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

In the scorching heat of July, even as dusk approaches, the lingering heat of the sun still bakes the earth.

Summer in Shanghai is hot and humid, the air seems to stagnate, and only cicadas chirp tirelessly in the shade of the trees.

After getting off work, Yang Guangming met up with his mother, Zhang Xiuying, at the factory gate.

The tall sycamore trees at the factory gate cast dappled shadows, but the summer heat did not dissipate much; instead, it rose with the acrid smell of asphalt.

Zhang Xiuying was wearing a faded polyester short-sleeved shirt, and fine beads of sweat were visible on her forehead and the tip of her nose.

After waiting for another ten minutes or so, Yang Guangyao and Yue Xinlei hurriedly walked out of the factory.

Both were wearing work clothes, their backs were soaked with sweat, and their faces showed the fatigue and heat of a day's work.

But seeing their mother and younger brother waiting outside, they quickened their pace and forced a smile.

"Mom, Mingming, have you been waiting long? I was working overtime today, which took longer than expected," Yang Guangyao explained, wiping the sweat from his forehead.

Yue Xinlei smiled apologetically and called out "Mom" and "Mingming," her voice tinged with exhaustion.

"It's alright, we didn't have to wait long. It's too hot today, let's go, it'll be cooler when we get home." Zhang Xiuying waved her hand and urged.

Yang Guangyao and Yue Xinlei rode a Forever brand bicycle together, with Yang Guangyao carrying his wife.

Yang Guangming rode the family bicycle with his mother, Zhang Xiuying.

Four people in two cars drove through the streets where the warmth of the setting sun had not yet dissipated.

The wind was hot and sticky on my face, which not only failed to bring coolness but also added to my irritability.

Back in the familiar alleyway, most of the kitchen chimneys were belching smoke, and the air was filled with a complex mix of smells from stir-fried chili peppers, stewed meat, and cheap floral water.

Children chased and played in the alleyways, while elderly men in tank tops sat on bamboo chairs, sipping herbal tea and chatting. Every household was busy preparing dinner.

But the atmosphere at the Yang family's house today was completely out of place with this noisy and vibrant summer evening.

As I pushed open the door, a familiar smell of home wafted out, mixed with a strong smell of smoke.

Father Yang Yongkang was sitting at the table, wearing only a white undershirt, holding a cigarette in his hand, taking a puff from time to time, his brows furrowed into a deep frown, and the ashtray in front of him was already piled with ash.

His bronze skin gleamed with oil, clearly indicating his restlessness; he had even forgotten his usual habit of fanning himself with a palm leaf fan.

The eldest brother, Yang Guanghui, and his sister-in-law, Li Guihua, sat quietly to the side.

Yang Guanghui kept his head down, absentmindedly fiddling with a matchbox in his hand, his vest soaked with sweat. Li Guihua, on the other hand, held a large palm-leaf fan, idly fanning her youngest son Zhuangzhuang beside her, but her eyes were somewhat unfocused, clearly her mind had already wandered far away.

Even Zhuangzhuang, who is usually lively and active and never stops moving, seemed to sense the unusual atmosphere. Although his little face was flushed from the heat, he sat quietly on the small stool, playing with a few smooth wooden blocks, only occasionally raising his little hand to wipe the sweat from his face.

The room was filled with smoke, clearly indicating that Yang Yongkang had been smoking for a long time, as the smell was somewhat pungent.

"You're back?" Yang Yongkang looked up, his voice a little hoarse. His gaze swept over the four people who entered the room, finally landing on Zhang Xiuying and Yang Guangming, his eyes filled with questioning and a hint of barely perceptible anxiety.

"You're back," Zhang Xiuying replied, quickly taking off her coat and hanging it up. She picked up another palm-leaf fan from the table and fanned herself vigorously, but her gaze fell on her husband, and she asked in confusion, "What's wrong today? The atmosphere is strange."

"Xiangmei has sent a letter," Yang Yongkang said.

"What happened? Where's the letter? Let me see it! You look so worried, what did Xiangmei say in the letter?" Zhang Xiuying asked anxiously.

Yang Yongkang didn't speak, but took a deep drag on his cigarette and slowly exhaled the thick smoke, as if he wanted to expel the pent-up emotions in his chest.

He gestured towards the table with his lip, the movement appearing somewhat heavy.

