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

Chapter 194, page 193: The suggestion to take over the shift; the second brother's change of heart; processing the household registration; arranging temporary workers.

As dusk settled, the sounds of families preparing dinner drifted through the alleyways.

Mrs. Feng and Granny Chen remained by Yang Guangyao's side, asking about the details with concern, their tone filled with the pity and sympathy of elders.

Yang Guangyao kept his younger brother's repeated instructions in mind, but gave a vague explanation, saying that he slipped and fell while working on the mountain, injuring his bone. Medical conditions in Northeast China were really limited, and no matter how many times he looked, his condition did not improve. That's why he thought it would be safer to go home to recuperate and receive treatment.

He tried his best to maintain a perfect balance of weakness and helplessness on his face. Occasionally, he would gasp when he "unconsciously" moved his injured leg, which was in a heavy cast. The subtle changes in his expression and his subconscious body language made his story seem exceptionally real and believable.

"What a tragedy! You must be much more careful in the future. This is no joke," Granny Chen rambled on, her wrinkled face filled with worry. "It takes a hundred days to recover from a broken bone. If this leaves any lasting health problems, it could be a lifelong issue. You can't be careless."

Mrs. Feng nodded repeatedly, echoing, "It's good that you're back, it's good that you're back. At least you're back home. There are many large hospitals in Shanghai with high medical standards. With proper treatment and rest, you'll definitely recover."

As they were talking, a rapid and crisp bicycle bell suddenly rang out from the alley entrance, followed by the clanging sound of wheels rolling quickly over the uneven stone pavement, growing louder and more urgent as it approached.

Everyone turned around to look.

Then Zhang Xiuying rode in on her old bicycle, turning in with a gust of wind.

She had obviously rushed back straight from get off work, still wearing her dark blue work cap, and a few strands of gray hair were blown by the wind across her forehead.

Her face showed undisguised urgency and worry. Her gaze quickly swept across the narrow courtyard and then settled precisely on her second son, who was surrounded by neighbors and sitting on a small stool.

"Yaoyao!"

Zhang Xiuying's voice trembled noticeably, and it almost came out of her mouth.

She slammed on the brakes, the wheels screeching against the brake pads.

She didn't even bother to stop the bike properly; she practically jumped off the seat. Just as the bike was about to tip over, Yang Guangming quickly went over to steady it.

Zhang Xiuying rushed to her second son in a few steps, her movements swift but somewhat unsteady.

"Mom..." Seeing his mother's anxious appearance, Yang Guangyao felt a pang of sorrow and instinctively tried to stand up with his cane.

"Don't move! Sit down! Don't move!" Zhang Xiuying hurriedly pressed down on her son's shoulder, so hard that she almost pushed him back onto the stool.

Her eyes instantly reddened, as if veiled by a layer of mist. She crouched down, her gaze falling on the leg in a cast, her hand trembling as she reached out, cautiously wanting to touch it yet hesitant to do so.

Her tears suddenly burst forth, falling in a torrent.

“My son… how… how could you fall like this… how much pain must it hurt… let your mother take a good look…” She spoke incoherently, her voice choked with sobs, every word filled with heartache and lingering fear, as if her son had suffered a great injustice and hardship outside.

Yang Guangming parked his bicycle and quickly stepped forward to persuade her, "Mom, it's cold outside. Let your second brother go home first. We can talk about it slowly when we're home and behind closed doors."

As he spoke, he squatted down and gently patted his mother's back, which was trembling slightly with excitement.

Zhang Xiuying seemed to suddenly come to her senses, hastily wiping the tears from her face with her sleeve, and nodded repeatedly: "Yes, yes, let's go home, it's warmer at home. It's windy and cold outside, your legs can't get cold anymore, we can't let them develop a chronic condition."

As she spoke, she and Yang Guangming, one on each side, carefully helped Yang Guangyao up, as if he were a fragile porcelain doll.

Yang Guanghui quickly handed over the crutch and placed it under his younger brother's armpit for support.

The family thanked Mrs. Feng and Granny Chen for their concern, and, supporting Yang Guangyao, slowly and step by step moved towards the steep wooden stairs.

The old-fashioned staircase was narrow and steep, with dents on the treads from years of wear.

With the sun shining brightly, leaning on his cane, unable to use one leg at all, he relied entirely on his arms, the other leg, and the support of his family to make climbing the stairs extremely difficult and slow.

With each step taken up a step, the wooden staircase creaked and groaned heavily, as if it could no longer bear the weight.

Zhang Xiuying stood anxiously by her son's side, her arms loosely wrapped around his back, afraid he might lose his balance and fall backward. She kept muttering, "Slow down, slow down, don't rush, keep your footing... Yes, like that, good, one more step... Be careful..."

