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

After handing the heavy bunch of keys, bearing the marks of time, to Yang Guangming, Engineer Zhao did not leave immediately.

He glanced at his watch; it was still early, and with the house handover going smoothly today, a huge weight was lifted from his shoulders, and he felt quite pleased.

He glanced up at Yang Jianxiong and Yang Guangming standing in front of him; the father and son were dignified and reserved, and calm and capable.

After a moment's thought, he felt it was best to take this opportunity to clarify some things that would affect his future peace and tranquility, as a way of fulfilling his last wish as the original homeowner.

"Chief Yang, Comrade Guangming," Engineer Zhao cleared his throat, his tone exceptionally sincere, "the matter of this house has finally been settled satisfactorily, and I can finally put my mind at ease. However, there are a few things I'm unsure whether I should say..."

His words carried a hint of hesitation, his gaze sweeping over the faces of the father and son.

Yang Jianxiong's face was calm and his eyes were steady. Hearing this, he nodded slightly: "Engineer Zhao, you are too kind. We are new here and know nothing about this compound. We need experienced residents and knowledgeable people like you to give us some guidance. Please feel free to speak your mind."

Yang Guangming immediately nodded in agreement, his face displaying the earnestness and humility characteristic of young people:
"Mr. Zhao, we are absolutely ready to listen to any instructions you may have. As the saying goes, 'A close neighbor is worse than a distant relative.' Knowing about our neighbors will help us be more informed in the future, avoid many detours, and prevent unnecessary trouble."

Seeing the father and son's sincere attitude, without any airs of superiority, Engineer Zhao's last bit of concern was dispelled.

He glanced around instinctively, and although there was no one else in the courtyard, he habitually lowered his voice and spoke with a sincere tone:
"Since you two don't mind me being nosy, I'll briefly tell you about the situation of the residents in this courtyard."

Our courtyard is a typical three-courtyard complex with side courtyards, housing more than twenty households and a total of over one hundred people, making for a rather complex population.

With so many people around, their thoughts naturally become more complicated.

Given Chief Yang's status and position, no one in the institute would dare to provoke him openly. However, as the saying goes, "You can know a person's face but not their heart." It's always good to know in advance which families are honest and worthy of friendship, and which ones you should keep your distance from.

To avoid being misled by seemingly friendly but actually malicious people after moving in, which would only cause unnecessary distress later.

Yang Guangming listened very attentively, his eyes focused.

"Mr. Zhao, what you said makes perfect sense, it's invaluable advice. We've just arrived and don't know anyone here, so having a general understanding of our neighbors is really important. Thank you so much for being so frank with us."

Seeing that they had indeed listened and taken it very seriously, Engineer Zhao no longer held back and continued:

“There are a few families in this courtyard. I suggest you try to have as little contact with them as possible. Just nod when you see them occasionally, and don’t get too close.”

He paused, seemingly sorting through the information in his mind, and then pointed out specifically, "For example, the Ma family who live in the west wing of the front yard."

The family members had a history of street thuggery in the old society, and they were somewhat of a rogue and scoundrel, not very particular about their manners.

Their family has a rather unhealthy atmosphere; they are not very reasonable and are prone to making trouble. It's best to avoid them and try not to get involved with them.

There's also the Liu family living in the west wing of the front yard. The head of the family used to be a bandit leader before liberation. Although he is said to have reformed, his son is still a bit dishonest.

The neighbors in the courtyard would occasionally lose small, odds and ends, such as socks or gloves that were drying in the sun, or small tools that were left on the windowsill. Most of the people in the courtyard secretly suspected that it was related to his teenage son, but since they had never caught him in the act, no one dared to say anything.

Also, the family at the west end of the back building, the one surnamed Wang, that woman in their house…”

Engineer Zhao sighed softly, lowering his voice even further, "I heard that he came from a dirty place in the old society. Although he has reformed and settled down now, the people he associates with are still all sorts of people, so his reputation in the neighborhood is not very good."

He emphasized, "Try to avoid the families I just mentioned. There's no need to have any contact with them. It's best to make this clear to other family members, especially the elderly and children, in advance, so they can be on guard."

Yang Guangming's face was solemn as he carefully memorized all this information, as if he were drawing an invisible map of neighborhood relations.

