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

Chapter 167, Section 166: Li Guihua's感动 (Moved/Touched). Securing the Job Position. Another Conflict.
In the alley, the dim streetlights cast several blurry halos of light onto the wet bluestone slabs.

As dusk settled in, it completely enveloped the courtyard of the Shikumen house.

The Yang family, their steps heavy as lead, filed into their shikumen house. Several days of arduous travel, coupled with their rollercoaster of emotions, had drained every last ounce of energy from them.

Weariness, like a thick layer of dust, covered everyone's face, shoulders, and gait. Even the leaves of the oleander tree in the courtyard seemed to droop even lower in the twilight.

Li Guihua held the sleeping Zhuangzhuang tightly in her arms. The child's little face looked particularly peaceful and full in the dim light, and his long eyelashes cast two small fan-shaped shadows under his eyelids. He was completely immersed in his dream, his small chest rising and falling gently with his even breathing.

Dinner was nothing more than rice porridge with vegetables.

Pour the leftover rice into a pot, add water and bring it to a boil, sprinkle in a handful of chopped green leafy vegetables, and add a few drops of precious rapeseed oil.

The only thing that could be considered meat was a small pinch of salted pork that Li Guihua had ruthlessly cut in.

The steam from the food rose in the cramped living room, carrying the subtle sweetness of the rice and the fresh aroma of the vegetables, yet it couldn't dispel the heaviness that permeated the air.

No one had the energy or the mood to speak.

The family sat around the old wooden table that had been used for who knows how many years, with only the slight clinking of bowls and chopsticks and the occasional slurping of rice porridge.

A dim light bulb hung overhead, its light sparingly illuminating only a small circle around the table, leaving everyone's face half-hidden in shadow, their chewing movements slow and mechanical.

After the meal, Li Guihua and Yang Xianglan quickly and efficiently cleaned up the dishes, chopsticks, pots, and pans.

The rushing tap water washed away the grease, making it exceptionally clear in the quiet night.

The small space was quickly restored to its surface order, with pots, pans, and utensils all back in their places.

However, that heavy pressure, like an old cotton wadding soaked with water, still weighed heavily on everyone's heart, filling the small room.

"Come and sit down, everyone."

Yang Yongkang's voice was not loud, and even sounded noticeably hoarse and tired.

Everyone gathered around, and the small space suddenly felt incredibly crowded.

Zhang Xiuying sat down next to the well-worn chest of drawers with its copper-plated edges, leaning slightly against it. Her face was pale, her eyes sunken, and she looked utterly exhausted, as if a gust of wind could knock her over.

Yang Guangming moved a small stool and sat down next to his mother, his posture upright.

Yang Guanghui stood against the wall, his tall and sturdy body slightly hunched, as if trying to shrink himself into the shadow of the wall, his rough hands unconsciously rubbing together.

Li Guihua carefully carried the sleeping Zhuangzhuang into the bed in the pavilion room, tucked him in, gently closed the thin wooden door, and then turned back to the small hall, sitting next to her husband Yang Guanghui on the edge of the hard bed.

Yang Xianglan held Amao, who was just over a month old and wrapped in swaddling clothes, and sat on the only old rattan chair in the room. The rattan had long since turned black, and in some places it was barely tied with thin hemp rope.

Honghong's small body nestled tightly against her mother's legs, one little hand gripping Yang Xianglan's trouser leg firmly. Her big eyes still held the bewilderment and unease of the day's events as she timidly observed the adults in the dim light.

The dim light bulb hung alone in the center of the room, sparingly casting its dim light, making everyone's shadows thin and long, distorted and projected onto the mottled, yellowed walls.

Yang Yongkang's gaze slowly swept over the tired faces of his family members.

Finally, his gaze fell on Li Guihua. Without any preamble, he went straight to the point, his voice low and steady, each word like a pebble falling on a bluestone slab:

"Guihua wants to buy the job spot that the Wang family is transferring. This is a big deal for the family."

He paused deliberately, letting the weight of his words sink in, then turned his gaze to his eldest son, "Guanghui, tell me, how much money can you contribute? Over the years, you should have some savings."

All eyes instantly focused on Yang Guanghui, as if a spotlight were shining on his dark, rough face.

An embarrassed blush immediately spread across his dark face, reaching all the way to his ears.

He unconsciously rubbed his large hands, which were unusually rough and deformed from years of heavy physical labor, as if those hands could give him a little courage.

He dared not look directly into his father's sharp eyes, which seemed to see right through him. His gaze darted away, and his throat felt constricted, his voice dry and tight.

"Dad... I... you know how little I earn. Over the years, I've been frugal and saved up... I've only managed to save a little over three hundred yuan."

