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

The courtyard was quiet, and the ground was fairly clean. He walked to the door with the sign that read "Duty Room" and knocked.

"Come in." A slightly hoarse male voice came from inside.

Sunshine Ming pushed open the door and went in.

The room was small. An old desk stood by the window, behind which sat a middle-aged policeman in his forties, wearing a faded olive-green uniform. He had a square face and a habitually slightly furrowed brow, and was looking down at a document. A long wooden bench sat empty beside him.

Hearing the noise, the middle-aged policeman looked up and his sharp gaze swept over.

He saw Yang Guangming dressed like a rural youth with patched-up clothes. His face showed no particular expression, and he asked in a businesslike tone, "What is it?"

"Hello, comrade. I'm here to report a crime," Yang Guangming said clearly as he walked to the desk.

"Report a crime?" The middle-aged policeman put down the documents in his hand and sat up straight. "Report what crime? Speak slowly and clearly."

Yang Guangming organized his thoughts and began to narrate: "My name is Yang Guangming, and I am a member of Xiangyang Village in Hongqi Commune. I want to report a case against a man named Qin Shengli in the county town for defrauding me of three hundred yuan."

"Three hundred yuan?" The middle-aged policeman's brows furrowed visibly. "What exactly happened? When, where, how did they scam you? Do you have any evidence?"

"The incident happened last year, around the end of August or the beginning of September."

Yang Guangming recounted in detail and with clear logic how Qin Shengli swindled 300 yuan from his family in two separate transactions under the pretense of recruiting workers for the county pharmaceutical factory.

This includes Qin Shengli's initial statement, how his family raised the money, Qin Shengli's subsequent evasions and hiding, and the final confrontation at the restaurant entrance, during which Qin Shengli vehemently denied everything.

He didn't embellish or exaggerate his anger and despair; he simply stated the facts calmly. But this calmness made the narrative seem even more authentic and believable.

The middle-aged policeman listened attentively, occasionally jotting down a few sentences in his notebook.

"So, both payments were made privately, without any third party present, and without any receipts or written agreements?" the police confirmed after hearing the account.

“Yes,” Yang Guangming readily admitted. “At the time, he said that these kinds of things shouldn’t be documented in writing, and I… I had no experience, so I believed him.”

The policeman put down his pen and looked at Yang Guangming: "Three hundred yuan is no small sum. Your family is from the countryside. How did you manage to scrape together this money? Does anyone know?"

It was clear that the investigation was to verify the veracity of his claims and to assess the seriousness of the case.

He truthfully recounted the general process of borrowing the money and the range of people who might know about it, mainly relatives and neighbors.

The police officer hesitated for a moment. A fraud case involving three hundred yuan was definitely a major case in this day and age.

Especially when it comes to rural families, this could mean years of savings and heavy debt. Although the complainant lacked direct evidence, the process described was specific, the details were clear, the motive was reasonable, and the circumstances of the defrauded family were logical.

More importantly, this young man named Yang Guangming, although dressed in shabby clothes and looking haggard, spoke clearly and had bright eyes, and did not seem like someone who was being unreasonable or mentally unstable.

Moreover, he mentioned that Qin Shengli might have been spending money extravagantly recently and might be involved in gambling, which gave the police a clear direction for their investigation.

"You suspect he cheated people out of money and used it for gambling?" the police officer asked.

“I’m just guessing,” Yang Guangming said cautiously.

"Qin Shengli doesn't have a formal job. He used to be a temporary worker at the agricultural machinery station, but he was later laid off."

His father is a level four carpenter, so the family should be quite well-off. Unless there are special circumstances, he shouldn't be thinking of using such crooked methods to cheat people out of money.

Even if it's not gambling, it could be some other illicit expense.

I just felt that since he swindled such a large sum of money, he must have some way of spending it. Checking his whereabouts and spending over the past few months should reveal some clues.

The police officer nodded. This line of thinking aligns with investigative logic. When an unemployed young man suddenly acquires a large sum of money from an unknown source, tracing its whereabouts is often the breakthrough point.

"Do you know where Qin Shengli lives now?" the policeman asked.

"His family lives in the staff quarters of the lumber mill in the east of the city. His father is a worker at the lumber mill. Qin Shengli himself probably doesn't have a stable job now and often wanders around outside," Yang Guangming provided the information he knew.

The police officer made a note in his notebook, then stood up and said, "We've accepted your case. Three hundred yuan is no small matter; we'll open a case and investigate. Please sign here and put your fingerprint on it."

He took out a case registration form and asked Yang Guangming to fill in basic information and a brief description of the case.

Yang Guangming did as instructed, and his handwriting was neat. When he pressed his fingerprint, the red ink was a bit sticky, leaving a clear fingerprint on the paper.

