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

Chapter 141, Section 140: Mother's Surprise, Neighbors' Envy, and the Whole Family's Celebration

The sharp ringing of the closing bell at Hongxing State-owned Cotton Mill pierced the evening air, and the dark blue work clothes formed a torrent, surging towards the factory gate.

Zhang Xiuying was already waiting under the lush sycamore tree outside the office building.

In the afternoon, she was in the workshop, her ears filled with her coworkers' discussions about her son, Yang Guangming, getting a new apartment.

The news was so shocking that she couldn't contain herself and went to the factory's bulletin board to read it.

The resolution notice, stamped with the bright red seal of the factory committee, stated in black and white that "Comrade Yang Guangming has been allocated a small apartment, totaling 26 square meters," and it burned into her heart like a branding iron.

At that moment, she stood on tiptoe, her eyes anxiously searching for that familiar figure in the surging crowd.

"Mingming!" She finally saw her son's tall figure walk out the door, and immediately waved her arms, her voice urgent, cutting through the noise.

Yang Guangming strode over, a calm smile on his face: "Mom, didn't we agree to wait outside the factory gate?"

"How can we wait any longer!" Zhang Xiuying grabbed her son's arm with such force that Yang Guangming staggered slightly.

Her face was a mixture of immense anticipation and disbelief. "Tell Mom quickly! Is what was posted on the bulletin board... true? You really got a room? That 26-square-meter... small suite?"

Yang Guangming could feel the slight trembling in his mother's fingertips and the sweat on her palms, knowing that her heart had been hanging in suspense all afternoon.

He gently patted his mother's hand, his voice clear and certain: "It's true, Mom. The factory committee officially passed the resolution this morning, and this afternoon, Section Chief Wei of the Housing Management Department personally handed the keys to me."

"The key?" Zhang Xiuying's eyes lit up instantly, like searchlights. "Where's the key? Mom, come quick!"

Yang Guangming pulled a thick handkerchief from his pocket and opened it layer by layer. In the dim, yellowish sunlight of the setting sun, a worn, old-fashioned brass key lay quietly in the center of the handkerchief, its handle wrapped with a small circle of faded blue cotton thread.

"Here it is." Yang Guangming gently placed the key in his mother's outstretched palm.

The cool metallic touch sent a jolt through Zhang Xiuying, as if she'd been burned. She clenched her fingers tightly, clutching the key to her palm as if afraid it would fly away.

She looked down at her clenched fists, her shoulders trembling slightly. When she looked up again, her eyes were red, but a wide smile spread across her face, her voice choked with ecstatic joy.
"It's true...it's really true! My goodness! Twenty-six square meters! Two rooms inside and out! God...our ancestors, thank God! Our family...our family has finally made it through!"

Overwhelmed with joy, she became somewhat incoherent, and tears finally streamed down her face uncontrollably.

Yang Guangming understood his mother's excitement at that moment.

In an era where several generations are crammed into a single room, and a dozen square meters is the entire space for a family, a 26-square-meter inner and outer room is simply an unattainable dream.

He said gently, "Mom, don't get excited, it's true. It's a reward from the factory for exceeding my article publication quota; Director Zhao fought hard at the meeting to secure it."

Zhang Xiuying wiped her face haphazardly with her sleeve, her hand gripping the keys tightly without loosening its hold, while her other hand gripped her son's arm tightly, as if drawing strength from it.
"Good! Good! You're clearly capable! Director Zhao is a good person! He's a benefactor! Mom is happy... Mom is so happy!"

She took a few deep breaths, trying to calm her turbulent emotions. "Quick, come home with Mom! Right now! Tell Dad this amazing news, tell your brother and sister-in-law! They'll be ecstatic!"

She grabbed her son's hand and started to leave, her steps so light they seemed to fly, completely forgetting her fatigue.
"Tomorrow! Tomorrow is Sunday, a day off! Our whole family will go together! To see your new house!"
By the way, didn't Section Chief Wei of the Housing Management Department say he would arrange for someone to paint tomorrow?
We'll go check on the painting to see how it's going! Once the workers leave, we'll hurry and tidy up! The sooner it's finished, the sooner you can move in!