His voice trailed off, almost a murmur, “I need to keep some money for emergencies. I… I can come up with three hundred yuan. Also, when I get to work tomorrow, I should be able to borrow some from my close coworkers.”

Three hundred yuan!
In an era when the monthly salary of an ordinary second-level worker was no more than forty yuan, saving more than three hundred yuan meant countless days of tightening one's belt—reluctant to buy new clothes, wishing to split every penny in half, and having to endure the urge to smoke.

That's really not a small amount!

Yang Guanghui felt ashamed. After reporting the number, he lowered his head even further and his broad shoulders slumped down, as if this was not a sum of money, but a fine he was paying for his "incompetence".

Li Guihua immediately chimed in, her tone carrying a sense of urgent calculation and an anxiety that brooked no missed opportunity:
"I'll go back to my parents' house and ask for help. I don't dare to think about anything more, but I should be able to borrow 100 yuan... I should be able to borrow it."

She glanced quickly at her in-laws' faces, catching any subtle change, and then quickly added, deliberately lowering her voice to sound weak, "If there aren't any major discrepancies, we can make up four hundred yuan this way. The remaining four hundred..."

She paused, her Adam's apple bobbing, and her voice lowered, carrying an almost pleading sense of helplessness, "We, the young couple, are really powerless. I'm afraid... we'll have to rely on our families for help."

The four-hundred-dollar shortfall, like a huge, cold weight, suddenly crashed into this small front building.

The air seemed to freeze.

Yang Xianglan instinctively tightened her grip on Amao's arm. The baby in the swaddling clothes seemed to sense the sudden tension in his mother's body, and squirmed uncomfortably, letting out a soft whimper.

Yang Xianglan quickly patted the child's back, then turned to Li Guihua, her face filled with sincere apology and a deep sense of helplessness.

“Sister-in-law, this job transfer is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I wholeheartedly support you in buying it. With such a big thing happening at home, I feel really bad... I can't help at all.”

Her voice carried a subtle bitterness, as if she had chewed up some bitter herbs:

“My mother-in-law is the head of the household. When Jianjun was alive, every penny of his salary over the years went to her. As for me…”

She gave a wry smile, tinged with self-mockery, "I can't even come up with ten yuan."

She paused, her gaze sweeping over the silent crowd, a hint of faint hope in her tentative inquiry, "Of Jianjun's one-time compensation, the half that I was promised to keep, if I can get it as soon as possible, I'm definitely willing to lend the remaining portion to my sister-in-law! It's just... I don't know if there's still enough time?"

Yang Xianglan's words were like a pebble thrown into a calm but turbulent pond, instantly creating ripples.

Li Guihua's heart skipped a beat, and a thought flashed through her mind like lightning.

Half of that compensation, more than three hundred yuan, was indeed a timely help to put an end to the crisis!
But just this afternoon, in the noisy main room of the Wang family, in front of so many people including Master Wang, Madam Wang, Wang Jinhuan, and Wang Yinhuan, I solemnly reminded Master Wang and Madam Wang that they must not lend the pension to their two daughters, lest they cause trouble in the future, attract gossip from outsiders, and ruin the reputation of the Wang family!

Those words still ring in my ears, and I can still vividly recall my righteous and selfless attitude towards the Wang family.

If we turn around now and use the pension money that Xianglan is holding, wouldn't we be contradicting ourselves?

If the Wang family finds out, especially those two shrewd sisters, wouldn't they cause a huge uproar?
They'll definitely say that the Yang family instigated Xianglan to embezzle the money, which will only worsen Xianglan's situation in her husband's family!
The thought became crystal clear in an instant.

Li Guihua immediately raised her head, her face beaming with gratitude, a smile that almost overflowed, but her tone was unusually firm, carrying an undeniable sense of "consideration":
"Xianglan! Please don't say that! I appreciate your kind intentions! But even if I can't buy it with the job, I can't lend you the money!"

She deliberately raised her voice, her gaze sweeping over the crowd, as if reiterating some unwavering principle to everyone:
"Today at the Wang family home, in front of so many close relatives, I specifically reminded Grandma Amao that she should never lend the pension money to Sister Jinhuan and Sister Yinhuan in the future. Why?"

She asked and answered herself, emphasizing her words, "The high-sounding excuse is that we're afraid that if things go on for too long, outsiders will gossip and say that the Wang family's daughter is after her parents' money, causing the old man and her two sisters to suffer injustice!"

The real meaning was a warning to them not to have such thoughts, otherwise, we, Xianglan's family, would definitely demand an explanation!

She turned to Yang Xianglan, her eyes becoming incredibly earnest, filled with genuine concern for her sister-in-law:
"If I were to turn around and use your compensation money, what would that make me? Wouldn't that be like slapping myself in the face?"

