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

The green train that Yang Guangming was riding roared across the vast North China Plain.

The wheels clattered rhythmically against the rails, and the scenery outside the window kept changing, gradually shifting from paddy fields in the south to dry land in the north, with fields of corn and sorghum turning a deep green under the August sun.

The journey was long and boring.

The carriage was packed with people, various dialects mingled together, and the air was filled with a complex mix of smells from tobacco, sweat, and food.

Yang Guangming sat by the window, occasionally looking out at the boundless plains and the distant, dark green mountain ranges.

The train made several stops along the way, and passengers were bustling about getting on and off.

Whenever the train comes to a slow stop, vendors swarm around, holding up local specialties and calling out in Mandarin mixed with their respective regional dialects.

Every time he stopped the car, he would keep a close eye on his luggage.

Although most of the cash and valuables had been stored in that unknown "refrigerator space," there were still things in the travel bag on the surface that needed to be carefully looked after and could not be lost.

The two-day, two-night journey was spent in exhaustion and a jumble of thoughts.

At night, like the other passengers, he would take a nap on the narrow table, but he could never sleep soundly.

The sounds of children crying, adults snoring, the conductor checking tickets, and getting on and off at each stop made the journey seem exceptionally long.

When the announcement "Harbin Station has arrived" finally came over the loudspeaker, a commotion broke out in the carriage.

People got up, took their bags and suitcases from the luggage racks, and crowded into the aisle to get off the train.

August in Northeast China is not hot; the sun shines brightly as people get off the bus.

Harbin Railway Station is a Russian-style building, tall and simple.

People came and went on the platform. Yang Guangming took a deep breath, stretched his stiff limbs, and felt the dry air unique to the Northeast.

He found the long-distance bus station based on his memory of the last visit.

Compared to trains, there are fewer bus services to the county town, and the conditions are much worse.

The dilapidated bus was packed with people and all kinds of luggage. Yang Guangming found a window seat and sat down, clutching his travel bag tightly to his chest.

The road surface was uneven and full of potholes, causing the car to bounce violently. Every now and then, we would encounter large potholes, causing the entire car to shake violently.

Some local passengers seemed to have gotten used to the bumpy ride and were still able to sleep soundly. Yang Guangming, however, clung tightly to his travel bag, enduring the turbulence.

The scenery outside the car window gradually changed from the city to the countryside, with vast cornfields and sorghum fields stretching to the horizon.

In the distance, rolling mountains are covered by dense forests. Occasionally, a few villages can be seen, with low mud-brick or brick houses scattered among the fields, and wisps of smoke rising from their chimneys.

After several more hours of bumpy travel, the car finally arrived at its destination, the county town.

The county town was much quieter than Harbin, with pedestrians hurrying along the streets. The low houses and mottled walls revealed the simplicity and traces of time of this small northern town.

Yang Guangming got off the bus at the county bus station and dusted himself off.

I looked at the sky; it was already three in the afternoon.

Yang Guangming stood at the entrance of the bus station, looking around at this small town that was both strange and familiar. From here to Kaoshantun, there was still a ten-mile dirt road; without a bicycle, one could only reach it on foot.

He walked a short distance with his heavy luggage on his back, and luckily, he happened to encounter a slowly moving oxcart.

The driver was an old farmer with a weathered face, who looked to be about sixty years old. His face was etched with the marks of time, and his hands were rough and strong. He was driving the cart back home.

Yang Guangming stepped forward and politely asked in Mandarin with a southern accent if it was on his way to Kaoshantun.

The old farmer sized him up, probably because he was well-dressed and didn't seem like a bad person. He also heard that the old man was going to visit relatives in the village. So he nodded honestly and gestured for him to get on the bus, saying in a thick Northeastern accent, "I'll give you a ride along the way. Hold on tight."

Yang Guangming quickly thanked him and took out a few White Rabbit milk candies he had brought from his pocket, handing them to the old farmer: "Grandpa, have a candy to sweeten your mouth."

The old farmer declined for a moment, but seeing Yang Guangming's insistence, he chuckled and took it, peeled off a piece and popped it into his mouth, a satisfied smile spreading across his face. His attitude became even more enthusiastic: "Oh, this Shanghai candy is so fragrant! Come on, young man, give me the package, I'll put it securely for you."

