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

Chapter 185, Section 184: Showcasing Connections, Eyewitnesses, Pointing Out the Dangers, and Sharing the Same Stance.
The three entered the private room. Yang Guangming's gaze swept over the round table and saw a white porcelain teapot and several matching cups on it, but there was no tea canister next to it.

A dim light bulb hung from the ceiling, its light not bright, but enough to illuminate this relatively private space.

With a perfectly timed apologetic smile on his face, Yang Guangming said to Sun Degui and Wang Yuanjun, "Secretary Sun, Captain Wang, please have a seat and a cup of hot water to warm yourselves up. The restaurant is not well prepared; I'll go out and get some tea."

Sun Degui quickly waved his hand: "Comrade Yang, you're too kind. Just some water will do. No need to trouble yourself."

He rubbed his hands as he spoke, clearly not yet fully recovered from the cold outside.

“That won’t do. It’s cold. A cup of hot tea will make you feel better.” Yang Guangming insisted with a smile, his tone warm but not swaying. “Please wait a moment, leaders. I’ll be right back.”

He noticed Wang Yuanjun's gaze sweeping across the private room, carrying a scrutinizing tone.

(The name was repeated; Wang Jianjun was changed to Wang Yuanjun in the previous text.)
He turned and walked out of the private room, gently closing the door behind him.

Upon arriving at the counter, the middle-aged man was waiting. Seeing him come out, the man immediately took two steps forward, his face beaming with smiles: "Comrade Yang, is there anything else you need? The dishes have already been arranged and will be prepared immediately. We've used only the best ingredients." He rubbed his hands together, his attitude even more attentive than before.

Yang Guangming nodded: "Thank you for your trouble, comrade. It would be best if you could be quick and get it done properly." As he spoke, he handed over a cigarette.

The man took the cigarette, tucked it behind his ear, and patted his chest to assure him, "Don't worry, it won't be a problem at all! The head chef is my uncle, I've already given all the instructions, the quantity will definitely be generous and the taste great!"

"Oh, right." Yang Guangming pointed to the area under the counter. "Excuse me, could you please give me my travel bag?"

The man immediately bent down, carefully lifted the heavy travel bag out, and handed it to Yang Guangming with both hands: "It's here, you see, no one has touched it."

He lowered his voice, "I've been watching."

Yang Guangming took the bag; it felt heavy in his hand. He thanked him and carried the bag back to the private room.

Pushing open the door to the private room, Sun Degui and Wang Yuanjun were talking in hushed tones. When they saw that Yang Guangming had not only returned but was also carrying a huge travel bag, they were both taken aback and exchanged a puzzled look.

Sun Degui's hand, holding the teacup, froze in mid-air, while Wang Yuanjun instinctively sat up straight.

Why did you bring all that luggage in just to have a meal?
Yang Guangming seemed oblivious to their surprise. He placed his travel bag on the empty space next to his seat, then took out an exquisite tea canister. The canister was printed with intricate floral and bird patterns and the words "Premium Oolong," shimmering faintly in the dim light.

"I apologize for making a fool of myself in front of you two leaders."

As he skillfully opened the tea canister and scooped tea leaves into the teapot, he said in an apologetic tone:
"I came in a hurry this time and didn't have time to prepare properly. I only brought a can of premium oolong tea that a friend gave me. It's not bad. Please have a taste while we wait for the food."

The tea leaves, once poured into the teapot, released a rich and unique aroma, clearly indicating that they were not ordinary tea.

Sun Degui sniffed and chuckled, "Comrade Yang is too modest. You can tell this tea is high-quality just by the smell; you won't find it on the market." He leaned forward to examine the tea canister closely. "This packaging... it's from the South, isn't it?"

Wang Yuanjun nodded in agreement: "Yes, just the smell is invigorating! We can't get this good stuff here." He smacked his lips, a hint of curiosity in his eyes.

Hot water was poured into the teapot, the tea leaves unfurled, and an even richer aroma instantly filled the air, overpowering the faint smell of dust that had been lingering in the room. Wisps of white steam rose, blurring their expressions.

Amber-colored tea was poured into a white porcelain cup. As Yang Guangming poured the tea, his tone became more sincere, as if he had suddenly remembered something:

"Speaking of which, we really owe a lot to the two leaders. My second brother and sister always mentioned in their letters that they received a lot of help from Secretary Sun and Captain Wang during their years in Kaoshantun. Our family will always remember this kindness."

