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

On Sunday morning, just as dawn was breaking, the sun awoke.

Faint birdsong drifted in from outside the window, but the dormitory building remained quiet. Lying in bed, he thought about his older brother and younger brother's upcoming visit, feeling both at ease and expectant.

The third brother's job problem has finally been solved, which is a big deal for the whole family. Yang Yuming is honest and straightforward, but he is strong and hardworking. He has joined the post office and is learning well from the experienced master. He will surely be able to gain a foothold in the future.

Yang Guangming got up to wash up, then took out four plump wild rabbits from his spatial storage, put them in a bamboo basket in the corner of the wall, and covered them with an old burlap sack. Two of them were to offset the promise of ten catties of meat to the Guo family, and the other two were a thank-you gift for Director Fan.

After breakfast, he glanced at the wall clock; it was just past eight. His eldest brother and third brother had agreed to arrive before eleven, so he still had plenty of time.

Yang Guangming calmly boiled water, made a cup of tea, sat on a chair by the window, and began to read a novel he had borrowed from the factory library a few days ago.

Around 10:30, he got up and started preparing lunch.

My third brother is coming to the city today and will soon be working at the post office, so we need to make sure he has a good meal.

He took out a small bag of five-pound Northeast rice from his spatial storage, washed it clean, put it in a small aluminum pot, added an appropriate amount of water, and placed it on a coal stove to simmer slowly.

He took out half a piece of cured pork, with alternating layers of fat and lean meat, and a bright red color. He sliced ​​it into even, thin slices and arranged them on a plate. Every time his older brother returned to the city, he would bring some vegetables he grew himself, which he could then stir-fry directly.

After thinking for a moment, he took out six perfectly pickled salted duck eggs, their bluish-gray shells still glistening with salt. Cut them in half, and the golden-red yolks would ooze oil, making them the perfect accompaniment to rice.

With these preparations complete, Yang Ming sat down to read again, occasionally glancing up at the sun outside the window.

Around 10:50, footsteps sounded outside the door, followed by knocking, and then Yang Yuming's loud, excited voice called out, "Second Brother! Are you there? We're here!"

Yang Guangming put down his book, a smile appeared on his face, and got up to open the door.

Two people were standing outside the door: the eldest brother, Yang Ximing, and the third brother, Yang Yuming.

Yang Ximing was still in his police uniform, carrying a bulging cloth bag. Yang Yuming, on the other hand, was wearing a slightly worn blue work uniform, clearly his best attire.

He had a rather large sack on his shoulder, his face was rosy, his eyes were shining, and his mouth had been grinning from ear to ear ever since he entered the door.

"Come in quickly." Yang Guangming stepped aside.

The two entered the house, and Yang Yuming carefully placed the burlap sack on the ground with a dull thud. He straightened up, rubbed his hands together, and his eyes quickly scanned the room before finally landing on Yang Yuming, his smile impossible to suppress.

"Second Brother!" he called out again, his voice filled with excitement.

"Look how happy you are." Yang Guangming shook his head with a smile.

Yang Ximing placed the cloth bag on the table, untied the opening, and revealed two smaller cloth bags inside. "Five hundred yuan, Dad has already given it to me, and twenty jin of flour was also brought. Mom was worried that you wouldn't have any vegetables to eat in the city, so she insisted on picking half a bag of green beans and half a bag of eggplants, all grown in our own yard, so they're fresh."

Yang Guangming said, "There's still a piece of cured pork at home. I'll use it to stir-fry later; it'll definitely taste delicious. I also cooked a pot of white rice; we'll have something nice for lunch."

Then he added, "Last time I went into the mountains, I had a good haul; I caught four big rabbits. I went to Master Guo's house this afternoon and gave them to him, and everything was settled."

Yang Ximing then noticed the bamboo basket in the corner of the wall. When he went over to take a look, he saw four large rabbits huddled together, each weighing five or six pounds and with glossy fur.

His face lit up with surprise: "Guangming, you've moved so fast! You've only been here a few days and you've already gotten so much?"

"I was lucky. I went for a walk in the mountains yesterday evening and ended up with a pretty good haul," Yang Guangming said casually. "Two of them will be given to the Guo family, which should be worth at least ten pounds of meat. The other two will be left at Director Fan's house later as a thank-you gift. We owe a lot to his wife for helping us make the connection."

Yang Ximing nodded repeatedly: "Of course, of course. Director Fan is a very honest man, we can't forget his kindness."

Yang Yuming also came over to look at the rabbit, reached out and touched its fluffy back, and exclaimed, "So fat! Second Brother, you're really good at hunting now!"

“If you’re in the hunting team, you have to have some skills.” Yang Guangming patted him on the shoulder. “Don’t just look at the rabbits. Sit down and rest, have a drink of water. Look at the smile on your face, you seem happier than a groom.”

