The group had been through a lot together, so even after a long time apart, there was no sense of awkwardness. They chatted about each other's recent lives, and before they knew it, it was almost dark.
Shitou nudged Xiao Yi and gestured for him to look out the window. "Yi-ge, we should get going. It'll be troublesome if it starts snowing soon."
Only then did Xiao Yi notice the sky outside. He looked at Nansheng with a smile and said, "Every time I chat with Sister Nan, I learn something new. I feel like I just sat down, and in the blink of an eye, it's already evening."
Mingli and Xiao Yi were now close buddies, so he spoke casually. "Well, you can come back tomorrow then. Take advantage of my sister being back to rest for a few more days. Anyway, the government's been cracking down hard lately, better not to tempt fate."
The head of the town's Discipline Inspection Commission was a real pain. After rectifying the internal affairs of the town government, he started pressuring Secretary Ma to take action against the black market. After interacting with him, Mingli felt they weren't on the same page. They rarely communicated and couldn't be said to have any rapport.
Mingli's suggestion aligned perfectly with Xiao Yi's own thoughts. He planned to clear out his remaining stock and call it quits before the New Year. "I should be done in another two or three days. After that, I'll come over every day. Sister Nan, don't find me annoying."
"Alright, come whenever you want. You're more than welcome!"
After the two left, Luotong seemed a bit more at ease and even felt comfortable enough to take off her shoes and get on the kang. Nansheng then asked her brother about his work situation. From what Xiao Yi implied, things weren't very stable on the government side either.
"You're working under Secretary Ma. No one in the town gives you a hard time, right?"
Mingli scratched his head, still a little embarrassed. Two years ago, he had thought his sister was immature, but now he unconsciously showed his childish side in front of Nansheng.
"No one gives me trouble. But Secretary Ma can't keep the Discipline Inspection Commission side in check. Now the town government is openly split into two factions, usually ignoring each other."
This point confused Nansheng. "The Discipline Inspection Commission can interfere with Secretary Ma's work and split the town government? That's unheard of for me. Tell me more."
She thought to herself, this Secretary Ma is really incompetent, to be suppressed like this by the newly arrived Discipline Inspection Commission director.
Back in the day, even the Revolutionary Committee director didn't get the upper hand in this town!
"Sis, you have no idea. Director Liu is really something else. Even Qiqi isn't as good at tattling as he is!"
Qiqi: ?
Does anyone want to speak up for me?
"He doesn't act like an adult. He blows the tiniest issue out of proportion. It might be okay if he applied the rules equally to everyone, but he just picks on whoever he dislikes."
Even Secretary Ma wasn't spared. Director Liu had a particular hatred for the black market. Since taking office, he had been urging Secretary Ma to crack down on it.
After suggesting it a few times and finding that Secretary Ma was all talk and no action, he secretly reported him to the higher-ups.
"Sis, you know they did a major purge of the black market here before. The higher-ups are still very concerned about this area. So, to avoid suspicion and prevent people from saying he's connected to the black market, Secretary Ma had to temporarily hand over the crackdown work."
Director Liu was ruthless too. Once he got that authority, he neglected his own official duties, determined to wipe out the black market completely.
Unfortunately, as long as there's demand, the black market will never disappear; it just breaks into smaller, scattered pieces.
Mingli really wanted to curse Director Liu. All he did was harm others without benefiting himself. With ration coupons so tight now, life is truly inconvenient without the black market.
"With the town government cracking down so hard now, the stuff sold on the black market is ridiculously expensive. Ordinary folks really can't afford it anymore."
"That's for sure. Increased risk means costs naturally double."
But what Nansheng was curious about was, "Why does he hate the black market so much? Could it be he got burned by it before?"
"Exactly!" Mingli gave his sister's insight a hundred percent approval.
"Secretary Ma had someone look into it. This Director Liu was working in the Discipline Inspection Commission even before the Revolutionary Committee fell. It's said that during the drought when the black market inflated prices, he spent all his family's savings. He's held a grudge ever since."
Now that he had the chance, he was naturally taking his revenge.
"I'll go see Secretary Ma when I have time in a few days. I have to tease him about this."
"Don't, sis! If you go, Secretary Ma will definitely ask you to think of a way to help. He might even fake cry in front of you. Director Liu has been keeping a close eye on him lately. I think he wants to completely take control of Huaishan Town."
Seeing Mingli's nonchalant attitude, Nansheng knew Secretary Ma probably wasn't as pitiful as he made it sound. It was just that the Discipline Inspection Commission was currently powerful, and he needed to lay low for now.
"What about you? Do you want to join the Discipline Inspection Commission? If so, I can arrange it for you."
When Nansheng left, Mingli was just an intern running errands in the government. Now he had established himself, and it was time to consider his next move.