As he spoke, he placed two cups of hot tea in front of Sun Degui and Wang Yuanjun respectively.

Yang Guangming paused, his gaze sweeping over the travel bag in the corner, his voice lowered, sounding more candid:

"Before I came out this time, my parents repeatedly told me that I must thank the two leaders in person. I'm not good at saying nice things, so I'll just be straightforward."

He put down the teapot, bent down and reopened the zipper of the travel bag, making a ripping sound to reveal its contents.

"I happen to have a few friends in Harbin, so I asked them to get me a few things that are hard to find here. It's not much, and it's not worth much money, just some food, a small token of my and my family's appreciation."

As he spoke, he first took out two long, rectangular items wrapped tightly in thick oil paper, each weighing about seven or eight pounds. The items made a dull thud when they were placed on the table.

"These are two Jinhua hams; my friend went through a lot of trouble to get them."

Then, Yang Guangming took out two pound bags of White Rabbit milk candy, two tubs of milk powder with cute cow patterns, two bags of biscuits with the word "Magic City" printed on them, as well as braised beef wrapped in oil paper that smelled of soy sauce and meat, and dark red brown sugar. All sorts of things were piled up on the table.

Sunshine prepared suitable packaging for the commonly used items in the refrigerator, especially for gifting, to make them appear more upscale.

These brightly colored and exquisitely packaged items stood in stark contrast to the simple private room.

In an era of scarcity, especially in a small county town in Northeast China, these were undoubtedly extremely precious and eye-catching gifts.

Sun Degui and Wang Yuanjun stared wide-eyed at the pile of things on the table, especially the two very heavy Jinhua hams, their faces filled with shock and disbelief.

Sun Degui, holding his teacup, forgot to drink, while Wang Yuanjun subconsciously swallowed. For a moment, the room was filled only with the enticing aroma of tea mixed with the scent of food.

"This... Comrade Yang, this is unacceptable!"

Sun Degui was the first to react, waving his hands repeatedly and even leaning back slightly, as if the gifts were burning his hands. "This is too valuable! This is not just a little food, this... we can't accept this! Absolutely not! It violates our principles!"

His voice was a little strained, but his eyes couldn't completely look away from those things.

Wang Yuanjun also recovered from his shock and echoed firmly, but his voice was noticeably less confident: "Yes, yes, yes! Secretary Sun is right! This gift is too much! Comrade Yang, we appreciate your kindness, but you should take it back quickly! What would we be doing if we accepted it? That would be a mistake!"

His hands unconsciously rubbed together on the table.

The two men's reactions were exactly what Yang Guangming expected.

His smile remained unchanged, but his tone became even more relaxed and natural, carrying an undeniable air of affability: "You two leaders are too kind. What's so valuable about this? It's just a common southern dish, a simple gift exchange between friends."

He pointed to the hams in his bag and said, "These two hams are genuine Jinhua hams. They're delicious stewed with cabbage and vermicelli. It's all food we eat, it doesn't involve money or anything else, it's just a small token of my appreciation. How does it relate to making a mistake?"

His words carried a natural sincerity that made them hard to refute.

He then changed the subject, appearing even more candid: "To be honest, I have a bit of a selfish motive here."

When I go back, I'm hoping the two leaders can help me find some local specialties from Northeast China, like mushrooms, wood ear fungus, and pine nuts, so I can take them back for my colleagues at the factory and my elderly relatives to try.

This is called exchanging what we have, a friendship between friends. If you two don't accept these little things, how can I possibly ask you for help later?

These words were perfectly worded, clearing the other party of any suspicion of bribery, giving them a "reason" to accept the gift, and elevating the relationship to that of "friends" and "reciprocal gift-giving."

Yang Guangming always wore a gentle smile, his eyes clear and open, as if this was just an ordinary exchange of favors.

Neither Sun Degui nor Wang Yuanjun were pedantic people; those who could hold power in the village were naturally quick-witted.

Yang Guangming had already put it this way, and to refuse again would seem unreasonable and might even offend this seemingly powerful "Shanghai official." Moreover, the allure of these supplies was real, especially in these times of scarcity.

