The next day, Little Hou returned to the family compound, bringing back a package and several letters.
The package was from the Nan Family and Xiao Yi, filled with things the family loved to eat. Little Hou had also taken the opportunity to drive the jeep back, thinking it would be needed for the follow-up check-up in the city.
Little Hou and Sizhe took the items out of the package one by one and placed them in the kitchen. As for the letters, Lin Han decided to wait for Nan Sheng to return so they could read them together.
When Nan Sheng got home today, it was already past eight in the evening. Little Hou immediately went to heat up the food in the kitchen, but when he brought it out, there were clearly two servings. Nan Sheng frowned and asked Lin Han,
"You haven't eaten again? I told you not to wait for me. Irregular meals are bad for your health."
Lin Han could only laugh it off. "I had a little something earlier. I'll just eat another meal with you now."
He just found eating alone boring and wanted to keep his wife company.
After dinner, the family gathered to read the letters. Mingli asked if the children were on holiday and if they wanted to come home for a while, then went on about everyday family matters.
Sizhe sighed. He really wanted to go home to see his grandparents and Grandpa and Grandma Nan, but the reality just didn't allow it. Mom was too busy with work, Dad was injured, and the family couldn't do without him, the little man of the house.
The letter also mentioned that Xiao Yi had temporarily stopped his black-market dealings. The disciplinary inspection committee in Huaishan Town was currently very strict, and he didn't want to cause trouble at this time.
Nan Sheng thought he had a real talent for business. She thought that once the market opened up in the future, she would definitely point Xiao Yi toward a bright future. No one knew the future developments better than her.
The letter from the Lin family was opened last. Lin Han did it himself. The Lin family usually didn't write unless it was something important, and he was afraid his wife's mood would sour if she read it first.
After reading it, Lin Han put the letter down. He told Nan Sheng, "Sizhong's wife has given birth. It's a little niece."
Fan Shuting had written to announce the happy news.
Nan Sheng calculated the time; it was indeed about time for the birth. "Having a daughter first and then a son is fine too. I just worry Sister-in-law might take it hard."
Zhou Wei, having given birth to two sons, had always been proud of that. Who knew what expression she would have upon getting a granddaughter.
"Daughters and sons are the same. With Big Brother keeping things in check, Sister-in-law wouldn't dare give Yuting a hard time anyway."
Lin Han truly saw no difference between boys and girls. A son like him, who wasn't close to the family and was away year-round, wasn't much use apart from providing some support money for his parents' old age.
"Let's buy something and send it back tomorrow. That kid Sizhong is a good one; he often came to help when we were in the village. As his Second Aunt, I should show my appreciation."
Then the family started discussing what practical gift to buy for the little one. After much back and forth, they could only decide to buy some good fabric at the department store and write a letter entrusting Mingli to find someone to make a pair of silver bracelets to send.
When it was time to sleep at night, Lin Han felt particularly sentimental.
"Time flies so fast. In the blink of an eye, Big Brother is already a grandfather."
Nan Sheng teased him, "If you want to be a grandfather, you'll have to wait. Being envious won't help."
Lin Han didn't reply. He wasn't envious of being a grandfather. He was already older than his wife; having a grandchild would make him seem even older. That brat could marry or not, have kids or not, for all he cared.
As for a daughter, he, Lin Han, could support her for a lifetime. Not getting married would be even better!
When they returned to the county town, the doctor had instructed Lin Han to come back for a check-up in half a month. When the time came, Nan Sheng didn't let him go alone, telling him to wait for her so they could go together the next day.
"There's really no need, dear. You finally have a day off. I don't want you to make the trip back and forth for nothing."
Nan Sheng reached out and pinched Lin Han's waist. Lin Han didn't dare dodge, but his ears turned red. It didn't hurt; instead, his heart felt itchy.
It had been so long since they'd had any night life. It was making him restless.
Nan Sheng even deliberately put on a voice to talk to him, "Regiment Commander Lin, just who is in charge in our family? Does what I say not count anymore?"
How could his wife be so adorable? Lin Han pulled her into his arms. "Both at home and outside, Director Nan is in charge. I'll follow Director Nan's arrangements."
Nan Sheng felt her ears grow warm listening to him. This man, for some reason, insisted on speaking right by her ear, with a hint of flirtation in his tone.
She struggled slightly, but stopped immediately upon hearing Lin Han cry out in pain.
"Did I touch your wound? Should we go to the hospital to have a look?"
"No need, just let me hold you for a while!"
...
After breakfast, Nan Sheng went to work at the government office. It was the beginning of the month and her first meeting since arriving at the county government.
Sitting at the head, Nan Sheng felt like there was a sea of faces below her. Starting from the left, she called on people to report their work one by one, praising those who did well and scolding those who did poorly mercilessly. After two hours, her voice was nearly gone.
Su Jie refilled her tea cup again and again, thinking she should switch to monkfruit tomorrow.
After the meeting ended, everyone else wished they could grow wings and fly away immediately. Only Chen Tian lingered, with endless things to say.
Nan Sheng thought he had improved quite a bit and specially offered a few words of encouragement.
Before leaving, Chen Tian said, "Next meeting, I'll have Deng Jun come. He's always going on about missing the Director and everyone."
Hearing Chen Tian mention Deng Jun, Nan Sheng also felt a sense of closeness. She didn't know when it started, but their relationship had actually become this tight.
To be honest, Nan Sheng also missed the days when she threw her weight around in Sanwei Town. Being the Revolutionary Committee Director was truly satisfying!
"Alright, tell him to prepare well. If his report isn't good, I'll have to scold him."
Chen Tian said with a smile, "He'd be happy even if you hit him, let alone scold him."
All of them had been 'abused' by Director Nan at some point; they were used to it by now.
The day after the meeting, Nan Sheng got up even earlier than on a workday. Leaving the two children at home, Little Hou drove Nan Sheng and her husband to the city for the check-up.
Once in the car, Nan Sheng went back to catching up on sleep. Seeing this softened Lin Han's heart, and he kept watching her, afraid she might bump her head. At the hospital, the doctor said Lin Han was recovering exceptionally well, but for the sake of his health, it was best to resume regular training only after another month.
"Doctor, there won't be any after-effects from his condition, right?" Nan Sheng needed to be sure about his physical state.
"Don't worry, he's perfectly fine. He's truly the soldier with the best physical fitness I've ever seen!"
Upon hearing this, the most excited one was Little Hou. In contrast, Lin Han and Nan Sheng's reactions were much calmer; they both had a rough idea already.
On the way back, Nan Sheng was still catching up on sleep. This time, she simply lay down with her head on Lin Han's lap, finding it more comfortable than sleeping sitting up.
