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

After three drinks, the three of them started talking more freely, and the atmosphere became much more relaxed than before.

As darkness fell outside the window, the last glimmer of light in the courtyard was completely swallowed up by the thick night, with only the occasional faint bark of a dog coming from afar.

Yang Guangming picked up a slice of braised beef and put it in his mouth, chewing slowly. The meat was firm, and the sauce was rich and flavorful, a satisfying texture he hadn't felt in a long time.

He put down his chopsticks and turned his gaze to his second uncle, Tian Yuzhu. Tian Yuzhu's face was flushed slightly from the alcohol, but his eyes remained clear.

"Second Uncle, how's the summer harvest going in our village this year?"

Yang Guangming spoke casually, as if chatting in passing, “From what I’ve seen along the way, the seedlings in the fields don’t seem to be doing too well….”

As Yang Guangming recalled the sights he had seen along the way, the crops appeared somewhat wilted and lacked vitality.

When the topic of grain came up, the ease on Tian Yuzhu's face faded somewhat. He took a sip of wine, the spicy liquid sliding down his throat, bringing a brief burning sensation.

He put down his wine glass and sighed, a sigh filled with the helplessness of relying on fate for a living.

“Summer harvest, huh?” He shook his head, a bitter smile curving his lips. “To be honest, it wasn’t good. There was little rain in early spring, and the ground wasn’t even wet enough. When the wheat was filling out and needed water the most, we were hit by two deadly hot and dry winds that made the wheat ears feel light and airy. The yield per mu is lower than last year… sigh, it’s gone down a bit again.”

He stretched out his rough fingers and made a downward gesture. "Distributing it to each household won't solve much. The empty grain sacks are unsettling to look at."

The summer harvest is wheat, which we have to plan to eat for a year, so we dare not touch it easily.

These days, what we eat mainly consists of fruits and wild vegetables, occasionally mixed with a little grain, just to fill our stomachs.

He picked up the wine bottle on the table; it was already half empty. Yang Guangming quickly took it and refilled all three of their glasses.

"The autumn crops have just been planted. The corn, sorghum, and millet are only about a foot tall, tender and fragile, and cannot withstand any damage."

Whether we'll have a good harvest depends on whether the heavens will be kind to us and whether we'll get a few good rains.

Tian Yuzhu frowned slightly, forming a deep "川" (river) shape. "I reckon this winter and spring will be even harder to get through than last year."

Tian Yulin, the eldest uncle who had been sitting next to me eating his food in silence, also looked up at this moment.

His face was dark, marked by years of exposure to wind and sun. His lips moved, and he replied in a deep, muffled voice:

"That's right, the team's warehouse is almost empty, even rats would come out crying if they went in."

Every household was tightening their belts to make ends meet, wishing they could divide a handful of cornmeal into three meals.

Those who had some stored grain hid it away, not daring to show it off, for fear of attracting envy, and also for fear of…

He paused, not continuing, but everyone understood what he meant...

Yang Guangming listened quietly. The tide of the times was like a heavy wheel, and the power of an individual seemed insignificant in the face of it. He had no intention, nor the ability, to delve deeper into this topic; that would only increase his sense of powerlessness.

He invited his two uncles over today not only to treat them to a good meal, but more importantly, to discuss a major matter concerning the family's future livelihood with them.

This idea had been lingering in his mind for a long time, and now the time was gradually ripe.

"Uncle, Second Uncle." Yang Guangming's calm voice drew their attention. "After hearing what you said, I feel even more uneasy, like a stone is hanging in my heart, and I can't feel at ease."

His gaze swept over the sumptuous dishes on the table, and he continued, "There's only my mother, my grandmother, and Shanshan in the family. The old are old, and the young are young; we're lacking a strong laborer to support the household."

I've been away for over half a year, living far away in Kyoto. If anything happens at home, I can't even reach them to lend a hand. I only have time during my holidays to bring back some food and supplies.

He pointed to the bulging travel bags and canvas bags in the corner, "Like this time, it looks like a lot, but it's all going to run out quickly and won't be of much use. Who knows what it will be like when I come back next time."

