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

Chapter 161, 160. Double Happiness. Stand Tall. Sudden Bad News.

The corridors of the Sixth People's Hospital of the city are filled with the strong smell of disinfectant. This smell is like an invisible barrier, separating the inside and outside of the hospital into two worlds.

The air in the hospital corridor was heavy, filled with an indescribable anxiety.

The stark white light poured down from the high ceiling, coldly illuminating the yellowish walls and casting shadows on several figures in white coats, their steps hurried and their expressions serious. Their footsteps were exceptionally clear in the empty corridor, only to be quickly swallowed by the silence.

Outside the delivery room, Yang Xianglan's mother-in-law, Wang, was rubbing her hands together, as if trying to shake off her anxiety.

Her small, thin figure paced back and forth in the narrow corridor, her steps sometimes quick, sometimes slow, muttering to herself. Her soft voice stood out sharply in the oppressive silence: "Buddha bless... Bodhisattva manifests... everything goes smoothly... everything is safe and sound... may adults and children all be well... bless Xianglan so that she will give birth to a son this time..."

Her wrinkled face was tense with worry, and her eyes kept glancing at the tightly closed delivery room door, which seemed to separate life and death.

A series of hurried, chaotic footsteps approached from afar, breaking the silence of the corridor.

Zhang Xiuying practically staggered over, her forehead beaded with sweat, her face deathly pale, and her chest heaving violently, clearly having rushed here in a panic after receiving the news.

Her youngest son, Yang Guangming, followed behind her.

Yang Guangming's steps were relatively steady, but his tightly pursed lips and the lingering tension between his brows betrayed his inner anxiety.

"Mother-in-law!" As soon as Wang looked up and saw them, she immediately felt as if she had found her anchor and rushed over to greet them, her face wrinkled even more deeply with anxiety.

"What about Xianglan? How is Xianglan?"

Zhang Xiuying grabbed Wang's arm, her fingers trembling slightly from the force.

Her voice trembled uncontrollably, and her eyes were urgent, almost piercing through the closed delivery room door, searching for her daughter.

"Don't panic, don't panic."

Wang quickly grasped Zhang Xiuying's cold hand, trying to offer some comfort with her own body heat, and patted the back of her hand with her other hand:

"It's in, it's in! Everything's going well. The doctor just came out and said the baby is in the right position, the contractions are regular, and everything is going smoothly! It's just... the cervix is ​​dilating a little slowly, so we have to wait, just a little longer."

She tried to make her tone sound calm and composed, but the anxiety flickering in her eyes and the frequent glances towards the delivery room door betrayed her unease.

When Zhang Xiuying heard the word "smoothly," her heart, which had been in her throat, eased slightly, but the feeling of being on edge did not lessen at all.

She leaned against the cold wall painted half-green, breathing slightly, her gaze fixed on the delivery room door like a nail, as if this could share her daughter's pain.

Yang Guangming did not immediately join his mother and Wang's conversation; he first looked around.

On a bench against the wall in the corridor were two bundles made from old bed sheets and a canvas bag with the words "Seize the opportunity, promote production" printed in red, clearly things that had been brought from home in a hurry.

"Auntie, is everything ready?" Yang Guangming asked, his voice low and his tone steady, like a stone thrown into an anxious lake, trying to break the silent tension between the two elders.

"Everything's ready!" Wang nodded hurriedly, as if reporting a task. "The swaddling blankets, little clothes, and diapers for both adults and children are all here, prepared according to the old custom. Oh, and there's more!"

Remembering something, she added, "A packet of brown sugar, I just gave it to the nurse to take in, saying it would be useful during labor to replenish her strength."

Yang Guangming nodded and didn't ask any more questions.

He understood the significance of these old customs at this time; they were a kind of experience and a psychological comfort.

"Mom, Aunt Wang, please sit down and rest for a while. Your legs can't take standing for long. I'm going to the door for some fresh air."

As he spoke, he gestured to the two elders and turned to walk towards the hospital entrance at the end of the corridor.

