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

Chapter 206, page 205: The pressure to get married begins. The two families meet. The savior is deeply grateful.
Time flies, and the days flow by quietly amidst the roar of machines, the clatter of abacuses, and the everyday warmth of home cooking.

Before we knew it, it was December.

It was a typical Saturday night.

In the Yang family's slightly cramped front room, the lights seemed brighter and warmer than usual. The family had just finished a simple dinner: white rice, a small dish of pickled cucumbers, a few salted duck eggs, and a large bowl of stir-fried cabbage with vinegar.

Li Guihua was efficiently clearing away the dishes when Zhuangzhuang sat in a small bamboo chair, happily playing with a gleaming wooden toy gun.

Yang Guangming sat at the table, holding a borrowed copy of "An Introduction to Industrial Economics and Management," reading it carefully by the light of the lamp, occasionally jotting something down in his notebook.

Zhang Xiuying didn't immediately join in the tidying up as usual. She was holding a piece of knitting she was working on; the yarn was the most ordinary kind, with unevenly dyed navy blue. She was going to knit a new woolen vest for Yang Guangming.

Her gaze wasn't entirely focused on the needlework in her hands, but occasionally drifted towards her second son, who was sitting on a small stool. Yang Guangyao was intently whittling a wooden top for his little nephew with a small knife.

The room was quiet for a moment, with only Zhuangzhuang's "whooshing" sound, the rustling of wood being whittled, and the soft rustling of pages turning.

"Yaoyao," Zhang Xiuying finally spoke, breaking the silence. The knitting needle in her hand stopped.

"Huh? Mom, what's up?" Yang Guangyao looked up, his face showing a bit of blankness as he focused on his craft. The spinning top in his hand was already taking shape.

"Mom wanted to ask you something," Zhang Xiuying placed her knitting work on her lap, leaned forward slightly, and asked in a tone that was both casual and unusually earnest, "How have things been between you and Xinlei lately?"

Upon hearing the question, not only did Yang Guangyao look up, but Yang Yongkang, who was reading the newspaper, also put it down slightly and looked over from above his reading glasses. Li Guihua, who was clearing the dishes, also slowed down and perked up her ears. Yang Guangming also looked up from his book, a knowing smile on his lips, and looked at his second brother.

Yang Guangyao's cheeks flushed slightly, as if from the heat in the room, or perhaps for some other reason. He put down the wood and knife in his hands and rubbed his hands together somewhat awkwardly: "It's...it's fine. Just...just the same as always."

"What do you mean by 'the same old way'?" Zhang Xiuying pressed, her eyes filled with a mother's concern and a hint of barely perceptible urgency. "You're not young anymore, you're already twenty-four! I like Xinlei more and more each day. She's a good person, beautiful, and her family is very understanding. Secretary Yue and Aunt Gao also have nothing but praise for you, they value you so much."

She paused, lowered her voice slightly, but spoke with even greater earnestness: "You've been in a relationship for quite some time now, and you've even met each other's parents..."

Now, shouldn't we start thinking about the next step? When should we finalize things? We can't just keep talking like this forever, can we?

Yang Guangyao's face flushed even more, his eyes darted around, and he subconsciously glanced at Yang Guangming beside him, who was smiling silently, before muttering, "Mom... this kind of thing... how can we rush it... we have to... we have to find a suitable opportunity..."

Why can't we be in a hurry?

Li Guihua wiped her hands and walked over, picking up the conversation with the honesty of an elder sister-in-law and a touch of teasing, "Yaoyao, Mom is right! When it comes to dating, if you date for a while and feel that you're compatible, you should consider getting married. It's only natural for men to marry when they're of age and women to marry when they're of age. If you drag it out too long, there will be a lot of gossip, and it won't be good for Xinlei's reputation."

As she spoke, she winked at Yang Guangyao: "Besides, the sooner you get married and settle down, the less you'll be restless all the time. We've noticed you've been sitting there grinning like an idiot lately when you come home from get off work. Are you thinking about Comrade Xinlei again?"

"Sister-in-law!" Yang Guangyao's ears turned bright red when his secret was exposed. He called out somewhat awkwardly, which elicited a barely audible chuckle from his older brother and an even more obvious smile from Yang Guangming.

Zhang Xiuying was amused by Li Guihua's words, but quickly became serious and said, "Guihua is right. Yaoyao, what are you thinking? Don't you want to marry Xinlei as soon as possible? Mom is waiting to hold her grandson!"

