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

Chapter 140, 139. Loud voice, slamming the table, assigning small suites.

Wei Hongyu frowned, as if he were thinking of some difficult residents.

He patted his chest, with a sense of "I've got this covered" in his voice:

"You can come to me with the specific details later. I guarantee that among similar types and sizes of houses, I can help you find one with a suitable floor, good orientation, a clean and tidy environment, and decent neighborly reputation!"

He paused, then offered an even more tangible incentive: "Besides, before you move in, I'll arrange for someone to repaint everything inside and out! The whitewash will be spotless and bright, ensuring you're comfortable living here! This is a small matter that I, as the section chief, can easily handle."

Yang Guangming felt a huge weight lifted off his shoulders! This was precisely the core purpose of his meeting with Wei Hongyu today.

Zhao Guodong was advocating for the upper limit of "quantity," while Wei Hongyu could guarantee the lower limit of "quality" and the most practical optimization of the living experience. This promise of a fresh coat of paint was an unexpected delight.

"Section Chief Wei!" Yang Guangming raised his glass, his expression incredibly sincere, even slightly moved. "Thank you so much! Really! I'll remember your kindness! Helping me find a suitable house and even having it painted in advance has been a huge help! I'm deeply grateful! I'll toast you!"

After saying that, he tilted his head back and drank the spicy liquor in the glass in one gulp, his Adam's apple bobbing, and a blush instantly spreading across his face.

"Oh, Guangming, you're too kind! We're all family, it's only right! It's only right!"

Wei Hongyu also laughed and downed his drink, his face flushed, clearly very satisfied with Yang Guangming's reaction and attitude.

Tang Jianhong laughed and joked from the side, creating a harmonious and warm atmosphere, as if old friends were reuniting after many years.

The meal was a great pleasure for both the host and the guests.

Yang Guangming's vision became clearer: a 17-square-meter single room was the minimum requirement, which had to be secured; a 26-square-meter suite represented the stars and the sea, and was worth striving for.

Regardless of which option you ultimately get, with Wei Hongyu's promises regarding the floor, orientation, interior condition, and painting, your living conditions will be optimized to the maximum extent.

The rest depends on Zhao Guodong's "fighting power" at the factory committee meeting.

For the first time, he felt that the tangible space called "home" was piercing through the fog and approaching him.

……

Over the next few days, Yang Guangming suppressed his anticipation and continued to handle all the factory office affairs meticulously.

Sending documents, writing briefings, arranging meetings, answering the phone... every action is precise and flawless, leaving no room for criticism.

He was like a clockwork toy, running steadily.

Zhao Guodong also seems to be preparing for the upcoming factory committee meeting to decide on the details of housing allocation.

On the eve of the factory committee meeting, his expression was more serious than usual, his brows were habitually furrowed, he walked hurriedly, and when he talked to people, he carried a sense of urgency that did not allow him to be disturbed.

Saturday morning.

The door to the small meeting room in the factory headquarters, covered with a green woolen tablecloth, was tightly closed. Inside, the factory committee meeting, which would determine the fate of many people, was in progress.

Yang Guangming sat at his desk in the outer room, a report that needed to be organized spread out in front of him, a pen in his hand, the nib hovering above the paper.

He appeared calm, his gaze fixed on the numbers in the report, but his ears, like the most sensitive radar, involuntarily picked up on the faint, fluctuating sounds of discussion coming from inside the door.

The voices were muffled and indistinct, occasionally revealing Zhao Guodong's booming voice, which seemed to have risen a few decibels, or others speaking rapidly in rebuttal.

Time seemed to stretch out, each minute feeling exceptionally long. The clicking of the hands on the horseshoe-shaped clock on the table was so clear it felt like it was striking my heart.

I don't know how much time passed, maybe an hour, maybe longer.

The heavy wooden door to the conference room was pushed open with a loud bang. Zhao Guodong's tall figure stepped out first.

In stark contrast to his worried and furrowed brows when he entered, he now wore a triumphant smile, typical of a soldier, with a wide grin revealing his neat teeth. Even his usually slightly furrowed brows were completely relaxed, as if a heavy burden had been lifted from his shoulders.

