The men were drinking, so after finishing her meal, Nan Sheng took the children and left the table first. The revelry outside didn't disperse until four or five in the afternoon.
By the time everyone had left, Lin Han was completely drunk and unconscious. Sizhe defended his father, "Uncles kept pouring alcohol for Dad. Mom, you should rest. We'll clean up outside."
Li Gongliang carried his family's tables and chairs back home. Yuying was utterly disappointed to see him return empty-handed.
"Was there really nothing left? I was hoping you'd bring back a bowl for the kids to satisfy their cravings."
The neighbors across the street had hosted a feast today, and the aroma had wafted for miles, making her and the children drool with envy. But since they hadn't been invited, she couldn’t just show up unannounced.
Li Gongliang replied coldly, "Only a few cornmeal buns were left. It’s not like we don’t have food at home."
Yuying was long accustomed to her husband’s attitude. Ever since giving birth to their third child had weakened her health, their relationship had deteriorated—she felt more like a servant than a wife.
"And she calls herself a director? Pretty stingy if you ask me. Couldn’t even make extra dishes."
"What do you know? The food was finished because Sister-in-law is an amazing cook. Unlike the slop you make. Watch your mouth—if you offend the neighbors, you’ll regret it!"
Anyone could see that the regimental commander was favoring Lin Han—giving him a military academy spot, even personally attending their housewarming dinner.
Again, why was Lin Han so damn lucky?
After returning home, others also discussed the Lin family, mostly praising Nan Sheng’s cooking skills and her gentle, courteous demeanor. In any case, after this meal, the military families were less wary of her background.
When Lin Han woke up, he tried to hug his wife but ended up clutching his son instead. Sizhe stirred drowsily.
"Dad, are you thirsty? Should I get you some water?"
Lin Han was dazed for a moment. "Did I sleep in your room last night?"
"Yeah. Mom said you snore when you drink!"
Sizhe didn’t think much of it, but Lin Han felt like the sky had fallen. How could his wife dislike him now?
"Director, just ahead is Qing Stone Lane. Thirteen people have been sent here for re-education. Some were assigned due to political issues, others were implicated by family. Yang Junzhi was reported for having studied abroad—accused of suspected treason."
Today, Deng Jun and Wen Min accompanied Nan Sheng to the village for work inspections, with their first stop at Qing Stone Lane to check on the unfortunate Yang Junzhi’s recovery.
That morning, the County Revolutionary Committee had issued a directive, demanding that committee members adopt proper methods during work and absolutely avoid causing injuries again.
The villagers of Qing Stone Lane were busy with autumn sowing, planting wheat in the fields. The harvest would come next May, and since they could grow two crops a year, life here was much better than in Huaishan Town.
A sharp-eyed villager spotted Deng Jun and immediately ran to inform the village chief. "Chief, the Revolutionary Committee is back. You’d better come quick."
Zhang Zuqian hurried over at once. Seeing Deng Jun speaking deferentially to a female comrade, he immediately understood.
"You must be Director Nan? I’m Zhang Zuqian, the village chief of Qing Stone Lane. Just call me Xiao Zhang. Is there a new policy you’re here to announce?"
Nan Sheng looked at Zhang Zuqian, who appeared to be in his fifties or sixties, and couldn’t bring herself to call him "Xiao Zhang."
"Chief Zhang, I’ve just taken office and am making rounds. Seeing everyone working so diligently caught my attention. The harvest must be good here?"
Though Nan Sheng seemed approachable, Zhang Zuqian remained cautious—Director Ou had also seemed refined, yet he’d done plenty of shady things.
"The yield is decent. After handing over the public grain, the villagers have enough to eat and wear."
"That’s excellent. Take me to where the re-education laborers are working."
Without hesitation, the chief led the way. Better they torment the re-education targets than the villagers.
"Swing those hoes higher! You’re here for reform, not a vacation! Slack off, and I’ll report you to the committee!"
"You! Yeah, you! Stop lazing around—want me to beat some sense into you?"
The re-education laborers were surrounded by a group of teenagers in military-green uniforms and red armbands, who alternated between hitting and cursing at them.
Nan Sheng frowned deeply. These kids should be in school, not causing trouble.
Just as one of the young Red Guards was about to strike a child, Nan Sheng stepped forward and kicked him. "How dare you delay autumn sowing! Who gave you the right?"
The other Red Guards froze. Since getting their armbands, they’d never encountered someone so bold.
"Who are you? Want us to drag you out for a public struggle session?"
Deng Jun quickly shielded Nan Sheng. "How dare you! This is our committee director—show some respect!"
Annoyed by his interference, Nan Sheng pushed him aside and proceeded to kick each of the kids, delivering extra blows to the one who’d been hitting others. She then tore off their armbands.
In a stern voice, she demanded, "Confess! Who sent you to disrupt the sowing? Why are you stopping them from working properly? Are there more of you? If you don’t cooperate, I’ll have you all sent to labor camps!"
At their core, the Red Guards were just unruly kids. They might bully villagers and re-education targets, but they wouldn’t dare defy the committee.
Terrified and beaten, they turned pale, stammering incoherently.
The kids didn’t understand—weren’t they supposed to supervise the laborers? How had they become the ones disrupting work? Since when did the committee make no sense?
"We weren’t! Director, we were just overseeing their labor!"
"Still lying!" Nan Sheng’s tone grew harsher. "You hit them—how can they swing hoes properly? You yell at them—they turn to answer and slow down the work! Chief, bring three hoes. These kids will make up for the delay. Slack off, and I’ll have you mining in the mountains!"
Stripped of their red armbands, the kids were like toothless tigers.
Trembling, they obeyed the committee director and began tilling the soil. Wuwuwu… the director was terrifying!
