The family compound of Jinling Aviation Manufacturing Plant consisted of rows of low red brick houses. Each house lacked courtyard walls, allowing for free passage to neighboring homes.
In the courtyard, brick-built sinks were set up, with a single faucet for several families to share. Beside the sinks, posts were erected and clotheslines strung. On sunny days, the area was a vibrant tapestry of drying quilts and washed clothes.
Jinling Aviation Manufacturing Plant was established early, and these old houses, built in the forties and fifties, suffered from cracked walls and water seepage. Many residents eagerly awaited the plant’s construction of new family housing.
However, Chen Yang knew that for the next decade and more, demolition and renovation would not come. The old plant, which held everyone’s hopes, faced a difficult path until the nineties.
As a former state-owned enterprise with military industrial roots, most such factories, except for a few key ones, faced the issue of transitioning from military to civilian production in the eighties. These plants possessed a large number of skilled workers, but their drawbacks were also evident: bloated bureaucracy and poor adaptability to market trends.
Many veteran workers, after a lifetime of dedicated service, possessed exceptional skills. However, years of closed-door management meant they previously only needed to diligently fulfill state-assigned tasks. Suddenly, being tasked with developing products suitable for market demand left many unable to adapt. Consequently, Jinling Aviation Manufacturing Plant struggled for a long time.
It almost became a case of assets offsetting debts, with foreign capital eyeing it. It was only through the intervention of the Jinling municipal government, which absorbed social capital and initiated shareholding reform, along with reorienting the plant towards the development of small, high-precision machine tools, that the factory was saved from becoming history.
The transformation of Jinling Aviation Manufacturing Plant was a microcosm of the broader reform and opening-up process in China. Countless similar factories existed, and many were not as fortunate, often being acquired or going bankrupt.
Chen Yang gazed at the familiar rows of houses, recalling which family lived where in his neighborhood.
An elderly woman was washing vegetables at the sink. Upon seeing Chen Yang arrive with Shen Xue and their two children, Aunt Zhao cast him a curious glance.
"Are you Yangzi from Liming's family?"
Chen Yang was only seventeen when he went down to the countryside. Five years had passed, and now he had returned with his wife and children. Zhao Qingzhu had trouble recognizing him.
"Aunt Zhao, I am Chen Yang. How is Brother Zhenming? It’s been five years since I last saw him."
Chen Yang quickly greeted Zhao Qingzhu. Qin Zhenming was a year older than him, and most children of similar age in the compound had grown up together since infancy. Chen Yang and Qin Zhenming had been good friends, which was why he inquired about him.
"Yangzi, it’s better you don’t mention it. It makes me angry. He messes around all day, and even took over your uncle's job, but he still hasn't found a girlfriend."
"Yangzi, is that you?"
Aunt Zhao glanced at Shen Xue and the two children. Although the woman wasn't particularly fair-skinned, she was exceptionally beautiful. The two children were like porcelain dolls, fair and tender, making the elderly woman want to cradle them.
"Aunt Zhao, this is my wife, Shen Xue, and these two little ones are my children. They're twins, a boy and a girl. Our daughter is named Yanyan, and our son is Haohao."
Chen Yang introduced his family to the neighbor by his door. Hearing Chen Yang’s words, Aunt Zhao felt a pang of envy. Her own son, who was a year older than Chen Yang, was still single. Chen Yang not only had a wife but also such grown children, and these two children were so charming. How could she not feel envious? At their age, they had no other desires than to hold their grandchildren.
"Here, try these homegrown cherry tomatoes. The children can have some."
Aunt Zhao quickly washed some bright red cherry tomatoes from the basin and offered them to the children, Chen Yang, and Shen Xue. The little milk-fed baby took a cherry tomato, bit into it, and instantly fell in love with its sweet and sour taste.
"Thank you, Grandma."
After eating, she remembered to lead her younger brother to thank Aunt Zhao. Hearing their sweet voices say "Thank you, Grandma," Aunt Zhao's heart melted. She resolved that from that day on, if her scoundrel son didn't bring back a daughter-in-law, he wouldn't get any of her cooking.
The joys and sorrows of people are not the same. Chen Yang, eating sweet tomatoes with his wife and children, headed home. Meanwhile, Qin Zhenming, who was buffing molds at the factory, sneezed three times in the sweltering heat.
"Yanyan, Haohao, hurry and knock on the door. Go call Grandpa and Grandma."
Looking at their familiar tin and wood door, Chen Yang and Shen Xue, carrying their gifts, directed the two little ones to knock.
"Grandpa."
"Grandma."
The two little ones scampered to the door and knocked with their tiny fists. One called for Grandpa, the other for Grandma, creating a lively scene.
Qin Lifen was gazing at a photo frame, thinking of her son. That foolish boy had only said he would return for the wedding, but hadn't specified a date. The Mid-Autumn Festival was tomorrow, and her elder daughter would be married after that. She felt a sense of emptiness.
"Old Chen, did I just hear children calling for Grandpa and Grandma outside?"
Qin Lifen adjusted her glasses. She was fifty years old this year. Although she was still a few months away from retirement, her hearing was sharp.
"That must be someone else's grandchildren. Where would yours come from..."
Chen Liming was lying in his rocking chair reading a newspaper, and he was about to retort to Qin Lifen's words. However, the words caught in his throat, and he suddenly sat up.
The couple exchanged glances, quickly put down their things, and dashed towards the door.
"Hey, Grandpa's little darling, don't rush, Grandpa's coming to open the door."
Chen Liming was so eager that he didn't even put on his slippers properly, running barefoot towards the door. Qin Lifen was no better, still holding the photo frame, and ran out with it.
"Dad, Mom!"
Seeing his parents with streaks of white in their hair, Chen Yang felt an indescribable emotion. His heart felt heavy, and a little sore. After five years, he realized his parents were no longer as young as before.
"Grandpa, Grandma."
The two little ones called out with all their might. This was, after all, their first time meeting their grandparents.
"Oh, my precious darlings, you must be tired from the journey."
"You rascal, why didn't you write and tell us when you were coming back? I would have had your father pick you up. The train station is so far from home. You mustn't tire my precious darlings."
Qin Lifen and Chen Liming quickly each took one of the children into their arms, showering them with affection. They looked them over, doting on them immensely.
Chen Yang, carrying two boxes of gifts, felt a pang of bitterness. They had promised to pick up their son, but where was he? A son this big, and they hadn't even noticed him.
Shen Xue looked at Chen Yang’s jealous expression and burst into laughter. Hearing her laughter, Chen Liming and his wife snapped out of their surprise and delight of holding the children.
"You must be Shen Xue, right? Come in quickly and have a seat. You've arrived home, so rest."
"You scoundrel, why aren't you leading your wife inside? What are you standing there for?"
Listening to his mother's nagging, Chen Yang felt a mix of amusement and helplessness. It was his mother, familiar and loving, taking such good care of his wife and children, that he, the biological son, felt like an adopted one.