Wang helped Zhang Xiuying, whose legs were still a little weak, to sit down on the cold bench. The bench was made of wood, and the paint was already peeling.

After Wang sat down, seemingly to ease the atmosphere and to boost her own morale, she began to ramble on about what had happened that afternoon:

"My dear in-laws, you have no idea how reliable Xianglan is!"
After lunch, she said she was a little sleepy, so she lay down and took a nap. When she woke up, it was only 3:30, and her water broke!

She herself wasn't flustered at all; instead, she comforted me, saying, "Mom, don't be nervous. I know what I'm doing. We should go to the hospital."

She paused, a complex expression crossing her face—a mixture of emotion, heartache, and lingering fear.
"I...I'm worried about her and the baby in her belly! I'm afraid something might happen to her."

With her hospital stay fast approaching, she has packed all her belongings neatly and said she feels fine and will walk to the hospital.

How could I agree! I called out in the alley, and several old neighbors came to help. They quickly found a flatbed cart, put on a thick quilt, and pushed her over.

Fortunately, it wasn't far; it only took about ten minutes to get to the hospital entrance.

Hearing her daughter's calmness, Zhang Xiuying's tense nerves relaxed a little.

Her daughter's composure in the face of danger brought her a sense of relief and a hidden pride.

But her hands were still unconsciously twisting the hem of her dark blue coat, revealing that the anxiety deep inside her had not truly dissipated.

The clock on the wall in the corridor ticked away, its second hand making a monotonous but clear "click." In this waiting, each tick struck a chord in one's heart, stretching time out endlessly.

Outside the hospital gates, a cool evening breeze swept over us. The sky was leaden gray and hung low.

Yang Guangming walked to a relatively quiet corner on the side of the gate, avoiding pedestrians coming and going and the "28" bicycles whizzing by.

He took a deep breath of the crisp air and composed himself.

Immediately, his consciousness sank into the refrigerator space.

In this dimension imperceptible to others, he swiftly "took out" two simply packaged chocolates.

The chocolate wrappers that had been replaced earlier were dark brown, without any fancy patterns, with only a few foreign letters printed in the corner.

Next, he "took out" a milk powder can that had been repackaged in simple packaging. The milk powder can was metal, heavy in the hand, and cool to the touch.

The two cans of milk powder, still in their original packaging, were placed in the same spot in the refrigerator where they were originally stored.

He carefully examined the instructions on the milk powder cans and confirmed that one of them was labeled "Infant Formula" and was suitable for newborns, before he finally breathed a sigh of relief.

The other can was milk powder for middle-aged and elderly people, which should not be given to infants under six months old. He was well aware of this.

He carefully placed the milk powder can into his military green satchel and then stuffed the two chocolates into the pocket of his Zhongshan suit.

After doing all this, he took another deep breath, as if drawing some kind of strength, and turned around to quickly return to the delivery room corridor filled with the smell of disinfectant and anxious waiting.

Time seemed to freeze in the silent torment, only to be mercilessly shattered into fragments by the second hand.

The old, round wall clock on the wall seemed to move with such difficulty with each movement of its hands.

Zhang Xiuying and Wang Shi had long been restless, and they would stand up from time to time, tiptoeing, trying in vain to peek through the narrow crack in the delivery room door, even though they knew they couldn't see anything.

They whispered words of comfort to each other, occasionally startled by any unusual noise in the corridor.

Yang Guangming leaned against the wall a little away from the door, his arms crossed, his gaze seemingly calm as he looked at the opposite wall. But upon closer inspection, his fingertips were unconsciously tapping lightly on the seam of his dark blue trousers, the rhythm sometimes fast and sometimes slow, revealing his inner turmoil.

The air seemed to solidify into a gel, each breath carrying the astringent smell of disinfectant and a heavy sense of anticipation.

About an hour passed, but it felt like an eternity.

The tightly closed delivery room door, which seemed to separate two worlds, creaked open from the inside.

