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

Chapter 126, Section 125: The Fruits of Victory, Keep Up the Good Work

As dusk settled, the daytime heat, like the last wisp of white smoke escaping from a steamer, thick and heavy, enveloped the courtyard of the Shikumen house.

The coal stoves in each household were burning brightly, and the pungent smoke, the rapid clanging of spatulas, and the gurgling of water from the taps intertwined day after day to form a symphony of dusk.

As Yang Guangming stepped through the heavy, black lacquered door, an unusual atmosphere washed over him, completely different from the oppressive and somber mood of the previous day.

He keenly observed the changes.

People gathered in front of each house.

Mother Zhang Xiuying stood close to her sister-in-law Li Guihua, the two seemingly exchanging a silent tension.

Mrs. Feng, Lin Fengjiao, stood upright with her arms crossed, but her gaze kept sweeping towards the door, and the usual light line between her eyebrows deepened a bit.

Grandma Chen was carefully supported by Zhang Chunfang. Her withered hands gripped her granddaughter-in-law's arm tightly, and her cloudy eyes revealed earnest expectations.

Even Zhao Tiemin, who always smoked silently in the corner, stood up straight at this moment, his cigarette butt extinguished at some point, and his gaze turned over heavily.

The most eye-catching one is He Caiyun.

She was already leaning against the door frame early on, one leg slightly bent, her toes tapping the cement floor impatiently, the rhythm as fast as drumming.

Her face was full of impatience, her eyes sharp as hooks, staring intently at the alleyway with its gate wide open.

"They're here!" Sharp-eyed Li Guihua suddenly tugged at Zhang Xiuying's sleeve, her voice low and urgent, with a slight tremor.

Before the words were even finished, the familiar figure of Officer Liu from the neighborhood committee appeared at the door right on time.

The twilight cast a blurred outline on him.

He clutched the worn-out, frayed black faux leather briefcase tightly under his arm, and his meticulously parted hair still looked neat in the dim light.

Unlike his panicked and disheveled self yesterday, he wore a deliberately crafted, confident smile, and even his steps were deliberately steady, each step making a firm sound on the bluestone slabs.

"Everyone in the neighborhood is here! Perfect! Saves me the trouble of going door to door!"

Officer Liu's voice was loud and clear, carrying a businesslike, formulaic warmth.

His gaze swept across the tense faces like a searchlight, capturing with satisfaction the mixture of anxiety and anticipation within them.

"I reported everyone's difficulties to the leadership as soon as I got back yesterday, without any omissions or compromises! The leadership took it very seriously! They care a lot about everyone's lives!"

As he spoke, he strode to the bluestone slab in the center of the courtyard, which was wet from being splashed with water and gleamed with a faint light, and stopped.

Then, he solemnly opened the precious briefcase, his movements carrying an almost sacred sense of ritual.

He pulled out a mimeographed document that smelled of fresh ink, along with a thin stack of tickets printed in blue or red lettering.

He cleared his throat, his voice suddenly rising several decibels, filled with the excitement of announcing a major achievement:
"The street leaders understand everyone's difficulties! In order to ensure the smooth progress of this renovation, and also to show the organization's concern for the long-term residents."

After much reasoning and persuasion, I managed to secure real compensation for everyone!

He paused deliberately, his gaze sweeping across the entire room like a hawk's, and he was pleased to see the light in everyone's eyes instantly ignited, a mixture of immense surprise and intense anticipation.

The light was like a match suddenly struck in the darkness.

"Listen up!" Officer Liu's voice rose again, filled with an unquestionable air of authority. "Meat coupons, two jin per household! Cooking oil coupons, one jin per household! Tofu coupons, two jin per household! Sugar coupons, one jin per household! And—"

He paused deliberately, building up the anticipation, before forcefully spitting out, "Wool coupons, one pound per household!"

Each time he read aloud a ticket, he would raise the corresponding ticket high in his hand, as if that light piece of paper carried a thousand pounds of weight.