Only then did Zhang Xiuying notice a yellowish-brown kraft paper envelope that had already been opened on the table, next to several pages of densely written letter paper. Both the envelope and the letter paper seemed to have been slightly damp with sweat in one corner.

She walked over in a few steps, not even bothering to fan herself, grabbed the heavy stack of letters, and eagerly began to read them under the bright light.

Yang Guangyao and Yue Xinlei also gathered around, their faces filled with concern and curiosity. Yue Xinlei even considerately took the palm-leaf fan that her mother-in-law had put down and gently fanned her from the side.

Yang Guangming did not immediately approach.

He silently picked up the kettle on the table, refilled the large enamel mug in front of his father that was covered in tea stains, and also poured water into the cups of his elder brother, sister-in-law, and himself.

Then he moved a small stool and sat in a well-ventilated spot near the door, holding a water glass in his hand, waiting quietly, but his gaze involuntarily drifted to the few thin sheets of paper in his mother's hand.

The room was quiet, with only the rustling of turning pages and Zhang Xiuying's occasional, suppressed gasps.

The cicadas outside the window chirped louder and louder, which only accentuated the silence inside the room.

As she watched, Zhang Xiuying's brows furrowed more and more, her lips pursed slightly, and she stopped fanning herself.

Her gaze moved quickly across the letter, and her fingers would sometimes unconsciously tighten the edge of the letter, leaving shallow creases.

When she read Yang Xiangmei's detailed description of how she and Luo Xingbang supported each other in that faraway place, how they developed feelings for each other over time, and how the Luo family promised to help her get a job and return to the city, her expression softened slightly, and even a hint of relief and a sigh of relief flashed across her face, as if she had seen a glimmer of hope in a desperate situation.

But when she saw that her daughter had decided to get married this year and move to the far northeast, thousands of miles away, her face instantly darkened, becoming even more solemn than before, and her hand holding the letter trembled slightly.

The letter was very long, and Zhang Xiuying read it for a long time.

Sweat streamed down her temples, but she was completely unaware of it.

Finally, she slowly put down the letter, as if she had exhausted all her strength, and sighed heavily. Her eyes immediately reddened and filled with tears, but they did not fall right away.

She raised her hand, wiped the sweat from her forehead with her sleeve, and also wiped the corner of her eye.

"This...this child..."

Her voice, choked with sobs, tinged with resentment and deep reluctance, sounded particularly clear in the stuffy room.

"Such a big thing... how could you decide this all by yourself... Northeast China... such a far and cold place... I heard that ears can freeze off in winter... what will we do then... when we suffer injustice, we don't even have a place to cry..."

She did not directly oppose the marriage; she saw the arrangements promised by the Luo family in the letter and the anticipation and determination for the future revealed in her daughter's words.

This may be the only visible way out of the current predicament.

But as a mother, her first thought was that her daughter was about to leave her familiar Jiangnan water town and marry far away to that cold northern country that only existed in legends and maps. She would have no relatives or friends, no common language, and different living habits. If the couple had a quarrel in the future, or if her husband's family treated her badly, she would have little chance of even being able to go back to her parents' home to cry and ask her brothers for support.

The thought of this made her heart feel like it was being roasted under the scorching summer sun, burning and aching.

Yue Xinlei considerately helped her mother-in-law sit down on the bamboo chair, placed the palm-leaf fan back in her hand, and gently comforted her, "Mom, don't rush, tell me slowly. It's too hot today, you can't get anxious or upset. What did Sister Xiangmei write in her letter? Was it good news or...?"

Although she hadn't read the letter yet, judging from her mother-in-law's reaction and Yang Guangming's solemn expression in the afternoon, she guessed that it was no ordinary family letter, and that it must be a complex mix of pros and cons, making it difficult to make a decision.

Yang Guangyao picked up the letter his mother had put down and, together with his wife, carefully read it under the lamplight.

The room fell silent again, with only the faint sounds of letters being passed around and turned.

Yang Guangyao and Yue Xinlei's expressions changed with the content they were reading, sometimes raising their eyebrows in surprise, sometimes frowning in confusion, sometimes showing a thoughtful look, and sometimes flashing a hint of worry. Sweat dripped from their foreheads, but no one paid any attention to it.

Yang Guangming sat quietly, holding a slightly warm teacup in his hands. His gaze was lowered as he watched the water droplets slowly slide down the cup, as if studying the trajectory of the droplets, or as if he could see the snow and wind of the distant north and his second sister's future through the cup.

