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

Chapter 95, Section 94: Family Celebration, Fireworks in the Human World

Zhou Bingsheng adjusted his glasses again, looking at the young man's calm and resolute face, which bore the marks of staying up all night. A rare, heartfelt smile, like a rock blooming, appeared on his face.

That smile was filled with the elder's satisfaction and undisguised pride in the outstanding younger generation:
"Xiao Yang, you did a great job! I knew you could do it! This is your own skill! And also your good fortune! You seized it!"

He patted Yang Guangming's arm hard; his calloused hand was warm and strong.

"Master Zhou."

Looking at the pure, heartfelt joy in the old man's eyes, Yang Guangming felt a surge of warmth in his heart, almost bursting out of his chest.

He stepped forward, his throat tightening slightly, his voice utterly sincere, brimming with the burning passion unique to young people, "Thank you! Really... thank you!"

He paused, his gaze unconsciously drifting towards the half-open door. From the living room came the sounds of his baby playing and babbling.
"If I hadn't seen Xiao Bao jumping around like that just now, I would never have imagined that you would use... use this method to help me."

This feeling... is too heavy! I..."

He was momentarily at a loss for words to express his profound gratitude.

Zhou Bingsheng waved his hand, interrupting him. The smile on his face faded slightly, and he regained his usual calm, but his gaze behind his glasses remained gentle yet firm:
"Xiaoyang, don't be so formal. When an opportunity comes, you have to seize it. I just... went with the flow and lent a hand."

Looking into Yang Guangming's young and bright eyes, he said earnestly, "You are capable, insightful, and what's even more valuable is your willingness to endure hardship, your patience, and your ability to sit still."

This article is well-written; it's thanks to your hard work and real talent!
Factory Director Zhao himself said it was "outstanding," and that carries significant weight!

Cherish this opportunity and work hard! Make sure you're firmly established!

He patted Yang Guangming's shoulder again, the force steady and conveying immense expectation and trust.

"I understand, Master Zhou! I will definitely live up to your expectations!"

Yang Guangming stood up straight, nodded emphatically, and spoke in a strong and clear voice.

Zhou Bingsheng's words and trust were like a new source of strength, giving him an unprecedented sense of security and direction.

After politely declining Mrs. Zhou's warm invitation to stay for dinner again, Yang Guangming left the Zhou family home.

As you step out of the alleyway, the setting sun slowly sinks into the rows of shikumen rooftops and the tall chimneys of factories in the distance, painting the sky a magnificent orange-red and golden-purple hue.

The evening breeze, carrying the lingering warmth of the day, caressed his face. He took a deep breath, his lungs feeling as if filled with a crisp, hopeful air, sweeping away the fatigue of the past few days.

The manuscript received high praise from Deputy Factory Director Zhao Guodong. Zhou Bingsheng's profound sentiments, which carried a sense of self-sacrifice, and Zhao Guodong's meaningful words, "Work hard," all contributed to the success of the manuscript.

All of this clearly intertwined and resonated in his mind, forming a strong signal: today is a crucial turning point in his life!
An irrepressible, pure joy and an urge to vent and celebrate surged within him like boiling water.

Go home! Go home right now!
Share this immense joy with your family!

His steps became lighter and more energetic, almost like he was jogging. He turned once again into that familiar, nameless dead-end alley, piled with clutter and perpetually shrouded in darkness.

Deep in the alley, dusk settled, and the light quickly dimmed, turning the dilapidated walls a bluish-gray.

He focused his mind and made sure that there were only sparrows chirping as they returned home late. His consciousness then sank back into that strange refrigerator space.

This time, without the slightest hesitation, his mind, brimming with celebratory elation, swiftly locked onto:
A large piece of braised beef, weighing at least two pounds, deep reddish-brown in color, with distinct muscle and tendon textures, and glistening with an enticing oily sheen under the cold light, was wrapped tightly in thick oil paper.

A large pork knuckle, weighing a good two pounds, with a bright red skin like agate, clear layers of fat and lean meat, heavy and exuding a rich meaty aroma.

These two main dishes are generously portioned and rich in oil, making them the most practical and respectable choice to celebrate victory and reward your family!

He carefully took them out, the heavy feel of them bringing a sense of solid satisfaction, and carefully stuffed them into the worn military canvas satchel.

The already bulging bun was stretched even more, its edges clearly outlining the square shape inside. It weighed heavily in the hand and emitted an irresistible, domineering aroma of meat.

