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

On Sunday morning, the sky was still dark, with only a faint gray-white tinge showing on the eastern horizon.

In dormitory building number four of Dongfang Pharmaceutical Factory, Yang Guangming was already awake.

He lay on the hard bed, eyes open, staring at the blurry outline on the ceiling. The room was quiet.

He's been working for almost two weeks now, and this is his second Sunday. Last Sunday, he didn't go back to Xiangyang Village because he needed to familiarize himself with the environment and tidy up his own place. It's been almost half a month since he's seen his family.

He's off work today and decided to go home to visit his family.

He couldn't sleep soundly because he was worried about home. He got up quietly and put on his usual old clothes—it's better to be plain when going home to avoid attracting attention. He then took out the newly bought wicker basket from under the bed, intending to take it with him later.

He doesn't need to bring toiletries or a change of clothes; he'll be back this afternoon. He mainly wants to bring something practical for the family today.

Grains, oil, and meat.

These are exactly what our family is missing.

Although he brought back quite a lot last time, with such a large family, it would be consumed quickly. Moreover, he knew that given his parents' frugal nature, they would definitely not be willing to eat those good things, and would mostly keep them hidden away, only taking out a little when they really couldn't bear it anymore.

He needs to truly improve the family's meals so that his parents, older brother and sister-in-law, and younger brother and sister-in-law can all eat their fill and have better food.

Looking out the window, the sky was still dark. He took out two meat buns from his spatial storage and ate them slowly with some plain water.

Breakfast should be simple and filling.

After tidying up, he slung the empty basket over his shoulder and locked the door.

The corridor was quiet; the doors to the other dormitories were closed, and most of the young workers were still asleep. Sunday was a rare day off, and no one would get up this early.

He walked down the stairs, his footsteps echoing in the empty stairwell.

As he stepped out of Building 4, the cool morning air hit him, instantly invigorating him.

He walked towards the factory gate. The guard on duty at the gate was a young man he didn't recognize. He was a little surprised to see Yang Guangming carrying a basket so early in the morning, but he didn't ask any questions and nodded to let him pass.

Stepping out of the pharmaceutical factory, the streets were deserted. The streetlights cast long shadows of him.

Without delay, he strode off and walked quickly toward the city.

From the county town to Xiangyang Village, it's a dirt road of over twenty li (about 10 kilometers). He walks relatively fast and can get home before about seven o'clock.

The sky gradually changed from dark gray to light gray, and then from light gray to a pale white. The outlines of the distant mountains gradually became clear, like a light ink painting.

In the fields beside the road, winter wheat swayed gently in the morning breeze.

The air was crisp and fresh, carrying the scent of earth and awakening vegetation. Yang Guangming's steps were steady and light, the empty basket on his back swaying slightly with each step.

He walked along, calculating in his mind.

I need to bring more things home this time than last time.

He planned to bring 20 jin of rice, 10 jin of wheat flour, 5 jin of cornmeal, and 5 jin of mixed grains.

For meat: five catties of cured pork belly and five catties of sausage, both of which store well. Two catties of lard, for stir-frying. Two catties of peanut oil, for everyday use.

Seasonings: Two catties each of brown and white sugar, considered rare items.

These things are enough to last the family for a while. And they are all durable or everyday consumables, so as long as they are hidden well, there's no need to worry about others finding out.

As for fresh meat, he planned to figure it out after he got home. He would go for a walk in the mountains, get some wild game, eat it that day, and leave no trace.

After walking for about an hour and a half, it was already broad daylight. The sun peeked out from behind the eastern mountain ridge, its golden rays bathing the fields and roads.

Ahead, the outline of Xiangyang Village is already faintly visible.

Instead of going directly into the village, Yang Guangming stopped behind a small earthen slope outside the village.

It was a secluded place, surrounded by fields; no one would come at this time of day. He put down his basket and opened the lid.

Consciousness sinks into space.

First, there was the rice. He took out two cloth bags, each containing five jin (2.5 kg), with plump and round grains; and two other bags, each containing five jin (2.5 kg) of southern rice, long and slender and translucent.

Ten pounds of wheat flour were packed into two bags. Five pounds of cornmeal, which was golden yellow, were also packed into a cloth bag.

Five catties of mixed beans, including red beans, mung beans, and soybeans, bulging and full.

Next up are the meats. Five pounds of cured pork, dark red and glossy, cut into two large pieces and wrapped tightly in oiled paper. Five pounds of sausages, cut into sections, also wrapped in oiled paper.