A young nurse wearing a white mask and a slightly yellowed white coat hurried out, carrying an empty enamel tray.

"Nurse! Nurse! How is it inside?"

The three people sprang up from their chairs almost simultaneously and swarmed around the nurse like arrows, blocking her way.

Zhang Xiuying's voice was clearly choked with sobs, and her eyes were fixed on the nurse, as if trying to read the answer from her face.

The nurse didn't stop walking, speaking quickly and with professional conciseness: "Don't rush, don't rush! The mother's condition is normal, she's having contractions, it's just that the cervix is ​​dilating a little slowly, we'll have to wait a bit longer! I'm going to the pharmacy to get something!" As she spoke, she was about to walk past them, her steps hurried.

"Nurse, please wait!"

Yang Guangming stepped forward and, with a polite but unusually firm gesture, blocked the nurse's path.

Without saying a word, he quickly pulled out the two simply packaged chocolates from the pocket of his Zhongshan suit and handed them over. "These, chocolates. I heard that when women are having a hard time giving birth, eating these can replenish their strength and help them recover quickly. Are they effective?"

His gaze was honest and earnest.

The nurse stopped abruptly.

She looked in surprise through the eyes above her mask at the chocolate being offered to her.

In the era of planned economy, in 1970 when material resources were generally scarce, chocolate was extremely rare and belonged to an absolute luxury.

Especially in terms of energy replenishment, this is a godsend for postpartum women who have experienced tremendous physical exertion.

The surprise in her eyes quickly turned into delight.

"It works! It works! It's extremely useful!"

She immediately reached out and took it, her tone noticeably warmer, "Comrade, how thoughtful! You've considered everything perfectly!"

Without pausing, Yang Guangming quickly pulled out a handful of brightly colored White Rabbit candies from the side pocket of his military green satchel.

Without waiting for a reply, he stuffed the gift into the nurse's free hand: "Thank you for your hard work, doctors and nurses! This is just a small token of my appreciation to sweeten your mouths and replenish your energy. You're so busy that you don't even have time to eat."

His attitude was sincere and natural, without the slightest hint of condescension or deliberate flattery.

The nurse was somewhat surprised to see a large handful of milk candies suddenly appear in her hand, and instinctively wanted to decline, saying, "Oh dear, we can't accept this...we..."

"Of course, of course! It's just a small token, nothing much. Everyone has worked hard!" Yang Guangming said firmly, with an undeniable sincerity, "Please."

The nurse glanced at the precious chocolates and the handful of White Rabbit candies she rarely ate, then looked up at the young man in front of her, dressed in a neat cadre uniform with calm and clear eyes. Her lips seemed to move slightly beneath her mask, but in the end, she didn't refuse any longer, nodded, and said with a touch of warmth in her voice:
"Okay, thank you! I'll definitely share it with everyone!"

She turned around hastily, carrying the tray and the unexpected "supplies," and jogged away, disappearing around the corner of the corridor to retrieve what she had originally intended to take.

Zhang Xiuying and Wang Shi both watched Yang Guangming's series of actions. Wang Shi couldn't help but mutter under her breath, her tone filled with surprise and a hint of barely perceptible envy: "Oh my, Guangming, you... you really have connections, you even managed to get your hands on chocolate... this stuff is so precious..."

Yang Guangming simply turned his head slightly and explained in a calm tone, "I just happened to help a friend with a small favor before, and he insisted on giving it to me. I've been keeping it for a while now. I'm glad it can come in handy."

He brushed it off lightly, his gaze returning to the delivery room door.

Surprisingly, the nurse was incredibly fast at retrieving the items. In less than five minutes, she returned with a sterilized white cloth bag, quickly slipping into the delivery room.

The door closed gently behind her, once again separating the inside from the outside.

The corridor fell silent again, filled with waiting.

This time, however, there seemed to be a subtle, indescribable change in the air.

The suffocating anxiety seemed to have been slightly lessened by the brief exchange, replaced by a stronger sense of hopeful anticipation.