Finally, Yang Guangyao laboriously made his way up the last step and entered his home.

The warmth inside instantly enveloped everyone, creating a stark contrast with the chilly air outside.

After settling Yang Guangyao into a chair, Zhang Xiuying couldn't wait to squat down, almost crawling on the ground, to carefully examine her son's injured leg inch by inch, as if trying to see through the cast.

She kept asking questions, one after another, quickly and urgently: "What exactly did the doctor say? How badly is the bone fractured? How big is the crack? How long will it take before I can put weight on it? Is it still very painful? Is it a throbbing pain?"

Following the instructions his younger brother had given him repeatedly, Yang Guangyao tried to keep his tone relaxed and even attempted to force a reassuring smile:

"Mom, you really don't need to worry too much. It's just a common fracture, nothing serious is injured, and it hasn't shifted. The doctor at the county hospital took X-rays and said the location is fine. Just take good care of yourself, avoid strenuous activity and bumping into things. Rest assured and take care of yourself for three to five months, and you'll definitely be fully recovered and as lively as before."

He paused, trying to make his smile appear more natural: "Perfect, a blessing in disguise. I can spend more time at home with you and Dad and enjoy a peaceful retirement."

"Three to five months...it will take that long..."

Zhang Xiuying murmured, her eyes welling up with tears again, but hearing her son say that he could stay at home for a few more days, she finally found a bittersweet comfort in her heart.

She sighed deeply, her rough, sandpaper-like hands gently stroking the cold, hard plaster surface, as if this could ease her son's pain.

"You've suffered...you've really suffered a lot...it's good to be back, it's good to be back. At home, Mom will cook you all sorts of delicious food every day, bone broth and crucian carp soup, to help you recover. You'll definitely recover faster than you did in Northeast China."

Just then, light footsteps and the clinking of keys came from outside the door. It was Sister-in-law Li Guihua returning from get off work.

As soon as she entered the room, she saw the scene inside, especially Yang Guangyao's conspicuous leg wrapped in a thick cast, and her face immediately showed a look of surprise and concern.

"Yaoyao's back? Oh my god, this leg... what did the doctor say? Is it serious?" She put down the cloth bag containing the lunchbox in her hand, quickly stepped forward and asked, her gaze rapidly switching between Yaoyao's leg and complexion.

"Sister-in-law," Yang Guangyao greeted, then repeated what he had just said to his mother in a calm tone.

Li Guihua listened attentively, her face showing full sympathy and relief: "It's good that you're back safe and sound. As for the injuries, they'll heal eventually."

The Northeast is a place with freezing weather and I heard that medical conditions are also difficult, with a lack of doctors and medicine. It would be wisest for me to come back and recuperate there.

"It's always more convenient at home, and you get better care."

She spoke words of consideration and thoughtfulness, but her eyes quickly and imperceptibly swept over Yang Guangyao's leg, which was in a cast.

She assessed the severity of her injuries, then quickly glanced at the travel bag in the corner that looked much flatter than when she went to the other time. She silently calculated the long-distance travel expenses, hospitalization costs, medical bills, and the expenses for her brother-in-law's food and living expenses at home for the next few months.

Although as a family member, she wouldn't be dissatisfied, but as the eldest sister-in-law, she was used to being frugal and couldn't help but instinctively think a little more, secretly calculating the impact of this unexpected expense on the family's finances.

At this moment, Zhang Xiuying was completely oblivious to the subtle change in her eldest daughter-in-law's thoughts; all her attention was focused on her second son.

Seeing that everyone in the family was present, she got up, wiped her hands with her apron, and instructed, "Guangming, talk to your second brother to keep him company. Guihua, come and help your mother. Let's hurry up and cook. Yaoyao has been traveling for several days and must not have eaten or slept well. He must be starving."

The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law got busy. The sounds of washing vegetables, chopping vegetables, clattering spatulas, and sizzling oil in the pan quickly blended together, creating a symphony of home.

Yang Guanghui took out a crumpled cigarette case from his pocket, shook out a "Pegasus" brand cigarette, and handed it to his second brother.

Yang Guangyao waved his hand and said firmly, "I quit. After I got injured, the doctor told me to quit smoking, so I haven't smoked since."

Yang Guanghui didn't insist any further. He lit a match, took a deep drag, and slowly exhaled the pungent smoke from the cheap tobacco, letting it swirl in his lungs.

Amidst the swirling smoke, he looked at his younger brother's face, which appeared noticeably more mature and weathered than when he left home, and asked in a low voice, "Was the journey smooth? Did you encounter any trouble?" He asked subtly, but the concern and inquiry in his eyes were clear.

Yang Guangyao nodded, and subconsciously lowered his voice to make sure his mother in the kitchen couldn't hear him: "Everything's taken care of. It went even more smoothly than expected. Thanks to my younger brother, he considered and took care of everything." His tone was full of gratitude and trust for his brother.

