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

The festive atmosphere of the Spring Festival gradually faded, and the alleyway returned to its usual tranquility.

Those once vibrant red paper window decorations, after more than a month of wind and sun exposure, have curled at the edges and faded to a pale pinkish-white, like faded memories, quietly pasted on the mottled wooden lattice.

In the shady corners, one can occasionally glimpse scattered firecracker debris that hasn't been swept away. Dark red scraps of paper are embedded in the cracks between the blue bricks, like punctuation marks left over from the New Year celebrations, reminding people of the noise and jubilation that have just passed.

Time flows like the Huangpu River, seemingly slow, yet never stopping, and silently slips into April 1973.

The plane trees lining both sides of the alley have already sprouted countless tender green buds on their bare branches. The green is so fresh that it seems to drip with water, and it exudes an irrepressible vitality under the sunlight.

The air was filled with the damp scent of earth, mixed with a faint floral fragrance wafting from some courtyard, fresh and sweet, completely dispelling the gloomy and oppressive feeling of winter.

On Monday afternoon at 5:30 p.m., the closing bell at the Hongxing State-owned Cotton Mill suddenly rang, sharp and persistent, breaking the afternoon tranquility of the factory area.

The ringtone acted like a switch, instantly activating every workshop and office building.

Soon, workers poured out of the various entrances like a floodgate opening, their laughter, bicycle bells, and greetings mingling together, creating a vibrant atmosphere.

People's faces showed the weariness of a day's work, but even more so, a sense of relaxation and eagerness to go home.

Yang Guangming calmly tidied up his desk in the finance department, carefully locked the ledgers and reports into the drawer, and then walked out with the bustling crowd.

As he approached the factory gate, near the row of red brick bungalows that served as the security office, he heard a loud, booming voice calling out to him: "Guangming! Wait! Yang Guangming!"

The voice was so familiar that Yang Guangming stopped and turned around.

The window of the security office was open, and Chu Dahu was leaning half his body out of the window, his face beaming with an irrepressible, bright smile, revealing a set of neat white teeth that were particularly eye-catching in the golden afterglow of the setting sun.

He was wearing a faded dark blue security uniform, his hat was on properly, and his eyes under the brim were bright and piercing. The joy in his eyes was like the rising tide, almost overflowing.

"Tiger Head, what's wrong? Is it your shift today?" Yang Guangming walked over and asked through the window. A faint smell of smoke drifted out of the duty room.

"Yes, I'm on the day shift. I'll be able to hand over the shift soon."

Chu Dahu looked around. Although there were people coming and going at the factory gate and no one seemed to be paying much attention to them, he still subconsciously lowered his voice, but the excitement in his tone remained undiminished:
"Are you going back to your dorm tonight? Don't make any other plans, I'll come over for a drink after I get off work! I got some peanuts, let's have a feast!"

Seeing his beaming face and the way he was scratching his head, Yang Guangming immediately guessed what was going on and teased him with a smile, "Oh, what's the good news? Did you find a wallet on the street? Or did you get recognized as an advanced worker?"

"Hehe, this is even better than finding a wallet! It's even more real than being recognized as an advanced worker!" Chu Dahu chuckled. Since he was still on duty and couldn't leave his post, he couldn't boast loudly. He just patted his chest hard, and his solid chest made a dull sound. "Anyway, just wait for me. Go back and cook a couple more dishes! I can't leave here, so it's settled for now!" His eyes were full of expectation and an eagerness to share.

"Okay, then you can focus on your shift. I'll go back and get ready, and wait for you to come over."

Yang Guangming nodded, feeling happy for his brother. Judging from Chu Dahu's demeanor, that "business" had definitely made significant progress, and the result should be quite good.

Back in the dormitory, Yang Guangming took off his somewhat heavy coat, wearing only a gray fleece sweater with the sleeves rolled up.

The coal stove in the corridor was sealed shut. He gently opened the stove door with fire tongs, poked it, and added a new coal briquette. The blue flames quickly leaped up, licking the dark stove chamber happily, and gradually spreading a warm feeling.

He remembered Chu Dahu's instruction to "make two more dishes" and pondered it for a moment.

