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

Chapter 201. The prospective son-in-law arrives with a watch as a gift! A shocking moment!

With Guangming's guidance and full support, the heavy boulder in Yangguangyao's heart seemed to have been mostly removed, and the gloom of the past few days was swept away, replaced by a sense of sudden enlightenment and clarity.

His younger brother's words, like a gentle spring breeze, seeped into his anxious heart, making him re-examine his relationship with Yue Xinlei and rekindling his courage to face difficulties.

The thought of meeting Yue Xinlei's parents soon filled him with a mix of nervousness and determination, as well as a strong sense of hope for the future.

That tension was no longer a suffocating panic, but a thrill mixed with sweetness and responsibility.

That night, he lay on the board bed in the small cubicle, tossing and turning, repeatedly pondering his younger brother Yang Guangming's words, word by word. The more he thought about it, the more reasonable it seemed, and the more his heart burned with emotion.

Yes, Xinlei is a woman, and she has the courage and determination to marry no one but him, despite the double pressure from her family and society. How can I, a grown man, back down first?
Relationships involve two people, but even more so two families. No matter what, we must face them bravely to know the final outcome and to fight for a bright future for ourselves and Xinlei.

On Monday, Yang Guangyao arrived at the factory earlier than usual.

The air in the early summer morning carries a slight chill, yet it is exceptionally fresh; inhaling it invigorates the spirit.

The accounting team's office was still quiet, except for Yue Xinlei, who had already arrived and was carefully wiping her desk with a rag, her movements quick and efficient.

The soft morning light shone through the clean, bright window, casting a warm glow on her slender, focused figure, making her appear exceptionally gentle and charming.

Hearing footsteps at the door, she looked up and saw Yang Guangyao. A faint, slightly surprised smile immediately appeared on her face, and her clear eyes held a question and a hint of barely perceptible expectation.

"You're here so early?" Yang Guangyao stepped forward, his voice gentler than usual.

"Yes, I usually arrive a little early to tidy up and get ready for work." Yue Xinlei put down the rag, her gaze sweeping over his face with concern. She asked softly, her tone tentative and cautious, "Did you rest well this weekend?"

She seemed to want to ask something, such as whether he had thought it through, but was too embarrassed to ask directly, afraid of putting extra pressure on him.

Yang Guangyao took a deep breath. The quiet atmosphere in the office early in the morning and the expectation in Xinlei's eyes made him make up his mind and stop hesitating.

He glanced at the doorway to make sure no one was coming in yet, then lowered his voice and said solemnly and clearly, "Xinlei, I'm ready. When would be a convenient time for me to visit your parents?"

Yue Xinlei's eyes lit up instantly, sparkling with surprise, and two faint blushes involuntarily rose on her cheeks.

She clearly hadn't expected Yang Guangyao to be so proactive and quick, making a decision so firm and open on Monday, without the slightest hesitation.

She smiled, unable to contain her joy, and lowered her head slightly to hide it, her voice light and tinged with shyness:
"Really? You've thought it through? No... don't you want to prepare a little more?"

She still needed to confirm whether her desire to avoid the sunlight was due to a momentary impulse.

"I've thought it through." Yang Guangyao nodded firmly, his eyes honest and resolute, without any hesitation. "It's something I have to face sooner or later. And... I want to be with you openly and honestly, and to gain the approval of our elders."

These words were simple and unadorned, without any fancy embellishments, yet they were exceptionally sincere and powerful, striking a chord directly with Yue Xinlei.

These words warmed Yue Xinlei's heart.

She looked up at Yang Guangyao with eyes full of emotion and trust:

“I’ll talk to my parents when I get home tonight. They… have actually asked me a few times already, they’ve always wanted to meet you. How about… this Sunday? They’ll both be home on Sunday, and we’ll have plenty of time to talk.”

“Okay, Sunday it is.” Yang Guangyao agreed without any hesitation, his tone crisp and decisive.