The two brothers don't talk much, but their deep-rooted concern and tacit understanding are genuine, and everything is understood without words.

Yang Guangming poured his second brother a steaming cup of water and then pulled up a small stool to sit down. The sounds and aromas coming from the kitchen filled the cramped little house with a comforting atmosphere of daily life.

Before long, the rich aroma of food wafted out, filling the entire room—the long-lost smell of home, etched deep in my memory.

Yang Guangyao took a greedy sniff, as if he wanted to inhale the fragrance into his lungs and store it away.

He turned his gaze to the familiar alleyway scene outside the window, and listened to the familiar, soft Wu dialect spoken by his family. The loneliness and unease that had lingered in his heart for so long, having drifted on the black soil of Northeast China, were finally smoothed out by this warm reality, and he felt grounded.

He really came home; this isn't a dream!
Dinner was lavish, almost like a New Year's feast. Zhang Xiuying practically used all her resources, cooking several dishes that filled the small square table.

A plate of golden, glistening scrambled eggs, clearly made with plenty of oil, garnished with chopped scallions, has an irresistible aroma;
A bowl of glistening, reddish-brown braised pork belly—this was something Zhang Xiuying had specially bought and carefully prepared yesterday at the market.

A plate of stir-fried bok choy, bright green and crisp; and a large bowl of soup with egg drop soup and seaweed floating on top, steaming hot.

The staple food is a pot full of steaming hot, distinct grains of white rice.

For Zhang Xiuying, who usually lives frugally and tries to stretch every penny, this was already an extravagant gesture comparable to a New Year's celebration.

"Eat more, Yaoyao, look how thin you are, there's no flesh on your face." Zhang Xiuying kept putting food on her second son's plate, especially the braised pork, which was piled up almost halfway into his bowl, like a small mountain. "Eat more meat, grow your bones, and you'll get better faster. This was specially made for you."

"Thank you, Mom." Yang Guangyao felt a warm glow in his heart, and his nose tingled with emotion. He lowered his head and began to eat heartily.

The food at home, even the simplest stir-fried vegetables, tastes far better than the food in Northeast China. Because it's the taste of memories, the taste of home.

At the dinner table, everyone seemed to have reached a tacit understanding. No one asked too much about what was happening in Northeast China; they just chatted about lighthearted everyday matters. They asked about what Yangguangyao Road had seen and experienced and how hard it was, and talked about the trivial matters that had recently happened in the alleyways: whose daughter had gotten married, whose family had a baby, and how prices seemed to have quietly risen a little.

Following the topic, Yang Guangming briefly recounted his observations during his transits in Harbin and Shenyang, describing the Russian-style architecture and wide roads of the major northern cities, creating a relaxed and harmonious atmosphere.

Li Guihua watched as her mother-in-law almost continuously piled meat onto Yang Guangyao's plate, while her own son Zhuangzhuang watched longingly. She couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness, but she just ate her meal silently, occasionally putting a piece of scrambled egg or greens on her son's plate without saying much.

After the meal, Li Guihua took the initiative to get up and clear the dishes. Zhang Xiuying wanted to help, but Yang Guangming stopped her.

"Mom, you've had a long day. Take a break, have some water, and chat with your second brother. My sister-in-law and I can handle cleaning up the kitchen." As he spoke, he rolled up his sleeves and began efficiently clearing the dishes from the table.

Seeing this, Li Guihua quickly sped up her work and joined in.

After the kitchen was cleaned up and all the pots, pans, and dishes were washed and put back in their places, the family sat back down in the house.

Yang Guangming walked over and closed the door, and the atmosphere inside the room unconsciously became somewhat solemn and serious.

Zhang Xiuying and Yang Yongkang seemed to sense something was amiss, their gazes both falling on their youngest son, their eyes questioning.

Yang Guangming pulled up a chair and sat opposite his parents and second brother. Leaning slightly forward, he lowered his voice and spoke seriously:
"Dad, Mom, eldest brother, sister-in-law, now that we're behind closed doors, we're all family, there are no outsiders. I'll tell you all about the whole story of my second brother's injury and the details of our trip to the Northeast to deal with it."

Upon hearing this, everyone unconsciously held their breath. Even Xiao Zhuangzhuang seemed to sense that the atmosphere was different from usual. He sat obediently on his little stool, blinking his big eyes and playing with his fingers, no longer making a fuss.

Yang Guangming cleared his throat and began to talk about how he dealt with the shrewd and somewhat rustic village officials; how he cleverly used rules and personal connections to finally obtain the crucial diagnosis certificate that read "ligament rupture"; and how he used this as leverage to successfully complete all the procedures for retiring due to illness and returning to the city.