Yang Yuming scratched his head sheepishly, sat down on the edge of the bed, took the water glass his second brother handed him, gulped down more than half of it, and wiped his mouth.

"I can't stop thinking about it, Second Brother! Just thinking about starting work at the post office tomorrow makes my heart feel like it's burning with excitement! I didn't sleep well last night, and I was urging Big Brother to leave before dawn."

Yang Ximing sat down at the table and laughed, "That's right. He's been talking non-stop the whole way, just about the post office, asking me what mail handlers do and what they should be careful about. How would I know such details? I could only tell him to learn well when he gets there, observe and ask more questions, and do more work and talk less."

"Brother is right."

Yang Guangming looked at his third brother, "Yuming, the post office is a proper workplace with many rules. When you go there, you need to be diligent, reliable, and attentive to your tasks."

Your mentor taught you to remember it carefully. Maintain good relationships with your colleagues, but don't pry into things you shouldn't, and don't say things you shouldn't.

You got in through a transfer, so some people are bound to be envious. Therefore, you need to be extra careful, do your job well, and leave no room for criticism.

Yang Yuming put away his smile and nodded seriously: "Second brother, I remember. I will definitely do my job well and not bring shame to our family, nor to you and eldest brother."

Seeing that he had taken the advice to heart, Yang Guangming felt somewhat relieved. His third brother was honest and straightforward, but not stupid; he was obedient and should be able to adapt as long as someone guided him.

“Oh, right, Second Brother,” Yang Yuming remembered something, his face lighting up with excitement again, “Our mother told me to tell you that everything is fine at home, so don’t worry. Take out that twenty catties of flour, and there’s still enough grain left to eat. Don’t skimp on your food and bring it home. You’re a cadre now, your work is tiring, you need to eat well.”

Yang Guangming felt a warmth in his heart: "I know. After Yuming's food ration is transferred, he will have a monthly quota, which will greatly reduce the pressure on the family. Our family's future will definitely get better and better."

Looking at the time, it's almost eleven o'clock.

Yang Guangming stood up: "It's getting late, let's eat first. After we eat and rest for a bit, we'll go to Director Fan's house."

Yang Ximing also stood up: "I'll help."

"No need, brother, you rest. Yuming, go pick the green beans and wash them clean," Yang Guangming instructed.

The three brothers divided the work. Yang Yuming happily carried the cloth bag containing the green beans to the public washroom to wash them. Yang Guangming stir-fried the cured meat slices in the pan to render the fat and aroma, then poured in the chopped green beans. With a sizzling sound, a rich aroma instantly filled the air.

Soon, a pot of oily, savory stir-fried cured pork with green beans was ready. The cured pork slices were translucent and curled, and the green beans had absorbed all the oil, making them a bright, green color.

The salted duck eggs were also cut open, and they were indeed pickled perfectly, with bright red yolks and glistening oil. The white rice in the pot was also cooked, and when the lid was lifted, the aroma of rice filled the air.

Three grown men sat down around the small square table. Although there were only two dishes, the portions were generous and the food was quite oily, especially the plate of stir-fried green beans with cured pork. The cured pork was plentiful, and it looked very appetizing.

"Come on, let's eat." Yang Guangming served his eldest brother and third brother a full bowl of white rice each.

Yang Yuming took the bowl, looked at the oily dishes on the table and the snow-white rice in the bowl, his Adam's apple bobbed, and his eyes suddenly reddened.

"What's wrong?" Yang Guangming asked.

"No...nothing." Yang Yuming quickly shoveled a large mouthful of rice into his mouth and mumbled, "It's just...it feels like a dream. Back home, we never got to eat such hearty food during the New Year. Now...now I can not only come to the city, but I can also eat food like this..."

Yang Ximing sighed and placed a piece of cured meat on his plate: "Eat well, things will get better and better from now on. Once you've established yourself at the post office, you'll have a monthly salary and food coupons, and you can buy whatever you want to eat."

"Mmm!" Yang Yuming nodded emphatically and began to eat heartily. The salty aroma of the cured meat, the sweetness of the green beans, and the soft, sticky rice blended together, creating a truly hopeful flavor.

Yang Guangming ate slowly, watching his two brothers. The eldest brother seemed more composed than before, while the youngest brother was full of hope and enthusiasm for the future.

The three brothers ate their fill and were very satisfied. Yang Yuming, in particular, ate until he was sweating profusely, even mixing the vegetable soup with his rice, finishing every last drop.

After the meal, the third brother insisted on clearing away the dishes, and Yang Guangming didn't stop him.

At 1:30 p.m., the three prepared to set off.

Yang Ming handed the cloth bag containing the money to his eldest brother, while he himself carried the bamboo basket containing the four rabbits. Yang Yuming, carrying twenty jin of flour, followed behind his two older brothers, his excitement still unsettled, his steps light and quick.