He strode towards his factory manager's office, his leather shoes making a loud thud on the terrazzo floor.

Yang Guangming immediately got up and followed him inside as if he had received a silent command.

"boom!"

Zhao Guodong slammed the door shut with a satisfying thud.

He walked behind the large desk, but didn't sit down immediately. Instead, he put his hands on his hips, as if still immersed in the heated debate at the conference table. His chest rose and fell slightly, and his voice was loud and clear, filled with undisguised joy and pride: "Guangming! It's a success!"

Yang Guangming's heart leaped into his throat. He forced himself to remain calm as he looked at Zhao Guodong, his Adam's apple bobbing: "Factory Director?"

"Ha ha!"

Zhao Guodong burst into hearty laughter, the sound of which seemed to rattle the windowpanes. "These old guys! At first they were giving me that crap about being inexperienced and needing to maintain balance! Balance my ass!"

With a sweeping gesture, he spoke with an air of overwhelming power, his tone resolute and decisive:

"I slammed your four articles from the Workers' Daily right on the table! In black and white! Published nationwide! How much honor and practical benefit did that bring to the factory?"

This is a truly exceptional contribution! It far exceeds the factory's three-point standard! If we don't reward it handsomely, who will be willing to work hard in the future? If we discourage those who have made contributions, we discourage all the factory's employees!

His eyes were piercing, as if he were still staring intently at those who held dissenting views.

"I've said it before, policies are rigid, but people are flexible! Special contributions deserve special treatment! If you lack seniority, make up for it with contributions! Distributing rewards according to the size of your contribution is only fair! If you don't even have this much courage, how can you talk about motivating people?"

He took a deep breath, and a triumphant smile returned to his face. "In the end, it was Secretary Tian who made the final decision! He agreed to my suggestion! The factory committee passed a resolution to allocate you a two-room apartment in a dormitory building! It's 26 square meters!"

Twenty-six square meters! Two rooms, one inside and one outside!

Yang Guangming felt a huge, scalding warm current rush from the soles of his feet to the top of his head, almost bursting out of his throat and turning into a shout!
He clenched his fists so tightly that his nails dug deep into his palms, barely managing to maintain a facade of calm. But the brilliance in his eyes, like stars ablaze, and his slightly trembling voice, completely betrayed his inner ecstasy and excitement.
"Thank you so much, Factory Manager! Thank you so much! You've gone to so much trouble!"

His voice was overflowing with gratitude.

"Thank you for what?"

Zhao Guodong waved his hand grandly, exuding an air of heroic pride, as if he had accomplished a remarkable feat. "This is what you deserve! When I, Zhao Guodong, lead troops... I have only one rule: merit must be rewarded! Mistakes must be punished! No ambiguity! Keep up the good work, your future is bright!"

He patted Yang Guangming's shoulder heavily, the force carrying the deep expectations and undisguised respect of an elder.

"I will definitely work harder! I will never let you down, Factory Director!"

Yang Guangming stood tall and straight, but his voice was unusually firm, like a vow.

Good news spread like wildfire, quickly reaching every corner of the Red Star Factory.

In the afternoon, the resolution notice bearing the bright red seal of the factory committee, regarding Comrade Yang Guangming being allocated a 26-square-meter inner and outer room, was neatly posted on the most conspicuous bulletin board in the factory.

The news was like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, creating huge ripples.

Envy, amazement, disbelief, and a mix of emotions filled the room, once again making Yang Guangming the center of attention throughout the factory.

In the workshop, the noise of the machines seemed unable to drown out the workers' whispers; while queuing in the canteen, he was subtly glanced at from all sides; even walking on the tree-lined paths of the factory area, he could feel the focused gazes behind him.

Yang Guangming didn't get too caught up in the overwhelming discussions and joy; he knew that the dust settling down was just the beginning.

As soon as he arrived at work in the afternoon, after handling a few urgent official tasks, he picked up the resolution notice that still smelled of fresh ink and headed towards the relatively quiet three-story building on the west side of the factory area—the location of the Housing Management Department.

