Meanwhile, Hao Chunlai and his wife, who had just finished their argument, had barely calmed down when they opened the sack and saw the pitch-black coal briquettes inside, once again flying into a rage.
Although Meng Yuan didn't witness these scenes firsthand, just thinking about them filled her with satisfaction.
Of course, she had no intention of hiding these matters.
After meeting up with Huo Zhankai, the two first went to the newspaper office to pay and have the severance letter published.
Afterwards, Meng Yuan recounted everything that had happened in detail.
She had suffered so many hardships and endured so much injustice all those years in Xinjiang. How could they enjoy a peaceful and comfortable life in the Capital City with a clear conscience?
And these things rightfully belonged to her, so why should they be used as bargaining chips?
Therefore, she didn't regret her actions in the slightest.
If nothing unexpected happened, in half a month, the names of Qi Fang and Hao Chunlai would appear on the list of personnel supporting the Third Front construction.
From then on, they could no longer use their blood relation to disgust her.
"You did nothing wrong," Huo Zhankai said, immediately stating his stance after listening.
It's just that he knew his wife well; today's series of calculated moves clearly didn't resemble her usual style of handling things.
Meng Yuan smiled. "This plan was suggested by Third Sister-in-law."
"Third Sister-in-law?"
"Yes," Meng Yuan nodded.
To tell the truth, this matter started a month ago.
Back then, they had just settled back in the Capital City when Jiang Si came over with the transfer procedures for the courtyard house.
But after much hesitation, Meng Yuan decided not to proceed with the transfer for the time being.
She knew better than anyone how greedy her maternal family was.
If they found out she had moved back to the Capital City and owned such a spacious courtyard house, given their shamelessness, they would definitely overstay their welcome.
Seeing her genuine distress, Jiang Si offered her a strategy.
"So, this information was also gathered for you by Third Sister-in-law?"
Meng Yuan nodded, "Yes!"
The construction plans for the Third Front factories and the residential compounds of major factories in the Capital City were all under the responsibility of the Ministry of Construction.
For Jiang Si, checking such information was just a matter of a word.
Moreover, with Ninth Master around, digging up dirt on these people wasn't difficult.
The hard part was that once the arrow left the bow, there was no turning back.
The reason Jiang Si had been so decisive back then was because she knew if she didn't fight back, the only outcome waiting for her was to die alone in a foreign land.
The same was true for Meng Yuan.
If Huo Zhankai hadn't saved her that year,
she would have frozen to death in her first winter in Xinjiang.
"Do you want to go straight home now, or would you like to go somewhere else?" After she had calmed down, Huo Zhankai asked considerately.
"Let's go to the department store," Meng Yuan took a deep breath, then patted her bulging satchel. "To be honest, I never thought I could get this money back."
It feels like picking up money for free!
Most importantly, the pent-up frustration of many years was completely released at this moment.
No wonder Third Sister-in-law said that when it comes to revenge, doing it yourself is much more satisfying!
Seeing the relieved smile on her face, Huo Zhankai smiled too.
The couple spent the entire afternoon shopping at the department store.
Only when the trunk and the back seat were stuffed full did they return home, thoroughly content.
The next day, every member of the Huo family, including Third Granduncle and Uncle Zhong, received a carefully prepared gift from the couple.
...
Days moved forward steadily amidst happiness, and in the blink of an eye, half a month had passed.
On this day, Huo Tingzhou returned home later than usual, already past eight in the evening.
Usually at this time, Jiang Si would be reading bedtime stories to Suisui and Zhaozhao.
But today was different. She saw the two little ones, each holding a thick crayon, bottoms in the air as they scribbled and colored on a large sheet of white paper.
Huo Tingzhou unbuttoned his military uniform jacket and sat down beside her, his eyes asking, "What's going on with them?"
Don't they usually pester their mom for bedtime stories at this time?
Jiang Si shook her head, a hint of helplessness on her face as well.
After a moment's thought, she added, "Maybe seeing their older brothers rushing to finish their winter vacation homework made these two little ones anxious too. They demanded crayons right after dinner and even got upset when we didn't give them any immediately."