He nodded solemnly and said, "Understood, Engineer Zhao. Your reminder is of great importance. We will definitely pay close attention and keep it in mind."

Seeing their seriousness, Engineer Zhao softened his tone and a relieved smile appeared on his face:

"Of course, there are also many upright and trustworthy people in the courtyard."

Like the family of Deputy Director Li of the police station, who lives in the main house of the Intermediate People's Court, they are upright, fair, and principled. They are also the people who actually manage things in our court. If there is any serious matter or trivial matter that needs to be coordinated, you can go to him.

There was also an old lady named Zhang, a family member of a martyr, living in the south room of the east wing of the central courtyard. She was a very respectable old lady. All three of her sons had sacrificed their lives on the battlefield. She was a family of honor. She herself was also very kind and gentle.

These two families are people with whom it's appropriate to cultivate good relations and maintain contact.

"As for the other neighbors."

Engineer Zhao summarized briefly, his tone returning to normal, "Most of them are ordinary worker or office worker families. For example, the Tong family in the east wing of the front yard, the head of the family works in a food factory, and they are honest and hardworking; the Zhou family in the main house of the front yard, the head of the family works in a department store..."

Most of these neighbors are law-abiding citizens, and things are generally going well on the surface. We can get to know them gradually and see how deep our relationship develops.

Having explained everything that needed to be explained, Engineer Zhao felt a great sense of relief, as if he had accomplished an important mission.

He clapped his hands and said, "What I have to say, I've given you all the knowledge I have in my belly."

Come on, while I still have some time, let me take you for a walk around the yard so you can meet some of the neighbors who are home today and not at work, and get to know them.

To avoid the trouble you'll cause next time you come to clean the house yourself, only to be questioned by unfamiliar neighbors as if you were strangers.

The father and son naturally had no objections. So, the three of them walked out of the moon gate of the east courtyard and returned to the main courtyard.

The group had just stood on the brick-paved ground of the second courtyard, and before Engineer Zhao could decide which house to visit first, they heard footsteps coming from the hanging flower gate connecting to the first courtyard.

Immediately afterwards, a middle-aged man wearing a worn police uniform and pushing a 28-inch bicycle walked in.

The man was in his forties, tall and upright, with a handsome face and dark skin the kind that comes from years of working outdoors. His gaze was steady, and he exuded the aura of a dignified and authoritative police officer.

Engineer Zhao's eyes lit up, and he quickly raised his hand, greeting loudly, "Director Li! You're back quite early today!"

The middle-aged policeman, addressed as Chief Li, looked over upon hearing the sound, a perfectly timed smile appearing on his face, and steadily pushed the cart closer.
"Oh, it's Engineer Zhao. What a coincidence, I went out on a field trip today, and it went smoothly. It was almost time to get off work, so I just rode my bike back."

His gaze naturally swept over Yang Jianxiong and Yang Guangming beside Engineer Zhao, especially lingering for a moment on Yang Jianxiong's crisp military uniform and epaulets. A hint of surprise and contemplation flashed in his eyes, clearly as he quickly assessed the newcomer's identity and rank.

Engineer Zhao seized the opportunity to step forward and enthusiastically introduced, "Director Li, it's better to arrive at the right time than to arrive early!"

Let me introduce you. This is Commander Yang Jianxiong from the military, and this is Commander Yang's son, Comrade Yang Guangming.

They just bought my east wing; from now on, they'll be our new neighbors.

He then turned to Yang Jianxiong and his son, "Chief Yang, Guangming, this is the Deputy Chief Li from our police station whom I mentioned before. He also lives in our compound, in the main house of the central courtyard."

Deputy Director Li clearly hadn't expected that the person who bought Zhao Gong's house was such a young military leader, and his attitude immediately became more enthusiastic, carrying the caution and respect typical of interactions within the system.

He proactively extended both hands to shake hands with Yang Jianxiong: "Chief Yang, hello, hello! Oh my, I didn't expect it was your family moving here. This really brings honor and pride to our humble courtyard!"

He then shook hands with Yang Guangming, his grip firm but not too tight, saying, "Comrade Guangming, hello, welcome, welcome!"

Yang Jianxiong shook hands with him, his tone calm: "Director Li, you're too kind. From now on, we're neighbors, so let's look after each other. A close neighbor is worse than a distant relative."

Deputy Director Li nodded repeatedly, his words very considerate: "Of course, of course!"

