Chapter 257
It was strange, but ever since Nan Sheng held that meeting to provide guidance, there had been no more internal chaos. Liu Song and the others even talked about it in private.
"Do you think the Director feels we're completely useless? A few days ago, troublemakers were coming one after another. We really couldn't handle it anymore, which is why we reported it. Who knew they would all suddenly quiet down now?"
Su Jie curled her lips. "Maybe they saw that the Director was unhappy and didn't dare to show their faces anymore."
Luo Xiaoxuan also thought it was possible. "When the Director called the meeting, she specifically chose that conference room. She had a long face the whole way there. Didn't you see the comrades from other departments keeping their distance, afraid of getting caught in the crossfire?"
Gossip spread fastest in the government, especially when Nan Sheng was the center of attention. As the Director of the County Government's Disciplinary Inspection Commission, she had single-handedly sent the County Party Secretary to the big stage of the municipal leadership team.
She had refused a position in the provincial government, patted her bottom, and left her work behind for over a month. Who wouldn't be curious about her? She had become a legendary figure.
Before the annual leave, Nan Sheng received a notice to attend a meeting in the city. Director Jin even sought her out for a private chat. The topic was her future career direction. To be honest, he never expected Nan Sheng to actually have a talent for scientific research.
"Comrade Nan Sheng, I'm under a lot of pressure right now. You have no idea how many eye-rolls I received when I went to the provincial meeting last time. They all said I was burying your talents."
Director Jin felt incredibly wronged. After the Revolutionary Committee fell, he was the one who recognized Nan Sheng's abilities and fought hard to get her a job in the Disciplinary Inspection Commission.
Facts proved that his judgment was indeed excellent. Under Nan Sheng's leadership, the Qingjiang County Disciplinary Inspection Commission had completed all its tasks outstandingly. It was no exaggeration to say that if things continued this way, she would soon be promoted again and transferred to the city.
But he never expected that a fertilizer plant project would give Nan Sheng such high-profile exposure at the provincial level. The higher-ups hinted strongly that they should persuade Nan Sheng to dedicate herself to scientific research and contribute to the motherland.
What a joke! Did they think he was willing to let her go?
"How could the leaders be like that? It's obviously me who doesn't want to engage in scientific research. What does that have to do with you? That's really uncalled for."
Nan Sheng's words couldn't have sounded more fake. Director Jin angrily drank some tea to calm himself down, but he still had to ask what needed to be asked.
"What exactly are you thinking? You won't go work in the city, and you refused when the provincial leaders offered to promote you to the province. Now, even the research institutes are starting to fight over you. Are you just dead set on staying here in Qingjiang County?"
Nan Sheng blinked, acting cute for her boss, hoping he would understand her situation.
"For me, working anywhere is the same. I definitely want a promotion, to rise to the city, the province, and maybe even work hard to get to the capital. But reality just doesn't allow it.
I have two children and a husband. I can take the children with me, but my husband is a regiment commander, and his position cannot be easily moved. If we live apart for a long time, what if he doesn't want me anymore?"
"He wouldn't dare!" Director Jin never thought that such an outstanding comrade like Nan Sheng would actually worry about her husband being dissatisfied with her. This mindset was wrong; female comrades must be independent and confident!
"Being able to marry such an excellent wife is Regiment Commander Lin's blessing. Let him try not wanting you!"
After her conversation with Director Jin, Nan Sheng forgot all about the matter. She thought she would spend a very long time in Rongcheng, but she never expected changes to happen so quickly.
But that is a story for later. Right now, their family had already packed their things and boarded the train home.
As usual, their first stop was to visit the Yu family. Mingli and his wife, along with Yu Feng, were all waiting at the train station.
"Uncle Yu, having Mingli and Luotong come over is enough. It's so cold, it would have been much better for you to wait at home!"
Yu Feng put his hands behind his back, clearly in a very good mood. He was slightly dissatisfied that Nan Sheng treated him like an old man. "Don't look down on me. I even went down to the fields to help pick corn this autumn, and I wasn't any slower than the others."
Nan Sheng was too embarrassed to point out that the others were definitely letting him win, afraid of hurting his pride.
While walking on the road, Yu Feng kept talking about the harvest. "I compared them myself. The fields that didn't use compound fertilizer had tiny corn cobs. The ones that were fertilized not only grew longer but also thicker. It's truly a joyful sight."
Nan Sheng understood how much this generation valued food. She smiled and said, "In another two years, all the land will be able to use compound fertilizer. The experts are still researching it now. Maybe the ones we use in the future will have even better effects."
Arriving at the Yu household, the most valued person was naturally our little comrade Nan Feng. He was exactly as Zhong Yanyan had described, a chubby boy who wasn't afraid of strangers. Even when Lin Han held him, he grinned just the same.
