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

As Yang Guangming watched his family immersed in despair and sorrow, his heart was filled with mixed emotions, and he felt an indescribable sadness.

He stood quietly in the dimly lit room, his gaze shifting from his mother's soft sobs to his trembling sisters, and then to his father, who was covering his face with his hands and weeping silently.

The suppressed sobs felt like a dull knife cutting into his heart.

Deep in his mind, the refrigerator space filled with supplies remained as solid as a mountain, containing enough to ensure that his whole family would immediately live a life of plenty.

Rice and flour were piled up, oil was solidified, and various foods were neatly arranged, including fresh fruits, vegetables and meats.

If he wanted, he could immediately produce rice, flour, and fragrant braised pork to feed his family and dispel their gnawing hunger and despair.

But he can't.

At least not now.

Even at the fastest speed, we still have to wait until he goes out before bringing home something edible.

In this era of extreme scarcity and where everyone is struggling for survival, any unusual source of wealth or food could bring utter disaster to a family.

He must find a reasonable, or at least acceptable, reason to gradually improve his life.

Any hasty action may bring unforeseen dangers.

He took a deep breath; the musty smell and despair in the air made him even more alert.

He walked to his father's side, bent down to pick up the simple cane that had fallen to the ground, and gently placed it beside his father's hand.

Then he turned to his mother, trying to keep his voice calm and gentle.

"Mom, don't cry. Life is tough, but we're still a family."

Chu Yuanjun raised her tear-blurred face and looked at her son's unusually calm face in the dim light, and was slightly taken aback.

The son's eyes, without his noticing, had lost their youthful naiveté and become deep and steady, as if he had grown ten years older overnight.

Yang Guangming looked at his father, who was still covering his face, and continued:
"Father, don't blame yourself too much. It's not your fault that you injured your leg; it's the work of those damned robbers."

Your most important thing right now is to get your leg healed. I'll take care of things at home from now on.

Yang Huai-ren slowly lowered his hand, revealing a face contorted with pain and guilt. He opened his mouth as if to say something, but his throat seemed to be blocked.

Yang Guangming's voice wasn't loud, but it carried a strange, reassuring power.

"I'm seventeen now, a grown man. Even if I can't find a stable job for a while, I can still earn some money by doing odd jobs every day."

Pulling rickshaws, carrying heavy bags, doing hard labor at the docks—what kind of work couldn't they do?

We'll tighten our belts, dig for wild vegetables, and peel tree bark; we'll somehow get through this toughest time.

There's no hurdle that can't be overcome in life.

Yang Guangming paused, his gaze sweeping over his two younger sisters nestled beside their mother. Looking at their thin faces, with only their big eyes remaining, he felt another pang of sorrow.

"Jingwan, Jingyi, don't be afraid, your brother is here."

The younger sister, Yang Jingwan, gripped his arm tightly and nodded vigorously, her large eyes filled with even stronger dependence.

Little Jingyi understood her brother's words. Although she still timidly huddled in her mother's arms, the look in her eyes when she looked at her brother was less sorrowful and more filled with innocent anticipation.

Upon hearing his son's words, King Yuan of Chu's grief lessened, replaced by an indescribable bittersweet feeling and a sense of relief.

The heartbreaking thing is that my son should be studying peacefully in school, preparing for college entrance exams, but now he has to shoulder the burden of life at a young age.

Thankfully, our son has grown up and become sensible, becoming a pillar that our family can rely on during these turbulent times.

She wiped away her tears and choked out, "Guangming is right, Dad, we...we can't let ourselves collapse first. The children are watching."

Yang Huai-ren looked at his son with a complicated expression.

Of course, I feel gratified. My son's ability to say such responsible words is enough to show that he is a good child with a strong sense of responsibility.

But more than anything, there was overwhelming sadness and self-blame.

He recalled his son when he was little, eagerly reading books.

I remember when my son was admitted to high school with excellent grades, his teachers praised him, saying that he was a natural at studying and would surely go to university and bring honor to the family.

