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

Chapter 145, Section 144: Such a big face! The dazzling focus! The eldest sister, standing tall again, celebrates the Mid-Autumn Festival.
The bicycle wheels made a crisp sound as they rolled over the bluestone pavement, which was particularly clear in the alleyway as dusk approached.

Yang Guangming stopped at the entrance of his own Shikumen alleyway by squeezing the brakes, supporting himself on one foot.

Deep in the alley, the aroma of cooking wafting from each kitchen already carries the strong scent of Mid-Autumn Festival—the oily fragrance of fried ribbonfish and the caramelized aroma of roasted peanuts, stirring silently in the air.

He stepped off the bike, his gaze sweeping over the bulging military green satchel on the back seat before settling on the net bag hanging on the handlebars.

Inside the net bag, two bottles of Moutai liquor stood out conspicuously.

Tomorrow is the actual Mid-Autumn Festival, and those drunken chickens, braised beef, and braised duck gizzards that don't keep well are too conspicuous to take out now, and I'm also worried that I don't have a proper place to store them at home.

He pondered for a moment, then his consciousness sank into the magical "refrigerator" space that no one else could see.

With a slight thought, two pounds of glossy golden chestnut kernels wrapped in thick oiled paper, and two pounds of square mung bean cakes with a cool, reddish-brown hue, quietly appeared in the bag, making it bulge even more.

As Yang Guangming pushed his cart into the familiar courtyard, the festive atmosphere was overwhelming, ten times stronger than at the entrance of the alley.

The small courtyard now resembles a bustling open-air kitchen and market.

Under the tap, Zhao Tiemin, his back hunched, carefully scraped the black membrane inside the belly of a shimmering silver ribbonfish with an old pair of scissors, his movements extremely cautious. Beside him, on the edge of the cement pool, lay two other ribbonfish, similarly half-processed.

Leaning against the wall, Granny Chen fanned herself with a palm leaf fan, smiling as she tended a small charcoal stove.

A small iron pot sits on the stove, where fine sand churns and makes a "shh" sound, occasionally crackling with a crisp "pop" as plump peanuts burst open joyfully under the heat of the sand.

The rich aroma of caramelized food wafted through the rising steam, drawing several teenagers to gather around the pot, their eyes fixed on it with longing.

Mrs. Feng was holding a small bowl of freshly roasted sunflower seeds, and she was distributing them one by one to the busy women in the courtyard to try.

He could hear the crisp sound of sunflower seed shells cracking between his teeth, accompanied by women's exclamations of "Delicious! So delicious!"

Almost every worker returning home from get off work had something in their hands. Chen Guoqiang carried a cloth bag printed with the words "Dongfang Machinery Factory," which was bulging with oil stains on the exposed corner of the oil paper, and the shape of mooncakes was vaguely visible.

He Caiyun seemed to have just entered the room, clutching several colorful tickets in her hand, excitedly gesturing to Zhang Chunfang, planning to rush to buy them early the next day.

Yang Guangming pushed his cart inside, and his bulging satchel didn't stand out much among the crowd of people returning home laden with their purchases.

However, when his figure appeared in the center of the courtyard, the net bag on the handlebars, especially the two bottles of Moutai liquor with eye-catching labels inside, instantly attracted the attention of everyone, whether they were busy or chatting, like pebbles thrown into a calm lake.

Their gazes were initially curious and inquisitive, but upon seeing the words "Maotai" on the bottle and its distinctive red label, they immediately turned into undisguised shock and envy, as if they were firmly drawn to it by a magnet.

"Oh my! Guangming!" Zhang Chunfang exclaimed first, forgetting to eat the sunflower seeds in her hand. Her eyes widened as she stared intently at the net bag. "This...this is Moutai liquor? Two bottles?!"

Her shout completely drew everyone's attention. The person scraping the ribbonfish stopped, the person frying peanuts forgot to stir them, the person distributing melon seeds paused, and even the children temporarily forgot about the peanuts on the charcoal stove, curiously looking at the two bottles of wine that looked particularly precious in the twilight.

Moutai liquor! And two bottles at that, it's really eye-catching!

In an era of rationing and extreme scarcity of goods, it represented more than just alcohol; it symbolized an unattainable status and position.

