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

On Saturday afternoon, the closing bell for the Institute of Mathematics rang precisely at 5:30.

Yang Guangming calmly closed the English document he was reading, with a few notes of questions tucked between the pages in pencil.

He carefully gathered up the several sheets of paper scattered on the table, filled with calculations. These papers were covered with complex symbols and concise mathematical language, recording his thought process over the past week.

He stacked them neatly in order and then carefully locked them in the drawer of his desk.

He stood up and stretched his neck and shoulders, which were slightly stiff from sitting for a long time; his joints made a slight cracking sound.

Walking to the window, I pushed open the half-closed green gauze curtain, and the cool evening breeze immediately caressed my face. Outside the window, the old sycamore tree, weathered by time, stood with its lush branches and leaves, swaying gently in the evening wind.

This week has been peaceful and fulfilling.

The research institute's working environment was indeed as relaxed and free as he had expected, allowing him to focus on the research itself with little external interference.

He has a completely private office, which, although not large, is bright and clean. Once the door is closed, it becomes a quiet world where he can undisturbed.

Most of the time, he was alone in his office, either engrossed in reading the thick stack of materials on typical groups and Li groups given to him by Group Leader Wan, or buried in consulting relevant domestic and foreign literature to track the latest intellectual trends in academia, or single-mindedly deducing new problems he had conceived on the spread-out manuscript paper.

Occasionally, he would put down his pen and paper completely, lean back in his chair, gaze at the swaying shadows of the trees outside the window, clear his mind, and enjoy this rare tranquility and leisure, allowing his brain to get a full rest after intense calculations.

There weren't many group activities; this week, only one small project discussion meeting was held.

The meeting was chaired by Group Leader Wan, and in addition to Yang Guangming, there were three other older researchers from the group.

Everyone sat around the oval table in the small conference room, exchanging views on some of the latest international developments in the theory of Lie algebra representations.

The discussion was frank and straightforward, truly embodying the style that Team Leader Wan had previously described as "speaking the truth and not being pretentious."

Sometimes, arguments can escalate to the point of heated debate over the definition of a concept or the details of a proof, but once the issues are clarified, harmony is restored, with everything guided by the truth.

Yang Guangming spent most of his time attentively listening to and observing the way of thinking of the senior colleagues. He spoke occasionally, and although he didn't say much, he always hit the nail on the head and put forward some insightful and forward-looking views, which made the senior colleagues nod frequently and look at him with more recognition and respect.

Sitting in the main seat, Team Leader Wan observed all of this and secretly raised his opinion of the young man even higher, feeling that he had a solid foundation, flexible thinking, and was a good candidate for research.

After a week of familiarization and immersive reflection, Yang Guangming has roughly determined the research direction he will focus on next.

He plans to build upon the existing research focus of his group, and cleverly combine his mathematical knowledge and insights accumulated in his second life—which far surpass the current era—to choose an entry point that has not yet been fully explored at this point in time, but which has considerable theoretical depth and innovative potential.

He plans to dedicate a period of time to writing this groundbreaking paper with undivided attention, and to polish it thoroughly.

In a new environment, doing so is both a "pledge of allegiance" to the collective and the most effective way to establish one's academic standing and strive for greater research freedom in the future.

He has ample confidence in achieving results, stemming from the combination of his profound knowledge that transcends time and space with his current thinking abilities.

After tidying up his desk and making sure everything was in order, he picked up the slightly worn satchel.

Before leaving home today, he took out about two pounds of braised mutton sausage and two pounds of braised tofu from the refrigerator, wrapped them in thick oil paper, and put them in his satchel.

Tomorrow is Sunday, and my mother and sister will both be home. It's a good time to prepare a couple of hearty dishes to improve the family's meals and let the warmth of home dispel the fatigue of a week of research.

Although his refrigerator was overflowing with supplies, including not only lamb sausages, but also all sorts of rarer ingredients.

But he knew that in this planned economy era where resources were generally scarce and everything required ration coupons, he had to be extra careful in his actions and that what he brought out had to be reasonable and not arouse suspicion.

The "limit" he can achieve in a way that his family can accept without attracting too much attention from outsiders is simply ensuring a steady supply of daily vegetables, as well as easily preserved foods such as cured meat, sausages, eggs, and salted duck eggs, which have relatively "considerable" sources.