"Alright." The police officer put away the form. "Go back and wait for news. We will try to contact Qin Shengli and his family as soon as possible to understand the situation. If there is any progress, or if we need you to come back to cooperate with the investigation, we will notify you. Please leave an address where you can be contacted."

Yang Guangming left the address of Xiangyang Village, and after thinking for a moment, added: "I may still be in the county town for the next couple of days, staying at the county guesthouse. You can find me by asking my classmate He Jianjun."

"Okay." The police officer made a note of it. "Keep communication open."

He paused, looking at Yang Guangming, "By the way, are you sure you want to go through legal proceedings? If this is ultimately verified, Qin Shengli might face criminal charges. You two are classmates after all, have you considered settling things privately?"

Yang Guangming shook his head without hesitation: "Comrade, three hundred yuan is what my whole family scraped together by selling everything we owned and going into debt. If we don't get this money back, our family will be ashamed to face anyone in the village, and we won't be able to make a living."

This is no small matter. Moreover, Qin Shengli didn't consider any classmate relationship when he was swindling money. I demand that this be handled according to the law.

His attitude was firm and clear.

The police officer nodded without saying anything more: "Understood. We will handle it according to the law. You can go back now."

Yang Guangming thanked him and left the duty room.

Stepping out of the police station's courtyard and back onto the street, Yang Guangming let out a soft sigh of relief.

The first step has been taken. Now, it depends on the efficiency of the public security authorities.

He was confident that as long as the police investigated seriously, Qin Shengli's tricks would not stand up to scrutiny.

He didn't return to the guesthouse immediately, but instead strolled slowly through the streets, observing the county town in the early 1960s.

A line of moderate length stretched out in front of the supply and marketing cooperative, people clutching their ration coupons, their expressions a mixture of anticipation and anxiety.

A faint aroma wafted from the entrance of the state-run restaurant, but very few people went in or out. The walls were covered with various slogans and propaganda posters, their colors faded and no longer vibrant.

All of this serves as a reminder of the era in which he lived.

Despite economic hardship and shortages of supplies, order was maintained, and public authorities continued to operate and remain impartial most of the time.

This is the basis for his decision to report the case.

He stood in a sheltered corner for a while, his consciousness sinking into the space, and "looked" again at the 900-liter double-door refrigerator that was packed full, and the sense of security in his heart became more and more abundant.

With this trump card, he was not only unafraid of the current predicament, but also began to have clear plans and expectations for the longer-term future.

However, one must take things one step at a time. Right now, the priority is to resolve Qin Shengli's matter, settle the family's debts, and stabilize the basic situation.

Judging that it was about time, Yang Guangming turned and walked towards the guesthouse.

Back at the guesthouse, He Jianjun was busy cleaning the first-floor corridor. When he saw him return, he immediately put down his work and walked over quickly, his face full of questions.

"How is it? Has the police station... accepted the case?" He Jianjun asked anxiously in a low voice.

"It's been accepted and filed," Yang Guangming said simply. "Tell me to come back and wait for news; they will investigate."

He Jianjun breathed a sigh of relief, but then his heart tightened again: "That's good...that's good. But investigations take time, and I don't know if we can find anything..."

"Don't worry, now that a case has been filed, the police will find a way," Yang Guangming reassured him. "By the way, Jianjun, I might have to stay here for another day or two while we wait for news. Is that convenient for you?"

“It’s convenient! What’s inconvenient about it!” He Jianjun said immediately. “The room is empty anyway, so you can stay there. It’s just… the meals…” He looked troubled. The guesthouse didn’t provide meals, and his own food rations were running low.

"Don't worry about food, I'll figure it out myself," Yang Guangming said with a smile. "I still have some money and tickets on me, I can manage. You go about your business, don't worry about me."

He Jianjun wanted to say something, but seeing Yang Guangming's calm expression, he swallowed his words.

He felt that his old friend was truly different from before. He couldn't quite put his finger on how, but it was a feeling, as if even if the sky were to fall, he could still hold it up.

"Okay, call me anytime if you need anything. I'll be right up ahead." After saying that, He Jianjun went back to his work.

Yang Guangming returned to that simple room and closed the door.

He wasn't in a hurry. Police investigations take time, especially those lacking direct evidence; preliminary investigation and evidence gathering are crucial.

Qin Shengli's father works at a lumber mill and has a stable job, so the police will likely start by pressuring him.

All he needs to do is wait patiently.

At noon, He Jianjun took some time to bring him a cornbread mixed with cornmeal, saying it was leftover from the canteen at lunchtime.

Yang Guangming couldn't refuse, so he accepted.

