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

Chapter 135, Section 134: The Messenger Arrives, Social Disparity, and Anticipation of the Meeting
The summer heat of September seemed to be quietly wiped away by an invisible hand, and the tips of the broad leaves of the sycamore tree were already quietly tinged with a faint yellow.

The air was less sticky and stuffy, and more crisp and clear like autumn.

The old rattan chair in the factory office creaked slightly as Yang Guangming leaned back, his fingertips unconsciously stroking a newly sealed letter on the table.

The recipient's name was still written in neat handwriting: "To Comrade Lin Jianyue of the Labor and Wages Department of Dongfang Machinery Factory".

This is the third one.

Two weeks have quietly passed since that heavy, seven-page letter flew between them. One letter a week, a frequency as stable as the production schedule posted on the workshop wall, has become an unspoken agreement.

The letters continued to recount fresh happenings at their respective factories, books they had read, and small troubles and joys in their lives.

Lin Jianyue's clumsy cooking skills seemed to have improved slightly; at least she no longer complained in her letters about making cornbread that even a dog would dislike.

Yang Guangming shared some interesting anecdotes about the workshop safety inspection, as well as his "thrilling" experience of sneaking away from work to browse old books in the factory library.

There wasn't a single inappropriate romantic remark in the text, not even a single explicit word like "want".

But those trivial sharings, the clash of ideas, and the care and humor flowing between their words, like a gentle stream, silently nourished their two young hearts.

Yang Guangming could clearly feel that with each stroke of his pen, his anticipation grew a little more. Every time he received that familiar envelope bearing the letterhead of the Oriental Machinery Factory, his heart would beat faster than usual when he opened it.

A wonderful understanding and closeness quietly grew between them through the exchange of paper and pen. Like two vines, separated by the distance of time and space, they were striving to reach each other.

Friday morning, near the end of the workday.

The loudspeakers in the factory area were playing the rousing song "Sailing the Seas Depends on the Helmsman," the clear and resonant voice echoing between the factory buildings.

Just as Yang Guangming finished compiling a document on "Safety Production Mobilization Before National Day," a familiar figure peeked in through the door, accompanied by a hearty laugh.

"Guangming! I'm here to mooch a meal from you!"

The person who came was Xie Feiyang.

He was dressed in a smart gray Zhongshan suit, his top button fastened meticulously, his hair slicked back and shiny, and he looked very energetic. He had clearly just finished some business outside and had rushed over.

"Feiyang? You're quite a rare guest!" Yang Guangming stood up, a genuine smile on his face, and went to greet him. "What brings you to this remote corner of our place?"

"Hey, don't even mention it!" Xie Feiyang patted his stomach and walked familiarly into the slightly crowded office. "I ran over to deliver some materials to this street, and it's taken me this long. It's too late, the company cafeteria will definitely be closed by the time I get back, and my stomach is rumbling!"

He glanced around the office, his gaze landing on the stack of documents on the sunlit desk. He chuckled, "Since I live so close to you, I thought I'd come over and freeload. I've heard the food at your factory's canteen is pretty good; I've been craving it for ages!"

Yang Guangming laughed: "You're in a hurry. Okay, it's noon now, my treat. Wait a minute, I'll call Shunan to come along, he's in the loading and unloading team, close to the canteen." He picked up the old-fashioned black crank telephone on the table and dialed the loading and unloading team's number.

A short while later, Lin Shunan rushed over.

He was wearing a faded dark blue work uniform, with cotton lint and machine oil stains on the cuffs and trouser legs, and sweat on his forehead, clearly having just come from the loading and unloading site.

Upon seeing Xie Feiyang, he smiled, revealing his neat teeth: "Feiyang, you're here too."

"Shunan! Perfect timing, Guangming is treating, let's all go together!" Xie Feiyang patted his broad shoulder familiarly; his work clothes were stiff and made a "thud" sound when patted.

The three of them walked together toward the staff canteen.

The cafeteria food was indeed improved today; I could smell the tempting aroma of oil from afar.

At the food serving window, in addition to the usual vegetarian dishes, there was a new dish: braised ribbonfish with a glossy, reddish-brown color and an enticing aroma!