Once the decision was made and a specific date was set, he felt more at ease, as if a previously unresolved and anxiety-inducing problem had finally found a clear answer and a direction to strive for.

"Mmm!" Yue Xinlei nodded vigorously, her smile growing even brighter and more dazzling. It was an expression of anticipation for Sunday, as well as trust and satisfaction with the man beside her.

Yue Xinlei felt incredibly gratified and happy; she had indeed made the right choice in selecting this person.

Just then, familiar footsteps and Team Leader Wang's signature cough and voice came from the corridor outside. The two quickly exchanged a knowing, slightly secretive glance and returned to their seats.

Then, he picked up the reports and abacus on the table and pretended to be engrossed in his work, as if it had just been an ordinary greeting between colleagues.

But the sweetness and tacit understanding that quietly permeated the air flowed silently between the two, warming each other.

Throughout the day, Yang Guangyao felt exceptionally efficient at work. The beads on his abacus clicked rhythmically and clearly, and his mood, like the increasingly intense May sunshine outside the window, dispelled the last trace of gloom, becoming clear and bright. He even couldn't help but hum a cheerful tune he had heard as a child.

Saturday arrived in the blink of an eye.

Because Second Brother had already arranged with Yang Guangming to visit Yue Xinlei's parents tomorrow, this was a very important matter. Yang Guangming insisted on preparing gifts for Second Brother to bring on the visit in advance, both as a matter of courtesy and to give Second Brother more confidence.

On Saturday night, Yang Guangming stayed in the dormitory building instead of returning to his home in Shikumen.

He informed his mother, Zhang Xiuying, in advance, saying that he and his second brother had some important business to attend to on Sunday and might not be able to return until the afternoon, so that his family wouldn't have to wait for him for lunch.

Although Zhang Xiuying was somewhat puzzled by the fact that her two sons seemed to be secretly discussing things together lately, she trusted her younger son's steady approach to things and didn't ask too many questions. She only told them to be careful in their work, to discuss things thoroughly, and to come home early after they finished.

On Sunday morning, before nine o'clock, a slightly urgent knocking sounded outside the door of room 203.

Yang Guangming had just finished breakfast and was sitting leisurely at the octagonal table reading the newspaper when he heard the voice and knew that his second brother, Yang Guangyao, had arrived.

He got up, walked quickly over and opened the door. Sure enough, he saw his second brother standing outside, clearly dressed up carefully.

Yang Guangyao was wearing the brand-new Dacron shirt and trousers that Yang Guangming had accompanied him to buy last time. They had obviously been carefully ironed last night, with straight lines and almost no wrinkles.

Her new leather shoes were polished to a shine, almost reflecting her image. Her hair was also carefully combed with hair oil, leaving no detail untouched.

His face showed a complex mix of nervousness, anticipation, and trepidation, and he was carrying an empty net bag, clearly intending to put gifts in it.

"Mingming," Yang Guangyao called out, his voice sounding a little hoarse, clearly indicating that he was not at peace.

"Second brother, come in. What are you standing at the door for?" Yang Guangming stepped aside to let him into the house and closed the door behind him, shutting out the noise from the corridor.

As soon as Yang Guangyao entered the room, his eyes were immediately drawn to the several gifts that had been prepared and placed on the octagonal table. He paused for a moment, and a look of surprise appeared on his face.

Yang Guang knew perfectly well that this was what her second brother was most concerned about at the moment, so she didn't keep him in suspense. She pointed directly to the well-matched, presentable and affordable gifts on the table and explained them to him clearly, one by one.

"Second brother, look, these two buckets are top-grade pre-Qingming Longjing tea. The tea itself is of high quality, and the bamboo tubes used for packaging were specially hand-carved by a master craftsman. They look classy and presentable."
These two bottles are Moutai, the national liquor, with a prestigious name and impressive presence, showing that we value it.
These two packs are imported chocolates that I got through a connection. They're rare on the market now, so they're perfect for my aunt and Xinlei. I'm sure they'll love them.

