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

In the midst of our busy lives, June quietly arrived.

The dormitory under the bright sunshine has been completely renovated: the walls are dazzlingly white, the cement floor is as smooth as a mirror, and the old and new furniture are well-matched and arranged in a pleasing manner.

Antique rosewood furniture exudes the texture of time, while new furniture emits the fresh scent of wood and paint.

The windows were sparkling clean, and a few potted plants adorned the windowsill and corners, making the whole space feel warm and comfortable, full of life.

Yang Guangming chose a sunny weekend and moved back into his newly decorated dormitory.

Looking at this "new" home, into which he had poured countless efforts and hopes, his expectations for living with Lin Jianyue in the future became more concrete and real, as if he could already see her busy and smiling figure in this space.

After moving back and settling in, he couldn't wait to share his joy with Lin Jianyue. He immediately called Lin Jianyue's workplace and asked her to come over on Sunday for the first formal inspection of their future love nest.

"The house has been furnished according to our previous arrangements. We'd like to invite you, the future mistress of the house, to come and inspect it and see if there's anything you're not satisfied with so we can make adjustments." On the phone, Yang Guangming's voice was filled with barely suppressed laughter and anticipation.

Lin Jianyue gave a soft "Mmm" on the other end of the phone, her voice also filled with strong anticipation: "Okay, I'm off on Sunday, I'll come over in the morning." After hanging up the phone, her heart leaped with joy.

Early Sunday morning, Lin Jianyue dressed herself up carefully. Her hair was styled into two smooth, shiny braids that hung down in front of her chest. She applied a light layer of makeup to her face and lightly painted her eyebrows, making her look elegant, refined, and poised.

She was also carrying a net bag containing a pound of White Rabbit milk candy and a few plums—she had prepared this specially, thinking that if she ran into a neighbor, or if the neighbor joked around, she could share it with the children and neighbors to sweeten their mouths, to bring good luck, and also to show that she was sensible.

Sunshine was already eagerly awaiting at the entrance of the family quarters early in the morning.

Seeing Lin Jianyue approaching from afar, her hair slightly tossed and her steps light, his eyes lit up. Her attire made her even more charming than usual, causing his heart to skip a beat.

"Why did you bring so much stuff?" Yang Guangming stepped forward and took the slightly heavy net bag from her hand.

"Well, a little candy and fruit, just in case... just in case we run into the neighbor's kids, so it won't be awkward," Lin Jianyue explained softly, her cheeks slightly flushed, like a lotus flower in its first bloom.

The two walked into the building entrance side by side.

On Sunday morning, the hallway was much livelier than usual. There were family members washing clothes in the washroom, housewives preparing breakfast on coal stoves in the corridor with the pots sizzling, mothers strolling back and forth with their children, and several teenagers chasing and playing.

When Yang Guangming came up with a beautiful, well-dressed stranger, the neighbors cast curious, appraising, and kind glances at him, mixed with hushed whispers and laughter.

"Guangming, is this your... boyfriend? Oh my, he's really handsome!" Zhou Dayong from across the hall was carrying out a basin of dirty water to empty it. His loud voice, filled with genuine laughter, immediately attracted more attention.

"Good morning, Brother Zhou. Yes, this is my girlfriend, Comrade Lin Jianyue."

With a confident and cheerful smile, Yang Guangming introduced the man to Lin Jianyue, saying, "Jianyue, this is Brother Zhou from across the street. He's a key member of the factory's security department and takes good care of us young people."

Lin Jianyue quickly greeted him politely, her voice clear and melodious: "Hello, Brother Zhou, I'm sorry to trouble you."

"Oh, good, good! Sister-in-law, you're too kind! You two are a perfect match, a truly blessed couple! When will you invite us for wedding candy?" Zhou Dayong laughed heartily.

At this moment, Chen Zhiqing from next door also opened his door upon hearing the noise, pushed up his glasses, and greeted him with a smile: "Guangming, you brought your girlfriend to see the new house? It's nicely decorated." He was a technician at the factory, and spoke in a rather refined manner.

"Good morning, Engineer Chen. Yes, I just tidied up a bit and brought Jianyue to see him." Yang Guangming then introduced to Lin Jianyue, "This is Engineer Chen from next door, one of the factory's top technicians."

"Hello, Mr. Chen. Please take care of me in the future." Lin Jianyue greeted him politely again.

Chen Zhiqing's wife, Xiao Liu, also came out carrying their babbling child. She smiled and nodded to Lin Jianyue, saying, "Hello, Comrade Lin. Guangming's vision is excellent, but he's too good at keeping things secret. I only met you today."

Hearing the commotion, Aunt Sun from next door also poked her head out, looking Lin Jianyue up and down. Her gaze lingered on Lin Jianyue's new shirt for a moment, and she put on an exaggerated smile: "Oh, Guangming, is this your girlfriend? She's really beautiful! Like a movie star! Her figure and looks are like she stepped out of a painting! You're really something!" Her tone was filled with undisguised envy, and perhaps a hint of jealousy.