She went on and on, making arrangements, her smile as bright as a blooming chrysanthemum, every wrinkle radiating joy.

"Twenty-six square meters... When I get married in the future, the new house will be ready! No more worries! No more worries!"

Thinking that her youngest son's future wedding home was secured, Zhang Xiuying felt as sweet as if she had been filled with honey.

The mother and son rode their bicycles through the crowds of people leaving get off work, heading towards their Shikumen home.

The setting sun cast long shadows of them, and Zhang Xiuying gripped the key tightly, as if she were holding onto the entire bright future.

Stepping into the familiar Shikumen, the courtyard is busiest time of day, a "mealtime symphony".

Since the drying platform was closed off for renovation, separating the Zhao family and the Yang family in front of the building, they had to demolish the stove shed built on the drying platform and squeeze out a little space in the courtyard to rebuild a new stove shed.

The courtyard was already quite small and cramped, and with the addition of space for two kitchen sheds, the space available for people to move around became even smaller.

At this time, everyone was busy preparing dinner.

The taps gushed, splashing water from rinsing rice and washing vegetables onto the cement floor; the smoke from the burning coal stove rose in wisps, carrying its distinctive aroma; the sounds of spatulas clattering against iron pots echoed throughout the house; neighbors chatted loudly or softly, their voices mingling with the aromas of various dishes, creating a vibrant and bustling atmosphere of everyday life.

As soon as Zhang Xiuying stepped into the courtyard gate, the immense joy that had been suppressed all the way could no longer be contained.

She had barely stepped across the threshold when she raised her voice, her loud, excited tone instantly drowning out the noise in the courtyard:

"Osmanthus! Osmanthus! Come out! Come out quickly! It's wonderful news!"

Li Guihua, who was cooking by her small coal stove, was so startled by the noise that she almost dropped the spatula into the pot.

She turned her head and saw her mother-in-law standing in the center of the courtyard, her face glowing with joy, and Yang Guangming standing beside her with a calm and smiling expression.

Other neighbors, such as Mrs. Feng washing vegetables by the sink, Granny Chen fanning herself with a palm leaf fan, and Zhao Tiemin poking the stove, all stopped what they were doing and turned their attention to the scene.

Li Guihua wiped her hands on her apron, hurried forward, her face filled with doubt and anticipation: "Mom? What good news? You look so happy!"

Zhang Xiuying pulled her eldest daughter-in-law aside, glanced around at the neighbors who were all listening intently, puffed out her chest even higher, and spoke with an undeniable air of declaration, every word crystal clear:
"We've been allocated a house! Our Mingming! We've officially been allocated a house! The keys! We've got the keys!"

"Ah!" Li Guihua gasped in surprise, her face immediately lighting up with immense joy. "You really got one? How big is it? Where is it?" she asked in rapid succession, questions that all the neighbors were most eager to know at that moment.

Zhang Xiuying's face radiated unparalleled pride. She paused deliberately, savoring the moment when everyone was watching, before announcing the answer with a resounding voice:

"How big? You'll be shocked when I tell you! A full twenty-six square meters!"

She deliberately dragged out her words, watching the shocked expressions instantly appear on the neighbors' faces, and continued with satisfaction, "It's not a single room! It's an inner and outer room! The outer room is big, and the inner room is small! It's in the factory's residential area, building number three, on the second floor! It's in a great location!"

"Twenty-six square meters? A combined inner and outer room!"

"My God! This...this is more than twice the size of our house!"

"Good heavens! Yang Guangming's abilities... are truly extraordinary!"

"When they talked about housing allocation eligibility last time, I knew I would definitely get one in Guangming, but I didn't expect to get such a big one!"

The courtyard instantly erupted into chaos.

Envy, amazement, and disbelief surged forth like waves.