He paused for a moment, as if organizing his thoughts, and his tone became more composed: "Even when I'm in Kyoto, I try to get some food occasionally through connections with classmates, but the post office is completely blocked and won't let me send it."

Even if you can find someone going the same way to give you a ride, it's fine once or twice, but doing it too often is neither safe nor a long-term solution. You can't live in constant fear like this.

Tian Yulin and Tian Yuzhu both put down their chopsticks and stared at him intently.

They sensed that their nephew's meal today was not just a family reunion; what was about to be discussed was the real focus.

The air inside seemed to thicken along with their solemn expressions.

"The food problem is so serious now, and it has been going on for a year. I don't know when it will end."

Yang Guangming's eyes hardened, revealing a decision made after careful consideration. "I was thinking, we can't keep robbing Peter to pay Paul like this, constantly struggling to cope. We need to find a solution that will solve the problem once and for all, or at least a solution that will last for many years and address the root cause of the problem."

Tian Yuzhu asked astutely, "Guangming, judging from your words, you have a plan in mind? What are you thinking?" He realized that his nephew was more resourceful than he had imagined.

Yang Guangming met his second uncle's probing gaze and clearly and slowly stated his plan:

"Second Uncle, this is what I'm thinking. If my mother can find a formal job in Kyoto, settle down, and become a city resident, then she can get a food ration and a fixed monthly food allowance. Although it won't be much, at least it will be a guarantee."

Shanshan is a minor, so her household registration can be transferred with her mother, allowing her to attend school in the city and receive a better education.

He paused, glanced towards the inner room, where he could hear his grandmother coughing softly. He lowered his voice slightly:

"There are no more immediate family members in my hometown village, so my grandmother's household registration issue should be easy to resolve. I'll have to ask the local street office and police station for specific policies."

But overall, as long as my mother and Shanshan's household registrations can be transferred, there is hope for my grandmother's side, and the process will be much easier.

Even if... even if Grandma's household registration can't be transferred anytime soon, at least she still has the village's per capita grain rations, so the problem isn't too big, and we can concentrate our efforts on taking care of her.

Yang Guangming continued his analysis in a clear and logical manner: "Although the quota for urban household registration is also being reduced, it is still much more stable than the situation in rural areas where people rely on the weather for their livelihood and have very little left after paying their grain tax. At least there is a guarantee, and you don't have to worry about the next season's harvest every day."

Moreover, if my mother had a formal job, even if it was just working in a factory or doing odd jobs in a government agency, she wouldn't have to get up early and work in the fields every day, exposed to the wind and sun, sweating buckets.

Her health wasn't particularly robust to begin with, so hopefully her future days will be easier and more stable.

After these words were spoken, the table fell silent for a moment, with only the occasional soft crackling of the kerosene lamp wick popping.

Tian Yulin and Tian Yuzhu were both stunned, their mouths agape, clearly shocked by their nephew's bold, forward-thinking, and unimaginable plan.

To transfer a rural household registration to Beijing and then be offered a formal job? In their eyes, this was simply a pipe dream, an unattainable luxury.

After a long while, Tian Yulin let out a heavy sigh, a sigh filled with helplessness and doubt about reality.

His dark face seemed to have deeper wrinkles: "Guangming, your idea... is good, but being able to move your household registration to the city and get a government-subsidized grain ration is a dream come true for so many people in the village, no, for so many people in the whole commune and the whole county!"
But...it's too difficult, practically impossible! So many eyes are vying for a single job in the city. We ordinary folks, with no connections or backing, how could we possibly get it?

He shook his head, feeling that while his nephew's idea was filial, it was too unrealistic, like a reflection in water or a flower in a mirror.

Tian Yuzhu remained silent. He had thought things through more deeply than his elder brother and understood his nephew better.

He picked up the glass, but didn't drink. Instead, he slowly twirled the rough glass with his fingers, looking at Yang Guangming as if trying to see through his eyes to understand his truest thoughts.

“Guangming,” he said slowly, his tone carrying a hint of barely perceptible inquiry, “transferring your household registration to Beijing and arranging a formal job…this is a very important matter.”

It might not be difficult for your classmates to help out with small favors like brown sugar or soap. But trying to get this done through your classmates' connections is definitely out of the question.