"Just have everyone sign and leave a fingerprint on this document agreeing to the renovation of the drying platform." Officer Liu slapped his thick hand on the mimeographed document with a crisp sound. "These tickets will be issued on the spot! No delays whatsoever! The organization's word is law!"

A suppressed gasp filled the courtyard, followed by a murmur of whispers, like a swarm of startled bees.

"Two jin of meat coupons? And oil coupons, sugar coupons..."

Li Guihua's eyes shone brightly, her voice trembled with excitement, and she leaned close to Zhang Xiuying's ear:

"Mom, did you hear that? Last time the kitchen was renovated, they didn't give us a single penny! Not even a fart!"

She swallowed unconsciously, as if she could already smell the aroma of meat.

Grandma Chen's withered, twig-like hand suddenly gripped Zhang Chunfang's arm tightly, with such force that Chunfang felt a slight pain.

An unbelievable surprise burst forth in the old woman's cloudy eyes: "What a tragedy... There really are so many? Chunfang, did you hear me clearly? The meat ticket... two jin?" Her voice was trembling with sobs, yet filled with longing.

Mrs. Feng, Lin Fengjiao, nodded slightly, maintaining her composure, but her furrowed brows betrayed her inner turmoil.

She was quickly calculating the actual value of these tickets and the cost of losing the sun terrace.

Zhao Tiemin, sitting in the corner, gave a muffled "hmm," his gaze fixed on the few small pieces of paper in Officer Liu's hand, as if drawn by a magnet.

Even Yang Yongkang, who usually kept to himself, had quietly appeared in the shadows by the door of the living room, listening silently with an expressionless face.

Officer Liu accurately captured this almost boiling surprise.

The confidence on his face burned even brighter, like a flame doused with oil.

In his view, these ration coupons, which were as valuable as gold during the planned economy era, were like a godsend for the residents who had long lived on meager meals and lacked any means of resistance. They were enough to silence any discontent and dismantle any will to resist.

In that brief, almost suffocating silence, enveloped by unexpected joy—

A sharp, high-pitched female voice, filled with sarcasm, pierced the false calm like a red-hot awl:

"Officer Liu! You think you can fool a three-year-old with this little bit of stuff?"

He Caiyun was suddenly ejected from the door frame as if she had been sprung by a spring!

He rushed up to Officer Liu in a few steps, hands on his hips, a rough finger almost poking Officer Liu's nose.

Her face was filled with undisguised anger and utter contempt. Her voice was loud and urgent, like a bamboo whistle scraping against the bluestone pavement, instantly drawing everyone's attention to her.

"You think you can buy the rooftop terrace above our heads with just these meat and oil coupons? No way! Do you think we're beggars to be dealt with?"

The smile on Officer Liu's face froze instantly, hanging stiffly on his face.

That carefully cultivated confidence was shattered by the sudden shock: "Comrade He Caiyun! What... what are you saying? This was something the neighborhood worked so hard to win..."

He tried to regain his composure, his voice carrying a barely perceptible hint of panic.

"What a fart!"

He Caiyun didn't give him a chance to explain; her spittle flew in the dim light, like tiny sparks.

"Is this little bit enough to fill a tooth gap? Do you even know how many people are in our house?"
Four little girls! They're crying for milk!
Only Tie Min is a permanent employee, working himself to the bone! I myself am just a temporary worker, sometimes there, sometimes not!
Two adults toil away, only to earn a pittance! What can these ration coupons even buy? They're utterly useless!

She became more and more agitated as she spoke, her chest heaving violently and the veins on her neck bulging, as if she had suffered an immense injustice and grievance.

"You want to dismantle the drying platform? Fine!" He Caiyun waved her hand decisively, stating her price. "Exchange it for a job! Get a permanent position for our family! A guaranteed position in a state-owned factory! A secure job! Otherwise, don't even think about touching our clothes-drying area! Don't even think about it!"