These words were so blunt that Yang Guangyao wanted to disappear into the ground. He was a spirited young man, and in this era of limited entertainment, his youthful passion and aspirations were naturally pinned on his beloved girl and his future family.

With a stable and sweet relationship with Yue Xinlei, and both families approving of it, how could he not look forward to getting married soon and starting a new chapter in his life? However, the fact that his mother and sister-in-law said these words so bluntly made him blush with embarrassment.

He stammered for a long time before finally saying in a low voice, "I...of course I want to...but..."

“But what?” Zhang Xiuying immediately interrupted him. “It’s fine to think about it! If you want to, then you have to come up with a plan. Marriage isn’t something that can be decided just by talking.”

She started counting on her fingers, her brows furrowing slightly, looking both serious and somewhat worried:
"Both sets of parents need to meet formally again and sit down to discuss the specifics of the wedding."

Although extravagant weddings and dowries are no longer common in the new society, basic etiquette must still be observed.

Now everything requires coupons: cloth coupons, cotton coupons, industrial coupons... everything is in very short supply!

Preparing bedding, clothes, washbasins, thermos flasks... all those little things, collecting them one by one, doesn't take time.

The more she calculated, the more overwhelmed she became. She sighed and said, "Even if we start making arrangements now and work as fast as we can, it will probably take at least six months to prepare everything. Considering the timeline, even if everything goes smoothly, it will probably be after next spring, or even later."

She looked up at her second son with earnest eyes: "That's why time is tight and the task is heavy! If you're really serious about this, you need to discuss it with Xinlei as soon as possible, so that both families can meet and make a decision. You also need to be aware of this and have a sense of urgency!"

As Yang Guangyao listened to her mother's analysis point by point, the shyness in her heart was gradually replaced by a real expectation for the future and a little anxiety.

He nodded vigorously, his tone becoming firm: "Mom, I understand. I'll meet with Xinlei tomorrow... I'll talk to her about it properly."

Seeing her son finally relent, Zhang Xiuying's face immediately brightened, and she beamed with joy: "Ah! That's more like it! That's how a man who wants to settle down and start a family should act!"

Li Guihua laughed and said, "That's right! Yaoyao, be bolder and thicker-skinned! Comrade Xinlei must be looking forward to this day too!"

Only then did Yang Yongkang slowly put down the newspaper, take off his reading glasses, look at his second son, and calmly say:

"Settling down and starting a family is a big deal, and it's right to be cautious, but you should also push things forward when the time is right. Since you've made the decision, you should discuss it properly with the girl. When the family needs to step in, your mother and I will definitely not back down."

"Thank you, Dad!" Yang Guangyao felt warm inside as he felt the support of his family, and nodded emphatically.

The matter was settled.

With something on his mind, Yang Guangyao couldn't continue carving the wooden top. He sat there somewhat distracted, feeling both expectant and nervous. He had already begun mentally rehearsing how he should start the conversation with Yue Xinlei the next day.

Monday afternoon was a bit chilly, with low-hanging leaden clouds that seemed to be brewing the first snow of the winter. However, the office of the accounting group in the labor and personnel department of the Hongxing Factory was warm and cozy because of the many people there.

The clatter of abacus beads, the rustling of papers turning, and the occasional hushed conversations mingled together, creating a bustling scene. Yang Guangyao and Yue Xinlei's desks faced each other at an angle. Throughout the morning, Yang Guangyao seemed somewhat distracted; the numbers on the reports appeared to be dancing, and he made several mistakes with the abacus.

He would occasionally steal glances at Yue Xinlei across from him. Yue Xinlei seemed to notice his gaze, and occasionally looked up. Their eyes met, and a faint blush rose on her fair cheeks, a sweet smile playing on her lips.

Finally, the workday ended and the bell rang, and colleagues packed up and left. Yang Guangyao lingered for a moment, waiting until almost everyone had left before approaching Yue Xinlei's desk. His voice was a little hoarse: "Xinlei... shall we... go to the cafeteria for lunch together?"

Yue Xinlei looked up at him, gave a soft "hmm," and began packing her things.

The two walked out of the office side by side, and without following the crowd directly to the canteen, they turned onto a relatively quiet path leading to a grove of trees in the factory area.

The grove looked rather desolate in winter; the trees were bare, with only a few holly bushes stubbornly maintaining their dark green color. A cold wind blew, swirling up the withered leaves on the ground and making a rustling sound.