His narrative was clear and logical, delivered in a calm and objective tone. He omitted the intricate calculations, exchanges of interests, and potential risks that were not for outsiders to know, emphasizing only the difficulty of the process, the satisfactory outcome, and the village officials' final "understanding" and "strong support."

When Zhang Xiuying heard that Yang Guangyao's return-to-city procedures had been completed and that his household registration and grain rations could be successfully transferred back to Shanghai, she was so excited that she covered her mouth with her hand, and tears welled up in her eyes again. But this time, they were tears of joy and relief.

She murmured, "May God protect me... May Buddha protect me..."

Yang Yongkang's face, which had been taut and weathered, finally showed a relieved expression. He nodded heavily, the cigarette in his hand trembling slightly, and murmured repeatedly, "Good, good, it's good that it's done... it's good that it's done..." as if he could find no other words to express his feelings at this moment.

Yang Guanghui slapped his thigh hard, his face full of surprise and admiration, and his voice rose a little: "Little brother! You're really something! You actually managed to pull off such a difficult and tricky thing! That's great! It's really not easy!" He looked at his younger brother, his eyes filled with pride and admiration.

Li Guihua was also taken aback, her mouth slightly agape.

She originally thought that her brother-in-law's trip to the Northeast was mainly to deal with his injury, but she didn't expect that he would also solve the most difficult problem, the one that so many educated youth longed for but could not get: returning to the city!

This is simply... Her gaze towards Yang Guangming was filled with genuine and utter admiration and awe.

This brother-in-law's abilities and shrewdness are becoming increasingly unfathomable.

"There's even better news."

Seeing the joy on his family's faces, Yang Guangming smiled and continued to share the good news, "The vacant position for a private school teacher was very generous of Secretary Sun and the others; they took it upon themselves to transfer it to my second sister. All the formalities have been completed."

From now on, my second sister will be a privately hired teacher at Kaoshantun Elementary School. She can easily earn full work points, and she won't be exposed to wind or rain, nor will she have to do those heavy farm work anymore.

This was undoubtedly another huge surprise, like another pebble thrown into a lake, creating even bigger ripples.

Zhang Xiuying jumped up from her stool in excitement. "Really? Xiangmei can be a teacher? Oh my god! This is truly... truly a blessing in disguise! Heaven has eyes! God bless her! God bless her!"

She clasped her hands together and bowed repeatedly towards the sky, so excited she didn't know what to do.

The fact that her daughter could have a decent and easy job, and that she could live a much better life even if she stayed in the countryside, was a wonderful thing that she had never dared to dream of before. Her trust in her son's ability to handle things deepened even further.

Yang Yongkang also breathed a sigh of relief, as if he had released the pent-up emotions that had been building up in his chest for years. A rare smile appeared on his face, and even the wrinkles on his forehead seemed to have lessened a bit: "Good, good, good. Xiangmei has found a home, good, really good." He repeated the word "good," his simple words containing immense relief.

The whole family was immersed in immense joy and relief, and the small room was filled with a suppressed sense of elation.

In this short period of time, good news came one after another, leaving them somewhat overwhelmed and momentarily dizzy from the waves of happiness.

After the initial excitement and elation subsided, Yang Guangming's expression turned serious, and his tone became exceptionally solemn again, as if pouring a bucket of cold water over his feverish mind: "Father, Mother, Elder Brother, Sister-in-law, although things have been largely accomplished, it is far from time to completely relax."

His gaze slowly swept over each family member, his eyes clear: "Second brother's medical retirement procedures have been approved in the Northeast, and the supporting documents are all here."

He pointed to the bulging brown paper bag on the table, "However, we haven't completed any of the procedures for receiving, registering, and transferring grain rations in Shanghai yet. As long as these procedures aren't completely completed and stamped, there's still a chance for things to change and things to go wrong."

He emphasized his words, almost emphasizing each one: "Under the current circumstances, very few educated youth can successfully return to the city; they can be counted on one hand."

My second brother's return in this situation is too conspicuous, too easy to attract attention, and even make people envious.

To avoid any unforeseen complications, our whole family must keep our mouths shut until all the formalities are completely completed and finalized! We can't tell anyone!

Not a single word can be revealed to the neighbors in the alley, the colleagues at the factory, or even distant relatives!

His gaze was particularly solemn as he looked at his sister-in-law, Li Guihua, and his elder brother, Yang Guanghui: "To outsiders, we must strictly follow the story we agreed upon."

My second brother accidentally fell down a slope while working in a rural area in Northeast China, injuring his leg quite badly. The medical conditions there were inadequate, and treatment was not timely, so he applied to return to Shanghai to recuperate and receive treatment.

Other things, such as retirement due to illness or procedures, cannot be mentioned at all, and you certainly cannot say anything like that a torn ligament might result in disability.

