"Mom, are you going to be busy for much longer?"
After work, the mother and daughter had dinner, and Nan Sheng even took her daughter for a walk around the neighborhood before returning home.
Once home, she busied herself with researching fertilizer formulas with the system. After a long period of comparison, she finally selected a type of compound fertilizer with uncomplicated ingredients. This fertilizer could provide a balanced supply of multiple nutrients and was suitable for most crops.
Unconsciously, she worked until past ten at night. Siqi, beside her, was so sleepy she could barely keep her eyes open and finally spoke up to remind her.
Hearing her daughter call her, Nan Sheng immediately turned around. Siqi was lying obediently on the bed, her eyes half-closed, a sight that made one's heart soften with tenderness.
"Qiqi, you sleep first. Mom will be finished soon. I'll take a shower and then sleep with you, okay?"
"Okay!"
Only then did Siqi close her eyes. Her dependence on Nan Sheng was growing day by day, especially since the incident of being taken to the small woods. More than being afraid of the dark, she was now more afraid of a life without her mom.
Nan Sheng hadn't noticed this, which led to her raising a little mommy's girl who never wanted to leave home!
Upon Director Nan's instruction, the various towns immediately sprang into action. Before the factory site was even finalized, the relevant experts were packaged up and sent over.
Secretary Cao was truly impressed by the efficiency of the Discipline Inspection Commission. He called again to request that equipment and personnel be in place as soon as possible. By this time, Nan Sheng was already holding the relevant materials to meet the experts.
Five relevant experts were sent from across the county. Their eyes were etched with the hardships of time, yet one could still see an unyielding resilience against adversity.
Nan Sheng picked up their files to review. She felt her subordinates had done a solid job; none of these people had been sent down for political stance issues, so she could use them with peace of mind.
"I'll be brief. The reason I've gathered you all here is to produce a type of compound fertilizer. This fertilizer is not only suitable for various crops, but its yield-increasing results are also particularly significant."
The experts had all suffered quite a bit. If they hadn't heard that Director Nan needed their help, they really wouldn't have felt like returning to their old profession.
"Director Nan, producing compound fertilizer is not a simple matter. It's true we work in chemical engineering, but we aren't confident we can definitely complete the task. It still depends on whether the provided materials, equipment, etc., are sufficient."
Nan Sheng casually handed over the materials related to the compound fertilizer. "Take a look. If anything is unclear, I can continue copying... I mean, I can have the person who provided the materials continue to refine them."
Oops, the mouth accidentally let the truth slip out.
Old Wu, the most senior among the experts, took the materials first and examined them carefully. The more he looked, the more astonished he became. It was written with incredible thoroughness, with detailed annotations on various ratios and production difficulties.
Never mind for experienced people like them; even a freshly graduated student, after several experiments, could produce the finished product.
"Director Nan, where did you obtain this material? Is the person really willing to let others do the work?"
Old Xu found it very strange. This compound fertilizer seemed to have already been developed, and the experimental data was quite ample. All they needed to do now was verification. What kind of person would be so selfless as to offer it up for contribution?
Nan Sheng had prepared her explanation in advance. "His experience is similar to yours. He's an expert who genuinely wants to do practical things for the people. If I hadn't helped him, he wouldn't have entrusted such important materials to me. It's just a pity he's unwilling to show his face, and I can only respect his wishes!"
Hearing this, the other experts instantly understood. It seemed this was another comrade whose heart had been broken.
The past few years of being sent down had tortured them, leaving them full of scars. An expert capable of developing this compound fertilizer must have had even higher aspirations and perhaps had endured even harsher trials.
"Director Nan, rest assured, we will definitely develop the compound fertilizer as soon as possible and proceed with trial verification. Thank you for the care you've shown us since taking office."
Old Xu and the others had always been engaged in research work. Since being sent down, they hadn't had enough to eat or wear, and had to do the hardest labor. Fortunately, after Nan Sheng took office, the situation gradually improved. This kindness was remembered by everyone.
"Do your best. As long as you achieve results, I can guarantee you'll be able to return to your previous lives. List out whatever equipment and personnel you need, and I'll prepare them in advance!"
Hearing this, the experts were all very excited. They absolutely believed Director Nan's words.
However, they declined assistants. Old Wu wasn't comfortable letting too many people know about such important materials. It wouldn't be too late to increase manpower after successful development and when moving into production.
To ensure Old Wu's safety and the security of the materials, once the factory site was confirmed, Nan Sheng also requested the security department to send people for round-the-clock protection. The experts and students Secretary Cao had invited were shooed away by her after just a brief visit.
Secretary Cao was somewhat puzzled. "With just these few people, won't the progress be too slow?"
"It's something they worked hard to develop. Can they just let outsiders see it? They're counting on this achievement to return to the city."
Secretary Cao thought that made sense. He had been too naive. When it comes to scientific research achievements, why would one let others take a share?
Nan Sheng: "Don't worry, there will be good news within half a month. Since they have this confidence, we just have to wait."
On Nan Sheng's day off, Lin Han came to the county town again to pick her up. Hearing the car horn, Nan Sheng went out with her daughter. Lin Han even personally got out of the car to open the passenger door for his wife.
At this point, Siqi was unhappy. "Dad, I don't want to sit alone in the back!"
Lin Han acted as if he didn't hear his daughter, helping his wife into the passenger seat before stuffing his daughter into the back, making Siqi shout angrily, "Bad dad!"
Once in the car, Lin Han threw the dried fruit he bought for her into the back, effectively stopping the child's complaints. At the same time, Nan Sheng also received a packet—this was for the mother and daughter to snack on, as their son at home was still waiting for the family reunion dinner.
On the way back, Lin Han mentioned the arrangements for the next day, saying they were going to Zhu Jinghui's house for dinner.
"Is there a happy occasion?"
"He's transferring to civilian work and returning to his hometown. His parents are getting old and need them to go back and take care of them."
Zhu Jinghui was the oldest among their batch. He had persisted until now hoping to advance one more step, but unfortunately, his name was still not on this year's study quota list.
They were all comrades-in-arms who had fought side by side. Lin Han felt very reluctant. After transferring to civilian work, everyone would be scattered far and wide, and meeting again would be difficult.
Fortunately, the country's development situation was currently good, with vacancies everywhere. Zhu Jinghui could still take the opportunity to choose a good job.
During the family reunion dinner at home, Lin Han even spoke ill of his son, saying that since Sizhe returned to the residential compound, he had been living happily every day. When Lin Han came home from work, Sizhe was still outside playing wildly.
Hearing this, Sizhe was particularly speechless and decided that this time when his mom returned to the county town, he would go back with her, leaving his dad to live alone in the big house. How annoying!
The next evening, just as Nan Sheng had finished making dinner for the two children, Lin Han returned to pick up Nan Sheng to go to the Zhu family together. They brought wine as a gift—parting moments always called for a drink to vent emotions.
Amusingly, quite a few others had the same idea. When Zhu Jinghui saw it, he was both angry and amused.
"Am I some kind of alcoholic? If I drink all that, I'll be bedridden for two weeks."
Zhang Yiheng said with a mischievous grin, "Wanna give it a try then?"
And then he got punched!
