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

The next morning, Yang Guangming's Cathay Pacific flight landed smoothly at Shanghai Hongqiao Airport.

Outside the porthole, Shanghai at the end of April was bathed in the warm spring sunshine, a stark contrast to the bleak winter when he left.

The air was filled with the fresh scent of thriving plants and the gentle, warm, and slightly damp feeling unique to Jiangnan. This was completely different from the sense of alienation that Hong Kong Island felt, with its sea breeze carrying the scent of urban prosperity. It instantly awakened the deepest sense of belonging in his heart.

He carried two heavy suitcases and walked out of the airport terminal with the not-so-crowded flow of people.

Four months away from home isn't a long time, but the longing for home and this land in my heart is like fine wine, growing stronger with age.

The taxi queues outside the airport were not long, a stark contrast to the bustling scenes of later times.

What comes into view are several brightly colored cars—mainly Shanghai-branded cars with white upper and blue lower parts, occasionally interspersed with one or two larger and more robust-looking Warsaw-branded cars.

These cars formed the most luxurious transportation landscape on the streets of Shanghai in the late 1970s.

Soon, it was his turn.

The driver was a middle-aged man in his forties with dark skin, wearing a blue khaki work uniform that was common at the time, with some wear on the cuffs.

He deftly helped Yang Guangming stuff the two suitcases into the spacious trunk, muttering, "Comrade, quite a lot of stuff, are you coming back from abroad?"

His tone carried a hint of curiosity, but also a touch of worldly-wise nonchalance. In this day and age, being able to take a taxi directly from the airport is always somewhat unusual.

Yang Guangming smiled and nodded, then got into the carriage.

"Driver, go to XX Lane on XX Road." Yang Guangming gave the address in fluent local dialect.

"Okay, XX Road." The driver deftly shifted gears, the car gave a slight jolt, and smoothly drove away from the airport.

He glanced at Yang Guangming again through the rearview mirror. "Judging from your accent, you're a local. Did you just come back from Hong Kong Island?"

There was only one flight arriving at Hong Kong Island just now, so the driver made that guess.

“Yes, I was studying in the United States before, and I came back via Hong Kong Island,” Yang Guangming replied.

He rolled down the car window—the kind of manual window that requires a strong crank—and the warm, moist spring breeze immediately rushed in, ruffling his hair.

"Oh my, a student studying abroad! That's amazing!" The driver's tone immediately became more respectful and enthusiastic. "Then you are a talent of the nation! Coming back to contribute to the Four Modernizations, that's wonderful!"

In this era, those who can be sent abroad on government scholarships are seen by ordinary people as "the chosen ones of heaven".

The wheels rolled, carrying him toward the alleyway he had always longed for.

The street scene outside the window rushed past, and among the familiar neighborhood shops, there were some new signs and freshly painted walls, silently telling the story of the slow but continuous changes taking place in this city.

Although pedestrians' clothing is still mainly blue and gray, the occasional bright color or the swaying of a young girl's dress shows the changes brought about by the arrival of the new era.

The driver was clearly a talkative person, chatting with Yang Guangming while keeping a steady grip on the steering wheel.
"There have been some changes in Shanghai these past few months. Look over there, they've started digging foundations; I heard they're building a new hotel for foreigners. Also, there are more stalls selling things on the streets now, and the farmers' markets are bustling again..."

Yang Guangming listened quietly, his eyes greedily taking in the street scene.

He is not only a wanderer returning home, but also a witness to and participant in this era of change.

As he passed the Bund, he saw that the collection of international architecture still stood silently on the banks of the Huangpu River, but the ships coming and going on the river seemed to be busier.

As the car entered the city, the streets gradually narrowed, and the plane trees on both sides were lush with leaves.

"Comrade, we've arrived. The car can't go any further into the alley." The driver brought the car to a smooth stop at a familiar alley entrance.

Yang Guangming peeked out and nodded: "Yes, this is it, thank you, sir."

He reached for his wallet and asked, "How much is the fare?"

The driver said, "Eight yuan and fifty cents, I definitely didn't overcharge you. It's all money that I have to hand over. I'll give you a receipt."

This price was not cheap at the time. Such an expensive taxi fare was clearly unaffordable for ordinary people.

Yang Guangming took out ten yuan from his wallet and handed it over.

The driver took the money, gave him 1.5 yuan in change, and tore off a few internally printed fixed-amount invoices stamped with a red seal, handing them to him: "Here are the invoices, comrade. Do you need help with your luggage?"

"No need, no need, I can manage on my own, thank you, Master."

