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

Upon hearing Yang Guangming's words, Political Commissar Yang showed a slight look of surprise.

He had originally thought the young man would make more specific or more urgent demands, such as asking for money or food directly, or seeking certain benefits through his father's connections.

After all, in an era of scarcity where many people rack their brains for food, making such a request seems to be the norm.

Unexpectedly, Yang Guangming simply stated his family's predicament and the purpose of his trip in a calm, neither humble nor arrogant, reasonable and well-founded manner, rather than pleading.

This composure and clear thinking beyond his years surprised Political Commissar Yang, who couldn't help but think more highly of his old comrade's son.

He was silent for a moment, tapping his fingers lightly on his knee as if weighing something, then looked up at Yang Guangming with a calm yet scrutinizing gaze.

Yang Zhenhua asked in a calm tone, "Guangming, what do you think about arranging a job for your mother, Comrade Yufen, with the Women's Federation?"

Upon hearing this, Yang Guangming's face revealed an undisguised look of surprise for the first time.

He even wondered if he had misheard, or if Political Commissar Yang was just making a hypothetical inquiry.

His request was so easily answered? And by the Women's Federation, a job that sounds respectable and suited to his mother's past experiences.
This went so smoothly that it surprised him, even making him instinctively wary and wondering if there were any additional conditions or more complex considerations behind it.

All the difficulties he had anticipated, such as policy restrictions, limited quotas, and the need for multiple levels of approval, seemed to vanish in the face of this one sentence.

He steadied himself, forcing himself to recover from the brief shock, and spoke cautiously, choosing his words as tactfully as possible to avoid appearing ungrateful:
"Political Commissar Yang, the work of the Women's Federation... that's certainly very good. My mother joined the Party after liberation and served as the village's women's director, so she has some experience in grassroots women's work."

She is an upright and hardworking person, and if given the opportunity to continue serving her female comrades, she would do her utmost. However…

He paused slightly, observed Political Commissar Yang's expression, and then continued, "The District Women's Federation must be difficult to get into, right? Can it be arranged so easily? I mean, wouldn't this put you in a difficult position, or require going through a very complicated procedure?"

Seeing Yang Guangming, who had always appeared mature and composed, show such a caught-off and even hesitant expression, Political Commissar Yang couldn't help but burst into laughter. His hearty and loud laughter was particularly clear in the quiet little room.

Yang Zhenhua pointed at Yang Guangming, his tone unusually relaxed and teasing, and the wrinkles on his face smoothed out:
"Good lad, from the moment we met until now, you've been mature and composed, speaking and acting with impeccable composure. I thought you had cultivated the ability to remain unaffected by fire or water and to keep your emotions in check at such a young age."

So there are times when you're completely baffled! Looks like you're still young after all!

He stopped laughing, but a smile still lingered in his eyes and brows—a gentle and amusing quality that comes from an elder seeing a younger person react in a way that befits their age.

He dropped his joking expression and explained seriously, "I'm not teasing you anymore. To be honest, on this matter, you and your father are on the same page."

What do you call this? This is called a father and son being of one heart!

It seems that blood ties sometimes really do defy logic.

Yang Guangming's doubts deepened.

How could he? Hadn't he, as the father, long ago abandoned them, mother and son? Could there be some hidden story he doesn't know about?

Countless questions flashed through his mind, but he didn't interrupt. He simply suppressed his surprise and listened quietly, his gaze focused, showing that he was paying close attention to every word.

Political Commissar Yang seemed quite satisfied with his composed demeanor and continued:
"Comrade Jianxiong was transferred to Kyoto from the Northeast Military Region last year. Before, he was far from home, separated by thousands of mountains and rivers. Although life in his hometown was not well-off, he heard that it was relatively stable, so he didn't think too much about it."

After all, he often had no choice in the matter.

However, since the beginning of spring this year, the situation has become increasingly severe, especially in rural areas, where life has become even more difficult.

He had learned about his family's situation through various channels and was very concerned and worried.

He knew that Comrade Yufen was stubborn and strong-willed, and rarely asked for favors, especially from him. He was genuinely worried about the old lady, who was elderly and in poor health, and who had long suffered from a lack of medical care and medicine in the countryside.

In order to solve the problem once and for all, Jianxiong had long been thinking about arranging a formal job for Comrade Yufen in the city.