To buy Moutai liquor, one needs high-end liquor vouchers, which are rare and would never be issued to ordinary workers.

Zhao Tiemin's dark face twitched slightly. His fingers, covered in fish scales, unconsciously rubbed against his trouser leg. His eyes held a complex mix of envy and a hint of indescribable bitterness.

Chen Guoqiang subconsciously weighed the bag of ordinary mooncakes issued by the factory in his hand and felt that the weight had suddenly become much lighter.

"Guangming, this Moutai... did you buy it?" Granny Chen stopped fanning herself, her voice filled with disbelief and inquiry, her gaze sweeping back and forth between Guangming's young and composed face and the two bottles of liquor.

Yang Guangming felt the scorching gazes, but his expression remained calm.

He didn't shy away; he steadily propped up the bicycle, casually lifted the net bag, and spoke in a clear, steady voice, carrying a calm confidence:

“I couldn’t bear to buy it, and besides, I don’t have any high-end liquor vouchers. This was a gift from Deputy Factory Director Zhao Guodong. Director Zhao said it was for the holiday, so he gave it to my father to try.”

"Director Zhao? Oh my! Amazing! Amazing!" Granny Chen's exclamation rose eight octaves, her wrinkles beaming with joy, as if she were immensely proud. "What kind of person is Director Zhao? An old revolutionary from the army! He gave us Moutai! Oh my, Guangming, your father is so lucky! So lucky!"

"That's right! Director Zhao gave you Moutai! Guangming, you really have a lot of influence!" Zhang Chunfang also came to her senses, her envy almost overflowing, and even her gaze towards Yang Guangming had a bit more awe.

Mrs. Feng nodded repeatedly, sincerely exclaiming, "Director Zhao's treatment of Guangming is truly admirable; the old leader really values ​​talent."

The courtyard was instantly filled with gasps of amazement and hushed discussions, all revolving around the two bottles of Moutai and Zhao Guodong's unusual attention.

In an instant, the sunlight became the most dazzling focus in this small world.

He nodded slightly in response to his neighbors' exclamations, his gaze habitually sweeping over the tightly closed door of the building in front of his own.

Strange, with all this commotion outside, my mother Zhang Xiuying and sister-in-law Li Guihua should have come out to greet us long ago. Why is there no sign of them today?

Granny Chen, being an old woman of great wisdom, seemed to sense the doubt in his eyes. Before he could ask, she pointed upstairs with her palm-leaf fan, lowered her voice, and spoke with a hint of sharing a secret:
"Guangming, stop looking, your sister Xianglan is here! She brought Honghong with her!"
I brought four pounds of large ribbonfish!
Wow, your sister's in-laws are really generous this year. I've never seen them so generous before. It seems your sister has really established herself in her husband's family!

Hurry up and go see her, Honghong misses you terribly.

The eldest sister is here? And she even brought four catties of ribbonfish? Yang Guangming's heart skipped a beat; this was indeed a generous gesture.

In previous years, my older sister's mother-in-law had never been this generous during the Mid-Autumn Festival. She would never send even a pound of ribbonfish, let alone four pounds. The gifts she would send were usually just two pieces of tofu or a packet of homemade pastries.

It seems that his trip to his older sister's house to support her last time was quite effective.

Yang Guangming immediately picked up his net bag and shoulder bag, smiled at his neighbors, and said, "Then I'll go up first." After saying that, he lightly stepped onto the creaking wooden stairs.

Pushing open the faded front door of my house, a warm, homey feeling, even stronger than downstairs, mingled with the subtle aroma of festive food, wafted out. Under the dim light of a 15-watt bulb, the small house seemed more crowded and lively than usual.

Father Yang Yongkang was still sitting on the stool against the wall, with a self-rolled cigarette between his fingers. In the swirling smoke, the lines on his face seemed softer than usual.

Mother Zhang Xiuying and sister-in-law Li Guihua sat affectionately on either side of their eldest sister Yang Xianglan by the bed. In her eldest sister's arms, two-and-a-half-year-old Honghong stared wide-eyed, curiously playing with a small piece of hard candy that her grandmother had given her.