This matter... involves policies, quotas, relationships, and a whole host of other things. Ultimately, it'll probably come down to your father, right?

He directly pointed out the key figure, a name that was almost taboo in this family.

Yang Guangming did not evade the question. He nodded frankly, his tone calm, even slightly cold, as if he were talking about someone unrelated to him:
“My second uncle is right, he sees things clearly. They can get some scarce supplies through their classmates’ connections, but they are powerless and dare not get involved in such important matters as household registration and job placement. We have to ask my father for help with this.”

He spoke frankly, his voice devoid of any emotional fluctuation:
“When they divorced, I was young and didn’t understand many things, nor was I able to care. I only knew that the sky had fallen and my mother was crying.”

Now that I'm an adult and in college, looking back, I realize that my mother has been with him for so many years, had two children, taken care of the elderly, and managed the household. She deserves credit for everything she has done.

He started a new family and I don't care how he's doing in the city, but my mother stayed in the countryside, enduring hardship and toil to keep this dilapidated home afloat.

Both morally and logically, he owes my mother compensation and a proper settlement.

He paused, his voice low but firm as a rock: "I'm not being unreasonable, nor am I begging for mercy."

With his current status and influence, he could easily find my mother a regular job in Kyoto that she could handle, even the most ordinary position, as long as he puts his heart into it and uses his connections and network.

Directly obtaining a household registration is very difficult, as the policies are very restrictive. However, if you first have a formal job and your employer expresses their willingness to hire you, then transferring your household registration along with your employment is a logical and feasible process.

After listening, Tian Yuzhu remained silent for a moment, his fingers still unconsciously swirling the wine glass.

He looked at his nephew, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes at first, as if he hadn't expected him to analyze and utilize this relationship so calmly. Then, that surprise turned into deep satisfaction, even with a touch of admiration.

He could sense that his nephew had clearly given this decision a lot of thought.

He picked up his glass alone, downed the last bit of wine in one gulp, and felt a warm rush flow from his throat into his stomach. He let out a long sigh, as if releasing some worry that had been weighing on his heart for years.

“Guangming.” He put down his empty cup, a genuine yet complex smile appearing on his face, the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes smoothing out. “You were able to think of this, and analyze things so thoroughly. The key is that you were willing to speak up for your mother, to face him… Your second uncle is very happy, truly very happy.”

His tone was full of emotion, with the relief of an elder seeing a younger generation grow up: "You've grown up, matured, and become a responsible and capable man. You know what to fight for, how to fight for it, how to weigh things, and that sometimes you need to let go of some things for a more important goal."

Tian Yuzhu felt this way because he understood all too well the almost obsessive resistance his nephew had towards his father, Yang Jianxiong.

Previously, Yang Guangming harbored deep resentment towards his father because of his parents' divorce, to the point that they were practically strangers and he was unwilling to discuss the matter.

Yang Jianxiong had written him many letters and sent him things, but he always just threw them aside untouched or had his mother return them, let alone contacted him on his own initiative.

That youthful resentment was so vivid and resolute.

Now, in order for his mother to have a better future and escape this increasingly difficult rural life, he is actually willing to put aside the resentment he has held for many years and take the initiative to seek help from the father he once resented.

In Tian Yuzhu's view, this is not only a solution to a real-world dilemma, but also a huge and welcome change in Yang Guangming's mindset, marking that he has truly begun to deal with complex family relationships and real-world problems from an adult perspective and in a more mature way.

As Tian Yulin listened to his younger brother and nephew's conversation, he slowly came to his senses.

He glanced at Yang Guangming, whose expression was calm yet resolute, and then at Tian Yuzhu, whose face was filled with satisfaction. He seemed to understand the difficulty and profound significance of this situation. A look of realization and agreement appeared on his honest face, and he nodded heavily.

"If it can really be done... that would be a great thing! My sister wouldn't have to suffer like this anymore."

Tian Yuzhu picked up the bottle and found that the wine was almost gone.

He shook the empty bottle, and a few drops of liquid at the bottom slid down the side of the bottle.

He didn't try to pour more wine, but his expression became more serious.

"bright."