The two walked to a sheltered pergola, where the view was open and they were not likely to be disturbed, and they could also see the activity in the cafeteria not far away.

“Xinlei…” Yang Guangyao stopped and turned to face Yue Xinlei, taking a deep breath of the cold air as if it would give him courage.

"Hmm?" Yue Xinlei looked up at him, her clear eyes meeting his, her long eyelashes fluttering gently like butterfly wings. She seemed to sense something, her eyes filled with a hint of shyness and anticipation.

"I...I discussed some things with my family last night." Yang Guangyao's voice was a little tense because of nervousness, and he tried his best to appear calm.

"What did you discuss?" Yue Xinlei asked softly.

Looking into her eyes, Yang Guangyao mustered his courage and said, "Let's discuss... let's discuss our relationship. My mom... and my dad, my older brother and sister-in-law all think... they think that we've been dating for a while now, we understand each other, and our families have no objections... shouldn't... shouldn't we consider taking the next step?"

He spoke somewhat haltingly, but his meaning was very clear.

Yue Xinlei's face flushed crimson, like a ripe apple. She quickly lowered her head, staring at the tips of her shoes, her heart pounding, her voice barely a whisper: "Next...next step? What next step..."

Seeing her like this, Yang Guangyao felt a little more at ease, and his tone became much smoother:

"It's about... about getting married. Xinlei, I... I want to marry you sooner rather than later. My mom says that if we start preparing now, it'll be at least six months from now. I think... I think the timing is just right. What... what do you think?"

He finally asked the most crucial question, his palms sweating profusely as he stared intently at Yue Xinlei, awaiting her answer.

Yue Xinlei's heart pounded even harder. Although she had been looking forward to this day for a long time, when Yang Guangyao said it so bluntly, she still felt a strong surge of shyness and happiness.

She didn't answer immediately, her fingers unconsciously twisting the edge of her woolen glove. After a long while, she said in an almost inaudible voice, "This...this is such an important matter...I...I can't make this decision on my own...I have to go back and ask my parents..."

Upon hearing this answer, Yang Guangyao was not disappointed at all; on the contrary, he breathed a huge sigh of relief!

The fact that they didn't directly refuse is the best news!
He nodded hurriedly, his tone urgent and sincere: "Of course! Of course! I'll definitely have to ask Secretary Yue and Aunt Gao! As long as... as long as you're willing... I'll..."

As he said this, he scratched his head somewhat embarrassedly and grinned sheepishly.

Yue Xinlei quickly glanced at him and, seeing his silly expression, couldn't help but burst out laughing, her blush deepening.

She nodded gently, her voice still soft but clear enough: "I...I'll listen to my parents."

These words, like heavenly music, instantly made Yang Guangya's heart bloom with joy! He felt an immense surge of joy and warmth coursing through his body, and he almost wanted to jump up on the spot! Even the surrounding cold wind seemed to warm up!

"Okay! Okay! Then... I'll wait for your news!" Yang Guangyao was so excited that he was almost incoherent.

The atmosphere between them instantly became sweet and subtle, a tacit understanding and anticipation flowing in the air. They whispered a few more words before walking together toward the cafeteria, their steps much lighter.

That evening, at the Yue family's house.

During dinner, Yue Xinlei seemed preoccupied and ate much slower than usual.

Ms. Gao was the first to notice her daughter's unusual behavior. She picked up a piece of scrambled eggs with her chopsticks and put it in her bowl, asking with concern, "Xinlei, what's wrong today? Don't you have a good appetite? Are you feeling unwell?"

Yue Xingguo also put down his wine glass and looked at his daughter.

Yue Xinlei looked up at her parents, her cheeks slightly flushed, put down her chopsticks, and said softly, "Dad, Mom... there's something I want to discuss with you."

"What is it? Speak," Yue Xingguo said gently.

“It’s…it’s Guangyao…” Yue Xinlei’s voice trailed off, but she still mustered her courage to continue, “He…he asked me…when we could consider marriage…his family is also quite anxious…”

After she finished speaking, she immediately lowered her head, not daring to look at her parents' expressions. A few seconds of silence followed at the dinner table.

Aunt Gao and Yue Xingguo exchanged a glance, and both of them showed knowing and gratified smiles.

Aunt Gao spoke first, her tone full of affection: "This is a good thing! What's there to be embarrassed about? Marriage is a natural thing for men and women."