Two catties of lard and two catties of peanut oil. In addition, there are two catties each of brown and white sugar.

Everything was placed into the basket one by one. The basket was quickly filled to the brim and became heavy.

Yang Guangming weighed it in his hand; it was quite heavy, and carrying it on his back was rather tiring. Fortunately, he was in good physical condition, so he could manage.

He closed the basket lid again, straightened his clothes, and walked towards the village entrance.

Around seven o'clock in the morning, it was the time when the villagers were preparing to eat breakfast and go to work.

As Yang Guangming walked into the village carrying a basket on his back, he immediately attracted the attention of the early-rising villagers.

"Guangming? You're back from the city so early?" An old man squatting at his doorstep, drinking porridge, looked up and asked in surprise.

The old man's surname was Sun. He lived at the east end of the village and was a kind-hearted man who had often sighed for the Yang family in the past.

"Good morning, Grandpa Sun." Yang Guangming stopped and greeted him with a smile. "I was resting at the factory, so I came back to visit."

"Okay, okay." Grandpa Sun nodded, his gaze sweeping over the basket on his back, a hint of curiosity in his eyes, but he didn't ask any more questions. "Go home quickly, your parents will be happy to see you back."

"Hey, please enjoy your meal," Yang Guangming replied, and continued walking forward.

He encountered several villagers on the way, some carrying water, some carrying firewood, and they all greeted him when they saw him.

"Has the light returned?"

"on vacation?"

"What are you carrying? It's so heavy!"

Yang Guangming replied with a smile, "I was resting at the factory, so I came back to check on things. The factory just gave out some benefits, so I brought them back with me."

This explanation makes perfect sense. Large factories offer good benefits, and it's common for employees to occasionally receive small gifts and take them home. Although the baskets look heavy, since they are "benefits," they are likely work safety supplies or something else. The villagers would only feel envious and wouldn't think much of it.

More importantly, Yang Guangming's status is different now. He's an official at Dongfang Pharmaceutical Factory and the deputy captain of the hunting team—these titles have already spread back to the village after these past few days.

The villagers looked at him with less pity or contempt than before, and more envy and respect.

No one will treat him like that fool who got scammed anymore.

When Yang Guangming reached the gate of his courtyard, it was already open. His mother, Feng Guifang, was sweeping the yard when she heard footsteps and looked up.

Seeing her second son standing at the door with a heavy basket on his back, Feng Guifang was taken aback at first, then her face lit up with a delighted smile: "Guangming! Why are you back so early?"

She put down the broom and hurried over to help her son take the basket from his back.

"Mother, I can do it myself, it's heavy." Yang Guangming stepped aside, carried the basket on his back into the yard, and carefully placed it on the open ground in front of the main room.

At this moment, the family members who heard the commotion came out.

Father Yang Xiuyuan came out of the house, still holding his pipe. Seeing Yang Guangming, a rare smile appeared on his face: "You're back?"

The eldest brother, Yang Ximing, was sharpening a hoe under the eaves. He put down his tools and came over. "Guangming, you're finally back! How have you been these past two weeks? Are you tired?"

The third brother, Yang Yuming, was the most excited. He rushed out of the kitchen, his voice booming, "Second brother! You're finally back! I've missed you so much!"

Yang Yuming's eyes were fixed on the bulging basket on his back: "Second brother, what good stuff did you bring this time? It's so full!"

My sister-in-law, Cheng Shulan, came out of the house carrying Miaomiao, and my younger sister, Yang Qiuhong, also came out of her room rubbing her eyes—it was Sunday, and school was closed.

The whole family gathered around, their eyes all fixed on the heavy basket on his back.

Looking at the genuine smiles and concerned eyes on his family's faces, Yang Guangming felt a warmth in his heart.

He squatted down, untying the rope on the lid of his basket as he said, "I was taking a break at the factory, so I came back to check on things. I also brought some things with me."

The lid is lifted.

The first thing that catches the eye is those bulging cloth bags filled with rice, clearly grains.

Then comes wheat flour, cured pork and sausage, and brown and white sugar.

The courtyard was quiet for a moment.

Yang Yuming was the first to exclaim, "Grain! And meat! Oil! Sugar! Second brother, did the factory give you all of this?"

His voice was filled with incredible surprise.

Yang Ximing also squatted down and touched the cloth bags and paper packages. They were heavy in his hands. He looked up at his younger brother, his eyes filled with joy but also worry: "Guangming, so many things. Is the factory's welfare really that good? You didn't buy all of these, did you?"