If anyone asks, just give a vague answer, or simply say you're not sure yet and will wait for a follow-up examination. Remember that!

Yang Yongkang nodded immediately, his expression extremely serious, his deeply lined face exuding the authority of a family head. He continued:
"Guangming is right! This is extremely important! It concerns Yaoyao's future, and even the stability of this family!"
"All of you, keep your mouths shut! Remember these words! If anyone lets their mouth down and goes around saying things that cause trouble, I'll be the first to object!"

He rarely spoke to his family in such a stern tone, his gaze sweeping over his eldest son and daughter-in-law with a warning in his eyes.

Yang Guanghui immediately stated solemnly, "Father, little brother, don't worry, I know the implications of this and I will never speak carelessly. If anyone asks me, I will only say that I fell and came back to recuperate, and I don't know anything else."

Li Guihua nodded quickly, her heart tightening as she realized the seriousness of the matter. She hurriedly assured her, "I know, I know what's important, I definitely won't say anything. This concerns Yaoyao's future and the stability of our family, how can I say anything nonsense? Mom, you agree, right?" She didn't forget to get her mother-in-law to agree as well. Zhang Xiuying also repeatedly assured her, her tone resolute: "I won't say anything, I won't tell anyone. If Mrs. Feng and the others ask, I'll just say he fell badly and came back to treat his leg. We'll talk about other things after all of Yaoyao's paperwork is completed and he's completely settled."

Seeing that his family members truly understood the seriousness of the matter and the importance of secrecy, Yang Guangming felt somewhat relieved. However, he still carefully instructed Yang Guangyao a few more times: if anyone came to him asking for information, he must strictly follow the agreed-upon script and not say a word more than necessary, nor show any guilt or smugness.

Having experienced this thrilling ordeal, Yang Guangyao was no longer the impetuous and naive young man he once was. He knew the stakes involved, how hard-won it all was, and how much sacrifice and risk his family had taken behind it. Naturally, he readily agreed, solemnly promising that there would be no mistakes.

That night, the lights stayed on late in the Yang family's cramped little house.

The next day, Yang Guangming didn't rush back to work at the factory. He knew that time was of the essence and he had to take advantage of the fact that the documents were still fresh in his mind and get the residency registration settled as soon as possible.

He carefully examined every document in the brown paper file bag, and after confirming that there were no omissions, he went straight to the relevant street office.

In those days, settling down and transferring grain rations was a cumbersome and slow process involving multiple layers of approval, requiring stamps and approvals from relevant departments at the street, district, and even city levels.

This process demands immense patience and meticulousness, and requires all procedures to be complete and flawless.

Yang Guangming had already categorized and organized all the materials clearly and in an orderly manner.

The approval letter for the application for medical retirement, the household registration transfer certificate, the certificate of transfer of grain ration, the diagnosis certificate issued by the county people's hospital... each document is stamped with a bright red official seal from different departments. The procedures are complete, the reasons are sufficient, and there is nothing to criticize.

He was dressed in a neat Zhongshan suit, and his attitude was humble and polite yet calm and composed. He was already very familiar with the procedures, and he knew exactly which office to go to, which documents to submit first, and how to say them. He seemed very skilled at handling things.

Even if he occasionally encounters long queues outside one or two offices, or encounters individual staff members who habitually try to manipulate or deliberately delay, he can maintain a humble yet assertive attitude, wait patiently, or respond subtly and without leaving a trace.

When necessary, he would subtly mention his work and position. Or, seizing the opportune moment, he would casually offer a Zhonghua cigarette and chat about seemingly insignificant matters, which often made things go much more smoothly and saved a lot of time spent waiting and arguing.

Even so, he spent two whole days running around, appearing on time at the doors of various relevant offices as if he were going to work, shuttling between different windows, queuing, waiting, explaining the situation, and handing over materials.

He dared not be negligent or careless in the slightest, keeping a close eye on every step to ensure that the materials could flow smoothly to the next stage and would not be unnecessarily backed up or forgotten.

He knew very well that for his second brother, this Shanghai household registration and the food ration certificate that came with it were the most crucial tickets to a new life, the final step in all these plans, and there could be no mishaps.

Finally, on the afternoon of the third day, just before the street office closed, all the places that needed stamping were stamped with the last red seal representing authority and permission.

When the stern-faced street official handed him back the last stamped document and said casually, "Okay, next one," Yang Guangming's tense nerves finally relaxed completely.

He took the heavy stack of certificates, and a weight was finally lifted from his heart.

It's done! Everything's completely settled!
All the hard work, all the calculations, all the risks—at this moment, they have all been rewarded perfectly.

He carried all the completed paperwork and walked home almost with a brisk pace, his steps so light he seemed to fly.