Lin Jianyue felt a little embarrassed by everyone's stares, and her cheeks flushed red, but she still tried her best to maintain a proper smile and handle the situation with ease.

While responding to the neighbors' jokes and blessings, Yang Guangming took out a handful of milk candies and plums from his net bag and distributed them to Zhou Dayong's children who were peeking in, as well as the children from several other families who had come over after hearing the news.

"Come, come, children, Aunt Lin is treating you to candy and plums today. Remember to greet Aunt Lin when you see her in the future." Yang Guangming smiled warmly and acted generously.

The children happily accepted the candy and fruit, and said in crisp voices, "Thank you, Uncle Guangming! Thank you, Aunt Lin!"

The adults smiled and thanked them, saying polite things like "It's too much trouble."

The sharing of candy and fruit created a warmer and more harmonious atmosphere, filled with the affection between neighbors.

The neighbors could tell that Lin Jianyue was shy, so they didn't joke around too much. They just said auspicious blessings like "a perfect match," "a match made in heaven," and "invite us to have wedding candy and wine soon."

After dealing with his enthusiastic neighbors, Yang Guangming took out his keys and, with a touch of solemnity, clicked open the door to room 203. A pleasant aroma of new home, a blend of lime, faint wood, and sunshine, wafted out.

"Please come in, Comrade Lin Jianyue. Welcome to our future new home." Yang Guangming stepped aside and made a slightly exaggerated "please" gesture, his tone carrying a hint of lighthearted joke and barely suppressed excitement.

Lin Jianyue gave him a reproachful look, her eyes full of laughter and anticipation, her face still flushed, and she walked in with light steps.

She is about to examine this little home, which carries their dreams for the future, from the perspective of the lady of the house.

The first thing you see is the outer room, which is the main living space. The space is only seven or eight square meters, and because two small rooms are cleverly partitioned off on the south side, it doesn't feel particularly spacious. However, it is well-organized by the sunlight, making full use of every inch of space.

Against the wall stood an old, foldable mahogany eight-immortal table, its surface polished to a shine so bright it reflected a person's image. Next to it were several chairs, neatly arranged.

A newly bought glass-doored cupboard stood in the corner, polished to a shine. The walls were dazzlingly white, and sunlight streamed in from the window of the small south-facing room, filling the room with radiance, making the whole house bright, clean, and full of hope.

"This is the outer room, where we usually eat, drink tea, and entertain guests," Yang Guangming explained, a hint of pride in his voice. "These two small rooms on the south side are for different purposes. One can be used as a study, with a desk and bookshelves, so you can have a quiet place to read and study, or I can look at documents. The other one has a newly bought spring mattress, so if relatives or friends come over, they can stay there temporarily without any problems." He had considered everything very carefully.

Previously, this small cubicle was occasionally used as a small kitchen. After the rearrangement, Guangming moved the kerosene stove from the cubicle to the corridor and will no longer cook in the cubicle.

He led Lin Jianyue to see the two small cubicles one by one.

Although they are not large, they all have a south-facing window, which provides good light and ventilation.

Then, Yang Guangming pushed open the door connecting to the inner room.

The inner room, about eight or nine square meters, was more private and cozy than the outer room. A heavy, deep-colored rosewood bed occupied one corner. Although it had a simple and unadorned style without excessive carvings, the deep luster and weighty texture of the wood revealed an extraordinary depth and the tranquility of time.

Opposite the bed was a large huanghuali wardrobe with simple, flowing lines and wood grain like clouds and water. Next to it, by the window, stood a chicken-wing wood desk with grain as beautiful as bird feathers. The combination of these antique pieces of furniture created a strange sense of harmony and tranquility.

"This is the bedroom." Yang Guangming's voice softened unconsciously, filled with anticipation for the future. "The furniture is a bit old and the style is outdated. It was all found in secondhand stores, but the wood is all high-quality and very sturdy. It won't break even after decades." He explained briefly, afraid that Lin Jianyue might find it unpleasant.

Lin Jianyue carefully examined the furniture, which was dark in color, simple in style, yet exuded a certain grandeur.

Although she doesn't know much about the specific classifications and values ​​of wood, her good upbringing and aesthetic sense allow her to keenly feel the unique weight and the distinctive beauty that comes with age in these pieces of furniture.

She walked to the chicken wing wood desk and gently ran her fingers over the natural feather-like texture of the surface, which resembled flowing water or bird feathers. The texture was smooth and delicate to the touch.

"This table... the patterns on it are so unique and beautiful, like they grew out of the table itself," she exclaimed softly, her eyes filled with delight.

"This is chicken wing wood, with natural wood grain; each piece is unique." Yang Guangming walked to her side and patiently explained. Seeing her appreciation for the antique furniture, he felt relieved and even happier.