Yang Guangming handed over the travel bag, and the old farmer secured it securely to the other items in the car.

Yang Guangming climbed onto the oxcart and sat on the hay-covered plank. The oxcart slowly started moving, the ox hooves clattering on the dirt road.

The car wheels rolled over the road, still bumping along, but compared to the confined and crowded car, breathing the fresh air and looking at the vast green mountains and forests along the way made one feel more open-minded.

On both sides of the road were vast cornfields, the corn already taller than a person, the ears of corn beginning to plump up. In the distance, rolling hills and dense forests shimmered in varying shades of green under the August sun.

The old farmer was a talkative man; he chatted with Yang Guangming as he drove the cart.

Ask him where he came from, who he was looking for, and whether it snows in the South during winter.

Yang Guangming answered cautiously, only saying that he had come to see his sister who was a teacher in the village, and glossed over other information.

When the old farmer heard that his sister was a teacher at the village primary school, he became even more talkative: "That female teacher from the south at the village primary school? I know her! Teacher Yang, she's an educated woman, has a good temper, and the kids all like her! You're her brother? Oh my, it must have been quite an ordeal for you to come all this way!"

Along the way, Yang Ming listened to the old farmer rambling on about the village, talking about this year's harvest and the cold winter. Occasionally, Yang Ming would chime in with a few words, but most of the time he listened quietly.

The old farmer said that the rainfall this year has been good, and the crops are growing well, so it looks like there will be a good harvest.

The simple local accent and the vast black soil gave him a more direct understanding of his second sister's choice to stay here.

The oxcart wasn't moving fast, but thankfully it didn't stop. The ten-mile dirt road took about an hour to cover. Around four o'clock, the oxcart entered Kaoshan Village.

Low-lying mud-brick or brick houses are scattered throughout the village, creating a tranquil rural scene. Most of the houses in the village have small courtyards where vegetables are grown and chickens and ducks are raised.

"Kaoshan Village is just ahead!" The old farmer pointed with his whip. "Teacher Yang goes to the village primary school, right? I'll take you directly to the school gate; I know that area well!"

"Thank you so much, sir!" Yang Guangming said sincerely.

The oxcart rattled into the village.

The village was quiet, with the occasional barking of dogs. Several children were playing by the roadside, and they all looked over curiously when they saw the oxcart.

These children wore patched clothes, their cheeks were red from the wind, but their eyes were bright and full of childlike curiosity and energy.

The carriage eventually stopped outside a courtyard gate on the edge of the village.

The courtyard was enclosed by a mud-brick wall, and the gate was a simple wooden fence. Inside, there was a row of old-looking bungalows. A wooden sign hung at the entrance, with the words "Kaoshantun Primary School" painted in red, the characters already somewhat faded.

"We're here! This is it!" The old farmer reined in the ox, jumped off the cart nimbly, and helped Yang Guangming take down his travel bag.

Yang Guangming thanked him again and then grabbed a handful of milk candies to give to the old farmer.

The old farmer, unable to refuse, accepted the gift with a smile and said, "Go on in, it's quite quiet inside. The children should be in class." With that, he drove his oxcart slowly away.

Yang Guangming stood at the school gate, carrying his travel bag. He straightened his wind-blown hair and clothes, took a deep breath of fresh air, pushed open the creaking wooden gate, and went inside.

The courtyard was quite large and fairly clean. A few classroom windows were damaged and covered with paper, but overall it was tidy. The sound of children reading aloud could be faintly heard, clear and orderly, adding a touch of culture to this remote village.

As Yang Guangming was looking around, a little boy, about eight or nine years old, with a snotty nose and wearing a tattered hat, ran out of a classroom, probably to go to the toilet, and stared curiously at him, this stranger.

The little boy was wearing patched clothes, and his toes were showing through his cloth shoes, but his eyes were bright and alert.

The sunlight shone brightly, a gentle smile on its face, and waved to the little boy. The little boy hesitated for a moment, then walked over, looked up at him, and asked curiously, "Who are you looking for?"