Zhuangzhuang, being held by Yang Guanghui, immediately stretched out his hand while babbling as his uncle entered.

"Mingming is back!" Zhang Xiuying was the first to see her son, and her face immediately lit up with a smile, a triumphant glow unique to the holiday.

But when her gaze fell on the net bag her son was carrying, her smile froze instantly, then turned into even greater astonishment, and her voice rose several decibels:
"Oh my! Mingming! What...what's in this net bag? Two bottles of Moutai liquor?"

Her exclamation instantly drew the attention of everyone in the room.

Yang Xianglan also looked up and saw the two bottles of Moutai, which looked even more luxurious under the light. She was equally astonished and opened her mouth wide.

Even the usually silent Yang Yongkang paused slightly, his fingers holding the cigarette trembling, his cloudy eyes peering through the smoke, sharply locking onto the bottle in the net bag.

"Yes, Mom." Yang Guangming carefully placed the net bag on the dresser against the wall, and the two bottles of wine immediately became the most eye-catching items in the room. "These were given to me by Director Zhao from the factory. He said they were for my father to try during the holiday."

"Director Zhao? Giving you Moutai? To your father?" Zhang Xiuying asked in a series of questions, her voice filled with unbelievable surprise.

She walked a few steps to the chest of drawers, wanting to reach out and touch the cool porcelain vase, but hesitated, her fingertips hovering above the vase. Her face showed a complex expression of excitement mixed with fear. "This...this gift is too much! Too much! How can we accept such a valuable gift from Director Zhao?"

She turned around abruptly to look at Yang Yongkang, her voice urgent: "Old man, look! What should we get back? We can't just take such valuable things from them for nothing!"

What else do we have in the house that we can be proud of? Ribbonfish? Ham? Or…”

She began to quickly calculate the few good things she had hidden away at home, appearing somewhat anxious.

Yang Guangming quickly interrupted his mother's impending "return gift plan," explaining calmly:
"Mom, no need to return the gift. I already gave Factory Director Zhao a Mid-Autumn Festival gift yesterday. Two pounds of fresh meat mooncakes and a bottle of scallion oil sauce. Factory Director Zhao liked it very much, especially the scallion oil sauce. He said it was incredibly delicious when mixed with noodles."

"Fresh meat mooncakes? Scallion oil sauce?" Zhang Xiuying was taken aback.

Yang Guangming continued to explain, "These are all good stuff I got from my colleagues. One of my colleagues has a relative who is a master chef at a big restaurant. His homemade fresh meat mooncakes and scallion oil sauce are very authentic, so you got some from him."

However, I used my mother's name to claim that the scallion oil sauce was made by my mother, and told Factory Director Zhao that it was made by her.

Yang Guangming looked at his mother and said, "Director Zhao has been praising your skills and insisted that I thank you on his behalf."

"Oh dear, I can't accept that! I've taken on this good reputation for nothing."

Zhang Xiuying was very happy and a little proud. "However, everyone who tasted my scallion oil sauce praised it. It's just that it uses too much oil, so I'm reluctant to make it easily. I'll make it again when you want to eat it someday."

Li Guihua was the perfect straight man, following up with a string of praises, making Zhang Xiuying, the mother-in-law, beam with joy.

Yang Guangming casually unbuckled his bag, taking things out as he changed the subject: "Big sister, why didn't you tell me you were coming? I haven't seen Honghong in so long, I missed her so much." He chuckled as he teased his niece in his sister's arms.

Yang Xianglan finally snapped out of her shock at the Moutai, a smile returning to her face, tinged with genuine emotion:
"I only managed to come over this afternoon. As soon as I walked in, Mom told me you got an apartment! It's a 26-square-meter suite!"

Little brother, you've really... really made something of yourself! Your sister is so happy for you!

Looking at her younger brother, dressed in a crisp white shirt and exuding composure, she felt a deep sense of pride, knowing he was now a favorite of the factory leaders and had been allocated an independent apartment that he would never have dared to dream of in the Shikumen neighborhood. Her eyes even welled up with tears.

"We were lucky; the factory took care of us." Yang Guangming casually brushed it off, his hand already pulling a handful of brightly colored White Rabbit milk candies from his bag. He squatted down and offered them to Honghong and Zhuangzhuang with a gentle smile: "Here, Honghong, Zhuangzhuang, have some candy."