Lin Jianyue looked again at the dignified and reassuring rosewood bed and the beautifully designed and gorgeously grained huanghuali wardrobe. She didn't have the typical girl's disdain for old things and longing for brand-new furniture. Instead, she felt that these old pieces of furniture carried a sense of stability and history, much like the feeling Yang Guangming gave her—steady, reliable, and cultured.

She looked up at Yang Ming, her eyes filled with satisfaction and gratitude for his thoughtfulness, and said softly, "It's so well done, very clean, very bright, and... it feels very reassuring." She used the word "reassuring" to describe her feelings.

Hearing the compliment "reassuring," Yang Guangming smiled with satisfaction, feeling as sweet as if he had drunk honey. This spiritual connection made him happier than any material condition.

The two went out of the room again and looked at the kitchen counter table placed against the wall in the hallway outside the door.

Yang Guangming said, "From now on, we'll cook in the corridor and use the public water room, which might be a little inconvenient."

But that's how it is in the factory's residential area; neighbors can still talk to each other, which is quite nice.

Although the conditions are simple, it's enough for the two of us to work together, and things will only get better.

He explained the situation frankly and expressed his confidence in the future.

Lin Jianyue nodded, her face beaming with happiness and longing for a new life.

This small space, every corner, every item, embodies Yang Guangming's care and love for the future. She is filled with boundless anticipation and beautiful imagination for her upcoming married life, and the gloom that had previously been cast by Feng Xianghong's family affairs has been largely dispelled by the happiness before her.

After the tour, the two returned to the inner room and sat down on the chairs next to the desk. Yang Guangming poured Lin Jianyue a glass of warm water from the newly bought thermos.

The sunlight quietly streamed into the room, falling on the two of them, warm and tranquil, as if stretching out time itself.

They began to discuss in hushed tones the specific items needed for the wedding, such as how many thermos flasks to buy, what pattern of washbasins to choose, how many towels to prepare, and where in the room they could hang a curtain or place a vase for decoration.

These mundane and trivial conversations are filled with concrete plans for their life together and sweet expectations. They are ordinary and real, yet more touching than any sweet words.

The image of home is becoming clearer and more tangible in their minds.

……

As June drew to a close, Shanghai had entered the sweltering rainy season. The air was always damp and sticky, so much so that you could wring water out of it, and even your breath smelled musty.

The stone-paved lanes in the alley were damp all day long, and dark green moss quietly climbed over the corners of the walls. The sky was always overcast, and it was rare to see a few days of clear sunshine. People's moods seemed to follow the weather, heavy and suffocating.

As the days went by, the wedding date on National Day drew ever closer.

Every time he thought of this, Yang Guangming felt at ease and full of energy. The 26-square-meter dormitory room assigned to him by the factory, under his careful arrangement, became more and more like a cozy little nest, just waiting for the lady of the house to move in.

However, this joy and anticipation that belonged to him was always shrouded in a faint gloom from his friends.

The matter concerning Feng Xianghong's family weighed heavily on the hearts of everyone who knew about it.

Sure enough, at the end of June, the news finally broke like a thunderclap in a dull summer night.

Saturday evening was unusually hot and humid, with not a breath of wind. Yang Guangming had just washed off the sticky sweat in the factory's bathhouse, changed into a dry T-shirt and shorts, and was carrying a washbasin back to his residential area.

Before even reaching the bottom of the stairs, I saw Lin Jianyue's slender figure waiting under the old locust tree, clutching a handkerchief in her hand, wiping the fine sweat from her forehead from time to time. Her face was somewhat pale, and her eyes held obvious anxiety and unease.

"Jianyue?" Yang Guangming's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly went to greet her. "Why are you here? What happened?" At this time, her sudden appearance must mean something important.

When Lin Jianyue saw him, it was as if she had found her pillar of support. Her eyes were slightly red, and her voice trembled slightly: "Guangming... Xiang Hong's family... there's been a result regarding her father's matter."

Yang Guangming's heart sank.

He gestured for Lin Jianyue to follow, and the two walked upstairs in silence, one after the other, into his small but well-organized dormitory.

Closing the door shut out the faint noise from the hallway. The air inside was still stuffy, but there was an added sense of solemn quiet.

Yang Guangming poured Lin Jianyue a glass of cool boiled water, watching her sip it slowly and try to calm her breathing, and waited patiently.

Lin Jianyue put down her cup, her fingers unconsciously twisting her handkerchief. She took a deep breath before whispering, "This morning, Sister Xiang Hong was called back to her parents' house. She came back this afternoon with her eyes swollen like walnuts... She told me that Uncle Feng's problem... is classified as very serious, they said..."

"Sister Xiang Hong wasn't very clear about the specifics, but it seems to involve some historical issues from a long time ago, as well as some remarks made at a recent work meeting..."

Lin Jianyue's voice grew softer and softer, filled with deep worry, "After the conclusion was reached, Uncle Feng... was taken away very quickly, supposedly to... do manual labor."

Yang Guangming listened silently, his brows furrowed.

Although he had a premonition, hearing such definite bad news still made his heart tighten.