And these two drunken chickens were specially made by a master chef using the finest Shaoxing wine. Although they're wrapped up, the aroma is undeniable; they're both affordable and delicious.

These four gifts clearly demonstrate that Yang Guangming has considered everything very carefully: there are traditional gifts like wine and tea that will never go wrong, rare imported snacks, and affordable cooked food that can be served immediately to add to the atmosphere.

The arrangement is both elegant and thoughtful, showing sufficient respect, without appearing overly deliberate or vulgar; it is just right, demonstrating the thoughtfulness of the preparer.

Yang Guangyao stared in astonishment, his eyes widening slightly.

He knew his younger brother would help prepare the gifts for the visit, but he never expected them to be so elaborate and valuable!
These pre-Qingming Longjing tea, Moutai liquor, and imported chocolates are all not easy to obtain, especially since they require scarce ration coupons or special connections and favors. This far exceeded his expectations.

"Mingming, this...this is too extravagant! Too precious!" Yang Guangyao snapped out of his daze, quickly waving his hands, his face burning with embarrassment. He felt even more guilty, and his voice rose slightly, "How could I let you prepare so many such nice things! How much money and tickets must this have cost! No, no...this is absolutely unacceptable, I..."

Yang Guangming smiled and said in a calm and steady tone, "Second Brother, since this is my first visit, I should be more courteous."

These things look impressive, but they didn't actually cost much. I happen to have a way to collect the ration coupons, so you don't need to worry about that.

The important thing is to show our sincerity and respect, and to let Secretary Yue see our family's good intentions.

He paused, looked at his second brother's somewhat guilty eyes, and said in a more serious tone, "Secretary Yue's family lacks nothing, but we cannot be impolite and let others look down on us."

Taking these things out will at least prevent people from finding fault with us, or thinking that our family is impolite or doesn't value this meeting.

Now that you have a clear understanding, you'll feel more confident and assured, right? This concerns your future with Xinlei, and first impressions are crucial.

Yang Guangyao opened his mouth as if to say something, but when he met his younger brother's steady, affirmative, and supportive gaze, he swallowed back his words of refusal and feeling that it was too much of a waste.

He knew his brother was right; the value of the gift on the first visit did indeed, to some extent, represent the man's sincerity and how much he valued the occasion.

The younger brother has thought of everything he could and done the best he could. It's just that... this heavy family affection makes him both moved and apprehensive.

His throat tightened, and his nose tingled slightly. In the end, he simply nodded heavily, engraving this deep brotherhood and gratitude in his heart.

His voice was a little hoarse as he said, "Mingming... thank you. Second brother... I've remembered everything." A thousand words were condensed into a simple expression of gratitude.

"We're brothers, no need for such formalities." Yang Guangming naturally changed the subject, asking, "What time did you arrange to meet Comrade Xinlei?"

"We agreed to meet at her house at 9:30." Yang Guangyao glanced at the wall clock; it was just past 8:00. "There's still plenty of time, more than an hour."

"Okay, then there's no rush. Sit down, have a drink of water, and calm down."

Yang Guangming poured him a glass of cooled boiled water that he had prepared that morning and pushed it in front of him. "When you get there, don't be too nervous, just be natural. Since Secretary Yue and his wife agreed to let you meet at their home, that in itself is a form of recognition and an opportunity."

As we said last time, just be yourself. Be sincere, down-to-earth, and polite. Don't talk too much, but answer questions openly and honestly.

Yang Guangyao held the cup, nodding repeatedly, firmly engraving every word of his younger brother's instructions into his mind.

The two brothers sat and chatted for a while. Yang Guangming tried to talk about interesting things at the factory or lighthearted topics to help his second brother relieve his increasingly obvious tension.

