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

After receiving the keys to the new house and leaving Mr. Shen's house, Yang Guangming did not leave immediately.

He returned to the east courtyard he had just rented, passing through the moon gate, as if temporarily isolating himself from the outside world's disturbances.

The courtyard was quiet, save for the rustling of the old pomegranate tree's branches in the breeze. He stood there, his gaze sweeping over each room and every inch of the ground once more.

This time, instead of just taking a cursory look at the layout and environment, I examined what specific items related to daily necessities were missing from the perspective of a soon-to-be homeowner.

He pushed open the door to the main room and went inside.

The eight-immortal table and four chairs in the main room were wiped very clean, but the table was empty, with no teapot, teacups, or any decorations.

In both bedrooms, new mats were laid on the earthen beds, while the old wardrobes were empty.

The kitchen in the east wing was fully equipped with a stove, water tank, and pots, but there were clearly not enough bowls, chopsticks, spoons, and plates for five people, and the condiment jars were empty.

He looked at the empty room again; it contained only a bare bed and an empty wardrobe, with no bedding on the bed.

Yang Guangming quickly made a decision in his mind.

The main, bulky furniture and most household items were indeed, as Mr. Shen and Li Yaren said, basically complete and ready for immediate move-in, saving the biggest trouble.

However, to maintain the most basic daily operation of a family, there are quite a few odds and ends that need to be purchased.

Food, vegetables, oil, salt, soy sauce, and vinegar are essential supplies. Pots and pans need to be replenished. Thermos flasks, washbasins, foot basins, towels, soap, lamp oil... these daily necessities are indispensable.

He quickly made a long list in his mind.

He already has some of these things in his refrigerator. For example, high-quality Northeast rice, Southern rice, wheat flour, various oils, seasonings, and even some dried goods and cured meats that can be stored for a long time.

He can now take these things out without anyone noticing.

But there are still some things that need to be bought again from outside shops. For example, thermos flasks, new bowls and chopsticks, local specialty pickles, lamp oil, soap, and so on.

These items are either not available in the space, or their packaging and style are out of step with the times, making it too risky to take them out directly.

In this day and age, when you go to a shop to buy something, even if it's not a scarce commodity like food or cloth, there are usually long queues in front of the door.

Chaos reigned, and fear gripped the people; shopping was more of a test of physical strength and patience. For him to go shopping alone and complete his list before nightfall was virtually an impossible task.

He thought of the "neck-wearing" Master Liao who had been introduced to him by his landlord, Mr. Shen.

Mr. Shen said he was honest and hardworking, and very strong. Whenever someone in the neighborhood needed to buy coal or carry heavy loads, they would hire him. He was just a reliable person for buying small items and running errands.

Asking Mr. Liao for help and paying a reasonable fee can greatly improve efficiency. We can try to get everything ready today so that the family can move in smoothly tomorrow and start a new life.

Having made up his mind, Yang Guangming didn't delay any longer. He relocked the doors of the main house and side rooms in the east courtyard and turned to walk towards the front yard.

In the front yard, the dark-skinned, sturdy young man he had seen when he entered was squatting on the ground tidying up a pile of hemp ropes and a carrying pole, apparently organizing his utensils for eating.

With a gentle smile, Yang Guangming stepped forward and greeted him, "Excuse me, sir, are you Master Liao?"

The young man looked up at the sound, revealing a kind and honest face. Seeing the bright sunlight, he quickly stood up, wiped his hands with the old towel hanging around his neck, and replied somewhat awkwardly:
"No, no, sir. You can just call me Liao Dazhuang. That's me, Liao Dazhuang. What can I do for you?"

His voice was loud and clear, with the straightforwardness characteristic of a laborer.

Yang Guangming smiled and said, "Master Liao, you're too kind. My surname is Yang, Yang Guangming. I just rented the east wing of our courtyard, so we'll be neighbors from now on."

Liao Dazhuang's face lit up with realization and a hint of enthusiasm: "Oh! It's Mr. Yang! I guessed you might be a new neighbor when I saw Mr. Shen and the broker leading you inside. Hello, hello!"