It is truly lamentable that Feng Xianghong's father has fallen into such a predicament. More importantly, this will be a devastating blow to Feng Xianghong and the entire Feng family.

"So... how are Xiang Hong and her family doing now?" Yang Guangming's voice was a little hoarse.

Lin Jianyue sighed, her worry deepening: "Xiang Hong's mother was already in poor health, and this is just making matters worse. I heard she fainted on the spot. After waking up, she made a very difficult decision..."

She paused, seemingly reluctant to continue, but still said, "Aunt Feng forced herself to call Sister Xiang Hong and her brothers and sisters over and demanded that they... immediately sever ties with Uncle Feng, publish a notice in the newspaper, and cut off all relations."

Yang Guangming gasped. Severing ties is a painful choice many families make to protect their children when facing similar predicaments.

But the tearing and pain involved are unimaginable to outsiders.

"At first, Sister Xiang Hong absolutely refused, crying her heart out. She said that he was her father, how could she just cut ties with him like that? But Aunt Feng's attitude was very firm, she even threatened to kill herself..."

Aunt Feng said that this wasn't just her wish; it was also a message Uncle Feng had secretly sent back before he was taken away… Uncle Feng said, “We can't let him ruin the children's future…”

Lin Jianyue's voice choked, and her eyes reddened again: "Aunt Feng said that only by drawing a clear line could Sister Xiang Hong and her brothers and sisters keep their jobs, or at least... at least have a way to survive. In the end... Sister Xiang Hong... she nodded while crying."

A long silence fell over the room. Only the tireless chirping of cicadas outside the window, each call louder and louder, piercingly clamoring, accentuated the deathly stillness inside.

Yang Guangming could easily imagine the bleak scene that the Feng family witnessed at that moment.

A frail mother, children forced to sever ties with their father, and a father whose future is uncertain and whose fate is unknown.

A once happy family has been torn apart. Feng Xianghong's bright and straightforward personality will likely be completely dimmed by this upheaval in her family.

"Sigh..." Yang Guangming sighed deeply, feeling as if a lump of cotton was stuck in his heart, making him feel suffocated.

He reached out and gently patted Lin Jianyue's slightly trembling shoulder, conveying unspoken comfort. "This is... the only way. Aunt Feng and Uncle Feng are doing this for the child."

“I know…” Lin Jianyue raised her teary eyes, “but Sister Xiang Hong… how much pain she must be in. When she came back today, she was like a soul had been taken away. She didn’t speak or cry, she just sat there blankly… I was scared to look at her.”

Yang Guangming's mood also became unusually heavy.

He not only felt sad for Feng Xianghong, but also felt deep concern for the future of Xie Feiyang and Feng Xianghong.

Previously, there was still a sliver of hope that the problem with Feng's father was just a false alarm. Now that the worst outcome has come to pass, what stands between Xie Feiyang and Feng Xianghong is no longer a simple family obstacle, but an insurmountable political chasm.

"So... does Xie Feiyang know about this?" Yang Guangming asked.

Lin Jianyue shook her head: "Sister Xiang Hong said she hasn't figured out how to tell Brother Feiyang yet. But this can't be kept a secret forever, he'll probably find out soon. I'm worried... I'm worried about them..."

She didn't say the rest, but Yang Guangming understood. A seemingly perfect match, once admired by everyone, was likely truly coming to an end. The harshness of reality can often easily shatter the most sincere feelings.

He comforted Lin Jianyue a few more times and told her to spend more time with Feng Xianghong these next few days and try to comfort her.

Lin Jianyue nodded in agreement, her mood still low. After sitting for a while, seeing that it was getting late, Lin Jianyue was worried about Feng Xianghong, so she got up to say goodbye.

Yang Guangming escorted her to the entrance of the residential area, watching her slender figure disappear into the twilight at the end of the alley, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

On the way back, he thought about how smoothly his marriage with Lin Jianyue had gone, and compared it with the desperate situation faced by Xie Feiyang and Feng Xianghong, he felt even more that it was not easy to be able to hold onto his own happiness relatively steadily.

July slipped by unnoticed. The weather in Shanghai remained unbearably hot and humid, but the relationship between Yang Guangming and Lin Jianyue was steadily warming up, moving firmly toward their predetermined goal.

With the wedding date set, the couple's interactions became less tentative and shy, and more grounded and intimate, truly resembling a young couple preparing for their future life together.

On a Sunday morning, the sky was unusually bright, and although it was still humid and hot, it was no longer gloomy.

Yang Guangming got up early and thoroughly cleaned the dormitory inside and out.

The windows were bright and clean, the cement floor was so smooth you could see your reflection, and the old mahogany furniture was polished with a soft cloth until it gleamed with a warm, dark luster.

The potted green ivy on the windowsill, with its gracefully spreading branches and lush green leaves, added a lot of vitality to the small house.

He even went to the market and used his saved meat and fish coupons to buy a lively crucian carp, a piece of lean pork, some tender tofu, and some bok choy.