You could consider your hometown county or Kyoto.

However, he didn't have any strong connections back in his hometown. He wasn't familiar with the people in the various departments of the county, which made him feel constrained when it came to getting things done.

If Comrade Yufen is willing to come to Kyoto, it would actually be easier for him to do so by leveraging his connections in the military region and the personal relationships of some old comrades-in-arms.

Jianxiong himself felt it wasn't convenient to contact his family directly. After all… there was some distance between them, and they had grown accustomed to that silence over the years. He feared that contacting them abruptly might cause misunderstandings, and he was also worried that Yufen's reaction would be too strong, which could make things worse.

At this point, Political Commissar Yang gave Yang Guangming a meaningful look, his tone carrying a barely perceptible sigh, "He originally planned to discuss it with you, his son who is studying at university in Kyoto, first, to hear your opinion, and have you mediate; perhaps that would have been more effective."

Unfortunately, he didn't see you again when he went to the school to look for you the second time. It seems you two, father and son, are always just a little short of meeting.

The sunlight was bright and silent.

The original owner's resentment towards her father indeed severed too many possibilities for communication.

It was a mixture of resentment towards the mother, hatred for the abandonment, and a sense of alienation stemming from a long-term lack of paternal love, like a thick wall blocking any information from the father.

Hearing Political Commissar Yang mention it now, he couldn't help but feel a complex mix of emotions.

"With no one to consult with, Jianxiong had to make his own decision and bite the bullet to push this matter forward," Political Commissar Yang continued.

His tone conveyed understanding for his old comrade-in-arms: "He considered that you are a college student, a true prodigy, and after graduation, you are very likely to stay in Kyoto and be assigned a job, with unlimited potential."

We'll arrange for Comrade Yufen to work in Kyoto. Once you graduate, your family will be able to reunite in Kyoto and won't have to be separated anymore.

It can solve the livelihood problems of Comrade Yufen and the old lady, and also allow you to study with peace of mind and without any worries.

This is a win-win situation and the best arrangement for the family's future.

He took this matter very seriously and used almost every connection he could.

Considering that Comrade Yufen was a veteran Party member after liberation, politically reliable, and had served as the village women's director for many years, possessing rich experience in grassroots work, he specially contacted an old comrade-in-arms who had transferred to work in an important department in the city.

The feedback from the other side was that Comrade Yu Fen's personal qualifications were good; her status as a Party member and her experience in grassroots work fully met some of the internal guidelines in the relevant policies.

"The job situation has been basically settled after some effort; it's within the Women's Federation system. The specific unit hasn't been finalized yet, but the general direction won't change."

Political Commissar Yang shrugged, a hint of "coincidence is the mother of all stories" on his face:

"You see, things just happen by chance."

Jianxiong had just finished arranging things and contacted everyone involved, but before he could even tell his family, you came looking for him, all for the same thing.

What does this mean? It means that you two are thinking the same thing, both hoping that your family members will be well, and both hoping that Comrade Yufen and the old lady can have a stable place to settle down.

The sentiment is the same.

This unexpected situation caught Yang Guangming somewhat off guard.

He had envisioned various scenarios of difficult negotiations and reasoned arguments, and even made mental preparations for a long-term "struggle".

But what they never expected was that their father, who harbored resentment and believed they were irresponsible towards the family, had already silently paved part of their path ahead without their knowledge.

This overly smooth development, this proactive assistance from the "opposite side," left him momentarily at a loss as to how to react.

Should we feel relieved? Or should we remain vigilant? Or is it an irony of years of resentment?
With his experience from two lifetimes, he was filled with mixed feelings at this moment, and all sorts of thoughts came to mind, making it impossible for him to sort them out.

Seeing that Yang Guangming was deep in thought with a slight frown, Political Commissar Yang knew that the news had a significant impact on him, so he stopped teasing him and patiently waited for him to process the information.

After a short while, Yang Zhenhua continued to explain Yang Jianxiong's arrangements in detail, hoping to further dispel Yang Guangming's doubts:
"Jianxiong had already consulted the relevant policies in advance."

After Comrade Yufen gets a formal job, she can transfer her household registration to Kyoto as a formal employee of the unit, in accordance with relevant regulations.

Since Shanshan is a minor, her household registration can be transferred with her mother, which will solve the schooling problem and allow her to be assigned to a good school nearby.