The fish pieces were thick and coated in a rich, glistening sauce. The savory aroma wafted into people's noses, making the people in line crane their necks to take a second look, and the queue moved even slower.

"Wow! I'm so lucky today! Ribbonfish!" Xie Feiyang's eyes lit up, and he immediately joined the queue, his Adam's apple bobbing involuntarily.

Yang Guangming walked up to the window in line and said to the chef wearing a white hat, "Master, two servings of ribbonfish, two servings of white rice, and one serving of stir-fried shredded potatoes!" He took out a few meal tickets and vegetable tickets and handed them in.

Lin Shunan only ordered one serving of ribbonfish and two golden-yellow cornbread buns.

The three of them, each carrying their own aluminum lunchbox, found a corner by the window and sat down. The afternoon sun shone warmly through the glass window onto the shiny tabletop.

Xie Feiyang couldn't wait to pick up a piece of ribbonfish and put it in his mouth.

The fish is tender and melts in your mouth, with a rich and slightly sweet sauce that carries the unique salty and fresh flavor of the sea fish.

He squinted his eyes in satisfaction, mumbling a praise: "Mmm! Delicious! Guangming, the chef in your factory canteen is truly amazing! Excellent! Much better than our district government canteen! I'll definitely come here more often for a few more meals; it's so comfortable!"

Yang Guangming also took a bite, and it was indeed cooked perfectly, with just the right amount of heat; even the fish bones were tender.

"It's rare to see such an improvement, the taste is alright. Shunan, eat more." He noticed the lone dish in Lin Shunan's lunchbox and put some shredded potatoes from his own lunchbox into his bowl.

Lin Shunan quickly used his chopsticks to stop him, his dark face showing some embarrassment: "Ming-ge, that's enough, that's enough, you eat it yourself..."

"Why are you being so polite with me?" Yang Guangming said without waiting for a reply, forcefully putting the shredded potatoes into his lunchbox. "Eat quickly, we still have to work hard this afternoon."

Lin Shunan smiled gratefully, stopped refusing, and lowered his head to eat heartily, eating cornbread with ribbonfish and shredded potatoes, clearly he was really hungry.

While enjoying his meal, Xie Feiyang remarked, "Your factory is so much better off with all the oil and fat. Where I'm from, you can barely find any meat in our dishes. Unlike you, where you can have as much ribbonfish as you want."

Yang Guangming smiled but didn't reply. Behind this "generous" supply was the special supply provided by the state-owned cotton mill as a key unit guaranteed by the city, which was not something outsiders could know.

At the dinner table, Xie Feiyang enthusiastically recounted the amusing stories he encountered while running errands.

Yang Guangming listened quietly, occasionally offering a few insightful comments.

Although Lin Shunan didn't talk much, he seemed more relaxed than at the previous gathering. His dark face was adorned with a simple and honest smile, and he chuckled along when he heard something amusing.

The meal was a lively affair, with the cafeteria bustling with noise and the clinking of bowls and chopsticks.

After the meal, Lin Shunan stood up apologetically, wiped his mouth, and said, "Ming-ge, Feiyang, the loading and unloading team has a batch of urgent documents to be dispatched this afternoon. I have to hurry back and keep an eye on them. I can't stay with you any longer."

"Work is important, go quickly." Yang Guang nodded understandingly.

"Shunan, be careful! Don't overwork yourself!" Xie Feiyang waved and reminded her.

Watching Lin Shunan's slender figure disappear into the cafeteria entrance, Xie Feiyang winked at Yang Guangming, a mysterious smile playing on his lips: "Guangming, let's find a quiet place to talk? We just finished eating, let's digest a bit."

Yang Guangming led Xie Feiyang out of the noisy canteen, through several rows of factory buildings, and to a dense sycamore tree on the edge of the factory area.

Far from the main road, the area is shaded by dense canopies of trees, which block out the still somewhat hot afternoon sun.

The faint rumble of machines from the distant workshop only served to accentuate the tranquility of the shady area.

The two found a flat cement platform and sat down.

A gentle breeze rustled the leaves and brought a touch of autumn coolness.

Xie Feiyang took out a pack of "Pegasus" brand cigarettes from his shirt pocket, skillfully shook out one, and handed it to Yang Guangming.