His expression was calm, but his eyes were deep, and no one knew what he was thinking.

After everyone in the family had finished reading the letter, the thin sheets of paper seemed to weigh a ton, soaked with sweat and the weight of everyone's gaze. They were passed around among the family members before finally being put back on the table.

The family sat around the square table, the atmosphere heavy and somber, even more oppressive than the sweltering heat outside. Li Guihua carried Zhuangzhuang into the inner room to sleep, the bamboo curtain drawn so as not to disturb the adults' discussion.

A watermelon soaking in cold water sat in a basin in the corner, but no one thought of eating it at that moment.

Yang Yongkang cleared his throat and broke the silence first.

His voice was low and slow, carrying the composure of a head of household, but also revealing a hint of weariness from the summer heat and his worries:
"Everyone has seen the letter. Xiangmei... has found a boyfriend in Northeast China, a young man named Luo Xingbang. It seems their relationship is going well, and they plan to get married this year."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over his sons and daughters-in-law. Sweat streamed down his deep wrinkles, finally settling on his wife's face, which was etched with worry and sweat.
"Xiangmei's letter made it clear that the Luo family had connections and promised to get Xiangmei back to the city to work as soon as possible after Xingbang returned.

It seems the prospects are good, and the Luo family is very sincere. If it can really be done, it will solve Xiangmei's biggest problem right now, allowing her to escape rural life and have a place to settle down.

"but."

He changed the subject, his brows furrowing again. He picked up a towel and wiped his face. "After all, we're thousands of miles apart, separated by mountains and rivers."

We've never seen the actual situation over there, what kind of family the Luo family is, or whether the young man is as good as described in the letter.

Just seeing the words in black and white on the letter doesn't put my mind at ease; I'm still feeling uneasy.

He looked at his second son, Yang Guangyao, and his tone became serious: "Yaoyao, this Luo Xingbang, in the final analysis, is a friend of yours from when you were sent to the countryside in Northeast China. You are familiar with him, you have rolled around on the same kang (heated brick bed) and stirred the same pot in the same ladle."

Tell us the truth, what do you really think of this person? What's his temperament like? Is he reliable? If Xiangmei marries him, will she suffer losses? Will she be wronged?

In an instant, all eyes were focused on Yang Guangyao.

Yang Guangyao sat up straight, his expression becoming serious. He hesitated for a moment, as if carefully recalling and considering his words, before speaking, "Dad, Mom, eldest brother and sister-in-law, Mingming, and Xinlei are not outsiders either."

He glanced at his wife beside him, Yue Xinlei, who nodded gently to him, her eyes filled with support and encouragement.

He took a deep breath of the sweltering air and continued, "I can vouch for Luo Xingbang with my own integrity. He is an honest man, upright, loyal, and absolutely trustworthy!"

His tone was very certain, carrying a deep trust in his friend and an understanding that came with the passage of time.

"During the years I was sent to work in Kaoshantun, I got along the best with him, like brothers."

He doesn't talk much and doesn't know any fancy tricks, but he's down-to-earth, hardworking, and not afraid of hardship. The villagers all speak highly of him, calling him a "truly honest guy."

I've met his parents a few times; they're honest, hardworking officials in the county government. They seem very decent and not the kind of people who are cunning, manipulative, or scheming towards their children.

As Yang Guangyao recalled the past, a hint of nostalgia filled his eyes, as if the snow and wind of the north could dispel the summer heat.

“During the time when I had the accident, I was extremely depressed and in a daze all day long. It was Xingbang who stayed with me, comforted me, and took care of me silently.”

Later, he ran around doing everything, his legs aching, without a single complaint. I saw all of this myself last time I went there; that can be my testimony.

Upon hearing this, Yang Guangming nodded solemnly, confirming his second brother's statement: "Yes, Dad, Mom. Last time we went, Brother Luo Xingbang was indeed very busy and dedicated. He's a very honest person."

With his younger brother's affirmation, Yang Guangyao felt more confident: "So, I believe everything Xiangmei wrote in her letter, how they took care of each other, and how good Xingbang was to her, is true."

Xingbang is a genuine person, he doesn't play games, he's loyal to his friends, and he'd definitely be even more devoted to his wife.

He truly loved Xiangmei and wanted to take responsibility for her, which is why he proposed marriage and used his family connections to arrange for her to return to the city.