This "sky-high price" is like throwing a ladle of cold water into a pot of boiling oil, causing an instant uproar!

At the doorway of the living room, Granny Chen seemed to be suddenly awakened by He Caiyun's words.

She trembled, almost using all her strength to push away Zhang Chunfang's support, and, leaning on her cane, shuffled forward step by step.

Her emaciated body trembled like fallen leaves in the autumn wind, and her voice, filled with a deep-seated sorrow and sobbing, sounded particularly desolate in the twilight.
"Comrade Liu...please have mercy and open your eyes to look inside our house!"
Four generations, crammed into a pigeon coop! Son, daughter-in-law, grandson, and me, this old coffin stuffer...

There were only two workers in total!
The neighborhood committee said last month they would try their best to give us a spot, but it's been dragging on and on, and we haven't seen a trace of it yet!

Now they're going to dismantle the drying platform, taking away the last bit of air we have left...

How am I supposed to live like this? If they don't give me a job, I... I'm just going to lie here on this cobblestone street and refuse to move from here today!

As she spoke, her body swayed suddenly, as if she were about to collapse on the spot.

Zhang Chunfang reacted quickly and firmly supported the swaying old woman.

Her young face was instantly filled with sorrow and anxiety, and her voice pleaded as she replied:

“Officer Liu, what the old lady said is all true. Her family is really in dire straits. With one more worker, there is one more way to make a living and one more hope.”

Please, no matter what, the neighborhood committee must allocate a spot for our family in this renovation project! I'm begging you!

Her words carried the helplessness and urgency of a young wife.

Mrs. Feng then spoke up at the opportune moment.

Her voice retained its characteristic calmness and orderliness, but every word was clear and carried an undeniable pressure:
“Officer Liu, you know my family’s situation. The room that was converted from the kitchen was already cramped, like a pigeon coop. With the renovation of the drying platform, the common space has almost disappeared.”

Our family of three relies solely on Lao Feng's meager fixed salary, which is extremely low.

If the neighborhood could take this opportunity to arrange a stable job for me, even if it's just pasting cardboard boxes or doing mending in a small local factory, it would be a kind of compensation for the cramped living space and give us a real way out.

From both a logical and emotional standpoint, I think it makes sense, right?

She looked calmly at Officer Liu, but her words carried weight.

Seeing this, Li Guihua was not about to fall behind. She immediately unleashed her naturally beautiful voice, which was sharp and bright, instantly overshadowing everyone else.

She slapped her thigh, her face contorted with a mixture of grievance and anger, her voice trembling with tears:

"That's right! Officer Liu, tell me, aren't we having difficulties here?"
My husband works three shifts at the factory, he works so hard, he's completely exhausted!

As for myself? I'm busy at home taking care of the kids and the elderly, I'm so busy I barely have time to breathe. I also want to go out and work! To bring in some income for the family, or even just to buy the kids a sweet treat!

But where could I find a way? I was completely clueless!

"Why can't our family get a job during this renovation? We want one! A permanent, state-owned job! A stable, secure one!"

Her words came out like a machine gun, full of resentment and a desire to compare herself to others.

In an instant, the crowd in the courtyard was filled with indignation!
Complaints, demands, and children's cries rose and fell, merging into a surging wave of sound.

What might have been minor disagreements were instantly smoothed over, and the goal became unprecedentedly unified and sharp—job openings! The iron rice bowl of permanent employment!
Those few flimsy tickets were, at this moment, nothing more than a bonus, a lure in everyone's eyes! The real "hard currency" was that "spot" that could change the fate of a family!
Officer Liu was completely dumbfounded!
The beads of sweat that had just dried on his forehead by the evening breeze suddenly burst forth again, covering his forehead and the tip of his nose in an instant.

The stack of tickets in his hand, which he had once regarded as a "bombshell," now seemed so light and flimsy, so pale and laughable.

