The sky collapsed, and in the blink of an eye, I found myself transported to Nanluoguxiang.

Once all the dishes were served, everyone present couldn't help but swallow hard.

Station Master Zhao stood up and said a few opening words, after which everyone started eating.

During this time, people would come over to Li Kaixin from time to time and offer him a cup of tea.

Since everyone had work to do in the afternoon, they ate tea instead of alcohol.

More than thirty people came over in turn, and many of them offered their respects more than once. Even Manager Wu and Xu Dabao, who were at the back, came over.

Li Kaixin did not refuse, picking up the teacup and putting it down repeatedly.

During the meal, my stomach was filled with tea, and I barely had time to eat any of the food.

......

After get off work in the afternoon, the members of the transportation team regained the enthusiasm they had in the days following the interview.

After exchanging a few pleasantries with the comrades at the last transport station, Li Kaixin finally managed to straighten out his somewhat stiff smile.

Then, he immediately hopped on his bicycle and rode quickly towards home, afraid that he would run into someone again and have to stop and say hello.

As soon as he turned into the familiar alley, Li Kaixin was taken aback by the scene before him.

The streets were lined with people, while Director Wang and several comrades from the street office stood in the middle of the alley entrance, their faces beaming with smiles, as if they were welcoming someone.

Li Kaixin's figure was quickly noticed by Director Wang and everyone present, and the crowd immediately surged towards him.

Before long, Li Kaixin was surrounded by a crowd of people.

Director Wang squeezed to the front, his face beaming with joy: "I'm so happy you're finally back! Old Xie and the others, they didn't even know to let you come back sooner for such a big celebration."

"Aunt Wang, what's going on here?" Li Kaixin asked, pushing the cart with a puzzled look on her face.

He had just returned from the transportation station and had already experienced it once; he really didn't want to go through it again.

Director Wang playfully slapped him on the shoulder:

"Kaixin, don't pretend with me! Making it into the newspaper is such a great thing, and you didn't even tell Aunt Wang beforehand. If I hadn't seen the paper today, I'd still be completely in the dark!"

"Yes, that's right, I'm so happy!" Aunt Zhao from courtyard number 93 squeezed out of the crowd and chimed in, "I was wondering why your family was being so secretive the other day, turns out it's because of this wonderful news that's in the newspaper!"

Seeing this, the other neighbors also started talking at once, and for a time, congratulations and praises were heard everywhere.

Surrounded by people, Li Kaixin was momentarily at a loss.

Seeing Li Kaixin's overwhelmed state, Director Wang quickly raised his hand and waved, "Everyone, please calm down! Kaixin has received your kind words. Now, I'd like to announce a few things from the Subdistrict Office."

The surrounding neighbors gradually quieted down, but their faces were still full of smiles.

Li Kaixin breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that everyone had stopped.

Director Wang cleared his throat and began to announce:

"In view of the positive impact that Comrade Li Kaixin has brought to our Hongxing Subdistrict Office, the Subdistrict Office has decided to award Comrade Li Kaixin the title of 'Active Member' and a cash reward of fifty yuan."

"At the same time, the courtyard house where they live has been rated as an active courtyard house, and the subdistrict office will issue an active reward to the residents of the courtyard house every year in the future."

As soon as he finished speaking, the crowd erupted in uproar.

Aunt Wang from courtyard number 93 quickly spoke up: "Director Wang, Kaixin grew up in our courtyard, shouldn't this 'Active Courtyard' be awarded to our courtyard?"

"Sister Wang, you're not right about that," Aunt Ye from courtyard number 94 chimed in. "Kaixin is currently living in our courtyard number 94, so this Jixin courtyard should belong to us."

Immediately, the people from courtyard number 93 and courtyard number 94 started arguing, each saying their own opinion, neither willing to give in.

Only the people in courtyard house number 95 watched quietly from the side, but the envy on their faces was almost overflowing.

The reward was secondary to them; the real prize was the title of "Active Courtyard House."

In those days when honor was highly valued, having it could be very helpful, whether it was competing with other courtyards or arranging marriages for young men in the courtyard.

After much arguing, Aunt Ye tentatively suggested, "Sister Wang, why don't we let Kaixin decide?"

"Okay!" Aunt Wang nodded.

Then, both of them turned their gazes to Li Kaixin, who was standing to the side.

Aunt Wang smiled broadly: "Go ahead and say what you want! Whatever decision you make, everyone in the neighborhood will support you."

However, she couldn't hide the anticipation on her face.

When Li Kaixin saw that everyone's eyes were on her again, she didn't know how to answer for a moment.

He still prefers courtyard house number 93, but he will probably live in courtyard house number 94 in the future.

While Li Kaixin was still hesitating, she looked at Director Wang and passed the buck to her: "Aunt Wang, why don't you explain? The neighborhood committee should already have some regulations in place, right?"

While the two sides were arguing, Director Wang was thinking of a solution, and she had indeed forgotten that Li Kaixin had moved to courtyard number 94.

Upon hearing Li Kaixin's question, Director Wang, realizing the implication, readily agreed: "How about this, let's both courtyards number 93 and 94 be rated as outstanding courtyards. The reward will go to courtyard number 93. Neither side has any objections, right?"

"No objections!" The people in courtyard house number 93 were the first to react and responded in unison.

The people in courtyard house number 94 were somewhat disappointed with the award, but they were also very happy to have received the title.

In an instant, everyone in both courtyards was satisfied.

Seeing that the matter was resolved, Director Wang called out, "Alright, now that everything is decided, everyone can disperse! Don't get too excited; they just got off work and are exhausted after a long day."

Upon hearing this, the crowd stopped crowding around and, with smiles, made way for them.

Li Kaixin had wanted to leave for a while. He gave Director Wang a grateful look, then pushed his bicycle and headed towards No. 93 Courtyard.

However, everyone's eyes remained on Li Kaixin until he completely disappeared through the gate of No. 93 Courtyard, and then they dispersed in twos and threes, chatting and laughing.

Li Kaixin parked his bicycle, opened the door, and saw that his parents, younger brother, and younger sister had already arrived home.

"How does it feel to be surrounded by people?" Father Li Mingde put down his newspaper and asked with a smile.

"Don't even mention it!" Li Kaixin shook her head, a hint of helplessness on her face. "Dad, why are you all back?"

Father Li Mingde pointed to the newspaper on the table: "The factory saw that you were in the news today, so they let me leave work early."

He paused, glanced towards the kitchen, and said, "Your mother is the same."

Li Kaixin nodded and sat down at the table: "Dad, I won't be staying there tonight."

"What's wrong? You're embarrassed to show your face after being in the newspaper?" Father Li Mingde joked.

Li Kaixin was both amused and exasperated: "Dad, don't you have a key too? Why don't you go over there?"

"Then forget it," Father Li Mingde quickly waved his hand.

He felt a chill run down his spine when he thought about how Director Wang and a group of people had blocked him at the alley entrance when he returned from the steel rolling mill that afternoon.

After dinner, Li Kaixin lay down on the familiar bed again, thinking about what had happened that day, and soon fell asleep.