For fresh meat that is almost extinct in the market, he cannot easily take it home, as it is difficult to explain its origin.

As for cooked foods like braised beef and roast chicken, they could only be obtained occasionally through "internal channels" as rare treats, and the frequency couldn't be too high.

He walked out of the Soviet-style dormitory building of the research institute. The evening breeze carried a hint of coolness, dispelling the lingering heat of the day.

The Zhongguancun area still retains the tranquility unique to university districts and research institutions, with Chinese scholar trees lining both sides of the road, their branches and leaves intertwining to form a dense shade.

He walked steadily, his mood was peaceful, and he enjoyed the brief moment of relaxation on his way home from get off work.

In less than twenty minutes, the familiar old jujube tree at the entrance of the alley came into view.

Pushing open the vermilion gate of the courtyard house, the front yard was relatively quiet, with only a few neighboring children playing by the pond, filling wooden basins with water and splashing around, their cheerful laughter echoing through the air.

Crossing the front yard and stepping through the small moon gate feels like entering a relatively independent world, where the familiar atmosphere of home washes over you.

His mother, Tian Yufen, had returned home earlier than him today. She was wearing her faded blue apron and busy in the kitchen with his grandmother.

"Mom, Grandma, I'm back." Yang Guangming's voice carried a hint of relaxation after finishing a week of work.

"Hey, you're back." Tian Yufen poked her head out from the kitchen, a smile on her face as she saw her son. She wiped her hands with the corner of her apron. "You're quite punctual today. Is everything alright at the station?"

Yang Guangming grunted in agreement, walked into the neatly organized kitchen, and took out a paper bag from his bag: "I was lucky today. Through a classmate's connection, I managed to buy some braised lamb sausages and dried tofu. We'll add a couple of dishes tonight."

He spoke so naturally, as if it were truly a lucky coincidence.

As he spoke, he opened the oil paper package, revealing the mutton sausage and braised tofu inside.

"Oh, this is a rare find!" Grandma leaned over to take a look, her dim old eyes immediately lit up, and her face lit up with a smile, revealing her sparse teeth. "This mutton sausage looks really good, not some stuff made with starch. It's well-braised, the color is perfect, it's sure to be delicious!"

Tian Yufen also showed a delighted expression. Although her son often managed to get things that were hard to find on the market, she had gotten used to it, but braised mutton sausages like the ones in front of her were indeed rare.

She took the oil paper package, which felt heavy in her hand. She estimated that it probably weighed about two pounds. However, she habitually said with a mother's special concern, "Such a rare item. Don't forget to repay the favor later. Don't just take advantage of others."

"They're all very close classmates, and we'll be friends for life, so there's no rush to repay the favor." Yang Guangming gave a vague reply, cleverly changing the subject. "I'll try it tonight and see how it tastes. If it's good, I'll buy it again when I have the chance."

"It can't be wrong." Grandma couldn't wait to pick up the kitchen knife, rub it on the edge of the water vat, and prepare to slice the mutton sausage. "Just smelling it is the right smell! It tastes like it was braised in the old braising broth."

With these two main dishes, Tian Yufen took back some of the cured pork she had originally planned to stir-fry, cut a few slices, and stir-fried it together with the freshly picked and washed green string beans.

The staple food is steamed buns made from two kinds of flour that were prepared in the morning. They are now steaming hot on the stove, emitting the unique sweet aroma of grains.

At dinner time, the family sat around the eight-immortal table.

On the table were a plate of thinly sliced, glistening braised mutton sausages, a plate of richly colored, flavorful braised tofu, a plate of stir-fried green beans dotted with translucent slices of cured meat, and a small dish of homemade, crisp and delicious pickled radish.

These four dishes, especially for most ordinary families these days, are considered a rather sumptuous, even somewhat luxurious, meal.

Under the dim light, the dishes looked especially tempting.

"Eat, eat." As the head of the household, Tian Yufen first put a piece of mutton sausage on her mother-in-law's plate, and then put a piece on her son's plate and a piece on her daughter's plate. "Try the good stuff that Guangming brought back, eat it while it's hot."

Yang Shanshan had been craving it for a long time, her eyes fixed on the plate of mutton sausages. Upon receiving her mother's instruction, she immediately picked up a piece and put it in her mouth.