His carefully prepared "generous gift," which he considered his trump card, proved utterly vulnerable in the face of the other party's suddenly raised and outrageously high price!
"Nonsense! This is utterly lawless nonsense!"

Finally, Officer Liu recovered from the immense shock and humiliation, and a surge of anger shot straight to the top of his head!

He was so angry that he trembled all over, his face turning from white to red, then from red to purple, and finally turning into an ugly liver color!

His voice was shrill and piercing with extreme anger and disappointment, completely losing its usual tone:
"You're making outrageous demands! You're taking advantage of our misfortune! You're blackmailing the organization!"
"Job openings, and permanent positions at that! What do you think they are? Like vegetables and radishes at the market, something you can just grab whenever you want? Or do you think they're some kind of windfall, something that's going to fall on your heads?!"

He waved his arms wildly, his movements exaggerated, the briefcase under his arm swinging violently at his side as if trying to break free.

"The neighborhood committee has already made an unprecedented move to secure these tickets for you! It was done under pressure from above!"
You guys are really something, taking advantage of my kindness! You're never satisfied!

Let me tell you, this is a unified plan from the district; it's a crucial task! It's a political task!
You will be held accountable for your unreasonable demands and defiance of policy! Be careful, you'll regret it!

He was practically roaring, spittle flying everywhere.

He spun around in anger, his fingers trembling, pointing at each face—some angry, some sorrowful, some defiant—as if he were pointing out a group of heinous criminals.

"Good! Good! You guys are amazing! You're so united! I... I can't control you anymore! I'm going back to report right now! I'll report everything exactly as it happened!"

Let's see how the leadership handles your unreasonable, demanding, and greedy behavior! Just wait and see!

Officer Liu abruptly and roughly shoved the mimeographed consent form and the stack of extremely valuable tickets back into the worn-out artificial leather briefcase.

He pulled hard on the zipper, making a piercing "ripping" sound, and the leather was torn and deformed.

He glared at everyone one last time, his eyes filled with the shame and indignation of being fooled, a cold warning, and a sense of utter defeat and humiliation.

Then, as if fleeing a plague, he turned abruptly and stumbled out of the black lacquered door. His heavy, angry footsteps echoed rapidly through the narrow alley, growing ever more distant until they were quickly swallowed by the thick twilight.

The courtyard instantly fell into a strange, vacuum-like silence.

The commotion from just now seemed to have been abruptly wiped away by an invisible hand.

Only the faucet, not turned off completely, dripped water into the enamel basin below, making a monotonous but clear "drip...drip...drip..." sound, which sounded particularly jarring in the deathly silence, pounding on everyone's nerves.

After a brief, suffocating silence.

Someone burst out laughing, and the laughter was like a fuse.

Immediately following, suppressed laughter mixed with the joy of victory spread outwards like ripples on water after a pebble has been thrown in, growing louder and louder.

"They're gone! They pushed us back again!" Li Guihua slapped her thigh, laughing so hard she almost fell over. Her face was flushed with triumph, and she was almost laughing to tears. "Did you see his face? He was as angry as a ripe eggplant! Serves him right! He thought he could fool us with some ration coupons! What do he take us for?"

He Caiyun stood with her hands on her hips, chin held high, looking smug, like a rooster that had won a fight:
"Hmph! Am I right? If we don't ask for it, he'll think we're easy to bully and that we're pushovers!"

We're going to aim high, so high that he can't reach it! We'll scare him to death!

A permanent position? Of course I know he can't offer that! Anyone can write an empty promise. We need to teach him a lesson!

Her words were full of worldly cunning and the thrill of successful scheming.

With Zhang Chunfang's support, Granny Chen finally showed a rare smile. Although the smile still carried the lingering fear of her previous shock, her relaxed wrinkles appeared much softer.
"Oh my... that scared me to death... my heart is still pounding..."