The allure of milk candy is immense.

Honghong glanced timidly at her mother, but after being encouraged, she immediately reached out her little hand, grabbed a few milk candies, clutched them tightly in her hand, and smiled broadly, saying in her childish voice, "Thank you, Uncle!"

Zhuangzhuang couldn't wait to wriggle in his father's arms, his little hands reaching for the candy. Yang Guanghui smiled and helped him peel one open and put it in his mouth. The little guy immediately smacked his lips contentedly, drool glistening on the corners of his mouth.

The room was filled with a joyful atmosphere because of the children's innocent happiness.

Yang Guangming then took out the two packages wrapped in oil paper: "Mom, it's rare for my eldest sister to come, so this is perfect. Here are two jin of chestnut kernels and two jin of mung bean cakes, just to mark the occasion."

The oil paper package was opened, revealing golden and glistening chestnut kernels and square mung bean cakes with a cool, reddish-brown hue, immediately drawing exclamations of admiration.

"Oh my, chestnut kernels! They're so shiny and delicious!"

"Even their mung bean cakes are exquisitely made! Guangming, your friends really have a wide network!"

Seeing the smiles on his older sister's and parents' faces, Yang Guangming's heart stirred slightly.

My eldest sister has a hard time living with her husband's family. It's rare for her to come back, and she brought generous gifts. We should make sure she goes back in a more respectable manner.

He reached into the seemingly bottomless satchel again, and "felt" out another package, also carefully wrapped in thick oiled paper. He placed it on the table and said with a smile:
"And this is the fresh meat mooncake I mentioned earlier, made by the chef of the big restaurant. It has a Suzhou-style flaky crust and weighs exactly two pounds. It tastes great. Sister, take it back and let your husband try it too."

"Fresh meat mooncakes? Two catties?" Yang Xianglan was both surprised and delighted to see another generous gift on the table. She quickly waved her hand and said, "Little brother, no need, no need! We've already given out mooncakes at home, that's enough! Keep them for yourself, you can eat them tomorrow for the festival!" She knew how precious and hard to buy these things were.

"Here you go, big sister." Yang Guangming's tone was relaxed, with an undeniable intimacy. "The master craftsman at my friend's house knows how to make this, but his daily production is limited. I'm bringing back these today. Don't worry, there will be more tomorrow, enough for the family to eat."

He cleverly dispelled his older sister's concerns by saying "production is limited" and "there will be more tomorrow," and also explained why he could continuously produce good things.

Looking at the pile of milk candy, chestnut kernels, mung bean cakes, and fresh meat mooncakes on the table, and then at the two bottles of Moutai liquor on the dresser that symbolized great prestige, Zhang Xiuying felt overjoyed and her face glowed.

She slapped her thigh: "Great! I'm so happy today! Let's try the mung bean cake that Guangming brought back! Let's see how it tastes!"

She deftly unwrapped the mung bean cake.

Inside were neatly arranged small, light green square cakes, each individually wrapped in thin, transparent oil paper, exuding a refined quality unlike anything found in ordinary grocery stores.

Zhang Xiuying carefully distributed a piece to everyone, not even leaving out Honghong and Zhuangzhuang.

Yang Yongkang took it, and unusually, he didn't immediately slap his "megaphone." Instead, he examined the delicate little pastry for a moment before putting it in his mouth.

The delicate and refreshing red bean paste filling, wrapped in a subtle milky aroma and just the right amount of sweetness, melts in your mouth, leaving a lingering fragrance on your lips and teeth, instantly conquering your taste buds.

A rare and clear look of satisfaction appeared on his wrinkled face, and he let out a low "hmm" from his throat, which was the highest praise he could give.

"Delicious! So delicious! The red bean paste is ground so finely, and the sweetness is refreshing!" Zhang Xiuying exclaimed.

"It's even better than that old-established shop near the City God Temple! It's crunchy and delicious!" Yang Xianglan savored it carefully, nodding repeatedly.

Li Guihua's eyes lit up as she ate: "Guangming, your friend is really amazing! This mung bean cake is top-notch!"