"Chief Yang, if you need anything at home in the future, whether it's within the compound or outside, please don't hesitate to let me know. I will do my best within my capabilities, without hesitation."

As the deputy director of the police station, he was well aware of the weight of a senior colonel. This was not only an important figure in the military-civilian relationship that needed to be maintained, but now that they were neighbors who saw each other all the time, this relationship naturally needed to be carefully maintained.

At the same time, he was also aware that having such a person living in the courtyard would be a great help and a deterrent to his management of this complex and diverse compound. At least those who had some ulterior motives and were not well-behaved would have to think twice before acting.

Seeing that the two sides had made contact smoothly and the atmosphere was harmonious, Engineer Zhao said with a smile, "Director Li, now that you, our 'pillar of stability,' are back, that's perfect."

I was originally planning to introduce Chief Yang and Guangming to our neighbors, but now that you're here, I'll just take a break and not bother.

You certainly know more about the affairs of the compound, big and small, and the detailed situations of each household than I do, someone who spends all year in an office.

Upon hearing this, Deputy Director Li laughed heartily and pointed at Engineer Zhao, saying, "Engineer Zhao, Chief Yang bought your house, and you still want to slack off?"

"Alright, leave this to me. I'll help Chief Yang and Comrade Guangming familiarize themselves with the situation in the compound and make sure they integrate into our big team as soon as possible."

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Yang Jianxiong glanced at his watch and said, "Director Li, Engineer Zhao, thank you both so much for today. We need to go back and arrange the moving details, so we won't bother you any longer."

"Alright, alright, you're busy, please focus on your work. If you need any help with the move, like borrowing a cart or needing a handyman, please don't hesitate to let me know," Deputy Director Li said warmly, his words full of sincerity.

Engineer Zhao also said, "Yes, Chief Yang, Guangming, you two go ahead and get busy. I'm heading back to my unit anyway. If there's anything else I can do for you, just give me a call."

The three of them then left the courtyard together.

At the entrance of the alley, the grass-green military jeep was still parked there quietly. Guard Xiao Zhang stood upright beside the vehicle, waiting with his eyes warily watching the surroundings.

Yang Jianxiong and Yang Guangming shook hands with Engineer Zhao again to say goodbye, watching him ride away on his jingling old bicycle until his figure disappeared around the corner of the alley before turning around and getting into the jeep.

The car started smoothly, emitting a low rumble, and slowly drove away from the alley.

Back in the slightly cramped temporary room at the district women's federation guesthouse, Tian Yufen, Qin Lanying, and Yang Shanshan had been waiting for quite some time.

When the father and son entered, their faces were filled with anticipation. After all, buying a house and settling down is a major event, especially in the capital city where they had no relatives or friends.

Seeing her son enter, Tian Yufen immediately stood up from the bedside and asked anxiously, "How is it? Are you... satisfied with the house?"

Although she believed in Yang Jianxiong and her son's judgment and abilities, without seeing it for herself, she still felt uneasy, as if a stone was hanging over her head.

A bright smile spread across Yang Guangming's face as he gently placed the heavy bunch of keys on the wooden table in the center of the room. "Mom, Grandma, don't worry."

We've inspected the house carefully; it's excellent, much better than we expected. It's a separate east-facing courtyard, separated from the main courtyard by a moon gate, making it very quiet and undisturbed.

The house itself is also well-built, with blue bricks to the top and gray tiles covering the roof, and the layout is particularly regular and reasonable.

Most importantly, Engineer Zhao is a kind person; the furniture and daily necessities he left behind are all complete and of good quality. We need to buy very little, which saves us a lot of trouble and money!

He then described in detail the situation of the east courtyard, especially the four tall and bright main rooms, the two small and practical side rooms, the separate kitchen, the rare private toilet in the courtyard, the smooth blue bricks paving the courtyard, and even the old pomegranate tree in the corner.

Old Mrs. Qin Lanying's eyes lit up as she listened, her wrinkled face relaxing. She nodded repeatedly with delight, especially when she heard about a small, square courtyard where the sun could shine through, and said in her thick local accent:

"Good, good, having a courtyard is great! My old bones finally have a place where I can breathe and move around. It's much better than being cooped up in this small guesthouse room all day, feeling so stifled."