But it seems he was really scared off by us? He ran faster than a rabbit…

She murmured, somewhat incredulous.

Mrs. Feng visibly relaxed, her tense shoulders easing, and a faint but genuine smile appeared on her lips.
"Officer Liu's reaction precisely shows that our demands hit his weak spot, leaving him completely defenseless and only able to become angry and embarrassed."

This first step was the right one.

She began to analyze as usual, but then her tone shifted, her brow furrowing slightly, and her gaze turned to Yang Guangming, who had been silently observing. A hint of worry crept into her voice:

"But... Guangming, won't this 'exorbitant demand,' especially asking for permanent positions, really anger the street leaders?"

Next time, it probably won't be Officer Liu. Someone of a higher rank will likely come, and their methods will probably be even tougher.

Her words were like a bucket of just the right amount of cool water, instantly extinguishing some of the blind excitement and smugness among the crowd.

Just now, everyone was so focused on launching a swift and satisfying counterattack and demanding high prices. Now that they've calmed down, a sense of unease has crept into their hearts.

The thrill of victory recedes, revealing the cold, hard reef of reality.

"Yes, light."

Zhang Xiuying's smile faded as she looked at her composed son, her voice filled with a mother's worry:
"He Caiyun asked for a permanent position right off the bat. Isn't that a bit too much? It sounds terrifying."

"Won't the neighborhood think we're greedy and try to take on everything, and then refuse to give us any benefits at all? Even those tickets and coupons have disappeared?"

She looked worriedly towards the alleyway where Officer Liu had disappeared.

All eyes, filled with reliance and inquiry, once again focused on Yang Guangming.

This young yet remarkably composed deputy factory director's secretary, after these two encounters, has become their undisputed backbone and strategist when facing pressure from the local authorities.

Yang Guangming stood in the shadows by his door, his expression calm and his eyes clear, not blinded by the "victory" he had just won.

He took half a step forward, meeting the mixed gazes of anticipation, excitement, and worry in everyone's eyes. His voice, though not loud, carried a reassuring and steady strength as he clearly said, "Don't worry, everyone."

He first reassured everyone, "The neighborhood committee definitely can't provide enough permanent staff positions. We all know that, and Officer Liu knows it even better."

When Sister He made this request, it was a tactic to set a price, a negotiation strategy to facilitate later bargaining.

He glanced at He Caiyun, who raised her eyebrows in tacit agreement.

“We set high prices, practically in the clouds,” Yang Guangming continued his analysis, his logic clear and logical. “Only then can the local authorities negotiate lower. This way, we can get more tangible benefits in the negotiation. This is what they call ‘aiming high, but only achieving the middle.’”

He paused, his gaze slowly sweeping over the crowd as he analyzed the current situation:

"Although Officer Liu left in a huff, like a defeated rooster, the compensation plan he brought with him already demonstrated the street's attitude—"

They did feel the pressure, and they were indeed willing to offer compensation, much better than our previous private estimate of the 'minimum target'.

Meat coupons, oil coupons, sugar coupons, wool coupons—this was no small amount.

This shows that our 'difficulties' and 'unity' have become a problem for the streets, forcing them to offer some 'sweeteners' in an attempt to break us down.

"As for angering the boss..."

Yang Guangming shook his head slightly, his tone carrying a wisdom beyond his years.
"As long as we adhere to the principle of 'reason,' and address the practical difficulties in daily life brought about by the renovation—such as overcrowding, safety hazards, poor ventilation and lighting, and the disappearance of public spaces—"

Furthermore, everyone's real-life difficulties are laid out clearly and plainly, and leaders must also consider the consequences.

After all, if something really happens, like what Granny Chen just said about lying down, or if everyone refuses to sign, they won't be able to explain themselves.

Now, the initiative has actually shifted slightly forward in our hands.

Hearing Yang Guangming say definitively that the neighborhood committee absolutely could not provide any permanent positions, everyone felt a weight lifted off their shoulders and became much more at ease.