The two exchanged a glance, tacitly reaching a consensus. That glance contained hesitation and weighing of options, ultimately replaced by practical interests and considerations of human relationships.

Sun Degui smiled helplessly and touchedly, pointing at Yang Guangming with his finger: "Comrade Yang... what you're saying... where are we supposed to put our old faces? Alas, we can't refuse your kindness, we can't refuse your kindness!" He shook his head, but his tone had softened.

Wang Yuanjun rubbed his hands together and chuckled twice, his attitude becoming noticeably warmer: "That's right, Comrade Yang is too kind! Well... then we'll shamelessly accept it? If you need any mountain products in the future, just let us know! Our Kaoshantun may not have much else, but these things are something we can offer! We'll make sure you get them all right!" He patted his chest, his voice booming.

"That's more like it!" Yang Guangming's smile widened. He casually gathered the gifts on the table back together, put them back into the travel bag, zipped it up, and pushed the bag to the corner. "We're friends, no need for these formalities." His movements were natural and fluid, as if he were just tidying up his own things.

Just then, the door to the private room was pushed open, and a waiter came in with plates and began serving the dishes.

The braised pork belly is glistening with oil, trembling as it steams, and the rich aroma of the sauce is irresistible; the chicken stew with mushrooms uses local free-range roosters and hazel mushrooms from the mountains, and the broth is golden and fragrant.
The steamed white fish is perfectly preserved, with snow-white flesh, topped with shredded ginger and scallions, giving it a refreshing look; the braised pork with vermicelli is an even bigger bowl, with thick slices of pork belly and vermicelli soaked in broth, making it look incredibly comforting.

Two bottles of local baijiu were then opened, and the rich aroma of the liquor mixed with the smell of food instantly filled the small private room, dispelling the slightly awkward atmosphere from before.

"Come on, Secretary Sun, Captain Wang, let me toast you both!" Yang Guangming raised his glass full of wine first, his attitude sincere yet dignified. "Thank you both for taking time out of your busy schedules to come, and thank you for taking care of my brother and sister over the years. I'll drink first as a sign of respect!"

With that, he tilted his head back and downed a small glass of baijiu in one swift motion. The fiery liquid burned as it slid down his throat, bringing a burning warmth that quickly spread throughout his body.

Seeing his straightforward manner, Sun Degui and Wang Yuanjun naturally raised their glasses to drink with him. Sun Degui drank steadily, while Wang Yuanjun downed his drink in one gulp, exhaling a breath of alcohol and praising, "Good wine! Strong enough!"

After a few drinks, the atmosphere at the table became noticeably warmer. The three ate and drank, and the conversation gradually moved from initial pleasantries to more in-depth topics. Yang Guangming was adept at guiding the conversation, avoiding awkward silences without being overly eager.

He casually mentioned the premium oolong tea he used for brewing: "This tea is alright, isn't it? It was a gift from a friend in Harbin. He works at the Provincial Supply and Marketing Cooperative. His surname is Zhao, and his name is Zhao Guoqiang. He used to be a bodyguard for a high-ranking officer in the army. He was assigned here after being demobilized. He's a very honest person."

He picked up a piece of fish with his chopsticks, speaking casually.

Then, as if remembering something, he added, "Oh, right, I have another friend who is a section chief in the regional armed forces department. His surname is Chen, Chen Jiandong."

I was in such a rush this time that I didn't have a chance to see him. Next time I have the opportunity, I'll introduce you both; you're both very straightforward people.

His tone was calm, as if he were just chatting casually, but the names and workplaces he mentioned struck Sun Degui and Wang Yuanjun like a heavy hammer blow.

Provincial Supply and Marketing Cooperative? Regional Armed Forces Department?

These are all places where they usually have to look up to others and deal with others with utmost care.

The village needs fertilizer and agricultural machinery quotas, militia training, and conscription work—none of these can be done without these departments. This young man in front of me is not only a cadre in a major factory in Shanghai, but he also has such a strong network of connections in the local area.
Sun Degui paused for a moment while picking up food, and Wang Yuanjun slowed down his pouring of wine.

The two exchanged glances again, the casualness and scrutiny in their expressions subtly replaced by a deeper sense of importance and a hint of barely perceptible apprehension.