Tian Yufen also visibly breathed a sigh of relief, and a genuine and relaxed smile appeared on her face.

Although the thought of spending a huge sum of a thousand yuan made her heart clench, hearing her son say that the house was in such good condition and convenient location, and most importantly, it saved her a lot of money on furniture and the energy of running around to buy things, gradually comforted her.

Having lived a frugal life, she knew the saying "even a broken home can be worth a fortune." Being able to save such a considerable amount of money on household items was like getting a great deal, greatly easing her heartache over the huge expense.

"It's good that everything went smoothly. I can finally feel at ease."

Tian Yufen muttered to herself, her mind already racing, planning how to organize her new home and how to arrange the limited belongings she had brought.

Yang Guangming continued, his tone reassuringly calm: "Engineer Zhao is indeed a good person, very honest."

Before leaving, he specifically told us about the situation of more than a dozen households in the courtyard, highlighting which families were of upright character and worth associating with, and which families we needed to be careful about and keep our distance from.

On my way back, I ran into Deputy Chief Li from the police station, who also lives there. He was very friendly and offered to help me if I needed anything at home.

Hearing that even the deputy director of the police station had become their neighbor and had clearly expressed his willingness to take care of them, Tian Yufen and the old lady felt even more at ease and secure.

In Kyoto, a place where I knew no one, having such a respected, upright neighbor was like having a pillar of support, which was truly a reassuring and wonderful thing.

Although Tian Yufen had officially reported to the district women's federation and started her new job, she was still a newcomer, and the leaders were very considerate of her.

I haven't assigned her any specific tasks these past few days; I've just asked her to familiarize herself with the office environment and look at some documents.

He also made it clear to her that it wouldn't be too late to start working after all the household registration transfer procedures in her hometown were completed and her family was settled.

Tian Yufen immediately decided, "Then I'll go to my workplace first thing tomorrow morning to ask my supervisor for a few days off. Let's hurry up and try to get the new house ready as soon as possible so we can move in sooner."

Staying in guesthouses all the time isn't a long-term solution. It's expensive, inconvenient, and makes you feel uneasy.

Old lady Qin Lanying immediately chimed in, leaning on her cane, her tone resolute: "Yes, move there as soon as possible, settle down sooner! This old body of mine may not be good at much else, but I can still help with wiping and tidying things up!"

Yang Shanshan excitedly raised her little hand and said cheerfully, "I can help too! I can sweep the floor and wipe the table, I promise I can do it well!"

Seeing his family's enthusiastic participation, Yang Guangming felt a warm glow in his heart and was filled with strength.

He calmly arranged, "Alright, then let's divide the work. Mother, Grandma, and Shanshan will mainly be responsible for tidying up the house, cleaning, and wiping the furniture."

Leave all the procedures related to settling down to me. I'll get the crucial documents—household registration, grain ration book, non-staple food ration book, and coal ration book—processed as quickly as possible. This is the most important thing right now, as it relates to our future food rations and basic living supplies.

Yang Jianxiong felt gratified to see his son's clear thinking and proper arrangements, and at the same time wanted to do more for the family to make up for his absence over the years.

He said, "I do have a lot of work to do here, so I'm afraid it will be difficult for me to find the time to help with the tidying up."

Okay, I'll have the guard, Xiao Zhang, work under your command for the next couple of days. He's young and strong, so it'll be easier for him to help with the heavy lifting and moving around.

He knew that his role in this newly reunited family was somewhat delicate and awkward, and that he would feel better if he could do his part and provide some convenience.

Tian Yufen glanced at Yang Jianxiong with a complicated look in her eyes. She moved her lips but ultimately said nothing, which was taken as tacit acceptance of the arrangement.

Yang Jianxiong sat for a while longer, chatting with his mother about everyday things, showing concern for her legs and feet, and gently teasing his daughter Yang Shanshan, asking her what she thought about the new school.

As the sky outside the window gradually darkened, he remembered that he had an important task to arrange and had no choice but to get up and say goodbye.

"Mother, Yufen, Guangming, Shanshan, I'll head back to work now. I'll make sure to arrange my time in advance to come and help out on the day of the move." Yang Jianxiong's tone carried a hint of apology.

The old lady looked at her son, sighed helplessly, and waved her hand: "Go, go, work is important, national affairs are important, don't neglect your duties. We'll take care of things at home, you don't need to worry too much."