"I don't want to, sis. I'm doing just fine as I am. My work is fulfilling every day."
Mingli had his own plans. Although the Discipline Inspection Commission was making a big show now, his ambitions lay elsewhere, and he didn't like their type of work. He was currently researching with Secretary Ma on how to help impoverished households lift themselves out of poverty.
His future father-in-law had mentioned this to him before the incident, and upon hearing his wishes, had expressed support and even said he'd pave the way for him.
"Alright. Since you have your own ideas, I won't interfere. Just say the word if you need help. I might not be good for much else, but I can be of some use in terms of connections."
Hmm, maybe more than just some use...
Dinner was again at the old house. All the leftovers were stewed together, making for an exceptionally tasty meal. Of course, to entertain Mingli and his wife, Fan Shuting made two new dishes as well.
Fan Shuting urged them, "Mingli, Luotong, eat more. Make yourselves at home!"
"Okay, thank you, Auntie."
Dinner was just the elderly couple and Nansheng's family, all sitting at one table. Mingli was fine, but Luotong only dared to pick from the dishes right in front of her. Seeing this, Nansheng kept putting food on her plate.
Since Nansheng returned, she hadn't had much chance to talk with the elderly couple. There were too many people at noon, and after lunch, she went back to her own place to entertain Xiao Yi and Shitou.
Fan Shuting finally found an opportunity. First, she praised Nansheng for being filial, having sent money and ration coupons home before the New Year, which allowed her to buy meat and New Year goods without hesitation. She kept putting the best meat and dishes into Nansheng's bowl, and didn't neglect Sizhe and Siqi either.
Nansheng felt her mother-in-law's attitude was a bit overly enthusiastic, but she didn't pay it much mind. After all, she had her own principles. If she wasn't willing, even if Fan Shuting knelt before her, it would be useless.
They sat for a while after the meal before getting up to leave.
Lin Han had drunk quite a bit at noon. Although he had a nap, the alcohol hadn't completely worn off, so he didn't eat much at dinner. He had spent the whole afternoon at the old house, so Nansheng figured he had probably heard everything worth hearing and then some. But she wasn't in a hurry to ask, especially with her brother and sister-in-law still around.
At night, Nansheng, Qiqi, and Luotong slept in one room, while Lin Han, Sizhe, and Mingli slept in another.
Nansheng slept very soundly and didn't wake up until the sky was bright.
Lin Han and Sizhe, father and son, brought Nansheng breakfast and wash water respectively, leaving Luotong wide-eyed. She felt her elder sister-in-law was truly a capable woman, not only having her man well-trained but also raising such a filial son.
If she could receive this kind of treatment after getting married, she would probably wake up laughing from her dreams.
As for Siqi, her main role was one of companionship; even if she wasn't eating, she had to be at the table to keep everyone company.
After Nansheng finished her meal and applied her snowflake cream, the group finally set off for Wangshan Village. By this time, Nan Jingyu and his wife had long been waiting anxiously at the village entrance.
The Nan family's status in Wangshan Village had risen considerably over the past two years. Villagers would greet them with smiling faces whenever they met. With both their son and daughter working for the government, who wouldn't be envious?
Hearing that Nansheng was returning to her parents' home today, many villagers also waited at the entrance with them. Villagers were like that, they loved to join in the excitement.
It was almost ten o'clock by the time Nansheng and the others arrived at Wangshan Village. Zhong Yanyan had gone home early to prepare the meal, while Nan Jingyu remained waiting at the entrance. Wearing a newly padded cotton jacket, his anxious mood kept him from feeling the cold at all.
Someone with sharp eyes, spotting figures in the distance, said excitedly, "Old Nan, look! Is that Director Nan coming back?"
Hearing this, Nan Jingyu hurried forward to meet them regardless of whether it was true or not. When the riders drew near, his face immediately broke into a smile. Son, daughter-in-law, son-in-law, grandchildren—he saw none of them. His eyes were only for his own daughter.
"You've lost weight. Come on, let's go home with your dad. Your mom has made good food at home, we'll get you properly nourished!"
After all, the Nan family only had these two children, and the couple doted on their daughter. After such a long time apart, how could they not miss her?
Sizhe and Siqi didn't need their grandfather to call them over, especially the little girl, who trotted over to her grandfather to coquettishly say, "Grandpa, I missed you."
Only then did Nan Jingyu greet the two children and Luotong. As for Mingli, he could only pat his brother-in-law on the shoulder, everything understood between them without words.
The villagers greeted them, and Nansheng and Lin Han responded to each person, delighting the locals who felt their wait had not been in vain.
Lin Han wore a smile the whole time. Living with his wife and children these past two years had changed his demeanor quite a bit. When they reached the Nan house, even Zhong Yanyan praised him for looking more handsome now, causing him to blush, a rare occurrence in front of others.