His gaze swept over his parents and brothers, and he concluded: "So, personally, I think that putting aside the issue of distance, just considering the man's character and family background, this marriage is fine!"

If Xiangmei can really use this marriage opportunity to get the Luo family's help to return to the city, escape the countryside, and have an urban household registration and a formal job, then her life will be secure.

This is the most practical way out we can see right now, both for Xiangmei personally and for our family! I agree!

After he finished speaking, he looked at his family, his eyes sincere and firm.

Worried that his judgment might be biased by his friend, he added, "Mingming has also been in contact with Xingbang. In the hospital, he even had a lot of private conversations with Xingbang. Mingming, what's your opinion? You're young, so you might have a different perspective on people."

Immediately, everyone's attention turned to Yang Guangming, who was sitting quietly to the side.

Yang Guangming looked up and put down his teacup. His expression was calm, but his eyes were clear and bright, as if they could penetrate the sultry heat and turmoil of the summer night.

He spoke slowly, his voice not loud, but clearly reaching everyone's ears: "What Second Brother said is basically the truth."

Based on my brief encounter with Luo Xingbang during my last trip to Northeast China, he did leave a very good impression.

He was honest, simple, and hardworking. He cared deeply about his second brother's affairs, and the village officials spoke highly of him, saying he was a reliable young man.

He first affirmed Yang Guangyao's statement, then paused, maintaining his objective and calm tone: "Judging from these superficial contacts and evaluations from various parties, Luo Xingbang's personal character seems to have no obvious problems at present."

The things he listed in his second sister's letter, such as helping her with chores, taking care of her daily life, and making plans for the future, showed that he was sincere and had taken concrete actions, not just making empty promises.

Hearing their youngest son say the same thing, Zhang Xiuying and Yang Yongkang's expressions softened slightly, as if a huge weight had been lifted from their hearts, and their tense expressions relaxed a little.

Since both sons, especially the younger son who is becoming more and more mature and experienced, think so, then Luo Xingbang's character should be trustworthy.

Zhang Xiuying picked up the palm-leaf fan and started fanning herself again, as if she had caught her breath.

Li Guihua chimed in softly, "He sounds like a genuine person, someone who cares about others. If he can truly treat Xiangmei well and help her solve the enormous problem of returning to the city, then it really...it really is a way out. What does a girl want in her life?"

Her words represented a pragmatic attitude, but also revealed a hint of helplessness. However, Yang Guangming's next words made everyone's hearts tighten again, and the atmosphere that had just eased instantly froze again.

“However,” Yang Guangming’s tone became unusually solemn. He looked around at his family, his gaze finally settling on his parents’ faces, his eyes sharp and clear. “Dad, Mom, eldest brother and sister-in-law, second brother and sister-in-law, there’s something that concerns my second sister’s return to the city, and I must explain it to you all first.”

His serious expression made everyone hold their breath, even Yang Guangyao looked at him in confusion, wondering what he was going to say next.

Yang Guangming took a deep breath of the hot air and said clearly and calmly, "Leader He mentioned the policy regarding the return of educated youth to the city to me."

He said that by next year at the latest, there will definitely be a large-scale and decisive relaxation of the policies.

At that time, educated youth like my second sister, who had been sent to the countryside for many years and performed well, would have the hope of returning to the city through formal channels.

If Leader He is still willing to lend a helping hand, Second Sister's chances of returning to the city will be even greater.

He paused, then emphasized his words, making sure each one was clear: "In other words, if my second sister isn't in a hurry to get married and waits patiently for another year, or at most a year and a half, she could very well return to the city, to Shanghai, and to our family openly and legitimately, thanks to national policies."

She doesn't need to rely on marriage, her in-laws' connections, or incur heavy favors, much less marry someone from afar!

These words were like a thunderclap on a sweltering summer night, or like a ladle of cold water poured into a boiling oil pan, instantly causing a huge uproar in everyone's hearts!
"What?" Zhang Xiuying's eyes widened suddenly, and the palm-leaf fan in her hand fell to the ground with a "thud." She exclaimed in a shrill voice, "Mingming! Are you telling the truth? Next year... next year I can really go back to the city based on the policy? You're not lying to your mother?"

She stood up abruptly, almost lunging at her youngest son, her eyes fixed on him as if to confirm that he wasn't lying to comfort everyone.