I think Guangyao is a really good kid. He's honest, reliable, hardworking, and genuinely sincere towards you. You two have been dating for over half a year now; it's time to consider taking the next step.

Yue Xingguo nodded, indicating his agreement with his wife's view. He took a sip of his wine and said calmly:

“It’s normal for Guangyao’s family to be anxious. It shows that they value you and this marriage. Since both sides are willing, then according to custom, the parents of both sides should meet formally again to finalize some specific matters.”

He hesitated for a moment, as if suddenly remembering something, then looked at his wife and said, "By the way, isn't Ya Rong arriving with her soldiers the day after tomorrow? She said she'd stay for a few days. How about this, let's set the meeting for this Sunday. It'll be a good opportunity for Ya Rong to meet Guang Yao and give us her opinion. She has a pretty good eye for people."

Yue Yarong is Yue Xingguo's younger sister and Yue Xinlei's aunt. She married a man in Nanjing, who is an officer in the Nanjing Military Region. They have only one son, Xiaobing, who should be twelve or thirteen years old this year.

Although Yue Yarong lives far away in Nanjing, she has a very good relationship with her brother's family. She takes her son back to Shanghai to visit relatives at least once a year, usually during the summer vacation. This summer, due to some things, it was delayed until the end of the year.

Hearing her father's arrangement, Yue Xinlei felt a surge of joy. Her aunt had been very kind to her, and she hoped that her aunt could meet Guangyao and receive her blessing.

"Then...then I'll talk to Guangyao tomorrow?" Yue Xinlei raised her head, her eyes shining.

"Okay, go ahead." Yue Xingguo nodded. "Let's set it for Sunday noon. As for the location... let the Yang family decide; they can choose anywhere."

"Okay!" Yue Xinlei replied happily, feeling relieved and her appetite returned.

The next day at noon, under the same secluded little garden pergola, Yue Xinlei told Yang Guangyao, who had been eagerly awaiting her family's decision.

"Really? We're meeting on Sunday?" Yang Guangyao could hardly believe his ears, overjoyed!
He originally thought it would take at least a week or two, but he didn't expect his wife's family to be so quick to agree, and it was even this weekend! This means that his marriage to Yue Xinlei is really on the agenda!
"Yes!" Yue Xinlei nodded vigorously, her face beaming with a happy smile. "Dad said that since Auntie is coming back, he'd like her to meet you too."

"Aunt?" Yang Guangyao was taken aback for a moment, then remembered that Yue Xinlei had mentioned this aunt who lived far away in Jinling. "Oh! The one you always talk about... the military dependent aunt?"

"Yeah."

Yue Xinlei introduced, "My aunt's name is Yue Yarong. She's a really nice person, but... but sometimes she has a really sharp eye for people."

She and my uncle live in Nanjing; my uncle is a military officer. They only have one son, Xiaobing, who is twelve years old this year and quite mischievous. She brings Xiaobing back to stay for a few days every year.

Upon hearing that his future uncle-in-law was a military leader, Yang Guangyao felt even more serious and quickly replied, "I understand. I will definitely do my best to leave a good impression on my aunt!"

Seeing his nervous yet serious expression, Yue Xinlei couldn't help but laugh: "Don't be too nervous, your aunt is a very nice person. It's just... she's just more fond of me, so she might ask a few more questions."

"I'll answer any question honestly!" Yang Guangyao assured, patting his chest.

The two talked for a while longer, filled with anticipation for their weekend meeting, and a little bit of unavoidable nervousness.

When Yang Guangyao returned home, he shared this wonderful news with his whole family.

The Yang family erupted in jubilation.

Zhang Xiuying was so happy she almost jumped for joy, repeatedly praising Secretary Yue's family for being so understanding and efficient. Over the next few days, the entire Yang family mobilized to prepare for Sunday's meeting. Zhang Xiuying and Li Guihua thoroughly cleaned the house, leaving no corner untouched. Although they knew the meeting would be at a restaurant, they felt that a clean home would improve their overall atmosphere and spirit.

Yang Yongkang pulled out the dark gray khaki Zhongshan suit that his youngest son, Yang Guangming, had given him before. Although he had worn it once or twice during the Chinese New Year, it was still crisp and brand new.

Zhang Xiuying also specially took out that navy blue Lenin suit that she had kept at the bottom of her trunk. She had bought it when her eldest son got married, and she would never wear it normally.