My son has always had excellent grades, and he has received countless praises since he was a child.

After entering high school, he studied even harder, often burning the midnight oil to read.

Six months ago, his teachers at the school specifically talked to him, saying that with Yang Guangming's current grades and momentum, as long as he kept it up, getting into university was a sure thing.

Unfortunately, the family's financial situation took a sharp turn for the worse.

With frequent wars and soaring prices, his meager income made it extremely difficult to even provide basic sustenance for his family of five.

With only six months left until their son graduates from high school, the family can no longer afford to pay for his tuition and living expenses.

It was his incompetence as a father that ruined his son's future.

It was he who forced his son, who had a bright future, to drop out of school and return home to struggle in the mud with them.

In the past six months, my son has gone out to look for work.

But in those chaotic times of war, all industries were in decline, and even experienced masters were struggling to make ends meet. What use was a mere teenager with only a high school diploma?

Before the war, a high school student could easily find a decent clerical job in a shop or company, enough to support his family.

But now, all factories and companies are struggling to stay afloat, and they don't even have time to lay off employees, let alone hire anyone.

The son could only try his luck at the street corner and the dock every day, doing the most tiring and dirty odd jobs to earn a few meager coins. He was often cheated out of his wages and returned empty-handed.

The thought of his son's hands, which should have been holding a pen, being forced to pull carts and carry bags, to compete with those rough laborers for work, and to endure the foreman's scolding and disdain, made Yang Huai-ren's heart ache as if it were being pricked by needles.

It was he who dragged his son down.

“Guangming…” Yang Huai-ren’s voice was terribly hoarse, with a heavy nasal tone, “It’s your father… I’m so sorry…”

Yang Guangming shook his head. Having integrated the memories of four lifetimes, his mind was far beyond that of ordinary people, and he was better able to understand the helplessness of this era and his father.

"Dad, don't say that. There's a way to make a living through education, and there's also a way to make a living through manual labor. There are plenty of people in the world who earn a living through physical labor, and there's nothing shameful about it."

The most important thing right now is for our whole family to work together and get through this difficult time.

With his words of comfort, the family gradually calmed down.

Chu Yuanjun stopped crying and began to silently tidy up the few remaining belongings on the kang (a heated brick bed).

Although Yang Huai-ren was still dejected, his eyes no longer held a deathly despair, but rather a glimmer of hope for survival.

The two younger sisters also quieted down, but still clung tightly to their brother and mother, as if only in this way could they draw some warmth and strength.

No matter how difficult or bitter life is, one must always struggle to move forward.

Once you die, it's truly the end of everything; all hope is gone.

Just as the oppressive atmosphere began to ease slightly, soft footsteps sounded outside the door.

Then, the curtain was lifted, and the head of the family, Yang Hanzhang, walked in with a hunched back and heavy steps.

The people inside the room were all taken aback.

Yang Guangming reacted the fastest, quickly moving the only broken stool that was still usable from the corner and wiping the dust off with his sleeve.

"Grandpa, please sit down."

Yang Hanzhang glanced at his eldest grandson, a barely perceptible hint of tenderness flashing in his cloudy eyes.

He slowly sat down, his gaze sweeping across the small, dimly lit room, finally settling on the faces of his son Yang Huai-ren and daughter-in-law Chu Yuan-jun, who were clearly still tear-stained from crying.

His heart sank as well.

Although it was his idea to divide the family property, and it seemed to be the only way for everyone to find their own way to survive, how could he, as a father, not feel pain seeing his eldest son's family so miserable and helpless?

The room was silent, with only the faint breathing of a few people.

After a moment of silence, Yang Hanzhang finally spoke, his voice hoarse.

"Huai Ren, what are your plans for the future?"

He paused, his gaze falling on Yang Huai-ren's badly swollen leg, and added:

"The rent is about to expire. Will you still be renting this place next month?"

This is an unavoidable reality.

Yang Huai-ren leaned against the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed), his face ashen.

With that leg, he can barely walk, let alone find work. He's penniless and suffering from illness; what plans can he possibly have?