Yang Guangming got up and saw his father to the entrance of the guesthouse.

Yang Jianxiong got into the jeep, rolled down the window, gave his son a few more instructions, and then signaled the guard to drive.

Yang Guangming stood by the roadside, watching the Jeep's taillights disappear around the street corner, before turning back to his room.

The next morning, Tian Yufen went to the district women's federation and successfully obtained leave from the leaders. After returning, the family, led by Yang Guangming, headed to their new home full of anticipation.

The distance was indeed very short. Even though the old lady had bound feet and walked slowly, the group chatted and laughed for only a dozen minutes before they saw the familiar vermilion gate and the pair of stone piers at the entrance, smoothed by the passage of time.

Yesterday, the news that Engineer Zhao had sold the east wing to a military leader spread like wildfire throughout the compound, thanks to Deputy Director Li and several neighbors who were home at the time. Yang Guangming had also shown up in the main courtyard when he came to view the property yesterday, so when the family entered, everyone—from the woman washing vegetables by the sink near the entrance to the elderly chatting in the yard—cast curious and scrutinizing glances at them.

Some people greeted him with smiles and nods, and Yang Guangming responded politely to each one.

Passing through the slightly noisy first courtyard, which was piled with some miscellaneous items, and through the hanging flower gate, they entered the relatively quiet and orderly second courtyard. Then, they walked through the small moon gate on the east side, and the independent, square, and tranquil east courtyard was fully presented before Tian Yufen, Qin Lanying, and Yang Shanshan.

Although the courtyard is much smaller than the one in my old rural home, it is well-organized. The ground is paved with blue bricks, and a few clumps of stubborn moss grow in the cracks, giving it a rustic and clean appearance.

The four main houses on the north side, made of blue bricks and gray tiles, look tall and neat, while the two side rooms on the east side are also small and well-organized.

The entire courtyard was bathed in the morning sunlight, giving it a clean, tidy, and peaceful feel.

"This house... is really nice." Tian Yufen stood in the center of the courtyard, looked around, and a satisfied smile appeared on her face.

This house looks even more impressive and sturdy than the brick and tile houses in my hometown.

The old lady touched the cool brick wall, looked at the window frames with their simple carvings, nodded repeatedly, and praised them.

"It's a good house, a really good house! Look at these bricks, so thick and solid, even better than the materials used back home. The courtyard is nice too, square and bright, and feels very down-to-earth."

She pointed shakily to a small patch of open space against the south wall of the yard, and began to plan it out with great interest:

"Once we've settled in, we'll set up two vegetable plots here and plant some scallions, chives, and spinach."

In the corner, I think we could build a small chicken coop and raise two laying hens. Then, when Shanshan wants eggs, she won't have to queue at the grocery store all the time—so convenient!

Yang Shanshan, like a happy little bird, excitedly ran around in the yard, looking at the bright glass windows of the main house and then running into the side room to check out the layout. She was filled with boundless curiosity and joy about everything in her new home, and her silvery laughter echoed in the courtyard.

The family toured the place thoroughly, inside and out, with great excitement, and became more and more satisfied with what they saw.

The main house is spacious and bright with a large area; the side room is small and quiet, suitable as a study; the wing room is fully functional and very practical as a kitchen and storage room.

The gleaming faucet in the kitchen was especially convenient for Tian Yufen.

Although the separate dry toilet in the courtyard was simple, it was clean and odorless, and much better than the public toilets in the alley outside.

After the visit, the whole family enthusiastically got to work on a thorough cleaning.

Tian Yufen and the old lady were responsible for wiping the furniture, doors and windows, while Yang Guangming was responsible for cleaning the cobwebs on the roof and corners and wiping the floor. Yang Shanshan also took a small rag and helped wipe the table in a serious manner, her little face turning red from the hard work.

Not long after, Xiao Zhang, the bodyguard sent by Yang Jianxiong, arrived on time.

The young man was in his early twenties. He was very hardworking and didn't talk much, but he was quick to help. Without saying a word, he helped Yang Guangming with heavy physical work such as cleaning the coal stored in the storage room, checking the safety of the vegetable cellar, and moving heavy objects. He was sweating profusely from the work.

For the next two days, the whole family devoted themselves to cleaning and tidying up the new house.