Although it was somewhat amusing, Jiang Si didn't want to stifle the children's budding curiosity.
So she gave each of them a crayon.
Then she wrote a few Arabic numerals on the white paper.
Not many, just five.
Huo Tingzhou smiled understandingly upon hearing this.
Then he leaned down with great interest to carefully appreciate the little ones' 'masterpieces'.
To be honest, he was quite surprised.
After all, the children weren't even one and a half years old yet, but they could draw the number 0 so round.
And that number 2 wasn't bad either; at least it was recognizable.
"The children take after you, they're clever," Huo Tingzhou said proudly, pulling Jiang Si closer by her shoulder.
"Of course they are!" Jiang Si felt a small swell of pride herself.
She just wasn't sure if it was due to the spirit spring water or if the two little ones had really inherited her love for drawing.
Seeing it was getting late, she said, "Keep them company for a while, I'll go take a shower first."
She showered daily, so she wasn't very dirty.
Jiang Si rinsed off quickly inside, changed into pajamas, and came out.
However, the moment she stepped out of the bathroom, Huo Tingzhou, who had been waiting by the door, scooped her up and effortlessly threw her over his shoulder.
Last time it was like this too; he took her into the bathroom and they didn't come out for over an hour.
"Don't you dare mess around," Jiang Si warned softly, patting his back.
The two little ones are sharp now; the slightest noise makes them lift their heads and look over with wide, blinking eyes.
Huo Tingzhou chuckled softly, "I don't intend to do anything, just want to hold you."
Jiang Si snorted. Could she believe that?
Absolutely not!
But unexpectedly, Huo Tingzhou this time really just held her, then gently placed her on the bed.
Looking over, the two little ones who had just been 'scribbling diligently' were now lying on their sides in identical poses, fast asleep.
"They fell asleep that fast?" Jiang Si was still a bit surprised.
"Mm, they've always been good," Huo Tingzhou said while opening the large wardrobe door.
Seeing him packing luggage, Jiang Si propped herself up on one elbow and asked, "Do you have to go on another mission?"
"No, I took a few days off, and it's been approved."
Due to having just been transferred back, Huo Tingzhou hadn't had a chance to take leave before. The promised trip to the hot springs had been postponed from before the New Year until now.
Now, the new official's initial fervor had been burning for two months.
It was time to let the people below catch their breath.
After finishing packing, Huo Tingzhou looked over at her, his gaze intense. "Tomorrow, I'll take you to the suburban health resort for a few days. The hot springs there are famous. Soaking in them will be good for your health."
Jiang Si wasn't blind; she had seen him packing her swimsuit earlier.
But, "Is it really just the two of us going?"
Thinking it over, since the two little ones had never been to a hot spring either, she added, "Let's take them too."
Otherwise, it would feel a bit like they were having all the fun to themselves.
Huo Tingzhou, however, said with a perfectly straight face, "They're still too young. It's fine to wait until they're a bit older."
If both little ones went, how could it be called a 'couple's world'?
Jiang Si thought for a moment, "Alright then."
Mainly because she had already promised him earlier.
Seeing his wife nod in agreement, the corner of Huo Tingzhou's mouth lifted.
It was already quite late, and the two turned off the light and got into bed.
Huo Tingzhou was just about to pull his wife into his arms.
A soft, adorable little voice piped up in the darkness, "Daddy~~"
The sudden sound sent a chill down both their spines.
Immediately followed by another sweet, milky voice, "Daddy~~"
Fortunately, the two remained relatively calm, thinking about how the little ones sometimes just woke up suddenly even when sleeping soundly.
Jiang Si turned on her side and asked gently, "What's wrong? Do you need to go potty?"
The two little ones were silent for a moment. "We wanna go!"
Hearing this, Huo Tingzhou quietly let out a sigh of relief.
As it turned out, he seemed to have sighed in relief a bit too early.
Because just as he was about to turn on the bedside lamp, Suisui grabbed his arm. "Not potty, wanna go bubbles!"
On the other side, Zhaozhao also wriggled her little body around. "Mommy, Zhaozhao good~ Zhaozhao wanna go bubbles too~~"
Huo Tingzhou: "..."
Jiang Si: "..."