He got out of the car, and the driver waved to him in a friendly manner before turning the car around. The white and blue Shanghai-brand sedan quickly disappeared around the corner of the alley.

With his suitcase in hand, Yang Ming took a deep breath and stepped onto the long-unseen cobblestone path.

A few sparrows chirped on the telephone pole, and the strains of Shanghai opera singing from someone's radio, mixed with the faint cries of vendors in the distance, reached Yang Guangming's ears.

This familiar surroundings, compared to the taxi journey that had just taken on a slightly "modern" feel, seemed like a connection between two worlds.

He finally returned to his home, a place steeped in the warmth of time, from the rapidly developing outside world, via that old-fashioned Shanghai-brand sedan.

He walked to the familiar black lacquered wooden door, which was ajar, leaving a crack as if waiting for someone to return at any moment.

He took a deep breath, suppressed his excitement, and gently pushed open the wooden door, making a long, soft creak.

In the courtyard, there was a warm scene that he had depicted countless times in his dreams.

Mother Zhang Xiuying and wife Lin Jianyue were sitting on small stools with their backs to the door. In front of them were two large aluminum basins filled with lush green vegetables and tender yellow bamboo shoots covered in damp soil.

The water gurgled as they skillfully washed themselves, chatting quietly about everyday things.

Five-year-old Jing Shu, with two pigtails and wearing a floral dress sewn by Lin Jian Yue, was chasing a colorful ball with her three-year-old brother Zhi Yuan in the small courtyard.

Zhiyuan was a little unsteady on his feet as he ran, letting out carefree giggles. Jingshu, on the other hand, was like a dutiful older sister, turning back to check on her younger brother from time to time, calling out crisply, "Slow down, little brother!"

Jing Shu was the first to be startled by the sound of the door opening.

She stopped and looked curiously at the tall figure standing against the light at the doorway. She blinked her big, dark eyes, looked at him for a few seconds, and then her face lit up with a huge surprise.

She dropped the ball and, like a joyful little deer, ran over with open arms, hugging Yang Guangming's leg tightly. She looked up at him, her voice clear and loud: "Daddy! Daddy's home!"

That call was like pressing the freeze button.

Lin Jianyue's vegetable leaf fell into the basin, splashing a few drops of water.

She turned around in astonishment, and when she saw the face she had longed for day and night, she froze, her lips slightly parted, her eyes filled with disbelief and shock, which was then overwhelmed by a surge of joy and a trace of uncertain bewilderment.

Zhang Xiuying, supporting herself on her knees, stood up with some difficulty, squinted her eyes to examine him carefully, and when she confirmed that it was indeed her youngest son, her voice trembled with disbelief as she blurted out:

"Mingming! My son, why...why did you suddenly come back?"

She subconsciously wiped her hands on her apron, staring intently at her son's face, as if to confirm that this was not an illusion.

As Yang Guangming put down his suitcase, a warm feeling welled up inside him, and a warm, slightly weary smile bloomed on his face.

He strode into the courtyard, first bending down to pick up his daughter Jing Shu steadily, and kissing her soft little face hard. Then he squatted down and used his other arm to pull his son Zhi Yuan, who was running over unsteadily, into his arms as well.

After being separated for four months, the little guy was clearly a bit unfamiliar with his father's sudden appearance. His round eyes held a hint of curiosity and shyness, but he did not resist his father's warm embrace.

"Daddy...Daddy!" Zhiyuan called out in a childish voice, mimicking his sister, and tentatively touched the stubble that had sprouted on Yang Guangming's chin.

"Oh! My good son!"

Yang Guangming felt a pang of sadness and hugged the two children in his arms tighter, feeling the warmth and dependence emanating from their small bodies. The emptiness of being away from home for four months seemed to be instantly filled in that moment.

He looked up at his mother and wife, who were still standing there in a daze, and said in a tone that was both relaxed and apologetic as he returned home: "Mom, Jianyue, I'm back!"

"You...you wrote last time saying you got accepted into a doctoral program? I thought you were going to stay abroad for several years...and it's only been four months..."

Lin Jianyue seemed to find her voice again at this moment. She quickly stepped forward, her gaze lingering greedily on her husband's face, as if trying to find every change that had been left on him in the past four months. Her eyes were filled with tears, a mixture of surprise, concern, and a hint of grievance at suddenly being relieved of a heavy burden.

For the past four months, she has had to take care of two children while also keeping up with her studies. Although she has the help of her family, only she knows how hard it was.

Most importantly, this was the first time she had been separated from her husband for such a long time, and she had been suffering from the torment of missing him.