Although the news that Yang Guangming met the housing allocation criteria had already spread throughout the Shikumen neighborhood through Zhang Xiuying's mouth, and everyone knew that he would be allocated a room, the combination of the words "26 square meters" and "inner and outer rooms" still had a far greater impact than anyone had imagined.

Mrs. Feng put down her shopping basket and exclaimed sincerely, "Xiuying, congratulations! Guangming is really... amazing! Twenty-six square meters, and a suite at that! That's top-notch treatment in the factory! It's not easy, it's really not easy!"

Her second son still lives with his mother-in-law and knows all too well the value of a big house.

Grandma Chen walked over, leaning on her cane, and excitedly patted Yang Guangming's arm with her withered hand:

"Xiaoyang, what a good boy! You've made something of yourself! You're really something! Grandma watched you grow up, and I know you're capable! Now you have a proper home of your own! Good! Very good!"

Even the old man's cloudy eyes shone with joy.

Zhao Tiemin stood at the entrance of his kitchen shed, his dark face expressionless. He glanced at Yang Guangming and his mother, whose faces were filled with barely concealed joy, then looked down at his work clothes stained with machine oil, and remained silent.

He turned around and continued poking at his coal stove, which seemed perpetually smoldering, his back looking somewhat hunched.

He Caiyun appeared at the door.

She had obviously heard the commotion downstairs and quickly ran out of her house to see what was going on.

When she heard "26 square meters" and "inner and outer rooms," her expression changed instantly, as if she had been punched in the face, her eyes filled with disbelief and intense jealousy.

She bit her lower lip hard, forcing out an extremely strained smile, her voice shrill and high-pitched, carrying an exaggerated, almost grating "enthusiasm":
"Oh my! Incredible! Absolutely incredible! Aunt Xiuying! Guangming! Congratulations! Twenty-six square meters! And it's a suite!"
We never even dared to dream of this! Director Zhao truly values ​​Guangming! Guangming, you are truly a golden phoenix that flew out of our alley!
"When he becomes a high-ranking official, he'll live in a mansion! We neighbors will be proud!"

While spouting insincere flattery, she nudged the silent Zhao Tiemin with her elbow.

Zhao Tiemin staggered from the stab, raised his head, forced a smile that looked more like a grimace, and mumbled towards the bright sunlight, "Congratulations on the bright future."

His voice was so low it was almost inaudible, his eyes darted around, and he quickly lowered his head again.

Yang Guangming clearly saw He Caiyun's feigned enthusiasm and the undisguised bitterness in her eyes, as well as Zhao Tiemin's embarrassment.

He maintained a calm and polite smile, nodding his thanks to each of his neighbors for their congratulations.

"Thank you, Mrs. Feng, thank you, Grandma Chen, thank you everyone. It's all thanks to the factory's policies and the leaders' care."

He simply responded to He Caiyun's words with a calm and indifferent tone: "Sister-in-law Caiyun, you're too kind."

Zhang Xiuying was currently basking in immense happiness and the compliments of her neighbors, feeling as if she were floating on clouds.

She grabbed Li Guihua's hand, excitedly planning, "Guihua, hurry! Go back and tell your dad! Tell Huihui! Our family must have a big celebration today! Guangming, quickly show the keys to Mom again!"

It was as if only by tightly gripping that key could she confirm that this immense wealth was not a dream.

Under the watchful eyes of their neighbors, some sincere and some with mixed feelings, Yang, her son, and eldest daughter-in-law walked through the familiar black lacquered gate, their faces beaming with joy.

Inside the door, a grand celebration for this little family is about to begin.

Outside the gate, the exclamations and discussions about the "26-square-meter inner and outer room" in the courtyard of the Shikumen still lingered, becoming the most talked-about topic on this sweltering evening.

The slender wooden door closed behind him, temporarily isolating him from the noise and complex thoughts in the courtyard.

The small space in front of the Yang family's building was now completely filled with a pure and immense joy, and the air seemed to be dancing merrily.

"Old man! Huihui! Come and see!" Zhang Xiuying practically rushed into the room, her voice loud and clear, filled with barely suppressed excitement and trembling.