In this era, chocolate and White Rabbit candy are more than just food; they represent a silent promise and a source of strength.

Time continued to pass, the second hand still ticking, but when Zhang Xiuying and Wang Shi sat back on the bench, their bodies seemed less stiff.

Yang Guangming was still standing against the wall, but his fingertips stopped tapping unconsciously and he was just staring intently at the door.

About half an hour later, another half hour had passed.

For the next half hour, the corridor was unusually quiet, with only the occasional cough and footsteps coming from afar. The three of them held their breath, their hearts pounding in their throats.

Sudden--

"Whoa-whoa-!"

A loud, primal cry of a newborn baby pierced the heavy door of the delivery room without warning, like the purest celestial music, striking the eardrums of the three exhausted family members who had been waiting outside!

The cry was so powerful, so full of life!
Zhang Xiuying suddenly stood up from the bench, covered her mouth tightly with both hands, and her eyes instantly turned red.

Wang was so excited that her whole body trembled violently. She grabbed Zhang Xiuying's arm and her voice trembled with wild joy: "It's born! It's born! It must be a boy! Listen to that cry, it's so loud!"

An uncontrollable, huge smile instantly bloomed on her wrinkled face, every wrinkle smoothing out, radiating immense satisfaction and pure joy.

Yang Guangming's tense expression finally relaxed, and he let out a long sigh of relief, revealing a warm smile of relief.

The baby's cries continued, strong and powerful, filled with the strength to announce the arrival of new life, dispelling all the gloom and unease that had accumulated in the corridor.

Not long after, as if to confirm this joy, the door to the delivery room opened again.

It was the same young nurse from before, this time with a relaxed and genuine smile on her face, holding a small swaddled baby wrapped tightly in a white blanket that had been starched and washed according to hospital standards.

"Congratulations! Mother and baby are safe and sound! It's a healthy baby boy! We just weighed him, he weighs six pounds and six ounces." The nurse's voice trailed off with joy.

"It's a boy! It's a boy!" Wang Shi almost rushed forward, her voice rising with excitement and trembling with barely suppressed sobs. "Thank God! Thank you Buddha! Thank you doctors and nurses! We have a grandson! Jianjun has an heir!"

With trembling hands, she carefully took the tiny swaddled baby from the nurse's hands. Although her movements were somewhat clumsy and unfamiliar, she held it tightly, as if she were holding the most precious and priceless treasure in the world, afraid of the slightest mishap.

She couldn't wait to lower her head and gently lift a corner of the swaddle blanket. Looking at the wrinkled, rosy little face in the swaddling clothes, which looked like a little old man, her face lit up with a huge smile. A great sense of satisfaction almost overflowed from her.

Zhang Xiuying also quickly went over to see her grandson; her earlier excitement had turned into pure joy.

My daughter is safe and sound, and she even gave birth to a healthy, chubby baby boy!

With Xianglan's feisty and capable nature, and now that she has a son to rely on, her position in her husband's family is completely secure, and she will only become more assertive.

Seeing her mother-in-law's heartfelt joy, she was genuinely happy too. "Mother-in-law, congratulations! What a joyous occasion!"

Yang Guangming also took a few steps closer, looking at the tiny life in the swaddling clothes, its eyes closed, crying loudly on its own.

That vibrant cry seemed to possess a magical power, instantly dispelling the previous anxiety and bringing a warm and comforting vitality unique to new life.

He looked at his nephew with a gentle gaze.

He sincerely said to the nurse, "Thank you, doctor! You've worked so hard!"

The nurse smiled and nodded, clearly in a good mood: "The mother will be wheeled out soon. After observation, if everything is alright, she can go back to her ward to rest." As dusk settled, the entire city was shrouded in twilight, with scattered streetlights casting a dim, yellow glow.

The ward had become lively.

This is a slightly crowded four-person ward, with the air filled with a mixture of disinfectant and the smell of milk.

The bed by the window belongs to Yang Xianglan.