The afternoon passed very slowly.

Yang Guangming spends most of his time in his room, occasionally going out for a walk in the guesthouse courtyard to stretch his muscles.

He used this time to further sort out the supplies in the space, to see which items could be used in the near future, so that he had a clear understanding of the situation.

He was also thinking about his future.

Moving to the city is certain, but the specific method and timing require a catalyst.

His high school education was an advantage, but in 1961, the pressure to find employment in urban areas was immense. Formal job opportunities were scarce and highly competitive. With little hope of finding work through official channels, he had to find another way.

Time slipped away in such contemplation and planning.

In the evening, He Jianjun came to his room after work, his face showing a mixture of excitement and uncertainty.

"Guangming! We have news!"

As soon as He Jianjun entered, he said impatiently, "The police came by just now! They weren't looking for you, they came to ask us about the situation. They asked if someone named Yang Guangming stayed here yesterday."

I told the truth.

It seems...it seems they've already gone to Qin Shengli's house!

Yang Guangming's heart skipped a beat; this was faster than he had expected. It seemed that the amount of three hundred yuan had indeed attracted sufficient attention.

"What did they ask?" Yang Guangming asked.

"They asked where you lived, when you arrived, and whether you said why you came."

I told you you were here to collect a debt from your classmate... well, I told you everything I knew.

He learned that I was your classmate and also knew Qin Shengli, and he was very interested, asking many detailed questions.

I also testified for you; although you didn't get a receipt for the three hundred yuan you gave Qin Shengli, I still knew about it.

He Jianjun scratched the back of his head. "I just don't know if it'll work. That policeman looked pretty serious. Guangming, do you think... there's a chance?"

"Maybe," Yang Guangming said calmly. "Let's wait and see; maybe we'll have the results tomorrow."

Seeing that he was not in a hurry, He Jianjun did not want to appear too excited, so after chatting for a few more minutes, he went home.

As night fell, the guesthouse became even quieter.

Yang Guangming locked the door, took out food from the space again, and quickly finished his dinner.

Although everything was cold, I felt warm all over after eating.

He lay in bed, not falling asleep immediately, but carefully sensing the changes in the refrigerator space in his mind.

At midnight, the refrigerator space refreshed as scheduled, just like in previous lives; the core function of this refresh remained unchanged.

This means that the basic survival supplies in the space are almost unlimited, only the daily refresh quantity is limited.

This is the ultimate guarantee that will allow him and his family to survive in any difficult times.

Having confirmed this, Yang Guangming felt completely at ease and fell into a deep sleep on the hard bed.

He slept exceptionally well that night.

The next day, after having breakfast, Yang Guangming was about to go to the police station to inquire about the progress when he heard footsteps coming from the corridor outside and stopping at the door.

"Dong dong."

A knock sounded on the door, accompanied by an unfamiliar voice: "Is Comrade Yang Guangming here? We are from the police station."

coming.

Yang Guangming straightened his clothes and opened the door.

Two people were standing outside the door. One was the middle-aged policeman who had received him yesterday, and the other was a younger policeman, who looked to be in his twenties, also wearing a police uniform and with a serious expression.

"Comrade Yang Guangming, come with us. There's been some progress in the case, and we need you to come over again," the middle-aged policeman said, his tone slightly more lenient than yesterday, but still official.

"Okay." Yang Guangming nodded, asked no further questions, and followed the two policemen out of the guesthouse.

He Jianjun saw this scene at the front desk and wanted to come over and ask, but was stopped by the young policeman's eyes. He could only watch with worry as Yang Guangming was taken away.

Upon entering the police station again, Yang Guangming was led into a room slightly larger than the duty room, which resembled an interrogation room. Inside, there was a table and several chairs.

The middle-aged policeman asked Yang Guangming to sit down, while the younger policeman sat down to the side to take notes.

“Comrade Yang Guangming,” the middle-aged policeman began, “After you reported the case yesterday, we immediately launched an investigation. First, we contacted Qin Shengli’s father, Qin Dewang, who is a fourth-level carpenter at the lumber mill. After preliminary questioning and some indirect understanding of his family situation, we believe that the situation you reported is very likely to be true.”

Yang Guangming listened quietly, his face showing appropriate concern.

"Based on the clues you provided and some information we have, Qin Shengli is suspected of gambling, and his spending in recent months has been significantly abnormal, inconsistent with his family income and his unemployed status," the middle-aged policeman continued. "Yesterday afternoon, we found Qin Shengli at his home and brought him back."

He paused, looking at Yang Guangming: "After questioning, Qin Shengli has preliminarily admitted to swindling you out of three hundred yuan."

Sunshine Ming understood perfectly.

