Li Gongliang failed to get a divorce, but Lin Xue succeeded.
The longer she stayed at her parents' home, the more she missed her husband, and she secretly planned to return to the county town to see Jiang Hua.
But as luck would have it, she arrived just as Jiang Hua had been set up on a blind date. The longing she once felt turned into resentment, and in a fit of rage, Lin Xue wrecked their home before demanding Jiang Hua choose between her and their children or that "old hag."
Jiang Hua tried to calm her down, but his words only deepened Lin Xue’s despair. Heartbroken, she forced him to finalize the divorce. Afterward, she swiftly sent their two children back to the county town—she wanted nothing to do with the Jiang family anymore.
When Fan Shuting learned about Lin Xue’s divorce, she fell ill from anger. No amount of persuasion helped, and as soon as she recovered slightly, she had her husband summon Lin Xue.
"Xue, what are you planning to do now that you’re divorced? Are you really done with Jiang Hua? And what about the children?"
Though Lin Xue had once been a hopeless romantic, bending over backward for her husband’s family, she had now turned cold and unfeeling.
"Mom, how can I raise children alone as a woman? Find me another husband—anyone with good financial standing will do. I don’t care about anything else. Once I have money, I’ll make sure my children live well."
When Nan Sheng received the letter announcing Lin Xue’s remarriage, she was stunned. How had she divorced and remarried so suddenly—and even returned to the county town?
The letter only briefly mentioned that her new husband had a respectable job in the county government and had married Lin Xue in a whirlwind romance because he found her beautiful.
When Lin Han returned from work, Nan Sheng showed him the letter. His expression darkened as he read, and in the end, he only said one thing:
"Let her do as she pleases. No need to reply."
Jiang Hua still had feelings for Lin Xue. He had only agreed to the blind date under pressure from his mother and never wanted the divorce.
So while his mother wasn’t paying attention, he went back to Xiangyang Village, hoping to coax Lin Xue into remarrying him—only to learn she had already wed someone else.
"Uncle, how could she marry someone else? We have two children—did she just abandon them?"
Lin Guozheng didn’t even look at his former son-in-law. "If you don’t believe me, go see her new family. And don’t come back to the village—I won’t stand for this shame."
He was angry at his daughter, but he despised his ex-son-in-law even more. He wanted nothing to do with either of them now—the only ones he pitied were the children.
Jiang Hua was persistent. He managed to track down Lin Xue’s new home and arrived with their two children in tow—only to feel a pang of inferiority when he saw the place.
The house was spacious and beautiful, a two-story building that clearly belonged to a well-off family.
By sheer coincidence, Lin Xue stepped out just then, dressed in bright, fashionable clothes and wearing a smile. The sight stabbed at Jiang Hua’s heart.
Before she could notice him, he picked up the children and hurried away.
Back home, Jiang Hua's Mother was still wailing about how she couldn’t go on living. After settling the kids in their room, Jiang Hua told her:
"Stop crying. Lin Xue isn’t coming back. Mom, I’ll agree to marry whomever you choose—it doesn’t matter anymore."
Jiang Hua's Mother immediately brightened. As expected, she was still the most important person in her son’s heart.
"Son, don’t worry. This time, I’ll find you a virtuous wife, and I’ll take good care of the children too. Just trust me."
Jiang Hua let out a bitter laugh. Fine, whatever. Why drag her back into this mess anyway?
Meanwhile, in Rongcheng, the relocated personnel had been properly settled. Nan Sheng now spent her days wandering through villages, treating it as exercise.
Ou Yaosheng’s sudden downfall had brought sweeping changes to the county government. Party secretaries across towns were seizing the opportunity to suppress the remnants of the revolutionary committee’s influence.
Of course, this was all done with the county Party secretary’s tacit approval. The only exception was Sanwei Town, where everything remained calm—Secretary Cai knew better than to stir trouble, and Cao Guoxiang didn’t dare provoke anything either.
Today, Nan Sheng visited Yunshui Village, accompanied by Chen Tian. "How many relocated personnel have been settled here?"
Chen Tian had reviewed the records beforehand and answered promptly.
"Director, three people have been placed here—a mother and son from Rongcheng, and an elderly gentleman from Beijing who’s been assigned to guard the grain storage."
Nan Sheng seemed intrigued. "Let’s go meet this old gentleman."
"Right away! I’ll lead the way."
Chen Tian took his duties seriously. Though Director Nan was amiable with her subordinates these days, no one dared test her authority.
Just look at her track record—Yu Gan, Ou Yaosheng—it was no exaggeration to say that if she was displeased, the entire town government, including Secretary Cai, would be walking on eggshells.
Every village in Sanwei Town had a grain storage facility, built on the highest ground to protect against floods.
Previously, villagers took turns keeping watch at night, but the newly appointed village head—formerly the brigade captain—was grateful to Nan Sheng for ousting the corrupt former leader and cooperated fully with the revolutionary committee’s arrangements.
Besides, with Li Liangbai stationed there, there was no need for villagers to take shifts.
Before the two even entered the courtyard, a dog’s barking rang out. The mutt had sharp ears—hopefully, it was tied up.
"Director, should I go in first?"
A good subordinate had to be considerate. What if Director Nan was afraid of dogs? (Though he suspected that if a dog bit her, she might bite back twice as hard.)
Still, protocol was protocol—better to ask.
Nan Sheng answered with action, striding ahead into the courtyard. Near the gate, an adult local dog stood watching them intently.
Nan Sheng had been chased by dogs often as a child—they could sense fear. By the time she mustered the courage to fight back, they’d lost interest in her. A pity, really.
As she approached, the dog tilted its head and looked away, as if saying, I’m just the lookout—go ahead, do what you want.
Cowardly mutt, Nan Sheng concluded.
Even dogs don’t mess with her, Chen Tian noted silently.
Just then, the door of the lone house creaked open, and a white-haired old man with a vigorous demeanor stepped out.
"Who are you? What business do you have here?"
Since they’d come specifically to see him, Nan Sheng abandoned the dog and walked toward the old man.
Chen Tian remained formal. "This is Director Nan of the town’s revolutionary committee. She’s here to inspect the work."
Li Liangbai studied Nan Sheng briefly before offering a polite but distant greeting. "I’ve heard much about Director Nan."
His bearing was dignified, his tone courteous yet laced with an air of authority.
Chen Tian sensed something off. The old man looked too healthy, too well-dressed—nothing like someone who’d been sent down for re-education.