Tian Yuzhu looked at his nephew, his tone becoming serious, with a sense of entrustment, "Regarding your parents' divorce, you were young before, and you were stubborn, like a little donkey. We never talked to you about it in detail, for fear that you would get even more stuck on it if you heard it."

Now that you have this plan, you will soon meet with your father for a deep discussion. There are some things that your second uncle feels it is necessary for you to know more clearly.

This way, you'll have some background information, know what really happened back then, what kind of person your father was, and why he was so determined to take that step.

Yang Guangming sat up straight, his expression serious and focused: "Second Uncle, please speak, I'm listening."

He knew that what he was about to hear was the truth behind his parents' divorce, the truth that had been obscured by time, deliberately blurred and hidden, and that was the key to untying his knot in his heart.

Tian Yuzhu's gaze became somewhat distant, as if he were lost in memories.

“I’m five years younger than your father, but I’ve always had a good relationship with him.”

Every time he came back to visit his family, we could chat together. He was knowledgeable and would tell us about his experiences in the army and the outside world.

After liberation, I was able to join the Party and serve as a village cadre, and to be honest, it was because your father put in a good word for me.

Your mother and I joined the Party in the same year and became the women's director of the village, mainly because of your father's influence.

Your father is a man of great loyalty and integrity; he keeps his word. These are his strengths and the reason he was able to establish himself in the army.

But sometimes... this strength also became his burden, dragging him into the mire.

He paused, as if sorting through his jumbled thoughts, and then began to recount that long-forgotten past, his voice low and slow:
"He had a comrade-in-arms named Li Wenhan. The two formed a friendship during the War of Resistance Against Japan. It is said that they saved each other's lives. Their friendship was truly forged in the midst of gunfire, where they carried each other back to the front lines with serious injuries. Their bond was even stronger than that of blood brothers."

Later, on the Korean Peninsula battlefield, Li Wenhan...sacrificed his life.

He spoke the word "sacrifice" with particular weight.

The room was very quiet, so quiet that you could hear the occasional gust of wind passing by outside the window.

"Before he died, Li Wenhan grabbed your father's arm and, with his last strength, entrusted him with two things."

Tian Yuzhu's voice was deep and clear, "First, have your father tell his wife, Wen Anrong, not to stay with her. She's still young. If she meets the right person, she should remarry and raise their son well. Only if she lives well in this world can he rest in peace down below."

Secondly, I beg your father to take good care of his wife and children and not let them suffer any injustice, especially his son, whom he hopes will grow up to be a real man.

He also specifically told your father a secret.

At this point, Tian Yuzhu subconsciously lowered his voice, "Wen Anrong was injured before, a gynecological injury, and has lost the ability to have children again."

He told your father about this because he was afraid that if Wen Anrong remarried in the future, her new husband might dislike her because of this, or that conflicts might arise after marriage, causing her further distress.

Therefore, it's important to make this clear beforehand and find a reliable person who doesn't mind.

This is absolute trust; it's entrusting your father with the most private matters behind your back.

Your dad agreed right then and there, his eyes reddening.

You might not remember him well, but he valued promises made to others, especially his comrades' dying wishes. He would do anything to fulfill them, even at the cost of his life; otherwise, he couldn't get over it.

Tian Yuzhu's voice was somewhat hoarse: "After the war ended, your father returned to China and was promoted quickly, but he never forgot his promise."

He has been taking care of Li Wenhan's widow and child. He takes care of everything, big and small, very meticulously and attentively, even more so than his own family.

As they spent more time together, visiting each other more often, and taking care of things like holidays, sick children, and house repairs, your father naturally became more and more familiar and closer.

Tian Yuzhu paused here, seemingly considering how to describe that complex emotional entanglement.

"Later, that... inexplicable thing happened."

His tone carried a hint of complexity and unspeakable embarrassment. "According to your father's own account, he went to Wen Anrong's house once, and probably encountered some troubles, so he drank too much and got completely drunk."

Then... somehow, when I woke up the next day, I found myself sleeping next to Wen Anrong.

Afterwards, your father felt like a bastard, a coward, and that he had let down his fallen comrades and his wife and children.

But the mistake was made, and it was a big one.” Tian Yuzhu sighed. “Later, the organization found out about it and talked to him about it.”