Originally, the "iron rice bowl" was just a pie in the sky, and nobody really expected to actually get a piece of it.

The bright sunlight broke through this barrier, bringing everyone back from their illusory expectations to the reality of the world.

"Then... Guangming, in your opinion, what else can we fight for?" Li Guihua was the most eager, squeezing to the front, her eyes shining. "Besides ration coupons, what other tangible benefits can we get?"

She only cares about things that she can get her hands on immediately.

After a moment's thought, Yang Guangming analyzed pragmatically, "There's absolutely no way we can get permanent positions. Those are quotas allocated to individual work units, and the street administration has no authority to distribute them."

However, we're trying to secure one or two temporary worker positions...

Perhaps there's still a sliver of hope, which can be mentioned as a high-level target.

He saw a faint spark of hope rekindle in everyone's eyes, and immediately poured cold water on it, saying, "But don't get your hopes up too high."

Street offices, neighborhood committees, or their subordinate collective small factories may occasionally have some temporary job vacancies, such as cleaning, warehouse guarding, or moving. These jobs are short-term, low-paying, and unstable.

Such opportunities are rare, competition is extremely fierce, and priority is often given to families of martyrs and soldiers, and those in extreme poverty.

We suggested it as a bargaining chip, to show that we're not just focused on immediate monetary gains but also concerned about our long-term livelihoods, but we absolutely cannot gamble everything on it.

He abruptly changed the subject, his tone becoming unusually pragmatic, pointing to the most likely outcome:

"The most practical and promising thing to achieve is to try to increase the amount of vouchers that the neighborhood committee has already provided!"

For example, could we get our meat coupons increased from two jin to three jin? Could we each get an extra half jin for oil and sugar coupons? Tofu coupons aren't very useful; could we be more flexible and exchange them for more practical industrial coupons or cloth coupons?
In fact, as we mentioned last time, there's a high possibility that more odd jobs like pasting matchboxes, buttonholes, and unraveling yarn scraps could be assigned to increase the extra income for the women in each household!

The neighborhood committee is fully capable of coordinating and arranging this, and the cost is low.

His analysis was clear and thorough, with a well-defined and actionable objective, instantly dispelling the lingering anxieties and the sense of unreality brought on by the exorbitant demands. Everyone seemed to see a truly feasible path forward.

"Yes, yes, yes! Guangming is absolutely right! So true!"

Grandma Chen nodded repeatedly, her withered hand patting Zhang Chunfang's hand excitedly, "We just want more ration coupons! Real ones! We don't even dare to dream of a permanent job!"

"If we have ration coupons and can get more odd jobs, so that Chunfang and the other young women can earn a little money for groceries near their homes, we'll be perfectly content!"

She expressed her most basic wish.

"Yes, yes!" Mrs. Feng agreed sincerely, a more relaxed expression on her face. "The number of temporary workers is too slim, but getting more ration coupons and odd jobs can really improve our current lives."

Rice, oil, salt, soy sauce, vinegar, and tea—all of these require coupons. With the coupons that Officer Liu presented today as a basis, we have a better understanding of their bottom line.

"If we try to negotiate further, such as asking for an extra half-pound of fuel coupons or exchanging them for some industrial vouchers, the pressure will be much less, and the reasons will be more convincing."

She agreed with Yang Guangming's pragmatic strategy.

Although He Caiyun was slightly disappointed that her dream of becoming a "permanent employee" had been completely shattered, her eyes lit up when she heard that she could get more meat and oil coupons, and her shrewdness and mercenary nature once again took over:
"Guangming is right! He makes sense! When we make demands, we should bargain like we would when buying vegetables at a market!"

He set a price, so of course we have to haggle! Every little bit helps! One more pound of meat coupon means one more bowl of braised pork! Half a pound more oil coupon means one more drop of oil in the stir-fry! These are tangible things!