Director Fan lives in a railway staff quarters near the train station. The houses in this area are mostly single-story brick houses with neat courtyards.

Yang Ximing led the way, and they quickly found Director Fan's house. It was a small courtyard surrounded by a low brick wall, with four main rooms inside, which looked spacious and bright.

Yang Ximing stepped forward and knocked on the courtyard gate.

A moment later, the door opened, and a middle-aged woman in her forties, dressed simply but neatly, peeked out. She was Director Fan's wife, surnamed Wang, who worked at the post office.

"Aunt Wang, hello." Yang Ximing greeted her quickly, then introduced, "These are my two younger brothers, Yang Guangming and Yang Yuming. We're bothering you again in the middle of the day."

Aunt Wang smiled and said, "It's Ximing! Come in, come in. Old Fan is home."

The three followed them into the courtyard. The courtyard was not large, but it was very tidy, with some scallions and garlic planted in the corner, as well as a few pots of common flowers and plants.

Hearing the noise, Director Fan came out of the main room. He was off today, dressed in casual clothes, with a friendly smile on his face.

"Director Fan," Yang Ximing and Yang Guangming greeted each other.

"You've arrived? Come in and have a seat." Director Fan invited them inside.

The main room was spacious, and the furniture was all old-fashioned but sturdy wooden products. The walls were covered with portraits of leaders and several certificates of merit, giving it a simple yet solemn feel.

Aunt Wang poured tea for the three of them. Director Fan sat down in a chair, looked at Yang Yuming, and smiled, "This is your third brother? Not bad, he looks quite energetic."

"Director Fan, we are so grateful for your and Aunt Wang's help with Yu Ming's matter this time," Yang Guangming said sincerely. "Our whole family will remember this kindness."

“Yes, Director Fan, Aunt Wang, if it weren’t for you, Yuming wouldn’t have had this opportunity,” Yang Ximing echoed.

Director Fan waved his hand: "It's all fate, and your Yuming is lucky. Master Guo's situation is special, and he needs nutrition, and you were able to provide the necessary supplies, so it suits both sides. We just acted as a matchmaker and didn't offer any real help."

Aunt Wang also smiled and said, "Old Fan is right. It's mainly because Ximing is a hard worker, and Old Fan often praises him. You brothers are all so promising. We've all heard that Guangming is doing so well at the pharmaceutical factory. Now that Yuming can also work in the city, this is a great thing."

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Yang Guangming gestured to his basket: "Director Fan, Aunt Wang, we came in a hurry this time and didn't bring anything good. I got two rabbits from the mountains, they're quite plump, I'm saving them for you to try, it's just a small token of our appreciation."

As he spoke, he took out the two fattest and largest rabbits that he had specially set aside from the bamboo basket.

Director Fan and Aunt Wang immediately declined.

"How can this be! You need money and things right now, take them back quickly!" Aunt Wang waved her hands repeatedly.

“That’s right, you can keep the rabbit for Master Guo’s family, or eat it yourselves. We have plenty here,” Director Fan added.

Yang Ximing quickly said, "Director Fan, Aunt Wang, you must accept this. If it weren't for you, Yuming wouldn't have even gotten a job. Two rabbits are nothing, just some wild game from the mountains, just to add some vegetables to your meal. This is a small token of our family's appreciation, and we'll feel bad if you don't accept it."

Yang Guangming insisted, "Director Fan, you've always taken good care of my brother, and you've helped us so much this time. We're just country folk, we don't understand grand principles, we just know we should remember kindness. Please accept this, Aunt Wang, otherwise we'd really be embarrassed to trouble Aunt Wang to accompany us to the Guo family again."

Having said all that, Director Fan and Aunt Wang exchanged a glance, realizing they couldn't refuse any longer.

"You're too kind," Director Fan shook his head and said to his wife, "Then please accept it; it's the children's heartfelt wish."

Aunt Wang then took the rabbit, weighed it in her hand, and laughed, "It's quite heavy, well... I'll just have to accept it, thank you."

Seeing that they accepted it, the three brothers breathed a sigh of relief.

After sitting for a while and having a cup of tea, Yang Guangming suggested that it was time to go to Master Guo's house since it was almost time to go.

Aunt Wang stood up: "Okay, let's go over there now. I've already talked to Master Guo's family, and we'll go over this afternoon to finalize things."

The four of them went out together, and Aunt Wang led the three brothers toward the post office's residential compound.

Master Guo's home is not too far from Director Fan's home, only about a ten-minute walk.

On the way, Aunt Wang briefly told the three brothers about Master Guo's family situation.

Mr. Guo has had lung disease for several years, and recently his cough has worsened. The doctor insisted that he retire on medical grounds and rest. His wife is also in poor health. This job transfer, requiring money and food, was truly a last resort, an attempt to provide his wife with more nutrition.