Yang Guangming waved his hand dismissively: "Thanks, you know I don't smoke."

Xie Feiyang didn't force him. He lit a cigarette, struck a match, took a deep drag, and slowly exhaled a few smoke rings.

Wisps of smoke curled up and dispersed in front of him.

His gaze was fixed on the towering factory outlines and the chimneys emitting wisps of white smoke in the distance, as if he were lost in thought for a moment, and the usual nonchalant expression on his face became somewhat restrained.

"The last gathering at Shunan's house was really fun," Xie Feiyang broke the silence, his tone filled with deep reminiscence. "It's been a long time since it's been this lively. Feng Xianghong, I still find it funny to think about it now. She was so embarrassed that she almost wanted to disappear into the ground after Jian Yue exposed her secrets with just one sentence."

Yang Guangming also clearly recalled the scene that day, especially Lin Jianyue's innocent yet straightforward manner, which revealed Feng Xianghong's thoughts in one sentence. A gentle smile appeared on his lips: "Yes, it was very interesting. Comrade Lin Jianyue... is a bit special."

“It’s more than just special!” Xie Feiyang suddenly turned his head to look at Yang Guangming, his eyes instantly filled with a mischievous smile, his previous contemplation vanished. “Guangming, my purpose in coming here today is secondary; I’m mainly here on someone’s behalf… or rather, to act as your ‘messenger’.”

The sunlight seemed to have been rippled across Yang Ming's heart, like a small pebble thrown into a still lake, but his face remained calm and undisturbed. He merely raised an eyebrow slightly: "Oh? By whom? By what messenger?"

"Who else could it be? Xiang Hong, of course!" Xie Feiyang flicked his cigarette ash, leaned closer, and lowered his voice, his tone filled with the excitement of sharing a secret. "She shares a room with Lin Jianyue. The two girls are inseparable, talking about everything. Xiang Hong told me..."

He paused deliberately, carefully observing the subtle changes in Yang Guangming's expression. "That little girl, Jian Yue, seems to have a special fondness for you."

Yang Guangming's heart skipped a beat, then resumed its steady, powerful beat, slightly faster than usual, pounding against his chest.

Without making a sound, he picked up the old enamel mug lying on the ground beside him, took a sip of the now-cold tea, and felt the slightly astringent coolness slide down his throat, somewhat suppressing the flutter in his heart. He tried to keep his tone as calm as ever:

"Really? How did Comrade Xiang Hong know? Did Comrade Lin Jianyue tell you herself?"

"No, not at all." Xie Feiyang shook his head, his tone slightly exaggerated. "Jian Yue, that young girl, seems innocent and naive. She's very tight-lipped about these things, not even telling Xiang Hong explicitly. But details can betray you!"

He continued vividly: "Xiang Hong said that whenever they casually mentioned you during their conversations, Jian Yue's reaction was rather strange."

Sometimes she would suddenly drift off into a daze, staring out the window, lost in thought; other times her face would flush red, even her ears turning bright red, like a boiled shrimp!
After it happened so many times, couldn't Xiang Hong still guess her little scheme?

He leaned closer, almost touching Yang Guangming's ear, his voice low and filled with excitement and certainty:

"Guangming, you're something else! You've quietly stirred up that young lady's heart. Xiang Hong has read it to me several times in her letter, saying that Jianyue has been acting all mysterious lately when writing and receiving letters, and she keeps staring at the letter paper and grinning like an idiot..."

"Guangming, tell me honestly, did you also... um?"

Yang Guangming's fingers tightened slightly as he held the enamel mug. The cool enamel felt from his fingertips, but it couldn't suppress the warm current surging in his heart.

He didn't directly answer Xie Feiyang's teasing. Instead, he remained silent for a moment, his gaze fixed on the white smoke rising from the distant chimneys and blending into the gray-blue sky.

The lines on his face seemed to have softened somewhat, but his tone carried a maturity beyond his years and a subtle, almost imperceptible heaviness.

"Feiyang, thank you for telling me all this. Comrade Lin Jianyue... is indeed a very good young lady, innocent, kind, and intelligent."

He paused, his voice lower, as if stating a given fact, "But reality isn't a novel. The gap between our two families... is too great."