She counted on her fingers, as if the increased share was already in her hands.

Everyone chimed in, and the atmosphere became lively again, filled with pragmatic enthusiasm and eager anticipation for that little bit of "extra profit" in the future.

With the strategy clear, my mood improved.

Looking at her calm, collected son who was analyzing the situation logically, Zhang Xiuying's face was full of relief and pride, and the worries of the past few days seemed to have dissipated considerably.

"Mingming is still the most thoughtful. With him around, we feel more at ease and won't be running around like headless flies."

She turned to the crowd, raised her voice slightly, and spoke with a sense of relief and concluding remarks:

"Alright, everyone understands."

The fact that Officer Liu was willing to produce the tickets on his own initiative is already a victory for us!

Regardless of the outcome of the next round of negotiations, at least we're determined to get these meat coupons, oil coupons, and sugar coupons! It's a done deal!

"It's better than the last time we had our kitchen renovated and received no compensation whatsoever—we suffered a huge loss for nothing! Right?"

Her words were simple and unadorned, yet they struck a chord deep within everyone's hearts like a hammer blow.

Yes, compared to the last time when there was no compensation and we had to swallow our anger, this time the neighborhood took the initiative to offer tickets to "buy" us out, which is a huge step forward and a small victory to be proud of!
Although this initial taste of victory is still hanging in the air, the sweet hope of improving lives has already taken root in everyone's heart like a seed, and has begun to quietly sprout.

The atmosphere in the courtyard completely relaxed, returning to its usual lively, everyday feel.

The smell of coal smoke and the aroma of food wafting from each household returned, and the sounds of clattering pots and pans and running water regained their former rhythm and vitality.

They greeted each other, feeling the relief of victory and the anticipation of a little "extra profit" in the future, and then dispersed to return to their own cramped apartments.

Li Guihua hummed an off-key revolutionary song, her steps light as if she were on springs, and swayed her waist as she returned to her kitchen, probably already planning how to eat the two pounds of meat.

He Caiyun glanced at the tightly closed front door of the Yang family's building, pursed her lips, let out a soft hum that was hard to understand, and turned to walk up the narrow and steep wooden stairs, her heels tapping on the wooden planks.

As Granny Chen was carefully helped back by Zhang Chunfang, she kept muttering to herself, her voice filled with contentment and longing:
"Two catties of meat coupons... What a waste! That's enough to cook a big bowl of glistening braised pork... Sprinkle some chopped green onions... It smells so good..."

It was as if the aroma of meat had already entered my nostrils.

Zhao Tiemin remained as silent as a stone. He crouched back in the shadows of the corner that belonged to him, took out a crumpled "Pegasus" brand cigarette, and lit a match. The faint red light flickered in the heavy twilight, illuminating his silent, angular profile, as if he were lost in thought.

Yang Guangming stood at his own door, watching his neighbors' figures disappear into their low doorways, like water droplets merging into a stream.

The figure of his father, Yang Yongkang, had silently retreated into the darkness of the living room, as if he had never been there at all.

In the courtyard, only that wet bluestone slab remained, reflecting the last faint rays of sunlight from the western sky, like a cold mirror.

The pressure on the streets has not disappeared; the sword of "transformation" still hangs overhead, gleaming coldly, ready to fall at any moment.

But after these two close encounters, Yang Guangming clearly sensed that a subtle, imperceptible change was taking place in this small courtyard.

The initial fear of being passively attacked and at the mercy of others is being replaced by a cautious initiative based on common interests and encouraged by initial victories.

People began to understand how to band together, how to fight for themselves, and how to use their meager wisdom to carve out a little more breathing space and a little more survival margin for themselves and their families amidst cramped living spaces and immense external pressure.

The next round of negotiations will undoubtedly be more difficult.

The opponents will be tougher, and the conditions will be more demanding.

But hope, like a blade of grass sprouting from a crack in the rock, tenaciously grows.

(End of this chapter)