She was thinking to herself that she should cook a nice meal for Lin Jianyue.

He knew that Lin Jianyue and Feng Xianghong usually ate simple meals in the dormitory, often just pickled vegetables and rice porridge. He thought this was a good opportunity to improve her diet and give her some extra nutrition.

Around ten o'clock, Lin Jianyue arrived.

Her eyes and brows held a hint of shyness and joy as she prepared to become a bride, but upon closer inspection, a lingering worry for her friend's situation could still be seen in her eyes.

"You're here? Come in quickly, it's hot outside." Yang Guangming smiled and welcomed her into the house, taking a net bag from her hand, which contained several large and juicy peaches. "Why did you bring anything? Don't be so polite."

Lin Jianyue smiled gently, her voice soft: "I saw some nice fruit at a fruit stand on the way here, so I bought a few. Here, have a taste." She walked into the house, her gaze habitually sweeping over the little nest that would soon belong to the two of them. Seeing that it was bright and clean, and everything was in good order, a look of satisfaction appeared in her eyes.

"You've cleaned it again? It's so clean." She walked to the window, reached out and gently touched the leaves of the pothos, a gentle smile curving her lips. "This pothos is growing so well, the leaves are so glossy."

"You're just idling around anyway, might as well tidy it up a bit and it'll be more comfortable to live here." Yang Guangming poured her a cup of iced tea and placed it on the chicken wing wood desk. "Sit down for a while and rest your feet. What would you like to eat for lunch? I bought some fish and meat."

Lin Jianyue shook her head and said considerately, "Don't go to too much trouble, just make something simple. It's just the two of us, we can't eat much."

"No trouble at all. The weather's alright today, perfect for making something nice." Yang Guangming said casually. "I'm planning to make a crucian carp and tofu soup, light and delicious; then stir-fry some shredded pork and vegetables; um... I also have two ready-made dishes, drunken chicken and braised beef, which I asked someone to buy from a deli. They taste pretty good, so I'll give them a try."

He naturally attributed the drunken chicken and braised beef he took out of the refrigerator to the "deli," making it sound perfectly plausible.

Lin Jianyue didn't suspect anything, but felt it was a bit wasteful, and gave him a reproachful look: "You're wasting money again. There will be many more places to spend money in the future, so you have to be more careful."

"I know, it's just once in a while, it's no big deal." Yang Guangming smiled and started rolling up his sleeves to get busy. "Why don't you help me pick the vegetables? Let's cook together, it'll be faster."

"Okay." Lin Jianyue replied, washed her hands, and came over to help.

The two worked together seamlessly in the narrow corridor, one washing vegetables and chopping meat, the other preparing seasonings. They occasionally exchanged a few words in hushed tones, creating a warm and natural atmosphere.

Yang Guangming skillfully scaled and gutted the fish with nimble movements; Lin Jianyue carefully washed each leaf of bok choy and gently cut the tender tofu into cubes.

Watching Yang Ming's focused silhouette as he cooked, Lin Jianyue felt a sense of peace and happiness. This simple, everyday life of cooking was exactly the married life she had longed for.

Lunch was prepared quickly.

On the octagonal table, four dishes were laid out: a milky white crucian carp and tofu soup, steaming hot and fragrant; emerald green stir-fried shredded pork, glistening and tempting; braised beef with a reddish-brown color and firm texture; and drunken chicken with a rich aroma of wine, yellow skin and tender meat.

For two young people today, this meal is a rare treat.

Yang Guangming served Lin Jianyue a full bowl of fish soup. The soup was milky white, the fish was tender, and the tofu was smooth. "Drink more soup. You sweat a lot in the summer, so drink some water. This fish is fresh, eat more."

Lin Jianyue took the bowl, blew on it gently, and took a sip. The delicious taste warmed her from the tip of her tongue all the way to her stomach. She squinted her eyes in satisfaction: "Mmm, it's so delicious. Your cooking skills are getting better and better."

"Drink more if you like." Seeing her satisfied expression, Yang Guangming was also happy and put another chicken leg on her plate. "Try this and see if you like it."

As they ate and chatted, the conversation naturally shifted from the taste of the food to wedding preparations.

Lin Jianyue mentioned that her mother, Gao Jingyi, had already started preparing her dowry. The fabric for the bedding had been chosen; it was a trendy blend of polyester and fine cotton, and the colors were bright.

Yang Guangming reported on the progress at home, saying that his mother, Zhang Xiuying, and sister-in-law, Li Guihua, had started sewing new quilts.

“My dad said that although we advocate doing things in a new way and being thrifty, we can’t skimp on the proper etiquette. We must marry you into the family in a grand and glorious way.” Yang Guangming looked at Lin Jianyue and said solemnly.

Lin Jianyue blushed, lowered her head, and said in a voice barely audible, "Uncle and Aunt are too kind... Actually, it would be better to keep it simple and not go to such lengths."