"Hello, Mr. Liao." Yang Guangming nodded and got to the point. "It's like this, I just rented a place today and I'm in a hurry to move in tomorrow. I need to buy a lot of odds and ends. I can't manage it all by myself, so I was thinking of paying you some labor fees to help me out. I was wondering if you have some time today?"

Liao Dazhuang's eyes lit up when he heard there was work to be done. Things had been turbulent lately, and city dwellers were struggling financially, so there were far fewer households needing to hire laborers. He had been worried about not having any income. Now that his new neighbor had come to him, he was naturally overjoyed.

He rubbed his hands together and readily agreed, "I have time! I have time! Mr. Yang, please let me know what you need to buy or move! I may not be good at other things, but I, Xiao Liao, am an expert at running errands!"

"That's great." Yang Guangming's smile became even more sincere. "The main thing is that there are quite a few things to buy, so I might have to go to a few more places. Here's the list, Master Liao, please take a look."

He pulled out a hastily written list from his pocket and handed it over.

The list above includes the following items to be purchased: ten bowls, eight plates, ten pairs of chopsticks, two soup spoons, one kitchen knife, one cutting board, one spatula, two oil lamps, two jin of lamp oil, two bars of soap, three towels, two washbasins, two foot basins, one broom, one dustpan, and several common condiments such as yellow soybean paste, sesame paste, Sichuan peppercorns, and star anise.

Liao Dazhuang took the list. Although he was not very literate, he could still recognize the names of common items. With Yang Guangming explaining things to him, he quickly glanced at it and got a general idea of ​​what was going on.

These items are indeed scattered across different grocery stores and oil and salt shops, making it time-consuming and laborious for one person to purchase them.

“There are quite a few things, but I know all these shops well, so I should be able to buy everything,” Liao Dazhuang said. “Mr. Yang, don’t worry, I’ll make sure everything is taken care of for you.”

Yang Guangming asked, "Master Liao, how much do you think is appropriate for wages after a whole afternoon of work?"

Liao Dazhuang quickly waved his hand and said politely, "Oh, Mr. Yang, you're too kind. We're neighbors, helping each other out is only natural, why bring up wages..."

Yang Guangming insisted, "That won't do. Even close brothers should keep clear accounts. Master Liao, you've put in the effort and time, so this is what you deserve. If you don't accept the money, I'll feel bad for bothering you."

Seeing that Yang Guangming's attitude was sincere and not just empty politeness, Liao Dazhuang smiled憨厚ly and said:

“Since you put it that way, Mr. Yang, then I won’t be coy. According to the market practice, these kinds of errand-running and purchasing jobs are usually paid on a half-day or full-day basis. Today’s work will probably not be finished until dark, so even if it’s a half-day contract, one yuan will suffice.”

For a laborer like Liao Dazhuang, a one-yuan gold note was a decent income, but it was by no means an exorbitant price; the price was quite fair.

Without any hesitation, Yang Guangming readily agreed: "Okay, as you said, Master Liao, one yuan gold note."

He continued, "I estimate that purchasing these items will cost around ten gold yuan. I'll give you twelve yuan first, and I'll refund any overpayment or make up the difference later, so you don't have to pay upfront."

As he spoke, he took out the gold yuan notes he had prepared from his pocket, counted out twelve yuan, and handed them to Liao Dazhuang.

Liao Dazhuang took the money, counted it carefully, and confirmed that there was nothing wrong with it.

This new neighbor is young, but he is so efficient and considerate. He paid in advance and even gave me extra money as a bonus, which shows his trust in me.

"Thank you for your trust, Mr. Yang! I'll take care of it right away!" Liao Dazhuang carefully put the money into his inner pocket and folded the list, holding it in his hand. "Are you going to wait here, or..."

“I also need to go out and buy some things,” Yang Guangming said. “I’ll pick out the big or expensive items like the thermos myself. We can split up and be more efficient. Just bring the things you buy directly to the east courtyard. I’ll go back when I’m done here.”

