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

Chapter 12. Envy and Bitterness

Yang Guangming paused at the opportune moment to observe Gu Yongkang's reaction.

Gu Yongkang remained expressionless, simply picking up his teacup and taking another sip. His gaze behind his glasses was calm and unwavering, revealing no particular inclination.

Yang Guangming continued, "Now that you mention it, rhinoceros horn is a rather special thing. The government doesn't set a price for it, nor does it buy it."

My relative happens to have a small amount of top-quality Sumatran rhinoceros horn, which was passed down from our ancestors by chance and kept at the bottom of a box. They only decided to sell it because they had no other choice this time.

Look..."

He tentatively asked, "My relative wants to get rid of this item as soon as possible to convert it into cash for an emergency. Do you have any suggestions?"

Or, would it be convenient for you to help me check the condition of the item and give me a reasonable price?

Of course, my relative paid the appraisal fee as required.

Gu Yongkang put down his teacup and unconsciously tapped his fingers lightly twice on the smooth tabletop, as if weighing his options.

A moment later, he raised his head, looking directly at the sunlight, his voice still steady, but his pace slowed slightly:
"Jishetang is a state-owned enterprise and does not participate in, nor does it allow its employees to participate in, any private transactions of medicinal materials."

This is a matter of principle.

Yang Guangming's heart sank slightly.

Gu Yongkang then changed the subject: "However, as a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner, it is my duty to identify the authenticity of medicinal materials and assess their quality, and it is also part of the inheritance of traditional Chinese medicine knowledge."

If it's just a pure appraisal and assessment, without any buying or selling involved, and your relative can provide the actual item, then... it doesn't violate any regulations.

He glanced at the calendar on the table: "Tomorrow is Saturday, from nine to eleven in the morning. I will be in the shop organizing some medicinal herb information."

If it's convenient for your relative, they can bring the item to my office at this time.

Remember, this is just an assessment and evaluation, providing professional advice.

As for how to handle the aftermath, that's your own business and has nothing to do with Jishetang or me personally.

Do you understand?

A huge weight was lifted off Yang Guangming's shoulders!
Gu Yongkang, this seasoned veteran, spoke with perfect discretion, but his meaning couldn't be clearer—he was willing to help with appraisals and valuations privately, providing a foundation for potential transactions, but he would never get involved in the transactions themselves.

This is already the best possible outcome!
He immediately stood up, bowed slightly again, and spoke with a tone full of gratitude:

"Understood! Thank you so much! Director Gu, you've really helped me a lot!"

I'll go back and tell my relative that I'll deliver the item to your office at 9:00 AM tomorrow, and ask you to take a look at it!

We will definitely pay the appraisal fee!

Gu Yongkang responded indifferently, picked up his pen again, and looked back at the documents on the table, as if the conversation had never happened. "That's all. Hongtao, see your classmate off. You should go back to your studies now."

"Yes, Uncle!" Wu Hongtao, who had been standing nervously listening from the side, quickly replied.

"Thank you, Director Gu. Sorry to bother you!" Yang Guangming thanked him again and followed Wu Hongtao out of the office.

Stepping out of the Jishetang pharmacy and back into the bustling street, the sunlight seemed even brighter.

He took a deep breath; the air, mixed with soot and dust, now carried a scent of "hope."

"So? Did my uncle explain it to you clearly?" Wu Hongtao asked with a hint of pride. "Exactly! Director Gu is truly knowledgeable; he explained it very thoroughly!"

Yang Guangming sincerely praised him, patting Wu Hongtao on the shoulder, "Thanks to you so much today! Hongtao, I'll definitely thank you properly once I've settled on a job!"

Wu Hongtao smiled sheepishly, then, remembering something, asked with a hint of curiosity:

"By the way, you mentioned earlier that you're making some progress on the work? What's the situation? Has it been decided?"

Looking at Wu Hongtao's inquisitive eyes, and remembering his earlier help, and considering that he couldn't hide the work matter from him after reporting to the Hongxing Factory tomorrow, Yang Guangming decided to reveal a little, but still with some reservations.

A slightly embarrassed yet undeniably excited smile spread across his face as he lowered his voice and said:
"It's... tentatively decided. I was lucky enough to help a leader with a small favor."

He saw that I... well, I was fairly quick-witted, so he told me to report to the Red Star State-Owned Cotton Mill next Monday.

“Red Star State-Owned Cotton Mill!” Wu Hongtao’s eyes widened. “That’s a big factory! What kind of position? Apprentice?” He subconsciously thought of himself.

Yang Guangming shook his head, his voice lower, carrying a dreamlike tone:
"Not an apprentice... I'm going to the secretariat of the factory administration office as a clerk. They say it's... a cadre position, administrative level 30, level 12 clerk."

"A... cadre position?! A level twelve clerk?!"

Wu Hongtao was completely stunned, his mouth slightly open, and he almost dropped the empty soda bottle in his hand.

Although his status as an apprentice was better than being sent to the countryside, it was worlds apart from being a "cadre"!

A flash of intense shock and disbelief crossed his eyes, followed by undisguised envy, and even a hint of bitterness that he himself didn't realize.

The smile on his face stiffened, and the slight smugness he felt when he offered the soda vanished instantly.

"Really...really? Yang Guangming! You...you're incredibly lucky!"

He tried to adjust his expression and tone to sound happy, but his awkwardness still showed.

"Yes, it feels like a dream to me too."

Yang Guangming sensed Wu Hongtao's complex emotions and understood them, but maintained a humble demeanor with a hint of "hitting the jackpot" on his face.

"We'll have to wait until Monday to find out the specifics. Hongtao, thank you so much today! The soda was a lifesaver!"
You should go back and get busy; don't keep your master waiting.

I need to hurry back and tell them the good news, so they won't have to worry all the time.

"Oh, good, good! Congratulations, Yang Guangming! You're a cadre now!"

Wu Hongtao forced a smile and patted Yang Guangming's arm hard. "Go back quickly and give my regards to your aunt!"

"Definitely! Let's talk again later!" Yang Guangming smiled and waved goodbye before turning and merging into the crowd on the street.

Wu Hongtao stood at the entrance of the pharmacy, watching Yang Guangming's tall and straight figure disappear around the street corner. The smile on his face slowly faded. He looked down at the brand-new but ill-fitting white coat he was wearing, and thought of the unattainable "cadre position." His heart felt like it had been turned upside down.

He stood silently for a few seconds before turning around and walking back to the Jishetang, a place filled with the aroma of medicine, with a hint of inexplicable melancholy.

Yang Guangming walked briskly on her way home.

In that fiery era, he, like a moth fluttering in the wind, finally grasped a glimmer of light that could change his destiny.

(End of this chapter)