Yang Yongkang's hand holding the pipe paused, forgetting to tap off the ash, and he looked at his youngest son, leaning forward:
"Mingming! Is there any certainty in what you're saying? Policy matters are constantly changing, you can't just make wild guesses! This concerns your second sister's entire life! You need to have evidence!"

His voice grew increasingly hoarse from nervousness.

Yang Guanghui and Yang Guangyao, the couple, also stared at Yang Guangming in shock, their faces filled with disbelief.

Yang Guangyao stared wide-eyed at his parents and then at his younger brother, at a loss for words.

If what the younger brother said is true, then the necessity of this marriage will be greatly reduced!

Sunlight streamed down his face as he faced the intense, complex gazes of his family—a mixture of shock, anticipation, and doubt. His expression remained calm, and he nodded firmly, his tone utterly earnest:
"Dad, Mom, eldest brother, second brother, I dare not say one hundred percent, nothing in this world is absolute."

But this is Leader He's judgment, and he is at least 80-90% certain of it.

And I think so myself.

I have been following and researching this matter for a long time. I not only read newspapers, but also analyze the articles, listen to the wording on the radio, and communicate with some well-informed classmates and friends.

The signs from all sides are already very obvious.

The return of educated youth to the city under special circumstances should not be subject to a one-size-fits-all approach; this is what the people want and it is also the general trend.

The relevant policies will definitely be released within a year at most! We must have that confidence!

His certainty stemmed from a combination of his memories from his past life and his keen observation and information gathering regarding policy trends in this life. Add to that Leader He's inside information, and his judgment couldn't be wrong.

Most importantly, if he were willing to speak to Leader He, Second Sister could also become a sent-down youth who meets the requirements for returning to the city.

The news that Yang Guangming told them was so sudden that a collective gasp filled the room.

If what Yang Guangming said is true, and he's 80-90% sure, what does that mean?
That means Yang Xiangmei had every opportunity to return to the city through her own efforts, through the efforts of Guangming, through the personal connections of Leader He, and through policy support, and did not need to marry far away to the Northeast!
This means she can stay with her parents, stay in the familiar city, find a job, find a partner, and take her time to plan everything. She has her family to support her and her siblings to look after her!

This is hundreds of times better than marrying into a strange and cold northern town and relying on the husband's family connections!
Zhang Xiuying's tears welled up again, this time filled with immense anticipation and excitement. She didn't even bother wiping them away, grabbing her husband's arm tightly.

"Yongkang! Did you hear that? Mingming said it! Next year! Xiangmei will be back next year! God! If that really happens... then... then why get married! Just wait! Just wait to go back to the city!"

It's close to home, so we can take care of things. We can see you whenever we want, and help you whenever we want... Why go to the unfamiliar Northeast to suffer...?

Her words poured out like a floodgate opening, expressing the sentiments of everyone present at that moment.

The helpless thought that marrying far away was not bad and was a way out immediately seemed dim and even somewhat hasty and regrettable in the face of the huge and bright new hope of "being able to return to the city on my own".

Yang Yongkang took a few deep drags on his cigarette, the smoke obscuring his extremely complex expression.

He hesitated for a long time before slowly speaking, his voice heavy and trembling almost imperceptibly: "If... if the judgment is clearly accurate... then of course... of course waiting to return to the city would be the best option! A tremendously good thing! But..."

He glanced at the letter on the table and sighed: "But you all know Xiangmei's temper."

She looks quiet and doesn't seem to have any ideas, but she's actually very stubborn and opinionated.

Since she has made her point so clearly in her letter and settled everything, she is obviously determined to be with Luo Xingbang.

If we express our opposition now, and tell her to wait a year for the policy to be implemented, will she... will she listen? Won't she think we're deliberately stopping her? Won't she think we don't trust her choice? She's all alone over there; what if she gets stuck on something...?

No one knows a daughter better than her father. Yang Yongkang's words were like a basin of ice-cold well water; while they were refreshing, they also instantly extinguished everyone's newly risen excitement and enthusiasm, laying bare the harsh realities before them.

Yes, Yang Xiangmei clearly and sincerely expressed her determination, her struggles, her feelings for Luo Xingbang, and her plans for the future in her letter.

It wasn't a hesitant tone seeking parents' opinions; it was more like a well-considered, carefully weighed formal notification, and a sincere request for family understanding and support.