Yang Guangming listened silently, understanding in his heart. These days, no one has it easy.

Soon, they arrived at the post office staff quarters. The houses here were older, mostly row houses. Mr. Guo's family lived in a small courtyard in the middle.

Aunt Wang went up and knocked on the door.

The door opened, and an elderly woman with gray hair and a somewhat haggard face stood inside; she was Mr. Guo's wife.

"Big sister, it's me," Aunt Wang greeted with a smile.

"Officer Wang is here, please come in." Aunt Guo quickly stepped aside, and seeing Yang Guangming and the other two behind her, she nodded, "Come in, everyone."

The courtyard was smaller than Director Fan's house, but it was just as clean. Inside the main room, a thin man in his fifties sat in a chair, coughing softly with his hand over his mouth. His face was somewhat pale; this must be Master Guo.

Upon seeing the visitor, Mr. Guo tried to stand up, but Aunt Wang quickly said, "Mr. Guo, please sit down, don't be shy."

"Master Guo, Aunt Guo, I'm sorry to bother you," Yang Ximing stepped forward and said politely.

Master Guo waved his hand, his voice a little hoarse: "No disturbance, no disturbance. Please sit down, everyone."

There weren't enough chairs in the room, so Yang Yuming and Yang Guangming stood, while Yang Ximing and Aunt Wang sat down.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, the topic naturally turned to the job transfer.

Aunt Wang, acting as the middleman, spoke first: "Master Guo, Ximing and the others brought everything today. As we agreed last time, five hundred yuan, twenty jin of flour, and some wild game that's equivalent to thirty jin of grain. Would you like to take a look?"

Master Guo looked at his wife, Aunt Guo nodded, and said to Yang Ximing, "It's good that you brought it. Let's... do as we agreed."

Yang Ximing took out the cloth bag from his pocket, opened it, and inside were five hundred yuan neatly arranged, mainly ten-yuan notes, with a small number of five-yuan and two-yuan notes. He then took out the two small bags of flour, each weighing ten jin, bulging with moisture.

"Master Guo, Aunt Guo, here's five hundred yuan, please count it. This is twenty jin of wheat flour, homemade, and quite fine." Yang Ximing placed the items on the table.

Aunt Guo picked up the money, counted it carefully, and nodded: "That's right, it's five hundred." She then touched the flour bag, feeling its solid texture, and a slight look of relief appeared on her face.

Yang Guangming put down his basket and took out two more rabbits: "Aunt Guo, these are two mountain rabbits, each weighing more than five jin, totaling over ten jin. As we agreed, they'll be used to offset the thirty jin of grain. Is that alright?"

The two rabbits looked quite plump.

Aunt Guo took it, weighed it in her hand, and felt that the weight was definitely enough. She looked at Master Guo, who nodded.

“Okay, this rabbit is good, it’s more nourishing than grain,” Aunt Guo said, her tone softening considerably. “As Officer Wang also said, you are honest and reliable, we trust you.”

Aunt Wang smiled and said, "Big sister, Ximing and his brothers are all honest and hardworking people. I also trust Yuming. He will definitely do a good job after taking over Master Guo's job, so you can rest assured."

At this point, the matter is officially settled.

This kind of private job transfer is not allowed by the state, and there are no formal contracts or documents. It relies entirely on the intermediary's guarantee and the mutual trust between the parties.

Yang Guangming didn't mention the receipt, but with Director Fan's wife present as a witness, it was more effective than any receipt. In this close-knit community, face and reputation are sometimes more important than written agreements.

Master Guo coughed a few times to catch his breath and said to Yang Yuming, "Young man, wait for me at the post office entrance at eight o'clock tomorrow morning. I'll take you inside to meet the team leader and supervisor to complete the formalities."

The job of a hairdresser can be tiring in some ways—you have to get up early, be meticulous, and avoid mistakes. But it can also be simple—just follow the rules and procedures. You're young and strong; if you learn well, you'll get the hang of it quickly.

Yang Yuming immediately straightened his back and said earnestly, "Master Guo, don't worry! I will definitely learn well, work hard, and never slack off or make mistakes! Thank you for giving me this opportunity!"

His words were simple, but the sincerity and gratitude in his eyes were genuine.

Master Guo nodded and said nothing more.

With the matter settled, the three brothers finally felt relieved.

After sitting for a while and exchanging some polite words, the four of them got up to say goodbye.

Aunt Guo saw them off at the gate of the courtyard. Looking at Yang Yuming, she said something unusual: "Work hard. The post office is a respectable place. If you do well, you'll never have to worry about anything for the rest of your life."

"Yes! I'll remember, Aunt Guo!" Yang Yuming nodded vigorously.