Your father was faced with a choice. He said he had no way out.

Either he accepts the punishment, in which case his future is over.

Alternatively, he would have to divorce his family, take responsibility for Wen Anrong, and marry her.

Tian Yuzhu sighed again, a deep helplessness on his face, a powerlessness against the cruel twist of fate:
"What was the family's reaction at the time? Your grandmother was so angry that she almost died. She grabbed a rolling pin and threatened to break his legs, saying she was sorry to your deceased grandfather and your two uncles."

Your mother cried her heart out, refusing to eat or drink for days and nights, until she was completely emaciated.

Your uncle and I are also strongly opposed to this; we think he's lost his mind! He's going to abandon his wife who's shared his hardships for some other woman!

Your father accepts being beaten and scolded.

He said that if his family didn't agree to a divorce, he would have no choice but to accept the organization's punishment and all the consequences, even if it meant taking off his military uniform and going back to farming.

Tian Yuzhu looked at Yang Guangming, his eyes filled with the same struggle he had felt back then: "Guangming, tell me, what choice does the family have?"
Watching him go from a promising military officer to a problematic individual who was dealt with?
He was already a regimental-level cadre at that time, the pride of our whole family, even the whole village. Everyone in the surrounding area knew that the Yang family had produced such a remarkable person.

If we really stumble and get punished because of lifestyle issues, how will our family ever be able to hold our heads high in the village? We'll be drowned in spit.

Even if we don't consider his sake, we have to consider the future of your two children. You were still young then, and Shanshan was even younger. You can't have a father with a tarnished reputation.

at last……"

Tian Yuzhu's voice was a little hoarse, "Your grandmother had no choice but to grit her teeth and accept it after crying several times. She was afraid that your father might really do something rash and ruin his future."

Your mother... and your uncle and I, for the sake of you two children, and for the sake of your father's seemingly inescapable future, had no choice but to swallow our pride and agree to the divorce.

Your mother put her fingerprint on that divorce agreement; her tears soaked the paper.

Yang Guangming listened quietly, his face expressionless, as if he were wearing a mask. Only his hands, resting on his knees, had unconsciously clenched slightly.

It turns out that the truth was not the simple Chen Shimei drama he remembered from his childhood, nor was it simply a case of fickle love. Rather, it was a muddled mess of heavy camaraderie, life-and-death promises, unexpected mistakes, and cruel choices in reality.

Of course, it may not be entirely out of helplessness; there may also be some calculation involved.

Ultimately, only the two people involved that night truly know the truth.

Was she really drunk? Was Wen Anrong also drunk? If she wasn't drunk, why didn't she try to avoid suspicion at all?

As a widow, no matter how careless she is, she would never let a man stay overnight. If she could just think of that, there would be plenty of ways to avoid it.

If Wen Anrong is also drunk, can a man and woman who are that drunk really get things done?

If you really want to get things done, then you can't be truly drunk.

Yang Guangming knows too little for the time being, and these facts are impossible to verify, or perhaps a combination of both are true. But in any case, the mistake has been made, and the damage has been done.

The image of his father, which had gradually faded in his memory and was now only labeled as "abandoning his wife," seemed to be infused with a more complex and three-dimensional color by his second uncle's narration. He was no longer a simple, flat evil, but a living person full of human contradictions and the imprint of the times.

“When we get divorced, I will fight for compensation for your mother.”

Tian Yuzhu continued, shifting the topic from emotional entanglements back to practical benefits, which was something he could genuinely fight for for his sister.

"The final agreement is that half of your father's monthly salary must be sent home to support your grandmother and raise you and Shanshan until your grandmother passes away or you become adults and can support yourselves."

This is a responsibility he must bear!

Upon hearing this, Yang Guangming frowned. He keenly grasped the problem, and with a hint of coldness in his voice, he asked:
"Second Uncle, according to this explanation, they shouldn't have given us this much money over the years, right?"

He quickly calculated in his mind: "He is now a senior colonel with nearly 20 years of military service, and he also receives a military service allowance of 20% of his basic salary every month."

I remember hearing someone mention that his basic salary at this level should be around 253 yuan, plus subsidies, so he would take home about 300 yuan a month.