He turned his head and looked directly into Xie Feiyang's all-knowing eyes, his gaze honest and clear:
"As you know, my parents are both ordinary workers. Although I'm currently working in the factory office, I'm essentially just a secretary from an ordinary worker's family. And Comrade Lin Jianyue..."

He shook his head and didn't continue, but the unfinished meaning weighed heavily on the two of them like a heavy lead weight.

Xie Feiyang's mischievous smile vanished completely.

He stubbed out the half-smoked cigarette, ground it up with the sole of his shoe, and his expression became unusually serious, even solemn:
“Guangming, I understand your concerns. Family background is a mountain that weighs on anyone. Besides acting as a ‘messenger,’ I’m here today to give you a heads-up, so you can have some peace of mind.” He shifted his position, sitting more upright and very close, his voice extremely low, making sure only the two of them could hear:

"Jianyue's father, Uncle Lin Weihao, is a soldier, a division-level officer, and a veteran revolutionary."

Her mother, Aunt Gao Jingyi, is also a veteran revolutionary. In order to take care of Uncle Lin's health, she now only holds a sinecure.

Their family is a true military family, with impeccable revolutionary credentials.

Yang Guangming listened quietly, his eyes focused, as if trying to etch every word into his heart.

“There are four children in their family. Jianyue is the youngest. Her eldest brother is a deputy-level military officer; her sister is a military wife and she herself is a military doctor; and her second brother went to the countryside last year in response to the call to action.”

Jianyue was the only "spoiled daughter" in the family, and she was pampered and cherished since she was little.

Xie Feiyang spoke slowly and clearly, continuing to describe that world that was somewhat distant to Yang Guangming, "That's why Aunt Gao's attitude towards Jian Yue's marriage was actually very open-minded, even... somewhat 'indulgent'."

"Oh?" Yang Guangming raised an eyebrow. This was indeed unexpected, like a ray of light shining through the gloom.

"Aunt Gao herself is a military wife, and Jian Yue's sister is also a military wife. They are often separated and rarely see each other. Aunt Gao knows best the hardships they face."

Xie Feiyang's tone was filled with understanding and admiration. "Therefore, Aunt Gao had already publicly stated in some of her old comrades' circles that she would never let her youngest daughter follow in her footsteps and would never let Jianyue become a military wife again."

She doesn't care about social status when it comes to Jianyue's future partner, and she certainly won't try to marry above her station.

Her requirements weren't high: a harmonious family, a good person, reliable and trustworthy, someone who genuinely cares for Jianyue, and someone who can ensure her daughter's peaceful, happy, and fulfilling life.

Xie Feiyang looked at Yang Guangming, his eyes filled with encouragement and undisguised affirmation, as if he were painting a clear path for him:

"Guangming, we old classmates all know what kind of person you are. You are steady, responsible, intelligent, and upright."

Although the family's financial situation is average, it meets the requirement of family harmony.

You've lived up to expectations; now you're the deputy factory director's full-time secretary, and your future is bright.

I think that as long as Jianyue is truly willing, you completely meet Aunt Gao's standards!

The hardest hurdle might actually be less difficult than it seems.

He patted Yang Guangming's shoulder forcefully, conveying his strength:

"What's even more remarkable is that Jian Yue, that little girl, is clearly interested in you!"

It's as if God has paved the most difficult part of the road for you!
I'm so envious of your luck! You didn't have to do anything to get past the hurdle your mother-in-law cared about most!

The bright sunlight seemed to have been struck by a massive boulder. The heavy worries about the insurmountable gap between their social classes, which had been weighing heavily on him, were significantly eased by Xie Feiyang's words, though they hadn't completely vanished.

An indescribable joy and hope, like tender buds breaking through the soil in early spring, carrying vigorous vitality and strength, quietly pushed aside the heavy pressure in my heart.

His experiences before his time travel gave him a deep understanding of the immense weight that the phrase "marrying someone of equal social standing" carries in reality.

He had long been mentally prepared for a tough, protracted "battle".

Now, suddenly learning that the other family's core demands were so simple and heartwarming—not seeking wealth or status, not caring about power or lineage, but only wishing for their daughter's lifelong stability and happiness—undoubtedly greatly reduced the difficulty of the "battle," allowing him to see a clear and hopeful glimmer of hope.

