Chapter 238
Even though it was already dark, seeing that their daughter lived in a two-story house made the old couple feel it was incredibly grand. For the first time, they truly felt that their daughter had become a high-ranking official.
Sizhe took the initiative to let his grandparents stay in his room while he ran off to share a room with his younger sister. Afraid that her parents wouldn't be able to handle the temperature here, Nan Sheng even filled a hot water bottle and tucked it under their blankets.
Zhong Yanyan's heart ached for her daughter. "It's so late. Hurry up and go to sleep. Don't you have to work tomorrow?"
"It's fine, Mother. My workplace is very close, it takes less than five minutes to walk there. There is hot water in the thermos, so pour yourself some if you get thirsty."
"Got it, got it. Your father and I can take good care of ourselves."
After Nan Sheng left, the old couple had a bit of trouble falling asleep due to the sudden change of environment. Nan Jingyu thought about how Lin Han had returned to the military district alone, and neither his daughter nor the two children had much of a reaction, which told him they were already used to it.
"This child, moving so far away to be with the army, yet the couple still can't live together."
"Indeed, but I can see that the young couple's relationship is actually quite good. Let's not worry blindly."
It was unknown how much time passed before the two finally fell asleep. By the time they woke up again, Nan Sheng had already gone to work.
"You're awake, Grandma and Grandpa! You can come down and eat!"
Nan Jingyu and Zhong Yanyan felt extremely embarrassed. Back in the village, they woke up bright and early every day. Taking the train these past two days had been a bit tiring, and they had stayed up late after arriving at their daughter's house, which was why they slept in.
Nan Sheng had gone to the state-run restaurant early in the morning to buy guokui and douhua. There were quite a lot of snacks here, which could offer the old couple a change of taste.
The two children specifically waited for their grandparents to eat together. Nan Jingyu was not a picky eater and enjoyed whatever he ate, and Zhong Yanyan also found the food suited her taste.
She took a bite of the douhua and said, "Isn't this just the water tofu from our hometown? Why is it called douhua?"
Nan Jingyu said, "They just have a different name for it here in Rongcheng. Just eat it."
After the meal, Sizhe cleared away the dishes and chopsticks, then took the old couple out for a stroll, specifically reminding them to put on more clothes.
Seeing how considerate and sensible the two children were, Father and Mother Nan liked them even more. All morning, they had been busy cleaning and washing dishes, never taking a moment to rest.
Over at the government office, it was the first day back to work after the New Year. Nan Sheng had a lot of things to delegate and handle. By the time she arranged all the work, it was almost noon.
Cao Guoxiang came over to ask her to have lunch together and casually discuss the fertilizer plant, but Nan Sheng waved her hand and refused.
"I have something to do this noon. My parents are here, so I have to accompany them for lunch."
Cao Guoxiang quickly said it was no problem and that talking in the afternoon would be the same. However, he quite admired Nan Sheng's composure; ever since receiving that phone call, she hadn't even asked about the fertilizer plant's situation.
Nan Sheng arrived at the main gate, where her parents and the two children were already waiting. Zhong Yanyan even stood on her tiptoes, looking toward the government compound, and said, "It's much grander than the one back at our place."
Nan Sheng linked arms with her and led them in the direction of the state-run restaurant. "After we finish eating, I'll take you two inside to have a look. It's just a place for work, nothing extraordinary."
"You can't say that," Nan Jingyu said. As an ordinary citizen, he held genuine love and reverence for the government.
"Alright, alright, I won't say it anymore. Let's go eat."
While ordering dishes at the restaurant, Zhong Yanyan felt a bit restless. With the service staff present, she didn't feel it was appropriate to interrupt her daughter. She thought to herself, if she stayed in Rongcheng for ten days or half a month, how much money would her daughter end up spending?
Once the service staff left, she couldn't help but speak up, "Daughter, starting tomorrow, I'll go buy groceries and cook at home. I really can't get used to eating out."
Nan Jingyu also nodded in agreement. The older generation really couldn't stand seeing their children spend money so lavishly; they believed that money should be saved and spent only where it was most needed.
Sizhe, afraid that his grandparents would feel pressured, explained that they usually ate at the state-run restaurant anyway.
"Mother works very hard. We usually eat out and only cook at home when she has a day off."
Hearing this, the two elders began to feel sorry for their daughter and the two children again, determined to make sure they got to eat delicious home-cooked meals.
Nan Sheng figured that her parents would be staying here for a while, and if she didn't let them do anything, they definitely wouldn't feel at ease, so she didn't refuse.
When she returned to work in the afternoon, Cao Guoxiang came looking for her. Nan Sheng immediately suggested going with him to inspect the work at the fertilizer plant. "We'll discuss the details on the way."
Cao Guoxiang had already gathered all the information. The group from the provincial research institute simply didn't believe that this compound fertilizer could have such a massive effect, assuming that Nan Sheng and her team were exaggerating.
They wanted to obtain the specific data and replicate it to verify the effects. Of course, if this compound fertilizer really was that powerful, the final credit would definitely fall onto their heads.
At the time on the phone, it hadn't been convenient for Nan Sheng to ask too much. "How are Old Wu and the others?"
"Rest assured, they were just interrogated. No one laid a hand on them."
Upon arriving at the fertilizer plant, all the work was proceeding in an orderly manner, although the efficiency was a bit slow. Old Wu and the others were doing a lot of the work with their own hands.
After leaving the fertilizer plant, Nan Sheng told Secretary Cao her decision. "I will apply to the military district for a batch of retired soldiers to come work at the fertilizer plant."
"Director Nan, this is against the rules!"
Cao Guoxiang refused. After all, this fertilizer plant was established by the government. If he let the military district interfere, it would be hard for him to explain to his superiors.
Nan Sheng smiled. "If it puts you in a difficult position, forget it. I can just take Old Wu and the others back to my hometown and open a new fertilizer plant there."
Hearing this, Cao Guoxiang's soul was nearly scared out of his body. Right now, this fertilizer plant project was of the utmost importance. So many people had their eyes on it; even the city leaders had been asked about it multiple times when they went to provincial meetings.
If Nan Sheng left now, let alone achieving any political track record, all the relevant officials in charge would have to take the blame.
"It's not a difficult position, not at all! I'll go back and report to the leaders right away. But you have to tell me the truth, why do you want the military district to step in?"
"What else could it be for? For safety! So that my people won't be casually interrogated in the future!"
Soldiers were disciplined and loyal. With them around, they could take over a lot of the work. Moreover, they were highly skilled in combat. If anyone blind enough came looking for trouble again, they might end up being carried out horizontally.
Cao Guoxiang understood. Director Nan was indirectly putting pressure on the higher-ups. She was sending a message: Don't think that just because they are provincial experts, I have to swallow my pride and suffer in silence. If you push me too far, I'll apply to transfer back to my hometown, leaving you with nothing.
Sigh, when would he ever have that kind of confidence? It was truly enviable...