Looking at his watch, it was already 9:15. Yang Guangyao took a deep breath and stood up: "Mingming, I should probably go. Although Xinlei's house is in the factory committee's residential compound, which isn't far, it's my first time going there. It's better to arrive a little early than late."

"Alright, it's time to go." Yang Guangming also stood up and helped pack the gifts on the table into two brand-new net bags.

Put the Moutai liquor and tea in one mesh bag, and the chocolate and drunken chicken in another. This way, the two gifts are balanced in weight and are easy and attractive to carry.

Yang Guangyao took the two heavy net bags. His hands felt heavy, and so did his heart. They were filled with his younger brother's selfless affection, his heavy expectations, and his anticipation of the unknown outcome.

"Second brother, remember, no matter what the outcome, come to see me first after you take your leave."

Yang Guangming saw him to the door and calmly reminded him again, "If it's done, let's go home happily and share the good news together."

In case... in case anything goes wrong, or if there are any issues that require further discussion, we can discuss what to do next.

Don't tell your family what you're doing today yet, so your parents don't get excited or get anxious.

"Yes, I know. Don't worry." Yang Guangyao nodded vigorously, indicating that he understood his younger brother's concerns. "Then I'm leaving."

"Okay, take it easy on the way, don't rush, be steady. Secretary Yue lives in Building No. 1, not far from here, it'll only take a few minutes to walk there." Yang Guangming watched his second brother carrying gifts, his figure a little nervous but his steps firm as he went downstairs, quickly disappearing around the corner of the stairs.

After seeing his second brother off, Yang Guangming returned to his room and did not go out.

He picked up the newspaper again, but found himself somewhat absent-minded. He couldn't seem to read a single word. Every now and then, he would look up at the wall clock, listening to its ticking sound, and calculating how far his second brother might have progressed.

He knew that meeting the parents couldn't be rushed; the process of visiting, exchanging pleasantries, answering questions, and even possibly being invited to stay for a meal all took time.

Time seemed to stretch out while waiting, passing by incredibly slowly.

Yang Guangming tidied up the room, picked up a book and flipped through it, but couldn't concentrate on reading. Later, he simply prepared a simple lunch—a bowl of noodles—but had no appetite, ate a few bites and put it on the table.

The sun outside the window gradually rose higher, climbing to its zenith. The hour hand of the wall clock moved slowly from ten o'clock to eleven o'clock, then to twelve, one o'clock... finally pointing to two o'clock...

Yang Guangming's heart began to pound, and a faint sense of anxiety rose within him.

Just as he got up for the third time and couldn't help but walk to the window to look down at the intersection, he finally saw his second brother's familiar figure, walking hurriedly from the direction of Building No. 1. Immediately afterwards, he heard footsteps going upstairs in the corridor, which sounded light and quick.

Yang Guangming immediately went to the door, pulled it open, and was eager to know the result.

Yang Guangyao was walking up the stairs, carrying the two net bags he had brought with him. But the contents of the net bags had completely changed!
The premium pre-Qingming Longjing tea, Moutai liquor, imported chocolate, and drunken chicken that I visited are nowhere to be found!

Instead, there were two packets of high-end paper-wrapped pastries printed with the words "Famous Shanghai Snacks"; two packets of White Rabbit milk candy with a red rabbit logo, which was quite sought after; two cartons of Daqianmen cigarettes; and two bottles of Xifeng liquor, which was also quite famous and of high quality!
This is clearly a valuable and equally carefully prepared return gift!

What made Yang Guangming's pupils shrink slightly and his heart surge with a huge wave was that his second brother had a brand new watch on his left wrist!

On Yang Guangyao's face, there was no trace of the tension, trepidation, and unease he had shown before. Instead, there was a barely suppressed yet overflowing joy and excitement.

His lips couldn't help but curl upwards, his eyes sparkled with a bright and dazzling light, and he seemed to have been rejuvenated with boundless energy and hope, appearing energetic and full of fighting spirit!