The first step is a thorough cleaning.

All the accumulated dust on the roof, in the corners, and behind the furniture was wiped clean. Every window was polished until it shone, and the blue bricks on the floor were repeatedly scrubbed until their original color was revealed.

All the furniture left by Engineer Zhao, including the heavy eight-immortal table, several armchairs, two large wardrobes, and several beds, were carefully wiped clean and looked brand new.

Then came the arrangement. Based on her years of experience managing a household, Tian Yufen directed the placement of the furniture in the most logical locations. She knew exactly where to put the bed and where to put the cabinets.

The limited luggage she brought was unpacked one by one; what needed to be put away was put away, and what needed to be displayed was displayed. Although there weren't many things, with her skillful arrangement, it quickly took on the warm and cozy feel of home.

The kitchen and toilet were the main areas to be cleaned. The stove, water tank, pots and pans in the kitchen were thoroughly cleaned, and Yang Guangming even brought some baking soda to help remove grease. The toilet was also carefully cleaned to ensure hygiene.

During this process, neighbors would often come over to say hello or peek curiously into the moon gate.

Grandma Zhang, a relative of a martyr, brought over a bowl of pickled vegetables she had made herself. Tian Yufen warmly accepted it and gave her some dried dates she had brought from her hometown in return.

Deputy Director Li's wife also came over to take a look and said a few polite words, "Just let me know if you need any help." Tian Yufen responded appropriately, maintaining politeness without being overly enthusiastic, striking a good balance.

In the past two days, Yang Guangming efficiently completed all the household registration procedures.

With the newly issued property certificate, Tian Yufen's letter of introduction from her employer, and the original household registration transfer certificate, he successfully registered his family's household at the new address and obtained a brand-new household registration booklet.

Following that, with their new household registration booklets, grain ration booklets, non-staple food ration booklets, and coal ration booklets, they were successively processed at designated grain stations, non-staple food stores, and coal mines.

My younger sister, Yang Shanshan, has also completed the transfer procedures at a nearby primary school based on her fixed address and household registration book. She just needs to wait for the new semester to start so she can register directly.

At this point, all the basic necessities for the family to settle down in Kyoto—household registration, food rations, non-staple food supplies, fuel supply, and the children's education—had been successfully resolved.

The day we moved was a beautiful autumn day with clear skies and bright sunshine.

Yang Jianxiong arrived at the guesthouse early and personally helped with the check-out procedures.

The family didn't have much luggage to begin with, and since they already had all the daily necessities in their new home, all they needed to bring were some personal clothes, bedding, and a few old items from their hometown that were sentimental or that they really couldn't bear to throw away.

With the jeep's trunk and back seat, all the luggage was easily transported to the courtyard house entrance in one trip.

When the neighbors saw military jeeps parked in the alley again, and officers and soldiers in military uniforms going in and out to carry things, they knew that the new neighbors had officially moved in. Many people stood in the courtyard looking around and whispering among themselves.

Grandma Zhang, a relative of a martyr, even came over specially, smiling and congratulating them: "You've moved in? Great! Now you'll live in the same compound. Just let us know if you need anything!"

Tian Yufen and the old lady Qin Lanying quickly responded with smiles and invited the old lady Zhang to come over for a chat and a cup of tea when she had time.

The items were few and far between, and were quickly moved into the east courtyard and arranged according to the previous plan.

Looking at their clean, bright, and vibrant new home, everyone's faces beamed with the joy of overcoming hardship and the relief of finally settling down.

Yang Shanshan ran around excitedly in the rooms, so happy she could hardly stand still.

Yang Jianxiong took half a day off today to stay and have a formal lunch with his family, which could be considered a small warm-up feast.

Over the past few days, during the tidying process, Yang Guangming had already taken advantage of the refrigerator space to gradually and discreetly move rice, flour, cooking oil, meat, eggs, vegetables, and other groceries into the kitchen cabinets.

Although the quantity of each item is not large, the variety is quite complete, enough to cover household expenses and prevent financial strain when cooking at home.

He didn't bring out many good things, mainly because he was worried that his father, Yang Jianxiong, was meticulous and observant, and it would be difficult to explain if asked.

He could probably find an excuse to brush off his grandmother and mother, but when faced with his father's astonishing insight, he decided to proceed cautiously and gradually.