Even if my rank was lower and my salary lower before, over the years, if I sent half back every month, it would still be at least a hundred yuan, right? That's more than a thousand yuan a year.

His gaze swept over the main room, which was clean but clearly bare, and his tone was questioning: "But you've seen the state of the house."

My mother and grandmother lived frugally, and over the years, the amount of savings my mother secretly told me was only four hundred and eighty yuan.

The only major expense for the family was building these five brick houses a few years ago. However, they are just brick-clad houses with mud bricks inside, which saved a lot of money compared to a real brick house.

It only cost a few hundred yuan in total, which is not a particularly large expense compared to the money I should have received over the years.

What happened to the rest of the money? Where did it all go?

This isn't a difficult problem to solve. Yang Guangming raised this question, staring intently at Tian Yuzhu, waiting for an explanation.

Tian Yuzhu seemed to have been prepared for this; his face didn't show any surprise. Instead, he sighed again and explained:
"Your father later wrote to me in detail about this matter. He specifically consulted your grandmother and mother about sending money home."

He paused, seemingly recalling the contents of the letter, "He had been providing long-term financial assistance to the families of several fallen comrades. Some children needed to go to school and required tuition and living expenses; some elderly people were in poor health and needed to see a doctor and take medicine, which cost a lot."

He was a man of great loyalty and affection, and he couldn't bear to see his comrades' families destitute. In fact, the bulk of his monthly salary went into this bottomless pit.

He was in the military, and his expenses weren't high, but he still had very little left.

Tian Yuzhu added: Moreover, from time to time, other comrades-in-arms, or the families of fallen comrades, would write to him for help when they encountered difficulties. As long as he had enough money, he would lend a hand, giving them three, five, ten or eight yuan.

He said those were his brothers who had gone through thick and thin with him, and their families; he couldn't just stand by and do nothing.

I know your father's character. Although he made a mistake in that matter, he never lies when it comes to money and promises.

I tend to believe that he wasn't making excuses; he was telling the truth.

He also assured me that if there was any urgent need for money at home, such as if you were sick and needed to be hospitalized, or if Shanshan needed to go to school and couldn't afford the tuition, he would prioritize meeting the family's needs, and even if he had to borrow money himself, he would send the money back.

I specifically consulted your grandmother about this matter.

Recalling the scene at that time, Tian Yuzhu still has great respect for the old lady.

The old lady was also the mother of two martyrs—Yang Guangming's two younger brothers-in-law also sacrificed their lives on the battlefield, and she had a special affection for the families of martyrs.

At that time, she simply waved her hand and said to Tian Yuzhu in a slightly hoarse voice, "Jianxiong's actions... although they have caused hardship for his family,... can be considered as doing right by his deceased brothers."

Keep the money at home tight, just enough to get by. Any more money will just sit in the bank and won't generate any more revenue.

It would be better to use that money to help those who are having an even harder time... They have lost the breadwinner of their families, and their lives are even more difficult than ours.

As long as Guangming and Shanshan have enough to eat and wear, and can go to school, that's enough.

The old lady's words were simple and unadorned, yet they revealed a profound understanding of righteousness and a sense of open-mindedness and compassion born from experiencing war and the pain of separation.

As the mother of two martyrs, she understands better than anyone the pain and hardship endured by families who have lost their sons and husbands.

The sunlight fell silent.

This reason was completely unexpected for him, like a heavy blow to his preconceived notions.

The father whom he labeled "heartless and fickle" and "irresponsible to his family" actually bore such a heavy and selfless responsibility, maintaining an invisible network connected by martyrs.

Grandma's understanding and support added a tragic dimension to the matter, transcending personal grievances.

He suddenly felt that the original owner's hatred for his father seemed to have lost a solid foundation, becoming somewhat empty and... naive.

Tian Yuzhu observed the subtle changes in his nephew's expression and knew that these words had a significant impact on him, reshaping his view of his father.

He seized the opportunity to persuade him, his tone earnest and full of wisdom: "Guangming, so many years have passed, and it's difficult to judge the rights and wrongs of the matter simply by right and wrong."