Just looking at the generous and presentable return gift, the brand-new watch on his wrist, and his second brother's beaming and joyful appearance, Yang Guangming's heart, which had been hanging in suspense for hours, instantly settled back into his stomach with a "thump".

The result of my second brother's visit seems to be unexpectedly good! In fact, it couldn't be better!

"Second Brother, come in quickly! Come in quickly!" Yang Guangming hurriedly stepped aside to let his second brother into the room, his tone filled with barely concealed urgency and curiosity. "How did it go? Judging from your expression, it's... all done? Secretary Yue and Auntie..."

As he asked, he casually took the net from his second brother's hand. Yang Guangyao plopped down in a chair next to the octagonal table, as if a heavy burden had been lifted from his shoulders.

He first picked up the glass of water on the table, which had long since gone cold, and gulped it down in one go, as if only in this way could he quench his thirst from his hurried walk back and alleviate the still boiling emotions in his heart.

Then he wiped his mouth with his sleeve, let out a long sigh of relief, as if he had finally relaxed completely, every pore of his body radiating comfort.

He looked up at his younger brother, his face beaming with an almost excited smile. His voice was a few decibels higher than usual, and he spoke rather quickly:
"Mingming! It's done! I really... I never expected it! It went so smoothly! Secretary Yue and Auntie are such nice people! So kind! It's even better than the best I could have imagined!"

Yang Guangming sat down opposite him, deeply infected by his extreme excitement and joy, and urged him with a smile:
"Don't just be happy, tell me quickly, what happened? Why did it take so long? I was worried, thinking something had gone wrong. And what's wrong with this watch?"

Yang Guangming's gaze fell once again on the brand-new watch; this was highly unusual.

Yang Guangyao raised his wrist, gazing at the watch with obvious delight, his face beaming with unbelievable joy and a profound sense of happiness at being recognized and accepted.

"This is...this is Aunt Gao, oh, that's Xinlei's mother, she insisted on giving me this as a gift!"
I said no, it's too precious and it's against the rules, but I couldn't refuse. Xinlei also tried to persuade me to accept it, saying it was her mother's kind gesture, a sign that she approved of my feelings, and that I shouldn't refuse the kindness of an elder..."

He paused, took a deep breath, tried to calm his overly excited emotions, organized his thoughts, and began to recount the day's experiences in detail, his tone excited, filled with deep reminiscence and satisfaction:

"Following the address Xinlei gave me, I found her house. When I got to the door, my heart was pounding and my palms were sweating."

I took several deep breaths, mentally rehearsing what I wanted to say before daring to knock on the door.

"Xinlei opened the door. She gave me a wink, a smile on her lips, and secretly told me that my family was waiting and that I should relax and not be nervous."

I followed her inside. In the living room, Secretary Yue and Aunt Gao, Xinlei's mother who looked exceptionally kind and elegant, were sitting on the sofa talking. They both smiled and looked over when they saw me enter.

"I quickly stepped forward and bowed respectfully to say hello. At first, my voice was trembling a little."

Yang Guangyao smiled sheepishly and scratched the back of his head. "Guess what happened? Although Secretary Yue still looked somewhat stern and authoritative, he had a clear smile on his face."

He nodded to me, pointed to the sofa next to him, and said, "Comrade Xiao Yang is here. Sit down, don't be shy."

Aunt Gao was even more enthusiastic, immediately standing up and smiling as she greeted me, "Please sit down, please sit down. You must be hot from the journey." She quickly asked Xinlei to pour me tea and get me some fruit.

Unable to contain his joy, Yang Guangyao chuckled a few times and then continued:

"I first handed over the gifts we had prepared, trying to sound natural. I said, 'Secretary Yue, Aunt Gao, this is just a small token of our appreciation, please try it.'"

Aunt Gao took it and said politely, "Oh dear, child, you didn't need to bring so much stuff. It's too much of a hassle. Don't do this again next time."