When Wang Yuanjun spoke again, his tone unconsciously became more polite.

That's exactly the effect Yang Guangming wanted.

No matter how strong one's connections are in Shanghai, they still create a barrier for the village officials. However, the influence of powerful local departments is something they can immediately feel the weight of. This network of relationships is more intimidating and persuasive than any gift.

After several rounds of drinks and dishes, Sun Degui and Wang Yuanjun's faces flushed, and they became more talkative. Wang Yuanjun even started patting Yang Guangming on the shoulder, addressing him as a brother. Sun Degui was relatively restrained, but his eyes also became much more lively.

Seeing that the time was right, Yang Guangming put down his chopsticks, his smile faded slightly, and his tone became more serious:

"Secretary Sun, Captain Wang, I invited you two here today not only to express my gratitude, but also because there's something about my second brother that I'd like to hear your thoughts on. I wonder what the village's current policy is regarding this matter?"

He looked at the two of them with an honest gaze.

The conversation finally turned to business. The atmosphere in the private room seemed to freeze for a moment, with only the faint sound of the wind seeping in through the cracks in the window.

Upon hearing this, Wang Yuanjun also put down his wine glass. The alcohol on his face seemed to have subsided somewhat, and his brows furrowed as usual, making him appear very serious.

He was silent for a moment before speaking, "Comrade Yang, since you asked, I'll be frank with you. This matter is not easy to handle." His voice was low and tinged with difficulty.

He glanced at Sun Degui, who nodded slightly, before continuing in a deep voice, "To be honest, after the village's investigation, it seems... it seems that what Comrade Yang Guangyao said is very different from what Li Dongliang said. And..."

He paused, seemingly choosing his words carefully, his gaze sweeping across Yang Guangming's face. "Moreover, across the hillside where the argument took place, there was a villager gathering firewood in the distance."

He happened to witness the argument between the two, and he has already reported it to us privately.

Yang Guangming's heart skipped a beat, but his expression remained unchanged as he listened attentively, his fingers unconsciously rubbing the rim of his wine glass.

He said... he didn't see the two of them fight, nor did he see Li Guodong push anyone.

After saying this, Wang Yuanjun emphasized his words and immediately added, "Of course, it's a bit far away. He also said that he couldn't see it very clearly and couldn't be 100% sure."

Therefore, this statement cannot be taken as fact; it cannot be taken as fact.

He repeated it twice, as if emphasizing something, or perhaps hinting at something.

Sunlight and darkness sighed.

As expected, the worst-case scenario has occurred!

No wonder he sensed a subtle coldness in Wang Yuanjun's attitude when they met earlier; it turned out the village already had testimony that could be detrimental to his second brother.

The phrase "cannot be accurate" sounds like it leaves room for maneuver, but it is actually a way of testing and conveying pressure.

Now that the other party has made it clear, the previously planned tough questioning strategies can no longer be used.

He showed an understanding expression and followed up on Wang Yuanjun's words, saying, "Captain Wang is right. It's normal to not be able to see the details clearly due to the distance and obstructed view."

My second brother was standing on the edge of the slope when Li Dongliang suddenly gave him a push. The movement wasn't large, and it was indeed difficult to see from a distance.

He appeared reasonable and even helped the other party analyze the possibilities.

But then he changed the subject, his tone becoming heavy and indignant, and tapped his finger lightly on the table: "My second brother fell down the hillside, and although he was pushed down by Li Dongliang, in the final analysis, it was because he had a fierce argument with Li Dongliang!"

Li Dongliang's irrational behavior was also due to emotional distress!
The reason for the argument was that Li Dongliang was a dishonest person!

His voice wasn't loud, but it carried an undeniable power.

Sun Degui raised his eyelids, glanced at Yang Guangming, and asked with a deep look, "Oh? What do you mean by that, Comrade Yang?" He put down his chopsticks, leaned forward slightly, and adopted a posture of listening attentively.

Yang Guangming leaned forward slightly, lowering his voice, but making it even clearer: "Li Dongliang, wanting to compete for that private school teacher position and knowing he wasn't as qualified as my second brother, actually came up with the despicable tactic of writing anonymous letters to report and expose me!"

He cut to the chase, his eyes fixed on Sun Degui and Wang Yuanjun.