Carrying this handbag that exuded an invisible allure, Yang Guangming walked into the courtyard of his Shikumen house. The last golden edge of the setting sun was reluctantly painting the gray brick walls and the bamboo poles of varying heights used for drying clothes.

The courtyard became lively earlier than usual, with the sweltering heat rising as people gradually brought out their small stools to cool off.

The tap was running, and it was Grandma Chen, her back hunched, washing a few wilted little green vegetables.

Li Guihua's distinctive loud voice was enthusiastically discussing the recent supply of cloth coupons and soap with several women, her voice echoing in the small space;
Mrs. Feng sat quietly on her special little bamboo chair, using the last rays of sunlight in the courtyard to crochet white thread, her fingers flying across the paper, her expression focused.

When Yang Guangming walked into the courtyard carrying that unusually bulging canvas satchel with its edges stretched into sharp corners, the air seemed to be instantly gripped by an invisible hand, freezing for a moment.

Despite being a completely cooled cooked dish, wrapped in a thick canvas, the rich and powerful aroma of the braised meat, with its unique blend of spices and the incredibly mellow meat flavor from the long simmering process, still lingered.

Like countless invisible, hooked threads, they stubbornly burrowed through the tiny gaps in the fabric, seeping into the warm air, thick with the smell of coal smoke and sweat.

Swish!Swish!Swish!
Almost all eyes were drawn to the heavy handbag, which exuded an air of "wealth," as if attracted by a magnet.

The sound of water washing vegetables stopped abruptly, and Granny Chen's cloudy eyes stared intently at her handbag;

Li Guihua's long-winded talk seemed to be choked, stuck in her throat, with her mouth still half open.
Mrs. Feng, Lin Fengjiao, paused her crochet, her slender eyes narrowing slightly as she looked at Yang Guangming and the bag in his hand.

Only the silent yet extremely aggressive aroma of meat floated and proclaimed in the air.

Envy, curiosity, exploration, and an undisguised longing... all sorts of complex emotions intertwined and collided in those gazes, like an invisible yet incredibly stressful net.

Li Guihua's eyes widened, and her Adam's apple bobbed noticeably and unconsciously.

She opened her mouth, as if to exclaim, "Oh my, it smells so good!"

But his gaze unconsciously swept towards his own front door—Yang Yongkang was standing there, a half-rolled cigarette between his fingers, the smoke rising in wisps.

His sharp, hawk-like eyes were sternly scanning the courtyard, his gaze like a cold blade, pausing for a moment on Li Guihua's face.

Li Guihua suddenly jolted, recalling her father-in-law's heavy warning that evening at the dinner table—his official status made him a target! Walls have ears! Words can be dangerous!

A slightly exaggerated, almost fawning smile instantly spread across her face, and her voice suddenly rose, carrying a deliberately grating enthusiasm: "Oh my, Mingming's back!"

She strode forward, not towards the alluring handbag, but straight towards Yang Guangming himself, as if the handbag didn't exist at all.

"Off work already? You're off early today! Tired? Hurry up and come on up, Mom was just nagging you in the kitchen! She said you've been working so hard these past few days!"

As she spoke, she naturally turned to the side, using her slightly plump body to cleverly block some of the overly direct gaze directed at her handbag, while her eyes urged Yang Guangming to hurry upstairs and leave this "place of trouble."

Yang Guangming understood perfectly. He gave a gentle but slightly tired, reluctant smile to the neighbors in the courtyard, whose expressions varied. He nodded as a greeting, and without saying another word, he picked up his bulging satchel and strode quickly toward the narrow, steep, creaky wooden stairs.

Behind him, he could clearly feel those gazes like thorns, relentlessly following the bulging satchel in his hand until his figure disappeared around the dim corner of the second-floor corridor.

The enticing aroma of meat seemed to grow even stronger in the air.

Faintly, one could still hear He Caiyun's voice, deliberately lowered yet still audible, drifting down from the third-floor balcony, a voice as sour and sour as aged vinegar:
"Tsk tsk, the cadres' rooms are really different, it's like celebrating the New Year every day. Yesterday it was ham and salted duck, today... humph, just smelling it tells you it's good stuff again! We don't even get to eat this much during the New Year at home..."

Pushing open the front door, the small front building is filled with the familiar smell of old furniture, wood, a faint smell of coal, and the mixed aroma of food.

Dinner was just prepared, and on the table were a plate of stir-fried bright green bok choy, a small dish of dark brown pickled cucumbers, and several steaming, golden cornbread buns.