Just like crops in the field, there are droughts and floods, and the quality of the harvest is not just a matter of the seeds.

Your father...he has his faults and has wronged your mother, there is no doubt about that.

But he also has his responsibilities and his inevitabilities, promises he must keep and burdens he cannot shake off.

I think your current idea is very good and a pragmatic move. No matter how many grudges or disputes there were in the past, you are still father and son, and that is an unbreakable blood bond.

Jianxiong is your father, and you are his only son. That will never change.

The importance and expectations he holds for you are heavier than a mountain. You are the continuation of his life and his greatest pride.

If you were angry and resentful in the past, and didn't give him any chance to get close or acknowledge him, he must have felt stifled and uncomfortable, with unspeakable suffering.

Now, even if your initial intention was for your mother's future, the fact that you're willing to take the initiative to find him and communicate with him is a turning point, a wonderful thing.

Tian Yuzhu thought for a moment and continued, "You don't need to try to please him or forgive him. You just need to give him a chance, a chance to do something for you and your mother, and make up for his guilt."

I believe that as long as it is within his capabilities, he will do everything in his power and mobilize all available connections to get your mother's job and residency settled.

For him, this is both compensation for your mother and a breakthrough in repairing your father-son relationship; he would definitely be more than happy to accept it.

Tian Yuzhu's words were earnest and full of insight into the ways of the world.

He was telling Yang Guangming that sometimes, making compromises and utilizing existing relationships based on the circumstances is to achieve more important goals, to make the family's life better. This is a sign of a man's maturity and responsibility, and does not mean yielding to or abandoning principles.

Yang Guangming remained silent for a long time.

His eyes were deep, like two deep wells, reflecting the flickering lights and the turbulent thoughts in his heart.

He needed time to process this complex and impactful information, to re-examine and assess the existence of the "father" and the possible future relationship between them.

The atmosphere in the room became somewhat stagnant, as if the air itself had stopped flowing. The light from the kerosene lamp also became somewhat unstable, flickering and illuminating the different expressions of the three people.

Just then, the curtain to the inner room was lifted, and Tian Yufen and Yang Shanshan came out carrying two large trays of plump white dumplings. Their faces were flushed and smiling after their busy work, which also dispelled the heavy and suffocating atmosphere in the air.

"The dumplings are ready! Hurry up and eat them while they're hot! They'll smell bad when they're cold!" Tian Yufen's voice was a little tired, but more than that, it was full of satisfaction and anticipation as she placed the steaming dumplings in the center of the table.

"Oh! Time to eat dumplings!"

Yang Shanshan cheered, her big eyes sparkling as she stared at the dumplings that looked like ingots, exuding the aroma of flour and cured meat. Her little face was full of pure anticipation and joy.

Yang Guangming took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the complex emotions surging in his chest, and a gentle smile reappeared on his face.

He stood up and helped his mother and sister put the dumplings on the table, and then brought over a vinegar bottle and a garlic bowl.

"Come on, Uncle, Uncle, have some dumplings and try my mother's cooking." He greeted them warmly, as if the deep and moving conversation from just now had never happened, and everything had returned to the warm atmosphere of a family gathering.

Tian Yulin and Tian Yuzhu also picked up their chopsticks, forcing smiles on their faces, and echoed, "Okay, okay, let's eat dumplings, let's eat dumplings."

The atmosphere warmed up again, but beneath that warmth, there seemed to be a tacitly understood complex emotion.

The bottle of sorghum liquor was just finished, with only a little bit left at the bottom of the glass.

The three of them tacitly finished the remaining wine in their glasses, the spicy taste serving as a kind of closing sign to their conversation, and then began to enjoy this rare meal of dumplings filled with cured pork and eggplant, made with fine white bread.

The dumplings have thin wrappers and generous fillings, with delicate pleats at the pinched edges. One bite reveals the unique salty aroma of cured pork and the sweetness of steamed eggplant, bursting with juice and flavor without being greasy. It's a hearty and delicious treat that's hard to find even on ordinary days during the Lunar New Year.

The family sat around the table, eating steaming dumplings, temporarily putting aside the heavy topics of past grievances and future plans, and immersing themselves in the simple comfort brought by the food.