"Alright! Got it!" Liao Dazhuang nodded vigorously. "Then I'll go right now!"

The two agreed to leave the courtyard one after the other, parted ways at the entrance of the alley, and walked in different directions.

Yang Guangming's first priority is to solve the problem of the thermos and some bedding. Although there is bedding at home, the better quality parts have all been pawned, and now it is necessary to buy new ones.

These two items are relatively expensive, and the thermos has a glass liner, which is easy to bump and knock. He felt more at ease choosing them himself.

He walked toward the slightly busier commercial street in the south of the city.

The streets were still filled with a sense of unease, with queues of people everywhere. He had a clear goal: to find a shop selling everyday items. There weren't too many people queuing outside; the shop mainly sold pots, pans, thermos flasks, and the like.

After queuing for about half an hour, when it was his turn, he carefully selected two bamboo-shelled thermos flasks, tested the seals to ensure they were tight, and checked the inner linings for any obvious defects. These days, thermos flasks were high-end items, and the two flasks cost him twelve yuan.

Carrying a thermos, he turned into a shop that sold all kinds of bedding.

He didn't have time to be picky and bought all the necessary bedding for the house, plus a few buckwheat hull pillows.

These items were large and heavy. He paid for them and told the owner he would come back to pick them up later, or he could pay extra to have one of the shop assistants deliver them.

Next, he went to the fabric store and bought several lengths of the most ordinary coarse cloth, intending to use it to make bed sheets, duvet covers, and curtains. Although there was fabric in the room, there was no need to take it out if more suitable fabric could be bought at the market.

When he returned to the east courtyard with the thermos and the shop assistant who had helped with the delivery, Liao Dazhuang had already come back and neatly arranged the bowls, chopsticks, basins, brooms, dustpans, and other items he had bought at the kitchen door.

"Mr. Yang, you're back!" Liao Dazhuang had just returned from his second shopping trip, carrying lamp oil, soap, and several packets of seasonings and other miscellaneous items. Fine beads of sweat were forming on his forehead. "I've bought almost everything, except for Sichuan peppercorns and star anise. That shop is sold out, so I'll go check the next street."

"Thank you for your hard work, Master Liao." Yang Guangming felt much more at ease looking at the things piled on the ground. "No rush, take your time."

He paid the shop assistant to put the bedding and pillows in the main bedroom, and then began to tidy up the items he had bought. He put the bowls and chopsticks in the kitchen cupboard, refilled the oil lamp and placed it in the main room and bedroom, and put the washbasin and foot basin under the bed in the empty room…

Throughout the afternoon, Yang Guangming made two trips back and forth to his residence to "move" all the large items he needed to buy personally and the spatial supplies he needed to take out.

Liao Dazhuang made three trips back and forth, and finally, before it got dark, he had purchased all the odds and ends on the list, including the hardest-to-find peppercorns and star anise.

Looking at the once empty east courtyard, now the kitchen was fully stocked with bowls and chopsticks, and all the necessary oil, salt, soy sauce, and vinegar were available. The bedroom was covered with brand-new bedding, and a thermos was placed in the main room. All kinds of daily necessities were also in place. Yang Guangming breathed a long sigh of relief. This home was finally starting to look like a proper home.

After handing over the last batch of items, Liao Dazhuang returned the remaining money, a total of two yuan and six mao, to Yang Guangming without missing a single penny.

"Mr. Yang, everything is ready. Here's the remaining money. Please check it." Liao Dazhuang wiped his sweat with a towel, his face showing relief at having completed his task.

Yang Guangming took it, put it in his pocket without even looking at it, and said with a smile, "No need to order, I trust Master Liao."

He then took out a one-yuan note that he had prepared beforehand and handed it over, saying, "This is the agreed-upon payment, Master Liao, please keep it. Thank you so much for today!"

Liao Dazhuang accepted the wages with a beaming smile, repeatedly expressing his gratitude: "Thank you, Mr. Yang! You're too kind!"