If the Wang family finds out that Xianglan lent her pension money to her sister-in-law, wouldn't that cause a huge uproar?

This will definitely make things difficult for you in your in-laws' family! Your sister-in-law shouldn't be so inconsiderate; she shouldn't cause you this trouble!

His words were reasonable and persuasive, leaving no room for doubt. He not only cleared himself of any suspicion of "coveting" the pension, but also appeared to be considerate of his sister-in-law's situation and reputation, and tactfully declined Yang Xianglan's offer to lend him money.

Yang Xianglan opened her mouth, but looking at her sister-in-law's almost impeccable "sincere" and "resolute" expression, she couldn't say anything. She just nodded silently, her heart filled with mixed feelings of sour, sweet, bitter, spicy and salty, unable to distinguish the taste.

She lowered her head and gently patted Amao in her arms, concealing the complexity in her heart.

This money was too hot to handle. Li Guihua certainly wanted to lend it, but she couldn't and dared not lend it.

With a weight lifted from her shoulders, Li Guihua changed the subject, her tone becoming more "sensible" and "responsible," clearly pointing the finger at her in-laws:

“Dad, Mom, buying this transfer quota is my personal matter. I absolutely do not want to cause trouble for Xianglan, nor do I want to add any extra burden to our family.”

She looked at Yang Yongkang and Zhang Xiuying, her eyes filled with just the right amount of pleading and respect, "If... if my family can come up with the remaining four hundred yuan to help me out temporarily, consider it a loan from my family! I, Li Guihua, am making this clear!"

She straightened her back and said firmly, "I will definitely pay it back in the future, even if it's deducted from my salary every month! I will absolutely not make things difficult for my parents!"

Zhang Xiuying listened attentively, her wrinkled face expressionless, but her cloudy eyes were rapidly calculating the family's savings.

She personally strongly supports her daughter-in-law buying the job.

Being a permanent employee in a state-owned factory is a highly coveted job with a fixed monthly salary and social security benefits—something many people would kill for.

Although it requires a huge sum of eight hundred dollars upfront, you can earn it back steadily after working for a few years, making it a worthwhile investment in the long run.

Moreover, Li Guihua's words were clear and straightforward: the money her family provided was a loan that would have to be repaid in the future.

Since it's a loan, not a free gift, it doesn't count as favoring the eldest brother's family. In the future, when Guangyao and Xiangmei from the Northeast find out, they won't be able to find any reason to argue against it.

The policy is holding them back from returning to the city. Even if my husband and I wanted to give the opportunity to our children far away, we can only focus on the present and seize this tangible opportunity that has come our way.

More importantly, Li Guihua's unwavering and reasoned defense of Xianglan's right to custody of the pension money at the Wang family's house this afternoon truly impressed Zhang Xiuying.

This daughter-in-law may seem a bit calculating at times, but she's courageous, methodical, and capable when it matters! She's someone who can hold her family together.

It's only a matter of borrowing four hundred yuan, which is indeed a bit much, but it's not like the family can't afford it. With the old man's salary and their own savings, they can manage to squeeze it out if they grit their teeth.

Thinking of this, Zhang Xiuying's face showed clear support. She looked at Yang Yongkang, her voice not loud, but her attitude clear:

“Old Yang, Guihua is right. It’s a rare opportunity; having a stable job is something many people dream of. Since this money is a loan and will have to be repaid, I think it’s fine. As for the family…”

She paused, her gaze unconsciously sweeping over her youngest son, Yang Guangming, and then seemingly casually passing over her husband. "If we try to squeeze it out, we can always get it out." Her inclination was already crystal clear.

Yang Guangming, who had been sitting silently on a small stool, spoke up at the opportune moment, his voice steady, breaking the brief silence between his parents:
“Dad, Mom, I also support my sister-in-law in buying this job.”

He looked at his elder brother, Yang Guanghui, and Li Guihua, and said clearly, "The three hundred from my brother, plus the one hundred that my sister-in-law's family can borrow, makes four hundred. The remaining four hundred..."

His tone remained calm, as if he were talking about something very ordinary. "I can lend my elder brother and sister-in-law two hundred yuan, and the family can also chip in, so my elder brother won't have to borrow money from his coworkers anymore."

His words were understated, but the number "two hundred yuan," in this era, when spoken by a young man who had been working for less than a year and had just been promoted, carried the weight of a boulder thrown into water.

Yang Guanghui suddenly raised his head, his bloodshot eyes filled with disbelief as he stared straight at his younger brother. Li Guihua's eyes lit up instantly, her immense joy almost shattering the composure she was trying so hard to maintain.

Yang Yongkang's gaze shifted to his youngest son like a hawk's, filled with scrutiny and a hint of barely perceptible concern: "Two hundred yuan? Guangming, you just got promoted, so your salary is a bit higher, but it hasn't been long. This is no small amount."