"An anonymous letter of accusation?" Wang Yuanjun's voice suddenly rose, his eyes widened, and he seemed to have completely sobered up. "What did he accuse?" His hand under the table seemed to clench into a fist.

"What else could you accuse?" Yang Guangming sneered, a hint of disdain in his eyes. "Nothing more than falsely accusing my second brother of a corrupt lifestyle and outdated thinking. Even..."

He paused deliberately, his gaze slowly sweeping across Sun Degui and Wang Yuanjun's faces, his tone becoming more meaningful, "He even spouted nonsense about using small favors to corrupt village officials, trying to muddy the waters and achieve his ulterior motives!"

He emphasized the words "corrupting village officials" a little more.

"Bang!" Wang Yuanjun slammed his hand on the table, making the dishes jump. His face turned bright red, clearly furious. "He dares! Damn it! This kid has a death wish!"

He stood up abruptly, his chest heaving. "This is a frame-up! A blatant frame-up! What is he trying to do? Does he want to cause a major upheaval?"

Wang Yuanjun's anger was partly directed at Li Dongliang, and partly at this potentially self-destructive behavior.

Sun Degui's face also darkened instantly. Although he didn't react like Wang Yuanjun, his eyes became extremely sharp, and his fingers on the table unconsciously twitched.

When it comes to the potential "stigma" against themselves, even if it's just a rumor, they can't help but take it very seriously.

This has gone beyond the simple matter of educated youth fighting and has touched a taboo area that the two village officials could not tolerate!
Yang Guangming observed their reactions, felt somewhat reassured, and continued to add fuel to the fire, his tone becoming increasingly certain:

"My second brother exposed his plot to his face, and his words were perhaps a bit harsh, which made him angry and led to a physical altercation! My second brother fell down the hillside, and that's the result!"
The root of the problem was Li Dongliang's conspiracy to frame my second brother, an attempt to prevent him from revealing his shameful secrets!

He changed "push" to the more ambiguous "physical conflict", but firmly pinned the motive on "conspiracy to frame".

He looked at Wang Yuanjun and added with certainty, "Wang Wei, another educated youth in the same dormitory, also knows about this."

Li Dongliang tried to recruit him, wanting him to work together, but Wang Wei was too timid and refused.

The two leaders went back and talked to him; it wouldn't be difficult to get the truth out of him. Even…

He lowered his voice, almost in a whisper, and leaned closer, "I suspect that Li Dongliang might have already written that false accusation letter, but just hasn't had time to submit it yet."
If... if we could find that letter, the truth would be even clearer!

He offered a very tempting possibility.

These words were like a spark, igniting Wang Yuanjun's anger and vigilance, and also hitting Sun Degui's deepest concerns.

Wang Yuanjun suddenly stood up, swaying slightly with excitement: "Search! I'll take men to search tomorrow morning! I don't believe we can't find anything! If we really find this bastard's incriminating material, see how I deal with him!" He was panting heavily, his eyes wide like copper bells.

Sun Degui was relatively calmer, but his tone was unusually cold, carrying an unquestionable authority: "Yuan soldiers, sit down! What kind of behavior is this, making such a racket!"

He reprimanded Wang Yuanjun, then turned to Yang Guangming, his face once again displaying that formulaic, yet unfathomable smile, only now tinged with coldness.

"Comrade Yang, rest assured. We will definitely investigate this matter thoroughly and will never wrong an innocent person, nor will we let go of anyone who has ulterior motives, undermines the unity of educated youth, framed comrades, or even tried to smear the organization."

He emphasized his words, especially the phrases "malicious intent," "framing," and "smearing the organization," which definitively defined the nature of the incident.

Whether Li Dongliang's attempt to write a letter of denunciation is true or false, it has successfully touched the most sensitive nerve of these two village officials.

In comparison, whether or not it was pushed forward became a secondary issue.

Yang Guangming knew perfectly well that the time was almost right.

A grateful and relieved smile appeared on his face. He raised his glass again and said sincerely, "With these words from Secretary Sun and Captain Wang, I am relieved! The two leaders are discerning and impartial! Come, let me toast you both! I entrust everything to you!" He drank it all in one gulp, turning the glass upside down.

Sun Degui and Wang Yuanjun also raised their glasses and drank.