He hesitated for a moment, then asked warmly, "Mr. Yang, is there anything else I can help you with? We're neighbors, so please don't hesitate to ask if you need any help. I don't need to pay you for helping out."

Seeing that Liao Dazhuang was taking the initiative to be friendly and his attitude was sincere, Yang Guangming thought that since he would be living here for a long time, he would inevitably have to deal with the neighbors, and having a reliable person to help him would indeed make things much more convenient.

Without standing on ceremony, he said, "Now that you mention it, Master Liao, I do have something I'd like to trouble you with. We're moving in tomorrow, and we haven't found any firewood yet to start cooking."

Could you please help me pre-order, or tell me where I can buy it?

Upon hearing this, Liao Dazhuang immediately patted his chest and said, "This is easy to handle! Mr. Yang, you don't need to worry."

The firewood piled under the pergola in the southeast corner of the east courtyard belongs to the landlord, Mr. Shen. I told him that he could use it temporarily in case of emergency.

Almost every morning, farmers from the nearby countryside would pull carts into the city to sell firewood, hawking their wares right here in our alley.

I told my husband to keep an eye out tomorrow morning and go out to stop them if he hears any shouting.

He paused, then added, "Right now, 100 jin of firewood costs about one gold yuan. If you trust me, I can order 100 jin for you first."

Yang Guangming nodded, then took out a one-yuan note from his pocket and handed it to Liao Dazhuang: "That's great, thank you for your help, Master Liao and your wife. Here's one yuan, order one hundred jin first."

Liao Dazhuang readily accepted the money: "Okay! Don't worry, Mr. Yang, I guarantee I'll buy it for you tomorrow and deliver it directly to the east courtyard!"

With everything arranged, Liao Dazhuang thanked everyone profusely and took his wages home.

Yang Guangming did one last check of the east courtyard, and placed the rice, a jar of lard, several packets of salt, some dried mushrooms, vermicelli, and other easily stored foods that he had taken out of his space into the rice container and cabinet in the kitchen.

With everything prepared, he locked all the doors and windows of the east wing, then went to the front yard to greet the landlord, Mr. Shen, explaining that his family would be moving in early the next morning and thanking him for his help today. Mr. Shen was pleased to see that he was efficient and readily agreed.

Yang Guangming then walked towards the courtyard under the twilight.

Reaching a corner of an alley not far from his home, and seeing no one around, he quickly took out two plump grass carp he had prepared beforehand from his spatial storage and placed them into the fish basket he had been carrying. Next, he took out two bags of Northeast rice, each weighing five pounds and wrapped in ordinary white cloth, and carried them in his hands.

His decision to offer Northeast rice was deliberate.

During this period, due to transportation issues and war, most of the rice sold in Beijing grain stores was transported from Northeast China.

Southern rice is also available, but in smaller quantities.

He keeps five kilograms of Northeast rice and five kilograms of Southern rice in his refrigerator every day. As long as they are available in the market, he can take them out and use them alternately without arousing unnecessary suspicion.

He had placed two bags of southern rice, which are not very common, in the newly rented east courtyard. The rice he brought back to the old house was from Northeast China, which is more common.

We're moving out tomorrow, leaving this crowded tenement. From now on, aside from frequently visiting Grandpa, I probably won't have many opportunities to interact with my second and third uncles' families.

With greater distance and fewer meetings, conflicts naturally decrease.

Thinking about all this, Yang Guangming felt that on the last night before leaving, it was necessary to treat everyone to a proper reunion dinner to ease the slightly tense relationship after the family division, to give his grandfather some comfort, and to preserve this blood ties.

He was carrying fish and rice when he stepped into the courtyard of the tenement building and saw that the army of people digging for wild vegetables had already returned.

Mother Chu Yuanjun, Second Aunt, and Third Aunt were sitting on small stools in the center of the courtyard, picking wild vegetables from their baskets.

Today's harvest seemed to be better than yesterday's; everyone's baskets were full, and Auntie Er and Auntie San even had a rare, relaxed smile on their faces.

"Mother, Second Aunt, Third Aunt, I'm back." Yang Guangming greeted them first.

