Chapter 246
Su Jie thought about it and agreed. It even saved them the trouble of checking themselves!
The compound fertilizer originated from Rongcheng, specifically from Qingjiang County, which made the people of Qingjiang incredibly proud. With the compound fertilizer, crop yields would increase, and every household would be able to receive a larger share of grain.
Such a good government, such excellent experts, and such wonderful leaders like Director Nan and Secretary Cao were all heroes in the hearts of the people. Needless to say, if anyone was crazy enough to utter a single word against the government, they would be beaten to death by the people around them.
You haven't even had enough to eat yet, and you're already losing your conscience?
Over in Huaishan County, both the Nan and Lin families received money sent from Rongcheng. Leaving aside the Nan family's reaction for a moment, Lin Guozheng was genuinely startled.
Without even bothering to read the letter, he asked his wife, "Why did you borrow so much money from our daughter-in-law? It's not like our family is short on cash."
Fan Shuting was cooking. Hearing this, she was completely bewildered. "I didn't borrow any money. They already give us five yuan a month for our living expenses, which is quite good. Why would I borrow money?"
Lin Guozheng was confused. He showed the ten ten-yuan bills to Fan Shuting. "Then tell me, why did they suddenly send so much money back? It's quite scary."
Fan Shuting could no longer focus on cooking. She immediately went into the room and tore open the letter. After reading it, she playfully punched her old man in exasperation, though the corners of her mouth were turned up in a smile.
"This is the bonus our daughter-in-law received. She sent it back so we can make new clothes before the New Year and not freeze."
Setting everything else aside, purely from a financial perspective, their second son's family definitely cared more about the old couple, although their eldest son's family was more helpful since they were nearby.
"Remember to write a reply later. Just say we received the money and ask if they are coming back for the New Year."
Things were different on the Nan family's side. When Mingli went to withdraw the money, he wondered if his sister had struck it rich. Didn't she already give their parents five yuan a month for living expenses? Why such a generous sum all of a sudden?
Even though it wasn't his day off, he still ran back home with the letter after work.
Zhong Yanyan wasn't very pleased to see him return alone. "Your wife is pregnant. Instead of staying home to take good care of her, what are you doing back here?"
Mingli felt wronged. Why was his mother acting like this? He hadn't been home for almost a month, and she was already complaining the moment he stepped through the door.
"My sister wrote a letter and sent money, so I was in a hurry to bring it back to you!"
Zhong Yanyan reached out and snatched the letter, not even asking about the money. "Put everything down and go back. Take good care of your wife!"
Mingli wasn't going to accept this. He started to complain, "Mother, I've been busy all day. After work, I was in such a rush that I went to the restaurant to get food for my wife without even taking a sip of water. Now that I'm home, you won't even let me have a bite to eat before chasing me away. Am I even your biological son?"
Hearing her son's grievances, Zhong Yanyan reluctantly allowed him to stay for the night.
Now that the family's living conditions had improved, Nan Jingyu absolutely refused to let Zhong Yanyan do heavy farm work. Over the past year, she had gained a little weight, her skin had grown fairer, and she looked much younger.
When Mingli took out the money, she realized it was a full one hundred yuan. "Why did this wretched girl send back so much money? Is she not planning to live her own life?"
Little Qi worked at the post office, so Mingli naturally knew that his sister had also sent money to the Lin family. "Just take it since she gave it. The Lin family got some too, and I reckon the amount given to both families is the same."
He then opened the letter and read it aloud. Zhong Yanyan beamed with joy as she listened, immediately hugging the money to her chest.
"How is my daughter so amazing? I'm going to save this money for Sizhe and Siqi to use in the future."
As for what her daughter said about making new padded coats and quilts, she took it to heart. She would make them, absolutely!
Otherwise, if her daughter came back and saw them still wearing old jackets, she would definitely feel upset.
Nan Jingyu had gone to the village chief's house for a meeting. The first thing he did upon returning was ask Mingli why he was back. "Your wife is pregnant right now, so you can't be careless. Don't come home if there's nothing important from now on."
Mingli: ...
Fine, at this moment he was sure that some sayings made a lot of sense: once parents have grandchildren, their own son becomes redundant. Nobody loved him anymore.
Afterward, Zhong Yanyan told her husband about the money their daughter had sent. "The compound fertilizer was so effective that the provincial leaders personally awarded her a bonus. My daughter is truly amazing. She specifically sent money back so we can buy fabric and cotton to wear new clothes for the New Year."
Nan Jingyu was even more proud when mentioning his daughter. "The experimental fields in our county have incredibly high yields. Which village isn't hoping to get approved for the compound fertilizer right now?
My daughter is just so capable. When she was at home, she helped Xiaoling Village escape poverty, and now the compound fertilizer she developed is so effective. Our Nan family's ancestral graves aren't just emitting green smoke; they're billowing thick smoke!"
Zhong Yanyan and Mingli were both amused by Father Nan's description. The only thing that made them unhappy was that Nan Sheng mentioned in the letter that she still wasn't sure if she could come back for the New Year.
Nan Jingyu comforted his wife, "It's fine. If worse comes to worst, we'll just visit them after the New Year."
Zhong Yanyan disagreed. "Look at the state of your father's health. We can't leave. When we write back, we need to explain her grandfather's condition so the kids don't blame us later."
Grandpa Nan was not only having trouble walking now, but his appetite had also worsened, and he had lost a lot of weight. In his condition, he might only have a few months, or a year at most. Now, Zhong Yanyan was doing her best to cater to the old man's tastes.
She cooked whatever the old man wanted to eat. Nan Jingyu was deeply moved every time he saw this. How many elderly people in rural families were beaten or scolded every day, as if growing old was a sin?
How many daughters-in-law could be as attentive to the elderly as his wife, taking the time and effort to prepare special meals for them every day?
In this life, being able to marry such a wonderful wife and raise a pair of filial children made it all worth it!
When Nan Sheng received the letter from the Lin family, she had little desire to open it. It was surely just the same few sentences, asking if they were coming back for the New Year and the like. When she opened it, sure enough, it was as bland as before.
It was a different story when the letter from the Nan family arrived. A single sheet of paper wasn't enough. Aside from asking about their family, it was filled with bits and pieces of news from their hometown.
Lin Han had said before that he must be shown the letters sent from home. Nan Sheng knew he particularly enjoyed feeling integrated into their family life.
Lin Han couldn't go home for the New Year this year. Originally, Nan Sheng planned to stay in Rongcheng to accompany him, but hearing her parents mention her grandfather's health made her change her mind.
Lin Han supported her as well. "Take the children back. It's the same if we celebrate the Lantern Festival together later. When you go back, you can stay in Wangshan Village and spend some quality time with your parents and grandfather."
At this moment, Sizhe whispered a few words into his father's ear. Lin Han looked somewhat surprised upon hearing them, but when Nan Sheng asked, he didn't say anything.
It wasn't until they went to bed that night that he finally asked, "Wife, I heard that when you replied to your family's letter, you only wrote a single word?"
Nan Sheng said in exasperation, "That brat really needs a spanking. He can't keep a secret to save his life."
Lin Han laughed out loud at his wife's reaction. His parents' letters had always been brief. He used to feel a bit disappointed when he was younger, but he was long used to it now.
He suddenly felt a bit curious. How would his family react when they received that letter?