me.

This tranquility itself conveys a certain indescribable emotion more clearly than any passionate words—

Is it the tacit understanding flowing on the letter paper, settling into reality? Is it the lingering resonance of hearts that just intertwined when the song and harmonica played? Or is it the natural stirring and peace that arises in the confined space of this special era, as two young hearts draw near together?
The rosy glow gradually changed from intense to deep, and dusk settled in.

From the alleyway came the sounds of neighbors calling their children home for dinner, and the faint clattering of pots and pans.

Xie Feiyang finally looked up from his sweet world of two, glanced out the window, then at his watch, and said with a hint of reluctance, "Oh dear, it's getting dark without me even realizing it. Time really flies."

Feng Xianghong also came to her senses and chimed in, "Yes, it feels like we haven't had enough fun yet."

Yang Guangming put down his teacup, stood up, and said calmly, "It's time to go. I have to go to work tomorrow."

Lin Jianyue also stood up, her fingers unconsciously clenching the hem of her clothes. Her gaze fell on Yang Guangming, then quickly shifted away, and she said softly, "Today... I had a very happy day."

"I'm glad you're happy." Yang Guangming looked at her gently. "Thank you for your hospitality. The wontons were delicious."

"See you next time!" Xie Feiyang patted Yang Guangming's shoulder forcefully, then waved to Feng Xianghong and Lin Jianyue, "Xianghong, Jianyue, we're leaving!"

Feng Xianghong and Lin Jianyue escorted the two to the entrance of the courtyard.

As dusk fell, Yang Guangming and Xie Feiyang's tall figures disappeared around the corner of the alley.

Feng Xianghong took Lin Jianyue's arm, looking at her friend's cheeks still flushed in the twilight, and chuckled mischievously: "So, how was today's 'gathering of four'... not bad, right?"

Lin Jianyue did not answer, but just stared in the direction where they disappeared. The afterglow of the sunset reflected in her clear eyes, like two small, warm suns falling into them.

She gently stroked the small harmonica in her pocket, as if she could still feel the lingering warmth of his singing, and a sweet ripple of emotion, unlike anything she had ever experienced, rippled through her heart.

(End of this chapter)