As for your grandmother…

Political Commissar Yang looked at Yang Guangming with a reassuring gaze, "She has no immediate family members left in her hometown village. She is old and needs her son to support her. This is only natural."

According to regulations, her household registration can also be transferred to your father's household registration under the name of relying on her children.

After Comrade Yufen's household registration is settled, the old lady requested that her household registration be merged with your mother's. There shouldn't be any problems with the process.

Jianxiong had already consulted about these key aspects in advance, and they were all permitted by policy, so there would be no major obstacles.

He is always cautious in his work, especially when it involves his family; he checks repeatedly to ensure everything is perfect.

Commissar Yang's affirmative tone reassured Yang Guangming and indirectly portrayed him as a meticulous and responsible father.

"The only issue that hasn't been fully resolved yet is the housing problem."

Political Commissar Yang then shifted the topic to the practical difficulties, and his tone became more pragmatic: "This will only happen after Comrade Yufen officially reports for duty and her work relationship is transferred. Based on the actual situation of the unit and the availability of housing, she can then apply for and be allocated appropriate housing according to her seniority and family size."

However, Guangming, you need to be prepared that, given Comrade Yufen's recent start in the job and her current position, even if she gets a room, it certainly won't be very large, and the conditions will likely be quite basic. It might just be a single room in a simple building, or perhaps two single-story rooms.

Upon hearing about the housing issue, Yang Guangming snapped out of his complicated thoughts and nodded in understanding.

He has a deeper understanding of the housing shortage in this era than most people.

"Political Commissar Yang, we understand that housing allocation should be done according to policy."

The fact that the organization can help me get a work permit is already an immense favor. No matter how big or small the place is, having a place to stay is better than living in the countryside, constantly worrying and living hand to mouth.

We are capable of enduring hardship and are willing to overcome difficulties.

He paused, feeling it necessary to share another idea of ​​his, which concerned the future quality of life for his family, especially his grandmother's adjustment.

"However, I actually have another idea regarding housing. If... I mean if, there are suitable private houses available for transfer, such as detached houses with a yard, or houses that are slightly larger and can guarantee basic living space, we would prefer to choose this option."

He saw a hint of surprise in Political Commissar Yang's eyes, so he explained in detail: "It's mainly because of my grandmother. She's used to living in the countryside, in a spacious bungalow with her own little courtyard where she can sunbathe and exercise."

Moving into an apartment building all at once, with its cramped space, inconvenient stairs, and lack of familiar neighbors, might make her feel stifled and uncomfortable, which could actually be detrimental to her health.

If she had a yard, even a small one, she could tend to it, grow some vegetables, have something to do, something to look forward to, and adapt to city life more quickly, which would be good for both her physical and mental health.

My mother works during the day, Shanshan goes to school, and with a yard, Grandma has some space to move around, instead of being confined to a small room of just a few square meters all day.

Guangming's proposal was clearly unexpected by Political Commissar Yang, or rather, it was completely outside Yang Jianxiong's previous considerations.

Political Commissar Yang remained silent for a moment, his fingers unconsciously stroking the armrest of the chair. A slightly troubled expression appeared on his face, and his brows furrowed slightly, clearly considering how to respond to this somewhat "above-the-top" request.

"Guangming, your idea... is good, it shows great consideration for the elderly. Your filial piety is commendable."

Political Commissar Yang first affirmed his starting point, but then began to analyze the current predicament in a serious tone, "However, it is extremely difficult to achieve, and it can be said that the hope is slim."

He held up his finger, "The first issue is the housing supply."

You may not have a clear idea of ​​how tight housing is in the city right now.

Every organization is struggling to provide housing for its employees, with queues stretching for miles.

Privately owned houses available for sale are extremely rare. It requires a lot of luck, really a lot of luck.

He further explained, in a serious tone, intending to discourage Yang Guangming from backing down: "After five or six years of private housing renovation, the policies have become very tight."

Previously, most of the larger private houses that were vacant have been leased by the state and are now under unified management and allocation.

These houses cannot be transferred privately; it's not allowed by policy. The property deeds are held by the housing management bureau, and the paperwork can't be completed at all.

The private houses that can theoretically still be freely transferred are basically those that the owners still live in and that were left by their ancestors.

