"Relocated households are sent to our area for re-education, but I’ve noticed many people think starving them and forcing them into hard labor is the way to do it."
"Isn’t that correct? Should we be treating them to fine meals instead?" someone questioned.
Nan Sheng patiently explained, hoping more revolutionary committee directors would adopt her management approach.
"Fine meals are unnecessary, but they at least need enough energy to work, right?
When I visited the villages, I saw the relocated elderly, weak, sick, and children assigned the toughest tasks. How could they possibly manage? Barely half an acre of land plowed in a day—isn’t that just helping them avoid labor?"
Her reasoning was sound, but no one had dared voice it before, fearing accusations of ideological deviation or sympathy for the relocated.
Only Nan Sheng, fearless as ever, openly challenged mainstream views at the county government meeting.
Cao Guoxiang encouraged her, "Director Nan, please continue. How did you improve the situation?"
"It’s simple. Replace one bowl of watery porridge with two, and assign tasks based on physical ability. That way, they can work nonstop all day, maximizing productivity.
On the surface, their conditions seem better, but that extra meal barely makes a difference. We’re getting the most output at the lowest cost.
Don’t take my word for it—visit Sanwei Town and ask the village heads. Compare their productivity before and after. Efficiency has more than doubled."
At first glance, Nan Sheng’s approach might seem harsh, but those who looked deeper realized it actually benefited the relocated households, preventing them from collapsing from exhaustion or starvation.
Ou Yaosheng listened with a mocking glint in his eyes, thinking women could never achieve greatness—compassion was their downfall.
Unsurprisingly, after lengthy discussions, most town directors preferred maintaining the status quo.
The revolution was far from over, and Comrade Nan could only focus on her own jurisdiction for now.
The meeting ended close to 2 p.m., and the return bus was leaving at 2:30. Nan Sheng and Secretary Cai rushed off on empty stomachs.
As they left, Secretary Cao’s parting words—"Let’s discuss this in detail another time"—left her puzzled. "Secretary Cai, what do you think he meant?"
Secretary Cai avoided the question, instead marveling, "Director Nan, you’re even bolder than I imagined. With your courage, I might’ve gone far by now."
Nan Sheng shrugged. What did she have to fear?
Her husband’s family was politically impeccable, hers even more so. Enemies had no grounds to attack her, especially with military backing.
Even if higher-ups blocked her promotions out of displeasure, being the top revolutionary committee director in Sanwei Town was comfortable enough.
Having eaten only breakfast, Nan Sheng was dizzy with hunger by the time she reached town. As she stumbled into the government office, she spotted Lin Han.
"Lin Han?"
Was she hallucinating? She rubbed her eyes.
The "hallucination" wheeled his bicycle over and handed her a steaming meat bun. "Eat this first. I figured you’d skip meals to catch the bus."
If a favorability meter existed above her head, Nan Sheng’s affection for Lin Han would’ve skyrocketed past 100. A lifesaver!
She devoured the bun, only to choke halfway. Hearing her cough, Lin Han stopped and offered his water bottle—filled with warm water.
She polished off three buns and skipped dinner entirely upon returning home.
Lin Han had to return to the military base. Until his comrades came back, everyone was pulling overtime.
Nan Sheng boiled water for a foot soak before collapsing into bed, exhausted. The rickety bus ride had her fearing it might disintegrate mid-journey.
Her sharp tongue at the county meeting left an impression, but it wasn’t for nothing—her annual review excellence promised generous rewards.
Combined with her director perks, she wouldn’t need to buy New Year supplies.
Her children cheered as she hauled home bags of goodies.
"The New Year break lasts half a month—from Little New Year to the seventh day of the first lunar month. Work resumes on the eighth."
With her rank, she was exempt from holiday shifts. Fifteen days of pure rest awaited.
The kids were thrilled. Since winter break started, they’d been like wildlings, barely seeing their parents at night.
Little Siqi’s eyes sparkled with mischief. "Mom, tomorrow’s Little New Year. Can we have something delicious?"
Easy enough. Nan Sheng loved cooking.
"Starting tomorrow, I’ll make a special dish daily. First, my grilled fish. Then shrimp wontons, followed by boiled fish, then braised pork!"
Four days of feasting to nourish the family. She’d even pour Lin Han a daily shot of ginseng wine.
Before bed, her system piped up apologetically.
"Sorry!"
"Me sowwy!"
"Me won’t scare you at night again!"
"Pwease talk to me!"
Tch, even acting cute? Entering the system space, Nan Sheng decided to set things straight.
"System darling!"
System: (❍ᴥ❍ʋ)
Darling?! Happiness struck without warning!
Nan Sheng turned serious. "Sizhe's favorability is at 99. Once it hits 100, you'll be free. No more confinement here."
The system caught her drift. "So... you’re not going back? That wasn’t the plan!" It had brought her here—it wouldn’t abandon her like some human-trafficking AI!
"What about your five million?"
Nan Sheng smiled peacefully. "If I want, I can earn countless millions in a few years. Money doesn’t matter anymore.
Back in the modern world, I’d just be eating and sleeping alone. More freedom, but nothing else."
Here, she’d gained family, friends, two adorable kids, and a responsible boyfriend!
Most importantly, she had meaningful work—she believed she could drive positive change for this era.
“Even if I only nudge this era forward slightly, it’s worth it. That’s enough for me.”
Though they hadn’t spent much time together, the system worried. "But what if Lin Han treats you poorly? Or the kids grow up ungrateful?"
Nan Sheng had considered this but refused to agonize over hypotheticals.
"System dear, never forget—I’m my own greatest ally. If Lin Han ever disappoints me, I’ll divorce him. Men aren’t scarce!
As for the kids, I treat them well because I want to. I expect nothing in return."
The system suddenly felt quite dejected. "But I haven’t been of much help!"
Nan Sheng comforted the adorable system, "It’s not your fault. I just don’t like relying on others all the time.
If you really want to help, why don’t you open the tech database now? We can go through it together and pick out some theoretical frameworks to transcribe. How does that sound?"
With these resources, she hoped the nation’s technology could take the lead!
"Okay!"
The system was more than willing!