Yang Guanghui and Li Guihua also prepared their most presentable clothes.

Yang Guangming took the initiative to make the reservation. During his lunch break, he visited several well-known restaurants and finally chose a time-honored restaurant on Huaihai Road called "Chunfeng Songyue Lou".

This restaurant is famous, with an elegant ambiance and delicious food. Although the prices are high, it feels dignified and prestigious. He specifically reserved a spacious and quiet private room.

The Yang family was busy early Sunday morning. Although the agreed time was 11:30 a.m., Zhang Xiuying insisted on arriving at least half an hour early to show respect and sincerity.

Before ten o'clock, the entire Yang family was already dressed and ready to set off.

Yang Yongkang, dressed in a crisp Zhongshan suit, his hair neatly combed, looked exceptionally energetic. Zhang Xiuying, wearing a brand-new blue Lenin suit, her hair pulled back in a tidy updo, her face flushed with a mixture of nervousness and excitement.

Yang Guanghui and Li Guihua were also dressed in their best clothes, holding Zhuangzhuang, who was dressed up like a lucky doll. At three years old, Zhuangzhuang was at the naughty age and never stayed still for a moment.

Yang Guangyao put on his most presentable "Dacron" clothes, applied some hair oil to his hair, combed it until it was shiny and smooth, and kept checking his collar and cuffs.

Seeing the family's tense yet expectant expressions, Yang Guangming couldn't help but smile and say, "Dad, Mom, eldest brother and sister-in-law, relax. Secretary Yue's family are all very kind people, don't be too nervous."

"I know, I know, it's just... I just couldn't help it," Zhang Xiuying said with a smile, rubbing her hands together.

Yang Guangming, carrying the prepared tea and wine, said, "I've made reservations at the restaurant, and I've also reserved a private room. Let's go over there first, brew some tea, and wait for them to arrive."

The family left home, boarded a bus, and headed towards Huaihai Road. Just after eleven o'clock, the Yang family arrived at "Spring Breeze and Pine Moon Pavilion".

The restaurant was indeed impressive, with an antique-style facade and gleaming tables and chairs inside. The air was filled with the aroma of food and a subtle scent of wine. The waiter led them upstairs to the second floor and into the private room they had reserved.

The private room was spacious, with a large round table in the center covered with a clean white tablecloth, surrounded by about a dozen mahogany chairs. Ink paintings hung on the walls, and several potted plants were placed by the window, creating a very elegant environment.

Yang Guangming asked his family to sit down first, then took out the top-grade Longjing tea he had brought and asked the waiter to bring a clean tea set, which he then brewed himself. As the boiling water was poured into the teacup, the unique chestnut aroma of Longjing tea instantly filled the air, creating a serene and elegant atmosphere that was truly refreshing.

"Mingming, your tea... is excellent!" Yang Yongkang took a deep breath and couldn't help but praise. As a seasoned tea drinker, he could tell from the aroma that this tea was extraordinary.

"Yes, I asked a friend to get me some good tea, and it came in handy today." Yang Guangming smiled as he poured a cup of clear, emerald-green tea for each of his parents.

The family sipped fragrant tea, waiting for their distinguished guest to arrive, their hearts filled with both anticipation and trepidation.

Around 11:20, Yang Guangming said to Yang Guangyao and Yang Guanghui, "Second brother, eldest brother, it's almost time. Let's go to the door to greet them."

The three brothers went downstairs together and arrived at the restaurant entrance. They had only been standing there for a short while when they saw a bus stop at a nearby station, and Yue Xingguo and his family got off the bus.

Yue Xingguo was dressed in his usual cadre uniform, but it was clean and crisp, and he looked calm. Aunt Gao wore a dark cotton-padded coat and a gray wool scarf, looking dignified and kind. Yue Xinlei accompanied her mother, wearing a brand-new plaid top that made her skin look even whiter, and a shy yet sweet smile on her face.

Beside her stood a middle-aged woman who appeared to be in her forties, exuding elegance. She wore a well-fitting dark gray woolen coat and a light-colored silk scarf. Her face bore a resemblance to Yue Xingguo, but she appeared more refined and intellectual. This must be Yue Xinlei's aunt, Yue Yarong.

Beside Yue Yarong was a boy of about twelve or thirteen. The boy had a chubby face and bright, large eyes. He wore a blue cotton-padded jacket and a woolen hat, and was curiously looking around. This was Yue Yarong's son, Xiaobing.