"Yeah, Mingming, how come you're back so quickly?"

Zhang Xiuying also came over, her eyes instantly reddening. She reached out to touch her son's face, then withdrew her hand, looking him up and down, afraid he had suffered outside. "Did you... encounter any difficulties outside? Tell Mom..."

Yang Guangming stood up, holding the children. Looking at the undisguised worry in his mother's and wife's eyes, he felt both warm and guilty.

He softened his voice and explained with a pre-prepared reason: "Mom, Jianyue, don't worry, nothing really happened, it's a good thing."

More than two weeks ago, my professor at Stanford arranged for me to study in Hong Kong for a period of time.

My exchange and learning program on Hong Kong Island is progressing much faster than expected, and I have completed the phase tasks ahead of schedule.

My advisor and the school were quite satisfied, and since I had some free time, I applied for leave to visit my family, which was approved. I figured it was close to home, so I could go back and see my family.

As they were talking, Yang Yongkang, probably startled by the commotion in the courtyard, came out of the house, still holding a newspaper in his hand, and lifted the curtain.

Following closely behind were the eldest sister, Yang Xianglan, who stayed home to take care of the children and help with housework, and the second sister, Yang Xiangmei, who was tutoring Xiaowen in her studies.

"What's all the noise outside?" Yang Yongkang asked, but his gaze fell on Yang Guangming, who was being entangled by his grandchildren. He was stunned for a moment, and a look of surprise flashed across his serious face, followed by obvious joy.

"Little brother!"

"bright!"

The eldest and second eldest sisters saw the bright sunlight streaming through the doorway and exclaimed in surprise almost simultaneously, their faces filled with delight and delight.

Honghong and Amao cleverly brought out a few small stools from the house, while Xiaowen timidly followed behind her mother, curiously watching her suddenly appearing uncle.

The family sat down together in the bright, slightly crowded courtyard.

The children started playing with the ball again, while the adults' attention was all focused on Yang Guangming.

"Dad, eldest sister, second sister." Yang Guangming greeted everyone with a smile, his gaze sweeping over the familiar faces of his relatives.

My father seemed thinner than he had been four months ago, but he was still in good spirits; my eldest sister had more signs of hard work on her face, but her eyes were gentle; my second sister looked much better than when she had just returned from the Northeast, and her brows showed more of the calmness of an intellectual woman.

All of this made him feel incredibly at ease and secure.

Yang Yongkang, being the head of the family, regained his composure after the initial joy and inquired carefully:
"Guangming, is everything going well for you over there? Have you encountered any trouble?"

Although he believed in his youngest son's abilities, he couldn't help but worry because they were far away in a foreign country and in a capitalist society.

Knowing that his family was both curious and somewhat uneasy about his situation abroad, Yang Guang picked out the positive and relatable points and gave a brief explanation.

He emphasized the smooth progress of his academic research, the appreciation and care of his supervisor, and the openness of the academic environment in Hong Kong. He attributed his return to the mainland entirely to a normal family visit during breaks from academic activities, without mentioning Qiming Capital's operations or the turbulence in the financial market.

His family members didn't quite understand what he was saying, but seeing his calm demeanor, clear speech, and bright eyes, they gradually felt relieved. They were infected by his confidence and composure, and were filled with pride and joy at the reunion.

Everyone started bombarding him with questions about his life in the US and Hong Kong. Was the food to his liking? How was his accommodation? Were foreigners easy to get along with? Was Hong Kong really as bustling as depicted in the movies?

Yang Guangming patiently answered, describing the red tiles and yellow walls of the Stanford campus and the bright sunshine of California. He also shared the urban scene of Hong Kong Island with its towering buildings and bustling traffic, as well as some jokes caused by cultural differences, which drew bursts of laughter and amazement from everyone.

Jing Shu and Zhi Yuan nestled beside him, their little faces tilted up, listening intently. Although they didn't fully understand what their father was saying, his return was their greatest joy.

This joyful atmosphere lasted for nearly half an hour before Yang Guangming remembered the gift he had brought.

He pulled over the larger suitcase and quickly opened it.

"I came back in a hurry this time and didn't bring much. I brought some small gifts for everyone as a little compensation for my four months away from home." He spoke gently with a smile.

He first took out the toys for the children.

Jing Shu received an exquisitely packaged blonde doll wearing a delicate tutu and blinking; Zhi Yuan received a large box of brightly colored imported building blocks that could be assembled into various shapes; Hong Hong and Amao received calculator watches with novel functions and electronic games; and Xiao Wen received a finely crafted music box that features a ballet dancer spinning and playing music when the lid is opened.