After leaving the Guo family, Aunt Wang was also going home.

"Ximing, Guangming, Yuming, I'm relieved that things are settled," Aunt Wang said. "If Yuming has any questions at the post office, he can come and ask me. Although I'm not on the mail-in shift anymore, I'm familiar with the situation here."

"Thank you so much, Aunt Wang," Yang Guangming said again. "You've really gone to a lot of trouble running around today."

"Don't mention it, it's all my pleasure." Aunt Wang waved her hand. "Then you brothers go back and discuss what's to come. I'll head home now."

"Aunt Wang, please take care."

After seeing Aunt Wang off, the three brothers stood on the street, looked at each other, and all showed relieved smiles.

"It's done!" Yang Yuming was the first to burst into a low cheer, his fists clenched tightly.

Yang Ximing also breathed a long sigh of relief and patted his third brother on the shoulder: "Finally, I feel at ease. Let's go back to my dormitory first."

The three returned to Yang Ximing's dormitory at the railway police station. It was even simpler than Yang Ximing's dormitory, with only a bed, a table, a chair, and a washbasin stand—that was all their belongings.

As soon as Yang Yuming entered the room, he couldn't help but turn around in the narrow space, his excitement overflowing: "Big brother, second brother! I'm really going to work in the city! The post office! I'll be working at the post office tomorrow!"

Yang Guangming and Yang Ximing both laughed at his childish behavior.

"Sit down, stop shaking, you're dizzy." Yang Ximing pressed him down to sit on the edge of the bed. "The matter is settled, but there are still many procedures to be completed. After the handover tomorrow, you'll just be filling in; your household registration hasn't been transferred yet, and your grain ration hasn't been transferred either. These all need to be done quickly." Yang Ximing sat down in the chair and nodded: "Brother is right. Yuming, after you finish the handover with Master Guo tomorrow, you'll be officially on the job. But to get your household registration, there are still follow-up procedures. Brother has experience with these; let him guide you."

Yang Ximing chimed in, "That's right. I'll take the day off tomorrow and go to the post office with you. After the handover is done, we'll see how things go. If everything goes smoothly, I'll go back to the village with you this afternoon to get the necessary documents and transfer your household registration. This can't be delayed; the sooner the better."

Yang Yuming listened attentively: "I'll listen to whatever my elder brother says."

Yang Guangming thought for a moment, then took out ten jin of grain coupons from his pocket and handed them to Yang Yuming: "Yuming, you take this."

Yang Yuming took it and saw that it contained ten jin of grain coupons. He exclaimed in surprise, "Second Brother, this..."

“You’ve just arrived in the city and don’t have food coupons yet. Use these ten jin first; you can’t skimp on food,” Yang Guangming said. “Once your food ration is settled, you’ll have a monthly ration.”

"Second brother, I can't take your grain coupons, you're not well-off either..." Yang Yuming tried to push the grain coupons back.

“Take it.” Yang Guangming’s tone left no room for refusal. “I receive some extra subsidies from the hunting team every month, which is enough. You’ve just started working in the city, and you’ll need money and ration coupons everywhere, so don’t be polite with me.”

Yang Ximing also said, "Yuming, listen to your second brother. You can take it and use it first, and you can pay your second brother back when you get your grain coupons later."

Yang Yuming carefully put the grain coupons into his pocket, feeling a warm glow in his heart: "Thank you, Second Brother."

The three brothers discussed some details. Tomorrow, Yang Ximing will accompany Yang Yuming to the post office, and then they will return to the village to complete the formalities. Yang Guangming will be leading a team into the mountains on Monday, so he won't be going back with them.

Looking at the time, it was already past three in the afternoon.

Yang Guangming stood up: "It's getting late, I should go back to the factory. You two, have a good talk about tomorrow's plans tonight."

Yang Ximing also stood up: "Okay, you can go back now. Yuming will stay here with me tonight, and we'll go together tomorrow."

Yang Yuming stood up as well, somewhat reluctant: "Second Brother, are you leaving already?"

"Yeah, I have some things to do when I get back." Yang Guangming patted his arm. "Do your best tomorrow, don't be nervous. If the post office manager asks you anything, just answer truthfully. If you don't know the answer, just say you can't explain it. You need to learn. Be diligent and observant."

“I’ll remember that, Second Brother.”

Yang Guangming then said to his elder brother, "Brother, I'm afraid you'll have to work hard tomorrow. After you go to the post office with him, you'll have to go to the village commune."

"Don't worry about it, it's just my brother's business," Yang Ximing said with a smile. "You should go back now, don't let it interfere with your important business."

As they reached the door, Yang Guangming remembered something and turned back, saying, "By the way, how about we go home together next Sunday? Once Yuming starts working, the three of us brothers will all be settled in the city. Let's go back together to show our parents and make them happy."

