Meanwhile, someone had gone to inform the village chief. Upon hearing the news, the chief slapped his forehead.
"Old woman, hurry up and find the peach and plum preserves I dried, and get a piece of meat too. We're going to the Zhong family to thank Director Nan. It's all thanks to her that we can eat our fill now."
"Isn't there that wild rabbit too? Bring it along!" The village chief's wife was particularly generous. "Let Director Nan have a taste of our local game."
Over at the Zhong household, before the meal was even ready, they welcomed wave after wave of villagers. They didn't need Nan Sheng's permission; they would just greet her, say their thanks, and leave.
The aroma of the cooking was already wafting out, but they weren't the type to linger greedily.
Nan Sheng looked at the rustic eggs, wild wood ear mushrooms, mountain vegetables, and other things piling up in the room, feeling quite helpless. At this rate of gifting, even with ten pairs of hands they wouldn't be able to carry it all.
Uncle Zhong advised his niece, "Accept them. These are tokens of the villagers' gratitude. The fruit trees yielded much more this year than last, and it all sold. After everyone got their share of the money, they were especially thankful to you and County Magistrate Yu."
The village chief came by himself, carrying things in both hands. "Director Nan, long time no see. Brought you some homemade dried fruit and mountain produce. Please don't find them too humble."
The Zhong family immediately invited the village chief to sit. Since Nan Sheng had already accepted gifts from others, she could only graciously accept these too. It wouldn't be right to make someone feel bad about giving a gift.
In the end, the village chief stayed to eat with them. After the meal, just as Nan Sheng was worrying about how to transport all the things, the village chief brought over the village ox-cart and had Uncle Zhong take them back.
Grandpa Zhong complained, "You finally come for a visit, and you won't even stay the night." Aunt Zhong also tried her best to persuade them to stay.
"Grandpa, Aunt, I just got back and still have many relatives and friends to see. We'll come over again in a few days when we have time. Or, you could have Uncle and Aunt bring you to Xiangyang Village for a stroll."
Zhong Yanyan supported her daughter, "Yes, Dad, Mom. Tomorrow or the next day, let my brother borrow the ox-cart and take all of you over to stay for a couple of days."
On the way back, Zhong Min drove the ox-cart, which had a quilt laid out on it. Both children unanimously chose to ride back on the cart—how fun it was, swaying along.
Nan Sheng and the others on bicycles weren't much faster. They had to stop and chat whenever they saw villagers along the way. Only after leaving Xiaoling Village could they pick up speed.
Nan Jingyu and his wife decided to stay the night in Xiangyang Village. Their daughter had only spent one day at her parents' home, and they hadn't had enough time with her. Plus, with their son-in-law's earnest invitation, they readily agreed.
By the time they returned to Xiangyang Village, it was almost three in the afternoon. Uncle Zhong drank a bowl of hot water to warm up and then hurried back immediately, refusing to stay any longer.
Fortunately, there was a quilt on the cart. He could wrap himself in it on the return trip, which would keep him much warmer.
Having eaten rather rich food the past couple of days, Nan Sheng only made noodles with sauce for dinner that night. The sauce was very simple, just a scrambled egg and soybean paste mixture. Lin Han thought it was a bit too plain and wanted to personally cook a couple of dishes, but his mother-in-law stopped him.
"What can't our own family eat? Besides, white flour noodles are something many families can't even afford. This is already very good."
While they were eating, the elder Lins arrived. Seeing only noodles on the table, they chided Lin Han.
"You child, being a soldier has made you silly. How can you not properly entertain your in-laws? In-laws, come to the old house for lunch tomorrow. Try my cooking."
Zhong Yanyan and her husband, having only finished half their meal, were forced to stop and socialize. "Don't blame the child. We just came from Xiaoling Village and weren't very hungry to begin with. We're leaving tomorrow, so we won't stay for lunch."
Fan Shuting and Zhong Yanyan chatted back and forth, while Lin Guozheng kept Nan Jingyu company. In the end, the noodles became soggy and didn't taste good anymore.
After the elder Lins left, Zhong Yanyan's expression was unreadable, but she didn't seem pleased. Why did she get the feeling her in-laws didn't cherish her son-in-law at all? After talking for so long, she hadn't heard Fan Shuting say a single good word about Lin Han.
Even though she had praised her daughter plenty, Zhong Yanyan still felt a knot in her chest.
After dinner, the family sat on the kang in the east room to chat. Siqi stayed with them the whole time, while Sizhe, who couldn't sit still, ran out to play.
"Son-in-law, can you take good care of yourself living alone in the family quarters?"
Zhong Yanyan thought it over and decided she still needed to sound out her son-in-law. She was very satisfied with Lin Han now and didn't want their young couple's relationship affected by work issues.
Lin Han immediately understood his mother-in-law's implication. "I'm training at the military base all day and only go back to sleep at night. My wife is the one who works hard, not only working during the day but also taking care of the children after getting off work."
These words warmed Zhong Yanyan's heart. Nan Jingyu, however, found them a bit cloying. 'My wife, my wife'—she's still my daughter. Aren't you embarrassed saying that in front of elders?
Zhong Yanyan said earnestly, "You can't put it that way. You work hard every day at the base too. I'm just afraid that if you two are apart for a long time, it might lead to conflicts later."
"That won't happen, Mom. Now, whenever I have time, I drive to the county to be with them. In the future, if my wife gets promoted to the city, I'll apply to leave the military and follow her."
Ever since his last injury, Lin Han had been prepared to leave the military. Fortunately, he recovered fully and could continue fighting alongside his comrades.
He always believed that after marriage, his wife contributed more to the family than he did. If one of them needed to make a concession in the future, he would do so without hesitation.
Hearing this, Nan Sheng kicked Lin Han. "What nonsense are you talking!"
Wasn't it better for both of them to have their own ideals and careers? She didn't support that whole sacrifice narrative.
Qiqi understood this sentence: wherever Mom goes, Dad goes. That's so nice, hehe. When she grows up, she wants to stick to Mom like that too!
When it was time to sleep that night, Lin Han, Qiqi, and Nan Sheng slept in the east room. Zhong Yanyan, her husband, and Sizhe slept together. After Qiqi fell asleep, Lin Han moved her to the side, then pulled Nan Sheng into his arms.
"Wife, I'm serious. No matter how capable I am, at most I might make it to division commander. Transferring to a civilian post, I can still serve the people. I don't necessarily have to work in the military until retirement."
Lin Han's age was a factor. He was currently a regiment commander. Above that were brigade commander and division commander. Who knew how many military merits he'd need to accumulate to reach those positions? Division commander was the highest goal he had set for himself.
His wife was different. Working in the government, she had truly done many practical things for the people. Lin Han had a feeling his wife could keep rising. As for her upper limit, it was hard to say.
"We'll discuss it later. Lin Han, let me tell you, if that day really comes, you must get my agreement before applying to transfer. No going behind my back!"
"Understood!"
They fell asleep in each other's arms. There was no tumultuous, intensely passionate drama, but it felt all the more reassuring. For Nan Sheng, this was the life she wanted: being able to pursue her career aspirations while having someone standing firmly behind her.