She held up her hand, clutching the key, as if displaying a rare treasure, exclaiming, "The key! The house key! Our family was clearly allocated the house key! We got it!"

Yang Guanghui, who was playing with his son, looked up at the sound, looking blank for a moment. Then he realized what was happening, and a surprised smile instantly bloomed on his dark face: "Really? They split it up? So fast!"

Zhuangzhuang, nestled in his arms, seemed to sense the adults' joy, waving his little hands and babbling. Yang Yongkang, sitting on an old stool by the wall smoking a "trumpet," paused noticeably.

He slowly raised his head, and for the first time, a tremendous shock clearly appeared on his usually serious and rigid face.

His deep gaze first fell on the small brass key in his wife's hand, and then slowly moved to his youngest son, Yang Guangming's calm and smiling face.

He didn't speak, but the fingers holding the cigarette trembled almost imperceptibly.

“Father, brother.” Yang Guangming walked up to his father and brother, a relieved and joyful smile on his face. “The house has been allocated. Room 203, Building 3, 26 square meters, with an inner and outer room. Section Chief Wei personally handed me the key this morning.”

He succinctly confirmed this incredible good news.

"Great! Great! That's wonderful!" Yang Guanghui exclaimed excitedly, picking up Zhuangzhuang as he stood up and patting his younger brother's shoulder hard. "Mingming, you're amazing! I'm so proud of you!"

His honest smile revealed a pure and proud sense of satisfaction.

Yang Yongkang remained silent, took a deep drag on his cigarette, and then slowly stubbed it out on the rim of the enamel mug at his feet.

He stood up, walked to Zhang Xiuying, and extended his calloused hand with large knuckles.

Zhang Xiuying understood and carefully placed the key, still warm from her body, into her husband's broad palm.

Yang Yongkang lowered his head and examined the small key with utmost care.

Rough fingers rubbed against the cool brass, feeling the unevenness of the key teeth and the faded blue cotton thread around the handle.

This small metal object, carrying the longing of generations of this family for a "spacious home," now rests heavily in his palm.

After a long while, he finally raised his head, looked at Yang Guangming again, and nodded very slowly and forcefully. His throat bobbed, and he finally uttered only two low but heavy words: "...It's fine."

This brief affirmation, coming from his mouth, was already a great compliment and recognition. Yang Guangming was overjoyed and nodded vigorously.

"It's more than just good! It's incredibly good!"

Zhang Xiuying snatched the key back and gripped it tightly again, as if afraid it would fly away:

"Old man, do you know? Twenty-six square meters! Two rooms, inside and out! It's four square meters bigger than the front building of our house!"

When Mingming gets married in the future, he won't have to worry about a new house!
"Osmanthus, don't you agree?"

She turned to her eldest daughter-in-law, seeking her approval.

Li Guihua was beaming from ear to ear, nodding repeatedly: "Yes, yes! Mom is absolutely right! Mingming has truly done a great job this time! Getting such a big house is something that many veteran workers in the factory can only dream of! Our family has finally made it!"

Her eyes were filled with admiration as she looked at her brother-in-law.

A secret and immense joy, like warm spring water, welled up in Li Guihua's heart, instantly overwhelming her previous excitement.

She looked at the key to their new home in her mother-in-law's hand, her mind racing:

"Mingming has her own big house and will be moving out soon."

This cramped building where we've lived for so many years can suddenly have a small cubicle where Mingming lives!
My parents-in-law will definitely still live here, but my younger brother and sister-in-law have both responded to the call to go to the countryside and can only come back for a few days a year.

So this empty space...wouldn't it be a boon for their little family?

Zhuangzhuang is growing up day by day, and one day he will need his own small bed. Right now, he can only squeeze next to his parents' big bed.

If we had another child... Li Guihua never dared to think about it before.
How will another child fit in this tiny space?
Now everything's much better! With Guangming moving out, the space suddenly feels much more spacious!
When Zhuangzhuang grows up, we can put a single bed in a small corner for him! Even if she and Huihui want another small one, there will be plenty of room, so we won't have to worry about not having enough space!
This was like a windfall, even more exciting for her than receiving a few more pounds of meat coupons!