He struggled to move his body, and a piercing pain immediately shot through his left leg, causing cold sweat to break out on his forehead.

He grinned, a hint of bitterness in his eyes.

"Dad, I'm afraid we can't afford to rent this house anymore."

He glanced at the dilapidated house, which at least provided shelter from the wind and rain, and a hint of lingering affection flashed in his eyes, but it was quickly replaced by resolute determination.

"Once my leg gets a little better and I can move around... I'll go out and find a place to build a makeshift shelter."

There's always a place... outside the city, by the river, there's always a place..."

His words almost made Chu Yuanjun's tears, which she had just stopped, fall again.

They built makeshift shelters. That meant they had no shelter from the rain in summer or the cold in winter, making them no different from displaced refugees.

Moreover, living in such a place offers absolutely no guarantee of safety.

As Yang Hanzhang listened to his son's words, the wrinkles on his face seemed to deepen.

He had expected this to happen.

He hesitated for a moment, as if choosing his words carefully, "Your mother... she still has a few pieces of jewelry that came with her dowry back then."

He lowered his voice, "If it really comes to the worst... I'll talk to her and ask her to pawn those pieces of jewelry to tide us over. That should... be enough to pay the rent for this apartment."

He specifically emphasized "talk about" and "almost enough," his tone carrying a clear sense of uncertainty.

Yang Guangming listened quietly to the scene, understanding the situation perfectly.

How could a stepmother possibly be willing to use her own savings to subsidize the eldest son left behind by the first wife?

Grandpa's words were mostly meant to comfort him, or perhaps they reflected a sliver of hope that still lingered in his heart.

Yang Huai-ren shook his head almost without thinking, his attitude firm, "Dad, no need. That's Mom's dowry; she can keep it for herself."

Even if... even if she's willing to pay this month's rent for us, what about next month, and the month after that?

There's a long road ahead; we can't rely on this forever. Sooner or later... we'll have to find our own way.

Although his voice was weak, it carried an undeniable stubbornness.

He didn't want to beg his stepmother, who wasn't particularly close to the main branch of the family, and he didn't want his elderly father to suffer because of him.

Looking at his eldest son's stubborn expression, Yang Hanzhang sighed deeply.

He knew his eldest son's temperament all too well, knowing that he valued face and integrity above all else, and had long guessed that he would react this way.

He stopped trying to persuade her about pawning the jewelry and changed the subject: "It's fine if we don't rent a house here. But there's no need to suffer in a shack outside the city."

Yang Huai-ren raised his eyes and looked at his father with some confusion.

“If we don’t build a shack, where else can we go? Are we supposed to sleep on the streets or under bridges?” Yang Hanzhang didn’t understand his father’s meaning.

"Go to your eldest sister Huining's place."

"What?" Yang Huai-ren was stunned for a moment, then his brows furrowed tightly, and his face showed extreme difficulty. "Go to my eldest sister's house. This... how can this be?"

Yang Huining, Yang Guangming's aunt, is Yang Huairen's biological older sister, and the two siblings have always had a very good relationship.

Yang Huining's husband, surnamed Wang, was an honest and simple middle school teacher. His family had been residents of Beiping for a long time and owned a small courtyard in the southern part of the city. Although they were not wealthy, they were much better off than the impoverished state of the Yang family today.

"Why not?" Yang Hanzhang's tone became more serious. "I know you care about your image, don't want to cause trouble for others, and don't want to be at the mercy of others."

But what time is it now? Is it a time to care about saving face?

"Are the lives of your family of five more important, or your little bit of pride?"

His gaze swept over the frail Chu Yuanjun and his two granddaughters, his voice heavy with sorrow.

"Look at Yuanjun, and then look at Jingwan and Jingyi. How long can they hold on? How long can your leg drag on?"

Hui Ning is your older sister; she's always doted on you since you were little. Knowing you've gotten to this point, how could she not feel heartbroken and try her best to help you?
Your brother-in-law is an honest and reasonable person; he won't say anything.