The small front building was filled with the sweet aroma of mung bean cakes and the warmth of a family reunion.

However, happy times always fly by. The sky outside the window had completely darkened, and the lights in each household in the alley were gradually turned on, making the aroma of food even more enticing.

Yang Xianglan looked out the window, then at Honghong, who was nestled in her arms and looking sleepy. Although reluctant, she got up and said, "Dad, Mom, it's getting late. Honghong looks a little sleepy. We should go back."

"Sit a little longer! Have dinner before you leave!" Zhang Xiuying quickly urged, holding her daughter's hand tightly. Li Guihua chimed in, "That's right, it's a rare treat to come all this way!"

“No,” Yang Xianglan shook her head, her tone gentle yet firm. “There are still things to do at home. When Jianjun gets home from get off work, it won’t be right to leave the house cold and empty. Honghong also needs to go home to sleep.” She hadn’t planned to stay for dinner anyway.

Seeing that she couldn't persuade him to stay, Zhang Xiuying sighed, her face full of pity: "Oh well, whatever you want... We'll help you pack some things."

She turned and went to find the basket, her movements swift and decisive, displaying the unquestionable authority of a matriarch.

She knew in her heart that her daughter's in-laws had been unusually generous in sending four catties of ribbonfish, so her family's return gift couldn't be too stingy. Otherwise, it would put her daughter in an awkward position when she returned home, and it would make her family seem stingy and ill-mannered. The two catties of fresh meat mooncakes that Yang Guangming had brought out were one of the best return gifts.

Zhang Xiuying carefully placed the oil paper package into the bamboo basket.

Then, she opened the package of mung bean cakes that had just been opened on the table and poured in about a pound of them without any hesitation.

Then, she walked to the corner of the wall, picked up a dark glass bottle, which contained a pound of peanut oil that Yang Guangming had just "taken" home yesterday. The oil was clear and bright, and she put it into her basket.

Finally, her gaze fell on the pile of White Rabbit candies. She grabbed a large handful, weighing more than half a pound, carefully wrapped them in clean paper, and stuffed them into Honghong's little hand. She also grabbed a few extra candies and put them into Yang Xianglan's pocket: "Here, these candies are for Honghong to sweeten her mouth! Keep a few for yourself too!"

The bamboo basket instantly became heavy: two pounds of fresh meat mooncakes, one pound of high-quality mung bean cakes, one pound of clear peanut oil, and more than half a pound of White Rabbit milk candy.

Yang Xianglan's eyes instantly welled up with tears as she looked at the overflowing basket of return gifts.
"Mom! This is too much! Really too much! We don't need so much! The ribbonfish isn't even the best stuff, we can just bring back some mooncakes as a token..."

She knew the value of these things in the present day, especially the pound of peanut oil and half a pound of milk candy, which were definitely considered a generous gift. Her family wasn't well-off either, and she felt bad for them.

"Take it!"

Zhang Xiuying's voice was resolute, carrying an unyielding strength and deep maternal love:
"Xianglan, listen to your mother! Your in-laws are spending lavishly this year, and our family can't lose face! We should take these things back respectably!"

Let your mother-in-law see this, so she knows you have your family backing you up!

This is a matter of etiquette, it absolutely must be done properly! We can't let people gossip, saying that Xianglan only takes in and doesn't give out when she goes back to her parents' home!

As she spoke, she forcefully shoved the basket into her daughter's hands, her eyes filled with unwavering support: "Honghong, say goodbye to Grandma!"

Honghong, still bewildered, clutched her bag of milk candies and said in her childish voice, "Goodbye, Grandma! Goodbye, Uncle!"

Yang Guangming also came over, patted Honghong's head, and said to his older sister, "Big sister, take it. Mom is right, and we still have some at home. Be careful on the road."

Looking at her mother's resolute gaze, her younger brother's gentle smile, and then at her daughter's contented expression as she clutched the candy in her arms, Yang Xianglan's throat tightened, a thousand words stuck in her chest, finally culminating in a heavily nasal "Thank you, Mom... Thank you, little brother..."

She sniffed hard, picked up the heavy basket, and, holding Honghong, walked down the creaking wooden stairs step by step, accompanied by her mother and sister-in-law.