All three eyes turned to him, first to the heavy fish basket in his hand that smelled of fish, and then to the two bulging white rice bags in his other hand.

In those days, that white cloth rice bag was practically a symbol of hope and abundance!
The second and third aunts' eyes widened instantly, a look of surprise and disbelief flashing across their faces. Their lips moved as if they wanted to ask something, but in the end they were too embarrassed to speak. However, the inquiry and envy in their eyes were almost overflowing.

They lowered their heads and continued picking wild vegetables, but their movements slowed down noticeably, and they strained their ears to listen to what was happening over there.

When Chu Yuanjun saw what his son was holding, he was taken aback for a moment. He then put down the wild vegetables, stood up and came over, his face showing doubt and a hint of worry that was hard to detect.

Yang Guangming winked at his mother, signaling her to go back inside and talk. Chu Yuanjun understood and silently followed her son back to their small, dimly lit room.

Yang Huai-ren remained seated on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed), his injured leg stretched out straight.

Seeing his son return, carrying fish and a bag that was clearly filled with grain, his cloudy eyes immediately lit up. He struggled to sit up straight and asked eagerly, "Guangming, you're back? What...what are you carrying in your hand...?"

Yang Guangming placed the rice bag on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed) and said casually, "Dad, Mom, there are two grass carp and ten catties of rice."

"Ten catties of rice!" Yang Huai-ren and Chu Yuan-jun exclaimed almost simultaneously. Chu Yuan-jun grabbed the rice bag, his fingers trembling as he touched it, feeling the plump, distinct grains of rice inside. He then brought it to his nose to smell the familiar aroma of rice, his voice trembling:

"Guangming... this... where did this rice come from? And this fish... why are you..."

Yang Guangming had prepared his speech early in the morning. His tone was calm, with a hint of "it's only natural," as he said:
"Dad, Mom, don't worry, listen to me. I was lucky today, I caught more than yesterday, and they're all quite big."

A restaurant's purchasing agent saw that my fish was fresh and we struck a deal.

He paused, observing his parents' reactions, and seeing that they were listening intently, he continued:

He said his restaurant often needs fresh fish and asked if I could supply it long-term. The price was negotiable; I could pay in cash or exchange it for rice, flour, or cooking oil from his shop.

I thought it was a good idea, so I agreed. These ten pounds of rice were obtained today by trading fish for them.

This explanation makes perfect sense. Fishing yields are unpredictable, so finding a stable "market," whether for money or goods, is a highly desirable thing for ordinary families.

This not only explains the source of the food but also lays the groundwork for a continued supply of resources in the future.

After hearing this, the surprise and doubt on Yang Huai Ren and Chu Yuan Jun's faces were gradually replaced by great joy.

Yang Huai-ren, in particular, gripped the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed) tightly and exclaimed repeatedly, "Great! Great! Getting in touch with the restaurant is a wonderful thing! From now on... from now on, our family's food problem will really be solved!"

Chu Yuanjun's eyes reddened with excitement. He repeatedly stroked the rice bag, murmuring, "Thank God... thank God... this is wonderful..."

However, Yang Guangming's next words instantly turned their surprise into even greater shock and worry.

"Dad, Mom, there's something else I need to tell you," Yang Guangming said calmly. "I've already rented a house today."

"Rented it already?" Yang Huai-ren was taken aback. "So fast? Where is it? What are the conditions like? Is the rent expensive?"

Yang Guangming described in detail the situation of the rented east courtyard: its location near the inner city, its independent courtyard within a two-courtyard siheyuan (traditional courtyard house), its layout of three main rooms and two side rooms, its complete set of furniture, and even the fact that pots and pans were basically already in place.

As Yang Huai-ren and Chu Yuan-jun listened, their expressions shifted from surprise to disbelief, and then to deep worry.

This house sounds amazing!
This was completely beyond their expectations of "renting a house." How much would the rent be for a house like this?
"Guangming, how much would the rent be for a house like this every month?" Yang Huai-ren's voice trembled; he almost dared not think of that number.