Yang Ximing's eyes lit up: "That's a good idea, let's all go back on Sunday. If we leave early, we can get home sooner."

"Okay, it's settled then. We'll all go home this Sunday."

"Okay, see you on Sunday then."

As Yang Guangming stepped out of the railway police station's courtyard, the evening breeze brushed against his face, carrying the warmth of early summer.

He felt an unprecedented sense of peace and relief.

The eldest brother has a stable job and is becoming more mature and reliable. The third brother has also found work; although it will be tough at first, the future is bright. As for himself, he has established himself in the pharmaceutical factory, the hunting team's work is progressing smoothly, and his relationship with Meng Yining is steadily developing.

Yang Guangming walked briskly back to the pharmaceutical factory.

Sunday was the day the three brothers agreed to go home.

Yang Guangming got up early and carefully tidied his hair in front of the mirror. The young man in the mirror had clear eyes and a calm face.

He checked the things he needed to take home. Last time he went home, he took a lot of rice, flour, and cooking oil from his spatial storage. Since the time interval wasn't long, he didn't need to bring too much this time.

He prepared two packets of pastries, a pound of fruit candy, and a piece of cured meat wrapped in old newspapers in advance.

After thinking for a moment, he stuffed two more packs of cigarettes into his bag. They were the "Daqianmen" brand he had bought earlier. Although his father didn't smoke much, he wanted to share them with the villagers when they got back, so that it would be a good thing for him.

After tidying up, he locked the door and walked out of the pharmaceutical factory.

The county town was not yet fully awake in the early morning, and there were few pedestrians on the streets. Yang Guangming strode forward, heading out of the town.

Halfway there, before eight o'clock, I saw two people under a tree in the distance.

It was the eldest brother, Yang Ximing, and the third brother, Yang Yuming, who were resting under the tree.

Yang Ximing was still wearing his police uniform, which was washed clean and ironed neatly, making him look exceptionally energetic.

Yang Yuming was wearing a blue work uniform made of cotton cloth, with a new pair of liberation shoes on his feet. His hair was neatly combed, his face was radiant, and his eyes were filled with undisguised excitement and pride.

"Big brother, Yuming, why are you up so early?" Yang Guangming walked over quickly.

"If you can't sleep, then let's set off early," Yang Ximing said with a smile.

Yang Yuming leaned closer, lowering his voice but unable to contain his excitement: "Second Brother! I've been working for four days! The team leader and my mentor both praised me for being diligent and learning quickly! Master Guo even came to the bureau yesterday to check on me and said I'm adapting even better than he expected!"

Yang Guangming smiled and patted his arm: "Good, that's good. Remember, stay humble and keep it up."

"I know, I know," Yang Yuming nodded repeatedly.

The three brothers reunited and embarked on their journey back to the village.

The trio of Yang Ming and his brothers quickly attracted the attention of passersby.

The three of them were dressed in decent clothes, walking together, chatting and laughing. Their spirit and energy were completely different from that of ordinary farmers who toil in the fields.

Some familiar people from neighboring villages recognized Yang Ximing and Yang Guangming and greeted them in surprise:

"Hey, aren't these the eldest and second eldest sons of the Yang family? Are they... coming home together?"

"Ximing, Guangming! And who is this...?"

Yang Ximing smiled and replied loudly, "Yes, we're going home to visit. This is my third brother, Yuming. He just started working at the county post office and is off work today, so we're going home together."

"The post office?" The man's eyes widened as he looked Yang Yuming up and down. "Wow! Your Yang family is...you're about to strike it rich! All three brothers have gone to the city?"

Yang Guangming smiled modestly: "It's all luck, it's all thanks to the organization's care."

Yang Yuming puffed out his chest, trying to appear more composed.

The news spread like wildfire, reaching Xiangyang Village ahead of them.

It was almost ten o'clock when the three brothers reached the village entrance.

Under the old locust tree at the village entrance, as usual, a few elderly people were sitting idly. When they saw the three of them, all eyes turned to them, and the murmurs instantly subsided, turning into a complex silence.

Yang Guangming, looking perfectly normal, greeted the elders with a smile: "Third Grandfather, Second Grandfather, sunbathing?"

"Hey, hey, you're back?" the old folks responded, their eyes lingering on the three brothers, especially on Yang Ximing in his police uniform and Yang Guangming in his cadre attire, before finally settling on Yang Yuming, who stood tall and proud.

Yang Yuming felt a little embarrassed by the stares, but he tried his best to remain calm.

The three brothers didn't linger. After exchanging a few pleasantries, they headed towards their own courtyard.

They could feel the gazes following them, and the low murmurs began again, even more enthusiastic than before.

"See that? The Yang family's three sons! They've all gone to the city!"

"Boss, you look really smart in that police uniform! I heard you're working at the railway police station, getting a government job!"