They need to live there themselves, and it's common for a large family to live together, so how could they easily transfer the lease?
Unless there are extremely special circumstances, such as the whole family having to move to another place for work or to stay with relatives, or other very rare reasons, homeowners will not consider transferring their private houses.

Even so, they usually ask relatives and friends first, or deal with it internally within their workplace, and rarely end up outside.

This is extremely rare; it's something you can only hope for. It's all about luck, and even then, you might not encounter it. And…”

Political Commissar Yang looked at Yang Guangming and said in a more serious tone, "Even if you're lucky enough to come across one, the price of such a private house transfer will definitely not be cheap. You'll need to come up with a large sum of money at once, possibly several hundred yuan or even more."

This is no small amount; many dual-income families might not be able to save that much even after a lifetime of hard work.

He clearly did not believe that Yang Guangming had such economic strength.

Yang Guangming was certainly aware of this situation.

His proposal to buy a private house was based on the mindset of "it would be best if I could, but if not, I would accept the housing allocation." It was a positive attempt, not a goal that had to be achieved.

He quickly explained, his tone sincere: "Uncle Yang, I understand all the difficulties you mentioned."

I know it's difficult, but I'm just bringing it up as a priority.

If there are really no suitable options, we would be very grateful for the housing provided by our work unit and would have absolutely no complaints!
At least the family can have a stable place to live in Kyoto, Shanshan can go to school, and her grandmother and mother can settle down. This is better than anything else.

We are definitely not the kind of people who take advantage of others or are ungrateful.

His reason for proposing to buy a private house was to take this opportunity to make it clear to Political Commissar Yang that he had a "huge sum of money" in his possession.

As Yang Jianxiong's son, if he suddenly produces a large sum of money without a reasonable explanation, it will inevitably cause unnecessary speculation and trouble, and may even affect his father.

He must eliminate this potential threat in advance.

So he pretended to carefully take out a neatly folded piece of paper from his inner pocket, which was the official purchase certificate issued by Tongrentang, and handed it to Yang Zhenhua with an appropriate solemnity on his face.

“Uncle Yang, the reason I dare to make this request is because I happen to have some money on hand. The source is legitimate, and the paperwork is complete. Please take a look at this receipt.”

His tone was calm, with a sense of frankness.

Political Commissar Yang took the paper with some doubt, feeling the slightly rough texture of a formal document.

He unfolded it and saw the three prominent traditional Chinese characters "Tongrentang", the keywords "Special Grade Natural Bile", "Thirty-Five Grams", "Purchase Price", "Two Thousand Eight Hundred Yuan", as well as the bright red official seal and the personal seal of the person in charge below.

Even with his extensive experience, high position, and extensive handling of large sums of money, he was still taken aback.

In this era, this amount would be an astonishing sum for any ordinary family.

He abruptly raised his head, his gaze sharp as he looked at Yang Guangming, his tone unusually serious: "Two thousand eight hundred yuan? Guangming, what... what's going on? Where did you get this?"

His first reaction was worry—worry that the young man had gone astray or been taken advantage of. The amount was too large; he couldn't afford not to be cautious.

Yang Guangming sensed the pressure and concern in Political Commissar Yang's gaze, which reassured him.

He then repeated to Political Commissar Yang the carefully crafted explanation he had given to his family, delivered in a sincere tone with just the right amount of "reminiscence and emotion."

"That's how it is, Political Commissar Yang. This money came suddenly, and I feel like I'm dreaming. I'm really uneasy holding it in my hands."

Originally, I only intended to use it to supplement the family income and secretly improve the lives of my mother, grandmother, and sister, without daring to make a fuss.

But if we're lucky enough to find a suitable house, the money can be put to a greater use, making Grandma more comfortable, which would be a good use of the money.

If we don't find that, we'll be content with the housing provided by our work unit. We'll save this money for emergencies or for Shanshan's future education.

Yang Guangming stopped at the right moment, his meaning self-evident. He explained the source of the money and its intended use, and finally looked earnestly at Political Commissar Yang, "Tongrentang has verifiable records of where this money came from. Please... help me keep it a secret, and please rest assured that there will be absolutely no problems."

Political Commissar Yang listened attentively, his gaze never leaving Yang Guangming's face, as if judging the truth or falsehood of every subtle detail in his words.