The lamb sausage was braised to perfection, with a savory aroma and a subtle hint of spiciness that cleverly balanced the greasiness. The meat was firm and chewy, and the aroma of the fat slowly melted in her mouth, creating a rich flavor that instantly won over her taste buds.

She squinted her eyes contentedly, her cheeks bulging as she moved.

"Delicious! Brother, this is really delicious!" she praised indistinctly, her chopsticks then quickly reaching for the braised tofu.

The tofu, soaked in the braising liquid, had a chewy and springy texture. The natural fragrance of the tofu and the rich aroma of the braising liquid intertwined to create a unique flavor that was equally delicious, making her keep eating.

The old lady also ate with relish, her toothless mouth moving slowly as she savored the food, nodding repeatedly.

"It smells delicious, and the flavor is authentic! The heat is just right, and there are plenty of spices. It's just as good as the signature dish from Old Ma's braised food shop in our town back in the day."

Watching her children and mother-in-law enjoy their meal, Tian Yufen felt as sweet as if she had drunk honey. The hard work of the week seemed to dissipate in the warm dinner atmosphere.

She savored the complex flavor of the lamb sausage, then took a bite of the soft, coarse-grained steamed bun. Looking at the hearty, oily meal on the table, she glanced around at her old but spotless home, filled with a sense of peace and tranquility.

My heart was filled with emotion, and I felt as if the hard times of the past were truly gone.

"Life now is something I never dared to dream of before," the old lady said, swallowing her food.

She tapped the table lightly with her chopsticks. "Back in the countryside, we rarely saw meat from the beginning to the end of the year. We were always hungry and even ate tree bark and grass roots."

"Look at it now, not only can we eat our fill, but we can also get fine grains, and we can eat such good food every few days..." she said, her eyes slightly moist.

She paused, lowered her voice, and said to Tian Yufen with a hint of relief:

“A few days ago, I sat down and chatted with Old Mrs. Zhang from the Intermediate Court and Old Mrs. Tong from the Front Court. I listened to them talk about what they ate at home. It was either cornbread or vegetable dumplings. At most, they would add a few drops of oil when stir-frying vegetables, which was considered a treat.”

I sat beside them, not daring to utter a sound. The food we eat is so good, nobody would believe it if they knew; people would probably say we're exaggerating.

Upon hearing this, Tian Yufen's expression turned serious, and she once again admonished her youngest daughter, who was engrossed in her work:
"Shanshan, did you hear what Grandma said? When you're out, especially at school, if someone asks you what your family eats, you can't just tell the truth."

"Just say you ate cornbread and some pickled vegetables, maybe a little bit of vegetables you grew yourself in the yard, okay? Never mention meat or eggs."

Yang Shanshan was focused on the food in her bowl when she heard her mother's words. Without even looking up, she replied perfunctorily:
"I know, I know, cornbread and pickled vegetables, I've told my classmates about it so many times, and they all say that our family eats about the same things as them."

In her heart, she thought that the staple food at home was mostly steamed buns made from a mixture of wheat and white flour, with the occasional fragrant white rice. Cornbread was something they ate only occasionally to change things up.

The dishes were also very oily, and we often ate cured meat, eggs, and various other delicious foods that my brother would bring back from time to time.

This kind of life is like a dream come true. She wouldn't be foolish enough to go around telling everyone and cause trouble for her family.

Dinner ended in a warm and satisfying atmosphere.

Yang Shanshan volunteered to help clear the dishes and take them to the kitchen sink. Tian Yufen and the old lady took care of wiping the table and sweeping the floor. The family worked together and quickly cleaned up the mess after the meal.

After everything was tidied up, it was completely dark. A few scattered stars dotted the dark blue sky, and a crescent moon hung obliquely in the sky, casting its clear light.

On autumn nights, the courtyard is cooler than the stuffy house, and an occasional breeze brings a touch of coolness.

Grandma Qin Lanying was in high spirits today. She asked Yang Guangming to move her precious "Panda" brand radio from inside the house to the steps at the entrance of the main room and adjust the knob. Soon, a melodious and soothing folk music flowed from the small wooden box, clearly audible in the quiet courtyard, echoing melodiously.