His tone was cautionary: "Do what you can, don't push yourself too hard, and don't try to appear richer than you are." He was worried that his youngest son might borrow money he shouldn't have in order to help the family.

Yang Guangming met his father's worried gaze with a calm expression, without the slightest hesitation, and spoke with a firm tone:
"Dad, don't worry. I have the money. I don't have many expenses, and I've been saving my monthly salary without touching it. I've been working for almost a year now, and it's only two hundred yuan, so taking it out won't be a problem."

His composure and certainty, along with his unwavering gaze, instantly dispelled Yang Yongkang's doubts. He knew that his youngest son always acted with discretion and wouldn't act recklessly.

"it is good."

Yang Yongkang nodded slightly, his taut jawline seeming to soften a little.

He glanced around at his family crammed into the small living room, his gaze lingering briefly on each person's face before finally making his decision:
“In that case, Guanghui will contribute 300, Guihua’s family will lend 100, and Guangming will lend 200. That’s 600.”

He hesitated for a moment, then looked at his wife, Zhang Xiuying. "The remaining two hundred will be paid by the family. There's no need to borrow from elsewhere, lest we make too much noise and attract gossip."

He knew that eight hundred dollars was no small sum, and if he borrowed money from all sides, it would inevitably become known to the neighbors and cause unnecessary trouble.

His tone became exceptionally solemn, carrying the decisiveness of a head of household and the bottom line that had to be clearly stated: "But this money..."

He paused deliberately, his gaze sweeping over his two sons. "It was a loan from the family to Guanghui and Guihua, and it will be returned gradually. This must be made clear."

Yang Yongkang's gaze became exceptionally serious, even carrying an undeniable air of authority, as he swept over Yang Guanghui, Li Guihua, and Yang Guangming:

"It's not that I insist on making such clear distinctions, nor is it that I'm mean-spirited and disregard family ties."

His voice was deep and powerful, “As parents, we must first treat them equally. They are all our children, and we cannot favor one over the other.”

Our family is just an ordinary working-class family; we don't have the means to buy a job for our daughter-in-law.

Let's be upfront now and keep clear records so that we won't harbor resentment in the future and can maintain harmony and longevity in the family.

Therefore, lending money is acceptable, but it must be repaid.

Yang Guanghui and Li Guihua were overjoyed, and the overwhelming sense of happiness made them feel dizzy.

Eight hundred yuan was like an insurmountable mountain. We thought it would be a huge struggle, requiring us to beg and plead with everyone, and endure all sorts of hardship. But to our surprise, the whole family discussed it behind closed doors and managed to scrape together the money! We didn't even need to ask anyone else!

Yang Guanghui nodded excitedly, his dark face flushed red, and his voice trembled, choked with emotion:

“Dad! Mom! Mingming! We understand! We understand so well! The family's support for Guihua is more than enough for us... we don't know what to say! We will definitely pay back the money! We will pay it back monthly, without fail! I, Yang Guanghui, mean what I say!”

Li Guihua was overjoyed, her heart bursting with happiness, a surge of joy washing over her entire body like a warm current.

She never expected things to go so smoothly, let alone that her brother-in-law would be so righteous and her parents-in-law so open-minded!
The thought that she would soon be able to shed her identity as a "housewife" and become a regular worker in a state-owned factory with a salary, status, and respect, and that she could stand tall and proud in both her parents' and husband's families, filled her with immense joy that almost overwhelmed her.

She hurriedly assured them, her voice rising slightly with excitement: "Dad, Mom, don't worry! We will definitely pay back the money! With a job and a stable income, paying it back won't be difficult! I will work hard and never let you down! I will never bring shame to the Yang family!"

With the matter settled, the tension in the small hall finally eased.

Although the heavy fatigue was still etched on everyone's brows and eyes, and their shoulders were still slumped, the tacit understanding and warmth after working together to solve the problem flowed silently in the small space, diluting the previous oppression.

Looking at the harmonious family in front of him, especially the mutual understanding and support between his two sons, a very subtle and barely perceptible trace of relief flashed across Yang Yongkang's rigid and serious face.

He waved his hand, his voice tinged with the weariness of a burden lifted: "Alright, it's settled then. It's getting late, everyone's exhausted, hurry up and get ready to rest." He stood up first, stretching his stiff back.

Everyone stood up, the wooden stools making a slight creaking sound as they rubbed against the floor.

Yang Xianglan stood up, holding Amao, and looked at her mother, Zhang Xiuying.

Although her mother's face still showed deep fatigue and her eyes were puffy, her eyes seemed clearer than a few days ago, no longer so dazed and weak.

