Nan Sheng leaned back in her chair. She had always believed that a leader who only knew how to fire people wasn’t a good leader—one who could truly win over their subordinates possessed real charisma.
If it weren’t for Yu Gan being so incompatible with her and causing such a ruckus, she wouldn’t have had to deal with him so harshly.
After work, Nan Sheng went to the state-run restaurant. She had been badly shaken the day before and hadn’t felt like cooking these past few days. It was easier to just buy food and take it home—after all, she had both money and ration coupons.
The lunchbox she used to pack the food was borrowed from the restaurant. After packing three dishes, she rode her bicycle home, only to run into her two children in the hallway.
She raised an eyebrow at her son’s dirty clothes. "Lost the key again?"
Sizhe nodded silently, his expression even grumpier than before. He had lost another fight today, and someone had taken his key again.
Nan Sheng thought this couldn’t go on. There were no spare keys left at home, and she didn’t have the time or patience to go make another one. What a waste.
"After I put the rice in the pot, take me to whoever took your key."
"No!" Sizhe refused. They had all agreed—real men didn’t go crying to their parents after a fight.
Nan Sheng couldn’t help but laugh at his reasoning. "You don’t actually think I’m going to beat up a kid, do you? I’m just getting the key back. As long as you kids aren’t going too far with your fights, I won’t interfere."
Kids fought one day and made up the next—she wasn’t so bored that she’d meddle in their squabbles.
"But if your classmates ever gang up on you or exclude you, you have to tell me. Don’t keep it to yourself."
Sizhe quickly replied, "That’s not it. Xu Baoliang just wanted me to call him ‘boss,’ and when I refused, he took my key."
Nan Sheng washed the rice while asking, "Who’s his father? Do you know where he lives?"
"Yeah. His dad’s Commander Xu. They live next to Uncle Ye’s place. I already checked."
After putting the rice on low heat, Nan Sheng and Sizhe—now in a fresh set of clothes—headed out, leaving her daughter to watch the house.
"Qiqi, keep an eye on the pot. Don’t touch it yourself, but if you smell anything burning, go get Auntie next door to help."
She was sure they’d be back before the rice was done, but it was better to be safe.
"Got it, Mom!"
Riding her bicycle, Nan Sheng arrived at Commander Wang’s house just as Commander Ye’s wife, Huang Xiaofang, came out to dump dirty water.
"Little sister! Come in and sit with me!" she greeted warmly.
Nan Sheng exchanged a few words with her before knocking on the next door. Sister-in-law Guifang, Commander Xu’s wife, didn’t recognize Nan Sheng at first. But after introductions, her heart sank.
That brat of hers was always causing trouble. Just wait till this woman left—she’d teach him a lesson!
Xu Baoliang was just as afraid of the committee director. That was why he’d made Sizhe promise not to tell his parents.
Two years older than Sizhe, he stood stiffly when called out, none of his usual swagger in sight.
"Auntie, I’m sorry! Don’t arrest me!"
Nan Sheng chuckled and patted his head. "Silly boy, why would I arrest you? Just give me the key back. I still have to cook."
Turning to Sister-in-law Guifang, she explained, "We don’t have any spare keys left. Baoliang, from now on, fight all you want, but don’t take his key. If I find my daughter waiting in the hallway again, I’ll let your mom handle you."
Sister-in-law Guifang quickly added, "Oh, I’ll deal with him either way. I had no idea he was acting like this outside. You’ve just moved here, and instead of helping, he’s causing trouble?"
Nan Sheng waved it off. "Don’t worry about it. Boys will be boys. If adults interfere too much, it’ll just make things awkward between them. As long as they’re not going too far, we should stay out of it."
Xu Baoliang, returning with the keys, overheard this and thought Nan Sheng was different from most parents.
He’d seen friends get scolded in front of everyone, ending in tears. He liked Nan Sheng and decided then that he and Sizhe would be brothers from now on.
"Auntie, here are both keys. I promise I won’t pick on Sizhe anymore."
Nan Sheng smiled. "It’s fine if you do, but I also have a little girl at home. If you’ve got friends, tell them to look out for her. No one better mess with her."
Xu Baoliang immediately thumped his chest. "Don’t worry, Auntie! As long as I’m around, no one will dare!"
Sizhe rolled his eyes inelegantly. That was his sister—since when did Xu Baoliang need to act so chivalrous?
With the keys retrieved, Nan Sheng left. Sister-in-law Guifang finally exhaled in relief before smacking her son upside the head—hard.
"Look what you’ve done! Thank goodness she was reasonable, or I’d have beaten you senseless!"
Xu Baoliang dodged, rubbing his head. "Mom, didn’t you hear her? She said kids should handle their own fights!"
Seeing him talk back, Sister-in-law Guifang grabbed a broom. This brat really wouldn’t learn until he was punished!
Back home, the rice wasn’t quite ready.
Nan Sheng turned up the heat slightly. When the water was nearly gone, she turned off the flame and let it steam a while longer, forming a thin, crispy layer at the bottom—delicious.
At dinner, Siqi sighed happily. "Mom, life is so good now! We get to eat rice or steamed buns every day. I’m so lucky!"
Nan Sheng immediately stuffed a piece of meat into her mouth. "Just eat, will you? Stop rambling."
This kid would make a great salesperson someday—she had the gift of gab.
Siqi wasn’t offended by her mother’s remark, but when she saw her brother laughing, she pouted. He was so mean—tonight, she’d take her pillow and sleep with Mom.
So when Lin Han returned, he found an extra lump in the bed. Now that was a "pleasant" surprise.
Nan Sheng thought the Yunshui Village matter was over and she could finally rest. But the moment she arrived at the office the next morning, Wen Min rushed over in a panic.
"Director! Someone laced the gifts sent to you with rat poison! Three families took the items home, and their relatives ended up in the clinic. Shen Mingde’s parents were the worst—they’ve been rushed to the county hospital!"
Secretary Cai had been informed the night before and had even paid for Shen Mingde’s treatment out of his own pocket. Now, everyone in the office was under investigation.
While Wen Min waited for Nan Sheng, the rest had already gathered in the meeting room.
This was clearly an attempt to poison Nan Sheng—except she hadn’t kept the gifts, redistributing them instead.
Nan Sheng sighed deeply. What was this? A stroke of luck?
"Let’s go. We’re needed in the meeting room."
The atmosphere inside was tense. Secretary Cai motioned for Nan Sheng to sit.
"You’ve heard what happened? If we don’t find the culprit today, we’ll have to report it and let the county handle it."
Nan Sheng nodded. "If there’s no sign of forced entry, it has to be an inside job. Since I arrived, I’ve only crossed a few people. Shouldn’t be hard to narrow down."
Secretary Cai was above suspicion—any incident here would reflect poorly on him. He wouldn’t orchestrate something this big just to get rid of her.
The Revolutionary Committee side would need to investigate—they had ample time to act, along with Deputy Director Zhang from the Materials Department. But in Nan Sheng's mind, the most suspicious one was Yu Gan!
If none of these individuals were involved, then the only option would be to report it and let the county authorities step in with more forceful measures.