Today was the first time the aunt and nephew met. Nan Sheng gifted him a complete set of new clothes for the New Year. The color was especially festive, though the size was a bit large. When he tried it on, the hat covered his entire head, making the child kick his legs in frustration.
Nan Sheng then took out a bundle of red thread from her bag. Seeing this, Luotong hurriedly tried to decline. This was a custom in Huaishan Town: close relatives meeting a newborn would tie money to a red string and hang it around the child's neck to accumulate blessings for them.
"It's the custom, Luotong. You have to accept it."
Right after giving birth, Luotong didn't have any breast milk. Her parents tried every way to make soups and herbal medicines for her to produce milk. Her breasts swelled painfully, and her heart ached for the child, so she would secretly cry every day.
Fortunately, when Mingli found out, he immediately told her that the child could grow up just fine drinking formula, and told her not to be so hard on herself.
Luotong had been terrified that her in-laws would be dissatisfied with her because of this. However, when her sister-in-law found out, she immediately sent formula to support her. She was touched beyond words.
Her father-in-law and mother-in-law were the same. Instead of complaining, they sent over all their savings and told her to rest assured, saying the child would definitely be raised well.
From that day on, she secretly swore that in the future, she would care for her parents-in-law as if they were her own parents, and treat her sister-in-law like her own sister.
"Thank you, sister. Then I'll accept it on behalf of Xiao Feng. You guys play with the child first, dinner will be ready soon."
Sizhe and Siqi had missed their little brother for a long time. This time they came back, Nan Feng was even more fun than before. He crawled incredibly fast, and if they weren't careful, he would crawl right to the edge of the heated brick bed.
The two older children stood on the floor to block him, and the three of them had a wonderful time playing together.
After dinner, everyone went to bed early. They were all going back to the town together the next day. There was good news this year: a bus line now connected the county and the town, running twice a day, which was very convenient.
Returning to the town the next day, Yu Feng and his group went straight back to the old ancestral home, Mingli's family of three returned to the Nan family home, and Lin Han also took his wife and kids back to their own home. The large group instantly split into three small squads.
When they separated, Qiqi looked longingly at her little brother Xiao Feng, who was bundled up like a ball. She was so reluctant to part with him.
Could her mother really not have another baby?
She really, really loved soft and squishy little brothers and sisters!
Every household in the village was filled with the lively atmosphere of the New Year. The Lin and Nan families were especially brimming with the joy of reunion. The Lin family revolved around the second daughter-in-law, while the Nan family revolved around their grandson.
Fan Shuting shared some good news with Lin Han. She told him that his sister, Lin Xue'er, was pregnant again. She had already given birth to a son before, and judging by her pregnancy this time, it seemed like another boy. Wan Jiyong couldn't be happier!
Zhou Wei also had a smile on her face, but as the whole family was eating and chatting lively, the absence of her youngest son left a lingering sense of longing in her heart.
Sister-in-law, when do you think Xiaocheng will finally be able to come home for the New Year?
Nan Sheng nudged Lin Han with her elbow. He was right in the middle of talking to Lin Guozheng and Eldest Brother Lin. Turning his head, he asked softly, What is it, dear?
Sister-in-law is asking when Sicheng will get a family visit leave!
Lin Han looked at his oldest brother and said, If you miss the kid, you should go visit him in Rongcheng. It'll be another two years before he gets family visit leave, and even then, the holiday isn't long, just a couple of days.
Hearing about going to Rongcheng made Zhou Wei a little apprehensive. She glanced at her husband, hoping Eldest Brother Lin would agree to let them go.
Eldest Brother Lin's eyes showed deep hesitation. While it was true they didn't have much work right now, a train ticket for such a long journey would cost a lot of money. Plus, they would have to stay at his younger brother's house, which felt like too much trouble.
Lin Han offered proactively, Brother, if you want to go, you can leave with us after the New Year. Sicheng misses home too. When he found out we were coming back for the New Year, he almost cried and even got a kick from me.
Zhou Wei felt an ache in her heart, but she said, He deserved a good scolding. He's grown enough, yet he still cries like a baby. Doesn't he worry about people laughing at him?
Eldest Brother Lin couldn't make up his mind. Your sister-in-law and I will talk it over. We'll decide before you leave!
Sicheng's absence didn't evoke much emotion in Lin Guozheng and Fan Shuting. After all, Lin Han had been away serving in the military, so they felt it was perfectly normal not to come home for a few years. Once he made a name for himself, he would naturally return.
Over at the Nan family's house, the return of the child brought a lot of joy and laughter. The whole family gathered around Nan Feng, playing with him.
Zhong Yanyan couldn't stop grinning as she looked at her eldest grandson, touching his chubby little hands one moment and his little stinky feet the next. I think this milk powder is even more nutritious than breast milk. No other child is as strong and sturdy as ours. Even eating solid food now doesn't stop him from drinking his milk.