She leaned against the half-raised hospital bed, her face still pale from blood loss and her lips bloodless, but she was in good spirits, her eyes bright and sparkling as she looked at the large family gathered around her bed, a tired yet incredibly satisfied smile on her lips.

The child slept peacefully in the small rocking crib next to her, looking very well-behaved.

Wang Jianjun and his father rushed in almost one after the other, both wearing dark blue overalls stained with oil, clearly having just finished work and run all the way here, still carrying the chill of the outdoors.

Wang Jianjun's dark face was filled with urgency, while Master Wang's face showed a simple and honest anxiety.

Shortly after, Yang Yongkang and his son Yang Guanghui arrived, panting heavily.

Yang Yongkang's expression remained as serious and rigid as ever, but the concern in his eyes was unmistakable.

Yang Guanghui was dressed in the typical factory work clothes, his face showing the eagerness typical of young people.

"Xianglan!"...

Several concerned calls rang out almost simultaneously, breaking the brief silence in the ward.

When their eyes first fell on the sleeping baby in Wang's arms, wrapped tightly in a white blanket, and they learned that it was a healthy boy, the four men's faces instantly broke into genuine smiles.

The worry that had filled the ward vanished instantly, replaced by overwhelming joy and boisterous congratulations.

"Good, good, good! Good job, kid! Excellent!" Master Wang rubbed his rough hands together, his dark face full of honest and simple joy, saying "good" repeatedly, as if there was no more fitting expression than this word.

"You've worked so hard, Xianglan! You've really worked so hard!" Wang Jianjun walked a few steps to the bedside, looking at his wife's pale but smiling face, his eyes filled with deep gratitude and heartache.

He wanted to touch his wife's hand, but was a little embarrassed, so he just nodded vigorously in the end.

Yang Yongkang didn't say anything, but silently stood by his daughter's bedside. His gaze first fell on his daughter's face, with the deep concern that a father has for her, and he carefully looked at her complexion before moving on to his grandson in the small cradle next to her.

His usually serious and rigid face softened imperceptibly as he nodded slightly, a gesture that conveyed a thousand unspoken words.

Yang Guanghui rubbed his hands excitedly, leaned forward to look at his little nephew, and said in a loud voice, "Oh my! This little guy, I heard from Mom that his crying is very loud! Good boy!" His face was full of pure joy.

Looking at their newborn baby, the family gathered around the small hospital bed, chatting happily.

Seeing her daughter safe and sound, her adorable grandson, her mother-in-law beaming with joy, and her son-in-law's family so sincere, Zhang Xiuying felt a deep sense of satisfaction.

Only then did she suddenly realize that from rushing to the hospital after receiving the news in the afternoon, to the anxious wait outside the delivery room, and now being surrounded by the immense joy of the addition of a new baby, her emotions had gone through several ups and downs, and she had completely forgotten about another great joy in her family!

She cleared her throat, and a smile involuntarily appeared on her face, a mixture of pride, mystery, and barely suppressed excitement. Her voice naturally rose, carrying the solemnity of someone about to announce something important:

"Xianglan gave birth safely and has a healthy, chubby baby boy. This is the first and most joyous occasion of our lives! It's definitely worth celebrating! And there's another piece of good news that I almost forgot to mention!"

Her words were like a drop of water falling into a sizzling oil pan, instantly drawing the attention of everyone in the ward.

Everyone stopped talking, and even the baby sleeping soundly in the swaddling clothes seemed to sense something, smacking its lips slightly.

All eyes turned to Zhang Xiuying.

"What's wrong, Mom?" Yang Xianglan, lying on the bed, opened her eyes wide with curiosity. Her voice was weak, but she couldn't hide her curiosity.

Wang Jianjun, Master Wang, Yang Yongkang, Yang Guanghui, and even Wang Shi, who was beaming with joy while holding her grandson, all held their breath, waiting for her to continue.

Zhang Xiuying's gaze slowly moved and finally landed on Yang Guangming, who was standing at the foot of the bed with a straight posture and a calm and gentle smile on his face.