The old lady moved a small stool and sat under the lush pomegranate tree, fanning herself with a large palm-leaf fan, squinting as she listened to the Bangzi opera "Mu Guiying Takes Command" playing on the radio.

He was humming along to the familiar tune, his face beaming with contentment and satisfaction, as if all the day's fatigue had been swept away in that moment.

The radio's volume was just right, not too loud, but enough to faintly travel through the courtyard wall to the neighbors on either side. In this era of limited entertainment, it was undoubtedly a very attractive signal.

Not long after, Mrs. Zhang, the family member of a martyr who lived in the east wing of the central courtyard, walked in with a smile, carrying an unfinished shoe sole. She greeted them familiarly.

“Auntie, I can tell from the sound that you’re playing your opera again. I’m so excited, I can’t sit still. I came to your house to join in the fun and get a piece of the action.”

"Please sit down, please sit down," the old lady hurriedly invited, pointing to another small stool next to her. "They're playing 'Mu Guiying Takes Command' right now, in Ma Jinfeng's voice, which you love the most. Come and listen!"

Grandma Zhang didn't stand on ceremony. After sitting down, she placed the soles of her shoes on her knees and listened to the opera while unconsciously tapping the soles of her shoes to the rhythm, clearly immersed in the performance.

Immediately afterward, Li Da Niang, the wife of Deputy Director Li from the main house of the Intermediate Court, also came in carrying an enamel mug containing freshly brewed jasmine tea, which emitted a faint fragrance.

"Oh, everyone's listening? I'll join in too. This radio is great; I can listen to operas and songs from home. It's much better than just sitting around enjoying the cool air." She smiled and found a small stool next to Grandma Zhang to sit down.

Aunt Tong, the wife of Grandpa Tong, who lived in the east wing of the front yard, was also holding a palm-leaf fan. She came over as she fanned herself, a slightly embarrassed smile on her face: "I... came over to listen too. It's much more lively here."

The small east courtyard suddenly became lively and full of people.

Tian Yufen poured some cooled boiled water for her neighbors, added some hot water to Aunt Li's teacup, and then moved a stool to sit next to her mother-in-law, keeping them company and occasionally interjecting with a few words about opera or everyday family matters.

People listened to the radio and chatted about everyday matters, mainly trivial things in and around the courtyard, such as which grocery store came and sold wilted vegetables without requiring coupons, which family's child was getting married and how many "legs" they were planning to collect, and what new notices the neighborhood had recently issued regarding sanitation inspections or study documents.

The atmosphere was harmonious and peaceful, filled with the unique neighborly warmth of old Beijing's hutongs.

Yang Guangming and his younger sister Yang Shanshan sat on the threshold and stool a little further away. One of them gazed at the sparse stars in the night sky, his thoughts drifting to who-knows-where; the other listened with great interest to the adults gossiping about everyday matters.

After chatting for a while, Tian Yufen seemed to remember something, got up, picked up a small bamboo basket placed against the wall, and walked to the two lush vegetable plots by the south wall of the courtyard.

Although these two plots of land are not large, they are well taken care of by the hardworking woman and the old lady, and the green beans, cucumbers and tomatoes are all growing vigorously.

Using the light from the main room and the hazy moonlight, she deftly picked half a basket of fresh, green, and plump string beans.

She carried the half-basket of green beans to her neighbors and said with a smile, "Aunt Zhang, sisters-in-law, look at my green beans. They've grown so fast these past few days because of the rain. We can't eat them all, and they'll get too old if we don't eat them soon, which is a shame. Take some home and add them to your dishes tomorrow so you can have something fresh."

Without saying a word, she divided the green beans in the basket into three portions and gave one portion to each of Grandma Zhang, Aunt Li, and Aunt Tong.

Each person received about a pound of it, which was fresh and very appealing.

In this era where vegetable supplies are rationed and generally scarce, this half-basket of green beans is a truly good thing, embodying both human kindness and practical benefits.

The three of them were a little embarrassed, saying things like "How can I accept this?" and "I'm taking your things again," but they couldn't refuse Tian Yufen's enthusiasm and eventually happily accepted the gifts, with genuine smiles on their faces.

Grandma Zhang held Tian Yufen's hand and said in a warm tone, "Yufen, you're too kind. You always think of us."