"Little student, I'm looking for Teacher Yang Xiangmei. Could you please call her for me? Just tell her her brother is here." Yang Guangming tried his best to make his tone sound friendly.

The little boy blinked, nodded, turned and ran back, shouting as he ran, "Teacher Yang! Teacher Yang! Someone's looking for you! Your little brother is here!" His shouts were particularly clear in the quiet courtyard.

Yang Guangming stood still and waited, curiously looking around at his surroundings.

Soon, the door to a classroom creaked open. A familiar figure wearing a blue top and with two braids strode out, her face showing surprise and confusion. It was Yang Xiangmei, the second sister.

When she saw Yang Guangming standing in the courtyard, she was stunned for a moment, as if she couldn't believe her eyes. Then, a huge surprise and excitement quickly welled up on her face.

"Mingming!" she cried out, rushing over and grabbing Yang Guangming's arm, looking him up and down. "Why are you here? Good heavens! Why did you suddenly come? You didn't even tell me beforehand!"

Her voice trembled with excitement, and her eyes instantly welled up with tears.

Looking at his second sister, who was excited but still had gentle eyes, Yang Guangming was filled with mixed emotions, and the fatigue from the journey seemed to lessen considerably.

He smiled and tried to keep his tone light: "I wanted to surprise you. I happened to be in Northeast China on a business trip and stopped by to see you."

"You scared me to death! It's such a long way!" Yang Xiangmei was both happy and worried. She quickly took the travel bag from his hand. "It's so heavy! What did you bring? Come on, come inside! It's cold outside!" She pulled Yang Guangming and walked towards a small room that looked like a dormitory.

"Wait a minute, let me settle the class in first and let them study on their own. You go inside and rest for a while!" Yang Xiangmei pushed Yang Guangming into the small room, put down her travel bag, and hurriedly ran back to the classroom.

Yang Guangming took the opportunity to look around his second sister's dormitory.

The room was small, only seven or eight square meters, and the furnishings were extremely simple. There was a hard bed with a plain-colored sheet and a thin quilt folded neatly.

An old desk, a chair, with books for lesson preparation and an ink bottle on the desk.

The walls were covered with old newspapers, some of which had turned yellow and peeled off. Although simple, it was kept clean and tidy, exuding the neatness characteristic of a scholar.

Yang Xiangmei returned soon.

She picked up the thermos on the table and poured a mug of hot water for Yang Guangming: "Quick, drink some hot water and rest. You must be exhausted. Was the journey smooth?"

"It's alright, the journey was relatively smooth." Yang Guangming took the tub, and the temperature of the hot water seeped through the tub wall into his palm, which felt very comfortable.

He sat down in the only chair, while Yang Xiangmei sat on the edge of the bed. The siblings were silent for a moment, unsure of where to begin their conversation.

"Is everything alright at home?" Yang Xiangmei asked first, her voice filled with longing.

"Everything's fine." Yang Guangming nodded. "Mom and Dad are both in good health, and my eldest brother and sister-in-law are doing well too. Zhuangzhuang has grown quite a bit taller. My second brother and sister-in-law..."

He paused for a moment, then said, "My second brother and sister-in-law held their wedding on May Day. They have a harmonious and loving relationship since then."

"My second brother has finally found someone he likes! I'm so happy for him!" Yang Xiangmei's eyes widened. "Second sister-in-law... she's the daughter of your Secretary Yue's family. What's she like? Is she easy to get along with?" She asked in rapid succession, eager for news from home.

"Yes, my second sister-in-law is a very nice person, gentle and sensible, with no airs at all. She gets along very well with my eldest brother and sister-in-law, and my parents both like her very much." Yang Guangming briefly introduced the wedding and the family's recent situation.

He described the wedding as simple yet lively, his second brother's handsome appearance in his new Zhongshan suit, his sister-in-law's shy yet happy smile, and his parents' complex feelings of both relief and reluctance.

Yang Xiangmei listened with great interest, her face beaming with a smile, as if she could participate in her family's life through these narrations. When she heard something enjoyable, she couldn't help but chuckle softly; when she heard her parents' concern for her, her eyes dimmed, revealing a trace of guilt.

"I'm relieved that everything is alright at home," she said softly, lowering her head and twisting the hem of her clothes with her fingers.