Yang Guangyao spotted Yue Xinlei immediately, and his heart raced. He quickly took a deep breath, forced a smile, and hurried to greet her: "Secretary Yue, Aunt Gao, you're here! Xinlei..."

He then looked at Yue Yarong. Although he was a little nervous, he still bowed slightly politely: "You must be Xinlei's aunt, right? Hello, Aunt! I am Yang Guangyao."

Yue Xingguo smiled and nodded: "Xiao Yang, have you been waiting for a while? Your aunt just came from Jinling. This is her son, Xiao Bing."

Yue Xingguo turned his head and said, "Ya Rong, this is Xin Lei's boyfriend, Yang Guangyao."

Yue Yarong's gaze gently fell on Yang Guangyao, she looked him up and down, a polite smile appearing on her face, and extended her hand: "Comrade Xiaoyang, hello. I've been hearing your name at home these past few days, and it's great to finally meet you today. You are indeed a handsome man!"

Her voice was gentle and pleasant, with a slight Jiangnan accent. Her tone was neither humble nor arrogant, expressing friendliness while maintaining an appropriate sense of distance.

Yang Guangyao quickly grasped Yue Yarong's hands, somewhat flattered: "Auntie, you're too kind! Welcome to Shanghai!"

At this moment, Yang Guangming and Yang Guanghui also stepped forward.

Yang Guangming greeted them with a smile: "Secretary Yue, Aunt Gao, Comrade Xinlei." His gaze turned to Yue Yarong, and he smiled and nodded politely as well. "Hello, Auntie, welcome to Shanghai. I am Yang Guangming, the younger brother of Yang Guangyao. This is my older brother, Yang Guanghui."

Yue Xingguo clearly had a good impression of Yang Guangming, and said with a smile, "Guangming, I'm sorry to have kept you waiting."

Yue Yarong smiled and nodded to the Yang Guangming brothers, saying, "Hello."

After exchanging pleasantries, Yang Guangming stepped aside to lead the way: "The private room is ready, and the tea is brewed. Please come upstairs, everyone."

The group walked into the restaurant together.

The little soldier followed beside his mother, his big, dark eyes constantly and curiously observing Yang Guangming. He tilted his head, his brows slightly furrowed, as if trying to recall something.

Yang Guangming noticed the child's gaze and smiled kindly at him. Xiaobing, however, seemed startled and immediately lowered his head, hiding behind his mother. But after a few seconds, he peeked out again to look at him.

Upon entering the private room, Yang Yongkang, Zhang Xiuying, and others had already stood up and warmly greeted them.

"Secretary Yue! Comrade Gao! Welcome, welcome! Oh my, this must be Xinlei's aunt, right? She has such a good temperament!" Zhang Xiuying said with a big smile and a loud voice full of enthusiasm.

"Master Yang, Sister Xiuying, you're too kind," Aunt Gao replied with a smile, pulling Yue Yarong over to introduce her, "This is Xinlei's aunt, Yue Yarong. Yarong, these are Guangyao's parents, Master Yang and Sister Xiuying. This is Guangyao's sister-in-law, Li Guihua, and his little nephew, Zhuangzhuang."

Another round of lively introductions and pleasantries ensued. Yue Yarong behaved with propriety, greeting each member of the Yang family with a smile and a gentle tone, neither overly enthusiastic nor disrespectful, striking the perfect balance.

Xiaobing seemed a little reserved, hiding behind his mother and quietly calling out "Uncle," "Aunt," "Big Brother," and "Sister-in-law."

Guests and hosts took their seats separately.

As the groom's parent, Yang Yongkang naturally sat in the head seat, next to Zhang Xiuying. Yue Xingguo and Aunt Gao sat in the guest of honor seats on the other side, Yue Yarong sat next to Yue Xinlei's mother, and Yue Xinlei sat next to her aunt, facing the sunlight. Xiaobing sat close to Yue Xinlei.

Yang Guangming and his brother, along with Li Guihua, sat down at the lower end of the table. Yang Guangming rose to pour tea, and the rich aroma of Longjing tea once again attracted everyone's attention.

"Oh? The aroma of this tea... it must be top-grade pre-Qingming Longjing, right?" Yue Xingguo picked up the teacup, smelled it, and looked at Yang Guangming with some surprise. "Guangming, did you prepare this?"