Their house has four rooms. It's not spacious, but your whole family can squeeze in. At least you'll save on rent.

Yang Hanzhang analyzed each point carefully, clearly having given it considerable thought. "As for food, their family's circumstances are limited, so we certainly can't rely on them entirely. But we can manage to give them some occasional help."

Difficulties are always temporary; everyone has their bad days. Let's get through this life-or-death situation first.

"Once your leg heals and things settle down, you can repay your sister and brother-in-law tenfold, a hundredfold. Now is not the time to worry about these things."

Yang Huai-ren lowered his head, his hands gripping the mat beneath him tightly.

He understood all the principles his father spoke of.

But living under someone else's roof, having to be mindful of their mood, especially the mood of your in-laws, is certainly not a pleasant experience.

But as my father said, survival is the most important thing right now. Having a place to shelter the family from the wind and rain, instead of being homeless, is better than anything else.

However, he simply couldn't bring himself to ask his sister for help and add such a heavy burden to her family.

My sister's life at her husband's family home may not be as easy as it seems on the surface.

He remained silent, his heart churning with intense inner turmoil.

Lord Chu Yuan listened from the side, his mind in turmoil.

She naturally didn't want to take her two daughters to sleep in a shack; she simply couldn't imagine it.

Staying at my husband's sister's house is the best option right now, but as my husband worried, living under someone else's roof means we'll inevitably have to put up with their attitude and suffer their rudeness.

She stole a glance at her husband's pained and conflicted expression, sighed inwardly, and remained silent.

Sunlight captured the expressions on his parents' faces.

If staying with her aunt is not an option, then without the space in his refrigerator, it is indeed the only way out at the moment.

From a practical standpoint, this is indeed the best option to ensure the safety and basic survival of family members at present.

But now, of course, it's no longer needed.

Now that he's the pillar of the family, there's no need for them to rely on his aunt. But he hopes to take this opportunity to find another place to rent.

He carries the huge secret of the refrigerator's space. Living with a large family of relatives, with many eyes and ears around, it would be much more difficult and risky for him to secretly take things out to supplement his family's income.

If he could live alone with his family, it would be easier for him to gradually improve his family's life, and his fabricated reasons would be more convincing.

For example, one could say they found stable odd jobs, were lucky enough to have a generous employer who gave them a tip, or found some valuable little items.

In short, a relatively independent space is more important to him.

However, he couldn't directly oppose his grandfather's suggestion.

Grandpa meant well; it was the safest solution he could think of given the current predicament.

What he needs to do is guide his parents to make choices that are more in line with his future plans, while not appearing too eager or abnormal.

Yang Huai-ren struggled for a long time before finally raising his head, his face full of exhaustion and helplessness.

"Father, what you said... I'll think about it some more. Please allow me... to think about it some more."

He didn't agree immediately, but he also didn't refuse outright like he had when he refused his stepmother to give it to him as jewelry.

The pressure of survival ultimately outweighed self-esteem.

Yang Hanzhang also knew that he couldn't push his son too hard and needed to give him some time to process the situation.

All he could do was show his son this relatively safe path to make a living; as for how to ultimately proceed, that was up to his son.

He nodded, the wrinkles on his face smoothing out slightly.

"Okay, think it over carefully. Once you've figured it out, have Guangming send a message to your sister."

Yang Hanzhang stood up, his gaze falling on Yang Guangming, who had been standing quietly to the side.

"Guangming, see Grandpa off, and while you're at it... take him for a walk outside and get some fresh air."

Yang Guangming immediately replied, "Okay, Grandpa."

He stepped forward and took Yang Hanzhang's arm.

Yang Hanzhang patted the back of his hand, said nothing more, and, supported by his eldest grandson, slowly walked out of the suffocating room.

Chu Yuanjun and Yang Huairen watched the grandfather and grandson's figures disappear outside the door, exchanged a glance, and both saw deep confusion and heaviness in each other's eyes.

How should we proceed in the future?

Yang Guangming helped his grandfather walk through the narrow alley.