The door to Wei Hongyu's office was ajar. Yang Guangming raised his hand and tapped the door three times with his knuckles, neither too hard nor too soft.

"Please come in!" Wei Hongyu's voice came immediately.

Sunshine Ming pushed open the door and went in.

Wei Hongyu was sitting behind his desk, looking down at a document.
Hearing the sound, he looked up and saw Yang Guangming. His face instantly broke into an extremely warm smile, as if he were seeing an old friend. He immediately stood up and quickly walked over to greet him.
"Oh my gosh! Guangming! Congratulations! What wonderful news! I just saw the notice, a small suite of 26 square meters!"

"Director Zhao really got it for you! Amazing! That's wonderful! Please, have a seat!"

He offered his congratulations repeatedly while deftly picking up the thermos on the table and pouring Yang Guangming a glass of water.

The smile on his face was even more genuine and enthusiastic than the last time at the Gongnong Restaurant, as if Yang Guangming's success was his own success.

Yang Guangming's successful allocation of a small suite not only proved the accuracy of his previous analysis, but also meant that his previously promised "fine-tuning" now had real room to be implemented.

"Thank you, Section Chief Wei. It's all thanks to the factory's policies and the leaders' care." Yang Guangming smiled as he accepted the warm enamel cup; the warmth emanating from the cup was very comforting.

"It's mainly because you're highly capable!"

Wei Hongyu sat back in his large rattan chair, his smile fading and replaced by a serious expression as if he were getting down to business.

He opened the drawer and took out a form and several neatly folded, slightly yellowed sheets of paper.

"Come on, let's get down to business. The apartment is settled, now it's just a matter of choosing which one to get. There are three vacant apartments in the tenement building that meet the 26-square-meter size requirement. They're all in Building 3 of the residential area. Let me explain in detail, listen up."

He carefully unfolded a hand-drawn floor plan with slightly rough lines, tapping on several points marked with a red pencil with his knuckles.

"One unit is on the fifth floor, at the west end."

His finger pointed to a marker on the far west side. "Advantages: quiet, afternoon sun, and quite warm in winter afternoons."

Disadvantages: The building is high up, climbing stairs is exhausting, and the afternoon sun in summer is intense, like a sauna. The water dispenser is on the fourth floor, so you have to run up and down the stairs to get water, which is inconvenient.

"One unit is located on the first floor."

Move your finger to the bottom center of the drawing. "Advantages: No need to climb stairs, easy to enter and exit."

Disadvantages: High humidity, poor lighting, poor privacy, and relatively noisy with people coming and going.

Furthermore, it's close to the garbage disposal area, so the smell is unpleasant in the summer. The communal restrooms are close, right at the entrance of the building, but the downside is also that they smell terrible in the summer. The water dispenser is on the second floor, so getting water isn't convenient either.

Wei Hongyu's finger finally focused on a marker on the second floor, near the east side, his tone clearly biased:
"The last one is on the second floor, slightly to the east. Guangming, I personally suggest you seriously consider this one!"

He looked up at Yang Guangming, his eyes filled with the certainty that "listen to me and you'll be right."

"First of all, the floor is good! It's on the second floor, not too high or too low, so climbing the stairs isn't strenuous. Water is also convenient, you see."

He pointed to the location of the water room marked on the map, "The public water room is in the middle of this floor, just a few steps away."

There are public restrooms on both the first and third floors. When you need to use one, you can go up one floor or down one floor; the distance is just right.

Moreover, in the summer, there's no need to worry about odors from the first-floor bathroom wafting up.

His analysis was very logical and well-reasoned.

"Secondly."

Wei Hongyu lowered his voice even further, leaning forward with a hint of sharing a secret, a smile of "finding a treasure" playing on his lips.

"This house has a big advantage!"

Its previous owner was an old worker in the factory, and there were many people living in the house.

About four or five years ago, he really went all out, spending almost two hundred yuan of his own money to renovate that seventeen or eighteen-square-meter outer room!