Yang Guangming smiled and said, "Yes, Secretary Yue. A friend gave us some, so I'm bringing them out today for everyone to try."

"Looks like we're in for a treat today." Yue Xingguo nodded, looking very expectant.

Yue Yarong also took a small sip and nodded in praise, "The tea soup is clear and bright, with a delicate aroma and a pleasant aftertaste. It is indeed a fine tea. Brother Yang and Sister-in-law, you are too kind."

"Not at all, not at all, it's my pleasure," Zhang Xiuying quickly replied with a smile, secretly admiring her aunt's knowledge and eloquence.

The atmosphere gradually warmed up. The parents from both sides started chatting, discussing things like the recent weather, the situation at the factory, and other everyday matters.

Yang Yongkang was a man of few words, but each time he spoke, he was composed and dignified. Zhang Xiuying took charge of enlivening the atmosphere, enthusiastically inquiring about Yue Yarong's life in Nanjing and praising Xiaobing's adorable, chubby face. Li Guihua also chimed in occasionally, teasing the lively Zhuangzhuang and making the atmosphere even more relaxed.

Yang Guangyao and Yue Xinlei occasionally exchanged glances, their eyes filled with sweetness and shyness. Xiaobing seemed to gradually relax, no longer clinging tightly to his mother, and began to curiously examine the furnishings of the private room, his gaze finally settling on Yang Guangming diagonally opposite him.

He frowned, staring at the sunlight again and again, the feeling of familiarity growing stronger.

Yang Guangming noticed the child's gaze, smiled gently at him again, and casually pushed a plate of peanut candy on the table toward him.

Just then, Yang Yongkang, as the head of the groom's family, felt that the pleasantries had been exchanged enough and it was time to get down to business. He cleared his throat, a sincere smile on his face, and began, "Secretary Yue, Comrade Gao, and Ya Rong, today..."

He had barely begun to speak when a sudden change occurred! The soldier, who had been staring intently at the bright sunlight, abruptly jumped up from his chair!

The sudden movement startled everyone, and the conversation abruptly stopped. The chair leg screeched against the ground with a sharp "creak."

The little soldier's eyes widened, his face flushed with excitement. He pointed his little finger at the sunlight, and in a high-pitched, bright voice filled with unbelievable joy, he shouted:

"Mom! Uncle! Aunt! I remember now! It's him! It's him! The big brother who pulled me out of the water in the park the summer before last! He's the one who saved me!"

The childish yet loud voice boomed like a thunderclap in the private room! Instantly, the entire room fell silent; you could hear a pin drop!
All eyes, filled with extreme shock and astonishment, suddenly focused on Yang Guangming, who was caught off guard!
Yang Guangming was completely stunned. His hand, holding the teacup, froze in mid-air, and his smile vanished. He stared at the excited soldier, his mind racing. The summer before last… the park… drowning… rescuing someone…

Memories flooded back: that summer afternoon, the artificial lake in the park, the struggling child, the icy water, Chu Dahu's fearless leap into the water, and myself jumping in after him, desperately trying to lift up the little boy who was choking on the water...

The little boy's wet, terrified face seemed to gradually overlap with the excited soldier in front of him... It was him?
Yue Yarong's reaction was the most intense!
She stood up abruptly, her composure and elegance instantly replaced by immense shock and excitement!

She pulled her son close, her voice trembling, urgently confirming, "Xiaobing! What did you say? Look carefully! It really is... it's this Yangguangming brother? It really was him who saved you?"

“Yes! It’s him! There’s no mistake!” The soldier nodded vigorously, his tone resolute, his eyes shining brightly. “I remember his eyes! And when he dragged me ashore, his arms were so strong! I remember! It’s him!”

Upon receiving such a positive answer from her son, Yue Yarong suddenly turned to Yang Guangming, her eyes instantly reddening and quickly welling up with tears.

She strode over to Yang Guangming, overwhelmed with emotion, and reached out to grasp his arms tightly. Her voice choked with trembling, filled with fear, gratitude, and disbelief.
"Comrade Guangming! It's you? It was you all along? Heavens... I... I've been looking for you for two years! A full two years!"

Tears finally streamed down her face. "Back then... if it weren't for you and that other comrade... I... my child would have... would have..."

She choked up and couldn't continue speaking, only gripping Yang Guangming's arm tightly, as if her benefactor would disappear if she let go.

Although two years have passed, her gratitude was palpable and touched everyone present.