"It's a once-in-a-lifetime event, it's only right," Yang Guangming said with a gentle smile.

After discussing their family's happy news, a brief silence fell over the dinner table. The chirping of cicadas outside the window was exceptionally clear. Lin Jianyue put down her chopsticks, sighed softly, and the worry that had returned to her brow resurfaced.

“Guangming…” She raised her eyes and looked at Yang Guangming, “Xiang Hongjie and Fei Yang Ge… I’m afraid they really can’t make it.”

Yang Guangming was already somewhat prepared, but when Lin Jianyue brought it up herself, his expression still turned serious: "What's wrong? Is there a new development?"

Lin Jianyue nodded, her eyes dimming: "The day before yesterday, Sister Xiang Hong... she officially broke up with Brother Feiyang."

Although he had expected it, Yang Guangming still felt a pang of regret upon hearing the news.

He was silent for a moment before asking, "Xie Feiyang... what did he say?"

"Brother Feiyang was stunned at the time, as if he couldn't believe it at all."

Lin Jianyue recalled the scene when Feng Xianghong recounted it to her, her tone low, "Sister Xianghong's attitude was very firm, she just said... said that the two of them were not suitable, and that it was better to end it sooner rather than later, and that it would be better for everyone to separate."

"Xie Feiyang definitely wouldn't accept it, right?" Yang Guangming could imagine his friend's reaction at that time.

“Hmm.” Lin Jianyue said softly, “Brother Feiyang was very agitated. He said that Sister Xiang Hong did not trust him, that their relationship was so good, how could they just break up like that? He also said that he was not afraid, that he could go to the organization to explain the situation and express his attitude… But Sister Xiang Hong… Sister Xiang Hong cried a lot, but still insisted on breaking up, saying… saying that she could not implicate him.”

Yang Guangming listened silently, and could feel the sadness of the scene.

Feng Xianghong was both rational and tormented. She understood what the family upheaval meant and, unwilling to jeopardize Xie Feiyang's promising future, could only sever ties in this decisive way. As for Xie Feiyang, the pain and confusion he felt in the face of this sudden change are unimaginable.

"And then what happened?" Yang Guangming asked.

"Later, when Fei Yang saw that Xiang Hong was so determined and was crying so hard, he had no choice but to leave dejectedly." Lin Jianyue sighed. "After Xiang Hong came back, she cried all night long, and her eyes are still swollen. She said that it's better to have a short pain than a long one, and that it's the best for Fei Yang... But I can tell that she is more upset than anyone else."

Yang Guangming also sighed, picked up the teapot and poured Lin Jianyue a cup of water: "This matter... we outsiders really can't get involved. Feng Xianghong's choice, although painful, is probably the most realistic and responsible thing to do for Xie Feiyang right now. It's just that it's tough on the two of them."

“Yes…” Lin Jianyue’s eyes were filled with melancholy. “They were such a good couple, how could they… Sigh, I hope time can slowly heal all these wounds.”

Both of them felt deeply saddened by their friend's plight, but apart from sighing and offering silent concern, they were truly powerless to help.

The harshness of reality is often beyond the power of personal emotions to withstand.

What was supposed to be a warm and cozy lunch turned somewhat somber as the conversation turned to a friend's painful experience.

After the meal, Lin Jianyue took the initiative to clear the dishes, while Yang Guangming was responsible for wiping the table and sweeping the floor.

After tidying up, the two sat at the desk in the inner room, drinking tea and chatting idly, but the topic always unconsciously circled back to Feng Xianghong and Xie Feiyang, and neither of them felt relaxed.

Looking at the wall clock, it was already past three in the afternoon. Although Lin Jianyue was a little reluctant, she still got up to say goodbye: "It's getting late, I should go back. Sister Xiang Hong is home alone, and she's in a bad mood. I'm a little worried about her."

Yang Guangming nodded understandingly: "It's my pleasure. I'll walk you to the entrance of the family quarters."

The two walked down the stairs side by side.

The two remained mostly silent on the way, each lost in their own thoughts. Upon reaching the entrance to the family quarters, Yang Guangming cautioned, "Be careful on the road. When you get back, try to comfort and reassure Xiang Hong, but don't push her too hard. These things take time."

"Yes, I know." Lin Jianyue looked up at him, her eyes filled with dependence. "You...you don't need to worry too much. If you have the chance, try to persuade Feiyang too."

"I will." Yang Guangming nodded and squeezed her hand tightly. "Go back now."

Lin Jianyue hummed in agreement, glanced at him again, then turned and walked away. Yang Guangming stood there, watching her figure disappear before turning to go home, his heart as heavy as the sweltering weather.

He had originally planned to just heat up some leftovers for dinner, and was feeling rather down. Unexpectedly, around six o'clock in the evening, there was a slightly urgent knocking at the door.

Yang Guangming opened the door with some doubt, only to see Xie Feiyang standing there, holding two bottles of Qibao Daqu liquor with red labels, and a square object wrapped in oil paper, which faintly emitted the aroma of salted duck.