Zhang Xiuying escorted her daughter to the gate, watching her figure disappear into the dim light and shadow of the alley before slowly turning back.

In the courtyard, the neighbors were still busy, and the fishy smell of ribbonfish and the aroma of roasted peanuts were still strong.

……

The Mid-Autumn Festival falls on a Friday.

The factory machines continued to hum, not stopping for this traditional festival. But people's hearts had already flown back to the Shikumen world filled with the aroma of food.

The closing bell rang like a bugle call, and workers surged out of the factory gates like a tide.

As Yang Guangming walked out of the heavy gates of the Hongxing State-owned Cotton Mill with the flow of people, the setting sun was dyeing the western clouds a brilliant golden-red.

The military green satchel on the back of his bike was bulging, almost bursting open, and a similarly full net bag was hanging on the handlebars.

The contents of the net bag were relatively "ordinary," yet they still conveyed a genuine sense of festive abundance: two glass jars of thick, clear, golden honey; two pounds of granulated white sugar in a thick kraft paper bag; a pound of peanut oil in a glass bottle; and a large yellow croaker with silvery scales, bright red gills, and a fishy smell.

The contents of the handbag were the "hardcore" of tonight's family feast: two pounds of fresh meat mooncakes, the flaky crust seemingly exuding the aroma of oil even through the paper; two pounds of square mung bean cakes; a whole drunken chicken with a glossy skin and an intoxicating aroma of wine; a box of neatly arranged, richly colored braised duck gizzards; and a heavy piece of braised beef wrapped tightly in thick oil paper.

As the bicycle turned into the alleyway, before even reaching the door, an atmosphere of festive celebration, even more intense and complex than yesterday's, surged over like an invisible giant wave, instantly engulfing the rider.

The courtyard has been completely transformed into a fragrant open-air kitchen battlefield!
The four coal stoves were burning at full power, their orange-red flames greedily licking the bottom of the pots, making a whooshing sound.

The rising steam, mixed with the intense aromas of various foods, swirled in the small space, so strong it was almost impossible to dissolve.

On the Zhao family's stove, a large iron pot of oil was boiling. He Caiyun, wearing an apron, her cheeks flushed red from the fire, was carefully using long chopsticks to slide pieces of ribbonfish coated in a thin batter into the oil.

"Zi la——!"

A loud pop, accompanied by an intensely rich, savory fishy aroma, explodes! Golden oil bubbles leap joyfully, and silvery-white ribbonfish segments quickly curl up in the hot oil, their edges turning an enticing golden brown. The smoke mingles with the fishy fragrance, assertively announcing its presence.

The Chen family's stove was not to be outdone.

Zhang Chunfang wielded the spatula, while the pot contained deep red, glistening braised pork chunks, bubbling and churning in the sauce.

The rich aroma of soy sauce, caramelized sugar, and the rich fat of pork belly intertwine to create the most aggressive festive flavor.

Meanwhile, in the small pot next to it, the bright green bok choy was releasing its refreshing aroma from the hot oil.

The stove in the Feng family's house was relatively quiet. Lin Fengjiao was tending a small steamer, inside which were neatly arranged red bean buns shaped like the characters for "fortune" and peaches, cut out with molds. The steam made the lid of the pot hiss, and the sweet aroma of flour and red bean paste wafted out, carrying a warm and comforting feeling.

Meanwhile, Yang Guangming's own stove against the wall has become the core high ground of the aroma battlefield!
Zhang Xiuying personally oversaw the operation, resembling a general in command. Li Guihua assisted her, her movements as swift and efficient as a spinning top.

In the largest iron pot in the house, a whole, cleaned yellow croaker was bathing in boiling, dark brown broth.

Ginger slices and scallion segments fry in the oil until they release their caramelized aroma. At this moment, the rich aroma of soy sauce, the freshness of fish, and the subtle fragrance of cooking wine rise continuously with the rolling bubbles.

In the small casserole next to it, braised pork knuckles, which Yang Guangming had "added" to the pot, were simmering.

Now it's reheated, making it even more tender and flavorful.