She looked at the items, especially the Moutai and Longjing tea, with a hint of surprise in her eyes. It must have been quite a lot. She turned to Secretary Yue with a smile and said, "Old Yue, look at this child, she's really gone to great lengths and is very thoughtful."

Hearing this, I breathed a sigh of relief, feeling that I had taken the right first step.

After I sat down, Secretary Yue didn't immediately start interrogating me about my family situation, work income, future plans, or anything like that, as I had imagined.

He chatted casually, like we were old friends, about how nice the weather had been the past couple of days, and asked me if I was busy at the factory, if I was adapting well to the accounting group, and how I was getting along with my colleagues.

Later, somehow the conversation turned to my years working in the countryside in Northeast China.

Secretary Yue seemed quite interested in my experiences, asking in detail about the climate there, how cold the winters were, what kind of farm work I did, whether it was tiring, how the local people treated me, and whether I had encountered any particularly difficult or interesting situations.

Yang Guangyao gulped down the water in his glass, wiped his mouth, and then said:

“I told you honestly and truthfully that the winters there are extremely cold, reaching minus thirty or forty degrees Celsius. When the wind blows, you can't see people on the other side. When I first arrived, I wasn't used to it and got frostbite on my hands and feet, which was both itchy and painful.”
They say that during the autumn harvest, when people rush to harvest wheat, they go to the fields before dawn and don't return until it's completely dark. By the end of the day, they are so tired that they can't straighten their backs and their hands shake when they eat.
They also said that the local villagers were very kind and simple. Seeing that we, the educated youth from the south, were young and far from home, had it tough, they would sometimes secretly slip us a hot egg or a roasted potato...

I also told you about the lively times we spent making dumplings and doing the Yangko dance together during the Spring Festival.

Yang Guangming did not interrupt his second brother and listened very carefully.

Speaking of these past events, Yang Guangyao remained excited and spoke with great enthusiasm:

"When I was saying these things, Secretary Yue listened very carefully, occasionally nodding and asking a question about details."

Aunt Gao listened from the side, her face showing a pained expression from time to time. She said repeatedly, "It's not easy, you've really suffered." "Guangyao isn't that old, but he's suffered so much."

Secretary Yue later remarked, "This experience is a valuable asset. It teaches me to endure hardship, so I won't be afraid of any difficulties in the future."

Xinlei sat on the chair next to me, occasionally adding a few words or refilling my water.

The atmosphere was quite pleasant throughout, not at all like an interrogation, but more like an elder caring about the experiences and life of a younger generation over the past few years, exuding a sense of concern.

I gradually calmed down completely. I truly felt that Secretary Yue and Aunt Gao were both reasonable and very kind people.

Hearing this, Yang Guangming couldn't help but interject, "It's really unexpected that Secretary Yue and Aunt Gao are so kind and understanding."

Upon hearing this, Yang Guangyao's face immediately broke into a smile, and he agreed, saying:

"Who can argue with that? I've been so worried these past few days, but it turns out it was all for nothing."

Then, Yang Guangyao continued, "We chatted for about an hour and a half, and then Aunt Gao got up and said she was going to the kitchen to prepare lunch. She insisted that I stay for lunch."

Unable to refuse, I respectfully agreed.

Lunch was particularly lavish, with a table full of dishes including braised fish, braised pork, stir-fried vegetables, and pork rib soup.

Aunt Gao kept putting food on my plate, urging me to eat more, saying that I looked thin and needed to eat more to make up for the nutrition I lost while I was cutting in line.

Secretary Yue even opened a bottle of good wine, poured me a small glass, and drank a little with me, telling me not to be shy and to make myself at home.

Yang Guangming couldn't help but say, "You ate and drank well, making me worry all noon for nothing. I couldn't rest easy until you came back, and I barely ate any lunch."

Yang Guangyao smiled and continued, "During the meal, we didn't talk about anything serious or formal. We just chatted about some interesting things that had happened at the factory recently, or what new movies had been showing. The atmosphere was very relaxed."