When two people are drinking, the dishes don't need to be numerous, but they should be substantial and go well with the drinks.

With a slight thought, he immersed his consciousness in the "refrigerator space" in his mind and examined it.

The supplies inside were still plentiful, neatly categorized and organized.

He pondered, his mind sweeping over various ingredients, and finally selected a braised, glossy pork knuckle, and took out a box of brownish-red, springy vegetarian chicken.

Both of these are ready-made cold dishes that can be heated up. I also have a lettuce that I bought from the market this morning; it's bright green and tender, perfect for stir-frying to cut through the richness.

With these three dishes—one meat, one vegetable, and one bean product—the combination is reasonable. Add to that the peanuts that Chu Dahu brought, and it's enough for two people to drink. It's both plentiful and not too ostentatious, which is in line with his usual cautious style.

He took the heavy, trembling pork knuckle out of his storage space, placed it on the cutting board, and tore it into appropriately sized pieces by hand. The rich aroma of the braised meat immediately wafted out.

The vegetarian chicken is cut into evenly thick slices and neatly arranged on a plate.

Next, he peeled the outer skin of the lettuce, revealing the jade-green flesh, sliced ​​it thinly, and chopped some garlic for later use.

Everything is ready, just waiting for Chu Dahu to arrive. All that's needed is to stir-fry the lettuce in the pan, and it'll be crisp and delicious.

Around seven o'clock, familiar and powerful footsteps came from outside the door, thump thump thump, with a brisk rhythm, carrying Chu Dahu's unique boldness, and were particularly clear in the corridor.

Then came a series of loud knocks on the door, followed by Chu Dahu's booming voice: "Guangming, it's me! Dahu! Open the door!"

Sunshine opened the door.

Chu Dahu's tall figure almost blocked the entire entrance. He had changed out of his security uniform and was wearing a worn blue work jacket with the collar open. His face was flushed from running, and there were fine beads of sweat on his forehead. He had obviously rushed over as soon as his shift ended.

Sure enough, he was carrying a small bag wrapped in old newspapers, which looked like peanuts, and in his other hand he was carrying a net bag containing two brown beer bottles.

"Come in quickly, it's windy outside." Yang Guangming stepped aside to let him into the house, and a cool night breeze wafted in.

"It smells so good! I could smell it even through the door! Is it braised pork knuckle?" Chu Dahu sniffed hard as soon as he entered the room, his eyes shining.

"Your nose is pretty sharp, it's just a pork knuckle. Go wash your hands first, these lettuce slices will be ready in a pan after a quick stir-fry." Yang Guangming greeted him with a smile, taking the beer bottle from his hand. It was icy cold to the touch, so it seemed to be freshly bought.

Chu Dahu walked familiarly to the washbasin stand in the corner, picked up the enamel washbasin, scooped a spoonful of cold water from the bucket, washed his hands with a splash, wiped them haphazardly with the towel draped over the stand, and then eagerly sat down at the small square table, watching with longing eyes.

Yang Guangming deftly lifted the wok, scooped a small spoonful of peanut oil to coat the wok, and once the oil was hot, added minced garlic to sauté until fragrant. With a sizzle, the aroma of garlic filled the air. He then added the sliced ​​lettuce and stir-fried it quickly. The green lettuce became even brighter in color under the heat of the oil.

Then, a little salt was added, and a few drops of sesame oil were drizzled on top. A plate of crisp, refreshing, and tempting green stir-fried lettuce was ready.

He placed three dishes—a glistening braised pork knuckle, a richly flavored vegetarian chicken, and a vibrant stir-fried lettuce—on the old square table. He also took out two clean white porcelain wine glasses, opened the beer that Chu Dahu had brought, and placed a bottle of Luzhou Laojiao that he had prepared on the table.

The cozy little house was instantly filled with the aromas of wine, meat, and vegetables, mixed with the warm scent of a coal stove, creating a cozy and pleasant atmosphere.

"Come on, Tiger Head, you've been busy all day, have a drink to relax!" Yang Guangming poured the two of them some baijiu (Chinese liquor). The clear liquid swirled slightly in the glass as he picked it up.