"Two hundred yuan?" Yang Guangming was slightly surprised and subconsciously repeated it. For an ordinary working-class family, two hundred yuan was definitely a huge sum of money, equivalent to half a year's salary without eating or drinking.

"Yes! It cost a lot of money!"

Wei Hongyu nodded vigorously, emphasizing the weight of this investment, "He used good wood and thick partitions, and hired a proper master carpenter."

They cleverly partitioned that outer room into two small, independent cubicles!
Although they're not large, each one only about five or six square meters, they're very well constructed and have good sound insulation. Once the door is closed, they create two separate little spaces!

He gestured with his hand to indicate the shape of the partition.

“Think about it, Guangming. You’re young now, so you might think that one inner room plus one large outer room is enough.”

Wei Hongyu patiently guided Yang Guangming, as if planning his future, "But what about later? What if a relative or friend comes to stay overnight, or... after you get married and have children, your parents come to help take care of the children?"

With the inner room and two small cubicles, these three independent little spaces come in very handy!

He emphasized, "It's definitely much more practical than your empty, open-plan room! It saves you the expense and effort of renovating it later!"

The last sentence points out the most practical benefit.

Sunlight brightened in Ming's eyes. Two separate little cubicles! This was a wonderful surprise!

This means that the utilization rate and privacy of space are greatly improved, and the possibilities of life are broadened.

Such renovations were incredibly prescient and necessary in an era of such housing shortages!
"The other two sets."

Wei Hongyu curled his lip, a hint of disdain in his expression, "It's just a standard empty room, there's nothing there."

The apartment on the fifth floor is unbearably hot in the summer, while the apartment on the first floor is damp and noisy.

All things considered, this second-floor apartment is definitely the best of the three vacant units! Practical! And in the long run, the most cost-effective!

He reiterated the key words "practical" and "affordable".

Yang Guangming answered almost without hesitation. Wei Hongyu's analysis was incisive and based entirely on the most practical and long-term living experience.

The convenience of the floor, water supply, and bathroom, along with the luxurious two-hundred-yuan partition, made this second-floor apartment the perfect choice.

"Section Chief Wei, what you said makes a lot of sense," Yang Guangming said decisively, his tone resolute. "We'll choose the one on the second floor! Thank you for your help!"

"Great! That's a good idea!" Wei Hongyu slapped his thigh, beaming as if he had just completed a desirable deal. "I knew you'd choose this one! Practicality is king!"

He immediately took out the blank housing application form. "Here, fill out this form and go through the process. I'll process the paperwork for you right away."

Filling out forms, signing, stamping... Wei Hongyu personally handled the tasks, his movements swift and efficient.

The familiarity with which he searched for the seals, and the ease with which he signed "agree to allocation" on the forms, all revealed a composure in the face of real power.

In less than twenty minutes, all the formalities were completed.

Finally, Wei Hongyu opened the bottom drawer of his desk, which was locked, fumbled around for a bit, and solemnly took out an old-fashioned brass key that showed obvious signs of wear and use.

A small loop of faded blue cotton thread was wrapped around the key handle, clearly left by the previous owner for anti-slip and identification purposes.

"Here you go, Guangming." Wei Hongyu gently placed the heavy key in Guangming's outstretched palm.

The cool metallic touch instantly conveyed the weight of time and the promise of new hope.

"Building 3, Unit 2, Room 203. From now on, this will be your home!" His voice carried a hint of solemnity as he completed an important handover.

The key felt heavy, lying in my palm, with the unique texture and coolness of metal.

Yang Guangming's fingers unconsciously clenched together, gripping tightly.

The coolness spread along his fingertips, but strangely ignited the fire deep within his heart, making his fingertips feel hot.

This small, weathered brass key is no longer cold metal, but a credential to a 26-square-meter space, a pass to say goodbye to the cramped, dark, and privacy-defying gloom of the cubicle, and the first time the word "home" has felt so real and tangible in his palm.

This weight pressed heavily on his heart, yet it also felt so light that he felt as if he could float away.