She asked with concern, "Mom, how are you feeling? Is your chest still tight?"

When Zhang Xiuying was asked this question by her daughter, her heart skipped a beat, as if she had been pricked by a needle.

The act of feigning illness was a scheme she conspired with her husband and Li Guihua to bring Xianglan back to her parents' home for care in a legitimate way, and also a necessary "tactic" for future plans.

Faced with the genuine concern and worry in her daughter's clear eyes, a fleeting, unnatural expression crossed her face, as if burned by a flame. She quickly lowered her eyelids, covered her mouth with her hand to cover it, and coughed, her voice muffled.

"I'm... much better. I'm just a little tired, but I'll be fine after a rest. Don't worry about me, taking care of Amao and Honghong is the most important thing."

She dared not look into her daughter's eyes, her gaze wandering to the corner of the wall.

Seeing that her mother could respond clearly and seemed to be in much better spirits than the previous two days, Yang Xianglan was genuinely happy for her mother's improved health. She didn't think much of it and assumed that it was because her mother had returned to a familiar environment and was relieved of the burden of taking care of her at all times, allowing her to rest and recuperate in peace.

She nodded, holding the swaddled baby Amao who was starting to wriggle again, and took the baby's warm, red hand in her other hand. She said goodnight to her family and went into the small cubicle next door.

In the dim light, Yang Yongkang and Zhang Xiuying, who was about to wash up, exchanged a tacit, extremely brief glance.

His eyes held a complex meaning: concern for Xianglan's current situation, plans for the future, and a consensus that they must keep quiet for the time being.

The secret that the whole family is secretly planning for Xianglan's future is something that Xianglan must not know at all right now.

Given Xianglan's strong-willed and resolute nature, and her deep and unwavering affection for Jianjun, she would absolutely not accept the idea of ​​"remarrying" at this moment. For the next few years, Xianglan would certainly not have any thoughts of remarrying, and might even be determined to live like this for the rest of her life.

She could think that way, but as parents, they didn't want to see their young daughter remain a widow for the rest of her life. They could only push him forward, regardless of whether it would work out, they had to try.

Forcing a confrontation will only provoke her strong resistance and deeper pain, and may even lead her to do something extreme.

All she could do was wait, like brewing medicine, for time, this slow-acting remedy, to gradually soothe the wounds in her heart, and for her to gradually emerge from the shadow of losing her husband in the relatively stable new environment of her parents' home, so that both her body and soul could regain some vitality.

Then, perhaps there would be a sliver of hope if someone she trusts, such as her mother or sister-in-law, subtly and gradually instilled this idea in her ear.

The next few days passed quietly in a state of apparent calm while everyone was busy preparing.

Life in the alleyway remains the same. The sound of scrubbing toilets rises precisely at dawn, the coal stoves emit blue smoke, and housewives wash rice and vegetables under the tap, discussing the scarce commodities that are rationed.

Meanwhile, the Yang family acted methodically, focusing on the eight hundred yuan.

Li Guihua specially chose a morning, dressed neatly, and went back to her parents' home.

Although her family wasn't well-off, they all understood that it was a huge opportunity to buy a permanent position in a state-owned factory, as it concerned their daughter and grandson's future.

One hundred yuan isn't a lot; if the whole family pools their money, they can manage to scrape together the amount.

She carefully wrapped a thick wad of banknotes of various denominations in a handkerchief and placed it in her inner pocket, holding it close to her hand the whole way, afraid of losing it.

As promised, Yang Guangming handed over the two hundred yuan to his elder brother, Yang Guanghui, one evening after dinner.

He handed over the money calmly, saying only, "Brother, take it."

Yang Guanghui took the heavy envelope, his throat bobbing several times, and finally he just patted his younger brother's shoulder heavily, all the words he wanted to say stuck in his throat.

Yang Guanghui also took out his savings of more than three hundred yuan. It was a stack of neatly bundled bills, some new and some old, covered in sweat and oil stains.

Adding the two hundred yuan that Zhang Xiuying took out, all the money was piled up together, forming a thick stack that smelled of ink and sweat.

Li Guihua found a piece of faded blue cloth with slightly worn edges, carefully wrapped the banknotes that carried the hopes of her whole family, tied them tightly with thin hemp rope.

She carried the heavy blue cloth bag carefully in her arms, pressing down on her heart and on her overflowing, almost bursting-out expectations.

Soon, the appointed Sunday arrived.

In the early morning, a thin layer of cool mist still floated in the courtyard of the Shikumen.

The Yang family had a simple breakfast—rice porridge as usual, with a few pickled cucumbers and fermented bean curd.

Breakfast was simple, but no one complained; everyone understood that money should be spent wisely.

After the meal, everyone set off again on the road to the Wang family's house.