That seemingly insurmountable wall turned out to be nothing more than an impregnable fortress.

“So, Guangming,” Xie Feiyang said, seeing his silence, assuming he was still hesitating and weighing his options, so he pressed on, his tone fervent, “The opportunity is right in front of you, you have to seize it! Right now it’s just a good feeling, but get to know each other better, and revolutionary friendship… can be elevated!”

He chuckled, a hint of slyness in his voice, "As my old classmate, I sincerely hope you two can make it work!"

He paused for a moment, then finally revealed his true intentions, stating the core purpose of his trip: "Well, the opportunity has come! I'm off this Sunday and plan to visit Xiang Hong."

They live together, so it's not very convenient for me to go alone, and it won't be lively enough. So..."

He winked at Yangming, his smile full of encouragement and expectation, "I'd like to ask you, my 'comrade-in-arms,' to come along! The four of us can get together, chat, wouldn't that be great! It won't be awkward, and we can... well, get to know each other better, don't you think?"

Seeing the undisguised desire to bring them together in Xie Feiyang's eyes, and the heartfelt blessings for his old classmate, Yang Guangming felt a surge of warmth in his heart.

He hadn't planned to refuse the "gathering of four" in the first place, and now, having unexpectedly learned of the Lin family parents' open-minded attitude, he felt even more enlightened and his future looked bright.

He took a deep breath, and the air he inhaled seemed to become exceptionally fresh and sweet.

He put down the old enamel mug, a knowing and unwavering smile spreading across his face, without the slightest hesitation or reluctance:
"Okay. Sunday, right? What time and where should we meet?"

"Great!" Xie Feiyang slapped his thigh, beaming with joy. "I knew you wouldn't let me down! It's settled then. Sunday morning, nine o'clock sharp, we'll meet at the entrance of Xiang Hong's alley. That alley is called 'Ruikang Lane,' and there's a big locust tree at the entrance, it's easy to spot."

"Ruikang Lane, the big locust tree, nine o'clock sharp." Yang Guangming repeated clearly, nodding, "Got it."

"Okay! It's settled then!" Xie Feiyang breathed a sigh of relief and regained his carefree and unrestrained demeanor.

He glanced at his worn watch. "Oh dear, it's almost 1:30. I need to hurry back to the office to clock in. See you on Sunday, Guangming! Get ready!"

He winked meaningfully at the sunlight, stood up, and deftly dusted off his pants.

"Be careful on the road." Yang Guangming also stood up to see him off.

Watching Xie Feiyang's tall figure walk through the dappled shade of the sycamore trees and briskly merge into the flow of people in various work clothes on the factory road, Yang Guangming stood still for a long time.

The afternoon sun shone through the gaps in the leaves, casting golden light on his faded khaki Zhongshan suit, warm and comforting, as if carrying some kind of premonition.

Lin Jianyue's clear, shy eyes, her delicate and neat handwriting on the letter, the warmth of her fingertips and the faint scent of ink still lingering on the paper... and the "secret" about her family that Xie Feiyang brought, like a key... all these images and sounds intertwined, stirring and swirling in his heart.

The shadow of social class has not completely faded, and the road ahead may not be smooth sailing.

But at this moment, an unprecedented, solid confidence and fervent anticipation, like the bright and warm September sunshine, filled his heart.
-
The next evening, in Ruikang Lane, a small Shikumen building.

Lin Jianyue sat at her old desk by the window and carefully unfolded a brand new sheet of paper.

The last rays of the setting sun shone in, dancing on her glossy black hair, which was meticulously braided, and casting a soft halo on her slender, white fingers.

She bit her lower lip, her delicate brows furrowed slightly, pondering how to begin writing a reply to the letter that Yang Guangming had just sent to the factory that morning, which she had eagerly opened during her lunch break.

In the letter, he vividly shared a tip from an experienced worker at the factory on how to distinguish cotton grades. He wrote it in a witty and humorous way and even included a small, meticulously drawn diagram.

Thinking of the smiling tone in his letter, as if it were right next to her ear, and those practical and relatable "little-known facts," Lin Jianyue couldn't help but smile slightly, and a faint blush rose to her cheeks.

