Hua Fen’s expression wasn’t too pleasant either. The military dependents waiting for job assignments were about to reach her turn. If the leadership prioritized arranging a position for Battalion Commander Lin’s wife, she would certainly make a scene.
Just as she was about to reach the third floor, she heard Nan Sheng say, “My job is rather special. I originally worked at the town government, and after becoming a military dependent, I was transferred to the Sanwei Town Government. Are you surprised, sister-in-law?”
Yuying froze for a moment upon hearing “town government.” The best jobs the military leadership could arrange were in the Women’s Federation, supply and marketing cooperatives, or school logistics. If Nan Sheng was telling the truth, then her job had nothing to do with the military—it was simply a transfer.
She forced an awkward laugh. “That is surprising. Not many military wives in our building have jobs. You’re really impressive.”
Hua Fen’s expression flickered before she plastered on a smile again.
“You must be Battalion Commander Lin’s wife. I’m Hua Fen from downstairs. My husband is Zhang Yiheng. I didn’t know what to bring you, so I just brought some greens—hope you don’t mind.”
“Of course not. I’m grateful for your kindness.”
Yuying chimed in quickly, “Sister-in-law, if you ever need vegetables, just pick some from my garden. We’re neighbors—no need to stand on ceremony.”
That’s what people said, but who would actually have the nerve to go and pick from someone else’s garden?
Nan Sheng felt it wasn’t proper to keep standing in the hallway talking, so she opened the door. “Come in and sit for a while.”
She also planned to use these two to spread some news—she didn’t have time to deal with the other military dependents lately.
Hua Fen, straightforward by nature, walked right in. Yuying hesitated, then said, “Wait a moment. I’ll bring my third child along. This little one can’t be left alone for even a second.”
Nan Sheng ushered Hua Fen inside first. The apartment had only basic furniture, nothing remarkable, but Hua Fen couldn’t help envying the layout of the Lin family’s home.
“You and your husband are really lucky. There are only two units in this building with this layout, but the ones on the same floor are much smaller.”
Yuying happened to return with her child just then and nearly scowled at the remark.
Wasn’t that the truth? Her place was nearly ten square meters smaller than the standard allocation.
Nan Sheng smiled. “Actually, given Lin Han’s seniority, he should’ve been assigned housing long ago. But waiting a few more years turned out to be a blessing—luck just came our way.”
Hua Fen laughed along. “Exactly!”
Nan Sheng brought out four pieces of phoenix tail pastries and gave one to each of them. “I don’t have much to offer, but I bought these in town yesterday.”
Yuying thought to herself, Battalion Commander Lin’s wife is really putting on airs. If pastries don’t count as good hospitality, then what does?
Her youngest daughter, Li Wangdi, immediately stuffed the pastry into her mouth. Yuying couldn’t scold her in someone else’s home, but she inwardly sighed—what a waste on her.
Her favorite was her eldest child. Back then, there had been no pressure to have a son, and as the firstborn, the girl had been doted on like a treasure. But after two more daughters, each was treated worse than the last. As long as the eldest was home, all the best food went to her.
Yuying probed further, “Sister-in-law, what exactly do you do at the government?”
Hua Fen was just as curious. Before Nan Sheng arrived, none of them had known that Battalion Commander Lin’s wife worked for the government.
With such a good job, why would she marry a divorced man?
Nan Sheng replied, “Let’s not talk about the past. Now, I’ve been promoted to director of the town’s Revolutionary Committee—a small step up. The military also helped a lot.”
She kept smiling, but Hua Fen and Yuying felt a chill run down their spines, as if she might summon a group to arrest them at any moment.
Hua Fen forced herself to stay composed. She racked her brain for a compliment but could only manage, “Director of the Revolutionary Committee—what a great job!”
Yuying, too, lost all desire to take advantage of the situation. She wanted nothing more than to grab her child and leave, but she feared offending Nan Sheng.
She stammered, “Sister-in-law, achieving such a position at such a young age is truly admirable.”
Seeing their reactions, Nan Sheng grew even more convinced of the brilliance of her new role.
“We all serve the people. If you ever need help, just say the word. We’re neighbors—no need to be polite.”
Hua Fen and Yuying agreed profusely, but neither dared set foot in the Lin household again. Too terrifying!
(°¯᷄◠¯᷅°)
Later, it became known that Nan Sheng was the only person in the military housing complex whom none of the dependents dared speak ill of. While the military zone wasn’t a place people would casually provoke, what if?
She was the Director of the Revolutionary Committee!
After seeing them off, Nan Sheng went to collect the laundry. The clothes still felt slightly damp, but in Rongcheng’s climate, was this considered dry?
That evening, she cooked rice. Having gone too long without using the gas stove, she turned it off too late, leaving the rice slightly burnt. For the side dish, she used the local greens Hua Fen had brought.
Without lard, the stir-fried greens lacked flavor, but Lin Han returned in the evening with a meat dish.
It was the children’s first day at school. Sizhe rubbed his temples. “One of the teachers is a local. She talks so fast I can’t understand her.”
Though Mandarin had long been promoted, every region had its own version, often mixed with dialect.
Siqi was bored too. It was her first day in daycare. The teacher was kind, but all the other kids already had friends—except her.
Nan Sheng understood their struggles. Adjusting to a new environment took time.
That day, reporting to the government office, she’d also struggled with the heavily accented Mandarin.
“Let’s work hard together. The three of us will compete—see if I can establish myself at the government first, if Sizhe can understand the teacher first, or if Qiqi makes a friend first. How about that?”
Qiqi had been about to ask if she could skip tomorrow, but the mention of a competition fired her up.
“Okay! The winner gets a drumstick!”
Nan Sheng immediately agreed. “Yes! The top two get drumsticks!”
Sizhe thought it childish, but he was confident he wouldn’t come last. A drumstick would surely be his.
Noticing Nan Sheng’s focus on the children, Lin Han placed meat in her bowl.
“Eat more. I’ve already sent someone to make the kitchen door—it’ll be ready soon. Let me know if you need anything else.”
He then served the children as well.
Nan Sheng thought for a moment. The most pressing issue was the lack of a vegetable plot, but she could buy groceries on her way back from town.
“I’d like to buy more lard. Do you have a way? Also, should we start a vegetable garden?”
“I’ll handle it. Just give the money to logistics—they’ll bring some back. We’ll get meat too. As for the garden, I’ll get some help.”
With a few young men, the plot could be tilled and planted within an hour, though only cold-resistant vegetables would grow this season.
Back inside, Nan Sheng placed five ten-yuan bills in a small drawer. There were many expenses lately.
“Lin Han, I’ve put the household funds here. Take what you need.”
Lin Han nodded. He gathered the dried bedsheets while Nan Sheng put them on the bed. Then he hammered nails into the wall to hang the curtains.
After tidying up both rooms, Lin Han was ready to resume the unfinished romantic business from the previous night. Just as the mood began to warm up, a knock interrupted them.
"Mom and Dad! I want to sleep with you tonight—open the door, quick!"
...