Zhang Xiuying was carrying bowls and chopsticks through the cramped kitchen when she saw Yang Guangming and the unusually bulging, oddly shaped satchel in his hand. Her face immediately showed surprise, followed by undisguised concern.
"Mingming? Why are you back? What's going on...?"

Her gaze was fixed on her handbag.

Yang Guangming placed his handbag on the corner of the dining table, making a dull thud.

Before he could speak, Yang Yongkang followed him in, slamming the door shut with a "click," blocking out any prying eyes and gossip that might drift from the courtyard through the thin wooden door.

His sharp gaze, like a searchlight, first swept over the bulging satchel, and finally landed on the young face, which bore the marks of a sleepless night, carrying a silent inquiry and the unquestionable authority of the head of the family.

Under his father's calm yet penetrating gaze, Yang Guangming spoke frankly, his voice slightly hoarse from staying up all night, yet clear and strong enough for everyone in the small front building to hear clearly:

"Father, Mother, Sister-in-law, Brother."

He glanced at the family members who had gathered around him. "I worked overtime last night to finish Director Zhao's speech. I handed the draft over to Director Zhao for his personal review this afternoon."

He paused deliberately, noticing the instantaneous concern and tension in his family's eyes, before a bright, proud, and relieved smile spread across his face.

"Director Zhao said—'Well written! Excellent!'"

He repeated the last four words clearly, one word at a time.

"Oh my! Mother's winter vegetables!"

Zhang Xiuying cried out in surprise, instinctively covering her mouth with her hands, her eyes instantly reddening and misty with tears.
"Really? Factory Director Zhao said it himself? Absolutely outstanding? Oh my, my Mingming! You've really lived up to my expectations! Thank God!"

Overwhelmed with joy, she became somewhat incoherent, spinning around on the spot, unsure how to express herself.

Li Guihua was also beaming with excitement. She clapped her hands together forcefully, making a crisp sound, and her voice became slightly distorted with excitement:

"I knew it! We're clearly very capable and quick-witted! This time we're sure to be a huge success! Even Director Zhao himself said it was 'outstanding,' that's incredible! We have a bright future ahead of us!"

She seemed to clearly see the wonderful picture of her brother-in-law's meteoric rise to success and her own family benefiting from it, and her eyes shone with an astonishing light.

Even Yang Guanghui, who was usually taciturn and expressionless, grinned, revealing a simple and sincere smile. His rough hands vigorously scratched his short, spiky hair as he repeatedly said:
"Good! Good! Mingming, you're really good! You're really capable!"

The simple praise revealed genuine admiration for his younger brother. Yang Yongkang's tightly furrowed brows, as if carved by a knife and axe, finally relaxed completely.

On that rock-solid, serious face, the muscles twitched slightly, and the corners of his mouth turned up, revealing a rare smile that carried approval and deep satisfaction.

He gave a heavy, satisfied "hmm," his gaze returning to the bulging satchel, this time with a look of understanding and tacit approval in his eyes.

Yang Guangming then unzipped the metal zipper of his handbag and carefully took out two large items wrapped in thick oil paper.

The moment the oil paper was removed, an even richer, more dominant, and more mellow aroma of soy sauce and succulent meat burst forth like a long-accumulated torrent, instantly filling the entire small front building!
The aroma was so rich it almost had a physical form, forcefully penetrating everyone's nasal cavity and awakening their dormant taste buds.

A large piece of deep reddish-brown braised beef, with clearly defined muscle and tendon textures like a work of art, and a smooth, agate-like sheen, weighs over two pounds!
Next to it was a large pork knuckle with a bright red and oily skin, as if it were glazed, with the fat part crystal clear like white jade, and the lean meat with distinct and firm texture. It also weighed a hefty two pounds!

The two prized items lay quietly on the spread-out oil paper, exuding an unparalleled visual and olfactory allure.

"Oh my! Mother's winter vegetables!"

Li Guihua gasped again, her eyes widening like saucers as she stared intently at the two incredibly luxurious items. Her voice trembled with excitement.
"Braised beef! Braised pork hock! So much! Such great quality! Look at the skin! So shiny and red! Smell this aroma! It's incredibly delicious!"

She couldn't help but extend her finger, pointing vaguely, her fingertip trembling slightly.