The children were immediately drawn to these gifts, which they had never seen before and seemed to come from another world. They cheered and gathered around, their little faces beaming with incredible excitement and curiosity.

Jing Shu hugged her doll tightly, Zhi Yuan had already started trying to open the building block box, Hong Hong and Amao were showing off their watches to each other, and Xiao Wen was carefully watching the little figures spinning in the music box, her eyes shining.

Seeing the children's happy faces, the adults also showed smiles of satisfaction.

Next, Yang Guangming took out gifts for the women.

He handed each of his mother Zhang Xiuying, his eldest sister Yang Xianglan, his second sister Yang Xiangmei, and his wife Lin Jianyue a bright red velvet box that was soft and delicate to the touch.

"Mom, eldest sister, second sister, Jianyue, this is for you." His gaze swept over everyone, with a hint of barely perceptible compensation in his eyes. These past four months, they had supported the family; they had worked so hard.

The group took the box with a mixture of curiosity and trepidation, opening it as they did so.

In an instant, several golden rays of light shone in the spring sunshine, making the courtyard seem a little brighter.

Inside the box lay a complete and substantial set of gold jewelry!
The collection includes a pair of heavy, solid bangles engraved with traditional dragon and phoenix patterns, a simple yet exquisitely crafted heart-shaped necklace, and a gold ring with a classic and elegant design.

“This…this…” Zhang Xiuying picked up a bracelet, and the heavy feel of it made her hands tremble slightly.

Her voice trembled with disbelief, “This is… real gold? Such a big piece?” She had lived most of her life and had seen goldware before, but she had never touched anything so solid and exquisite.

"Oh dear, this is too precious! Guangming, we can't accept this!"

The eldest sister, Xianglan, reacted as if she had been burned, quickly pushing the box into Yang Guangming's hands, her face filled with unease.

She was used to giving and never imagined she would receive such a valuable reward.

The second sister, Xiangmei, also looked at the jewelry in the box with a complex expression, a mixture of a woman's innate fondness and, more importantly, worry about her brother's extravagant spending.

"Little brother, it's not easy for you to study away from home. You should keep the money you earn for yourself. You'll need it for many things in the future. Why are you buying these things for us..."

Lin Jianyue looked at her share, then looked up at her husband, her eyes showing surprise and a hint of inquiry.

She knew her husband might have some savings, but his generosity was beyond her expectations.

Yang Guangming smiled, trying to lighten their tone and alleviate their concerns:
"Please accept them all; it's just a small token of my appreciation. When I'm away, I miss home the most. I saw these and thought they would suit you, so I bought them. You work so hard for this family; shouldn't I show my appreciation?"

He paused, looked at Lin Jianyue, his gaze softening, "Jianyue, you've worked especially hard, please accept this."

He then added, "I've also prepared identical gifts for my eldest and second sisters-in-law. I'll give them to them when they arrive. I've also prepared a gift for my mother-in-law."

After saying that, he took out a slightly larger wooden box with more elaborate packaging from his suitcase and handed it to his father, Yang Yongkang, who had been watching silently.

"Dad, this is for you."

Yang Yongkang took it; it felt slightly heavy in his hand.

He opened the wooden box, which was lined with black velvet, and a watch lay quietly in the center.

The dial is a simple white with gold hands and markers. The metal bracelet gleams with a cool and refined luster, and the elegant English letters "ROLEX" are clearly printed on the dial.

Although he didn't recognize the brand, with his old worker's eye, he could tell at a glance that the watch's workmanship and materials were far superior to those of domestic brands like Shanghai and Seagull, exuding an understated luxury.

"This watch..."

Yang Yongkang held the watch in his hand, examining it carefully. His fingertips felt the smooth curve of the case and the weight of the strap. His brows gradually furrowed, and his face showed no joy, but rather grew increasingly solemn.

"This watch...it doesn't look cheap. You're wasting money again! We're just ordinary people at home, why would we wear such an expensive watch? To show off?"

He might have felt a sliver of fatherly satisfaction, but more than that, he was deeply worried about his son's sudden and unusually high spending power.

Yang Guangming had anticipated his father's reaction. He smiled, and instead of directly answering the price, he evaded the question by saying:
“Dad, you’ve worked hard your whole life, raising us siblings wasn’t easy. Now that I’m able, it’s only right that I take care of you. This watch keeps accurate time and is durable, so it’ll be convenient for you to wear it and check the time. It’s nothing flashy.”

"Convenient? I think it's far from convenient!" Yang Yongkang snorted, staring intently at his son. "Tell me honestly, how much does this watch... cost?" He had to find out where his son got the money.