"Thank you! Thank you so much, Section Chief Wei!" Yang Guangming's voice trembled slightly, barely perceptible, a barely suppressed excitement.

He raised his head and looked at Wei Hongyu, his eyes filled with sincere and fervent gratitude.

Wei Hongyu waved his hand, his face showing the ease and satisfaction of having accomplished something important: "Don't mention it, it's all part of my job. Once the formalities are completed and the keys are handed over to you, this house is officially yours to use."

He paused, then gave a reassuring, service-oriented smile.

“I know you definitely want to move in as soon as possible. So, tomorrow is a day off, and I'll personally arrange for someone to go over.”

He said confidently, "I'll paint everything inside and out, walls and ceilings, with fresh lime! I guarantee it will be snow-white and sparkling, without a trace of old stains or grease! All the old furniture and clutter that have been left behind will be removed. I'll make sure it's spotless for you!"

He described a completely new vision.

He patted his chest and assured him again, "Don't worry, it'll only take one day! I guarantee it won't interfere with your move next Monday, or you can pick a good day and move into your new home happily!"

He deliberately used the auspicious word "good day".

One day! All freshly painted!
Yang Guangming could almost smell the fresh, slightly alkaline scent of freshly painted lime and see the bright sunlight reflecting off the snow-white walls.

This atmosphere, this light, will completely cover up all traces of life left by the previous resident, becoming the backdrop for his bright and new life.

"That's wonderful! Section Chief Wei, you've thought of everything! I really... I don't know how to thank you enough!"

Yang Guangming thanked him repeatedly, his joy like the rising tide, wave after wave crashing against his chest, almost overflowing.

Wei Hongyu's efficiency and meticulousness, along with the extra painting service he proactively offered, far exceeded his expectations.

"No need to thank me, it's nothing!" Wei Hongyu smiled and saw him to the office door. "Hurry back and get ready, think about how to decorate your new home. It's a housewarming party, don't forget to invite me to a drink!" he said half-jokingly.

"Definitely! Definitely!" Yang Guangming replied with a smile, clutching the key tightly as if it were the whole world, and walked out of the housing management office.

The corridor was dimly lit and smelled of old newspapers and dust. But he felt a sense of brightness before him, and even the air seemed much fresher.

My steps unconsciously became lighter, and my leather shoes made a crisp and rhythmic sound on the slightly bumpy terrazzo floor, each step landing firmly on the ground.

Instead of returning to the factory office immediately, he walked towards the dusty window at the end of the corridor.

In the distance, the few gray, matchbox-like tenement buildings in the residential area stood quietly in the golden afterglow of the setting sun.

One of them is Building No. 3.

On the second floor, to the east... His gaze, as if guided by precision, instantly locked onto that location, as if piercing through the mottled walls, clearly seeing the small suite that was about to be completely renovated—Room 203.

Two rooms, one inside and one outside, totaling 26 square meters. Two small, cleverly designed rooms created by the previous owner at great expense.

Tomorrow, the snow-white walls... The outline of the key in his palm pressed clearly against his skin, carrying the coolness of metal and a heavy sense of reality, reminding him that this was no dream.

The tenement building had a shared, perpetually damp washroom, a shared, foul-smelling toilet, and coal stoves and miscellaneous items piled up in the corridors...

These conditions are vastly different from Zhao Guodong's home, which boasts a separate kitchen, bathroom, and spacious living room.

But in Yang Guangming's heart, there was no regret or dissatisfaction, only a heavy sense of groundedness, like the earth beneath his feet.

This was something he earned by writing word by word in the Workers' Daily, spending countless nights meticulously crafting and refining his work.

It was Zhao Guodong who, against all odds, slammed his fist on the table and glared at the crowd at the factory committee meeting to fight for it.

Wei Hongyu carefully selected and analyzed the pros and cons for him, and promised to renovate the small suite.

It was a real, bright corner of his world, a starting point where he could close the door and call it "home".

He slowly opened his palm, and the brass key lay quietly in his hand.

The slanting rays of the setting sun shone on him through the window, and Yang Guangming felt his whole heart warm.

(End of this chapter)