She picked up her pen, dipped it in ink, and had just written "Comrade Yang Guangming: Your letter has been received..." at the top of the letter when the door creaked open and Feng Xianghong poked her head in with a sly smile on her face.

"Jianyue, are you replying to your 'pen pal' again?"

Feng Xianghong deliberately emphasized and lengthened the words "pen pal," with a strong sense of mockery.

She walked a few steps behind Lin Jianyue and pretended to peek at the letter.

Like a startled fawn, Lin Jianyue abruptly covered the letter with her arms and upper body, her cheeks instantly flushing red, all the way to her ears and the back of her neck.

"Oh dear! Sister Xiang Hong! Why didn't you knock before coming in!"

Her voice was both shy and anxious, with a touch of soft, reproachful reproach.

"Why are you knocking? Why are you being so formal in your own home?"

Feng Xianghong sat down on the edge of her bed, which was covered with blue-printed cotton cloth, with a grin, swinging her legs. "Look how nervous you are, your face is as red as if you've put on rouge! Tsk tsk tsk, still saying it's just ordinary comrade correspondence? Who are you trying to fool! Quickly confess honestly, are you that Secretary Yang from the Red Star State-owned Cotton Mill?"

Lin Jianyue's heart began to pound wildly, like she was holding a lively little rabbit.

She forced herself to remain calm, trying to straighten her slender back and mimicking the tone of a leader speaking at a factory meeting:
"Don't...don't make wild guesses! It's just exchanging work and study experiences, encouraging each other to make progress together! It perfectly falls within the scope of revolutionary comradeship!"

Unfortunately, her slightly trembling voice and evasive eyes completely betrayed her guilty conscience.

"Come on you!"

Feng Xianghong bluntly exposed her lie, standing up with her hands on her hips, looking completely at ease:

"Do you really need to write a letter every week to exchange ideas, and it's so thick? You're all smiles when you receive the letter."
Last time I merely mentioned, "Comrade Yang Guangming seems quite knowledgeable," and the knitting needles in your hand "clattered" to the ground, your face turning as red as...tsk tsk, like a red tomato!

"I...I was..."

Lin Jianyue was speechless, and lowered her head in embarrassment. Her fingers unconsciously twisted the end of her black braid hanging in front of her chest, and her small earlobes were so red that they were almost transparent.

Seeing her adorable, knowing-it-all expression, Feng Xianghong understood perfectly well. She stopped pressing the issue and instead adopted a mysterious expression, leaning closer and lowering her voice:
"Okay, okay, I'm not teasing you anymore. I have some good news for you. Xie Feiyang called me this afternoon and said he's off this Sunday and wants to come see me."

"Oh, that's good." Lin Jianyue breathed a sigh of relief and continued the conversation, trying to cover up her earlier panic.

"What's so good about it!" Feng Xianghong sighed dramatically, frowning. "He came alone, a lone man and a lone woman, how inappropriate! How awkward!"

Lin Jianyue blinked her clear, large eyes in confusion: "Then... what should we do?"

“So,” Feng Xianghong’s eyes lit up instantly, his true intentions revealed, and a big smile spread across his face, “I’ll have him bring his old classmates along! The more the merrier! Perfect…”

She deliberately dragged out her words, watching mischievously as Lin Jianyue's face, which had just regained some of its fair complexion, instantly tightened and flushed red.

"It also gives you a chance to 'observe' your 'pen pal' up close! To see if he's as witty, as... well, as steady and reliable as he's described in his letters?"

She deliberately emphasized the words "inspection" and "steady and reliable".

"Sister Xiang Hong!"

Lin Jianyue was so embarrassed that she wanted to crawl under the table immediately. Her heart, however, was like a live shrimp thrown into boiling water. At Feng Xianghong's half-joking and half-serious words, it started to beat wildly and pounded in her chest like a drum.

Is he coming on Sunday?

Lin Jianyue subconsciously turned her head and looked out the window.

The autumn sky was a clear, deep blue, with wisps of white clouds drifting lazily across the narrow alleyways like loosened cotton wool.

The reply letter, containing only a salutation, lay quietly on the table bathed in the afterglow of the setting sun. The still-wet ink gleamed with a faint blue luster in the light, as if it too were imbued with a subtle glow of anticipation.

(End of this chapter)