She couldn't help but glance at the key again, as if she could see a more spacious and comfortable future for her family.

"Key! Key...key!" Zhuangzhuang, nestled in his father's arms, stretched out his chubby little hand and pointed at his grandmother's tightly clenched fist, full of curiosity about this shiny little thing.

"Yes, yes, yes! A key! Our Zhuangzhuang knows it's a key too!" Zhang Xiuying was amused by her grandson. She bent down and carefully waved the key in front of Zhuangzhuang's eyes, letting him touch the cold metal. "Here, touch it. This is the key to your uncle's new house! Zhuangzhuang will have a big house to play in from now on!"

The family gathered together, excitedly discussing the details of their new house, imagining the layout of the inner and outer rooms, and planning what tools they would bring to help with tidying up when they went to see the house the next day.

The small room was filled with laughter, and even the air felt extra warm.

Listening to everyone's discussion, Li Guihua's smile deepened as she thought about the larger space that would soon belong to her, and she became exceptionally quick and efficient.

"Celebrate! We absolutely must celebrate!" Zhang Xiuying waved her hand with great enthusiasm, setting the tone. "Guihua, tonight's dinner is going to be a big feast! We'll bring out all the best things we've been saving!"

She gave decisive command.

Li Guihua immediately transformed into her most capable assistant, swiftly rummaging through drawers and cabinets.

Soon, a piece of salted meat, which had been treasured for a long time and was covered with a thick layer of salt, was found; and a dried fish that had been saved during the New Year and was dried to a hard, solid state also saw the light of day.

Her movements were exceptionally light and quick, as if she were tidying up her new future space.

Zhang Xiuying then displayed unprecedented generosity, counting out several precious tickets and loose change from her old handkerchief containing money, and handing them to her eldest son, Yang Guanghui:
"Huihui, hurry! Go to Old Zhang's cooked food stall at the alley entrance and buy some pork head meat! Make it fatty! Also, buy two pieces of dried tofu!"

After thinking for a moment, he added, "See if there are any leftover bok choy; if so, buy a bunch!"

She thought to herself, "With a bigger house for my son, things will be more comfortable at home. This money was well spent!"
Yang Guangming wasn't idle either; he took the initiative to peel garlic and wash ginger.

Yang Yongkang silently walked to the dresser, opened the bottom drawer with a lock, fumbled for a moment, and took out half a bottle of Qibao Daqu that he had drunk when he celebrated his youngest son becoming a secretary!

Although only a small portion of the bottle remained, this silent act was already his recognition of the highest level of celebration.

With a plan in place, the small kitchen in the courtyard instantly transformed into the hottest battlefield.

The coal stove was turned up to its maximum heat, and the bright red flames licked the bottom of the pot.

The salted pork was sliced ​​thinly and stir-fried in a hot pan until translucent oil and a rich, salty aroma appeared; the cured fish was washed clean with warm water, chopped into pieces, and prepared for steaming; the dried tofu was cut into triangular pieces, ready to be mixed with the pig's head meat in a cold salad; and the bright green vegetables unfurled their leaves in clear water.

Yang Guanghui quickly returned carrying the oil paper package.

The glossy, fragrant pork head meat, with its perfect balance of lean and fat, is thinly sliced ​​and mixed with dark brown tofu. It's then drizzled with soy sauce and sesame oil, and sprinkled with bright green scallions and minced garlic, creating an irresistible aroma.

That small bunch of wilted, yellowish bok choy, under Zhang Xiuying's skillful hands, was stir-fried with rendered pork fat and immediately turned glossy and emerald green, becoming the freshest side dish.

As Li Guihua helped arrange the dishes, she thought to herself: This stir-fried dish with salted pork and pork cracklings smells so good. Maybe when I have more space in the future, I can find a way to install a small stove so I can cook some good food at home more often.