Nansheng first kept Zhong Yanyan company in the kitchen for a while before being shooed back to the heated kang. Nan Jingyu had already prepared wild honey water, and the kang table was also set with peanuts, sunflower seeds, and candies.
She took a sip of the honey water; it was sweet and soothing, making the weariness from outside seem to vanish. What comforted her most was that with life improving, her parents showed no signs of aging compared to before, though her grandfather's health wasn't as robust.
Nansheng had finally come home, and Nan Jingyu didn't want her to worry. "Your grandpa is old, that day will come sooner or later. It's enough that we take good care of him while he's alive."
So many elderly people are resented by their families for being idle mouths when they become immobile. Old Master Nan was fortunate, having meals brought to him every day and his son and grandson keeping him company in conversation.
Nan Jingyu mentioned that Uncle and Aunt Zhong would be coming over later. "Your uncle said long ago that we must send word when you're back. Hearing you were coming home for the New Year, he specially sent over chicken and fish. Remember to take them with you when you go home."
If not for their poor mobility, the old Zhong couple would probably have come running over too. Nansheng had previously helped Xiaoling Village come up with the idea of planting fruit trees to escape poverty, and the results were remarkable. The Zhong family had also benefited.
Not only had their income increased considerably, but the villagers, grateful to Nansheng, also treated them with special kindness. The Zhong family remembered this well.
Nansheng said with a smile, "Uncle and them are too anxious. I would definitely go see Grandma and Grandpa anyway. There was no need for them to make the trip themselves."
Mingli chimed in cheekily, "That's not necessarily true. Sister is a big official now. What if she doesn't want to acknowledge her poor relatives anymore?"
He was giving a preemptive warning. That selfish Aunt Zhong Qin had said things like that before. When her natal family's situation improved, she began buying gifts and making occasional visits starting last year.
Uncle Zhong and his wife's attitude was to let her do as she pleased. After all, they were the ones supporting the old couple, who had no money themselves, so whatever schemes she had were useless.
Seeing her brother's cheeky look, Nansheng's hands itched. She directly called the two children to help her gang up on and pin down Mingli. Although the room became noisy and chaotic, Nan Jingyu was exceptionally happy.
Having both his children here was the happiest life!
Luotong had been helping in the kitchen. Hearing the noise, she peeked into the room, then returned to the kitchen to describe Mingli's pitiful state to Zhong Yanyan, who couldn't stop laughing.
"Those two siblings have been roughhousing since they were little, I'm used to it. Don't be fooled by Mingli's size, he's always the one who ends up getting thumped. He doesn't dare really fight back against Nannan. Don't stay here helping me in the kitchen, go join them in the room and chat."
Luotong didn't want to. Mingli had told her that after marriage, they would only return to the village to stay during time off, so she was willing to be more filial to her parents-in-law.
Nearing mealtime, Uncle Zhong and Aunt Zhong finally arrived. They had also borrowed a bicycle, but the snow on the road made it difficult, so they mostly pushed it over.
They brought quite a lot of wild mountain goods with them, intending for Nansheng to take them home to eat.
"Uncle, Aunt, come up on the kang and warm up for a bit. We'll eat right here on the kang today."
With more people, sitting crowded together felt more intimate.
During the meal, Grandfather Nan didn't join them. He felt he was too old, dropping grains of rice when eating, and feared being looked down upon. Mingli picked out some of his favorite dishes and took them to him.
The atmosphere during meals at the Nan house was clearly much better than at the Lin house. Everyone just ate, drank, and was taken care of very thoughtfully.
Later on, Nansheng felt helpless. Her bowl was never empty—her parents, uncle, and aunt kept putting food into it. The two children and Luotong shared the same distress, but fortunately Lin Han and Mingli came to their rescue.
After the meal, Mingli rubbed his full stomach and gave his brother-in-law a thumbs-up. "Brother-in-law, I'm impressed. You're the best eater in our family!"
Lin Han glanced at Mingli, thinking this was nothing. No matter how much his wife and kids left over, he could always finish it!
Not like his brother-in-law, whose physique was too weak, barely able to handle his own wife's leftovers. He still had a lot to learn...
Not long after the meal, Uncle Zhong and Aunt Zhong left. It was clear their attitude toward Nansheng was still somewhat ambivalent, probably because they, too, regarded themselves as "poor relatives."
Fortunately, Nansheng was as warm and affectionate towards them as before, and even said she would visit the old Zhong couple at their home tomorrow. That finally set their hearts at ease.
It wasn't that they wanted anything from their niece. This was just fine—occasionally getting together as a family when she returned was enough. They had to hurry home to prepare and properly entertain her tomorrow!