Yang Guangming looked at his second sister and knew it was time to get down to business.

He put down his teacup, his expression turning serious: "Second Sister, I came here partly on a business trip and stopped by to see you. On the other hand, I'm also here on behalf of Mom and Dad and the whole family. There's something very important I need to discuss with you in person."

Seeing his serious expression, Yang Xiangmei seemed to sense something. The smile on her face slowly faded, and she sat up straight, nodding gently: "Yes, go ahead and say it, little brother." Her fingers unconsciously tightened their grip on the bed sheet.

Yang Guangming took a deep breath and told Yang Xiangmei the whole story he had heard from He Zhenzhong about the policy of educated youth returning to the city being relaxed on a large scale by next year at the latest.

He particularly emphasized the reliability of He Zhenzhong's identity and judgment, and mentioned the connection between He Zhenzhong and his family—the He family had always been grateful because he had saved He Zhenzhong's son, Xiao Hai.

"Second sister, Leader He said it himself, the policy will definitely undergo major changes."

"For a sent-down youth like you who has spent many years in the countryside and performed well, the chances of returning to the city are very high."

His tone became more forceful, and he looked directly at Yang Xiangmei: "Moreover, Leader He still owes us a favor. Even if it's not your turn in terms of policy for the time being, as long as I ask, Leader He should find a way to make a special exception and bring you back to the city. I'm confident about this."

He saw Yang Xiangmei's pupils contract slightly, and her face showed an expression of extreme shock and disbelief.

“In other words,” Yang Guangming said clearly, word by word, “if you are willing to wait patiently for another year, or at most a year and a half, you can return to Shanghai openly and legitimately, back to your parents, and back to our own home, by relying on the policy or on the connections of Leader He.”

He paused for a moment, allowing his second sister to process this enormous amount of information.

“You don’t need to rely on marriage at all, you don’t need to rely on your husband’s family’s connections, you don’t need to owe the Luo family a heavy favor, and you don’t need to marry someone from thousands of miles away in Northeast China!”

He spoke that last sentence with particular force, as if stating an undeniable fact.

The room fell into a deathly silence.

Yang Xiangmei was completely stunned. Her mouth was slightly open, and her eyes were fixed straight ahead, as if her soul had left her body. This news was too sudden and too shocking for her.

She had dreamed countless times of the day she could return to the city, but as time went by, especially after her relationship with Luo Xingbang stabilized, this dream was gradually suppressed by reality and became a distant and vague thought.

Now, her younger brother suddenly appears and tells her that this dream is not only within reach, but almost a certainty!

Her mind was in chaos, her heart was pounding, and a mix of emotions surged within her—shock, ecstasy, doubt, bewilderment… all intertwined.

After a long while, she slowly raised her head, looking at Yang Guangming with a complicated expression, her voice a little hoarse: "Mingming...you...are you telling the truth? Are you really sure? Will the policy...really change? That Leader He...is really willing to help?"

Her voice was filled with longing, but also with a hint of fear that it was all just a mirage.

"Second sister, I dare not say one hundred percent. There is no absolute in this world."

Yang Guangming spoke calmly and frankly, "But I'm about 80-90% sure. Leader He himself is in charge of the relevant field, so his source is reliable."

As for whether he's willing to help, there's no need to doubt it, because I saved his son. He remembers this favor and is willing to repay it in this way. I believe in his sincerity and ability.

He paused, then added, "Even if things change temporarily on Leader He's end, the general direction of the policy won't change. At most, it will be a year or two later, but you can still return to the city on your own. It's just that with Leader He's help, the process will be faster and more secure."

Yang Xiangmei lowered her head and clasped her hands tightly together.

She remained silent for a long time, so long that Yang Guangming thought she was weighing the pros and cons.

Finally, when she raised her head again, the shock and confusion in her eyes had gradually subsided, replaced by a calm yet resolute light.

She looked at Yang Guangming, a gentle yet resolute smile even appearing on her lips.

"Little brother," she said softly, her voice not loud but exceptionally clear, "thank you, thank you Mom and Dad, thank you everyone in the family for worrying about me and coming up with so many solutions. Really, I feel...deeply touched, and also...deeply guilty."