The atmosphere at the next dinner party returned to harmony, even becoming more lively than before.

Yang Guangming stopped mentioning the matter and instead talked about his experiences in Shanghai, interesting things at the factory, and occasionally asked about the customs and traditions of Northeast China, such as how the harvest was this year, how much snow there was in winter, and how many wild animals were in the mountains.

His words were polite, his attitude humble, and he drank heartily. Coupled with the strength and skill he had previously demonstrated, Sun Degui and Wang Yuanjun had a very good impression of him, and they became even closer to him.

Wang Yuanjun even began to lament, "Why aren't there any sensible and promising people like Yang Guangming among the educated youth?"

The two bottles of liquor were empty, and most of the main dishes on the table had been eaten.

Yang Guangming called over the waiter and ordered a few more steamed buns. He ate them with relish, enjoying the leftover sauce on the plate in front of him. This detail made Sun Degui nod slightly.

After paying the bill, Yang Guangming took out a brown paper bag containing about two ounces of oolong tea leaves, along with five yuan, and handed it to the middle-aged man behind the counter.

"Comrade, you've worked hard. Please keep this tea. Could you please find three more lunchboxes so we can pack up the leftovers and take them with us? We can't waste them. Here's five yuan as a deposit for you. You can return it to me when I return the lunchboxes."

Yang Guangming was very thoughtful; he gave a thank-you gift and had a deposit, so he figured he wouldn't make things difficult for this person.

The middle-aged man's eyes narrowed into slits when he saw the tea and money, and he repeatedly agreed, "Oh, Comrade Yang, you're too kind! I can't accept this!"

Without hesitation, he quickly took the lunchbox and deftly found three aluminum lunch boxes.

"My surname is Wang, you can just call me Lao Wang. Next time you come for a meal, just let me know! I'll make sure everything is taken care of!" The man's attitude became even more enthusiastic.

Sunshine smiled and agreed.

Back in the private room, Yang Guangming packed up the leftovers and handed the packed lunchboxes to Sun Degui and Wang Yuanjun: "You two leaders, you still have children and elderly people at home. Take these back and add some dishes to your meals."

The two declined briefly, but then accepted it with a smile.

The heavy travel bag in the corner was simply moved aside by Yang Guangming, and Wang Yuanjun picked it up as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

As the three of them stepped out of the restaurant, a biting cold wind immediately swept over them, invigorating them and sobering them up a bit.

The night sky was pitch black, with only a few cold stars twinkling. The streets were deserted, and most of the windows of the houses on both sides were dark, with only a few scattered dim lights.

Wang Yuanjun, perhaps because he had drunk too much, or perhaps because of the large travel bag in his hand, was unusually enthusiastic, patting Yang Guangming's shoulder forcefully and reeking of alcohol:

"Section Chief Yang! Don't worry! Leave your brother's matter to me! I'll definitely handle it perfectly for you!"
"That Li Dongliang, just wait and see how I deal with him! He's gone too far!"

His voice carried far in the quiet night.

Sun Degui didn't say much, but he shook Yang Guangming's hand vigorously. His palm was a little rough but warm: "Comrade Yang, please stay. We've gone to a lot of trouble today. We'll keep this in mind."

He paused, then added meaningfully, "There will definitely be news tomorrow, or at the latest the day after."

His eyes appeared even deeper in the night, and more sincere than when we first met.

Yang Guangming stood at the restaurant entrance, watching the figures of the two village officials disappear at the end of the dimly lit street, their bicycles gradually moving further and further away until they were swallowed by the wind.

He let out a long sigh of relief, his white breath quickly dissipating in the cold air. The icy air he inhaled brought a refreshing coolness and cleared his head, which was throbbing from the alcohol.

The first step has been taken, and it seems to be working well.

The gift was given, the connection was made, and the recipient's doubts and resentment were successfully diverted.

All that remains is to wait and deal with possible variables.

He didn't completely relax, because he was well aware of the complexities at the grassroots level, where sometimes a small accident could turn the situation around.

Instead of returning to the hospital immediately, he turned into a darker, narrower, deserted alley next to the restaurant.

The cold wind howled through the alley, stirring up dust and scraps of paper.

He looked around to make sure there was no one in front of him, not even a stray cat, before a thought appeared in his hand and an oil paper package appeared.