"Let's have a drink!" Chu Dahu raised his glass with a hearty laugh, lightly clinking it against Yang Guangming's, making a crisp sound. Then, he tilted his head back and slurped down most of the strong liquor. He exhaled a satisfied breath of alcohol, smacked his lips, and said, "Ah—so refreshing! After a long day, I've been looking forward to this! Drinking with you is so much more enjoyable and relaxing!"

Yang Guangming also took a sip, and a warm current flowed from his throat to his stomach, making him feel warm and comfortable.

He picked up his chopsticks and pointed to the dishes on the table: "Don't just drink alcohol, an empty stomach is bad for your stomach. Eat some food, try this braised pork knuckle, see if it's cooked to perfection."

Chu Dahu had been waiting for these words. He immediately reached for his chopsticks, picked up a large, trembling piece of pork knuckle meat, marbled with fat and lean, still attached to its dark brown skin, stuffed it into his mouth, closed his eyes, chewed carefully a few times, and a look of extreme enjoyment appeared on his face. He nodded repeatedly and said indistinctly:
"Mmm! It's so tender! It melts in your mouth! It's so flavorful! It's fragrant but not greasy! It's delicious!" As she spoke, she picked up another piece of vegetarian chicken with her chopsticks and praised it highly as well.

As they ate and drank, they chatted about factory gossip, the funny story of the security department catching a thief stealing scrap, and the everyday squabbles of which couple in the alley was arguing and whose child was sent to the countryside.

After a few drinks, Chu Dahu's face flushed, and he became more talkative, with a smile always on his lips. The smile was genuine joy, and even his eyes and brows were filled with happiness.

Seeing his barely concealed and unwillingly joyful expression, Yang Guangming knew the time was right. He put down his chopsticks, picked up the wine bottle, filled his glass, and then poured one for himself. He then asked directly:

"Tiger Head, I've seen you grinning from ear to ear since this afternoon at the factory gate. You're as happy as a Buddha. What great news is it? Tell me quickly, don't keep me in suspense. I'm afraid you'll do something terrible by holding it in."

Chu Dahu chuckled, picked up a few peanuts with his chopsticks, popped them into his mouth, and crunched them loudly. Then he looked at Yang Guangming, his eyes sparkling, and though he lowered his voice, he couldn't hide his excitement:

"Guangming, you're absolutely right. It's not a huge deal, but for us guys, it's pretty much a significant sum of money!"

He leaned forward, his voice even lower, even though they were the only two people in the room and the windows were closed:

“Yesterday was Sunday, so I was off. I mentioned it to you before, a senior worker at the factory introduced me to someone. He works at the district grain bureau and is a section-level cadre named Liu Jianmin. He’s not very old, looks to be in his early thirties. He’s quite steady and polite.”

Yang Guangming listened quietly, his fingers gently stroking the rim of his wine glass.

He knew that after these transactions, Chu Dahu had become quite experienced in handling such matters and was becoming more and more cautious in selecting trading partners. For him to be so excited, the other party must not only be reliable but also offer a satisfactory price.

"Originally, we just wanted to get to know each other and exchange contact information, saying we'd keep in touch more often in the future."

Unexpectedly, this morning, while I was on patrol, he actually had someone call our security department, saying that his father-in-law had suddenly fallen seriously ill and urgently needed rhinoceros horn as a medicine to save his life, and asking how much of it we had in stock.

Chu Dahu's tone grew increasingly excited, and his speech quickened. "I thought to myself, we only have a little over eleven grams left, right? After that old Chinese medicine doctor bought some last time, this is all we have left. So I told him the truth, a little over eleven grams. Guess what?"

"He wants them all?" Yang Guangming asked, already pretty sure of the answer.

It is indeed uncommon to purchase more than ten grams of top-grade rhinoceros horn slices at once, unless it is in a particularly critical situation, such as a life-saving emergency, or the other party is indeed wealthy and knows the value of this item, and intends to buy more for future use.

"Yes! We'll take it all! Not a single bit left!"