Zhang Xiuying was also so shocked that she couldn't speak coherently. Her fingers trembled as she reached out to touch the oily, greasy skin of the braised beef, but then withdrew as if afraid her hands were unclean. Her face was filled with unbelievable, overwhelming joy, mixed with a hint of heartache for her son's "lavish" spending.
"Mingming! You...you spent...how much money and cash did you spend? That's too extravagant! Too extravagant!"

Looking at her son's pale face after staying up all night, she felt even more heartbroken.

"I'm in a good mood."

Looking at the complex expressions of shock, elation, and heartache on his family's faces, Yang Guangming felt a warm glow in his heart, like soaking in a hot spring. He tried to sound relaxed and natural in his tone:
"The draft was well-written and highly praised by the leaders. This means that I have truly established myself in the secretariat and made a good start."

I was just thinking...to celebrate, and let our family have a nice meal."

He paused for a moment, then added, "A friend of mine happened to be able to get these things, so I brought them back."

Let's add some oil and water to the house so everyone can have a good time!

He once again skillfully used the universal excuse of "refreshment" and attributed his motivation to significant success at work, making it seem reasonable and beyond reproach.

Yang Yongkang gave his youngest son a deep look, his eyes scrutinizing and probing, but ultimately turning into a heavy affirmation and a sense of relief that "the child has grown up and knows his place."

He didn't press for details about who his "friend" was or what his "connections" were, but instead spoke in a deep voice, with the decisiveness of a head of household and a rare hint of ease:

"Great! Today is a day to celebrate! This is a wonderful thing! Xiuying, Guihua, chop these two things up and plate them!"
We're having extra dishes today! Close the doors and windows! Keep it quiet!

The last two sentences were a stern reminder, his gaze sweeping over Li Guihua and the window.

Zhang Xiuying and Li Guihua immediately sprang into action, as if they were soldiers receiving top orders, both excited and nervous.

Zhang Xiuying found the sharpest kitchen knife in the house and a clean, worn-out pine cutting board; Li Guihua quickly ran to check and close the small wooden window facing the street again, inserted the bolt, and carefully checked whether the door was securely bolted.

Under the dim, yellowish incandescent light, the small front building instantly transformed into a closed-off secret fortress, permeated with an alluring, criminal aroma.

The envy, jealousy, and speculation from the outside world were firmly kept out.

Zhang Xiuying skillfully sliced ​​the braised beef into evenly thin slices, the deep brown marbling revealing an alluring luster like jewels and clear layers of muscle and tendon.

Li Guihua deftly dealt with the large pork knuckle, her cleaver gliding along the bone seams, quickly separating the meat from the bone. The marbled, trembling, glistening pieces of meat were piled on the plate, their reddish skin soft and tempting.

These two main dishes, with their absolute "hard power," replaced the stir-fried bok choy and occupied the absolute center position on the dining table.

The family sat around a small square table, the warm orange light illuminating their flushed, glowing faces, flushed with excitement and anticipation of the upcoming satisfaction.

"Come!"

Yang Yongkang, unusually, took the initiative to lift the rough porcelain bowl filled with boiled water. His voice was not loud, but it carried an undeniable joy and solemnity befitting the head of the household:
"For Mingming's progress, for Director Zhao's approval! Let's do it!"

He picked up a large slice of braised beef, put it in his mouth and chewed it slowly. The rich aroma of the sauce, the unique chewiness of the beef and the mellow meat flavor melted on his tongue, making his usually tightly pursed and stern-looking mouth unable to help but curve upwards.

"Cheers!" The whole family raised their bowls together, and even Zhuangzhuang, who was sitting on a small bamboo chair, imitated the adults, trying his best to raise his small wooden bowl and making babbling noises.

The atmosphere was warm and lively, with the sounds of chewing, satisfied sighs, and soft laughter blending together to create the most touching family symphony.

Zhang Xiuying kept putting the softest, almost melt-in-your-mouth skin and the marbled meat from the pork knuckle into Yang Guangming's hands:

"Mingming, eat more! It'll help you recover! You stayed up all night, it must have been mentally taxing! This pork knuckle skin is the most nourishing!"

She looked at her son, her eyes filled with undisguised pride and heartache.

Li Guihua also diligently served her parents-in-law braised beef, her own mouth stuffed full, as she chewed vigorously and mumbled praises:

"It smells so good! It smells so good it goes right to your bones! This braised beef is so flavorful, the tendons are so tender and fragrant! The pork knuckle is so tender it sticks to your mouth!"

Wow, it's been so long since I've had something so juicy and delicious! It's like celebrating the New Year!

The satisfaction on her face was almost overflowing.