He was wearing a wrinkled shirt, his hair was a bit messy, his face was haggard, his eyes were sunken and bloodshot, and he looked like he hadn't slept well for days, having lost his usual radiance.

"Feiyang?" Yang Guangming was taken aback. "Why are you here? Come in quickly."

Xie Feiyang didn't say anything, but silently walked into the house, put the wine and salted duck on the table, then plopped down in the chair next to the desk, covered his face with his hands, took a deep breath, and then exhaled slowly. His shoulders slumped, and he looked extremely tired and dejected.

Yang Guangming closed the door, poured him a glass of cold water, and placed it beside him.

Looking at Xie Feiyang's expression, he already understood seven or eight parts of the situation. It seemed that Feng Xianghong's proposal to break up had hit him much harder than he had imagined.

"You haven't eaten yet, have you?" Yang Guangming didn't ask immediately. Instead, he turned around and walked to the counter in the outer room against the wall. He took out a box of braised duck gizzards from the cabinet below, but actually from the refrigerator.

Then he took out a few salted duck eggs and a bunch of celery from the cupboard.

"I still have some food here. Since you're here, come and have a couple of drinks with me."

Xie Feiyang raised his head, glanced blankly at Yang Guangming, and forced a smile that looked more like a grimace: "Okay... let's have a couple of drinks. Let's drown our sorrows in alcohol."

Yang Guangming didn't say anything more, neatly tied on his apron, and started stir-frying the celery.

With a sizzling sound, oil fumes rose, and the narrow corridor was instantly filled with the aroma of food.

He then cut up the braised duck gizzards and arranged them on a plate, cut open the salted duck eggs to reveal the oily yolks, and then unwrapped the salted duck that Xie Feiyang had brought, chopping it into small pieces.

Before long, several dishes to accompany the drinks were placed on the table. Although it was prepared hastily, it was still quite a feast.

Yang Guangming took out two glasses, opened a bottle of Qibao Daqu (a type of Chinese liquor), and poured the clear liquid into the glasses, emitting a strong smell of alcohol. He handed one to Xie Feiyang and picked up the other for himself.

"Come on, let's clink glasses first." Yang Guangming raised his glass.

Xie Feiyang picked up the glass, didn't even look at it, and tilted his head back to gulp down a large mouthful. The strong liquor burned his throat, making him wince and cough violently, tears welling up in his eyes.

"Drink slowly, no one's going to take it from you." Yang Guangming patted him on the back, his tone full of concern.

Xie Feiyang caught his breath, wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, looked at Yang Guangming with a pained expression, and said in a hoarse voice, "Guangming... Xiang Hong... Xiang Hong doesn't want me anymore."

Finally said it.

Yang Guangming sighed inwardly and placed a piece of braised duck gizzard on his plate: "Eat something to fill your stomach first. I've heard about what happened. Tell me slowly, don't rush."

Xie Feiyang had little appetite; he stirred the food in his bowl a couple of times with his chopsticks, then put them down.

He picked up his glass and took another big gulp, this time managing not to choke, but his face quickly turned red.

"Why? Guangming, tell me why? You know our relationship! After all these years, both families finally agreed, and it was almost over... How could it suddenly fall through? Just because... because of her father!"

He became agitated, his voice rose considerably, and he spoke with resentment.

Yang Guangming poured some wine into his glass and said calmly, "You know that Feng Xianghong's father's characterization is very serious. You understand better than I what the phrase 'contradiction between us and the enemy' means. At this critical juncture, her proposal to break up is probably... out of necessity."

"No choice? What's there to be no choice about!" Xie Feiyang slammed his hand on the table, making his wine glass shake. "I can wait! I can express my stance and attitude to the organization! I believe the organization will investigate thoroughly! Even if... even if her father has problems, what does that have to do with Xiang Hong? She is her, and her father is her father! Why should we ruin our happiness because of the problems of the previous generation?"

He spoke with great passion and seemed to have a lot to say, but Yang Guangming could detect a hint of insecurity in his voice.

These words were perhaps more for himself, a struggle born of resentment.

Yang Guangming didn't immediately refute him, but listened silently and poured him another glass of wine. Xie Feiyang needed to vent, so let him speak his mind.

Sure enough, seeing that Yang Guangming remained silent, Xie Feiyang seemed to have opened a floodgate and continued to pour out his bitterness and grievances:

“I went home and told my parents about it.”

My dad… He was silent for a long time, and finally only said one sentence to me, ‘Feiyang, you need to think this through. This isn’t child’s play.’

My mother was even more direct, crying and begging me, saying she couldn't just watch me jump into a fire pit, and that if I insisted on going my own way, my future would be ruined..."

He grabbed his wine glass and downed it in one gulp, his eyes becoming somewhat glazed and pained: "Future...haha, future...is the future really more important than feelings? Xiang Hong and I are truly in love!"