Chu Dahu slapped his thigh hard, his voice rising a few decibels, then he lowered it warily, "And the price was offered very readily!"
I figured that given his status and how urgently he needed it, it was a safe bet. Giving him the item wouldn't cause any problems. This was probably the last bit of rhinoceros horn we had, and we didn't know when we'd have any more. So, I gritted my teeth and tried quoting a price: 150 yuan per gram!
I thought to myself that this price was not low. If he bargained down to 145 or even 140, I could accept it.

And guess what? He didn't even hesitate on the phone, he just agreed right away! He said as long as the goods were genuine, price wasn't a problem!

Chu Dahu picked up his wine glass and took another big gulp, as if trying to suppress his excitement and disbelief with the spicy liquid:

"I weighed that last bit carefully; it was 11.24 grams. Let's say it's 150 yuan per gram. You do the math, how much is that? 1,686 yuan! I rounded it down, so the actual amount I received was 1,680 yuan! A full 1,680 yuan!"

In an era when the monthly salary of an ordinary second-level worker was only thirty or forty yuan, this amount was undoubtedly a huge sum of money!

That's equivalent to three or four years' wages for an average worker. No wonder Chu Dahu was so excited; it was practically a windfall.

"Was the transaction smooth? Where did it take place? Did anything go wrong?" Although Yang Guangming was also happy, he always put safety first and immediately asked for details.

"Successful! Extremely successful!"

Chu Dahu nodded repeatedly, his face glowing even brighter. "It's at his house. I took a day off this afternoon to go out. Liu Jianmin seems really anxious; he found someone knowledgeable to examine it early on."

After inspecting the goods, checking their color and smelling them, and confirming that they were top-quality items with no problems, he immediately took out the money from his briefcase.

They were all brand new ten-yuan notes, bundled tightly together in a thick stack, which looked quite impressive.

As you always told me, I didn't dare bring the money back directly. After counting it and confirming it was correct, I immediately went to a nearby savings bank and deposited it.

As he spoke, Chu Dahu put down his wine glass, his expression becoming serious. He carefully took out a neatly folded piece of paper from the inside pocket of his shirt and handed it to Yang Guangming as if it were a precious treasure.

Yang Guangming took it, and could still feel a trace of Chu Dahu's body temperature when he touched it.

He gently opened it; it was a Bank of China fixed-term savings deposit slip. The depositor's name was written as "Shen Ming," a simple and ordinary pseudonym. The deposit amount was clearly written in large characters in blue ink: One Thousand Five Hundred and Eighteen Yuan Only. Next to it was the lowercase number: 1518.00.

One thousand five hundred and eighteen yuan!
After deducting the agreed-upon commission of 168 yuan that Chu Dahu was entitled to, what remained was the entire payment for the goods in this transaction.

"Good, as long as it goes smoothly." Yang Guangming carefully examined the deposit slip, and after confirming that everything was correct, he felt relieved.

Yang Guangming carefully folded the deposit slip, put it in the inside pocket of his clothes, and put it away safely. This thin piece of paper carried enormous value and marked the successful completion of their first phase of "adventure".

At this point, the first batch of thirty grams of top-grade rhinoceros horn slices that he delivered to Chu Dahu had all been sold out.

Looking back on the trading process over the past three months, from the initial cautious exploration to the gradual mastery, the average selling price has reached 140 yuan per gram, and the total sales amount has reached 4,200 yuan!
Chu Dahu personally received a commission of 420 yuan.

In addition, about ten kilograms of high-quality dried sea cucumbers were sold. Although the unit price was not as amazing as that of rhinoceros horn slices, the total amount was considerable, and the income was more than 1,500 yuan. Chu Dahu also received a commission of 150 yuan.

Combined, in just two or three months, Chu Dahu's extra income reached an astonishing 570 yuan!

It far exceeded his monthly apprentice salary of seventeen yuan and eighty cents, and even more than the annual income of many master craftsmen.

Yang Guangming's hidden income reached 5,100 yuan!

This enormous income is astronomical in this era!

All of this is thanks to the magical "refrigerator space" that provides scarce resources far exceeding those available through normal channels in this era, as well as the huge demand for high-end tonics and rare medicinal materials in the massive Shanghai market and the long-standing situation of having prices but no market.