In the evening, when he pushed open the door and gently placed the documents covered with all sorts of red stamps on the table, the whole family's faces instantly lit up with incredibly bright and relieved smiles.

"It's all done! Everything's done! All settled!"

Zhang Xiuying practically lunged forward, picked up the familiar household registration booklet, and with trembling fingers turned to the newly added page. Touching the three familiar characters "Yang Guangyao," tears welled up in her eyes again, but this time they were tears of pure joy.

Yang Yongkang put on his reading glasses, picked up the thin but heavy grain supply certificate, and examined it under the light, his fingers tracing the official seal and text on it again and again.

His lips couldn't help but curl upwards into a long-lost smile, and he exclaimed repeatedly, "Good! Good!"

Yang Guanghui patted his younger brother's shoulder hard, so happy he didn't know what to say, only repeating, "That's great! That's great!" His excitement was palpable.

Even Li Guihua was genuinely smiling this time, her mind racing with calculations: the family now had a formal household registration with a guaranteed food supply. Although her brother-in-law didn't have a job yet, with the household registration and food ration book, he would be a legitimate citizen of Shanghai, and he would have more confidence when it came to finding a wife. This was undoubtedly a great joy.

As for the cost of feeding one more person, it doesn't seem so important in comparison.

To celebrate this momentous occasion, the family prepared an exceptionally lavish dinner, practically sparing no expense.

Zhang Xiuying was in a great mood and was exceptionally generous. She went to a deli and bought half a drunken chicken and a pound of well-braised dried tofu.

Li Guihua tied on an apron, quickly stir-fried some greens, and then carefully washed the cured meat that Yang Guangming had brought home. She steamed the whole piece in the rice cooker until it smelled delicious, then took it out and, while it was still hot, sliced ​​it into thin, even slices, arranging them neatly and making them look translucent and tempting.

The small square dining table was filled to the brim, layer upon layer, with a fragrant aroma that made it even more lavish and grand than the Chinese New Year.

Little Zhuangzhuang was so happy that he danced around the table, drooling with delight.

The family sat together, their faces beaming with relaxed, content, and genuine smiles. The house was filled with laughter, and even the air felt sweet.

Yang Yongkang even took out half a bottle of "Qibao Daqu" and poured a small cup for each of his sons.

"Come on!" Yang Yongkang raised his small wine glass, his voice booming, "To Yaoyao's safe return home and successful registration! To Xiangmei's good situation in Northeast China, becoming a teacher! And to our whole family's peace and prosperity, and our ever-improving lives! Cheers!"

Everyone smiled and raised their glasses, the clinking of glasses symbolizing a new beginning for the reunion.

The atmosphere at the dinner table was exceptionally lively. Everyone chatted and laughed, discussing their future lives and filled with anticipation for a bright tomorrow.

Looking at his happy family, Yang Guangyao felt the warmth and peace he had regained. He was filled with gratitude for his fate, guilt towards his family, and even more so, a sense of relief.

He secretly glanced at his steady and wise younger brother, who had sacrificed so much for the family, and made a silent vow that he would turn over a new leaf, live a down-to-earth life, work hard, and never let his family worry about him again.

After a hearty meal, the dishes were a mess. Li Guihua and Zhang Xiuying worked together to quickly clean up the dishes.

The family brewed a pot of coarse tea and sat chatting to aid digestion. The house was filled with the lingering aroma of the food and a warm, contented atmosphere.

Looking at her second son's profile, which was tired but serene, Zhang Xiuying felt gratified, but as a mother, she couldn't help but start to worry about his future.

She sighed softly and said, "Yaoyao is finally back now, the formalities are all done, and her household registration is settled. This is a great thing, thanks to our ancestors. But next, we need to think about her job and her future marriage and career, and put those on the agenda."

Her words were like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, causing the lively and contented atmosphere to settle down a bit and adding a touch of realistic consideration.

Yang Guangyao is already 24 years old (by Chinese reckoning), which is indeed the age for him to settle down and start a family in this ordinary working-class family.

Without a formal and stable job, finding a partner becomes extremely difficult, and matchmakers often start by asking, "Where do you work?"

A young man who stays at home all day, even if he gets his household registration, is likely to attract gossip and make himself feel uneasy.

Upon hearing this, Li Guihua subconsciously lowered her head, pretending to straighten the hem of her clothes, but she couldn't help feeling a little nervous, and her palms were slightly sweaty.

She was afraid that her mother-in-law would feel sorry for her son, so she decided to have Guangyao take over her job.

Yang Guanghui also fell silent, puffing on his cigarette. The smoke blurred his expression, making it impossible to see what he was thinking.

Of course, he wanted his younger brother to be well and to find a stable job as soon as possible, but when it came to the actual interests of his own family, he felt complicated and conflicted, and could only smoke in silence.