Yue Xingguo and Aunt Gao had already stood up, their faces filled with shock and realization!
Aunt Gao covered her mouth, her eyes welling up with tears: "Oh my! Oh my! This is really... this is really... what a coincidence! The person who saved Xiaobing is actually Guangyao's younger brother!"

Although Yue Xingguo was usually composed, he was also filled with emotion at this moment. Looking at Yang Guangming, his eyes were filled with complex feelings: "Fate! It's truly an incredible fate! There's a divine will at work! How can we possibly thank you enough, Comrade Guangming!"

On the Yang family's side, everyone was also in a state of extreme shock!

Zhang Xiuying's mouth dropped open, her eyes widened, and she looked at Yue Yarong, who was crying with excitement, then at her bewildered second son, and her youngest son, who had remained calm throughout. After a long while, she suddenly slapped her thigh, her voice rising high with emotion:

"Oh my god! My goodness! Is that even possible? Mingming! The year before last... I remember one time... you came back soaking wet and had caught a cold! You just said you accidentally fell into the water... You... you child! Why didn't you say anything!"

Yang Yongkang was also shocked, then slowly nodded, looking at his youngest son with unprecedented pride and approval in his eyes. His lips moved, but he only uttered two words: "Good! Good!"

Yang Guangyao, Yang Guanghui, and Li Guihua were dumbfounded. They looked at Yang Guangming, then at the excited Yuejia aunt and the child named Xiaobing. The amount of information was too much for them to process for a moment.

A surge of emotions filled the private room, with exclamations, sighs, questions, and explanations all mingling together. Everyone's attention was focused on this sudden and dramatic event.

Two years have passed, and Yang Guangming has already forgotten about it. Even at the time, he didn't take it seriously; it was just something he did casually.

Looking at Yue Yarong, who was clinging to him with tears in her eyes, and then at the excited soldier and the shocked or grateful gazes of everyone around them, Yang Guangming was at a loss for words.

He quickly helped his agitated aunt up, his tone sincere yet slightly embarrassed: "Auntie...please...please don't get agitated, please sit down. This...this happened two years ago, I'd almost forgotten about it. It was really just a coincidence, anyone who saw it would have jumped in to help."

He tried to downplay the situation and defuse the overly exciting moment.

Yue Yarong shook her head repeatedly, refusing to sit down. She held onto Yang Guangming's hand tightly, tears streaming down her face. "That was a life-saving grace! An immense favor! He's my only son! If something had happened to him, I... I wouldn't be able to live..."

As she spoke, she was about to bow to Yang Guangming again to express her gratitude. Yang Guangming was startled and quickly stepped aside, saying repeatedly, "Auntie! You mustn't! You mustn't! You really mustn't! You'll make me even more embarrassed!"

Yue Xingguo stepped forward and put his arm around his sister's shoulder, saying in a deep voice, "Ya Rong, sit down first, and speak slowly. Comrade Guangming is right, we appreciate your kindness, but let's skip the formalities. We're all family now, it would be impolite to talk about these things."

He emphasized the words "family" and glanced at Yang Guangyao and Yue Xinlei, who were equally shocked.

The atmosphere in the private room had completely changed.

What was originally just a formal occasion for the two families to discuss marriage suddenly took on a deeper emotional bond.

Yang Guangming unexpectedly became the focus of everyone's attention, and his good deed two years ago inadvertently added a more solid foundation to his brother's marriage.

Yue Yarong gradually calmed down, but still held Yang Guangming's hand tightly, as if afraid that her benefactor would disappear if she let go.

She turned to her brother and sister-in-law, her voice still slightly choked with emotion: "Brother, sister-in-law, you have no idea how I've gotten through these past two years. Every time I think about Xiaobing almost... I'm so scared that I can't sleep."

His father and I asked countless people for help, hoping to find the person who saved Xiaobing and thank them properly.

But everyone in the park said they didn't see clearly, only that it was two young men who rescued the person and then quietly left..."

She turned to look at Yang Guangming, tears welling up in her eyes again: "Comrade Guangming, you and the other comrade are both great benefactors to our whole family! We will never forget this kindness!"

Yang Guangming felt even more embarrassed by her words and waved his hands repeatedly: "Auntie, you really are too kind. In that situation, anyone would jump in to save someone without hesitation, especially since I'm a pretty good swimmer. You really don't need to be so polite."

(End of this chapter)