Of course, it also owes much to Chu Dahu's boldness and meticulousness, his gradually expanding network of contacts, and the solid trust between the two.

Yang Guangming was naturally happy and excited to have achieved such great results.

This money, like a heavy seed, has accumulated extremely valuable start-up capital for him to improve his family life, prepare for a grand wedding, and even for long-term development.

This means that he has more confidence and more options when facing many opportunities and challenges that may arise in the future.

Despite his joy, he maintained a calmness and prudence beyond his years.

In this era, the situation is complex, the boundaries between public and private are clear, and one must be mindful of propriety and keep a low profile in all matters.

Although the trade in rhinoceros horn slices and high-end sea cucumbers exists in a relatively ambiguous and safe gray area due to their special nature and the relatively high-end nature of the traded objects, it is ultimately walking on the edge of the rules.

Frequent transactions and excessively large transactions can easily attract unnecessary attention.

In his view, with this extra income of more than 500 yuan, Chu Dahu's family's financial difficulties have been greatly, even fundamentally, alleviated.

With his mother's medicine money secured, Chu Dahu's younger siblings' living and educational expenses would be much more manageable, and they might even have some savings to prepare for unforeseen circumstances. It was time to pause, observe the situation, and allow Chu Dahu, who had just experienced a windfall, to calm down, regain his composure, and avoid being blinded by huge profits and developing reckless ideas.

Since the source is controlled by Yang Guangming, the rhythm must also be controlled by Yang Guangming.

Greed is often the greatest risk!

Yang Guangming picked up the wine bottle and refilled Chu Dahu's and his own glasses. He said in a calm and steady tone, "Tiger Head, you did a really good job this time. Clean and efficient. With this money in hand, you can rest assured about your aunt and uncle. Use the good medicine when needed, don't be stingy."

"Yes! Guangming, my heart... is truly..."

Chu Dahu nodded heavily, his excitement subsiding slightly, replaced by heartfelt, almost choked gratitude. "If it weren't for you pulling me out of this mess, I'd still be haggling with my team leader over a few dollars of overtime pay, or thinking about how to work from dawn till dusk to sell eggs and pork to supplement my family's income."

Who would have thought this day would come!

That day, my mom held my hand and said, "Thanks to you, our family finally has hope for the future. I must remember your kindness and thank you properly."

He spoke emotionally, his eyes even reddening, and he quickly picked up his wine glass and took a sip to cover it up.

“Between brothers, there’s no need for such formalities. We’re helping each other out.” Yang Guangming waved his hand, interrupting him. After a moment of contemplation, he changed the subject and his tone became serious. “However, Tiger Head, there’s something I need to discuss with you and share my thoughts.”

"Go on, I'm listening." Seeing Yang Guangming's serious expression, Chu Dahu immediately put down his wine glass, sat up straight, and pretended to listen attentively. He had an almost instinctive trust in Yang Guangming's judgment and decisions.

"Our first batch of goods, rhinoceros horn and sea cucumber, has now been successfully sold. The results have been much better than we initially expected."

Yang Guangming said slowly, looking calmly at Chu Dahu, "However, as you know, rhinoceros horn is extremely rare and hard to come by."

Those sea cucumbers were of a special quality, the kind you can't find anywhere else.

As I mentioned before, the 'friend' who contacted me said last time that this batch of goods was inventory he had accumulated over many years by chance, and it would be gone once it was cleared out.

"I don't know when I'll be able to gather this much, this good stuff again, or maybe I'll never be able to again."

He looked into Chu Dahu's eyes and continued clearly and slowly, "So, what I mean is, let's put this 'business' on hold for now."

You should also take this opportunity to fully refocus your attention on your work at the factory, perform well, and solidify your achievements.

Money can never be fully earned; job stability is the most important thing.

If another opportunity arises in the future, or if there's a new, reliable approach, we'll see how things go. What do you think?

Upon hearing this, Chu Dahu's smile faded, his brows furrowed slightly, and a clear sense of regret and reluctance flashed in his eyes.