“The landlord doesn’t want any money,” Yang Guangming said.

"Free of charge?" The two were stunned again. Could there really be such a good thing in the world?
“Yes, all we want is food.” Yang Guangming looked at his parents and said slowly, “The landlord is asking for twenty catties of first-class rice per month as rent.”

"Twenty catties of first-class rice!" Chu Yuanjun gasped. "This...this is more expensive than money!"

According to the official price, 20 jin of first-grade rice costs no more than four yuan, but considering the black market price and the risks and difficulties of purchasing it, its actual value far exceeds that amount.

In the eyes of Yang Huai Ren and Chu Yuan Jun, this was an astronomical figure, a heavy burden.

Yang Huai-ren's brows furrowed tightly, his face full of worry:
"Twenty jin... Guangming, you... you're incredibly audacious!"
Yes, you can catch fish now and exchange them for some rice. But what about later? When it gets cold and the river freezes over, how will you fish then? If you can't pay the rent, are you going to let them kick us out?"

Chu Yuanjun looked at his son with worry, hesitating to speak.

She longed for the clean, independent, and safe home her son described, but she also feared the heavy burden of paying 20 kilograms of rice every month.

Yang Guangming understood his parents' worries. They had been tormented by poverty and instability for too long and had long been accustomed to preparing for the worst. He had to give them enough confidence.

A confident smile spread across his face as he said firmly, "Father, Mother, don't worry. Since I dared to rent this house, I'm confident I can afford the rent. I have tricks for fishing; it's not just about luck. And..."

He paused deliberately, emphasizing his words: "Actually, the harvest is only greater after the river freezes over in winter, and the fish caught are also bigger."

"Huh?" Yang Huai Ren and Chu Yuan Jun were both stunned, clearly having never heard of such a saying before.

"real."

Yang Guangming explained, "Now that it's hot, the fish are all in the weeds or in the deep water. I'm fishing from the shore, so my catch isn't very big."

When the ice thickens in winter, the fish gather under the ice and have a limited range of movement.

I can drill holes in the ice, which will make fishing much more efficient than it is now on the shore, and it will be much easier to catch big fish.”

His half-truthful explanation sounded quite reasonable, making it hard not to believe him.

At least, Yang Huai-ren and Chu Yuan-jun were impressed by his confident tone and detailed description, and the doubts on their faces subsided considerably.

"You...you really have that confidence?" Yang Huai-ren asked again, his voice filled with anticipation.

"Father, please believe me this once."

Yang Guangming nodded emphatically, "I'm absolutely certain. From now on, let alone twenty kilograms of rice, even more, we can afford it."

"If we move there, our family can finally live in peace. We won't have to all be crammed into this tiny room, and we won't have to worry about Jingwan and Jingyi's safety."

Hearing her son mention the safety of her daughters, Chu Yuanjun's heart skipped a beat.

Yes, this courtyard is crowded and noisy. My two daughters are getting older, and it's really inconvenient for them to always squeeze onto one kang (heated brick bed). The environment here isn't safe either. Having a place to live with their own courtyard is so important to my daughters.

Seeing his son's confidence and thorough consideration, Yang Huai-ren's mind gradually shifted.

He was silent for a moment, as if he had made up his mind, and then said, "Alright! Since you're so confident, then I'll trust you! Let's move!"

Seeing that her husband had made the decision, Chu Yuanjun had no choice but to suppress her worries and nod.

Yang Guangming felt a sense of relief, knowing that the most difficult hurdle had been overcome.

He continued, "Dad, Mom, there's one more thing. I've already left ten catties of rice at the new house, enough for us to eat for the first few days."

The ten pounds of rice I brought back today is meant to be used to invite my grandparents, second uncle, and third uncle to have a family reunion dinner tonight.

The remaining rice will be left for Grandpa and Grandma.

He looked at his parents and said sincerely, "We're moving tomorrow. The new house is a bit far from here, so we'll probably have less contact with my second and third uncles, except for visiting Grandpa."