"Needless to say, the second brother is a cadre at the pharmaceutical factory! Look at his demeanor, he's completely different from before!"

"I heard their third son also moved to the city? That guy just mentioned... the post office?"

"My God, the post office! That's a golden opportunity! The Yang Xiuyuan family must have had some incredible luck!"

"We used to say that Guangming was a fool who got swindled out of his money... But look at him now, he's actually incredibly wise! He managed to get both of his brothers into the city in one go!"

"That's right! In the future, which family in Xiangyang Village can compare to the Yang family?"

These discussions, carried by the wind, drifted faintly into the ears of the three brothers.

Yang Yuming couldn't help but smile again, and his steps became even lighter.

Yang Ximing's face was also glowing, and his back was ramrod straight.

Yang Guangming remained calm, but a faint trace of satisfaction flickered deep in his eyes.

What he wants is for his family to be able to hold their heads high and live with dignity, isn't it?
When I got to the gate of my own yard, the gate was wide open.

In the courtyard, Father Yang Xiuyuan was chopping firewood. He raised the axe high and brought it down with a dull "bang bang".

Mother Feng Guifang was picking vegetables at the kitchen doorway, while her sister-in-law Cheng Shulan was washing clothes nearby. Her niece Miaomiao sat in a small wooden cart, babbling and playing with a rag doll. Her younger sister Yang Qiuhong was not seen; she was probably inside.

Miaomiao was the first to spot them. The little girl had sharp eyes and waved her little hands toward the door, making "ah ah" sounds.

Cheng Shulan looked up and followed her daughter's gaze to the doorway, a smile immediately spreading across her face.

"Father, Mother, Sister-in-law, we're back." Yang Guangming was the first to speak, his voice gentle.

The sound of chopping wood stopped. Yang Xiuyuan, gripping the axe, straightened up and turned around. When he saw his three sons standing side by side at the door, he couldn't hide the smile on his face.

Her youngest son had also gone to the city, and Feng Guifang was very worried after not seeing him for a week. At this moment, her three sons appeared in the doorway, all standing neatly. She stared blankly at them, her lips moved, but no sound came out, and her eyes instantly reddened.

Cheng Shulan quickly wiped her hands on her apron and stood up. "Guangming, Yuming! You... why did you come back together?"

Hearing the noise, Yang Qiuhong jumped out of the house like a little deer. Seeing her three older brothers, she exclaimed with delight, "Big brother! Second brother! Third brother! You're all back!"

At that shout, Feng Guifang finally came to her senses. She looked at her sons one by one, especially at Yang Yuming's brand-new liberation shoes and brand-new work uniform. Her voice choked with emotion: "It's good that you're back, it's good that you're back... You're all back... Yuming is... he's back too..."

Yang Xiuyuan picked up the axe, leaned against the wall, and walked over.

This usually taciturn man's gaze shifted from his eldest son's smart police uniform to his second son's composed cadre attire, and finally to the barely suppressed radiance of a city worker on his youngest son's face. His chest rose and fell slightly; he rarely smiled, and the wrinkles on his face seemed to tremble gently.

He opened his mouth, but in the end he just patted Yang Ximing's shoulder, who was closest to him, and looked at Yang Guangming and Yang Yuming, and gave a heavy "hmm".

it is more than words.

“Dad, Mom, my third brother has started his job and is doing very well. We brothers agreed to come back and visit you together today.” Yang Guangming handed the snacks and cured meat he was carrying to his mother. “Bring some things back.”

“You’re back, so what’s the point of buying things? You’re wasting money…” Feng Guifang took the gift, muttering to herself, but her tears flowed even more freely—tears of joy.

Yang Guangming handed another bag of candy to his younger sister Qiu Hong: "Here, Qiu Hong, you and Miao Miao can share it."

Yang Qiuhong happily accepted it.

Yang Yuming rubbed his hands a little embarrassedly: "I...I just started working, I haven't received my salary yet...I haven't bought anything..."

"It's good that you're back! No need to buy anything!" Feng Guifang held her youngest son's hand, looking him up and down. "Let Mom take a good look at you... Hmm, you look better... How was it at the post office? Were you tired? Did anyone bully you?"

"I'm not tired, Mom. My master and colleagues are all very nice. Nobody is bullying me," Yang Yuming quickly replied.

The family crowded into the main room. The small room suddenly seemed a bit crowded, but it was filled with an unprecedented liveliness and energy.

Yang Guangming took out cigarettes, handing one to his father and another to his elder brother. Yang Xiuyuan took them, lit one with the match his son offered, took a deep drag, and the rising smoke blurred his slightly moist eyes.

Yang Qiuhong curiously surrounded her three older brothers, asking them all sorts of questions.

"Second brother, is your pharmaceutical factory big? Are the buildings tall?"