When all the dishes were served on the peeling paint of the square table, the small dining table appeared more abundant than ever before under the dim light of the 15-watt bulb:
The dish features glistening, savory slices of salted pork, firm, steamed pieces of cured fish, a flavorful cold salad of pork head meat and tofu, vibrant green bok choy, and a small dish of pickled mustard greens drizzled with sesame oil.

The main dish was a heaping pile of fluffy, fragrant white rice. Although it couldn't compare to the ham and pork hock served at the last celebration, it was still a rare feast on an ordinary day.

The most eye-catching items were the half-empty bottle of Qibao Daqu liquor in the center of the table, and the several small white porcelain wine cups in front of Yang Yongkang, washed white and with tiny chips on the edges.

Yang Yongkang picked up the bottle, pulled out the cork, and the familiar, mellow, and pungent aroma of the wine wafted out again. Although it wasn't as strong as last time, it still carried a sense of celebratory ritual.

He silently and solemnly poured the wine evenly into several small wine cups, not wasting a single drop.

The family sat down around the table.

Yang Yongkang picked up his wine cup, his gaze slowly sweeping over his wife's flushed face, his eldest son's honest and satisfied smile, his eldest daughter-in-law's busy figure, his youngest son's steady and bright eyes, and finally landing on his grandson Zhuangzhuang's curious and gazing face.

His Adam's apple bobbed, a thousand words churning in his chest, but ultimately condensed into a few simple words:

"For Mingming... she now has a home."

He paused, his voice low but clear, "For our house... to get better and better."

"Cheers!" Zhang Xiuying responded immediately, her voice loud and clear as she raised her glass high.

"Cheers!" Li Guihua and Yang Guanghui echoed excitedly.

Yang Guangming raised the wine cup with both hands and solemnly met the gaze of his family: "Thank you, Dad, thank you, Mom, thank you, brother and sister-in-law."

Several wine cups of different sizes and Xiao Zhuangzhuang holding enamel bowls of cooled boiled water gently clinked together under the warm light, amidst the steaming heat of the food and the aroma of wine, carrying the joy of the whole family and their expectations for the future.

The crisp or dull sounds are the most beautiful notes as this family moves into a new stage.

Zhang Xiuying couldn't wait to put a large piece of the fattest salted meat on her youngest son's plate: "Mingming, eat! You're the biggest hero today! Eat more!"

Li Guihua then placed a piece of lean, boneless cured fish belly into her father-in-law's bowl: "Dad, try this cured fish, it's steamed until it's very tender."

She was secretly pleased; the belly meat of the fish was the most tender, and her father-in-law enjoyed it. With more money at home, it would be easier to take care of her elders. Li Guihua had a good reputation; she was always known as a dutiful daughter-in-law.

Yang Guanghui gnawed on the glistening pig's head meat, his cheeks bulging, humming contentedly. His mind wasn't filled with complicated thoughts; he was simply overjoyed that his younger brother was successful and the family had good food.

Zhuangzhuang grabbed a small piece of steamed bun, dipped it in the vegetable soup, and ate it until his mouth was shiny with oil, while his little feet swung happily under the chair.

Yang Yongkang ate silently, his movements seemingly slower and more careful than usual.

The brow that had been furrowed like a rock for years relaxed completely and like never before in the face of this sumptuous dinner and the great joy of the family celebration.

The suppressed curve at the corner of his mouth finally transformed into a satisfied, radiant smile. This smile, like the sun breaking through the clouds, illuminated his weathered face.

Yang Guangming slowly chewed the salted meat his mother had put on his plate, feeling the rich fat melt on his tongue, its salty aroma filling the air.

He looked up at his father's relaxed smile, the tears in his mother's eyes, and the satisfied expressions of his brother and sister-in-law. Then he looked at the brass key that had just been passed around in the family and was now quietly placed on the table.

The icy touch of the key seemed to linger on my fingertips, but the warmth surging in my heart was incredibly intense.

The dim light elongated the shadows of the family sitting closely together, casting them onto the mottled, yellowed wall, creating a warm and reassuring silhouette.

(End of this chapter)