Secretary Yue casually asked you a few questions and praised you for being hardworking, quick-witted, and a promising talent.

Yang Guangming said, "I'm not really familiar with Secretary Yue, and we rarely have any work-related interactions. But once we become in-laws, I'll benefit from your connections and will likely have a lot of dealings with Secretary Yue."

Yang Guangyao chuckled a few times and continued, "After dinner, we sat and drank tea for a while, chatting idly. Only then did Secretary Yue occasionally ask about our family situation, especially showing concern for my parents' health."

I told the truth.

After sitting for about half an hour, I realized it was almost time and they probably needed to rest in the afternoon, so I got up to say goodbye.

Secretary Yue nodded and said amiably, "Come visit me often when you have time."

Aunt Gao was even more enthusiastic, saying, "That's right, don't be shy, make yourself at home, come visit often, and chat with us."

Just as I was about to leave, Aunt Gao suddenly came out of the inner room and took out an exquisite box, handing it to me and saying, "Xiao Yang, this is your first time visiting, so I didn't prepare anything fancy. Take this Shanghai brand watch; it'll be convenient for checking the time at work. A young person should have a watch."

As Yang Guangyao spoke, his voice became excited again, his face filled with a flattered expression:
"I was completely stunned and hadn't expected this at all! I quickly waved my hands and stepped back, saying that I couldn't accept it, that it was too valuable for Auntie! How could I accept this!"
I've only ever heard of the groom's family giving a gift when the bride visits their home for the first time, never such an expensive gift from the bride's parents. This is against custom, and I absolutely cannot accept it!

This scene must have deeply moved Yang Guangyao; he spoke with great emotion, his voice trembling with emotion:
"Aunt Gao's attitude was very firm. She shoved the box into my hand, held my hand to prevent me from pushing it back, and pretended to put on a stern face, saying:"

'Our family doesn't have so many old-fashioned rules! I only have one daughter, Xinlei. I feel a connection with you. I think you are a down-to-earth, sincere, hardworking child, and genuinely good to Xinlei.'

This is just a small token of my appreciation as an elder. If you like it, you can have it! If you don't accept it, it means you're disrespecting your aunt and thinking her things aren't good enough!

At this point, Yang Guangyao paused to compose himself before continuing:

Secretary Yue smiled and said, "If your aunt gave it to you, please accept it. It's an honor to receive a gift from an elder. It's just a small token of our appreciation."

Xinlei tugged at my sleeve, insisting that I accept it.

I... I really couldn't refuse. I was touched, excited, and at a loss for words. In the end, I accepted it with profuse thanks, and my heart felt heavy.

Then Aunt Gao brought over the return gifts she had prepared beforehand, which were these snacks, candy, cigarettes, and wine, and told me to make sure to bring them back.

I said, "How can this be? I'm here to give a gift; there's no way I can take it back. This won't do."

Aunt Gao, however, said sternly, "This is etiquette, it's the rule. A return gift is a must, otherwise we'll be considered impolite and people will laugh at us for not knowing manners. Hurry up and take it!"

Yang Guangyao raised his left wrist and showed off his watch. "Just like that, wearing this heavy new watch and carrying this heavy return gift, I went out feeling dizzy and lightheaded, as if I were walking on cotton."

Xinlei walked me to the gate of the compound. She whispered to me, "See? I told you my parents would like you! They have a really good impression of you. They told me to tell you not to worry, and to come often."

Only then did I dare to fully believe that it was all real! Not a dream!

As Yang Guangyao finished speaking in one breath, it was as if he had experienced those few hours of the dreamlike, respectful reception all over again. His face was filled with immense happiness and an incredulous glow, as well as a sense of exhilaration at being completely accepted.

Yang Guangming listened intently, feeling both surprised and delighted, filled with emotion.

He had indeed anticipated a good outcome, but he hadn't expected it to be so smooth and perfect!
The attitude of Secretary Yue and his wife was simply too good, better than I could have imagined!