Even so, compared to the generally tight supply levels of ordinary families at that time, the food in Yang Guangming's kitchen was quite abundant and enviable.

Lunch was cooked by Tian Yufen, who helped by picking vegetables and tending the fire, while Yang Shanshan was responsible for passing bowls and chopsticks and doing other small tasks. To celebrate the housewarming, Tian Yufen put extra care into the first meal in the new home.

The staple food was white steamed buns, each one soft, fluffy, and snow-white, exuding the aroma of wheat. The main dish was stewed cured pork with green beans; in this period when meat had been scarce for a long time, being able to eat cured pork was a rare treat.

The cured pork that Yang Guangming brought out was marbled with fat and lean meat, sliced ​​thinly, and stewed with bright green beans. The salty and savory flavor of the cured pork fully permeated the green beans, resulting in a rich and delicious taste that was perfect with rice.

A plate of salted duck eggs, cut open and oozing with red oil, with distinct red and white colors and a perfect balance of saltiness, looks incredibly tempting.

Add a plate of crisp and refreshing cucumber salad and a plate of light and fresh stir-fried celery, and you have a total of four dishes, including meat and vegetables, and both hot and cold options.

Yang Jianxiong looked at the food laid out on the table, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes again. But seeing his son Yang Guangming's calm and composed expression, and the heartfelt smiles of satisfaction and hope for their new life on his mother and wife's faces, he suppressed his doubts and didn't ask any more questions.

Before the meal, Yang Guangming felt it was necessary to make some polite neighborhood visits, which was an important step in integrating into the new environment.

Based on Engineer Zhao's introduction and his observations over the past few days, he initially selected three neighbors who appeared to be of good character and worth getting along with as the first group to visit.

Since he planned to visit me frequently in the future, he specially prepared a bowl of stewed cured pork with green beans for our first formal visit.

The first place he visited was the south room of the east wing of the central courtyard, the home of Mrs. Zhang, a family member of a martyr.

Mrs. Zhang was in her sixties, with her hair neatly combed and wearing a clean blue cotton jacket. Although she lived alone, her house was spotless, both inside and out.

Seeing Yang Guangming bring over the dishes, she was quite surprised, and then a kind smile appeared on her face as she thanked him repeatedly.

Yang Guangming said politely, "Grandma Zhang, we've just settled in today and officially moved in. We've made some home-cooked dishes for you to try. Please don't mind them."

From now on, we'll be neighbors. Please take care of me.

Grandma Zhang smiled as she took the bowl, and when she saw that there was cured meat in it, she quickly said, "Oh, look at you, child, you're too kind. I can't accept this!"
"A close neighbor is worse than a distant relative. Come visit Grandma often; we're about the same age, we'll definitely get along well."

Yang Guangming noticed that although the furniture in Grandma Zhang's room was old, it was polished to a shine.

Three framed photos hang on the wall, each containing a black-and-white portrait of a young soldier in military uniform. These must be the three martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the country, inspiring deep respect.

The second place he visited was the main house of the Intermediate People's Court, the home of Deputy Director Li.

The person who opened the door was Deputy Director Li's wife, a middle-aged woman who looked very capable and efficient.

After hearing Yang Mingming explain his purpose and seeing the substantial amount of cured meat in the bowl, he had barely exchanged a few polite words when Deputy Director Li came out from the inner room, smiling, and took the bowl, saying:
"Comrade Guangming, look at you, you're being too formal! We'll be neighbors from now on, it's only right that we look out for each other, why bother sending vegetables?"

Thank you so much! If you need any help at home or in the yard in the future, please don't hesitate to ask.

Yang Guangming expressed his gratitude and said, "It's nothing, Director Li. I'll need your help a lot in the future."

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Yang Guangming took his leave.

The third house he visited was the Tong family's house in the east wing of the front yard. The Tong family were Manchus, long-time residents, and knew everything about the neighborhood.

The head of the Tong family, Uncle Tong, was in his forties, tall and thin, dressed simply but neatly, and spoke with the politeness and tact that is unique to old Beijingers.

Seeing Yang Guangming bring the dishes, she was very happy and thanked him repeatedly. She insisted that Yang Guangming come in, sit down, have some water, and try the jasmine tea he had just brewed.