Nan Jingyu was exceptionally happy as well. If he likes drinking it, let him keep at it. We were allocated quite a bit of grain last year, and the two of us can't eat that much anyway. I had Mingli take it all to sell so we could buy milk powder for my eldest grandson!
Seeing his parents so delighted, Mingli didn't want to be a killjoy. If he told them they didn't need to spend their money, they might think he was looking down on them for being old and unable to earn much.
Surprisingly, Nan Jingdang came over carrying a small basket of eggs. There were about twenty inside, which he had been too reluctant to eat himself. He only found out Mingli had returned with the baby after hearing it from the villagers.
Your uncle doesn't have anything fancy, but here are some eggs to steam an egg custard for the child!
Not wanting to embarrass his second uncle, Mingli accepted them with a smile. Nan Jingdang didn't stay long; he teased the baby for a bit and then left. Having never had a son in his life, he could only satisfy his craving for grandchildren by doting on this grandnephew.
Luotong had heard gossip from the villagers before, saying this second uncle was a local ruffian, but since marrying into the family, she had barely seen him.
Receiving the eggs this time made her feel a bit bashful. Father, Mother, should Mingli and I go visit Second Uncle's house too?
Nan Jingyu fell silent for a few seconds before replying slowly, Go ahead. You don't need to bring anything extravagant, just take some meat.
After Grandpa Nan passed away, he often felt remorseful, wondering why he had let his good-for-nothing younger brother stop him from bringing his old father over to care for him earlier.
Now that he was getting older, he figured if Jingdang had truly turned over a new leaf, it was only right for the kids to visit him during holidays and festivals. They were a family, after all.
Zhong Yanyan didn't contradict her husband. If the kids wanted to go, she wouldn't stop them, but if he dared to act up again, she absolutely would not tolerate it.
She wasn't in the mood to think about anything else right now. Her daughter and son-in-law were definitely coming back tomorrow, and she needed to prepare in advance.
Nan Sheng and Lin Han had dinner in Wangshan Village and arrived home before dark. When they left, Zhong Yanyan was extremely reluctant to see them go and even complained to her husband for building their house too small.
Nan Jingyu looked helpless. The house didn't just suddenly shrink, and besides, there was no space to build an extension anyway.
It doesn't feel very warm in the house.
Previously, when the couple went out, someone from the old house would come over to light the heated kang and add firewood. Today, they were probably too busy frying New Year's goods and forgot.
Lin Han told his wife and child to cover themselves with quilts first while he immediately went to the kitchen to get the fire going. Not long after, Third Brother Lin came running over.
Second Brother, Second Sister-in-law, hurry over to the old house. Congcong and Tingting have been sent back.
The two children didn't understand what this meant and actually felt quite excited. Qiqi clamored, I want to go see my little brother and sister!
Nan Sheng asked Third Brother Lin, Who sent the children back?
Third Brother Lin was very indignant. Who else could it be but that wicked old hag? She dropped them in the courtyard and ran off. At her old age, she practically ran so fast she left an afterimage.
Jiang Hua's new wife gave birth to twin boys, and now their family can't afford to raise everyone.
Nan Sheng and Lin Han exchanged a look, wondering what that old woman was thinking. They were all in the county town, so why didn't she send the children to Lin Xue'er?
Dear, I'll go take a look. You rest here for now.
When Lin Han and Third Brother Lin arrived at the old house, the two children were huddled together against the wall. They hadn't been back here in a long time, and because their grandmother frequently scolded them at home, they were extremely timid and didn't dare to speak.
Eldest Brother Lin's family and Sun Qian were also there. Lin Guozheng told Lin Han to sit down first. Congcong and Tingting are my grandson and granddaughter, and they are your nephew and niece. Today, Old Mrs. Jiang sent them back. Let's discuss whether we should send them back to the Jiang family or let them stay.
Sun Qian felt something was off when she heard this. Father, what do you mean by letting them stay? The children have a father and a mother. Can you really raise them in the village?
Third Brother Lin glared at Sun Qian. When Father speaks, just listen. Why do you always interrupt? It's not like he's asking you to raise them!
Sun Qian refused to back down. If you won't let me speak, then why did you call me over? If you ask me, we should just send them straight back to the Jiang family. They aren't children of the Lin family anyway, so why go through all this trouble?
Hearing that they might be sent away, the two children were so frightened that tears rolled down their faces, though they didn't dare cry out loud. Seeing this, Lin Han asked his eldest sister-in-law to take the children to the west room to comfort them, so they wouldn't be frightened further if an argument broke out.
After the children were taken away, Fan Shuting mentioned that the two kids hadn't been living well at the Jiang family's house. Usually, when Jiang Hua went to work, the old lady would make them do chores, and whenever she was displeased, she would hit and pinch them.
Lin Xue'er went back to see the children once a month, but the old lady had figured out her routine and would warn the children in advance not to speak out of turn. It was only because she saw that Lin Xue'er had married well that she didn't dare send the children to her in-laws' house.