Her voice was filled with barely suppressed excitement: "It's our Guangming! He's been promoted again! His administrative rank has been raised to level twenty-three! Level five clerk! His salary will increase to forty-nine yuan and fifty cents next month!"

"what?"

"real or fake?"

"Level 23! That fast?"

"Forty-nine yuan and fifty cents!"

A collective gasp and incredulous exclamation filled the ward.

Master Wang and his son, Yang Yongkang and his son, and even Yang Xianglan, who had just given birth, all widened their eyes instantly, their mouths slightly agape, as if they had heard something unbelievable. Their gazes, filled with immense shock and inquiry, focused on Yang Guangming.

Facing everyone's gaze, Yang Guangming remained as composed as ever, his smile deepening slightly. He nodded gently and confirmed in a calm voice:
"Yes, that's right. The factory's documents just came down, and I haven't had time to explain them to my family in detail yet."

"Oh my! This is incredible! Absolutely incredible!"

Wang was the first to recover from the shock, and with a loud voice, she instantly became the most enthusiastic "straight man".

She bent down and picked up her beloved grandson, as if the glory that belonged to the child's uncle had indirectly and gloriously shone upon her own family.

"You were promoted three levels in a row last time, and it hasn't been that long! This... this is another promotion! Guangming, you... you've practically taken off on a rocket launcher! You have a bright future! You truly have a bright future!"

Wang's words flowed like a floodgate had been opened, and she showered Yang Guangming with praise, "Xianglan, look at your brother! How promising and accomplished he is! Our family is truly... truly blessed!"

Her gaze toward Yang Guangming was filled with an unprecedented fervor.

Master Wang nodded repeatedly, his dark face filled with heartfelt admiration. He exclaimed sincerely, "Guangming, you are truly capable! Truly capable! I admire you! I admire you so much!" He wasn't good at using fancy words, but the sincerity in his tone carried great weight.

Wang Jianjun looked at his brother-in-law standing in front of him. He was younger than him, but he was already a cadre at the 23rd administrative level with a monthly salary of 49.5 yuan.

His gaze became extremely complex, filled with envy, admiration, heartfelt congratulations, and a hint of indescribable self-reproach for his current situation, all of which ultimately coalesced into a simple yet powerful statement:
"Congratulations, Guangming! I'm so happy for you!"

He patted Yang Guangming's shoulder forcefully.

A rare, radiant smile appeared on Yang Yongkang's face. Although he still didn't say anything, the certainty, satisfaction, and indescribable pride in his eyes carried more weight than any flowery words.

Looking at his youngest son, he seemed to see the future hope of the Yang family.

Yang Guanghui, on the other hand, patted his younger brother's shoulder forcefully, almost jumping up, his voice loud and clear, filled with pride and excitement: "Mingming! You're amazing! You've really brought honor to our family! Well done!" His joy was direct and fervent.

Yang Xianglan leaned against the hospital bed, looking at her younger brother, who was dressed in a crisp navy blue cadre uniform, with an upright posture and a calm confidence.

Looking at the crowd surrounding him, praising him endlessly, especially his mother-in-law Wang's undisguised, almost fawning, flattery and enthusiasm, a huge surge of pride and warmth welled up in his heart, instantly dispelling the fatigue brought on by childbirth.

My younger brother has made something of himself. Not only has he secured a place in the factory, but his successive promotions have also given her, as his older sister, real support and confidence. Furthermore, they have allowed my entire family to hold their heads high in front of my husband's family.

A healthy blush rose on her pale face from excitement, and her voice, filled with laughter and sisterly pride, said, "Mingming, congratulations! I'm so happy for you! You've really made us proud!"

Her gaze swept over her mother-in-law's beaming face, and the sense of security in her heart grew even stronger.

The small ward was suddenly filled with unprecedented laughter and joy.

The joy of newborn babies and the bright future brought by Yang Guangming's promotion intertwine to form a powerful warm current.