This recognition and importance were fully expressed through the expensive watch and the generous return gift.

The reasons he could think of were only the two that had been analyzed before, and it was very likely that both were true.

On the one hand, Secretary Yue and his wife are indeed open-minded and do not have too many worldly prejudices about social status. After truly understanding the character and experience of the second brother, they genuinely recognized this down-to-earth, sincere, and hardworking future son-in-law.

On the other hand, it's also possible that they simply couldn't resist their beloved daughter's insistence and choice.

In addition, the second brother himself was indeed handsome and presentable, so he chose to accept him completely.

Furthermore, she treats her daughter with the utmost enthusiasm, respect, and sincerity, demonstrating exceptional emotional intelligence, in order to earn her daughter's true happiness and her son-in-law's future closeness and filial piety.

Regardless of which reason prevails, the magnanimity, vision, and way of handling things that Secretary Yue and his wife possess are truly admirable.

This is not just about accepting the second brother, but also about showing respect to the entire Yang family.

"That's wonderful, Second Brother! This is fantastic! This is incredibly good news!"

Yang Guangming was genuinely happy for his second brother, patting his arm vigorously with a broad smile. "It seems that Secretary Yue and Aunt Gao truly approve of you and like you! This watch and this return gift are the most solid and practical proof! They're more effective than any polite words!"

"Yes, I still feel like I'm dreaming, my feet are floating."

Yang Guangyao rubbed the brand-new Shanghai brand watch on his wrist, grinning foolishly, unable to put it down. "Mingming, do you think... this matter is completely settled? There won't be any more changes, right?"

"Of course it'll happen! It's a done deal!"

Yang Guangming said with absolute certainty and joy, "For a high-ranking leader like Secretary Yue, and for Aunt Gao to be such a thoughtful and considerate person, she would never have shown this attitude or given such an expensive gift if she didn't genuinely approve of and be completely satisfied with her!"
This watch is meant to put your mind at ease!
Now you can finally relax! Just wait to discuss the next steps with Sister-in-law Xinlei!

The two brothers looked at each other and smiled. The small room was filled with a joyful atmosphere, and all their previous worries were swept away.

Since things have progressed so smoothly and perfectly, far exceeding the best expectations, the original plan to "keep it from the family for now and see how it goes" is naturally unnecessary.

This wonderful news must be shared with my family immediately so they can also share in this great joy.

"Come on, second brother!" Yang Guangming stood up excitedly, his face beaming with a bright smile. "Let's go home now! Let's tell Mom and Dad, and our eldest brother and sister-in-law this amazing news! They'll be so happy when they find out! Mom and Dad have been so concerned about your marriage, and now they can finally breathe a sigh of relief!"

"Okay! Let's go home!" Yang Guangyao stood up excitedly, carefully adjusted the new watch on his wrist, which was of great significance, and picked up the two heavy return gift nets that represented the bride's family's approval and courtesy.

The two brothers locked the door and went downstairs.

Yang Guangyao arrived on his family's old-fashioned bicycle. Yang Guangming rode the bike, while Yang Guangyao sat on the back, carefully carrying the two net bags filled with his heartfelt gifts.

The afternoon sun was bright and warm, shining through the leaves of the sycamore trees onto the two of them and onto the road ahead on their way home.

The two brothers rode their bicycles, the wheels moving swiftly.

Yang Guangyao would occasionally glance down at the brand-new watch on his wrist. The hands ticked steadily, making a crisp and pleasant sound.

His face was always adorned with a bright, almost uncontrollable smile, a happiness and contentment welling up from the deepest part of his heart.

As Yang Guangming pedaled his bicycle, his heart was filled with joy and emotion.

Fate can be so strange. What seemed like insurmountable obstacles and social class differences become insignificant in the face of true feelings, courage, sincerity, and opportunity.

(End of this chapter)