Last time my daughter came to visit me, she brought me half a bag of dried daylily buds that she had sun-dried herself. They were golden yellow, and I couldn't eat them all by myself.

"I'll bring you some tomorrow. You can add it to soups or noodles; it'll make them so fragrant!"

Aunt Li chimed in, her tone carrying a sense of gratitude: "Yes, it's really embarrassing to always eat your food."

My husband, Mr. Li, said his workplace might be able to distribute some seaweed, dried shrimp, and other seafood in a while. It's not much, but it's something, so I'll bring you some too. Once you soak them, you can eat them for several meals.

Aunt Tong's family was relatively poor; her husband earned a low salary, and she had many children. Unable to come up with anything decent to reciprocate, she looked somewhat embarrassed, rubbing her hands together and saying apologetically:

"Look at this... we've eaten your food again. I... I don't have anything special at home. If I ever need anything else in the future... I really feel bad..."

Tian Yufen quickly waved her hand and said sincerely, "Look at what you're saying. A close neighbor is worse than a distant relative. It's fate that we live in the same courtyard. Why are you being so polite?"

It's just ordering leftovers from our own meals; it's not worth much, just something convenient.

This vegetable garden isn't that big, so we can't grow much. We just need to eat it fresh now, share it, and enjoy it while it's fresh so it doesn't get too old and ruin the produce.

Her words were so tactful, both giving a favor and making the recipient feel comfortable. Aunt Tong's expression immediately improved, and she thanked her repeatedly.

When talking about the two vegetable plots, both Aunt Li and Aunt Tong couldn't hide their envy.

Aunt Li sighed, "Your east courtyard is still the best. It's a separate house with its own little world where you can grow some vegetables and plant your favorite ones."

"Our house is so small, it's cramped even to turn around inside. The communal yard is full of coal briquettes and odds and ends; there's not even room to put a scallion in. Seeing your lush greenery makes me so envious."

"Who says it isn't?"

Aunt Tong echoed, her tone filled with the same envy, "I didn't realize it before, since vegetables are cheap in the summer and it's convenient to buy them."

Now, things are really bad. If you go to the grocery store late, the vegetables will be sold out, and you have to wait in a long line. There's also a limit on the amount you can buy per person, and the vegetables you buy aren't as fresh as the ones you just picked.

Unlike you, you can just pick whatever you want to eat from the yard—fresh, convenient, and saves you money and coupons.

They naturally didn't know that the Yang family's abundant and continuous supply of vegetables on their dining table was not solely due to the produce from these two vegetable plots.

This small vegetable garden has limited production, especially for a family of several people. It is simply not enough to support the family's consumption and have any left over to give away.

The main reason is that Yang Guangming often takes advantage of the space to bring home various seasonal vegetables according to the changing seasons, quietly replenishing the family's consumption and ensuring that there is always green food on the dining table.

Because of his continuous and inconspicuous "replenishment," the produce in the vegetable garden was consumed slowly. Apart from selecting some good-looking vegetables to dry and keep for winter, there was often a surplus to give to the neighbors.

This approach maintained neighborly relations and good interpersonal relationships without appearing too abrupt, cleverly concealing the unusual source of food in the home.

As the group chatted animatedly, a melodious tune, "Ode to Coral," played on the radio. A gentle evening breeze added to the harmonious atmosphere.

Just then, a sudden and intense argument erupted from the front yard, like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, instantly shattering the beautiful tranquility!
The sound was loud and urgent, mixed with the angry roar of a young man, which sounded particularly jarring and penetrating in the quiet night!

Immediately afterwards, another, rougher, and more reckless young voice rang out.

Judging from the sounds, the two sides arguing were Ma Erguo, the second son of the Ma family in the west wing of the front yard, and Liu Xiaojun, the only son of the Liu family who lived in the west side room!

The argument grew increasingly heated, accompanied by the clanging sound of something being knocked over, clearly indicating that the conflict was escalating from verbal sparring to physical contact.

The once quiet courtyard house seemed to be instantly ignited.

From the middle courtyard and the back building, the sounds of creaking doors opening and hurried footsteps echoed one after another. Clearly, the neighbors in the courtyard were startled by the sudden commotion and came out to check.