He looked down again and examined the official receipt bearing the Tongrentang seal more closely. The handwriting, seal, date, description of the goods, and amount were all clear and complete, formatted correctly—the kind of thing a reputable pharmacy would do, not something that seemed fake. He pondered, his surprise and seriousness gradually transforming into a complex understanding, mixed with a hint of disbelief.

He believed Yang Guangming's statement, which was indeed somewhat of a coincidence, but it was not without precedent.

At the same time, he gained a deeper understanding of the young man's luck and his rare honesty and caution.

"So that's how it is... What a rare stroke of luck, you're a fortunate person."

Political Commissar Yang handed the receipt back to Yang Guangming, his tone returning to calm, "Since you have this money, and it's from a legitimate source with all the necessary paperwork, then if you really come across a suitable property, you certainly have the ability to consider buying it. You're quite composed and have a lot of opinions."

He nodded slightly, acknowledging the matter: "Alright, I understand. I'll ask someone to keep an eye out and see if there's any such opportunity."

I have some connections in the local area, so I can ask the staff at the housing management bureau or some well-informed friends.

But let me be clear from the start, this is purely a matter of luck. I can't guarantee that I'll find it, and you should be prepared not to have too high hopes, lest you be disappointed.

Once Jianxiong returns and finds out Yufen's workplace, it would be best if we could find a suitable private house nearby with a good location and environment, which would also make it convenient for Yufen to commute to and from get off work.

If you can't find one, just wait patiently for your work unit to allocate housing. Take it one step at a time and don't rush.

Life is something you make by living it; the most important thing is to first establish yourself firmly.

Political Commissar Yang's arrangements were well-organized, offering both hope and a preventative measure.

Yang Guangming felt a weight lifted off his shoulders, not only because Political Commissar Yang had agreed to help inquire about houses, but also because the source of the funds had received initial "official" approval.

He nodded solemnly, his tone full of gratitude: "I understand, thank you for your trouble, Uncle Yang! No matter the outcome, we are extremely grateful for your kindness. Finding a house would be a pleasant surprise, but not finding one is also perfectly normal, and we will never have any complaints."

Political Commissar Yang looked at the young man in front of him, who was calm yet persistent, and knew how to assess the situation and know when to advance and retreat. His impression of him improved even more, and he even had a feeling that the future achievements of his old comrade-in-arms Yang Jianxiong's son were probably limitless.

He hesitated for a moment, feeling that there were some things he should say about the relationship between him and his son, and that as an outsider, he might be able to act as a bridge between them.

"Light!"

Commissar Yang's tone became more earnest, with the concern of an elder, "Regarding your parents' divorce back then, I know you have a knot in your heart, and you may have a lot of dissatisfaction and misunderstandings about Jianxiong."

What happened back then... was indeed very complicated, involving many factors, and not just what you think.

In some situations, Jianxiong... had his own unavoidable circumstances. Many things cannot be done perfectly; one can only choose to bear the responsibility for one side.

He observed Yang Guangming's expression and, seeing that the other party did not show any obvious resistance, but only lowered his eyes and listened attentively, he continued:

“He used to be in Northeast China. Even if you and your son wanted to meet, the objective conditions wouldn’t allow it. You were separated by a great distance and it was difficult to communicate.”

Now that we're both in Kyoto, the distance between us has narrowed, and you've grown into a sensible and responsible college student. You should be able to see things more comprehensively now.

Jianxiong has long wanted to tell you the truth about what happened back then. He doesn't ask for your immediate forgiveness, but at least hopes to clear up some misunderstandings.

He hadn't found a suitable opportunity and didn't know how to bring it up.

He was afraid you would be disgusted, afraid you wouldn't listen, and afraid of facing your questioning gaze.

Now that you and your son live in the same city, you are closer in distance, but your hearts are still too far apart.

He feels guilty towards his family and wants to make amends, so he can only start with you. If you can mediate, I think it will be a good thing for your family.

Political Commissar Yang sighed softly, his tone carrying understanding and a hint of sympathy for his old comrade's predicament:
“I hope that when he comes back, you and your son will have a chance to talk alone. You can give him a chance to explain, put aside your prejudices for now, sit down and listen to him patiently.”

This is ultimately a matter between him and your mother, and it's your family affair. As an outsider, it's not appropriate for me to get too involved; I can only touch on the subject briefly.