Looking at his wife's worried expression and then at his second son's silent demeanor, Yang Yongkang slowly spoke, his voice tinged with helplessness:
"Jobs are hard to find. These days, every factory is overcrowded; there's one person for every position, sometimes even several people competing for one. If all else fails..."

He didn't finish his sentence, but his meaning was clear as he glanced at his wife.

As if she had made up her mind, Zhang Xiuying took over the conversation and said firmly, "I think once Yaoyao's leg is fully healed and he can walk and run again, he should just take over my job and I'll go and retire. Anyway, I'm getting old."

Although our family income will be less, and we'll definitely have to tighten our belts a bit, Yaoyao will have a stable job, a secure livelihood, which will make it easier for him to find a partner and give him peace of mind in the future. As parents, shouldn't we think about what's best for our children? I'm willing to endure hardship."

As soon as she said those words, the room fell silent.

Li Guihua's heart leaped into her throat. Her fingers unconsciously tightened around the hem of her clothes. She lowered her head, not daring to look up or say anything. Her mind was in complete turmoil.

Yang Guanghui took a deep drag of his cigarette, then exhaled heavily. The thick smoke obscured his facial expression, making it impossible to tell whether he agreed or disagreed.

Yang Guangming didn't speak immediately. He pondered for a moment, looking at his second brother, wanting to hear his thoughts first. After experiencing so much, his second brother should have his own ideas and plans.

In an instant, all eyes, directly or indirectly, fell on Yang Guangyao.

Yang Guangyao remained silent, head bowed, his gaze fixed on his leg, which was covered in a thick cast. His fingers unconsciously traced the rough, cold edges of the cast repeatedly.

Having endured the hardships of Northeast China, the physical torment, and this life-or-death ordeal that nearly changed his fate, he did indeed think a great deal during the days and nights he spent lying in his hospital bed.

He thought of his past self, who was petty and always wanted to take all the benefits for himself. He was also somewhat selfish towards his family, thinking of himself more than the whole family.

But this time, his family, especially his younger brother, went to great lengths to arrange things for him, traveling thousands of miles and expending a great deal of effort, even potentially taking considerable risks. He can no longer be so immature, no longer only thinking about his own comfort; it's time for him to grow up.

After a long while, he raised his head, his face showing an unprecedented calm and determination, his eyes clear and serene.

He looked at his mother, his tone sincere, even carrying a hint of unwavering resolve: "Mom, thank you for always thinking of me and planning for me in every way. I understand your good intentions. But, about the substitute work, forget it. Don't bring it up again."

Upon hearing this, everyone was somewhat surprised, and all eyes turned to his face.

Zhang Xiuying was stunned for a moment, then quickly said, "Yaoyao, don't overthink it, and don't feel burdened. Mom is doing this willingly, Mom really is willing..."

"Mom, please let me finish."

Yang Guangyao gently but firmly interrupted his mother, his voice not loud, but every word clear and forceful, "I know you mean well and care about me. But I can't be so selfish. I can't let you retire early and stay home idle just because of me."

You've been busy for most of your life, and now you finally have a more relaxed job. You get along well with your old colleagues in the workshop, and you chat and laugh every day at work, which puts you in a good mood.

If I go home early, you'll definitely feel empty inside. I can't bear to do that, and I can't do it.

He paused, organized his thoughts, and spoke with a more composed tone: "During the years I spent working in the countryside, I endured a lot of hardship and suffered many setbacks, but it wasn't all bad."

At least I've developed a thicker skin, become less impetuous, and seen through many things, understanding what true benefits are.

Let others say what they want behind my back; I don't care, and it won't hurt me in the slightest.

His gaze swept over his family, filled with warmth: "Most importantly, I've finally realized that family is always the closest and most reliable."

"If it weren't for my family's unwavering support, especially my younger brother who went to great lengths to arrange everything, I would never have been able to return so smoothly; I wouldn't even dare to dream of it."

He glanced at Yang Guangming, his eyes filled with heartfelt gratitude and admiration.

"I know my personality in the past. I was a bit independent, a bit selfish, too calculating, unwilling to suffer losses, and only cared about my own immediate pleasure."

This habit... I doubt it will be easy to completely get rid of it in a short time. It's probably still the same with outsiders; they need to gain some advantage to feel comfortable.

But I swear to my family, I can't be like that anymore. We have to stick together and work towards the same goal.

Being able to return to the city and register my household registration back is enough for me. I'm really, really content.

You have no idea how many people in our educated youth settlement were desperate to return to the city, but they couldn't come back no matter how hard they tried.

I can only say I was lucky, I made it in time, and my family helped me a lot.

There's no rush when it comes to work. Take your time and look for opportunities.