Yang Guangming politely declined, saying that his family was waiting for him to eat. Grandpa Tong didn't insist, and said with a smile, "Alright, alright, come visit often! We all live in the same compound, so we should treat each other like family. Being harmonious and friendly is more important than anything else!"

After delivering the gifts to these three key families, Yang Guangming grabbed several handfuls of common fruit hard candies and went to visit several other households in the Intermediate People's Court.

I handed out a handful of candy to each family, simply saying, "We just moved in, this is just a small token to sweeten the kids' mouths," as a greeting, to get acquainted with them, and to express my friendly attitude.

As for the other households in the front and back yards, Yang Guangming doesn't plan to make any proactive contact for the time being; maintaining a superficial nodding acquaintance is sufficient.

After the walk around, they returned to the quiet and tidy east courtyard, where the family finally sat around the spotless octagonal table and began their first reunion dinner in their new home.

Yang Jianxiong was in a good mood today and brought a bottle of Moutai liquor.

Yang Guangming poured a glass for his father and himself, and the rich aroma of the wine immediately filled the air. The guard, Xiao Zhang, insisted on not drinking, so he, like the rest of the family, substituted plain water.

"Come."

Yang Jianxiong raised his glass first, his gaze sweeping over his mother, wife, son, and daughter. His tone was unusually gentle, with a sense of relief and emotion. "To our family's new life in Kyoto, and to... may our future days be peaceful and prosperous, cheers."

The old lady, Tian Yufen, Yang Guangming, and Yang Shanshan all raised their glasses, their faces beaming with anticipation for the future and the satisfaction of being reunited at this moment.

"cheers!"

Several cups gently clinked together, producing a crisp and pleasant sound.

The meal was warm and harmonious.

The braised pork with green beans was very flavorful, savory and delicious; the salted duck eggs were oily and sandy, with just the right amount of saltiness; the cucumber salad was refreshing and helped cut through the greasiness; and the stir-fried celery was crisp and delicious.

Simple home-cooked dishes taste especially sweet and full of happiness because they are enjoyed in one's new home with loved ones.

Yang Jianxiong and Yang Guangming sipped their glasses of mellow Moutai liquor. The father and son did not talk much about the hardships and separations of the past, nor did they discuss the uncertain future plans.

They chatted about the details of cleaning the house, which neighbors seemed friendly, and what Yang Shanshan needed to be careful about when going to school; the atmosphere was peaceful and natural.

A long-lost sense of family warmth flowed gently in the soft clinking of wine glasses and chopsticks.

As he slowly sipped his wine, a slight blush rose to Yang Jianxiong's face. He looked at his son sitting opposite him with a complex expression, a mixture of admiration, guilt, and deep expectation.

This son is more mature, stable, capable, and opinionated than he imagined.

He seemed to be able to entrust his mother and the family to his son with peace of mind.

This realization made the burden on his shoulders seem lighter.

After the meal, Yang Jianxiong sat for a while longer, chatting intimately with his mother, carefully inquiring about her physical condition, and urging her not to overwork herself.

With his afternoon workday approaching, he finally got up to leave.

"Mother, Yufen, things are finally settled at home, so I can rest assured."

"If anything happens at home in the future, no matter how big or small, just have Guangming come to my workplace or call my office," Yang Jianxiong instructed.

The old lady nodded, her eyes a little red, and waved her hand, "I know, I know, you go about your business, don't always worry about home. Everything is fine here now."

Tian Yufen gave a soft "hmm" and lowered her head to clear the dishes, without saying anything more.

Yang Ming and Yang Shanshan escorted their father to the gate of the east courtyard.

"Dad, drive carefully," Yang Guangming said.

Yang Shanshan tilted her little face up and whispered, "Goodbye, Daddy."

Looking at his son and daughter, Yang Jianxiong felt a surge of warmth in his heart, a strong sense of "home".

He patted Yang Guangming's strong and broad shoulders hard, his eyes full of trust and entrustment. He then bent down and affectionately touched Yang Shanshan's soft hair before turning around, straightening his back, and striding through the second courtyard and out of the heavy gate of the siheyuan (courtyard house).

The sound of the Jeep engine gradually faded into the distance, and the courtyard returned to tranquility.

Yang Guangming, holding his younger sister's hand, returned to the house. Watching his mother and grandmother efficiently clearing the dishes and wiping the table, a sense of peace filled his heart. (End of Chapter)