Her eyes reddened again, but she held back her tears.

“I know you all mean well, afraid that I will suffer if I marry far away, and afraid that I will regret it later. I understand your good intentions.”

She took a deep breath, as if she had made a great decision, and continued, "But, little brother, I'm sorry. This news you've mentioned is no longer important to me. My heart... has already made its choice."

Yang Guangming's heart sank slightly.

“Xingbang and I…we’ve made our decision.” Yang Xiangmei’s tone grew increasingly firm, her eyes gentle yet resolute. “This isn’t a spur-of-the-moment decision, nor is it that I haven’t considered returning to the city. It’s precisely because I’ve thought about it and weighed the options that I understand what I want.”

“Xingbang’s family has been working hard for us. He has returned to the city and become a formal worker. The next step is to find a way for me to come to the city. Although it may be a bit troublesome, may cost a lot of money, and may leave us indebted to others, it is their sincerity.”

“More importantly,” a blush rose on her face, and her eyes softened, “I believe in Xingbang. I believe he can treat me well, and I believe we can make a good life together. The Northeast is far away, and our lifestyles are different, but he is here, and we have our planned future. No matter how good Shanghai is, without him, it's not complete for me…”

She looked at Yang Guangming with pleading in her eyes: "Little brother, do you understand? It's not that I don't believe your news, nor that I don't long to return to the city."

But I can't... I can't betray someone who has given me their whole heart and whom I care deeply for, just for a potentially better future. That would be unfair to him, and to myself... it would be a betrayal.

Yang Guangming listened quietly without interrupting.

Looking at the expression on his second sister's face, a look of unwavering devotion and determination for love, he understood.

My second sister truly fell in love with that young man from Northeast China named Luo Xingbang. This feeling, after being tempered by time and hardship, had become more important to her than the seemingly brighter prospect of returning to the city.

All the persuasive words he had prepared seemed pale and powerless at this moment.

Ultimately, you have to walk your own path in life.

Ultimately, the choice is one you have to make yourself.

As a family member, all he could do was to clearly lay out all the pros and cons in front of his second sister, but the final decision had to be left to her.

He sighed softly, the heaviness in his heart did not lessen, but the anxiety of trying to dissuade him subsided.

He respected his second sister's choice, even though he didn't see it as the best solution.

"Second sister," his tone softened, "I understand. This is your own life, you have to make your own choices, and we respect that."

Upon hearing her brother's words, Yang Xiangmei finally let her tears fall.

Those were tears of relief, and tears of gratitude. What she feared most was her family's lack of understanding and support.

"Thank you... thank you, Mingming," she said, her voice choked with emotion.

"but."

Yang Guangming changed the subject, his expression still serious, "Since you've made your decision, as your family member, there are some things I must oversee for you. You need to tell me the specifics of your current situation with Luo Xingbang, in detail."

"How far have you gotten to? Has he completed the paperwork for returning to the city? Which factory? What will he be doing? What are the Luo family's plans regarding your return to the city? What specific connections do they have? What are the chances of success? I need to know all of these things."

His tone left no room for doubt, carrying the prudence and responsibility expected of a member of the bride's family.

Yang Xiangmei wiped away her tears and nodded: "It's my duty. I'll tell you everything."

She gathered her thoughts and began to speak: "Xingbang... has completed all the procedures for returning to the city. He is now working at a timber processing plant in the county as a formal apprentice. Although the salary is not high at the beginning, at least he has a job."

"Regarding my return to the city..." she hesitated slightly, "His parents are indeed trying to find someone to help them. It seems they've found one of his father's former superiors who can still speak on his behalf. I didn't ask about the specifics of how it works, but Xingbang told me not to worry, that it will definitely be done, it just might cost some money and we'll have to wait for an opportunity."

Yang Guangming frowned slightly. "Second sister, it's not that I don't believe him. But saying 'it can definitely be done' is too vague. Spending money and waiting for an opportunity? How much money? What opportunity? When will the opportunity come? These all need to be stated more clearly. Marrying someone far away is no small matter; the bride's family must be confident."

