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

Chapter 66. Expectations and Caution

Zhang Xiuying was already planning to splurge on some vegetables with fresh oil for lunch tomorrow, and then cook some rice noodles with salted pork and pork cracklings for dinner.

Li Guihua was thinking of going back to her parents' home on her next day off, bringing her mother some rice noodles to try and show off.

Yang Guanghui is looking forward to peeling a milk candy for Zhuangzhuang tomorrow and seeing how happy his son is.

Even the usually reserved Yang Yongkang couldn't help but swallow as he looked at the bottle of peanut oil that shimmered under the light.

However, this joy, which sizzled in my heart like oil, did not last long.

Yang Yongkang's smile gradually faded, and he regained his usual seriousness, as firm as a stone.

He glanced around at his wife, children, and daughter-in-law, who were immersed in excitement, his gaze sharp, finally settling firmly on Yang Guangming's face.

"We're happy, our whole family is happy." Yang Yongkang's voice lowered, carrying the absolute authority of the head of the family. "However, there is a very important matter that I need to make clear, and everyone must remember it!"

He picked up the enamel mug on the table, tilted his head back, and took a big gulp of cold boiled water. The icy liquid seemed to calm him down.

His gaze slowly swept over everyone, carrying an invisible pressure:
"Mingming's current status is: a cadre in the factory affairs office of the Red Star Factory! This is respectable, it's an honor for our family! But even more so, it's a heavy responsibility!"

He paused, his tone as heavy as lead:

"These kinds of 'helping colleagues out' things sound like acts of kindness, that people are being considerate and giving you a thank you gift, and that you're capable and have a wide network. It sounds so nice! But—"

His voice suddenly rose, carrying a forceful, menacing tone. His rough fingers slammed heavily on the table, producing a dull thud that made the oil bottle on the table shake slightly.
"Walls have ears! Gossip can be deadly!"
If word gets out to those jealous, gossipy people outside, do you know what they'll say?
They'll accuse you of abusing your official position for personal gain? They'll accuse you of engaging in illegal buying and selling? They'll throw these accusations at you one after another—can you handle it?

Don't even mention your future; our whole family will suffer because of you!

His stern, knife-like gaze finally fixed on his eldest daughter-in-law, Li Guihua: "Especially you, Guihua!"

He named names and showed no mercy: "You always have a loudspeaker at the drop of a hat, enjoying gossiping about everyone in the neighborhood, spreading even the smallest details so that everyone knows!"

From this day forward, keep your mouths shut! Don't make a fuss over anything new that happens in the house, like you've found a gold ingot!

And don't go outside to show off!
If anyone asks, I'll say that I got it from a fellow worker, or that I asked my relatives in the countryside to go through a lot of trouble to get it!
Did you hear me? Did you remember me?

Li Guihua was shocked by her father-in-law's unprecedentedly stern gaze and blunt reprimand, causing her heart to pound wildly. The excitement and blush on her face vanished instantly, leaving only a pale expression of fear.

Like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, she nodded frantically, her voice trembling:
"Xiao...I understand! Dad! I understand! I promise! I promise to keep my mouth shut! I won't let a single word slip out! Don't worry!"

She didn't want to ruin this vital "channel" because of her loose tongue.

The joy on Zhang Xiuying's face was replaced by caution and lingering fear. She nodded repeatedly, gripping Li Guihua's arm tightly, as if to give her strength.
“The old man is right! We’ve been too happy and lost our heads! Now that we’re cadres, the bigger the tree, the more the wind will blow against us. We should be extra careful! We’ll just keep our joy to ourselves and not say a word about it to outsiders! Guihua, you must remember that!”

Yang Guanghui gave a muffled "hmm" and nodded vigorously, indicating that he understood the seriousness of the matter.

Yang Guangming met his father's scrutinizing and concerned gaze, his expression solemn, and replied in a deep voice:

"Don't worry, Dad, I know what I'm doing. I'll say what needs to be said, and keep what I shouldn't say to myself. I'll know how to keep things in check."

Looking at his youngest son's calm and composed eyes, Yang Yongkang felt a weight lift from his heart.

He took one last deep look at the things on the table that symbolized abundance and hope—the bottle of peanut oil that still shimmered in the dim light, the two heavy rolls of rice noodles that exuded vitality, and the packet of sweet and tempting White Rabbit milk candy—and let out a long sigh.

"All right."

He waved his hand, his tone returning to its usual calm.

"Put your things away properly. It's getting late, time to go to sleep."

As if receiving instructions from their superiors, Zhang Xiuying and Li Guihua immediately began to act cautiously.

The peanut oil was hidden deep in the cupboard, carefully covered with a clean old blue cloth; the rice noodles were placed in the jar containing corn grits and other grains, pressed down at the bottom; and the White Rabbit milk candy was locked in the drawer of the chest of drawers with a small brass lock.

The brief burst of ecstasy in the front building, filled with the enticing aromas of oil and rice, was replaced by a more cautious and understated atmosphere.

Yang Guangming walked to the small wooden window near the courtyard and pushed it open halfway.

The noise in the courtyard downstairs was almost over, and most of the people who had come to cool off had left, leaving only a few scattered figures fanning themselves and whispering softly, along with the faint strains of Shanghai opera drifting from Granny Chen's radio.

The cool moonlight streamed in, falling on his young yet composed face.

The road ahead is still long.

How can the inexhaustible "treasures" in the refrigerator be safely, continuously, and without any leakage transformed into a steady stream of nourishment for the family's life?

How can one navigate the treacherous world of a shikumen (stone gate house) under the stern admonition of one's father's "cadre status," enjoying a secret abundance without incurring unnecessary suspicion and turmoil?
All of this, like the deep night outside the window in the alleyway, contains both hope and hidden unknown risks.

He gently closed the window, shutting out the moonlight and the night, along with his heavy expectations and caution, both outside and inside his heart.

(End of this chapter)