After the formalities were over, Nan Sheng got down to business with Cao Guoxiang.
“The matter with the Revolutionary Committee isn’t completely resolved yet. The higher-ups want to seize this momentum to conduct a thorough investigation into comrades who violated rules and discipline. I feel like I can’t even take a break now.”
Cao Guoxiang’s expression changed immediately. He had thought that after the Revolutionary Committee was purged, things inside the organization would settle down for a while. He hadn’t expected the leaders to just throw out an appetizer first.
What alarmed him the most was that if Nan Sheng hadn’t mentioned it, he wouldn’t have heard a single whisper about it.
At the same time, he understood clearly that this information was bait thrown out by Nan Sheng. If his actions met Nan Sheng’s approval, the two would maintain a temporarily friendly and cooperative relationship.
Of course, the premise was that he had no violations or disciplinary issues.
“Director Nan, I’ll say it again—if you need anything, I will do my utmost to help!”
Nan Sheng was quite satisfied with his response. The nationwide crackdown on the Revolutionary Committee was already nearing its end.
Perhaps the problems caused by the Revolutionary Committee had shocked the higher-ups deeply, angering the top leaders so much that they pushed for this comprehensive investigation.
Just wait—there’s still more excitement to come!
That morning, Nan Sheng had called Sanwei Town, and by noon, Liu Song and the others had arrived at the county government with their luggage. Before lunch, they had all completed their onboarding procedures and were ready to start work at any time.
They were also very concerned about Nan Sheng’s personal matters and kept asking, “Director, how is Lin Tuan’s injury? Can we go visit him?”
“He’s been transferred to the county hospital. It’s nothing serious. You’d better not go; too many people would disturb his rest.”
During Nan Sheng’s few days off, Liu Song didn’t let her down. Even though he faced a lot of doubt and rejection at work, he stood firm.
Before heading to the hospital, Nan Sheng gave them instructions.
“After lunch, organize your recent work reports and leave them on my desk. We’ll have a meeting at one o’clock sharp. I want to know everything that happened while I was away!”
Liu Song and the others wanted to accompany Nan Sheng to visit the hospital, but she refused firmly again.
“Right now, everything has to be low-key. Besides, you just arrived and need to adapt to the new work environment. Just behave yourselves and stay at the government office!”
Su Jie looked at Nan Sheng’s back with some sympathy. “Director has lost weight these days. She must be eating and sleeping poorly at the hospital, and now she has to jump right back into work.”
Xu Liang, like an older brother, patted her shoulder. “Stop worrying. If the Director knew what’s happened these past few days, she’d be furious enough to kill someone. Better focus on how you’re going to report the work this afternoon!”
When the Director was around, they felt like everything was peaceful and secure. But during just five days of her absence, it felt like they had lived through five hundred years.
One problem after another left no room to breathe.
Their team wasn’t a sealed unit either; some people even doubted whether Liu Song was truly handling official duties in her stead. Knowing Nan Sheng as well as he did, Xu Liang was sure this wouldn’t end well.
Hearing Xu Liang’s words, the other four silently looked up at the sky, praying that when Nan Sheng lost her temper, they wouldn’t get caught in the crossfire.
Little Hou had been waiting early by the government building, with two children in the car. Nan Sheng sat in the back, while Cao Guoxiang took the front passenger seat.
Nan Sheng glanced at the things packed in the trunk and sighed helplessly, “Secretary Cao, you really prepared all this in advance? This is way too much!”
Cao Guoxiang thought to himself, Of course, I’m always ready to visit the sick.
Out loud, he modestly said, “Not at all, not at all. This time it’s a joint effort between the military district and the government. We’re supposed to pay our respects. If it weren’t for worrying about causing a scene, we probably should have invited all the comrades to come visit.”
Nan Sheng shuddered at the thought of that scene. “Please don’t. My husband is still weak. We don’t want to scare him.”
Little Hou quietly listened to their conversation and thought about Lin Han, who had been wandering around all morning. How could that be described as weak?
