Ever since Nan Sheng returned, Siqi had been staring at her with big, round eyes full of dependence.
"Mom, were you bullied?"
"No, you know how strong I am. From now on, no one in the family quarters will dare to bully you, understand?"
"Mm-hmm!"
Nan Sheng first wiped the child down with warm water to make her more comfortable, then placed her hands on Sizhe’s forehead and neck to check if he was running a fever.
Seeing that it was already 10:30 p.m., she urged her son to go to bed.
"Big kid, go to sleep now. I’ll take care of your sister today. Take tomorrow off to rest and recover before going back to school."
Sizhe nodded. He had been pushing through, his body itchy and sore in many places. Now that his mother was home, he felt at ease.
Once Nan Sheng lay down, Siqi became clingy, whimpering about how uncomfortable she was and snuggling into Nan Sheng’s arms. The little one’s face was flushed, her voice soft and sweet, breaking Nan Sheng’s heart.
She performed physical cooling every half hour, finally bringing the fever down before 2 a.m.
Exhausted, Nan Sheng thought to herself, Good thing I don’t want more kids. Being a mother isn’t for the faint-hearted—you have to worry about your children every single moment.
"Sleep now, sweetheart."
When Nan Sheng woke up in the morning, she noticed Siqi’s temperature had risen slightly, though not as bad as the day before. She cooled the child down again and made vegetable porridge for both kids.
After cooking, she peeked into her son’s room. The sound of the door opening woke Sizhe.
"Mom?"
Nan Sheng spoke softly, "If you’re still tired, go back to sleep. I’ll ask for leave for you both today. I have to go to work, so I’ll have Little Hou look after you. If you feel unwell, tell him, okay?"
Since Liao Xian was still at the town government office, she couldn’t take time off and had to make these arrangements.
"Don’t worry, Mom. I’m feeling better already."
Sizhe yawned. A full night’s rest had done him good.
Nan Sheng reminded him, "You still need to take it easy. And don’t forget to apply the ointment."
As she left, someone downstairs saw her and asked how the kids were doing.
She sighed. "I’m on my way to ask for leave. They’ll stay home today. The little one still hasn’t fully recovered from the fever."
Hearing this, the neighbors didn’t keep her long. Aunt Yu even offered to help look after the children, assuring Nan Sheng not to worry.
When Nan Sheng rode her bike to the military compound entrance, Little Hou was already waiting, clearly there to intercept her. As for Luo Hao, he was currently confined to quarters after yesterday’s clash, which had left both sides worse off.
"Sis, how are the kids?"
"Not doing too well. I need to ask for leave for them. Little Hou, could you watch them today? Siqi still has a fever—don’t forget to give her medicine after she eats."
Little Hou was Lin Han’s orderly, so Nan Sheng didn’t stand on ceremony. "If her fever gets worse, call me immediately. I’ll come straight back."
Little Hou knew how busy the government office was these days. With the military district having just dismantled the Revolutionary Committee and the black market, follow-up work was bound to be urgent.
"Don’t worry, Sis. I’ll take good care of them. I’ll handle the school leave too—you focus on work."
He didn’t mention the military district’s affairs, not wanting to upset her. With Commander Ye and the others around, Luo Hao wouldn’t be at a disadvantage.
Nan Sheng had arrived at the Shen family’s place late the night before, leaving no time for gossip to spread. But as the new day began, word of the previous night’s events traveled fast.
Today, an unusually large number of parents escorted their kids to school—so many that the roads were clogged, and no one actually made it to class. The chatter was lively and animated.
"You should’ve seen it! Gui Fang stormed the Shen household first, and Shen Wen and Shen Wu got a brutal beating from their dad. But Lin Han’s wife was even fiercer—she went in, and even Shen Yu ended up whipped with a belt!"
"Really?"
"Absolutely true! I saw it myself. From now on, we’d better warn our kids not to badmouth the Lin Family. She’s the new head of the Discipline Inspection Committee now."
Nan Sheng’s showdown the day before had completely cleared her name. No one would dare bring up her past as a Revolutionary Committee member again.
Every household’s first reaction was to rein in their children—no one wanted a visit like the Shen family’s, ending up with a lashing.
"She’s got quite the temper. But with things escalating like this, won’t the military district step in? It’ll be hard for Deputy Commander Lin to get promoted now, won’t it?"
"Hard to say. The Shen family was in the wrong. Deputy Commander Lin’s wife helped them, and in return, Shen Wen and Shen Wu retaliated by tying up the Lin kids in the woods. That’s dangerous."
"True. Who’d have thought Shen Yu’s father-in-law would be convicted of bribery and sentenced to reform through labor? Ding Xiang won’t be able to hold her head up after this."
Everyone speculated that the conflict would end in mutual destruction for both families.
Outside, the gossip was rampant, but the Shen family could barely step out the door. Shen Yu and his two sons had spent the night lying flat, too sore to move or sleep.
Ding Xiang hadn’t slept either. She made breakfast and brought it to Shen Yu, but he had no appetite, telling her to buy anti-inflammatory and pain-relief ointments instead—he still had to report for duty.
"Lao Shen, why don’t you take the day off?" Ding Xiang worried he’d be mocked if he went out.
"Take leave? If I don’t show up today to explain myself, what will the higher-ups think? Hurry up and get the medicine—don’t waste my time."
Ever since the beating, Shen Yu had been in a foul mood, snapping at every word. Ding Xiang had no choice but to endure it.
Afraid of provoking him further—lest he take his anger out on their sons—she said, "Don’t worry, I’ll go now. At least eat something first."
Ding Xiang walked briskly, avoiding conversation, but she could still feel the stares of onlookers. Just as she returned with the ointment, Shen Yu’s orderly arrived.
"Sir, there’s trouble! Last night, Lin Han’s men provoked ours, and they got into a fight. Captain Du and Captain Shen were caught and confined. The Brigadier wants to see you!"
The orderly was worried for Shen Yu. Deputy Commander Lin was close with Division Commander Yao and was currently on a classified mission—rumor had it he’d be promoted upon his return.
Word had spread throughout the military district: the Shen children had tied up the Lin kids in the woods, trying to kill them.
That morning, Division Commander Yao had personally confronted Division Commander Fan. The argument was reportedly heated, voices raised.
Now, Division Commander Fan had Brigade Commander Gao on the case, demanding a swift resolution.
After applying the ointment, Shen Yu dragged himself to the military district in pain. His direct superior was Brigade Commander Gao, who answered to Division Commander Fan.
"Reporting for duty!"
"Enter!"
Brigade Commander Gao’s face was grim, but he didn’t immediately lash out. He knew Shen Yu was usually level-headed.
"Go on, tell me what really happened yesterday? The whole military district is buzzing with rumors now."
Commander Shen bowed his head in apology, wincing as his wound throbbed, though he tried not to show any weakness in front of his superior.
"I’ve caused trouble for you, Brigadier. It’s all my fault for not keeping my family in check, letting my child stir up such a mess. But I’ve already apologized to the Xu Family and the Lin Family. I doubt they’ll make any more trouble."