He stood up, walked to Yang Guangming, patted him on the shoulder, and spoke sincerely, with a hint of promise:

"After you and your father have met and talked, if there is still any knot in your heart that you can't untie, or anything that you can't understand, and you feel that you need to talk to an outsider and get their opinion, you can come to me at any time."

I'll prepare some wine and a couple of side dishes. My son and I will drink and chat, just like old friends, sharing our innermost thoughts.

As your uncle, I'm still willing to listen to your troubles.

These words were spoken sincerely, full of the care and goodwill of an elder, and also gave Yang Guangming enough respect and space.

Yang Guangming could sense that Political Commissar Yang genuinely hoped that he and his son could ease their relationship and resolve their long-standing grudges.

He stood up and thanked him sincerely again, this time not just out of politeness, but also with a deep sense of gratitude: "Thank you, Uncle Yang. I've remembered what you said, and I will... seriously consider it. When I see him, I will try my best to listen to what he has to say calmly."

Political Commissar Yang nodded, a look of satisfaction on his face, as if he had completed an important communication task:
"Okay, it's good that you have this attitude."

Let's go, I'll go say goodbye to your grandma and your mother. I should head back too, I still have some things to take care of.

You've had a long journey, so please get some rest tonight and recharge. I've already told the staff at the guesthouse to take care of everything; please don't hesitate to ask if you need anything.

The two walked out of room 205 one after the other and returned to room 203 next door.

Tian Yufen and Qin Lanying immediately stood up from the bedside, their faces filled with inquiry, their eyes darting back and forth between Yang Guangming and Political Commissar Yang, as if trying to read the outcome of their conversation from their expressions.

Yang Shanshan also lowered the curtains she had been fiddling with, opened her eyes wide to look at her brother and the seemingly dignified Political Commissar Yang, and unconsciously grabbed her mother's clothes.

Political Commissar Yang's face regained its gentle, warm smile, and he said to the old lady and Tian Yufen:
"Old lady, Comrade Yufen, I had a chat with Guangming, we explained everything clearly, and we also exchanged some ideas."

Please feel at ease staying here and make yourself at home. If you need anything, just let the staff know, or have Guangming contact me. Don't be shy.

Jianxiong will be back the day after tomorrow afternoon. At that time, you can sit down and discuss the specific work arrangements and details of the household registration transfer with your family.

He also has some specific ideas that he wants to discuss with you.

He did not reveal the specifics of their discussion, but said in a reassuring tone, "Jianxiong has considered things like work and household registration, and has made some preparations in advance, running around with a lot of procedures. We'll discuss it in detail when you meet."

Don't worry, everything will be arranged properly. You and your children won't suffer anymore. Things will definitely get better from now on.

Hearing him say this, the old lady and Tian Yufen, although still having many questions, finally felt somewhat relieved.

Commissar Yang's tone of certainty and composure carried an inherent power that inspired confidence.

Especially after hearing that Yang Jianxiong had "considered", "made preparations", and "run a lot of procedures", the panic of being completely abandoned and ignored was greatly reduced, replaced by a complex feeling.

Tian Yufen's mood was particularly chaotic. On the one hand, she breathed a sigh of relief, as the enormous pressure was relieved; on the other hand, the awkwardness of "relying on her ex-husband" and the inherent resentment had not completely dissipated, but were only temporarily suppressed by the predicament of reality.

"Oh, oh, thank you, Political Commissar Yang. You've gone to so much trouble. You're so busy with work, yet you still worry about our family's affairs." The old lady came back to her senses and thanked him repeatedly, her voice full of gratitude.

"You're welcome, it's my pleasure. Jianxiong and I are old comrades-in-arms and old friends. His business is my business." Political Commissar Yang waved his hand, his attitude friendly. "Then you should get some rest. You must be exhausted after a day's travel. I'll head back now."

Yang Guangming and Tian Yufen escorted Political Commissar Yang to the room door, and the young guard who had been standing guard outside the door with a straight posture immediately followed silently.

Political Commissar Yang stopped at the door, nodded to Yang Guangming again, then turned around with his guards, walked steadily downstairs and left, their footsteps gradually fading into the distance.

After seeing Political Commissar Yang off and closing the door, the atmosphere in the room became somewhat silent for a moment, with only the faint noise of the city coming from outside the window.