Sure enough, faced with the intervention of the public security authorities, Qin Shengli, that kind of thug, simply couldn't withstand the pressure.

Faced with irrefutable evidence of abnormal spending and possible gambling, Qin Shengli found it difficult to deny the allegations. Without exceptionally strong mental fortitude, he simply could not withstand the serious interrogation by the police officers.

Qin Shengli is just an ordinary person, and it is clear that his mental fortitude is not strong.

"He admitted it?" Yang Guangming timely expressed some excitement and relief. "Then... what about the money? What did he say?"

“Money…” The middle-aged policeman’s face showed a hint of helplessness and sternness. “According to Qin Shengli’s confession, most of the money he swindled was lost gambling, and some was squandered. Currently, he has less than fifty yuan left.”

Yang Guangming frowned.

This was within his expectations, but upon hearing the confirmed news, he still felt regret and anger over the three hundred yuan that had been stolen. It wasn't just money; it represented his parents' hard-earned money and dignity.

"but."

The middle-aged policeman changed the subject, "After learning the truth, Comrade Qin Dewang, Qin Shengli's father, had a very clear attitude."

He stated that his son's mistake caused enormous losses and harm to Yang Guangming's family, and as a father, he had the responsibility and obligation to help his son make amends.

He is willing to repay the 300 yuan involved in the case.

This was within Yang Guangming's expectations; most normal families would do the same.

Qin Dewang was a fourth-level worker in a state-owned factory, with a stable income and a certain status. His son had committed fraud, and if the matter were to escalate, not only would his son go to jail, but Qin Dewang's reputation and even his standing in the factory would be damaged.

The most serious thing is that once the matter is classified, the son will be a bad element, and their family will be a bad element family.

Returning the 300 yuan involved in the case first, trying to quell the incident, and obtaining a possible lenient sentence for the son and peace for the family is a worthwhile deal.

"Comrade Qin Dewang is outside right now," the middle-aged policeman said.

"He brought the money with him. According to procedure, we need both of you to be present to conduct a mediation and return process."

Of course, this doesn't mean Qin Shengli is exempt from criminal liability; the necessary legal procedures must still be followed. However, actively returning the stolen goods is a mitigating circumstance under the law. What's your opinion?

Yang Guangming said almost without hesitation: "I agree. First, get the three hundred yuan back, and I'm willing to accept some mediation."

His primary goal is to get his money back and resolve his family's debt crisis. As for what legal sanctions Qin Shengli will face, that's a matter for the public security authorities and the courts.

"Okay." The middle-aged policeman gestured to the younger policeman.

The young policeman got up and went out, and soon returned with two other people.

The man in front of me was around fifty years old. He was not tall, but had a stocky build. He was wearing gray overalls, which were very clean.

His face was dark and deeply wrinkled, and his hands had large knuckles, clearly the result of years of manual labor. His brows and eyes carried a heavy sense of worry and weariness, but his gaze was not clouded; rather, it possessed a shrewdness.

He is Qin Dewang.

Following behind was Qin Shengli.

He hung his head, avoiding the sunlight. His face was ashen, and his eyes were swollen. He had long lost the arrogance he had shown at the restaurant entrance. He hunched his shoulders, looking like a frightened mouse.

He looked much more haggard than Yang Mingming remembered, clearly terrified after his misdeeds were exposed.

As soon as Qin Dewang entered, his gaze fell on Yang Guangming. He quickly took two steps, stood in front of Yang Guangming, and bowed deeply.

"Yang...Yang Ming, I'm so sorry! I'm really so sorry!" Qin Dewang's voice was a little hoarse, filled with sincere apology and deep embarrassment. "It's my fault for not raising my son properly, raising such a good-for-nothing! I've caused you and your family such great losses, I...I have nowhere to put my old face!"

Yang Guangming quickly stood up: "Uncle Qin, please don't do this." He held Qin Dewang's arm.

Facing this seemingly honest yet shrewd old worker who was also burdened by his son, his anger was mostly directed at Qin Shengli, while he maintained basic courtesy towards the father.

Qin Dewang straightened up and took out a small cloth bag wrapped tightly in a handkerchief from his pocket. With trembling hands, he opened it layer by layer, revealing a thick stack of banknotes inside.

It mainly consisted of ten-yuan and five-yuan denominations, stacked neatly.

"Here's three hundred yuan." Qin Dewang handed the money to Yang Guangming with both hands, his voice heavy. "Count it. We still have some savings at home, and we borrowed some from our coworkers, so we finally managed to scrape together the money."

Yang Guangming took the money, and although he knew it wouldn't be less than what was owed, he still counted it in front of everyone. (End of Chapter)