Yang Guangming looked at him and slowly spoke, his voice steady and clear: "Feiyang, Xiang Hong's decision isn't important; what matters is what you think. Ultimately, you're in control!"
I ask you, if Feng Xianghong's family issues affect your future promotion and development, will you regret it?

This question was like a sharp knife, piercing directly into the most hidden and conflicted part of Xie Feiyang's heart.

He froze, opened his mouth as if to say something, but couldn't utter a sound.

He avoided the bright sunlight, lowered his head, stared at the swirling liquid in his glass, and remained silent for a long time.

Only the heavy breathing of the two people remained in the room.

After a long while, Xie Feiyang finally raised his head, his face filled with struggle and pain, and the last bit of excitement in his eyes dimmed.

He smiled bitterly, his voice low and hoarse, with an almost desperate honesty: "Guangming... to be honest... I... I can't help but worry about my future."

He finally revealed his true feelings.

“I have been given high expectations since I was a child. My dad, my grandpa... they all hoped that I would be successful and go further.”

That's exactly what I think too.

I love my job, and I have my ambitions and ideals... If... if because of this, all my efforts are in vain, and I'm destined to be just a mediocre clerk for the rest of my life... I... I can't bear it..."

His voice trailed off, filled with self-contempt: "Guangming, do you think I'm selfish? Despicable? You keep saying you love Xiang Hong, but when it comes down to it, you're completely unreliable..."

Seeing his pained expression, Yang Guangming felt a pang of sympathy.

He shook his head, his tone calm: "Don't say that. It's not a matter of selfishness or not. Reality is just like this; it doesn't allow for too much idealism."

Feng Xianghong took the initiative to break up with you precisely because she understood you and your ambitions.

She doesn't want to put you in a difficult position, and she doesn't want you to give up your future because of her. In a sense, she's doing you a favor.

"Give me my blessing?" Xie Feiyang murmured, tears finally streaming down his face, mingling with the wine, dripping onto the table. "But... the price of this 'give me my blessing' is too high... my heart... feels like it's being cut by a knife..."

He slumped over the table, his shoulders trembling slightly, and began to sob in suppressed sobs.

This usually carefree and confident young man completely dropped his pretense in front of his friend, revealing his most vulnerable and helpless side.

Yang Guangming didn't try to comfort him; he just silently stayed by his side, pouring him glass of wine one after another and drinking with him.

He knew that words would be meaningless at this moment; Xie Feiyang needed venting and companionship.

Xie Feiyang recounted his past with Feng Xianghong in fits and starts, but those sweet memories now felt like sharp needles, piercing his heart with unbearable pain.

He spoke of the excitement of their first meeting, the joy of their gathering, and their hopes for the future... By the end, he was incoherent, only able to choke back painful sobs and keep drinking.

Two bottles of Qibao Daqu were quickly finished, with one and a half bottles gone in no time.

Xie Feiyang's alcohol tolerance was not particularly high to begin with, and coupled with his depressed mood, he quickly became drunk, his eyes became unfocused, and his speech became slurred.

“Guangming…I…I despise myself…really…” He grabbed Yang Guangming’s arm, his eyes glazed with drunkenness, and said, “I thought…our feelings…were stronger than gold…but in the end…it was nothing…it couldn’t withstand the test of reality at all…I’m a…coward…bastard…”

Yang Guangming supported his swaying body and sighed, "Don't think about it too much. Get some sleep, maybe you'll feel better when you wake up."

He struggled to help Xie Feiyang, who was completely drunk and unconscious, to his feet, and staggered to the small cubicle used as a guest room, where he laid him down on the new palm-fiber bed he had just bought.

As soon as Xie Feiyang touched the pillow, he completely lost consciousness, with only his brows still tightly furrowed, as if he were enduring immense pain even in his dream.

Looking at his friend's haggard and pained sleeping face, Yang Guangming was filled with complex emotions. There was sympathy, regret, and a touch of helplessness.

He cleared away the leftover food on the table and washed the dishes.

Night had fallen, and the alleyway was completely quiet, with only the occasional bark of a dog coming from afar.

He sat alone at his desk, without turning on the light, and lit a cigarette in the dim moonlight streaming in from the window—a cigarette he had taken from Xie Feiyang's pack, though he rarely smoked.

The acrid smoke, when inhaled, caused a slight dizziness.

He recalled everything that had happened over the past year, his natural progression of his relationship with Lin Jianyue, and the inevitable separation of Xie Feiyang and Feng Xianghong, a couple once the envy of many. He was filled with mixed emotions.

In this era of rapid change, an individual's fate is like a small boat on a vast ocean, often swept along by the giant waves of the times, with no control over their own destiny. To be able to grasp a relatively stable happiness is already a great fortune.

After tonight's complete venting and indulgence, Xie Feiyang will likely have to face the cruel choice in his heart once he sobers up.

His breakup with Feng Xianghong is almost a done deal.

This passionate and sincere love from their youth ultimately couldn't withstand the harshness of reality. (End of Chapter)