His doubts were reasonable. Yang Xiangmei also realized that she seemed to have relied too much on Luo Xingbang's promise and knew very little about the specific details. A hint of embarrassment appeared on her face: "I... I was just too happy to think about it... I always felt that since his family had agreed, they should have a way..."

"It's alright." Yang Guangming softened his tone. "It's not too late to find out now. I originally planned to meet Luo Xingbang and his family when I came here. It's more appropriate for my family to ask and talk about some things."

Yang Guangming stood up and opened the heavy travel bag. "We brought you a lot of things from home."

Yang Guangming first took out the bundle of clothes wrapped in cloth, opened it, and inside was a dark khaki coat and trousers and thick cotton trousers.

"This is a new winter coat that Mom rushed to make for you. She was worried that you would get cold here, so she made it extra thick. Mom said the material might not be very windproof, but it was the best fabric coupons the family could come up with."

Then, he took out a shoebox, opened it, and inside were the pair of wool-lined leather shoes. "These are leather shoes that Dad asked me to buy. They're lined with wool, so they're warm."

Then, he carefully took out the small green tin box and the thick red envelope from the innermost compartment of his bag.

He opened the small tin box, and a Shanghai-brand watch with a silver-white dial and leather strap was immediately revealed to Xiangmei.

"This is a wedding gift from your eldest and second sister-in-laws. The watch was a gift from your second sister-in-law's family, and they each paid half of the cost."

Finally, he placed the thick red envelope in Yang Xiangmei's hand, speaking solemnly: "This is five hundred yuan that your parents prepared for you, saying it's your life savings. Mom tells you to keep it for yourself, buy whatever you need, or keep it for emergencies. Don't deprive yourself."

With each item she took out, Yang Xiangmei's eyes reddened a little more.

When she saw the brand-new watch and the thick wad of cash, she couldn't hold back her tears any longer, and they streamed down her face.

"This...this is too precious...how could you give me so much..." Her voice choked with emotion, her hand holding the red envelope trembling. "My older sister didn't even give me this much back then...how could I..."

"Second Sister." Yang Guangming pressed her hand down, his tone resolute, "Times have changed. Back then, the family was struggling, but now everyone is making money. Mom and Dad said that since you live far away, they might not be able to take care of you in the future, so it's only right that they give you a larger dowry. You must take this money; it's the family's good intention. Your two sisters-in-law are also sincerely giving you this watch; you can't refuse their kindness and good intentions."

He looked at his second sister with warm and firm eyes: "Take it. It's the whole family's wish to give you a grand wedding. Even if you marry far away, our family must have enough strength so that your husband's family won't look down on you."

Yang Xiangmei sobbed uncontrollably, nodding vigorously as she clutched her clothes, shoes, watch, and money tightly to her chest, as if holding the love and concern of her entire family.

Warmth and guilt intertwined in her heart, leaving her speechless.

Yang Guangming inquired in detail about Yang Xiangmei's life at the village school, the specific situation of Luo Xingbang's family, and their future plans.

Yang Xiangmei answered each question one by one, and her mood gradually calmed down. Knowing that her younger brother supported her choice, she felt much more at ease.

Yang Guangming concluded, "After I settle in today, tomorrow you should try to send a message to Luo Xingbang, asking him to ask for leave to return to the village. Tell him I've come and want to meet him and his family to discuss your marriage."

His tone was calm, yet carried an undeniable authority: "Some things must be made clear face to face. I need to make sure you understand your future for your parents and for yourself."

Looking at her younger brother, who was a few years younger than her but seemed exceptionally calm and reliable, Yang Xiangmei felt a surge of dependence and trust. She nodded vigorously, "Okay, I'll ask someone to deliver a message to him in the county first thing tomorrow morning."

Before we knew it, the sun had begun to set in the west. The school bell had long since faded into the wind, and the small village was gradually enveloped in a warm twilight.

Wisps of smoke rose from the chimneys of every household, weaving into a soft veil in the air before being gently dispersed by the evening breeze.

The afterglow of the setting sun bathed this black earth, gilding everything in the village with a warm golden edge.

This small village nestled in the black soil of Northeast China was immersed in the tranquility of the day's end, a peacefulness that brought a sense of peace. (End of Chapter)