I Cultivate in a Government Office

Chapter 235: Chapter 135: The Yang Family

After the New Cabinet took office, the new calendar was named ”Qi Yuan,” symbolizing the dawn of a new era. This decree to change the calendar, along with the New Cabinet’s various programs, was swiftly transmitted to every corner of Wanxuan through the nationwide Communication Array.

Coral City, Qianjiao County, Bluestone Lane.

Six years was enough time for a lane to develop a richer, more lived-in atmosphere, and also enough to change many people and many things.

The courtyard home Yang Wenqing had purchased was now the permanent residence of his parents, Yang Jianmu and Wang Qin. His younger sister, Yang Wenning, had blossomed into a young woman. Three years ago, she had just managed to graduate from the Communication Academy and now worked as a communication specialist in the general affairs department of the Qianjiao County branch office. She usually lived in the branch’s staff dormitory, only coming home on weekends.

From the Communication Array in the main house’s hall, the speeches of the New Cabinet’s other members continued to play.

In the courtyard, Yang Jianmu, dressed in a loose linen martial arts uniform, was earnestly practicing a set of health-focused martial arts forms. He was meticulous. Ever since moving to the county seat and seeing the wider world, a spark of the old man’s lingering ambition had been rekindled.

Unfortunately, he had already missed the optimal age for cultivation. His Spiritual Veins had long since solidified and even become somewhat withered and stiff. To guide qi into his body and formally enter the Qi Cultivation Stage was as difficult as ascending to the heavens.

Yang Jianmu didn’t force the issue, though. His daily practice had become more of a habit, a testament to his perseverance in life.

After finishing a set, he slowly brought his movements to a close and let out a long, turbid breath. A light sweat had formed on his forehead. He picked up a towel from the stone table to wipe his face, then took a sip of the warm medicinal tea that had been set aside.

Then, he squinted, gazing at the few stalks of green bamboo in the courtyard that were growing ever more lush. Listening to the familiar sounds of his wife in the kitchen, a contented and peaceful smile spread across his face.

In the kitchen, Wang Qin was busy making breakfast.

The millet porridge simmering on the stove bubbled, GURGLE GURGLE, releasing the unique aroma of grains.

”Mom, I’m home!”

A clear, crisp voice came from outside, accompanied by the sound of light footsteps.

It was Yang Wenning. Today was her day off, so she had come back from the dormitory early. The girl was wearing the branch’s standard-issue light blue shirt and dark trousers. Her posture was erect, her long hair tied back in a neat ponytail, and her face shone with youthful radiance and a hint of the competence that came from just starting her career.

”Ah, it’s good you’re back. Go wash your hands, we’re about to eat.” Wang Qin poked her head out of the kitchen, her face blooming into a smile. Her eyes fell on the fried dough sticks in her daughter’s hand, and she said with disapproval, ”Wasting money again. We have everything we need at home.”

”Oh, Mom, it’s nice to have a change of pace,” Wenning replied with a grin, placing the soy milk and fried dough sticks on the dining table.

”Go get your father for breakfast.”

”Where is Dad?”

”Where do you think he is at this time of day?”

”Er...”

Yang Wenning ran to the backyard as fast as she could. Yang Jianmu, who had already heard the commotion, was on his feet. A happy smile appeared on his face when he saw his daughter running over.

At the breakfast table, the family sat together. As Yang Jianmu drank his porridge, he asked about his daughter’s work at the branch. Wenning chattered on about which Communication Array needed upgrading and maintenance, how there had been a lot of encrypted communications from higher-ups recently, and other similar topics.

Wang Qin listened as she served food to her husband and daughter, occasionally interjecting with remarks like, ”Be meticulous at work, don’t be careless,” or ”Make sure you get along with your colleagues.”

Sunlight streamed through the window, falling upon the dining table, illuminating the rising steam and the family’s ordinary yet heartwarming daily routine. From the Communication Array in the distance, the county’s morning news broadcast could be faintly heard, reporting on the implementation of the New Cabinet’s various new social policies in Donghai Province during the first year of the Qi Yuan calendar.

The nation was advancing with triumphant strides, and the borderlands were in turmoil. Yet beneath these eaves illuminated by Rune Lamps, people still lived their small, concrete lives, worrying about daily necessities, rejoicing in their children’s futures, and striving to grasp their own piece of stability and happiness amidst the torrent of the times.

After finishing his meal, Yang Jianmu set down his bowl. Listening to the voice from the broadcast, he looked at his energetic daughter and his hardworking yet contented wife, and a sense of peace filled his heart.

New Calendar or old, they might not have understood much about the nation’s major policies, but they could genuinely feel that their lives were improving day by day, and that their children had promising futures ahead of them.

”I should go out and buy a new calendar later,” he suggested.

”No need. When I have time, I’ll bring one back from the department. The quality is way better than the ones they sell outside.”

”That works too.” Yang Jianmu nodded, then asked, ”Have you heard anything from your big brother recently?”

Yang Wenning looked at her father and said, ”He’s probably so busy he can’t even touch the ground, running around with his people to check on security monitoring points every day. If you miss him, you can just call the main communications hub for the Lingshan New District. Just give them your name—who would dare not to connect you?”

But Yang Jianmu waved his hands dismissively. ”Your brother is a high-ranking official now, in charge of so many things. I can’t just disturb him whenever I want. Business is business, and private matters are private.”

As she cleared the dishes, Wang Qin chimed in, ”You’re just worrying for nothing. If you really miss your son, why don’t you just move to Lingshan Town for a while? It’s not like we don’t have a place there.”

She was referring to the magnificent mansion in the Lingshan New District.

But Yang Jianmu shook his head. Every time he went to that mansion, a whole crowd of people would ask him for favors. Although he secretly enjoyed it a little, he knew his own limits. That was no place for him; he could only find peace and quiet by hiding out here.

”No, no...”

He shook his head. ”The mansion is full of people, inside and out. This grand-uncle, that second cousin... they all come up with roundabout ways to ask for favors. I’m not cut out for that. Why would I give up my peaceful life to look for that kind of trouble?”