Inside was a large, well-braised pork knuckle, its rich aroma immediately filling the air and contrasting with the crisp, cool atmosphere.

Then he took out a piece of braised beef wrapped in oil paper, which weighed about two pounds and was quite heavy.

He put the two kinds of meat into the empty net bag he had brought with him and carried it in his hand.

After preparing everything, he calmly stamped his foot and turned to walk towards the hospital. The aroma of meat from the mesh bag wafted along the way, making him feel a little hungry again.

Pushing open the ward door, a warm smell mixed with disinfectant and body odor hit me.

Yang Xiangmei was busy tidying up the house under the dim light of the bulb overhead.

Yang Guangyao had his eyes closed and his brows slightly furrowed, seemingly asleep, but his sleep was restless.

Hearing the door open, the two of them turned their heads at the same time, casting eager, questioning glances at Yang Guangming.

Yang Xiangmei was still holding a wet towel in her hand, while Yang Guangyao struggled to sit up, his face full of anxiety and anticipation, not even noticing what he was carrying.

"Little brother, you're back? How did the talks go?" Yang Guangyao's voice was a little hoarse, with obvious urgency.

Yang Xiangmei looked over nervously, her fingers unconsciously twisting the towel: "Did it go smoothly? What did they say?"

Yang Guangming placed the net bag, which exuded an enticing aroma of meat, on the bedside table. The dark brown color and rich fragrance emanating from the oil paper package immediately caught their attention.

Yang Xiangmei subconsciously swallowed, and Yang Guangyao's gaze involuntarily drifted over, his Adam's apple bobbing.

"Let's talk while we eat." Yang Guangming smiled and first unwrapped the oil paper covering the pork knuckle. The pork knuckle, with its alternating layers of fat and lean meat, a glossy reddish-brown color, and tender, melt-in-your-mouth skin, was fully revealed. The aroma was even more intense and domineering, almost filling the entire ward. "The conversation went well. It was a bit more complicated than I had imagined, but overall it went smoothly."

He spoke calmly, trying to soothe their emotions first.

He tore off a piece of pork knuckle and handed it to Yang Guangyao, then tore off another piece for Yang Xiangmei. "It's cold, it's already chilled, but try it and see how it tastes."

The two took the meat and each took a big bite without hesitation. The long-lost aroma of meat brought a look of near satisfaction to their faces, temporarily suppressing their anxiety.

Yang Guangyao ate too quickly and almost choked, so Yang Xiangmei quickly poured him a glass of water.

"How is it complicated?" Yang Guangyao asked vaguely as he chewed, his eyes still filled with unease. The aroma of meat seemed unable to completely dispel the fear in his heart.

Because his second sister was present, Yang Guangming omitted the details of the eyewitnesses and focused on how he pointed out Li Dongliang's plot to write a letter of denunciation, and how the two village officials reacted. He described the process in a more tactful way.

The emphasis was placed on the change in attitude of Sun Degui and Wang Yuanjun, as well as their final promises.

Yang Xiangmei was furious upon hearing this. She put down the meat in her hand and said indignantly, "That Li Dongliang! He's so wicked! So insidious! When he can't win, he resorts to such despicable means! He even tried to frame my second brother! The Party Secretary and the team leader should teach him a lesson! They should make him regret it!"

Yang Guangyao's worries were more practical; he frowned, and the meat in his hand didn't seem so appetizing anymore.
“Li Dongliang… he is a local after all. Although his family are just ordinary workers, will the Party Secretary and the team leader ultimately favor him?”

And what if... what if he gets desperate and actually... actually exposes all those things?

He lowered his voice and glanced at Yang Xiangmei with a flickering look in his eyes, clearly referring to the matter of giving gifts.

Yang Guangming picked up a towel to wipe his hands, his tone calm yet carrying a reassuring strength: "Second brother, your worries are unnecessary."

He pulled over a stool and sat down, analyzing the situation:
"First, he is now in a precarious situation himself."

If the accusation is confirmed, or even if there is only strong suspicion, the two village officials will not let him off easily.

This is no longer a matter of favoring one side over another; it's a challenge to their authority and even a threat to themselves.

In comparison, even if he were to reveal your secret, no one would believe it under the weight of the accusation of 'false accusation.' It would only make him appear more despicable and shameless, a clear act of retaliation.