"Let's treat everyone to a good meal today, as a way of maintaining our relationships after the family division. What do you all think?"

When it came time to send out ten catties of rice, Chu Yuanjun clearly showed a reluctant expression on his face.

Ten pounds of rice! Enough for my family to eat for several days.

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

He understood his son's intention; it was mainly to fulfill his filial duty.

His son has the ability and the will, so as a father, he can't stop him. Besides, his son has already prepared ten kilograms of rice for the new house, which shows that he is indeed confident.

He hesitated for a moment, then finally nodded: "Alright, let's do it your way. We should... have a meal together."

Her husband agreed, and although Chu Yuanjun felt heartbroken, she couldn't object anymore. She just muttered under her breath, "That's ten catties of rice..."

Yang Guangming smiled and comforted her, "Mom, our lives will get better and better from now on. We won't lack this little bit of rice. Making sure the whole family has a good meal and putting Grandpa at ease is more important than anything else."

With his parents' consent, Yang Guangming decided not to delay any longer.

He picked up the two heavy bags of rice and the fish basket containing two large grass carp, turned around and left the house, heading towards his grandfather's room in the main house.

Grandpa Yang Hanzhang and Grandma were both in the main house.

Grandpa was leaning against the pile of quilts on the kang (a heated brick bed) with his eyes closed, resting. Grandma was sitting on the edge of the kang, holding a worn-out shoe sole in her hand, sewing it haphazardly, her eyes somewhat vacant.

The two were stunned when they saw their eldest grandson carrying so many things in.

Yang Hanzhang struggled to sit up, looking at the rice bag and fish basket in Yang Guangming's hands with surprise, and asked in a dry voice, "Guangming? What... what are you carrying? Why are there so many things?"

Yang Guangming placed the rice bag and fish basket on the ground and said respectfully, "Grandpa, Grandma. This is ten catties of rice that I traded for fish at the restaurant today, and two big grass carp that I specially saved."

Before the elderly couple could react, he continued, "Also, I've already rented a place outside today, and the conditions are pretty good. Our family will move in first thing tomorrow morning."

This news came like a bolt from the blue, leaving Yang Hanzhang and the old lady stunned.

"Rented...you've already rented a place? Moving in tomorrow?" Yang Hanzhang was a little taken aback. "So fast? Where did you rent it? What kind of yard is it?"

The old lady immediately turned her gaze to the two bags of rice, her face instantly spreading with unbelievable, ecstatic joy, her voice becoming even sharper:
"Oh my God! Ten pounds of rice! And two grass carp this big! Guangming! You...you are truly our family's lucky star!"

Yang Guangming briefly explained the location and basic information of the house, omitting the specific details of the rent, only saying that it was paid for with fish, to reassure the elderly couple.

Then he said, “Tonight, I would like to invite Grandpa and Grandma, as well as my second and third uncles’ families, to have a reunion dinner together. We’ll use this rice and fish. The rest of the rice is for Grandpa and Grandma, so you can enjoy it.”

"Good, good! Reunion dinner! Let's eat reunion dinner!"

The old lady was beaming with joy, clapping her hands repeatedly. Her eyes were filled with eagerness as she looked at Yang Guangming, and compliments poured out of her mouth like they were free:

"I knew it! Our Guangming has been promising since childhood! He's good at studying, and now he's skilled at fishing!"
"They've only been separated from the family for a few days, and they've already amassed such a large fortune! They still think of us old folks, and of their uncle and aunt! Truly filial! Kind-hearted! A good child!"

Yang Hanzhang frowned slightly as he listened to his wife's exaggerated flattery, but looking at the real grain and fish on the ground, and then at his calm and confident grandson, he was filled with mixed feelings.

He had long been mentally prepared for his eldest son's family to move away, and even felt that it was inevitable.

But when the time to part actually came, I felt a pang of sadness and a sense of emptiness.

Fortunately, the grandson was resourceful and found a way to make a living. He was not only able to support his own family, but also to help them out. This was a stroke of luck amidst misfortune, a glimmer of hope left for the Yang family by God.

