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

Chapter 51. Every word carries immense weight.
Wang hurriedly took off her apron, stuffed her money and tickets into her pocket, and walked out with light steps.

We have an important guest at home, who is also a "cadre," so this meal must be done in a respectable manner!

After the mother-in-law left, only the two siblings and Honghong remained in the living room.

Yang Xianglan looked at her younger brother, her eyes a little red. A thousand words were stuck in her throat, but in the end, she could only say, "Mingming... thank you."

She understood that her younger brother had stayed for dinner specifically to give her face.

Yang Guangming played with Honghong's soft little hand and smiled, "She's my own older sister, no need to thank me. Honghong, call me uncle, and uncle will give you another piece of candy, okay?"

Honghong called out in her sweet, childish voice, "Tangtang! Uncle!"

In the evening, Wang Jianjun and his father returned from work one after the other.

Wang Jianjun was not tall, but he was very strong. He was wearing dark blue overalls stained with oil and sweat, and his face showed the fatigue of a day's work.

Master Wang is about the same age as Yang Yongkang, and is also taciturn with a dark complexion.

Upon entering, both of them were taken aback when they saw Yang Guangming, who was dressed in brand-new clothes and had an extraordinary air about him.

Upon seeing the conspicuous ham and drunken chicken on the table, and listening to Wang's animated account of Yang Guangming's deeds of "saving his elderly father, a cadre, and receiving a generous reward" and "becoming a cadre in the factory affairs office," the father and son were even more shocked, their gazes towards Yang Guangming filled with disbelief and heartfelt admiration.

"Wow! That's amazing! You've really made something of yourself!" Master Wang rubbed his rough hands together, a simple, honest smile on his face.

Wang Jianjun seemed a little awkward. Looking at his brother-in-law, who was a few years younger than him but already a "cadre," and then at himself covered in grease, he stammered, unsure of what to say, only nodding vigorously: "Good! Good! Really good!"

He looked at his wife, Yang Xianglan, with a questioning look in his eyes.

Yang Xianglan nodded to him, her eyes indicating that her younger brother had been deliberately left behind.

Wang Jianjun seemed to understand something, his dark face flushed slightly, and he lowered his head in shame.

As expected, Wang spared no expense, not only bringing out the ham and drunken chicken that Yang Guangming had brought, but also exchanging a fish and a bunch of fresh water spinach with the neighbors, and even ruthlessly frying a few eggs.

Dinner was served. The aroma of steamed taro with ham filled the air, the drunken chicken was tender and had a wine fragrance, the fried eggs were golden and tempting, the braised fish was rich and dark, the stir-fried water spinach was bright green, and there was a large bowl of winter melon soup with oil floating on top.

This would be considered an extremely lavish feast for an ordinary working-class family!

Everyone took their seats.

Honghong was held in Yang Xianglan's arms, her big eyes curiously looking at the delicious food on the table.

Mrs. Wang enthusiastically served food to Yang Guangming: "Little brother, eat more! Try this ham, isn't it delicious? How about this drunken chicken?"

Yang Guangming took a bite and exclaimed, "Mmm! It tastes so good! Grandma's cooking is amazing!"

He put down his chopsticks, picked up a small wine glass that contained some cheap bulk liquor, and first toasted Master Wang and Wang Jianjun: "Uncle Wang, brother-in-law, you work hard, I'd like to toast you."

Master Wang and Wang Jianjun quickly picked up their glasses and clinked them together, feeling somewhat flattered.

After a few drinks, the atmosphere at the table became more lively, and Yang Guangming naturally steered the conversation towards Yang Xianglan.

"Uncle Wang, brother-in-law."

With a sincere smile on his face, he said, "My older sister married into the family, and she took care of everything at home. She had to look after Honghong, serve the elders, and also find time to do odd jobs to supplement the family income. She was truly a capable person both at home and in the family!"
My mother often talks about how my older sister is sensible and good at managing the household, but she works too hard.” Upon hearing this, Wang Jianjun’s face showed even more shame. He lowered his head and said in a low voice, “Yes… Xianglan has worked hard.” He was tongue-tied and couldn’t say anything more.

Master Wang coughed awkwardly and nodded: "Xianglan... is capable."

Wang's smile froze for a moment, then she immediately replaced it with an even warmer one, echoing her sentiments repeatedly:

"Yes! Yes! Xianglan is so capable! We owe our house a lot to her! She manages everything inside and outside! I, this old woman, can only lend a little help."

She seemed to have completely forgotten her difficult behavior that afternoon.

Yang Guangming seemed oblivious to their embarrassment, continuing to smile, his tone gentle yet carrying an unspoken weight:
“My older sister has a strong personality. She prefers to shoulder everything herself and doesn’t want to talk to the people in the house much.”

As his brother, I live far away and can't really help him much.

However, I always worried about my older sister. Seeing that she managed the household so well, and that Honghong was growing up healthy, chubby, and clever, I felt relieved.

“Brother-in-law.” He turned to Wang Jianjun, his eyes clear, “I’m at ease entrusting my sister to you.”

Wang Jianjun became somewhat uneasy under Yang Guangming's gaze. His face flushed red, and he picked up his wine glass, taking a large gulp. As if he had made a great decision, he looked up at Yang Guangming, then at his wife beside him, and spoke in a low but clear voice:
"Little brother, don't worry! Xianglan... Xianglan is with me, I... I will treat her well! As long as I have food to eat, she and Honghong will have food to eat too!"

Though simple in wording, these were the most fluent and powerful promises he made tonight.

Yang Xianglan lowered her head and fed Honghong ham and taro, her eyes slightly warm.

My brother's words were all spot on, and every single one of them was meant to support her.

She could sense the forced smile on her mother-in-law's face, her husband's shame and promises, and her father-in-law's silence.

She knew that after tonight, her mother-in-law would have to think twice before trying to make things difficult for her again, given her status as a "cadre" brother.

The meal ended with Ms. Wang's overly enthusiastic greetings and Yang Guangming's measured and appropriate interactions.

Most of the main dishes on the table had been devoured. Looking at the remaining ham and drunken chicken, Wang was secretly pleased, thinking that they could still eat for several more meals.

As night deepened, moonlight spilled onto the bluestone pavement of the alleyway.

Yang Guangming got up to say goodbye, and his family saw him to the door.

"Little brother, let me see you off." Yang Xianglan handed Honghong to Wang Jianjun and followed Yang Guangming out.

The siblings walked silently for a while, away from their home. The alley was quiet, with only the echo of their footsteps breaking the silence.

"Obviously."

Yang Xianglan stopped and, by the moonlight, carefully examined her younger brother's handsome profile and crisp shirt, her voice thick with a nasal tone:
"Thank you for today... for all of this... and for saying these things..."

She paused, seemingly unsure how to express the turmoil in her heart, "I know you came here specifically to support me. Ham, drunken chicken, candy, beef jerky... You have your own life to live too, how could you..."

“Sister,” Yang Guangming interrupted her, his tone light, “I’ve already said what I needed to say. You’re my own sister, no need for thanks. I have the goods from the right place, don’t worry. Honghong is my niece, I love her dearly, I can’t spoil her enough. Only when you’re doing well here can my mother, father, and I be at ease.”

(End of this chapter)