"Yeah, Guangming, you... this gold and watch, how much did it cost?" Zhang Xiuying couldn't help but ask, still clutching the gold bracelet tightly in her hand, feeling both delighted and a little apprehensive. Guangming knew the price was an unavoidable topic, and after a moment's hesitation, he decided it was best to tell his family the truth. After all, there was more surprising news to come, and it was crucial to prepare his family mentally.

He took a deep breath and answered calmly, "This watch costs about three thousand five hundred Hong Kong dollars in Hong Kong Island."

“Three thousand five hundred… Hong Kong dollars?” Yang Yongkang repeated, his brows furrowing even more. He had no intuitive understanding of the purchasing power of the Hong Kong dollar.

"What if it were converted into our own money?" Zhang Xiuying pressed, only concerned with how much RMB it ultimately cost.

Yang Guangming quickly estimated the current exchange rate in his mind and gave a number: "According to the current exchange rate, it's about... 1,100 RMB."

"One thousand one hundred yuan!" Zhang Xiuying exclaimed in shock. Her hand trembled, and the gold bracelet almost slipped from her grasp. Fortunately, she reacted quickly and grabbed it firmly, as if she had grasped a red-hot iron.

The eldest and second eldest sisters, along with Lin Jianyue, all gasped and exchanged bewildered glances.

One thousand one hundred yuan!
This is almost the entire income of an ordinary worker who wouldn't eat or drink for two or three years! And he just bought this thing to wear on his wrist?
Zhang Xiuying suddenly realized that the heavy gold jewelry she was holding was much heavier than the watch just from the gold alone!

Her voice trembled as she asked, "How much... how much does this bracelet necklace cost?"

Yang Guangming glanced at the set in his mother's hand, estimated its weight and the gold price at the time, and told her truthfully: "Your set is made of high-quality gold and the craftsmanship is a bit complicated, so it's probably worth about 5,500 Hong Kong dollars. That's about 1,600 or 1,700 RMB."

A deathly silence fell over the courtyard. Even the children who had been playing seemed to sense the heavy atmosphere, falling silent and blinking at the adults.

Sixteen or seventeen hundred yuan! A set of jewelry! This is simply outrageous!

The gifts that Yang Guangming brought back this time, just these few already, add up to more than 10,000 yuan!
In an era when ordinary families had savings of only a few hundred or a thousand yuan, this was an unimaginable fortune, even carrying a sense of unreality.

Yang Yongkang's face darkened completely, becoming extremely serious.

He slowly placed the Rolex watch back into the wooden box, closed the lid, and stared intently at his son with a sharp, piercing gaze. His tone was heavier than ever before, even carrying a hint of barely perceptible panic.

“Guangming! You and your family, tell me honestly! Where did you get so much money? What have you been doing outside? Have you... have you done something you shouldn’t have?”

His worry was palpable, and his voice rose slightly with urgency.

My son went there to pursue his studies, not to start a business, much less to engage in shady dealings! Where did he get so much money in just four months? He couldn't help but have some suspicions; better safe than sorry!

Yang Guangming felt the tense and questioning gazes of his entire family instantly focusing on him, and he knew that everyone was worried.

He must provide an explanation that is reasonable, convincing, and reassuring to his family.

This explanation must be both honest and reserved. Sensitive points that the organization is concerned about cannot be discussed with family members, and confidentiality must be maintained.

For example, the exact amount of money Yang Guangming has is currently considered a secret, and under the current policies, it is not appropriate for too many people to know.

However, his return this time to exchange one million US dollars will definitely cause a sensation among those in the know. His family will definitely need this money, so he can't keep it completely from them and will have to reveal some of the actual situation to a limited extent.

He took a deep breath, looked calmly at his father, then slowly swept his gaze over the anxious faces of his mother, sisters, and wife, and said in as steady and clear a tone as possible:

"Dad, Mom, eldest sister, second sister, Jianyue, don't worry, don't overthink it, let me explain slowly."

I guarantee that every penny of this money came from an upright and legitimate source, and the organization was aware of it, and could even be said to have approved it.

He paused, organizing his thoughts, and continued to explain: "I studied at Stanford University in the United States. In addition to my regular courses, I also participated in some cutting-edge computer technology research projects."

Using my spare time and acquired knowledge, I independently designed and improved several... well, you could call them 'technical solutions' or 'minor inventions,' and applied for personal patents in the United States.

He saw a hint of doubt in his father's eyes, so he put it more simply: "To put it bluntly, I came up with some technical ideas that foreigners find very useful and novel, and I obtained legal protection for them. These things belong to me personally."