In the past few months, thanks to this "side hustle," he not only earned money he never dared to dream of before, greatly improving his family's dire situation, but also experienced the immense sense of accomplishment and satisfaction of opening up new opportunities and reaping substantial rewards through his own abilities and courage.

That feeling is completely different from the routine of receiving wages in a factory.

Having to stop all of a sudden feels like a horse-drawn carriage being pulled back from its gallop; it leaves you feeling empty and truly reluctant to let go.

But he was not a reckless person after all. Yang Guangming's words were like a basin of warm water, slowly extinguishing the restlessness in his heart.

Upon careful consideration, he realized that while the money came quickly and rapidly, there were indeed potential risks involved.

Yang Guangming had always considered things more thoroughly and with a longer-term perspective than him. Most importantly, the supply of goods was in Yang Guangming's hands; if he said it was gone, it really was gone. If he were to try to find more supplies elsewhere, he might only cause trouble.

"Yes, I'll listen to you, Guangming."

Chu Dahu hesitated for only a brief moment before nodding emphatically, his eyes regaining their clarity. "We should be more cautious. To be honest, sometimes I have my doubts about taking this money."

Now that I have some savings, I'm not worried anymore, and I can finally let my parents enjoy a few more days of peace.

"It's a good opportunity to take a break. The security department has been quite busy lately, and it seems Section Chief Wang intends to have me take more responsibility for the night patrol arrangements. This shows he trusts me, so I need to do my job well and not get distracted."

He paused, then added, "Besides, this money should be enough for me to live on for a while."

Seeing that Chu Dahu could understand so quickly and was reasonable, Yang Guangming felt relieved and a relaxed smile appeared on his face: "I am completely relieved that you can think this way."

Work is fundamental. The security department has a promising future. If you work hard, you'll have the opportunity to become a manager or get promoted in the future, which is better than anything else.

Consider this money as laying a solid foundation for the family. Continue with your usual lifestyle and don't flaunt your wealth.

With a major concern settled, Chu Dahu visibly relaxed completely, feeling only pure joy at his achievement and the pleasure of sharing it with his brothers.

He took a sip of wine with relish, picked up a fried peanut, threw it into his mouth, and chewed it with a crunchy sound.

"Oh, right, Guangming." Chu Dahu remembered something else and put down his chopsticks. "I ran into Wei Xiaomao on my way home from get off work a couple of days ago."

"Oh? How is he? Still messing around with his odds and ends?" Yang Guangming asked casually.

Since Chu Dahu started dealing in "big stuff" like rhinoceros horn and sea cucumber, he has basically cut off contact with Wei Xiaomao's small-scale, sporadic dealings. However, since the two were elementary school classmates, they would occasionally chat when they bumped into each other on the street, but it was mostly a personal relationship.

"Yeah, same as always, but it feels like the approach is a bit more unconventional now."

Chu Dahu lowered his voice, speaking with a hint of teasing, "Now he's not only dealing in eggs and pork, but also all sorts of ration coupons."

He seemed to be able to get his hands on cloth coupons, grain coupons, industrial coupons, and even rare items like sewing machine tickets and bicycle coupons, as long as you paid him or exchanged them for something of equal value.

This kid's connections are getting more and more diverse.

Yang Guangming's heart stirred. His marriage to Lin Jianyue was progressing steadily, with both sets of parents already giving their tacit approval; all that remained was to choose an auspicious day to officially set the date.

He had already begun to plan in his mind what he would need for the wedding. The yarn could be used to knit a warm and beautiful sweater for Lin Jianyue, the better woolen fabric could be used to make a decent coat or overcoat, and the Moutai liquor was intended to be used to make a grand entrance at the wedding banquet, or it could be kept as a keepsake.

These tickets are in high demand, and his limited quota is simply not enough; they are also very difficult to obtain through normal channels.

Now that he has money, he naturally doesn't want to make things difficult for himself and Lin Jianyue if money can solve the problem.

While Wei Xiaomao's pure, cash-on-delivery "black market" channel carries some risks, it is sometimes more direct and convenient than owing large favors or begging for help from all sides, as long as one operates with caution.

