"Director Nan, if you're not feeling well, I can go report to the county in your place."
Secretary Cai wasn’t trying to take credit—going to the county meant facing reprimands, so there was nothing to gain. He only offered because Nan Sheng looked unwell.
"If I don’t go, will the secretary have any objections?"
"Not at all. You’re unwell and can’t make it to the county. I’ll explain it for you."
Secretary Cai wanted to maintain good relations with Nan Sheng, so he made sure to consider her situation. He also needed to find out who had leaked information to address any potential risks.
Nan Sheng was still taking it easy that day. After resting for two days, she seemed much more energetic. When she saw Lin Han after work, her eyes even brightened.
Lin Han didn’t need to say much—he simply smiled and gestured that he had already bought food. Nan Sheng then put her bike away and climbed onto the back of his.
"I’m feeling much better today. After dinner, you should hurry back to the military base. Don’t let it interfere with your training."
Lin Han reassured her, "It’s fine. The other battalion commanders will cover for me. I’m only out for an hour—it won’t delay anything."
When they got home, Lin Han only grabbed two steamed buns before leaving, not even staying to eat.
Though this man didn’t sweet-talk her, his actions spoke louder than words—he was someone she could rely on.
In the evening, Hua Fen from downstairs knocked on the door, bringing over some fresh vegetables. "My husband mentioned you were sick. You do look pale—why aren’t you resting in bed?"
Nan Sheng felt a little embarrassed. Hua Fen had already sent food over several times—she couldn’t keep accepting favors.
"Thank you, Sister Hua. I’m already feeling much better today. Come in and sit for a while!"
Hua Fen didn’t stay. She handed over the vegetables and quickly left, afraid Nan Sheng would try to return the gesture. The vegetables weren’t worth much, and she didn’t want to keep taking pastries in exchange. Hearing the commotion, Yuying from across the hall also opened her door.
"Sister Nan, if you ever run out of vegetables, just pick some from my garden. Don’t be shy!"
Nan Sheng smiled and thanked her before closing the door.
"Da Wa, has Xu Baoliang, the regimental commander’s son, been bothering you again these past few days?"
Now that she had regained her energy, Nan Sheng turned her attention back to the children, realizing she’d neglected them lately.
"No. After we left that day, Xu Baoliang got a beating. He even said he wanted to come live with us—that you don’t seem like a mother who hits, that you’re really fair!"
Sizhe was stunned by this but kept quiet, not wanting to ruin the illusion. Part of him wished all the beatings he’d endured before were just a bad dream.
They say strict discipline raises filial children—and Sizhe believed it now. Look how well-behaved he and his sister were after their mother straightened them out!
Nan Sheng: "Baoliang has good judgment. Bring him over to play sometime!"
Sizhe: "…"
Siqi: "Hehe!"
Lin Han had been busy for over half a month before finally getting a break. Meanwhile, Nan Sheng was visiting villages for her work.
The poisoning incident had been resolved. The elderly couple in the county were unharmed, and with Ou Yaosheng smoothing things over, she and Secretary Cai only received a verbal warning.
As for Yu Gan and Wen Min’s fate—well, it went without saying. Even Wen Min’s mother was sentenced to five years of labor reform due to the severity of the case.
Recently, there had been a resurgence of Red Guards, so during her visits, Nan Sheng made sure to give them some trouble.
At an age where they couldn’t distinguish right from wrong, if left unchecked, they could easily get carried away and make grave mistakes.
When she returned home, Sizhe excitedly told her they’d received a letter from their uncle.
Nan Sheng was delighted. It had been over a month since they arrived, and she missed her family dearly. "Let me see!"
The three huddled together—Nan Sheng and Sizhe could read it, but Siqi stomped impatiently.
"Mom, read it to me! Read it to me!"
Still at the age of learning to speak, Siqi’s words now carried a Rongcheng accent. If they stayed much longer, her family back home might not even understand her.
Nan Sheng gently turned her daughter’s head away, shushing her.
The letter first expressed utter astonishment at her becoming a revolutionary committee director. Nan’s Father and Mother also reminded her to act with restraint and avoid going too far.
Then came their concerns about how the family was adjusting and updates about the Lin family.
As for the Nans themselves—Nan Mingli, backed by the secretary, was doing well in his government job. He even ventured into the black market at night, so money and status weren’t an issue. The Nans were living comfortably.
Sizhe was briefly surprised to read about his aunt and uncle-in-law’s impending divorce but didn’t dwell on it.
Eldest Brother Lin’s family was doing fine, but his in-laws had hit a rough patch. Wang Yuyou’s family’s county patron had been reported, and now they were "glorious laborers." Word had it their home had been ransacked.
The biggest shock came from Third Brother Lin’s side—his wife Sun Qian’s family was in mourning.
"Mom, do we need to send condolences?"
"Of course. Your grandfather will probably cover it first. Keep an eye out for news in the next few days."
There was no custom of belated condolences. If the elder Lins didn’t contribute, they’d address it later.
Originally, Sun Qian’s family would have suffered during the drought, but thanks to Nan Sheng’s intervention, they pulled through the famine. Yet, after the autumn harvest when food was distributed, tragedy still struck.
To put it bluntly—Sun Qian’s mother, having been starved before, ate recklessly once food was available and made herself sick.
With no money for treatment, she passed away…
