On the twentieth day of the twelfth lunar month, Little Hou drove Nan Sheng and her family to the train station. After two bumpy days of travel, they finally arrived at Huaishan County on the twenty-second.
Unlike when they had left, this time the two children were fully prepared for the long haul. Just the thought of soon being home added a sweetness to the otherwise tedious journey.
Seeing Mingli and his young wife at the station didn't surprise Nan Sheng, but was it a bit exaggerated that her father-in-law and mother-in-law had both come to pick them up? Especially Yu Feng, whose face was practically blooming with smiles.
"Uncle Yu! Auntie! You shouldn't have come all this way yourselves!"
Yu Feng was incredibly excited to see Nan Sheng. He wanted to give her a hug but thought it might be improper, so he instead enthusiastically hugged Sizhe, leaving the child utterly bewildered.
"Knowing you were arriving today, how could I just sit still? Coming along means I can help carry things."
Nan Sheng's family hadn't brought much luggage. Besides necessities, what they carried were local specialties bought for the Yu family. The things for their own home had been mailed ahead before their return; they estimated the parcels would reach their town either today or tomorrow.
Madam Yu was also exceptionally warm and hospitable. "The meal is all ready. Let's hurry home so we can eat and chat!"
Throughout this, Yu Luotong had seemed particularly shy, carrying the awkwardness of a new bride nervous about meeting her in-laws. She hadn't been like this even with Nan's Father and Nan's Mother, which showed just how much pressure Nan Sheng's presence put on her.
Once the group arrived at the Yu household, Yu Luotong immediately took the children to wash up, then served tea and water to Nan Sheng and her husband. Nan Sheng shot a glare at her idle brother and quickly called Luotong over.
"Don't fuss so much, Luotong. Come sit by me and eat with us."
Mingli sat down with a pitiful look. His sister hadn't given him a proper glance since her return, and the first real look she did give him was a glare. He felt wronged.
Fortunately, his two nephews, one on each side, were very enthusiastic towards him, offering some small comfort to his sister-wounded heart.
The meal at the Yu's was sumptuous, comparable to a New Year's feast. The atmosphere at the table was excellent. Yu Feng spent the time talking with Nan Sheng about work matters, Mingli kept his brother-in-law company with a few drinks, and as for the two children, their rice bowls were piled high by their aunt-in-law and Madam Yu.
Yu Feng asked detailed questions, so Nan Sheng recounted some of the more interesting events since their arrival in Rongcheng. Everyone listened with great interest. It was only then that Madam Yu and Yu Luotong understood why Yu Feng held Nan Sheng in such high regard; even they were impressed by her sharp mind.
Yu Feng sighed with emotion, "If that fertilizer project succeeds, I'm afraid you'll take another step up the ladder. Your future is bright, and Uncle Yu is so happy for you!"
Nan Sheng shook her head. Although Secretary Cao hadn't dismissed her contributions, she felt a further promotion in the short term was unlikely.
"That's not very realistic. I've only just been promoted to Director of the Discipline Inspection Commission. Besides, given my age, another promotion would be too conspicuous."
"What's there to fear? If it doesn't happen now, it will sooner or later. You have achievements to your name and the favor of your leaders. I suspect the provincial leadership is already observing you discreetly."
For some reason, Nan Sheng felt that while Yu Feng was happy, there was also a hint of melancholy in his mood. She asked him about it twice, but both times he deftly changed the subject.
In the end, Nan Sheng practically drank Yu Feng under the table with tea—whether out of shared joy or to help him drown his sorrows, it was hard to say.
When it was time to sleep, Nan Sheng and Siqi shared a room with Yu Luotong, while Lin Han and Sizhe stayed in the room that originally belonged to Luotong's elder brother and sister-in-law, sharing it with Mingli.
Siqi fell asleep quickly. Anyone who has been on a long journey knows that kind of exhaustion. Nan Sheng, however, had something on her mind. Thinking that Yu Luotong was young after all, she decided to try and get some information from her.
"Luotong, I heard your wedding with Mingli is set for the sixth day of the new year. If you're missing anything, just tell me. I'll help you prepare it."
The mention of marriage made Yu Luotong blush. Besides, Mingli had already prepared very thoroughly; they weren't lacking anything.
"Sister Nan, we have everything. You and brother-in-law being able to come back for our wedding is the best gift of all. We've been hoping so much for your return!"
The two chatted about family matters for a while before Nan Sheng suddenly steered the conversation towards the Yu family's situation.
"The Discipline Inspection Commission is keeping a tight grip here too, right? Is Uncle Yu having any tense relations with them?"
Yu Luotong was caught off guard by the question. How had the topic shifted so quickly? After an awkward pause, she felt anything she said might be wrong.
She could only say pitifully, "Sister Nan, my father told me not to tell you."
"Don't talk like we're two separate families. If there's a difficulty, you should tell me. You can't hide it from me forever, can you?"
Where could Yu Luotong match wits with Nan Sheng? Moreover, she was afraid of angering her future sister-in-law. It didn't even take two rounds before she spilled everything.
"My father... he's currently under investigation. If the outcome isn't good, the lightest consequence would be a transfer, the worst could be facing charges!"
"How could it be that serious? Did Uncle Yu commit a major disciplinary violation?"
Yu Luotong shook her head. Her father cherished his career, thinking every day about how to achieve political merit. How could he possibly do anything illegal or against the rules? It was all the doing of her good-for-nothing, trouble-making elder brother and sister-in-law!
When Yu Feng had kicked his son and daughter-in-law out, it was to teach them a lesson. At first, the pair thought their parents were just being stern but soft-hearted inside. After two months passed with no one from home coming to find them, they began to regret it.
Their regret didn't translate into going home to apologize. Instead, they blamed Yu Feng and his wife for being heartless. Being of poor character themselves, they associated with equally unsavory types. Under the instigation of someone with ulterior motives, they used County Head Yu Feng's name to solicit and accept bribes.
And so, when the matter came to light, Yu Feng was suspended and placed under investigation. The Discipline Inspection Commission and the higher-ups were taking it very seriously. In truth, Yu Feng had already prepared himself for being stripped of his position.
Hearing this, Nan Sheng also felt a headache coming on. "How much money did he take?"
They say children are a lifetime debt. Yu Feng must have dug up his son's ancestral grave in a past life, otherwise anyone with a shred of sense wouldn't have done this to their own father.
Yu Luotong whispered, "Over ten thousand..."
After getting the money, her brother split it with his disreputable friends. Being a big spender normally, by the time he was caught, only a little over two thousand remained. The family used up all their savings but still couldn't fill the hole.
As for the money that had been split with others, it had long since vanished without a trace.
After hearing the whole story, Nan Sheng also found it tricky. In the current environment, that sum could be considered a huge amount of money. Especially since the Discipline Inspection Commission was in a phase of making examples, it would be strange if they let Yu Feng off easily.
"Unless Uncle Yu can steel his heart and let your brother face a heavy sentence, this will be truly difficult to resolve. Alright, tomorrow I'll have a proper talk with your father. There might still be a chance to turn things around."
Yu Luotong was both touched and embarrassed. Having this happen right before her wedding was a loss of face for her. Fortunately, Nan Sheng didn't show any sign of looking down on her because of it.
She had even been afraid that once this matter got out, Nan Sheng would oppose her marriage to Mingli...
"Sister Nan, my father is afraid that if you find out, you'll try to use connections and affect your own work. If it's really too difficult, just let it be. After all, my father is getting older; he'd have to step down eventually anyway."
"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing. I won't act recklessly. Now get some sleep!"