"second."

He paused, his gaze sweeping across the doorway, his voice becoming even more steady, "Even if he goes all out and makes wild accusations, the two leaders, in order to clear themselves and prove their innocence, will only be more determined to believe that he is framing someone in retaliation."

They might even proactively help you prove your innocence, explaining your actions as normal social interactions.

Therefore, he dared not mention it; mentioning it would only hasten and worsen his death.

Yang Guangyao pondered his younger brother's words carefully and found them to make a lot of sense. His tense expression relaxed a little, but a lingering worry remained deep in his eyes, a sense of insecurity formed from his long struggle at the bottom of society.

"But... what if his family has some powerful connections we don't know about? Or what if his parents are willing to make a scene?"

"there is always a solution to a problem."

Yang Guangming spoke succinctly, his eyes revealing an undeniable certainty: "The initiative is no longer in his hands."

Party Secretary Sun is a sensible man, and Captain Wang has a fiery temper, but they both value their positions and reputations more.

Just wait and see. We should have news by tomorrow at the earliest, and the day after at the latest.

He picked up his water glass and took a sip; the cold water soothed the greasiness in his throat.

Having said all that, Yang Guangyao knew he couldn't get any more answers, so he could only nod. However, the unease and worry in his heart were not completely eliminated; they were simply suppressed.

The aroma of meat was ultimately more tempting. The three siblings devoured a huge pork knuckle, while the braised beef was saved for breakfast the next day.

Yang Xiangmei quickly tidied up the bones and oil paper, and the ward was once again filled with the faint aroma of meat and a temporary sense of peace.

The other three beds remain empty, and no new patients have been admitted.

Yang Xiangmei took out a spare set of bedding she had brought from the cabinet in the corner—a set of bedding that was washed until it was faded but clean—and made it up for Yang Guangming on the empty bed near the door.

"Little brother, why don't you just sleep here for the night? Staying in a hotel will cost money and isn't convenient," she said, fluffing up the pillow.

"That's good, it saves me from having to run around."

Yang Guangming nodded. He was indeed tired; the continuous travel and the mental battles of the night had taken a heavy toll, and his temples were throbbing.

Although the hospital environment was rudimentary, it was at least a place where one could lie down. For Yang Guangming, who had traveled a long distance in a hard seat, being able to lie down comfortably and get a good night's sleep was already a great comfort.

The lights were off, and only a sliver of cold moonlight shone through the window, casting blurry windowpane shadows on the concrete floor.

The ward was plunged into darkness, with only three faint breathing sounds remaining.

The three siblings lay down, but none of them felt sleepy.

Because of the pain in his leg injury and his heavy heart, Yang Guangyao tossed and turned, and when his cast-covered leg moved, it made a slight rubbing sound.

Yang Xiangmei felt a little more at ease because her younger brother had come, but she was also worried about the final outcome. Her thoughts were in turmoil, and she felt anxious as she listened to her second brother's movements.

With his eyes closed, Yang Ming repeatedly mentally rehearsed the various scenarios that might occur tomorrow and the corresponding countermeasures.

Sun Degui's depth and experience, Wang Yuanjun's fiery temper and directness, Li Dongliang's desperate struggle and possible reckless remarks, Wang Wei's possible wavering and cowardice... every variable needs to be taken into account.

He was still thinking about that possible letter of denunciation—would it actually be found? If not, could Wang Wei's account be a breakthrough?
Various thoughts swirled in his mind, and despite being extremely tired and exhausted, he found it difficult to fall asleep quickly.

After an unknown amount of time, Yang Guangyao, exhausted and in pain, gradually began to breathe heavily and evenly, and fell asleep.

Yang Xiangmei's breathing became heavy, and she drifted off to sleep.

As Yang Guangming's spirits gradually relaxed, the fatigue from the journey and the aftereffects of the alcohol finally overcame his chaotic thoughts, dragging him into a deep sleep.

In the ward, only three breaths of varying depths and the howling wind outside the window remained.

The soft footsteps of the nurse on duty and the dripping water from the washroom echoed from the end of the corridor, making the night seem even longer and quieter, as if all the disputes and scheming had been temporarily frozen in this cold northern night.

(End of this chapter)