It was already morning, and the sunlight barely shone through the gray sky, but it couldn't dispel the oppressive atmosphere that hung over Beiping.

The walls on both sides of the alley are mottled, revealing the adobe bricks inside. Some parts have even collapsed and are barely held together by rubble.

Occasionally, a pale and thin neighbor would come and go, and when he saw the grandfather and grandson, he would just nod blankly or simply ignore them.

Everyone is so burdened by life that they have no energy left to pay attention to others.

The courtyard house they rented was located in a relatively dilapidated area in the southern part of the city. It was originally inhabited by ordinary people who were not wealthy, but now it was crowded and chaotic with many refugees.

Yang Hanzhang didn't go far. He left the alley and turned into a relatively quiet corner where some broken household items, discarded by someone, were piled up. Few people usually came here.

He stopped, gently freed himself from Yang Guangming's support, and leaned against a relatively intact wall, breathing slightly heavily.

Due to his advanced age and long-term malnutrition, walking this short distance was already quite strenuous for him.

He looked up at his eldest grandson, who was tall and upright with a youthful face but calm eyes, and felt a mix of emotions.

“Guangming,” he said, his voice hoarse with the typical raspyness of an old man, “you heard what was said inside just now.”

Yang Guangming nodded. "I heard you, Grandpa."

"Do you think... your father would agree to go to your aunt's place?" Yang Hanzhang asked his grandson.

Yang Guangming hesitated for a moment, then said instead of answering directly, "Grandpa, you know my father's temperament best. He doesn't want to cause trouble for Auntie."

Yang Hanzhang sighed, "Yes, your father is too proud and too concerned about his reputation. But can reputation put food on the table?"

He looked intently at Yang Guangming, "Guangming, you're a sensible child, more insightful than your father was back then... You need to talk to him."

Going to stay with your aunt now is the best option. At least you'll have a place to stay and won't have to sleep on the streets. No matter how difficult things are at your aunt's house, she can always spare a bowl of porridge.

My decision to separate the family was also based on this consideration.

If your father just swallows his pride and begs your aunt, your family's basic accommodation problem can be solved, and your aunt can also help out with food.

Yang Guangming listened quietly without interrupting.

Yang Hanzhang continued speaking, his voice even lower, carrying a sense of helplessness born from a profound understanding of the world.

“Those pieces of jewelry your grandmother has are her lifeblood, her private property. In her heart, she must be biased towards Huaiyi and Huaili, the children she gave birth to.”

Now that the family has separated, she has no more scruples. She'll definitely be secretly giving your second and third uncles some of that stuff. Expecting her to use it to save your father, the son of the first wife, is unlikely.

Having lived most of my life, I understand the ins and outs of this place.

Therefore, it's better to end the pain quickly than to prolong it. Let's separate now and each find our own way to make a living.

The old man's heartfelt words were tinged with deep weariness and a hint of barely perceptible guilt.

The sunlight touched my heart.

Grandpa was genuinely concerned for Father and for their branch of the family. Under the limited circumstances, he had done his best to find a way for them to survive.

"Grandpa, I understand your good intentions," Yang Guangming said softly. "I will try to persuade Dad."

Yang Guangming paused, then changed the subject slightly, his tone becoming firm, "Grandpa, I've grown up now. During this time, I'll try to find more work and earn more money."

We don't necessarily have to bother my aunt. Maybe...maybe I can find a way to rent a cheaper little house, just big enough for our family to squeeze in.

In short, I will try my best to take on the responsibility of supporting my family as soon as possible.

His words lacked the ostentation and impulsiveness often found in young people; instead, they conveyed a calm confidence.

Yang Hanzhang looked at his grandson, a glimmer of light flashing in his cloudy eyes before dimming again.

He adored his eldest grandson, who was intelligent and diligent in his studies from a young age and was the grandchild he had placed high hopes on.

His eldest grandson being forced to drop out of school is a great regret in his heart.

Hearing his grandson say he wanted to take on responsibility now, he felt both gratified and heartbroken.