Later, by chance, a foreign company took a liking to my patents.

They believe these technologies have commercial value and are willing to pay to buy them outright.

So, after negotiation, I transferred the patent to them, and thus received a... well, a rather large amount of foreign exchange income.

He cautiously avoided giving a specific number, but the word "relatively large" had already given his family a starting point for their imagination.

"Patent? Sold to foreigners?" Yang Yongkang murmured repeatedly. The concept was somewhat unfamiliar to him, but he understood the core meaning of "foreigners paying for it".

This seems... to sound more legitimate than the crooked paths he had imagined.

"originally."

Yang Guangming then changed the subject, offering a more strategic reason: "I was thinking that since this money was obtained abroad, it should be donated to the country to contribute to its development."

Therefore, I proactively gave a detailed report to the leader in charge of our international student affairs, namely Counselor Liu, and expressed my willingness to donate.

His face appropriately revealed a mixture of helplessness and admiration:
"However, after careful study and consideration, the higher-level leaders believed that under the current international situation and policy environment, directly accepting a huge foreign exchange donation from a student like me might involve complex policy and diplomatic implications, and therefore it would not be appropriate."

Therefore, the organization ultimately did not accept my donation request.

He paused here, his gaze sweeping over his family. Seeing that they were all listening attentively, he then delivered the long-prepared, more impactful, and more legitimate message:

"Before returning to China this time, I reported to the organization again and obtained its approval."

I will transfer one million US dollars from the funds I obtained overseas back to China, deposit it into my personal bank account in China, and then strictly follow the country's foreign exchange control regulations for settlement.

"How many?"

Yang Yongkang suddenly leaned forward, thinking he was hallucinating.

Zhang Xiuying's hand trembled, and this time she finally lost her grip on the gold bracelet, which fell onto the bluestone slab with a "clang" and made a crisp sound, but she didn't care to pick it up at the moment.

“One million dollars,” Yang Guangming repeated clearly, word by word.

"One...one million? Or...US dollars?"

Zhang Xiuying's voice became shrill and distorted. She had to hold onto the chair next to her to stand up, and her face was pale.

Although she had a vague idea of ​​the specific value of the dollar, the astronomical figure of "one million" was enough to make her dizzy and her heart race.

The eldest and second eldest sisters, as well as Lin Jianyue, were all stunned, their mouths agape and their eyes vacant, as if they were unable to process the information.

One million dollars!

In an era when even "ten-thousand-yuan households" are extremely rare, this is practically a figure that exists only in legends and is completely incompatible with real life!
Seeing the completely stunned expressions on his family's faces, Yang Guangming slowly and earnestly explained:

"This money, after being converted into foreign exchange according to regulations, will be exchanged for the corresponding amount of RMB at the official exchange rate published by the state."

Legally, this sum of RMB remains entirely my personal and legal property. However…

He emphasized, "This act itself is equivalent to me personally contributing one million US dollars of valuable foreign exchange reserves directly to the country."

Dad, Mom, you may not be aware, but right now the country is undergoing construction and all industries are waiting to be developed. What we need most urgently is foreign exchange!

With foreign exchange reserves, we can import advanced machinery and equipment from abroad, introduce advanced technologies, and accelerate our country's modernization.

My one million dollars, though not a huge sum, was a real contribution to the country, solving a pressing problem.

This was one of the key reasons why the organization ultimately agreed to my decision.

He looked at his father, his gaze clear and firm: "So, Dad, you can rest assured."

The money I spent on gifts for you, Mom, my brothers and sisters, Jianyue, and the children is just a drop in the ocean compared to the money I brought back this time and my contributions to the country. It is completely within a reasonable range.

Your son didn't go astray; instead, he stayed on the right path, earning respect and reaping rewards through his own knowledge and abilities.

A long, almost frozen silence fell over the courtyard.

Yang Yongkang was slightly hunched over, looking down at the gold bracelet that had fallen to the ground. His gray hair was somewhat dazzling in the sunlight.

He was experiencing a turbulent internal conflict.

Huge wealth, monetization of knowledge, national recognition, foreign exchange contributions... These impactful concepts, one after another, constantly challenged his established perceptions and values ​​formed over decades.

He felt an unprecedented sense of pride in his son's remarkable achievements; but at the same time, a huge, indescribable worry, like a cold tide, spread from the depths of his heart.

A tall tree catches the wind; possessing a treasure is a crime.

Whether it is a blessing or a curse for the son to suddenly possess such enormous, illogical wealth is truly unpredictable.