Chu Dahu seemed to have noticed Yang Guangming's interest and continued, "Wei Xiaomao specifically told me that he just got a batch of new tickets, and the source is quite reliable. Among them are the woolen tickets, woolen cloth tickets, cloth tickets, and also... special tickets for Moutai liquor that are supplied internally."

He asked me if I needed it, and I didn't immediately refuse.

Yang Guangming hesitated for a moment. Yarn, wool, fine fabrics, and Moutai liquor—these were exactly what he needed now or in the near future.

We might be able to get some through Tang Jianhong or Section Chief Lang, but the channels are limited, and it's hard to repay favors if we do it too often. Besides, we might not be able to gather the required types and quantities all at once.

"Okay, I understand." Yang Guangming nodded. "When you have time later, find an opportunity to meet with him, find out what kind of tickets he has, how many there are, and at what prices. If it's suitable, exchange some. But as always, be careful. You handle the contact with him, I won't get involved too much. Find a safe place, settle the money and goods clearly, and leave no loose ends."

"Understood! I'm good at this! Don't worry!" Chu Dahu patted his chest and assured him confidently, "That kid Wei Xiaomao is cunning, but he's not very bold, and he only cares about money. I know how to handle things with him, and I'll definitely handle it properly without giving anyone any leverage."

Having gained experience from these major transactions, Chu Dahu has clearly become more adept at handling such matters.

The two chatted for a while longer, and the wine bottle was gradually emptied, while the dishes on the table were almost finished.

Only scraps of meat and bones remained of the braised pork knuckle, a few pieces of vegetarian chicken were left, but the plate of stir-fried lettuce was completely devoured.

After Chu Dahu's initial excitement subsided, the effects of the alcohol took hold, and he became even more talkative. He talked about rumors circulating among the factory leaders, his younger brother's improved academic performance, the hardships they endured during their time working in the countryside a few years ago, and the significant changes in their family's life now.

He spoke emotionally about how, with the attention of Leader He, his mother was given a new, highly effective medication. Initially, the family thought the price was a bit high, but now that he had earned money, he could afford it completely, and it was no longer a big deal.

After using the new special medicine, Chu Dahu's mother's cough lessened, she was able to sleep soundly at night, and her complexion became much rosier.

When Chu Dahu talked about his younger siblings, he noticed a rare, cheerful smile on his face because they often brought him back delicious candies, snacks, or a beautiful piece of fabric.

She also mentioned that for the first time in her life, she had her own savings account at a savings bank. This sense of security, having money in her pocket and not feeling anxious, was a feeling she had never experienced before.

Yang Guangming mostly listened with a smile, occasionally interjecting a few words or pouring him a drink.

He could clearly feel Chu Dahu's heartfelt joy and his satisfaction and anticipation for the future, which made him feel sincerely gratified.

Helping his good friend out of his predicament and into a more hopeful life gave him a sense of accomplishment that, in some ways, was more fulfilling than the large sum of money itself.

It wasn't until the old-fashioned wall clock struck ten that Chu Dahu let out a reluctant burp, rubbed his slightly red eyes, and stood up: "Alright, Guangming, it's getting late, we really have to go back. If we go back any later, my parents will start to worry."

"Drive carefully, it's dark in the alley, watch your step." Yang Guangming also stood up, saw him to the door, and picked up the flashlight from the windowsill. "Take this to light your way."

"No need, no need. I could find my way back with my eyes closed. Besides, the moon is quite bright tonight." Chu Dahu waved his hand, but still accepted the flashlight at Yang Guangming's insistence. "Then I'm off. See you at the factory tomorrow."

"Okay, see you at the factory."

Chu Dahu's tall figure blended into the dim lights and deeper darkness outside the dormitory building, his footsteps thumping away into the distance, slightly unsteady yet still carrying a light and cheerful air.

Yang Guangming closed the door, bolted it, went back inside, and began to tidy up the mess of cups and plates.

Thinking about the good news Chu Dahu brought today, the savings certificate of more than 1,500 yuan in his pocket, and the steadily progressing marriage with Lin Jianyue, he was filled with expectations and plans for the future. At the same time, he became even more determined to proceed cautiously and step by step.