Although Zhang Xiuying still looked haggard and walked somewhat unsteadily, she insisted on going along with Yang Yongkang, with his silent encouragement and Li Guihua's warm and strong support.

The three children were naturally brought along as well.

Zhuangzhuang was being held by Li Guihua, his little head resting on her shoulder.

Honghong held Yang Xianglan's hand tightly, while her other hand unconsciously fiddled with the small buttons on her cotton-padded jacket.

Amao was securely tied to her chest by Yang Xianglan with a faded blue suspender strap, leaving only her small head, which was wearing a soft hat, exposed.

Li Guihua's mood was complicated throughout the journey, as if she were carrying a ball of fire while also feeling a block of ice on her head.

The eight hundred yuan was already securely tucked into his pocket; the blue cloth bag pressed against his skin, giving him a reassuring firmness and a slight warmth.

But the thought of facing the Wang sisters, Jin Huan and Yin Huan, again, especially the Wang family member who might be soft-hearted and protect her daughter, made her tense and prepared for a tough battle.

She repeatedly rehearsed what she was going to say in her mind, imagining the possible difficulties the other party might make and how to deal with them.

Yang Guangming walked beside his mother, Zhang Xiuying, his expression as calm as ever, his gaze focused, as if he were just going to complete a routine task that had been arranged long ago.

Yang Guanghui seemed a little nervous. After taking a few steps, he would unconsciously look at the bulging blue cloth bag in his wife's arms, and then look around warily, as if he was afraid of encountering a thief.

Stepping into the familiar shikumen main room of the Wang family again, still filled with the faint smell of burnt incense and candles, the atmosphere was even more somber and subtle than last time.

Master Wang and Mrs. Wang were still sitting in the two rattan chairs in the main seat.

Wang Jinhuan, Wang Yinhuan, and their husbands also arrived, each finding a stool or standing by the door frame, sitting on either side.

The small space was packed with people.

Wang Jianjun's portrait still hangs in the slightly crooked frame on the wall, quietly gazing at the crowded people below in the morning light, his clear black and white eyes seeming to carry an eternal question.

After a few dry, distant pleasantries, Master Wang cleared his throat.

His gaze swept over the crowd, his voice carrying a deliberately maintained calm:

"The transfer of the substitute position that we agreed on last time should be finalized today. Jin Huan, Yin Huan, how's it going with you guys... raising the money?"

He asked directly, but his gaze slightly avoided his two daughters.

Wang Jinhuan forced a smile, a stiff smile that hung on her lips, clearly forced and filled with undisguised disappointment.

She unconsciously twisted her fingers: "Dad, I... I went back and discussed it with the head of the household, and I also borrowed some money from a few close girlfriends."

She paused, as if weighing the weight of each word, and said, "I scraped together five hundred yuan."

When she announced the number, there was still a hint of resentment and unwillingness in her eyes as she glanced at Li Guihua.

Wang Yinhuan appeared even more uneasy, shrinking behind her husband and speaking in a barely audible voice, tinged with tears: "I...we are poor, with many children, and we only managed to scrape together three hundred yuan."

After she finished speaking, she lowered her head even further, as if the three hundred yuan was a disgrace.

The main room was silent, except for the soft smacking of Amao's lips as he nestled in Yang Xianglan's arms.

Master Wang and Mrs. Wang exchanged a glance, both seeing the expected complex emotions in each other's eyes—disappointment, helplessness, and a hint of relief at having been relieved of a heavy burden.

In the past few days, the two daughters have taken turns coming back to complain and ask for help, hoping that their parents can make up for the money they are short, and even implying that the job should have been given to the Wang family.

Both parents are equally dear to us; if you favor one, the other will resent you, and might even resent your parents for the rest of their lives.

Moreover, this job was obtained by Yang Guangming through great effort and connections, who managed to "compensate" Li Erzhu, the person who caused the accident!

The Wang family was able to obtain this extra spot thanks to the immense influence of the Yang family. It was out of consideration for the deceased Jianjun and the orphaned widow and her children that the Yang family went to great lengths to make it happen.

Instead of directly agreeing to give the prize to Li Guihua, Mr. Wang gave his two daughters the opportunity to compete for it. He already felt a little guilty towards Xianglan's family.

He couldn't bear to use his and his wife's meager savings to subsidize his daughter's place and compete with the Yang family for it.

In the end, Master Wang made up his mind and didn't lend money to anyone.

The reasons are also quite valid: the spot was hard-won and relied on the Yang family's connections; it would be inappropriate to give it to either of the two daughters, as it would damage their sisterly relationship; the Yang family paid for it in full as agreed, not for free.

The fact that I didn't immediately agree to Li Guihua's request was already due to selfish motives; I didn't want people to gossip about me.