Tian Yufen leaned against the door panel, as if needing its support, then turned around, her gaze urgent, with a hint of barely perceptible fear, as she looked at her son:

"Guangming, what did Political Commissar Yang... say to you? Is there any progress on the job? What... what exactly does he mean by that?"

The old lady also stared expectantly at her grandson, her hands clasped together nervously, awaiting news that would decide the fate of the family.

Yang Guangming helped his grandmother sit back down on the bed, then pulled up the old chair and sat down himself. After sorting out his thoughts, he told his mother and grandmother the information that Political Commissar Yang had revealed in as calm a tone as possible.

He omitted the details of his father's unsuccessful attempts to contact him, and only talked about the most essential and reassuring things, such as his job and household registration.

"That's roughly it. Political Commissar Yang said that he... he had actually considered the family's difficulties long ago and had already asked someone to arrange a job for my mother. It was basically decided that she would be in the Women's Federation system because he felt that my mother had the status of a Party member and had grassroots experience in women's work, so she was capable of doing the job."

He had consulted the policy beforehand about the household registration transfer, and both Shanshan and her grandmother's household registrations could be transferred together.

Once he returns the day after tomorrow and has secured a specific employer, we can begin the formalities.

Yang Guangming spoke calmly, trying not to let personal emotions get in, and simply stating the facts objectively.

Even so, Tian Yufen and Qin Lanying were stunned after hearing this, their expressions frozen, as if they couldn't process the information for a moment.

Tian Yufen's face was filled with disbelief, her lips moved slightly, but no sound came out.

She never imagined that the person she had resented for so many years, whom she thought had long since stopped caring about her and her child, would do all this behind her back...

How could he? How could he think of these things? Shouldn't he already have a new family, a new life, and be trying to forget them as unbearable memories of the past?
This huge difference in perception made Tian Yufen feel dizzy.

The old lady let out a long sigh of relief, as if a heavy burden had been lifted from her shoulders. Her previously hunched back seemed to straighten up a bit, and even her breathing became much easier.

A son is still a son; blood ties cannot be severed. Over the years, though she may have scolded him harshly, her love and care for him have never wavered.

Now that things are developing in a positive direction, the old lady is very gratified.

The old lady reached out her wrinkled hand and gently patted the back of Tian Yufen's hand, who was still somewhat dazed and confused. The movement was slow and full of comforting meaning.

“Yu Fen, look… this matter… Jianxiong… sigh…” The old lady didn’t know what to say for a moment.

After scolding and resenting my son for so many years, I suddenly learned that he was also secretly trying to make amends. The feeling in my heart was truly a mixture of sour, sweet, bitter, spicy, and salty emotions.

She understood the bitterness and resentment in Tian Yufen's heart, which were not easily resolved, but reality was right in front of her, and the child's future and the family's survival were more important than anything else.

Tian Yufen lowered her head, avoiding her mother-in-law's gaze, her fingers twisting the faded hem of her clothes tightly, her mind in utter turmoil.

She can accept that this is a cold, hard transaction, that she is the one bringing her children to demand the compensation they deserve. This makes her feel strong and that she is fighting for her children's rights, and that her stance is one of resistance.

But if the other party has already taken the initiative to make arrangements and quietly paved the way, the situation seems to be a little different, making her feel a kind of inexplicable panic and disorientation.

It was as if I had punched cotton, without a clear point of impact.

Seeing his mother and grandmother's reactions, Yang Guangming completely understood their complex and indescribable feelings at that moment.

This is not just about the joy of solving practical difficulties, but also involves eight years of emotional entanglement and cognitive upheaval.

He said softly, "Mom, Grandma, no matter what, it's a great thing that the work and household registration issues can be resolved."

This means that our family can establish itself in Kyoto, Shanshan can attend good schools and receive a better education, and Grandma can enjoy her retirement in the city with better medical care.

As for the rest... grudges and disputes, let's talk about them when we meet the day after tomorrow.

There's no point in thinking too much now; the important thing is to move forward.

Yang Guangming's words were like a bucket of cold water, pulling Tian Yufen out of her chaotic thoughts.

Yes, the most important thing is the result.

It's for the children, for the future of this family. Personal grudges and grievances seem to have to take a backseat for now in the face of survival and the future.

She pursed her lips tightly, raised her head, and her eyes regained their resolve.

Tian Yufen's voice was still a little hoarse, but she tried to calm herself down: "Yes, Guangming is right. It's a good thing. The rest... doesn't matter."

