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

Chapter 5.5 Helping Others and Opportunities

The heavy hood was lifted to reveal a relatively simple, old-fashioned engine inside.

A strong smell of gasoline, engine oil, and hot metal hit me.

Yang Guangming bent down, his eyes scanning the surroundings.

He first checked the spark plugs for ignition, and everything was normal. Then he checked the fuel system. When his gaze fell on the simple carburetor, he understood.

"Comrade Zhao, it's probably a clogged carburetor." Yang Guangming pointed to the greasy metal lump. "If the fuel line is blocked, it won't supply enough fuel, and the engine will 'cough' and stall. Cleaning it should fix it. Do you have a spare toolbox in your car?"

"Yes, yes, yes!" Upon hearing that there was a chance, Zhao Guodong's tense expression relaxed slightly, and he quickly pulled a heavy military green metal toolbox from the back seat, which still bore the unit's serial number markings.

Yang Guangming took the toolbox and skillfully opened it. Wrenches, screwdrivers, pliers... the tools were old and worn, but still quite complete.

He picked up the appropriate tools and moved with precision and efficiency, disassembling, cleaning, and reassembling in one go.

In his previous life, he was a personal secretary to his boss, who loved playing with old cars. He would go to auto repair shops with his boss, hand him tools, and listen to the mechanics' explanations. He had long been an expert in dealing with problems with old-fashioned carburetors.

At this moment, his focused expression and skillful movements made him seem less like a seventeen-year-old high school graduate and more like an experienced master craftsman.

Zhao Guodong watched from the side, his anxiety gradually replaced by surprise and a hint of barely perceptible admiration.

Cleaned and reassembled.

Yang Guangming stood up straight and wiped the sweat from his forehead: "Comrade Zhao, would you like to try starting it?"

Zhao Guodong quickly climbed into the driver's seat and turned the key. After a few whirring sounds from the starter motor, the engine suddenly emitted a deep roar and then started running steadily!

"Hey! That's good! Young man, you've got some skills!" Zhao Guodong finally smiled, leaned out of the car window, and slapped the steering wheel hard. "Thank you so much! At least it didn't delay things!" His tone was full of relief.

"You're welcome, it's my pleasure." Yang Guangming smiled modestly and carefully put the tools back in the toolbox.

Zhao Guodong got out of the car, looked at Yang Guangming, and his eyes became much more eager: "Comrade Xiao Yang, you can drive?"

"I know a little bit. I've done a few trips with my master before," Yang Guangming replied, half-jokingly.

"Great!"

Zhao Guodong slapped his thigh, as if grasping at a lifeline, "I'm in a hurry to pick up two comrades from the Northeast from the military district guesthouse in the western suburbs. I'm not familiar with the roads, so I was asking for directions as I drove, and that's how I got here..."

"Could you do me a favor and be my temporary driver? Just drop me off at my destination!"

He glanced at the old-fashioned Shanghai brand watch on his wrist, becoming even more anxious. "Time is running out, I'm going to miss it!"

Yang Guangming nodded without hesitation: "Okay! Comrade Zhao, I'll give you directions and drive you there as soon as possible!"

"Great! That's a good idea!" Zhao Guodong was overjoyed and immediately opened the passenger door. "Get in!"

Yang Guangming got into the driver's seat and adjusted the rearview mirror and seat. This practiced action made Zhao Guodong's eyes flash with a strange light.

He familiarized himself with the heavy and somewhat vague steering wheel and the slightly stiff gear shifts of the GAZ-69, took a deep breath, and steadily started the car.

The jeep gave a low growl and merged into the jingling stream of bicycles on the street.

On the way, Zhao Guodong was clearly relieved and became more talkative.

He introduced himself as the newly appointed deputy director of the Hongxing State-owned Cotton Mill, a former soldier who had recently retired from the military. He explained that two old comrades from Northeast China were in Shanghai on a business trip, and they had arranged to meet at noon, but he almost had to cancel because his car broke down.

While driving with focused attention, skillfully dodging bicycles that darted around and the occasional pedestrians and carts, Yang Guangming responded appropriately to the topics that Zhao Guodong occasionally threw out.

Drawing on his past life experiences and profound understanding of this era, he displayed a level of insight and tact far beyond his years during the conversation.

When Zhao Guodong complained about some management squabbles and inefficiency in the factory, Yang Guangming did not echo his complaints. Instead, he made a few lighthearted remarks from the perspective of coordinating processes and clarifying responsibilities, which gave Zhao Guodong a sense of sudden enlightenment.

When discussing current political events, Yang Guangming spoke cautiously but clearly, demonstrating a remarkable sense of proportion.

"Xiaoyang, did you really just graduate from high school?"

Zhao Guodong couldn't help but take another look at the incredibly composed young man beside him. The way he held the steering wheel exuded a level of control beyond his years.

"Your speech and knowledge are quite remarkable! You're better than many of our factory's office-based managers!"

"Director Zhao, you flatter me," Yang Guangming said calmly as he turned a corner. "I just like to read newspapers and books, listen to the elders chat, and ponder things."

Zhao Guodong nodded, his admiration growing stronger. This young man from Shanghai named Yang Guangming was quick-witted, composed, skilled, knowledgeable, and spoke appropriately, leaving him with an extremely deep and positive impression.

The car arrived smoothly at the military district guesthouse in the western suburbs.

Two burly middle-aged men stood at the entrance, both wearing old-style grass-green military uniforms without collar insignia, commonly known as the "Type 65" uniform.

Yang Guangming immediately noticed that their jackets had four pockets—a mark of military officers in those days.

Ordinary people or soldiers have two pockets on their chest, commonly known as "two pockets," while officers have four pockets, one on top and one on the bottom.

"Old Zhao! You've finally arrived! We thought you stood us up!" A square-faced officer with a booming voice greeted him with a smile and patted Zhao Guodong on the shoulder as he got out of the car.

"Hey, don't even mention it, my car broke down halfway there! Thanks to this Comrade Xiao Yang."

Zhao Guodong quickly introduced, his tone filled with pride, "This is Yang Guangming, the biggest hero today. If it weren't for him, I'd still be standing here on the roadside, watching helplessly."

Xiao Yang, these two are my old comrades-in-arms, Lao Li and Lao Zhang!

He pointed to the square-faced man and introduced him: "This is Lao Li, Li Zhenguo." Then he pointed to an officer next to him with a slightly serious face but gentle eyes: "This is Lao Zhang, whose name was changed to Zhang Yuanchao."

"Hello, Comrade Li! Hello, Comrade Zhang!" Yang Guangming greeted them politely, his attitude neither humble nor arrogant, his back ramrod straight.

Li Zhenguo and Zhang Yuanchao also greeted Yang Guangming with smiles. Li Zhenguo's voice was loud and clear.
"You're a good young man! You managed to revive Old Zhao's beat-up car, you're a real talent!"

Zhang Yuanchao smiled and nodded, his eyes filled with approving scrutiny: "Thank you for your hard work, Comrade Xiao Yang."

Zhao Guodong glanced at his watch: "Let's go, let's find a place to eat and chat, we're starving!"

Xiaoyang, you absolutely have to stay for dinner today, no matter what. I want to thank you properly!

He warmly invited me to stay, with an affection that left no room for refusal.

After a brief hesitation, Yang Guangming reluctantly agreed, saying, "Thank you so much, Director Zhao. I'm grateful for your hospitality."

His smile was genuine and natural.

(End of this chapter)