"Brother, don't worry, it didn't cost any money," Yang Guangming explained. "I exchanged these for other things."

He had already prepared his explanation. Saying it was a gift from the factory wouldn't be reasonable; giving out so much at once would be too conspicuous. Saying he bought it would make his family worry that he was wasting money.

"Replaced?" Feng Guifang asked疑惑地, "With what?"

Yang Guangming lowered his voice: "Last Sunday, I didn't come back. I went hunting in the mountains near the county town. I was lucky and had a good catch. I used the money and ration coupons I got to exchange for these grains and other food items."

Yang Guangming's family doesn't know much about things in the city, so this explanation works.

Yang Xiuyuan took a puff of his pipe and slowly asked, "Hunting? Isn't it dangerous? You're going into the mountains alone?"

“It’s not dangerous, Dad,” Yang Guangming said. “Just wander around the outskirts, don’t shoot anything big, just some pheasants and rabbits. I’m a decent shot, I’m confident.”

He deliberately spoke lightly, not wanting his family to worry.

"Your marksmanship is alright?" Yang Yuming's eyes lit up. "Second Brother, you can shoot now?"

Yang Guangming smiled and said, "The more you train in the team, the more you will naturally improve."

He didn't want to talk about this topic anymore, and instead said, "Keep these things for our family to eat, don't tell anyone else."

Grain and oil were subject to state purchase and distribution. While private exchanges did occur, it wouldn't be good if word got out. Most importantly, if others knew our family had so much, it would easily arouse envy and cause trouble.

He looked at his parents and his brother and sister-in-law, and said seriously, "Our family has learned its lesson from past mistakes. The most important thing is to keep a low profile and live a good life."

These words touched the hearts of the family.

Yang Xiuyuan nodded heavily: "Guangming is right. Keep these things safe and live your life as usual. Don't show off."

Feng Guifang nodded repeatedly: "Yes, yes, yes, you can't tell anyone. Yuming, Qiuhong, did you two hear that? Especially you, Yuming, keep your mouth shut and don't go around babbling about it!"

Although Yang Yuming had a lively personality, he had matured after what happened last time and immediately assured her, "Mom, don't worry, I definitely won't tell! I'm not stupid!"

Yang Qiuhong also whispered, "I won't tell."

Cheng Shulan held Miaomiao in her arms, her eyes reddening as she looked at the good things on the ground. The past six months had been incredibly difficult for the family. Now that her second brother was doing well and bringing things back home, there was finally hope for the future.

"Alright, everyone stop crowding around." Feng Guifang began to give instructions. "Ximing, move all the grain inside and put it in the grain bin. Yuming, help me carry it. Shulan, take the oil and sugar to the kitchen and put them away. Hang the cured meat and sausages on the rafters to air them out."

The family immediately sprang into action.

Yang Ximing and Yang Yuming each picked up a bag of rice, weighed it in their hands, and exclaimed in surprise, "It's so heavy! How many kilograms must all this stuff weigh?"

"Twenty catties of rice, ten catties of wheat flour, five catties of cornmeal, and five catties of mixed beans," Yang Guangming said. "That's enough for the family to eat for a while. Don't be stingy, eat when you should. I eat in the factory canteen, so I won't go hungry."

As Feng Guifang helped tidy up, she kept saying, "You haven't eaten any of Guangming grains even during the New Year. Don't work too hard out there, take care of yourself."

"I know, Mother." Yang Guangming felt a warmth in his heart.

The things were quickly packed up. The basket was empty, and Yang Guangming placed it against the wall.

"I was so happy I forgot to eat." Guangming's mother clapped her hands. "Guangming, have you had breakfast?"

“I’ve already eaten, Mother,” Yang Guangming said. “You all go ahead and eat, don’t worry about me.”

Feng Guifang then gave up and invited everyone to have breakfast.

The family entered the main room and sat around the square table.

Feng Guifang brought over a large bowl of corn porridge, so thin you could see your reflection in it. There was also a small bowl of pickled vegetable shreds, drizzled with vinegar.

Although Yang Guangming brought back many good things last time, Feng Guifang and Cheng Shulan were still used to being frugal and couldn't bear to eat fine grains and meat.

Yang Guangming looked at the bowl of thin porridge and felt a pang of sadness. But he said nothing; after all, change takes time. Once the family had enough food and got used to it, they would naturally eat better.

He had already eaten at the factory, so he didn't sit at the table. Instead, he moved a small stool to the doorway and chatted with his family.