This funding gave him confidence, but it must not become a burden or a source of risk.

As the fire gradually died down, he carefully crushed the coal lumps in the center of the furnace with coal tongs, spread them out, and then covered them with a heavy iron lid, leaving only a small vent so that the fire could stay burning all night.

Then place the aluminum kettle filled with cold water on top, so you'll have warm water to use tomorrow morning.

The bright moon hangs high outside the window, its cool light shining through the glass onto the concrete floor like a thin layer of frost, creating a serene atmosphere.

This spring night was warm, fulfilling, and seemed exceptionally beautiful.

……

In the days that followed, everything seemed to return to its original course, proceeding smoothly and without any major disturbances.

This tranquility is like a fluffy cotton quilt drying in the autumn sun, enveloping you in warmth and making you feel at ease.

Chu Dahu followed Yang Guangming's advice and completely suppressed his adventurous spirit, throwing himself wholeheartedly into the work of the security department.

He is a righteous and generous person, willing to endure hardship and work hard, and has inexhaustible strength. He is the most diligent when patrolling and the most upright when standing guard. If a colleague has an emergency and needs to cover for him, he always agrees without hesitation.

Over time, everyone in the department, from the veteran workers to the young lads, spoke highly of him.

Section Chief Wang Weidong and Team Leader Zhou Dayong noticed this and their regard for him gradually increased.

He was also entrusted with important night patrol routes or guard duties at key warehouse locations.

In the dead of night, Chu Dahu walked through the empty factory area with a long-handled flashlight in hand. Only the sound of his footsteps and the distant roar of machines accompanied him. The heavy sense of responsibility made him feel more at ease than those "businesses" he had done in the past when he was always on edge.

His life was completely simplified to a simple routine between the factory and home, yet fulfilling.

Occasionally, when they bumped into Yang Guangming in the factory area, the two would either stand outside the workshop smoking a cigarette and briefly exchange a few words about the recent security situation in the factory, or they would meet up to go to the canteen together and discuss the potatoes and cabbages, rarely mentioning those sensitive "business" topics again.

His smile remained as bright as ever, but a careful observer could see that it had lost some of its impetuousness and gained more of the steadiness and composure that came from hard work and responsibility.

In these peaceful years, the relationship between Yang Guangming and Lin Jianyue, like a stream flowing into a deep pool, became increasingly calm and stable.

The two met frequently, but in a simple manner.

Sometimes after get off work, we would push our bicycles and stroll slowly along the alleys covered with fallen locust blossoms, talking about interesting things that happened at the factory or our hopes for the future.
Sometimes on weekends, they would squeeze into a crowded movie theater to watch a film like "Tunnel Warfare" or "The Red Detachment of Women," and as the lights and shadows on the screen changed, their hands would quietly clasp together.

Most of the time, he would stay in Lin Jianyue's tidy and cozy little house.

One was quietly reading the newspaper, while the other was knitting sweaters and scarves with knitting needles in her heart.

The ball of yarn bounced on Lin Jianyue's lap, and time was so quiet that they could hear each other's steady breathing.

Using the tickets and coupons that Chu Dahu gradually obtained from Wei Xiaomao, Yang Guangming began to quietly and systematically build his and Lin Jianyue's future home.

It's like a sweet and secretive game.

Today, he used a few industrial coupons and cloth coupons to exchange for a ball of fine navy blue yarn, imagining it turning into a warm and smart sweater for Lin Jianyue.
Tomorrow, he managed to get another piece of thick, dark gray woolen fabric, planning to make a trench coat for Lin Jianyue, perfect for her wedding.

What pleased him most was that in less than half a month, thanks to the convenience of exchanging tickets with Wei Xiaomao, he managed to purchase more than a dozen bottles of Moutai liquor.

We definitely won't need that many for a wedding, but they're nice to keep as collectibles.

Each small addition is like a squirrel carefully hiding a nut for the winter. Although the items are few, each one embodies his specific imagination and expectations for the future.

The concept of "home" gradually became clearer and more tangible through this accumulation of small moments. (End of Chapter)