At this moment, Wang Jinhuan and Wang Yinhuan still held onto a sliver of hope.

They didn't have enough money to reach 800, but together they had enough, and there was only one spot available.

They secretly hoped that Li Guihua couldn't raise the money either, so that there might still be room for maneuver. Perhaps their father would give the spot to Jinhuan, who had raised more money, out of consideration for his own daughter, or... or perhaps their father would soften his heart and agree to lend them the money.

Master Wang turned his gaze to Li Guihua, his expression questioning yet carrying a calm that preceded the end of the matter: "Guihua, how about you?"

Li Guihua took a deep breath and straightened her back.

She didn't say anything, but in front of everyone, she untied the blue cloth bundle that she had been holding tightly in her arms.

Several thick stacks of banknotes, neatly bound with yellow rubber bands or old yarn, were revealed: ten yuan, five yuan, two yuan, one yuan, and 10-cent notes...

Various denominations were available, and the paper varied in condition, some with curled edges, some with stains, and all exuded a strong smell of ink and sweat.

She quickly and efficiently counted the items one by one, stack by stack, in front of everyone.

Her counting motions were skillful and focused; the only sounds in the room were the soft rustling of the money and the occasional crunch of the bills turning over.

"...795, 796, 797, 798, 799, exactly 800."

After counting the last five-cent note, Li Guihua's voice was clear and strong, carrying a sense of calm and acceptance.

She held the thick stack of neatly arranged banknotes in both hands, but did not hand them over immediately, her gaze fixed intently on Master Wang and Mrs. Wang.

The last trace of color drained from Wang Jinhuan and Wang Yinhuan's faces in an instant, turning them ashen. The last glimmer of light in their eyes faded completely, and disappointment and frustration overwhelmed them like a cold tide.

Wang looked at the thick wad of money, her lips moved as if she wanted to say something, but in the end she didn't make a sound. She just sighed deeply and turned her face away.

Looking at the stack of money and then at his two distraught daughters, Master Wang felt a mix of emotions: guilt towards his daughters, and relief that things had finally come to an end.

He remained silent for a few seconds, and those seconds seemed to last an exceptionally long time.

Finally, he nodded heavily, his tone carrying the decisiveness of someone relieved of a great burden:
"Okay! Now that we've raised the money, let's proceed as we agreed last time. This spot will be transferred to Guihua."

"Once the factory's paperwork is completed, all the necessary agreements, including the repurchase clause proposed by Guangming, must be clearly written down in black and white, and everyone must sign, affix their fingerprints, and leave their seals."

He emphasized procedures and contracts.

The outcome was decided. Li Guihua was overjoyed, as if countless fireworks were exploding in her heart.

But she tried her best to maintain a calm expression, even with a hint of solemnity.

Instead of immediately handing the money to Mr. Wang, she took a step forward, a concerned smile spreading across her face, her tone incredibly "caring," as if she were entirely thinking of Mr. Wang's parents.
"Uncle Wang, Auntie, it's only right that I give you this money. However..."

She abruptly changed the subject, her brow furrowing slightly with just the right amount of worry, "Eight hundred yuan is no small sum! It's more than the compensation I received last time! What if I leave it at home and forget where I put it, or if mice gnaw on it? What if..."

She left her unfinished sentence, leaving a blank space for interpretation, before her tone became even more earnest: "You two are getting on in years, and have worked hard for half your lives. Now is the time for you to enjoy your retirement. If you continue to worry about safeguarding such a large sum of money, unable to eat or sleep well, and it affects your health, then it would be a great sin on our part as your younger generation to be so inconsiderate!"

She paused, her gaze sweeping over Wang Jinhuan and Wang Yinhuan, whose faces had instantly turned ashen, before finally settling on Yang Xianglan, who was holding the child. Her tone became even more "sincere," filled with empathetic "consideration":
"I think it would be better to do this: just like with the last pension, divide the money into two parts and deposit them both into long-term fixed deposits in the bank! The interest will be higher."

One copy will be kept by Auntie, and the other... will be kept by Xianglan!

This is the safest way! Both sides will feel at ease, and there's a witness for each other. You two won't have to worry all the time. Don't you all agree?

She emphasized the words "safe" and "reassuring".

"no!"

Wang Jinhuan was the first to explode. Like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, she jumped up from her stool, her face flushed red, and her voice sharp and shrill, "This money is compensation for our Wang family! It's compensation from Li Erzhu to A Mao! Why should the deposit certificate be given to Xianglan for safekeeping?"

She almost shouted it out, instinctively looking at her mother, Wang, for the strongest support.

Wang Yinhuan timidly echoed in a low voice, her tone clearly showing dissatisfaction: "Yes, Dad, Mom, it's safer to keep this money in our own hands... to hand it over to outsiders..."