The immense happiness brought by this double blessing filled this ordinary hospital room with boundless anticipation and hope for the future.

Yang Xianglan had a natural birth and was in good health, so she recovered quite quickly.

After only three days in the hospital, the doctor carefully examined the patient and confirmed that the mother's uterus was recovering well, the lochia was normal, the baby was feeding well, the baby's bowel movements were normal, and the jaundice was within the physiological range. The doctor then informed the patient that she could be discharged and go home.

During these three days, Wang seemed like a different person, showing unprecedented enthusiasm and taking meticulous care of her daughter-in-law.

She finally held her beloved grandson, whom she had been longing for. The immense satisfaction and heavy sense of responsibility made her radiant.

The old hen, pig's trotters, and crucian carp that had been prepared in advance came in very handy.

She carefully simmered a thick soup on a small coal stove outside the hospital, skimming off the surface oil, and patiently prepared it for her daughter-in-law.

The words she uttered were no longer the occasional criticisms of the past, but were filled with concern and encouragement:

"Xianglan, drink more of this; it's good for producing breast milk."

Take good care of yourself; health is the foundation of everything. Only when you're healthy can you raise your child well.

The attentiveness and thoughtfulness, the heartfelt joy and importance shown, even surprised Zhang Xiuying, who was watching from the side. At the same time, she was also happy for her daughter.

Zhang Xiuying and Li Guihua would also take time to come and help take care of the new mother and child.

Seeing her sister-in-law being well taken care of by her mother-in-law, and her nephew growing up day by day, becoming chubby and healthy, Li Guihua was genuinely happy for Xianglan.

The can of infant formula that Yang Guangming brought earlier has not yet been used because Xianglan has plenty of breast milk. Wang Shi carefully wrapped it in cloth and put it away like a treasure, just in case.

He also used the excuse that "a friend gave it to me" to ask Zhang Xiuying to stew a delicious soup for his older sister to nourish her body, using the large yellow croaker and frozen shrimp stored in the Sunshine Space.

Upon seeing these rare items, Wang praised Yang Guangming's "ability" and "connections" without reservation, her eyes filled with admiration.

With her mother-in-law's extraordinary care and the help of her mother and sister-in-law, Yang Xianglan recovered very well. Her pale complexion became rosy day by day, and she was full of energy.

Time slips by quietly amidst the newborn's loud cries, the flurry of diaper changes, the comforting warmth of soups and baths, and the caring whispers of family members.

In the blink of an eye, a month has passed, and Xianglan has successfully completed her postpartum confinement.

The grandson's one-month celebration is a great joy for the Wang family, a sign of the continuation of the family line and the prosperity of the clan.

Holding her chubby, fair-skinned grandson whose features were becoming increasingly relaxed, Mrs. Wang was absolutely delighted and couldn't bear to part with him.

That sense of pride and glory, that feeling of bringing honor to the family, was impossible to hide; he walked with a swagger.

She took the initiative to discuss it with Zhang Xiuying, her tone more serious and enthusiastic than ever before:

“My dear in-laws, the addition of a new member to our family is a great joy, a blessing from our ancestors!”

My husband and I discussed it and decided we should definitely handle it properly.

These old customs are not encouraged now, so we're thinking of finding a good day and booking two decent tables at a state-run restaurant.

Let's not invite any outsiders, just our two families, close relatives, to have a lively gathering and celebrate our grandson's one-month birthday. What do you say?

She waited for her in-laws' response with an expectant smile on her face.

Zhang Xiuying was naturally delighted and overjoyed that Wang had taken such initiative and solemnity in organizing her grandson's one-month celebration.

This not only shows respect and dignity for the grandson, but also serves as a silent yet powerful affirmation of the daughter's status in her husband's family.

She immediately smiled and readily agreed, her tone equally enthusiastic: "Great! That's wonderful! My dear in-law, you've thought of everything! This is a joyous occasion, it should be celebrated! Our whole family will definitely come! You can decide on the date, just let us know when you've chosen! If you need any help, just let us know!"