Will this money bring him trouble? Will it turn his once peaceful home into a target of public criticism?
He remained silent for two or three minutes before suddenly raising his head. His gaze was no longer cloudy; instead, it became exceptionally bright and clear.

He gave his youngest son a deep look, his eyes filled with complex and unfathomable emotions—pride, warning, and a heavy sense of responsibility.

Then, his gaze swept over his entire family—his wife, daughter, and daughter-in-law.

His tone was more solemn than ever before, and he spoke almost word by word: "You have all heard what Guangming said."

This matter concerns the safety of Guangming, and also the future well-being of our entire family!

"Once you leave this room, no one is allowed to utter a word about it! Not a single word! Especially that million... dollars, keep it all buried in your stomach! Do you hear me?"

His gaze lingered on his wife's face for a moment, carrying an undeniable air of authority.

"I heard you, Dad." The eldest and second eldest sisters nodded quickly, their expressions extremely solemn.

Just as the atmosphere became so tense it was almost impossible to break, familiar footsteps and laughter came from outside the alley.

The eldest brother, Yang Guanghui, and his family, along with the second brother, Yang Guangyao, and his family, had probably arranged to come back to visit their parents over the weekend, and they entered the courtyard one after the other.

"Hey, why are you all gathered in the courtyard today? Dad, Mom, let's go back..." Before the eldest brother, Yang Guanghui, could finish speaking, he saw Yang Guangming surrounded in the middle, and immediately stopped, his eyes widening, "Guangming? You...when did you come back?"

"Little brother!" Second brother Yang Guangyao was also surprised and delighted. He stepped forward and punched Yang Guangming on the shoulder. "Good lad! You didn't even send a telegram to let me know you were coming back! You launched a surprise attack!"

The eldest sister-in-law, Li Guihua, and the second sister-in-law, Yue Xinlei, also came forward, greeting them with surprise.

Their children also rushed up, making the courtyard even more lively.

Yang Guangming smiled and exchanged pleasantries with his brothers and sisters-in-law, enjoying the long-awaited lively atmosphere. Then, he opened his suitcase again and took out the gifts he had prepared for them.

The two older brothers received the same model of Rolex watch.

The two sisters-in-law received the same gold jewelry sets as their mother.

The other children, on the other hand, were given a variety of new toys suitable for their age.

Upon receiving such a valuable gift, the eldest brother, the second brother, and the two sisters-in-law were all stunned and could hardly believe their eyes.

Especially Li Guihua, the eldest sister-in-law, held the heavy, golden jewelry set. Her hands trembled violently, her eyes instantly reddened, and her lips quivered. She wanted to say something, but she was too excited to utter a sound.

Her family was poor, and she had always been thrifty and hardworking since she married into the family. She had never seen, let alone owned, such decent and valuable gold jewelry!

This is real gold!
"This...this is too precious! Guangming, sister-in-law...sister-in-law can't accept this, this..." She stammered, wanting to refuse, but unwilling to let go of the immense impact brought by the cold metallic touch.

"Sister-in-law, just accept it without hesitation."

Yang Guangming spoke sincerely, with an air of utter refusal, “While I was away, my brothers and sisters-in-law took great care of my parents and helped with Jianyue, both inside and out.”

This is nothing, just a small token of my appreciation. If you don't accept it, and think it's too little, then I'll have to think twice.

Although Yue Xinlei, the second sister-in-law, came from a cadre family and had a broad perspective, owning such a complete set of exquisitely crafted and substantial gold jewelry was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for her. She couldn't hide her immense excitement and joy, repeatedly stroking the cool bracelet and cherishing it dearly.

Yang Guangyao, being young, was more interested in novelties like watches. He awkwardly put one on his wrist, looked at it from left to right, and was extremely fond of it, yet he still complained like his father:
"You know, it's not easy to earn money, why waste it like this! For an ordinary working-class family like ours, wearing such an eye-catching watch will only invite gossip!"

But the upturned corners of his mouth betrayed his true thoughts.

At this moment, Zhang Xiuying finally recovered somewhat from the shock of the million dollars. When she saw that her eldest and second sons' families had also arrived, an overwhelming feeling of pride, excitement, and a hint of showing off instantly took over.

She rushed forward and excitedly recounted, with exaggerated detail, what Yang Guangming had just said about the patent, foreign exchange, the rejected donation, and the upcoming settlement of one million US dollars. Her tone was so exaggerated that it was as if her son had not only earned a million dollars, but had saved the national economy.