The dark brown aspic trembled, its gelatinous texture almost melting into the thick broth, mixed with the rich aroma of spices such as star anise and cinnamon, forcefully penetrating every pore and arousing the most primal carnivorous desires.

Li Guihua was carefully using a spoon to pour the hot, thick braising sauce back onto the surface of the pork knuckle, making its tempting sheen even more dazzling.

On another small stove, an aluminum rice cooker was steaming. The thin slices of dark red sausage on top of the rice were glistening with oil from the heat of the rice, and strands of oil seeped into the white rice grains.

The unique meaty aroma of the sausage blends perfectly with the pure fragrance of rice, creating a subtle yet irresistible savory flavor.

In a corner of the stove, the snow-white lard in the rough earthenware jar was used once again.

Zhang Xiuying scooped a large spoonful of solidified lard into a small iron pot. The milky white solid sizzled and melted at the bottom of the pot, instantly turning into a clear, slightly yellow, and shiny liquid.

A generous handful of finely chopped green onions is sprinkled in, and with a loud "sizzle," the aroma of the onions bursts forth, mingling with the pure, rich, and deeply savory flavor of the lard!

The aroma was so primal, so direct, so penetrating that it instantly overwhelmed all the fish and meat aromas in the courtyard, domineeringly proclaiming the supreme and kingly status of oil in this era of scarcity!
This is the perfect companion for preparing mixed rice noodles or stir-fried vegetables.

In Zhuangzhuang's special little bowl, the milk powder had been mixed with warm water, and the milky white liquid exuded a warm and sweet milky aroma.

The little one was extremely excited by the aroma filling the room. He squirmed in Yang Guanghui's arms, grabbing at the strongest scent with his little hands and babbling excitedly.

Yang Guangming, carrying a heavy net bag and shoulder bag, trudged sideways through the fragrant, steaming, and bustling "battlefield."

When the neighbors saw him, they would only glance up and give him a quick greeting through the rising fumes.

"The light has returned!"

"Oh my, Guangming has bought his groceries too!"

"Is the market crowded today?"

No one paid any special attention to what he was carrying. On this day when every household was doing their utmost to turn their accumulated coupons into delicacies on the stove, his figure, laden with gifts, blended perfectly into the festive atmosphere.

All eyes and thoughts were firmly occupied by the "battle" on their own stove concerning both holiday decorum and stomach well-being.

Pushing open the door to the building in front of my house, I temporarily shut out the clamor and strong mixed aromas outside.

The room was dimly lit yet warm, and the small square table was polished to a shine, with bowls and chopsticks neatly arranged.

Yang Yongkang sat in his usual spot, silently watching his youngest son take the items out of the net bag and satchel one by one and place them on the chest of drawers and the corner of the table.

With each item he took out, Yang Yongkang's eyes lit up a little more, and his smile deepened.

This is not just food, but also a profound sense of security and solid happiness that our son brings to our poor but warm family during this festive season of reunion.

Although Yang Yongkang remained silent, his gaze lingered on those things for a noticeably longer period of time, and even his smoking seemed to slow down.

Outside the window, in the courtyard of the Shikumen house, the sounds of clattering pots and pans, sizzling oil, the loud calls of housewives, and the excited laughter of children mingled with the increasingly rich and enticing aromas of various foods—

The fresh aroma of fried fish, the savory flavor of braised pork, the delicate fragrance of stir-fried vegetables, the rich aroma of scallions cooked in lard...

These sounds and smells converged into a powerful and warm torrent, gently filling everyone's heart.

The immense sense of satisfaction during these festivals is the greatest happiness that this era offers to everyone.

Zhang Xiuying ladled the last dish of stir-fried bok choy from the wok; the emerald green leaves glistened with oil.

Li Guihua deftly divided the steaming hot sausage rice into bowls, each bowl topped with several slices of glistening, oily sausage.

The pot of richly flavored yellow croaker was carefully placed in the center of the table, the fish intact, the sauce thick and glossy.

The braised pork knuckle, trembling in the casserole, was also brought out, its dark brown aspic glistening enticingly under the light.

The drunken chicken is chopped into pieces and arranged on a plate, with the aspic and chicken meat clearly separated.