Those who knew said Lin Han was shot; those who didn’t might have thought he was faking it. Just a few days and he was acting like nothing was wrong!
When Nan Sheng and the others arrived at the hospital room, they saw Lin Han lying quietly in bed, looking like a well-behaved child.
“Wife, are you done with your errands?”
Little Hou’s eyes nearly popped out. Was this the same man who had been pretending to cry that morning, refusing to get out of bed and insisting on wandering around?
If he had a bit more courage, he’d have told his sister-in-law to give the commander a good scolding. It was infuriating!
Han Yongxiang looked at the commander with a smile, and this time, seeing Nan Sheng, his face also lit up.
“Sis-in-law, I came to visit Commander Lin!”
Before Nan Sheng returned, he had already finished feeding the patient. Nan Sheng introduced Secretary Cao briefly and said a few words before wanting to take them out for lunch.
Lin Han thought: Isn’t this a visit for me? Why is everyone leaving?
Nan Sheng turned and gently patted his head. “Stay put for a while. I’ll come back to keep you company after work.”
Lin Han was immediately comforted by her words.
Sizhe felt sorry for his father being alone, so he said he wouldn’t go out to eat but would stay in the hospital room to keep him company.
With limited time, they found a nearby state-run restaurant. While waiting for the food, Nan Sheng asked Han Yongxiang, “How did you get here? Did you take the military district’s vehicle?”
Han Yongxiang pouted, looking aggrieved. “I rode my bike.”
Since returning to the military district, he had been submitting reports asking to care for Lin Han at the military hospital until he recovered, but the leadership never approved it.
When news of Lin Han waking up reached the military district, he submitted another report requesting to visit the city hospital, but the leadership still refused.
Finally, when Commander Lin was transferred to the county hospital, he threatened that if he wasn’t allowed to come this time, he’d quit and go back to the Kyoto military district, where his father held a good position.
“Do you know how to drive? If you do, you can drive the jeep back. We shouldn’t keep occupying it.”
Of course Han Yongxiang could drive. He was grinning from ear to ear, thinking that at least he wouldn’t have to pedal his bike on the way back. His sister-in-law really knew how to care for people.
He spent the entire morning chatting with Commander Lin until his lips nearly smoked. The commander only responded with a few “uh-huhs” and “ah-hahs,” which was truly heartbreaking.
Once the dishes arrived, the dinner table was mostly filled with occasional conversations between Nan Sheng and Secretary Cao, who chatted about the situation on the government side.
Han Yongxiang and Little Hou ate with the brisk efficiency typical of soldiers—it was so fast that Secretary Cao couldn’t help but exclaim, “Youth is truly a blessing!”
Since leaving the military district, he had become less disciplined about exercise, and his appetite was no longer what it used to be.
After finishing his meal, Han Yongxiang first took Little Hou to see Qiqi back at the hospital. On the way, he picked up Sizhe’s lunch and then drove back to take Nan Sheng and the others back to the government offices.
“Sis-in-law, when will you be heading back to the military district? Don’t forget to call me—I’ll come pick you up!”
After this incident, Han Yongxiang no longer showed any trace of his former soldier’s roughness in front of Lin Han and his wife; he was nothing short of a loyal little brother.
“All right, once I get back to the residential compound, I’ll treat you all to a proper meal. Everyone’s been working hard lately!”
As Secretary Cao headed upstairs, he continued reminiscing with Nan Sheng.
“Those years in the military district are truly unforgettable. If it weren’t for that serious injury, I’d never have chosen to retire. I just hope Lin Tuan recovers fully without any hidden complications.”
Though Nan Sheng didn’t fully understand this sentiment, she offered some comfort: “Life’s journey has many chapters. As long as you can face yourself with a clear conscience, that’s what matters. I believe speaking up for the people is just another form of defending the country.”
Cao Guoxiang smiled wryly, thinking to himself, “That’s a different kind of challenge altogether. The work now demands constant mental effort—it’s enough to drive a person crazy.”