After hearing the more detailed account of the "second" narration, the eldest brother Yang Guanghui and the second brother Yang Guangyao, along with their two sisters-in-law, were once again stunned, their mouths agape, unable to close for a long time.

Their gazes toward Yang Guangming were filled with utter disbelief and awe, as if they were looking at an alien.

One million US dollars!

This concept has completely shattered their understanding of what "being rich" truly means.

Looking at the different expressions on the faces of his family members and listening to his wife's overly excited tone, Yang Yongkang frowned again.

He coughed loudly, interrupting Zhang Xiuying's incessant chatter. His stern gaze swept over his two sons and daughter-in-law, and he spoke again in a deep voice, reiterating the importance of secrecy, his tone even more severe than before.

"A bright future depends on one's own true abilities, and earns clean money—money earned through knowledge!"

It also generated foreign exchange for the country and solved a major problem. This is a great thing that brings honor to our ancestors!
We're family, we can be happy behind closed doors, anything goes! But!

He emphasized, "Once you step out this door, keep your mouths shut! Anyone who goes out and talks too much, shows off, causes trouble, or brings problems to Guangming, don't blame me for turning my back on you! Do you all understand?"

Everyone's expression tightened, and they nodded repeatedly, expressing their agreement.

"Dad, don't worry, we know what's important."

"Exactly, this can't be told to anyone."

"We'll listen to Dad."

Although the atmosphere became serious again due to the father's admonition, the joy and pride in the eyes of the family were genuine.

He knew that changing mindsets would take time, and that his father's caution was the best protection for him and his family in this era.

Seeing that the time was right, he smiled and made another suggestion, breaking the slightly dull atmosphere:

"Dad, Mom, eldest brother, second brother, today is a joyous day. I'm back. It's rare for our family to be all together like this."

I think we shouldn't stay home and cook lunch. It's my treat. Let's go out to a nice restaurant and have a good meal to celebrate!

Normally, Zhang Xiuying would have been the first to object, believing that eating at home was more affordable and cleaner.

But today, after being bombarded with gold jewelry and a million dollars, the string of thrift in her heart seems to have temporarily snapped, replaced by a sense of pride that "my son is a millionaire."

She was the first to raise her hand in agreement, her voice booming: "Yes! Let's go out to eat! We absolutely have to go out to eat! My youngest son is back, and he's so successful, he's made a great contribution to the country, we have to celebrate properly! Let's go to the best restaurant!"

Looking at his wife's excited and somewhat carried away appearance, then at the expectant and joyful eyes of his sons, daughters-in-law, and grandchildren, and then at his calm and confident youngest son, Yang Yongkang felt that the heavy worry in his heart was finally diluted by the strong family affection and the great sense of honor.

He nodded slowly, a relieved yet somewhat sentimental smile on his face: "Alright, then let's listen to Guangming. It's time for the family to get together properly."

The family was overjoyed, and the children cheered excitedly.

After tidying up quickly and changing into slightly neater clothes, they went out in a grand procession, attracting the attention of the neighbors who peeked out with curiosity and envy. They knew that the Yang family's promising youngest son had returned from abroad, and the whole family was happily going out to eat.

Yang Guangming led his family to "Lao Zhengxing" restaurant, which is famous for its local Shanghai cuisine, and asked for a spacious and quiet private room.

After taking their seats, Yang Guangming took the menu and skillfully ordered a table full of signature dishes: stir-fried river shrimp, sea cucumber with shrimp roe, braised pork belly with clover, braised fish tail, eight-treasure duck, and braised pork and bamboo shoot soup... almost encompassing the essence of Shanghainese cuisine.

Chicken, duck, fish, meat, and delicacies from land and sea were quickly served, and their aroma instantly filled the entire private room.

He also specially ordered expensive Moutai liquor and orange juice for the women and children.

As the waiters bustled around bringing out the exquisite dishes, each with its own unique color, aroma, and flavor, and smelled the enticing fragrance, the children's mouths watered, and the adults smiled, temporarily putting aside the shock of the million dollars and immersing themselves in the atmosphere of delicious food and family reunion.

Amidst the clinking of glasses, the family chatted and laughed, sharing delicious food and the little things that had happened over the past four months.

As Yang Guangming listened to his eldest brother recount interesting anecdotes from the factory, his second brother talk about the changes in the Party leadership, his sisters-in-law chattering about everyday matters, and his sisters discussing their children's schooling, Lin Jianyue whispered to him that Jing Shu had received a little red flower at kindergarten, and Zhi Yuan had learned a few new words...

All these ordinary and mundane moments of happiness brought him immense peace and contentment. (End of Chapter)