In the east courtyard, the old lady under the pomegranate tree suddenly stopped fanning herself, listened carefully to the sounds coming from the front yard, her brows furrowed and a worried look on her face.

Tian Yufen's face showed a hint of annoyance: "What's all this commotion about now? It's so late at night, can't they let people have a moment's peace? Those two boys from the Ma family never stop!"

Yang Shanshan suddenly jumped up from the threshold, her face filled with the excitement and curiosity of a child over a sudden event. She got up and tried to run towards the moon gate: "They're fighting! They're fighting in the front yard! I'm going to see what's going on!"

"return!"

Tian Yufen reacted quickly, grabbing her daughter's arm and speaking sternly, "It's so late at night, and it's so noisy outside. What are you doing getting involved in all this commotion? What if you get hurt? Stay home and don't go anywhere!"

But her gaze involuntarily drifted toward the moon gate leading to the front yard.

Aunt Tong frowned, fanned herself vigorously with her palm-leaf fan a few times, as if trying to fan away the annoying noise. She sighed and said:
"Those two brats from the Ma family must have gotten into trouble again! This Ma Erguo, just like his brother, is always idling around, wandering around aimlessly. He doesn't have a proper job, and he's number one at causing trouble! He's definitely not up to any good! Liu Xiaojun is also a hot-tempered kid who gets easily angered. How can things possibly go well with these two brothers?"

Grandma Zhang shook her head and sighed, "This is the only son in the Liu family. He usually seems like a very honest kid, but he's been driven to desperation."

The argument did not subside; on the contrary, it seemed to escalate, and more and more people gathered in the front yard.

Various voices trying to break up the fight, discussions, and jeers from onlookers mingled together, creating a chaotic and disorderly atmosphere.

"Let's go see what's going on, lest it really escalate into something serious," said Aunt Li, putting down her teacup and standing up.

"Yes, yes, let's go take a look together. We're all neighbors, we see each other all the time. We can't let it escalate into a fight, otherwise it'll be hard to handle." Grandma Zhang also stood up, leaning on her knees, her face full of worry.

Tian Yufen also said, "Then let's all go over and take a look, and try to persuade them not to make things too outrageous and disturb the peace of the whole courtyard."

As she spoke, she followed in everyone's footsteps and walked towards the moon gate.

Yang Guangming originally didn't want to get involved in these neighborhood disputes, thinking they were just trivial matters causing conflict, and he preferred to stay in the courtyard and enjoy the peace and quiet.

Seeing that his family was paying attention and his mother had gone over, he was worried that his mother would be caught in the crossfire or get hurt, so he said to his grandmother, "Grandma, you and Shanshan stay in the yard and don't go out. I'll go with Mom to take a look so that she won't be crowded and get hurt."

The old lady nodded, her face still showing worry: "Go ahead, keep an eye on your mother, and try to persuade her not to get too close."

Yang Guangming responded and followed behind Tian Yufen, leaving the relatively peaceful little world of the east courtyard.

Upon arriving at the front yard, a group of awakened neighbors were already standing there, all wearing t-shirts and slippers, craning their necks to look ahead and asking each other in hushed tones what was going on.

Passing through the hanging flower gate that separates the inner and outer courtyards, the noisy and chaotic scene in the front courtyard comes into full view.

Sure enough, in the small communal space between the Ma family's west wing and the Liu family's west side room, two groups of people were facing off with swords drawn.

On one side was Liu Xiaojun, whose face was flushed red, his chest heaving violently, he was panting heavily, his fists were clenched tightly, the veins on the back of his hands were bulging, and his eyes seemed to be spitting fire as he stared at Ma Erguo opposite him, his eyes filled with a desire to devour him alive.

His father, Liu Changfu, seemed to be out of get off work yet, leaving him alone to face the Ma family mother and son. He appeared somewhat outnumbered, but his demeanor was anything but weak.

On the other side were Ma Erguo and his mother, Ma Da Niang.

Ma Erguo was wearing a trendy old-fashioned military uniform, his shirt open to reveal his undershirt. He was half a head taller than Liu Xiaojun and had a sturdy build. He also looked furious, as if he wanted to devour Liu Xiaojun alive.

Aunt Ma stood to the side, tears already streaming down her face; she looked genuinely grief-stricken, not feigning it. (End of Chapter)