He sighed, his tone complex, and said, "It's rented...good, good. Having your own place is better than anything. You two...take good care of yourselves from now on."

"Grandpa, don't worry, we'll be fine," Yang Guangming solemnly promised.

Upon learning that there would be fish and white rice for dinner, the women in the family spontaneously and happily flocked to the kitchen to get busy, without needing to be told.

Some were rinsing rice, some were cleaning fish, and some were tending the fire; the atmosphere was more lively than ever before.

After everyone else left, only Yang Hanzhang and his grandson Yang Guangming remained in the main house.

Yang Hanzhang gestured for his grandson to sit on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed), lowered his voice, and asked seriously, "Guangming, tell your grandfather the truth, what exactly is the situation with that east wing? How much is the monthly rent?"

Knowing that he couldn't hide it from his shrewd grandfather, Yang Guang told him the truth, including the monthly rent of twenty kilograms of rice and his confidence in it.

After listening, Yang Hanzhang remained silent for a long time, his face showing shock and contemplation. He clearly hadn't expected his grandson to rent such a nice house, and at such a "special" price.

Finally, he sighed deeply and said, "Since you've made up your mind and are confident, Grandpa won't say anything more. But... don't go into the details with your two uncles."

He looked at his grandson with a deep gaze: "You can't see into someone's heart. If you move away and live a good life, they'll find out the details and inevitably feel resentful, causing trouble. It's better to avoid trouble."

Yang Guangming nodded: "Grandpa, I understand."

Yang Hanzhang added, "After you move away, if you are truly well-off and have the ability, please lend a hand to your second and third uncles when they are really struggling to make ends meet."

After all... we're connected by blood. But remember, help should be given in moderation, lest a good deed turn into a bad one and cause trouble. The main problem is that this first month will be the hardest.

Next month, once they've received their salaries and have a stable income, things should get better.

These words, spoken frankly and sincerely, were filled with the wisdom and helplessness of an elderly person.

Moved, Yang Guangming said earnestly, "Grandpa, don't worry, I know what I'm doing. I definitely won't stand by and watch my family starve to death. I will help when the time comes."

The grandfather and grandson talked for a while, mainly Yang Hanzhang giving instructions on things to pay attention to when moving and living together.

When the Yang brothers, Huaiyi and Huaili, returned home from get off work, they were stunned by the aroma of rice and stewed fish filling the yard, and by the busy scene in the kitchen and the large bowl of white rice.

When they learned that the rice was from their elder brother's fishing business, and that he was treating the whole family to a reunion dinner and moving away the next day, the two men felt a complex mix of emotions.

There was a longing and gratitude for the food, a surprise and doubt at the sudden "wealth" of the elder brother's family, and a hint of inexplicable loss.

In any case, this meal was the most sumptuous the family hadn't had in a long time.

The old lady was in charge of cooking, carefully calculating the amount of rice added. The rice in each person's bowl barely covered the bottom, far from enough to fill them up. However, the substantial taste of the rice and the rich aroma of the stewed fish, made with high-quality ingredients, still made everyone feel incredibly satisfied and cherish the meal.

The atmosphere at the dinner table was much more relaxed than when the family separated a few days ago.

As everyone chatted, although there was still some politeness and caution, the warmth of blood ties seemed to rekindle a bit under the heat of the food.

Upon learning that Yang Guangming's family would be moving away early the next morning, his second and third aunts said a few words of farewell and reluctance, their tone much more sincere than before.

Having eaten the rice and fish they received, they felt indebted and had to accept the favor.

The family sat around and chatted for a while, mainly lamenting the difficult times and telling Yang Huai-ren's family to live a good life after they moved away, and to come back and visit often when they had time.

As night deepened, the group, feeling a long-lost sense of fullness and mixed emotions, reluctantly returned to their rooms to rest.

Lying on the hard earthen bed, listening to the even breathing of my parents and sisters beside me, Yang Guangming gazed at the dark roof and felt a sense of peace.

The old chapter is about to turn, and a new life begins tomorrow. (End of Chapter)