She emphasized the word "outsider" very softly, but everyone in the main room heard it clearly.

Wang's face instantly darkened, as if covered with a layer of frost.

She was very unhappy when half of the last lump sum compensation was taken and kept by Xianglan. She always felt uneasy, as if half of her things had been taken away.

The 800 yuan that was "sold" for the spot was paid by Li Erzhu to the Wang family and to her beloved grandson, Amao! It was indirectly earned by Jianjun at the cost of his life!

How can we give another portion to Xianglan?

What if... what if Xianglan remarries in the future, or loses the deposit slip, or...

She dared not think too deeply, and suddenly slammed her hand on the armrest of the rattan chair, making a loud "smack" sound, the sound carrying an undeniable insistence and a strong protectiveness:
“Guihua! Your heart is good, Auntie knows. But this money was earned with Jianjun's life! It's for Amao! It must be kept by our Wang family! The deposit certificate is safest with me! Nobody can even think about touching it!”

Her cloudy eyes stared at Li Guihua with a wary look, like a mother animal protecting her cubs.

The atmosphere was about to become tense again, and tension was rising once more. Master Wang coughed heavily, the sound seeming to be squeezed from deep within his chest, carrying a deep weariness and a hint of suppressed impatience.

He glanced at his eldest daughter, whose chest heaved with excitement, then at his silent but stubborn and wary wife, and finally at Li Guihua, who was holding money and had a look on her face that said, "It's all for your sake."

He recalled the almost identical dispute that occurred during the last distribution of the pension.

This family, having just experienced the pain of losing a child, can no longer withstand endless quarrels and suspicions.

He couldn't let Jianjun not find peace even in the afterlife.

"Alright! Stop arguing!"

Master Wang's voice was not loud, and even a little hoarse, but the authority of the head of the family contained in his tone was like a boulder thrown into the water, instantly suppressing all other sounds.

He looked at Li Guihua, then at Wang Shi and her two daughters, and slowly said:

"Guihua's words make sense. It's true that keeping a lot of money at home is a worry. Dividing it into two fixed deposits and putting one in each place is also a solution."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over everyone, before making a final decision: "We'll proceed as with the previous compensation payment. Eight hundred yuan, divided into two parts. One deposit slip will hold four hundred yuan, to be kept by Xianglan. The other, also four hundred yuan, will be kept by Grandma Amao."

He looked around at everyone, his eyes tired but unusually firm: "There's a mutual supervision between the two sides, so that in the future... in case there's something I can't remember and it hurts our harmony."

"When Amao grows up, we'll bring it up together from both sides and give it to him, everything will be clear. This matter..." He emphasized, "It's settled!"

This solution, like the previous one, is a compromise.

It not only catered to Wang's desire to control a portion of the money, giving her the real benefit of "holding it in her hands," but also satisfied Li Guihua's request on behalf of the Yang family to let Xianglan control a portion of the funds; and fundamentally eliminated the possibility of Wang Jinhuan and Wang Yinhuan coming to their parents' home to beg for money.

Although Wang Jinhuan and Wang Yinhuan were filled with resentment, they felt as uncomfortable as if they had swallowed a fly.

Looking at her father's tired but firm and unyielding eyes, and then at her mother's reluctant expression, she finally didn't show the same strong opposition as before.

They could only swallow back the words that were about to come out, lower their heads angrily, and grip the hem of their clothes tightly with their fingers.

Li Guihua was very satisfied with the result.

Although it was impossible to get Xianglan the entire deposit certificate, getting half was still pretty good. At least it ensured that the four hundred yuan was in Xianglan's hands and wouldn't be easily tricked away by Wang's two daughters.

A smile of approval immediately spread across her face, and she nodded repeatedly, her tone full of admiration: "Uncle Wang, this is a great idea! Fair! Safe! It puts both sides at ease! You're so thoughtful and far-sighted! As for the money..."

Only then did she solemnly hand over the thick, heavy stack of banknotes in her hand to Master Wang.

Master Wang stretched out his calloused hands and accepted the heavy eight hundred yuan.

With this, all the major issues involving money and job quotas after Wang Jianjun's passing have finally been settled.

The issuance of one-time death benefits and the receipt of long-term death benefits are still proceeding according to the factory's established procedures, requiring approval from the factory committee and processing by the finance department.

The process of securing positions for Yang Xianglan and Li Guihua, as well as obtaining the necessary approvals, will take considerable time and requires patience.

A sense of weariness, as if things had finally come to an end, and a lingering sadness that could not be shaken off no matter what.

Wang Jianjun's portrait silently watches all this in the light and shadow. His young yet slightly serious face seems to be the final witness to all this turmoil and the settling of the dust.

(End of this chapter)