In our alley, I'm not the only unemployed young person around, and we're all alive and well, aren't we? We haven't starved to death.

I'm not bad-looking, at least; I have thick eyebrows, big eyes, and I'm tall enough. I'm not much shorter than my little brother, am I?

He tried to ease the somewhat heavy atmosphere with a lighthearted, even joking tone, and deliberately touched his chin, saying, "I can always find a girl who doesn't mind that I don't have a formal job. At worst, I can find someone who is also unemployed and work hard together."

"Once my leg is fully healed and the cast is removed, I'll go out and find some odd jobs, like bricklaying or portering, or maybe I can ask someone to help me find a reliable temporary job. I'll be able to earn a living and support myself."

I will never again stay home and be a burden on my family.

His tone was resolute, carrying a sense of determination and responsibility.

Yang Guangyao's words were frank and honest, completely unexpected by his family.

Zhang Xiuying and Yang Yongkang, in particular, were overwhelmed with mixed feelings as they looked at their second son, who seemed to have been reborn overnight and had become mature and sensible. They felt gratified, heartbroken, and had a complex emotion of "their child has finally grown up." They were speechless for a moment.

Li Guihua secretly breathed a sigh of relief, her heart finally at ease. But at the same time, a wave of shame washed over her. She felt that her petty and calculating thoughts earlier were a bit unfair to her brother-in-law, who had suddenly become so sensible and considerate.

Yang Guanghui patted his second brother's shoulder forcefully, everything understood without words. Brotherly affection sometimes needs no words.

At this moment, Yang Guangming slowly spoke.

He first looked at his mother, his tone gentle yet firm: "Mom, my second brother and I are both firmly against the idea of ​​me taking over someone else's job. Please don't bring it up again."

"Your job is great. You're a factory labor relations officer. It's easy, respectable, sheltered from the wind and rain, and you can chat with the old ladies in the factory. You're respected."

If you go to work happily every day, you'll be in a good mood, full of energy, and naturally, your health will be better.

This is what we children want to see most, and it is the greatest filial piety.

Being filial to your parents is not just about making sure they are well-fed and clothed, but also about making them happy and giving them something to rely on, right?
If you retire early and stay home all day, constantly sighing and complaining, then we sons will truly feel terrible, and that would be truly unfilial.

Zhang Xiuying opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but the persistence, thoughtfulness, and deep understanding in her youngest son's eyes stopped her. She felt a warm and bittersweet feeling in her heart, and tears welled up in her eyes again, but these were tears of emotion.

Yang Guangming looked at his second brother again, smiled, and said in a relaxed and confident tone: "As for your second brother's job, you don't need to worry about it, and you don't need to sacrifice your mother's job."

A permanent position is indeed difficult to obtain right now; I'll have to wait for an opportunity. However, I'm confident I can find a stable, long-term temporary job with a relatively relaxed work environment.

His tone was firm, carrying a convincing confidence and a sense of control: "I guarantee that until my second brother's leg is fully recovered and he can walk to work normally, I will definitely find him a suitable temporary job. This is no problem, leave it to me!"

He wasn't just making empty promises to comfort his family. With his current connections and influence, arranging a temporary, non-permanent position through legitimate channels wouldn't be difficult for him.

Temporary workers offer great flexibility, as various workshops and departments have needs at any time depending on peak or off-peak production seasons, and the approval process is relatively simple and flexible.

He had a very good relationship with Lang Tianrui, the head of the factory's labor and personnel department. As long as he made a suggestion, reserving a relatively easy temporary position such as a materials registerer or office clerk wouldn't be a problem. Head Lang would definitely give him that much face.

Hearing his younger brother's confident and certain assurance, Yang Guangyao immediately showed a relieved and grateful smile.

He is already very satisfied and content to have a stable temporary job with an income, without having to go out to do odd jobs in the wind and sun, and without having to be subservient to others.

“A temporary worker is fine, that’s good! As long as he gets paid on time, that’s good. We can look for opportunities later, maybe one day he’ll get a permanent position,” Yang Guangyao said repeatedly, his tone full of trust in his younger brother and anticipation for the future.

Seeing that their youngest son spoke with such confidence and composure, and that their second son himself was also satisfied and open-minded, the elderly couple finally felt relieved about their work and stopped insisting on covering for them.

Zhang Xiuying's face regained a relieved and gratified smile, and she nodded repeatedly: "Good, good, it's good that you two brothers have discussed it and made plans. Mingming is capable, knows many people, and has many connections. We will follow your arrangements. This is the best, the best possible outcome."

The initial plans for working at Sunshine Shines Future were finalized in this warm, honest, and mutually understanding family atmosphere.

Outside the window, night deepened, and the alleyway gradually quieted down. But inside the Yang family's small house, a warm light and boundless hope still shone through.

(End of this chapter)