After being left alone for two and a half days, Director Yi immediately became docile, crying and begging to see Nan Sheng.
When Nan Sheng arrived, she was visibly annoyed. "What’s with this act? I haven’t mistreated you. Just behave, got it?"
Director Yi was a sobbing mess, tears and snot running down his face. He’d been in interrogation rooms countless times, but being locked inside was a first.
Now, aside from someone bringing him meals, there was no sound at all. He was scaring himself to death—honestly, he’d rather be abused than left like this!
"Director Nan, please send someone to interrogate me. Or even beat me! Just don’t leave me alone. I know I was wrong, I’ll never oppose you again."
Nan Sheng rolled her eyes inelegantly, thinking the man must be out of his mind.
"We’re swamped with reforms right now, barely keeping our heads above water. Who has time for you? Stay put, or I’ll put a bullet in you!"
Deng Jun had been investigating in Cuihu Town daily, and recently, villages under Sanwei Town had also run into trouble. Liu Song and Chen Tian were busy outside, leaving Nan Sheng as the only one holding down the office.
She wasn’t trained in interrogation, so she’d resorted to leaving Director Yi alone—unexpectedly, it worked better than any questioning.
Seeing Nan Sheng about to leave, Director Yi desperately called out, "Director Nan, I’ll confess everything! Just give me paper and pen. Please, don’t make me stay alone."
This damned interrogation room was pitch black when the lights were off, utterly silent. He was genuinely terrified.
Soon, Nan Sheng returned with paper and pen. "Write. Have you persecuted anyone? Hidden assets illegally? Sent gifts to Ou Yaosheng?
Write down everything you’ve done. The more you write, the longer I’ll keep the lights on!"
What a twist—Nan Sheng had planned to slack off, but somehow ended up wrapping up Director Yi’s interrogation.
Ah, just too talented!
She sat outside the interrogation room with a teacup, watching Director Yi scribble furiously. But after a while, a chill crept over her. Had someone died in here?
The thought made her jumpy. "I’ve got work upstairs. Keep writing—I’ll check it later."
Director Yi nodded obediently. As long as the lights stayed on, he’d gladly confess every misdeed his ancestors had committed in exchange for this precious light.
Meanwhile, Director Yi’s wife had turned to Regimental Commander Shen Yu in the military district. She was related to Shen Yu’s wife, Ding Xiang.
"Xiang, your aunt has no one else to ask in the military district. I’m begging you—have Commander Shen help your uncle."
Ding Xiang had always gotten along well with her aunt. Besides, her uncle was a director in the revolutionary committee, which benefited their family. She agreed immediately.
"Don’t worry, Auntie. Lin Han is just a deputy regimental commander—he’ll have to respect Shen Yu’s authority. You should’ve come sooner. Why wait days?"
Director Yi’s wife sighed. "I didn’t even know when he was arrested. I made a scene at the town government yesterday, but it was useless. I wouldn’t trouble you if I had any other choice."
She’d also brought gifts. "Xiang, spare no expense. Just get your uncle out!"
That evening, Shen Yu returned home to the rich aroma of meat. He inhaled deeply. "What’s the occasion? Such a feast!"
Ding Xiang smiled, pouring him a drink. "My aunt visited today. She brought the meat. Come taste it—see if I cooked it well?"
Shen Yu had no fondness for the Yi family—who liked revolutionary committee folks? He frowned.
"Why’d she come? Asking for favors again?"
Knowing her husband wouldn’t eat without answers, Ding Xiang explained.
"She’s family—I couldn’t refuse. Invite them over tomorrow. We’ll mediate, ask Director Nan to release him. Even if it fails, Auntie will owe you."
Though she said this, Ding Xiang was sure the Lin family wouldn’t dare offend Shen Yu. They’d release him after dinner.
But Shen Yu lost his appetite. "No. I’ve no ties to Deputy Regimental Commander Lin—we’re not even under the same division. What authority do I have here? Stay out of this. Return the gifts tomorrow."
No matter how Ding Xiang pleaded, Shen Yu wouldn’t budge.
Furious, she called him heartless and gave him the silent treatment all night. The next morning, she skipped breakfast, thinking, Let the whole Shen family starve!
Somehow, she forgot their child was hers too.
In stark contrast, the Lin household was jubilant. Nan Sheng had received a letter from her family the night before and hadn’t stopped smiling since.
The letter was about Mingli’s upcoming wedding, mentioning his fiancée was County Chief Yu’s daughter—a fine match.
It also insisted the whole family return for the New Year wedding—no exceptions!
The Lin men were even more excited than Nan Sheng. Lin Han said, "I’ll check for watch and sewing machine coupons tomorrow. We’ll send them to Mingli."
Sizhe added, "Let’s buy new clothes for Grandma and Grandpa too."
Siqi wondered, "I wonder what Auntie looks like."
Nan Sheng was just as curious. How had Mingli gotten engaged to County Chief Yu’s daughter so quickly?
The mystery was killing her.
The next morning, Lin Han told Nan Sheng to hold off mailing the letter. "Let me check at the military district first. If we get coupons, Mingli can buy wedding supplies at the co-op—cheaper than the black market."
"Deal!"
Nan Sheng rode her bike to work cheerfully, missing Ding Xiang, who arrived to find her gone.
Ding Xiang had come after her husband and child left—timing it perfectly to miss her.
Upstairs, Zhu Jinghui’s wife spotted Ding Xiang knocking and greeted her first.
"Looking for Lin Han’s wife? She left for work ages ago."
Ding Xiang didn’t mince words. "Then pass her a message: I need to see her. Tell her to come to my place after work."
Zhu Jinghui’s wife regretted saying hello. Who asks someone to come to them for a favor...?