The happiest person was Yang Shanshan. The table was laden with braised beef, pig's head meat, stir-fried cured meat, and fragrant dumplings—all delicacies she could only dream of in her daily life.

She ate until her little mouth was glistening with oil, her cheeks bulging like a little hamster storing food. Her eyes were so happy they were narrowed into two curved slits, and she would occasionally let out a satisfied hum.

However, her grandmother, Qin Lanying, still kept an eye on her, not letting her eat too much of the greasy braised beef and pig's head meat, fearing that her weak stomach would not be able to digest it and she would get an upset stomach at night. She only let her taste a few slices to satisfy her craving, and then urged her to eat more dumplings and drink more dumpling soup to "digest the original food."

Fortunately, the dumplings were delicious enough today, with generous fillings. Yang Shanshan ate them with great relish, barely able to stop eating, and her little belly quickly became round and plump.

Yang Guangming felt both bittersweet and gratified as he watched his younger sister wolf down her food with obvious satisfaction.

It's heartbreaking that such a simple meal could bring my sister such joy, which shows how hard our daily life is; but it's comforting that at least for this moment, the family is together and feeling warm.

This further strengthened his resolve to improve his family's living conditions as soon as possible, and the plan to move to Kyoto had to be put on the agenda as soon as possible.

After eating and drinking their fill, Tian Yufen and Yang Shanshan quickly and efficiently cleared away the dishes and table, wiping the greasy surface clean to reveal the original grain of the wood.

Yang Guangming got up, walked to the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed), and took out a tin tea canister from the heavy luggage bag he had brought back.

He opened the lid, and a delicate, high-pitched aroma of tea, with a hint of fruitiness, immediately wafted out, instantly dispelling the greasiness of the food and refreshing his spirits.

"Second Uncle, Eldest Uncle, try this, Biluochun tea."

Yang Guangming rinsed the glass teacup with boiling water from the thermos, then put in tea leaves and poured in hot water.

The tender green buds and leaves slowly unfurled in the transparent glass, like dancing sprites. The tea soup gradually turned a clear and bright yellow-green, and the aroma became increasingly refreshing.

Tian Yuzhu picked up a cup, first bringing it to his nose to inhale the aroma carefully. The fragrance was lingering and unique. Then he took a small sip, letting the tea linger in his mouth to savor its fresh, mellow flavor. Finally, he slowly swallowed, nodding in praise:
"Excellent tea! The flavor is so fresh and mellow, with a wonderful aftertaste. It's top-notch. Guangming, this is truly a fine product."

He was a worldly man and knew this tea was no ordinary tea.

Tian Yulin followed suit and took a sip. Although he didn't know much about tea and usually drank his own roasted large-leaf tea, he found this tea to be fragrant, soothing, and comforting. He chuckled and said, "Hmm, it's fragrant, much better than our tea dust."

Yang Guangming smiled, not elaborating on the origin of the tea, only vaguely saying, "It was given to me by a friend. I'm glad you two like it."

Tian Yuzhu sipped his tea, glanced at his niece Yang Shanshan, who was lying on the kang table, doing her homework diligently with a furrowed brow in the dim light of the kerosene lamp, then winked at Yang Guangming and shook his head slightly.

Yang Guangming understood that what he was about to say might not be appropriate for his younger sister to hear.

He turned to Yang Shanshan and said gently, "Shanshan, take your homework to the west room to do it. It's brighter on the kang table, so you don't hurt your eyes. I need to talk to my uncles about something."

Yang Shanshan obediently said "Oh," without asking any further questions. She quickly packed up her books and pencils, picked up the small kerosene lamp, carefully shielded the flame with her hand, and lifted the curtain to enter the west room.

Having sent his sister away, Tian Yuzhu's expression became serious once again.

He looked at Tian Yufen, who had just finished cleaning the kitchen and was sitting on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed) after lifting the curtain, and then at Qin Lanying, who was sitting at the door, considering how to start the conversation.

He knew that, separated only by a curtain, his elder sister and the old lady must have overheard bits and pieces of their conversation about Yang Jianxiong, the details of their divorce, and their financial assistance to the families of their fallen comrades. (End of Chapter)