“Good child, I’m content with your kind heart.” Yang Hanzhang’s voice was choked with emotion. “This world… has made life so hard for you children.”

As if remembering something, he shakily reached into the inner pocket of his tattered long gown, fumbled for a while, and finally pulled out a small object wrapped in an old handkerchief.

He carefully opened the handkerchief, inside which lay a small, slightly worn silver coin.

“Grandpa wasn’t very capable, and he didn’t leave you any inheritance…” Yang Hanzhang’s voice was filled with deep self-reproach. He stuffed the small silver coin into Yang Guangming’s hand. “This is Grandpa’s… last little bit of savings. You take it.”

Yang Ming felt a coolness in his palm; the small silver coin still carried the warmth of the old man's hand.

He opened his palm and looked at it carefully.

It was a Guangdong two-cent silver coin, with the words "two-cent silver coin" written on it, which is two cents in face value.

The silver coin is small, and the design is somewhat blurred due to long-term handling.

With the legal tender and gold yuan notes depreciating so drastically that they are practically worthless, silver dollars and silver coins are the most widely accepted currencies among the general public.

This small silver coin, worth two cents, could probably buy about a pound of flour at the current prices.

When the family was destitute and couldn't even find a bite to eat, this small silver coin was practically their lifeline.

Grandpa secretly gave this last bit of hope to himself.

Yang Guangming's heart felt as if it had been violently struck by something, leaving it aching and bitter.

Having absorbed memories from four lifetimes, he has witnessed too much wealth and luxury, and once possessed assets that rivaled those of a nation.

This tiny silver coin, worth only the equivalent of a pound of flour, was utterly insignificant in the course of his long life.

But at this moment, holding this silver coin that still carried the warmth of his grandfather's body, feeling the heavy love and helplessness contained within it, his eyes actually became a little hot.

This is more than just a silver coin.

This was the last bit of effort that Grandpa managed to squeeze out when he was in dire straits himself; it was a silent support and expectation for his grandson.

"Grandpa, this money..." Yang Guangming instinctively wanted to refuse.

He has space and supplies; he doesn't need this money at all. Keeping it with Grandpa might be useful in a pinch.

"Take it." Yang Hanzhang interrupted him without further ado, his withered hand gripping his hand tightly, closing his fingers and holding the silver coin close. "Don't make a sound, don't let anyone see it."

His gaze was stern yet contained an undeniable affection.

"You're still young, you have a long road ahead of you. In case... in case there's any emergency, this will be there to help."

Looking at his grandson's dazed expression, Yang Hanzhang's tone softened, revealing deep weariness.

"Keep it safe. This is all Grandpa can do."

After saying that, without waiting for Yang Guangming to say anything more, he waved his hand forcefully, turned around, hunched over, and walked slowly towards the alley entrance.

Against the backdrop of the gloomy sky and dilapidated walls, that figure appeared particularly desolate and lonely.

It looked as if a gust of wind could knock it over.

Yang Guangming stood there, clutching the still-warm silver coin tightly in his hand, watching his grandfather's figure disappear around the corner of the alley, remaining motionless for a long time.

His heart was filled with turbulent emotions.

There is gratitude and heartache for her grandfather, and helplessness and resentment towards this era.

There is also a strong determination to change the family's situation as soon as possible and enable them to live a better life.

Based on practical considerations, Grandpa pointed them to their eldest aunt for refuge.

But he is bright and has knowledge and skills that are ahead of his time. He also has the incredible advantage of having a refrigerator space. There is no way he would actually live under someone else's roof or have to be subservient to others.

He wants to support his family on his own.

Moreover, it needs to be done as soon as possible.

My father's leg injury needs treatment. Long-term hunger and malnutrition have brought the family to the brink of collapse. We can't delay any longer.

He needs to find a reasonable opportunity, a reason that his family can accept, for him to "make money" or "find a way out".

Renting an independent apartment is the first step.

Only by escaping the watchful eyes of his extended family could he operate more freely. (End of Chapter)