"Third Brother, is there a lot of mail at the post office? What's your job in charge of that?"

"Big brother, have you ever caught any bad guys?"

The three brothers answered their sister's question with smiles, and the main room was filled with laughter.

Hearing the commotion at the Yang family's house, the neighbors couldn't help but peek out or come into the yard to say hello.

"Xiuyuan, Guifang, your sons are all back? What a blessing!"

"Ximing, that police uniform looks really cool!"

"Guangming, I heard you're the captain now? You're young and promising!"

"Yu Ming has made something of himself, he got a job at the post office! That's amazing!"

Yang Xiuyuan and Feng Guifang warmly greeted the villagers, their smiles the most relaxed and genuine they had been in the past six months. The Yang brothers also responded politely, offering cigarettes and exchanging courteous words.

Soon, the news that all three of Yang's sons had gone to work in the city spread like wildfire throughout Xiangyang Village. Envy, admiration, disbelief, and even a touch of jealousy circulated in every corner of the village.

But this no longer affected the Yang family. At this moment, their hearts were filled with the joy of reunion and the exhilaration of triumph.

At noon, Feng Guifang and Cheng Shulan used all their skills to prepare a sumptuous lunch.

I stir-fried Chinese sausage with garlic sprouts, scrambled eggs with scallions, and stewed a pot of cured pork and green beans. Although there wasn't much meat, it was much more oily than usual.

The staple food was cornbread made from a mixture of cornmeal and sorghum flour, but Feng Guifang deliberately added a small handful of wheat flour, which made it taste much better.

The family sat around the eight-immortal table, packed tightly together. Yang Xiuyuan took out a bottle of wine; he was so happy today that he planned to have a few drinks.

He picked up the wine cup, his hand trembling slightly. Looking at his three sons, his Adam's apple bobbed a few times before he spoke in a hoarse voice, "Our family... had a hard time before. Now... things are better. You brothers have all made us proud. This cup of wine... I'll drink it all."

After saying that, he tilted his head back and poured the spicy liquor down his throat.

The three Yang brothers quickly raised their cups and drank.

After a glass of wine, the atmosphere became even more lively. Everyone talked, laughed, and ate.

Yang Yuming vividly recounted the events at the post office, Yang Ximing told stories of the police station's patrols, and Yang Guangming picked out some amusing anecdotes about the hunting teams to share.

Feng Guifang kept serving food to her sons, and her smile never faded as she watched them devour it. Cheng Shulan held Miaomiao, gently coaxing her, her eyes filled with tenderness and hope for the future.

Yang Qiuhong chattered away, asking about everything in the city, her eyes filled with longing.

This meal took a long time, finally ending around 1:30 PM.

After dinner, the three brothers helped clear the dishes. Then they moved chairs and chatted with their parents.

Yang Guangming inquired about the crops in the fields.

Yang Xiuyuan said that the rainfall this year has been adequate, and he hopes for a good harvest in the fall.

Thanks to the considerable amount of food that Yang Ming brought back, the eldest son's monthly food allowance, and the fact that the third son was also receiving a ration, the family's financial burden had eased considerably, and they were no longer going hungry.

"The way people in the village look at our family is different now," Feng Guifang said with emotion. "Before, they would point and whisper behind our backs, but now they're all polite and greet us when we meet. Even your uncle's side—your aunt came over the other day to bring some eggs..."

Sunlight nodded. That's how people are; when you're poor, no one cares even in the bustling city; when you're rich, even distant relatives come calling. When things improve at home, people naturally look up to you.

“You all need to take good care of yourselves in the city,” Yang Xiuyuan said slowly, smoking a cigarette. “Look out for each other, work diligently, and be honest and upright. Don’t cause trouble, but don’t be afraid of trouble either. Our family isn’t well-off; we can’t afford any setbacks.”

"Father, we understand," the three brothers replied in unison.

The afternoon sun shone on the small courtyard, illuminating the happy family inside. The gloom and despair that once shrouded this place had long been blown away by the wind, replaced by burgeoning hope and a steady happiness.

In the evening, the three brothers had to head back to the county town. They had to go to work tomorrow.

Feng Guifang was extremely reluctant to part with him. She held one hand, looked at the other's face, and repeated her words of advice over and over again.

"Come back and visit often... Don't overwork yourself... Don't skimp on meals..."

"I understand, Mother. Please take good care of yourselves, Father."

She escorted him all the way to the village entrance, watching his three sons disappear into the twilight at the end of the dirt road. Feng Guifang's tears fell again, but this time, they were tears of sweet longing.

Yang Xiuyuan stood beside his wife, gazing into the distance, motionless for a long time. The evening breeze ruffled his gray hair, and this man, who had toiled most of his life, seemed to have straightened his back a little more. (End of Chapter)