Given her outwardly gentle but inwardly strong, even somewhat stubborn, personality, if her family were to forcefully oppose her at this moment, or make her abandon her seemingly secure relationship and commitment to wait for a new policy that her younger brother described as "80-90% certain," but which was still pending,
It is likely that not only will it fail to achieve its goal, but it may also provoke her rebellious mentality, making her feel that her family does not trust her or understand her feelings, and may even damage the relationship between her and her siblings, pushing her to the Luo family even faster.

If the policy goes wrong, wouldn't she lose everything? And who can bear that responsibility?
Zhang Xiuying immediately realized this as well, and was once again caught in a dilemma. The light that had just appeared in her eyes dimmed again, and she sighed, picking up a palm-leaf fan and fanning herself vigorously, as if trying to fan away the restlessness in her heart.
"What should I do... If I agree, I'll feel uneasy about her marrying so far away, especially since she said she hopes to come back..."

If I disagree, I'm afraid of hurting the child's feelings; what if she gets stubborn and insists on her point...?

Besides, the Luo family is indeed sincere, their letter is full of promises, and Xingbang sounds like a really good kid... This... this is truly heartbreaking..."

Seeing this, I felt equally conflicted.

He was happy that his sister might have better options, but also felt uneasy about his friend and worried that opposition from his family would ruin things.

He couldn't help but say, "Dad, Mom, I know you're reluctant to part with Xiangmei, and you're worried that if the policy changes, Xiangmei might miss this opportunity."

However, we must also respect Xiangmei's own choice.

Since she had already decided on Luo Xingbang, and the Luo family was indeed capable and sincere in arranging for her to return to the city, this was a real and visible way out, not much worse than waiting for an uncertain policy.

I know Xingbang's family situation quite well; they do have some solid connections in the county.

Since they dared to have Xiangmei make a written promise in the letter, there's a high probability they can keep it.

If Xiangmei marries into the city, she will have a city household registration and a formal job. Her life will definitely be a hundred times better than when she was sent to the countryside. This is a real benefit.

As for the distance... although transportation is inconvenient now, it's not like we can't see each other at all. There will always be ways in the future: writing letters, sending telegrams, and even taking the train back to visit relatives..."

He tried to persuade his parents, attempting to find a balance between the two sides of the scale, not wanting to belittle his friend, nor to ignore the possibility of a better future for his sister.

Yang Guanghui nodded and said in a deep voice, wiping the sweat from his neck with a towel, "Yaoyao has a point. Who can predict policy changes? What if there's no movement next year? Wouldn't that be a waste of time? The most important thing is that the people are reliable."

As long as the man treats Xiangmei well and her in-laws are reasonable, it's fine to live far away.

We feel that as long as the young couple is doing well, that's all that matters.

It's better than finding someone nearby but unreliable and suffering mistreatment.

His words were simple and down-to-earth, reflecting his elder brother's pragmatic concern and his tendency to focus on tangible benefits.

While fanning her husband, Li Guihua whispered, "Yes, Dad, Mom. Xiangmei's own willingness is more important than anything else."

What we think is good, she may not think is good. Sometimes, once a girl has her heart set on someone, nothing can sway her.

"What if we forcefully stop her, and the policy doesn't come through? Won't she resent us for the rest of her life?"

Her words represent a realistic understanding and respect for Xiangmei's feelings.

The family members' opinions gradually leaned towards reality and respect for Xiangmei's choice. Although reluctance and worry still existed, the scales seemed to have tilted slightly towards "agreement." After all, Luo Xingbang's character had been proven, the current way out was real, while future policies were uncertain.

At this moment, all eyes were once again focused on Yang Guangming.

Unbeknownst to them, Yang Guangming's opinions had gained considerable weight in the family. His composure and insightful observations impressed his family.

Feeling the gaze of his family, Yang Guangming sat up straight, looked calmly at his parents, and stated his carefully considered plan:
"Dad, Mom, eldest brother, second brother, this matter is, after all, a major event in second sister's life, and it concerns her lifelong happiness."

Relying solely on our discussions, speculations, and concerns based on a single letter is probably not prudent enough and could easily lead to misunderstandings.

He paused, then continued, his voice steady and strong: "My idea is that, in any case, the family should send someone to the Northeast to talk to my second sister in person, meet Luo Xingbang and his family, and see the situation firsthand."

I should be able to get time off, and I know Luo Xingbang, so I'm thinking of making a special trip myself."

This suggestion surprised everyone. Go to Northeast China? It's a long journey, quite expensive, and taking time off work is also a problem.