Yang Guanghui ate with his head down, his chopsticks moving faster and faster than ever before. He was focused on a large piece of pork knuckle with glistening aspic attached to it, his cheeks bulging powerfully. Occasionally, he would glance at his younger brother across from him, his eyes filled with pure satisfaction at the sumptuous meal before him and heartfelt admiration for his brother. A simple, honest smile was always on his face.

Zhuangzhuang grabbed a small piece of braised beef that Zhang Xiuying had specially torn into small pieces, and ate it with his mouth glistening with oil. His little face was beaming with joy as he waved his little hands, babbling and enjoying this rare "feast".

The meal was thoroughly enjoyable and I was completely satisfied.

The braised beef is savory and rich, with a chewy texture from the tendons; the pork hock is fatty and juicy, with tender skin and succulent meat, and the aroma of the fat melts in your mouth...

These delicacies, usually unattainable, became the most perfect and authentic footnote to this celebratory night.

The small front building was filled with the rich and tempting aroma of food, the warmth of family reunion, and the heavy joy of a sincere expectation for a bright future.

The lights seemed brighter and warmer than usual.

However, the tightly closed doors and windows could not stop the persistent, irresistible aroma of meat wafting out.

The rich aroma, like countless invisible, alluring little sprites, drifted and stubbornly squeezed through the cracks in the doors and windows, spreading through the sultry night air of the Shikumen, filled with the vibrant atmosphere of daily life.

In the courtyard, people cooling off waved their worn-out palm-leaf fans, and their hushed conversations inevitably unfolded, like streams flowing into the sea, around the Yang family's tightly closed doors and windows and the lingering fragrance.

"Can you smell it? It smells amazing! The aroma of soy sauce is so strong! It must be top-quality braised beef!"
And... there's that rich, juicy aroma of stewed meat—it's definitely a pork hock! A huge pork hock!

Someone sniffed hard, as if trying to inhale all the remaining fragrance in the air into their lungs, their voice filled with undisguised envy and longing.

"Tsk tsk, the way cadres live is really different; it's like celebrating the New Year every day."

Yesterday it was ham and salted duck, today it's braised beef and pork hock... We can't even afford so many delicacies during the New Year! It's infuriating to compare ourselves to others!

Another sour voice rang out, like a jar of aged vinegar that had been spilled.

"Shh—keep it down! The walls have ears! Keep your mouth shut!" Someone immediately reminded him nervously, lowering their voice even further.

"What's so hard to say? It's the truth!"

The sarcastic voice retorted defiantly, but ultimately, out of some concern, it lowered its volume.

"Look at them inside, eating so deliciously behind closed doors, it's incredibly greasy. Is it illegal for me to smell the aroma and gossip a little outside? Humph..."

The dissatisfaction faded into the sweltering air.

On the drying platform of the three-story pavilion, He Caiyun's figure was hidden in the shadows cast by the drying bed sheets and quilts.

She held a tattered palm-leaf fan in her hand, idly waving it, but her eyes were fixed like nails on the small, closed wooden window of the Yang family's house, which emitted a dim yellow light.

The rich, irresistible aroma of meat wafted up, filling her nostrils and making her stomach rumble with hunger, her mouth involuntarily watering.

"Hmph! What's so great about it!"

She spat under her breath resentfully, fanning herself with her palm-leaf fan, the sound of the wind whistling as if trying to drive away the irritating, alluring fragrance.

"How much can a young guy who's only been working at the factory for a few days earn? Twenty-three yuan at most!"

They eat meat and fish every day, where does the money come from? Where do the meat coupons come from? Hmph, they call it 'sustenance'? They're fooling a three-year-old! It's definitely…”

She didn't dare say the rest aloud, but the jealousy in her eyes grew wildly like a poisonous vine, almost solidifying.

"Be proud and smug, huh? The higher you climb, the harder you fall! I'm waiting to see you stumble and fall one day!"

She cursed through gritted teeth, as if that could alleviate some of the hunger in her stomach and the resentment in her heart.

Deep in the alley, the cool moonlight spilled onto the wet bluestone slabs, reflecting a faint glow.

From the small, tightly closed window of the Yang family home, one could faintly hear the soft clattering of bowls and chopsticks, the satisfied whispers of family members, and the occasional suppressed chuckles.

The courtyard of the Shikumen outside the window gradually sank into the deeper, more sultry night amidst envy, jealousy, secret speculation, and suppressed gossip.

(End of this chapter)