The two mothers-in-law were remarkably in agreement on this matter, and their faces beamed with genuine smiles.

They immediately gathered together with great interest to discuss which reputable state-owned restaurant to choose, such as a branch of "Lvyangcun" or "Lao Zhengxing", what dishes to order that were both presentable and seasonal, and what the approximate budget would be... The atmosphere was more harmonious than ever before.

Life seemed to be propelled by this double joy, heading towards an ever brighter and more promising future.

Yang Guangming became increasingly composed and capable at the Hongxing Machinery Factory, handling affairs with clarity and efficiency. Secretary Zhao Guodong relied on him more and more, and gradually entrusted him with some important tasks.

At home, the eldest sister, Yang Xianglan, has completely established herself in her husband's family. With her son by her side, her mother-in-law's attitude has undergone a complete change, and she is almost regarded as a hero.

My adorable little nephew changes every day, healthy and lively. His loud cries and satisfied babbling after a good meal bring endless joy and hope to the whole family.

In the Shikumen alley, the Yang family's life was getting better and better, and when the neighbors talked about it, their tone was full of genuine envy.

The auspicious day chosen is just around the corner, a sunny weekend.

Both families are making preparations for this simple yet heartwarming full moon celebration.

Zhang Xiuying rummaged through her belongings trying to make a new dress for her grandson; Wang Shi and Master Wang were busy finalizing the menu and seating arrangements at the restaurant; Yang Guangming was thinking about whether to bring some milk candy or small toys that day; even Yang Yongkang had a smile on his face.

The air seemed to be filled with joy, and even the May sunshine seemed exceptionally warm and bright.

However, the capricious hand of fate often strikes silently and cruelly shatters the tranquility before our eyes when we are most relaxed, most hopeful, and believe that everything is going well.

On a typical weekday afternoon, the sky was overcast, with leaden-gray clouds hanging low over the tall buildings of the Hongxing State-owned Cotton Mill.

Yang Guangming was in his office working on a document about the office supplies procurement plan for the next quarter.

The office was quiet, with only the scratching sound of pens gliding across paper.

Suddenly, the old-fashioned black hand-cranked telephone on the desk rang urgently without warning! The sound was particularly jarring in the quiet afternoon, carrying an ominous penetrating force.

Yang Guangming put down his pen, reached for the receiver, and said in a steady voice, "Hello, this is Yang Guangming."

The voice that came from the other end of the phone was that of the eldest sister, Yang Xianglan.

But the voice was completely devoid of its usual crispness, boldness, and the joy of being a new mother. Instead, it was filled with a kind of panic and despair that was being suppressed but could not be controlled.

The voice trembled violently, broken and choked, as if it might break off at any moment:
“Mingming, you…you come back quickly! Come to our house quickly! Something terrible has happened! Jianjun…something terrible has happened at Jianjun’s factory! He…he…”

Xianglan's voice was completely blocked by violent, heart-wrenching sobs and choking. She could no longer say anything, and only the uncontrollable, heartbreaking cries of pain violently pounded against Yang Guangming's eardrums through the receiver.

Yang Guangming's hand tightened suddenly on the receiver. A bone-chilling cold, like a Siberian cold front, shot up from his feet to his head without warning, instantly overwhelming all his senses.

Dongfang Machinery Factory... Brother-in-law Wang Jianjun... Has something happened to him?

His mind went blank!
He suddenly stood up, the movement so forceful that the heavy wooden chair legs scraped against the cement floor with a sharp, piercing sound.

He spoke into the receiver, suppressing the turmoil in his heart, trying his best to keep his voice as calm as possible: "Sis! Don't panic! Tell me slowly! What happened? What's wrong with my brother-in-law? What happened?"

However, on the other end of the phone, all he heard was Yang Xianglan's suppressed, desperate, heart-wrenching sobs, like those of a wounded wild animal.

The sound grew louder and louder, more and more helpless, as if the sky were falling and the earth were collapsing.

(End of this chapter)