The two children arrived home first and were doing their homework when Nan Sheng returned and immediately started steaming rice. The trio waited eagerly for Lin Han to come back.
Fortunately, he didn’t disappoint. Not only did he bring back two dishes—one meat and one vegetable—but he also carried home some pork fat and meat.
"I figured you’d be busy today and wouldn’t have time to buy groceries. The kitchen door will be delivered and installed tomorrow."
Lin Han took every one of Nan Sheng’s words to heart, especially when it came to adding things to their home. He loved being part of building their new life together.
"Thank you for your hard work, Battalion Commander Lin. There’s hot water in the kitchen—your reward is a quick wash first, then we’ll all eat together!"
Sizhe immediately went to the kitchen to fill bowls with rice and set out the dishes. By the time everything was ready, Lin Han had already finished his quick shower and was sitting on the long bench.
During the meal, Siqi proudly announced her achievement, "Dad, Mom, I made friends today! I have two new buddies now!"
She held up two fingers, her eyes gleaming with the confidence of a winner.
The youngest child was rarely this happy, so the family naturally played along. Nan Sheng gasped in exaggerated surprise.
"Siqi, you made friends so fast? That’s amazing! I hereby declare you the most impressive member of this family—even better than your dad, mom, and brother!"
Siqi puffed out her little chest proudly, then turned her expectant gaze to her father, waiting for his praise.
Lin Han patted her head and said simply, "Well done!"
Siqi frowned. That was it?
Mom had showered her with compliments—did Dad not think she was that impressive?
Noticing his daughter’s disappointment, Lin Han hastily added, "Really, really well done!" and "You’ll keep getting better!"
Three sentences—just enough to extinguish the little girl’s enthusiasm. She silently turned her attention back to her food.
"Let’s eat, Dad!"
No need to force the praise. She didn’t even want it that much anyway!
(｡•́︿•̀｡)
Nan Sheng shot Lin Han a teasing look, receiving an amused smile in return. Sizhe stifled a chuckle—he hadn’t earned the right to a chicken drumstick yet, so he had nothing to say.
After dinner, Lin Han washed the pork fat and cut it into small pieces. Since cooking smells traveled easily in the military housing complex, he bought extra to avoid frequently tempting the neighborhood kids with the aroma.
Lin Han wasn’t great at controlling the heat for rendering fat, so Nan Sheng took over. Given the hot weather, they only bought five pounds of meat—several others had also asked the procurement officer to get some for them.
Taking too much would have made things difficult for the officer.
That night, as they lay in bed, Lin Han massaged Nan Sheng’s sore thighs and calves. "Sweetheart, how was work today? Did anyone give you trouble?"
"Not at all. I’m the director—who would dare? Well, except maybe the Party secretary, but even he wouldn’t. He’s afraid I’d report him."
Lin Han saw a different kind of confidence in Nan Sheng’s expression, the kind unique to a career woman. His Adam’s apple bobbed as he murmured,
"Don’t forget, you’re not just a director—you’re also a military wife. The entire military district has your back. Don’t let anyone make you suffer."
"I know, I’m not stupid. Let me massage you too—you trained all day. You must be exhausted."
Lin Han chuckled softly. He felt anything but tired—in fact, he wouldn’t mind being a little more exhausted tonight…
After word spread that Nan Sheng was the newly appointed director of the local town’s revolutionary committee, the neighbors across the hall became unusually quiet.
No more children crying, and even Yuying scolded her kids more gently. She even cleared the shared hallway of all her belongings.
Downstairs, Hua Fen was the same. She passed the news to her circle, warning them not to provoke any unnecessary trouble.
So when Nan Sheng left for work the next day, the aunties and sisters-in-law downstairs were unexpectedly friendly, greeting her warmly.
"Lin Han’s wife, off to work?"
Nan Sheng responded politely to each one. The moment she left, the chatter began.
"Lin Han’s wife seems pretty easygoing. Surely she won’t just cause trouble for no reason?"
"Who knows? Better play it safe and not offend her."
...
At the government office, Nan Sheng’s workspace had been cleaned spotlessly, and her teacup was already filled with freshly brewed tea.
Seeing all three of her subordinates arrive before her, Nan Sheng said, "You three can take turns on early duty. No need for all of you to come in early—just one person arriving half an hour ahead is enough."
"Yes, Director!"
Liu Song and Deng Jun explained that they hadn’t finished compiling the lists yet—some records were incomplete, so they requested permission to visit the villages for verification.
"Approved. Accuracy is crucial. Also, I’d like to review the town’s Red Guard records, but that’s lower priority—finish the documents I asked for first."
Once outside, Liu Song and Deng Jun exhaled in relief. "Yu Gan tried to take leave yesterday. When Director Nan refused, he went straight to the Party secretary. Do you think he’s planning to quit?"
Deng Jun shook his head. "Would you quit if you were him? People are fighting to get in here. Haven’t you noticed all the new hires are college grads now?"
"At least we found an excuse to get out. Director Nan looks delicate, but that icy stare of hers is terrifying. I could barely breathe in there."
Liu Song agreed. Both regretted their past mistakes—if they hadn’t messed up, they wouldn’t be groveling before their new boss.
Coincidentally, their first stop was the home of the village chief in Qingshi Lane. The chief’s eyes lit up when he saw them.
"Comrades Deng and Liu, thank goodness you’re here! Yang Junzhi was kicked so hard yesterday he coughed up blood. Should we intervene or not?"
Deng Jun was baffled. "What’s that got to do with us? He’s a sent-down element. If you want to save him, fine. If not, let him die."
The chief wrung his hands. "But it was Comrade Yu who beat him! He accused Yang Junzhi of colluding with enemy spies, but the search turned up nothing."
Though sent-down elements were meant to be reformed through labor, the village had never had a death before—just backbreaking, filthy work and meager rations.
Deng Jun glanced at Liu Song. What now?
Liu Song thought for a moment. "You stay here and verify the records. I’ll go back and ask Director Nan for instructions."