Yang Guangming explained in detail: "First of all, I need to tell her face to face, solemnly and truthfully, that the policy may change very soon and that she has a great chance of returning to the city on her own."

Let her have all the information so she can make a final choice knowing the truth, instead of being kept in the dark and only seeing the option of getting married and returning to the city.

If she can change her mind and be willing to wait another year to see how the policy develops, that would be the best outcome, and we could all be at ease and happy.

"Secondly."

He then changed the subject, saying that he had considered the matter very thoroughly: "If, after careful consideration and a full understanding of the situation, she still insists on marrying Luo Xingbang, believing that this is the happiness she wants and is unwilling to wait for an unknown policy..."

"Then, as a representative of my maternal family, I will formally meet with the Luo family to discuss the upcoming marriage arrangements, and to offer my support and advice to my second sister."

His thinking was clear and thorough, and he had obviously considered all possibilities.

Yang Guangming continued, "Going from Shanghai to Northeast China is a long journey. It takes several days by train and bus, and the round-trip fare, food, and lodging are not a small amount."

My going this time is essentially representing the whole family. When my second sister actually gets married and has her wedding ceremony, I'm afraid it will be difficult for anyone in the family to have the time and money to attend.

Therefore, this time, we need to finalize many things in advance, clarify everything, and make sure everything is explained clearly.

He looked at his mother, his tone becoming gentle yet firm: "For example, the dowry that the family prepared for my second sister, I have to try my best to bring it over this time, or discuss with the Luo family how to prepare it and how to send it over."

We can't let her get married with nothing. That would not only be unfair to her, but it would also make her in-laws look down on our family and think that we don't value our daughter.

We must not neglect the proper etiquette; we must uphold the dignity we owe our second sister.

Yang Guangming's words were reasonable and well-considered. He considered both the best and worst possibilities, and took into account Yang Xiangmei's situation and her family's reputation. He immediately struck a chord with Zhang Xiuying.

"Yes, yes, yes! You're absolutely right! Someone has to go! They absolutely have to go!"

Zhang Xiuying nodded repeatedly, her emotions rising. She slapped her leg forcefully, "We have to see that family in person! See if they are truly sincere! See what their family situation is like! We also have to clarify the dowry issue! We can't let my daughter suffer! We can't let them think our family has no one left!"

She seemed to have found her pillar of support, grabbing Yang Guangming's hand tightly, her eyes filled with trust and entrustment:

"Mingming, you go! Mom trusts you to go! You're reliable, insightful, and better than any of us!"

Go and talk to your second sister properly, explain the reasons to her in detail! Also, take a good look at Luo Xingbang and his family! Whether they are good or bad, once you've seen it for yourself, Mom will believe you!

"I'll take care of the dowry! We absolutely can't let Xiangmei lose face! Even... even if she really does get married, she has to have a grand and dignified wedding!"

Yang Yongkang nodded slowly, a decisive look on his face. "Mingming has considered everything carefully. Let's do it this way."

You made this trip on behalf of the family, showing them what needed to be seen and saying what needed to be said.

Ultimately, whatever choice Xiangmei makes, we...we will respect her decision.

Explain your family's intentions, our concerns, and our decision to return to the city next year to her. Let her choose her own path. But her family needs to be there.

This usually taciturn father spoke with a hint of helplessness, but more so with his ultimate respect for his daughter's choice and his high level of trust in his youngest son's abilities and judgment.

Yang Guangyao immediately expressed his support. Although he had mixed feelings, he knew this was the best way.

"You're the most suitable person to go! As for me, the factory has a heavy accounting workload lately, so it's really inconvenient for me to take leave. Besides... Xingbang and I are friends, so there are some things I can't say too bluntly or harshly."

"You go; as a member of the bride's family, you can better represent the family in making decisions, and your words will carry more weight. Just take care of whatever messages need to be conveyed or whatever needs to be found out."

And so it was settled. Yang Guangming, representing the whole family, traveled to Northeast China to meet Yang Xiangmei and Luo Xingbang's family.

Next, the family meeting focused on discussing specific details.

When should we leave? Did I get permission to take leave smoothly? What should I be careful about on the road? What should I say to my second sister first? What should I say to the Luo family?
What should I prepare for my dowry? It needs to be thoughtful, reflect the characteristics of Shanghai, and also take into account the practicalities of carrying things far away...

Every problem needs to be carefully considered. (End of Chapter)