Slices of braised duck gizzards and braised beef are arranged on a plate, each emitting its own rich aroma.

The fresh meat mooncake was cut open several times, revealing the tender and juicy meat filling and layers of flaky pastry inside.

Mung bean cakes and chestnuts were also placed on the corner of the table as snacks.

The small square table was filled to the brim, with almost no empty space.

The aroma of the food reached its peak in the small space, so rich it was almost dripping with moisture.

Under the dim light, the lavish dishes on the table, which would normally be unimaginable, exuded a dizzying aroma.

"Dinner's ready!" Zhang Xiuying took off her apron, her face beaming with satisfaction and pride, her voice even louder than usual.

The family sat around the table. Yang Yongkang was invited to the head seat. His cloudy gaze slowly swept over the table full of delicacies, finally settling on the two bottles of Moutai liquor, where it lingered for a moment.

Yang Guangming understood, picked up a bottle, and unscrewed the cap. A rich, mellow aroma with a unique fermented grain fragrance instantly filled the air, mingling with the aroma of the dishes on the table to create an even more intoxicating atmosphere.

He poured his father a full small glass, the clear liquid swirling in the glass.

"Dad, Mom, Brother, Sister-in-law, and Eldest Sister, although you're not here, my heart is with you." Yang Guangming picked up his teacup, looked around at his family, and said, "Today is the Mid-Autumn Festival, a time for our family reunion. I wish Mom and Dad good health, Eldest Brother and Sister-in-law success at work, Zhuangzhuang a speedy growth, and our family's life getting better and better!"

"Okay! Okay!" Zhang Xiuying was the first to respond, her eyes a little red.

"Cheers!" Yang Guanghui also raised his teacup.

Yang Yongkang didn't speak, but simply picked up the glass of Moutai, brought it to his nose, took a deep sniff, and then sipped it. The spicy, mellow liquid slid down his throat, bringing a warm sensation. The rare sense of satisfaction on his wrinkled face seemed to deepen, and he nodded slightly.

"Eat vegetables, eat vegetables!" Zhang Xiuying greeted warmly, first picking up a large piece of dark red pork knuckle skin and placing it shakily into Yang Yongkang's bowl. "Old man, try this, it's very tender!" She then picked up a piece of fish for Yang Guangming, saying, "Mingming, you've worked hard, eat more fish."

Li Guihua was busy picking out boneless fish meat for Zhuangzhuang and mixing it into the soft, sticky rice. The little guy ate with great relish, his little mouth glistening with oil.

Everyone was engrossed in the meal; aside from the necessary greetings and compliments, the sounds of bowls and chopsticks clattering and chewing filled the air.

This table full of sumptuous dishes is an unimaginable luxury on ordinary days, and every bite is filled with appreciation and satisfaction.

Looking at the relaxed smiles on his parents' faces, the easy expressions on his older brother and sister-in-law's faces, listening to Zhuangzhuang's babbling, and feeling the noise and aromas coming from outside the window that belonged to the whole alley, a heavy sense of happiness filled his chest.

Outside the window, a golden full moon has quietly climbed onto the horizon of the Shikumen, its gentle light casting a soft glow over this bustling world.

The hustle and bustle in the alley seemed to have reached its peak, yet under the moonlight, it also seemed to settle into a deeper, more tranquil peace belonging to home.

The clinking of wine glasses, the laughter of children, the calls of housewives to each other to "try my family's cooking," and the strains of traditional opera from the radio... all blended together to create the most moving symphony of the Mid-Autumn Festival night.

Inside, the light was warm. On the small dining table, the cups and plates were gradually emptying.

A small portion of the Moutai had been downed, and a rare blush appeared on Yang Yongkang's face. Zhuangzhuang, having finished his meal, was dozing off in his mother's arms. Zhang Xiuying looked at the mostly empty plate, feeling not heartache but rather a profound sense of peace.

Moonlight streamed quietly through the small window, spilling onto the floor like a pool of clear water.

The noise outside the window gradually subsided, leaving only the occasional laughter of children and the hushed conversations of adults.

On Mid-Autumn Festival night in Shikumen, amidst the rich aroma of food and the warmth of everyday life, I slowly drifted into a sweet dream.

(End of this chapter)