She kept repeating "it doesn't matter," as if trying to convince herself.

The old lady nodded, her wrinkles smoothing out, revealing an expression that was truly relaxed after all these days. "Knowing that I have a job and my household registration can be resolved, I feel much more at ease, like a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders."

"Wait two days, that's fine. We've waited eight years already, two more days won't make a difference."

Knowing that her son had made arrangements in advance, the old lady felt a great weight lifted from her heart. Her spirits visibly improved, the weariness on her face lessened, and her eyes regained their light.

The most important and worrying thing seemed to have been resolved. The heavy, oppressive, and uncertain atmosphere in the room was swept away and replaced by a calm filled with anticipation.

Although Yang Shanshan didn't quite understand what the adults were talking about, and work and household registration were still too abstract for her, she could sense that her grandmother and mother didn't seem as nervous and sad as before.

The dark cloud hanging over the family seemed to have dissipated considerably, and a relaxed smile appeared on her little face.

She leaned back against the window, watching the streetlights that gradually lit up like stars and the occasional tram passing by, and felt a vague sense of fondness and curiosity towards this unfamiliar city.

"Mom, Grandma, can we rest easy now?"

Yang Guangming smiled, trying to lighten the mood, "You must be exhausted after such a long drive."

How about we go to the guesthouse cafeteria for dinner? Let's try some Kyoto food. After dinner, we can soak our feet in hot water to relax and then get a good night's sleep.

Tomorrow I can take you for a walk around the neighborhood so you can get familiar with the area.

His proposal received a positive response.

"Okay, whatever you say." Tian Yufen stood up, straightened her clothes and hair, and tried to make herself look more natural.

The old lady also stood up, holding onto the edge of the bed, and stretched her stiff legs: "I'm a little hungry, my stomach has been rumbling for ages. Let's go, let's try the food in Kyoto and see how it's different from what we have back home."

The family tidied up quickly, locked the door, and went downstairs.

Yang Guangming asked the waiter on duty for directions to the canteen, then led his mother, grandmother, and sister through the quiet corridor of the guesthouse toward the canteen on the first floor.

The canteen was small and simply furnished, with white walls and green accents, and a dozen or so dark red wooden square tables and long benches.

The three of them came down relatively late; some people were already having a quiet meal.

Dinner consisted of steamed buns made from a mixture of wheat and cornmeal, corn porridge, stir-fried shredded potatoes, and stewed cabbage with vermicelli that was barely oily. There was no meat in the dishes, but the portions were quite generous, and the food was served steaming hot in large bowls by the window.

For Tian Yufen and Qin Lanying, who rarely see oil in the countryside and often live on wild vegetables, this hot, clean, and filling meal was already considered a very good meal.

Especially the soft yet chewy steamed buns made from two kinds of flour, which exude the natural sweet aroma of grains, paired with the perfectly seasoned and crispy stir-fried potato shreds, make an empty stomach feel incredibly comfortable and satisfied. One bite and your whole body feels warm.

Yang Shanshan ate with particular relish, taking small bites of the steamed bun and large bites of vegetables, her big eyes squinting with satisfaction, her cheeks bulging out.

As Yang Guangming watched his family eat in peace, seeing the relaxed expressions on their faces as they temporarily shed their burdens, he felt a sense of peace and comfort in his heart.

After dinner, the family returned to their room. Yang Guangming went to the water room to fetch hot water so that his mother and grandmother could soak their feet and relax.

The rising steam filled the room, bringing warmth and soothing tense nerves.

After washing up, Tian Yufen and Qin Lanying took Yang Shanshan to room 203, while Yang Guangming returned to his own room 205.

As night deepened, the guesthouse grew increasingly quiet.

Yang Guangming lay on the hard bed, his hands behind his head, gazing at the Kyoto night sky outside the window.

The stars were sparse, the moonlight was hazy, and the city lights cast a dim yellow halo on the horizon.

Commissar Yang's words echoed in his mind as he pondered his father, Yang Jianxiong, trying to piece together a more complete picture of him. It was a long time before he finally drifted off to sleep.

That night, Tian Yufen, in the next room, lay beside her daughter, tossing and turning, unable to sleep.

The old lady, now free of worries, slept more soundly and peacefully than she had in the previous nights. (End of Chapter)