As Yang Yuming slurped his porridge, he looked at his second brother expectantly: "Second brother, what do you eat every day at the factory? Do you get white flour buns every day? Is there any meat?"

Yang Guangming laughed and said, "We can't eat meat every day. The factory canteen is just so-so, cornbread, porridge, cabbage and potatoes. But when our hunting team has a good catch, we can see a few bits of meat in the canteen."

"That's still better than home," Yang Yuming said enviously.

Feng Guifang glared at him: "You're lucky to have anything to eat, what are you being picky about? Your second brother isn't having an easy time in the city either."

Yang Yuming shrank back and dared not utter a sound.

Yang Guangming changed the subject: "Dad, brother, how's things at home these days? Is the work on the team heavy?"

Yang Xiuyuan took a sip of porridge and said, "The same as always. Spring plowing hasn't started yet. Right now, the main tasks are accumulating fertilizer and preparing the land. The work isn't too strenuous."

Yang Ximing replied, "The spring famine is tough. But now that we have these things you brought back, things will be much easier."

Yang Yuming couldn't help but ask again, "Second Brother, when your hunting team goes into the mountains, do you really find anything? What's left in the mountains now?"

Yang Guangming said, "It's mainly pheasants and rabbits. Other animals are not very common, and we've hardly ever encountered any large prey."

He didn't go into details, but that simple sentence was enough to make Yang Yuming admire him immensely: "When are you going to take me to see one? I want to touch a gun too!"

"Nonsense!" Yang Xiuyuan scolded, "How dare you touch a gun? That belongs to the government!"

Yang Yuming stuck out his tongue and dared not say anything more.

The family chatted and quickly finished their breakfast.

Feng Guifang and Cheng Shulan cleared away the dishes, while Yang Xiuyuan, Yang Ximing, and Yang Yuming prepared to go to work.

Yang Qiuhong also had to go to the team to participate in labor—school was closed on Sundays, but rural children never had a moment of leisure; they all had to help with chores at home.

"Guangming, you stay home and rest. If you get bored, take a walk around the village," Feng Guifang instructed. "Mom will make lunch when she gets back. Let's have something good to eat today."

Yang Guangming said, "Mom, you go to work. I have nothing to do at home, so I want to go for a walk in the mountains."

"Going into the mountains again?" Feng Guifang asked with some concern. "You just got back, take a rest."

"It's alright, I'll just go take a look around the outside, I won't go too deep," Yang Guangming said. "Maybe I can catch a rabbit and have it for lunch."

Upon hearing this, Yang Yuming immediately perked up: "Second Brother, I'll go with you! I'll take the day off!"

"What leave are you asking for!" Yang Xiuyuan said sternly. "Go to work and earn work points! Your second brother is a cadre, he has days off. What are you?"

Yang Yuming immediately deflated.

Yang Guangming smiled and said, "Third brother, you go to work. I'll just take a walk around the neighborhood and be back in a bit."

After the family left, the yard became quiet.

Yang Guangming returned to his room and picked up the wicker basket and some hemp rope.

After locking the courtyard gate, he walked towards the western hill behind the village.

This time, instead of taking the main road, he followed the narrow paths along the field ridges and circled around to a less populated area on the side of the western hill.

The woods here are denser and covered with shrubs, so villagers rarely come here.

Yang Guangming moved lightly, his consciousness sinking into his mind, and a four-meter radius exploration range quietly unfolded.

The forest was very quiet, with only the rustling of the wind through the treetops and the occasional birdsong. The ground was covered with a thick layer of fallen leaves, which felt soft and yielding underfoot.

He walked slowly, carefully observing everything around him.

After walking for about ten minutes, within the area of ​​exploration, a hole appeared behind a dense thicket of thorns to the left and ahead. Inside the hole, two grayish-brown wild rabbits were curled up and resting.

With a slight thought, Yang Guangming locked onto the two rabbits, and they instantly disappeared, passing through the refrigerator space and appearing in the basket.

He took out a hemp rope, neatly tied the rabbit up, stuffed it into the bottom of the basket, and covered it with some dry grass.

Keep going.

After walking for less than an hour, he discovered two more rabbit holes.

Following the same method, two more rabbits ended up in the basket.

A good haul. Four rabbits are enough for the whole family to enjoy several delicious meals.

Looking at the time, it's almost noon, time to head back.

With the sunlight clearly indicating the direction, I carried a heavy basket on my back and headed down the mountain.

I got home before eleven o'clock. My family hadn't finished work yet. (End of Chapter)