Lin Han had indeed told the truth. He went outside, found a suitable piece of wood, and started making a spinning top. His wife and children gathered around him, which gave him extra motivation.
"Dad, I want one too, me too!" Siqi couldn't help but chant.
"Everyone gets one, everyone gets one."
He planned to make three tops—one for each child, and one for him and his wife to share. After half an hour, Lin Han had already finished two.
The slightly larger one was for his son to play with. The one for his daughter was made very small, and its surface was polished smooth by him, ensuring it wouldn't cause any splinters.
"Take these to play with for now. I'll make the whips for you in a bit."
Lin Han spent another ten-plus minutes making a third top. Perhaps practice makes perfect, as this one was even more delicate, clearly meant for a little girl. He handed it to Nan Sheng with a smile, "Satisfied, wife?"
Nan Sheng wasn't one to be teased by him. She chuckled inwardly and teased back, "Extremely satisfied. My husband, Regimental Commander Lin, is so skilled with his hands. I truly am the happiest woman in Xiangyang Village."
Sure enough, a certain someone's ears quietly turned red...
The whips for spinning the tops needed to be soft and wear-resistant. Fortunately, they had hemp rope at home. Lin Han twisted three strands and then attached three handles to them. Now they could go play by the river anytime they wanted.
The next day, Lin Han accompanied his wife to the town. The two children couldn't wait to take their tops and go out to play.
Before leaving, Nan Sheng instructed Sizhe, "Son, take good care of your sister. If you play for too long, bring her back home to warm up. And don't forget to heat the kang in the afternoon."
"Got it, Mom!" the two children said in unison.
Over the past two years in Rongcheng, both Lin Han and his wife had been busy with their careers. Returning to their hometown, however, brought a sense of long-lost relaxation. Just sitting on the back of the bicycle, Nan Sheng felt quite content.
"If only we hadn't sold the bicycle. Now we have to borrow one every time we go out since coming back."
"If we hadn't sold it, it would just sit idle at home. Bikes get older the longer they sit unused. Besides, it's convenient to borrow from Eldest Brother's family. They won't mind."
Eldest Brother Lin's family, with Zhou Wei being a bit petty, was one thing. But since Nan Sheng and her family didn't live in the village, daily conflicts were reduced. Moreover, now that they had favors to ask, not only would lending a bicycle be fine, they'd probably give it to them outright if asked.
"Are you planning to keep Sicheng under your direct supervision?"
"Yes, for the time being. I won't feel at ease unless I keep an eye on him myself."
That was just like Lin Han. He might not usually keep in close contact with family, but when he was truly needed, he was a man of great responsibility, unafraid of trouble.
"I had no backing in the army back then, I had to fight for every step. Let's not make that kid suffer the same hardship."
With their familial connection to Lin Han, regardless of whether Sicheng achieved great things or not, he at least wouldn't be bullied. Once he adapted to army life, Lin Han would transfer him to serve under another regimental commander.
Staying under his direct command for too long would invite criticism regarding promotions.
Arriving in town, Nan Sheng really felt the cold. The couple headed straight for the government building gates.
A clerk found Nan Sheng familiar but didn't quite dare to recognize her. It wasn't until Mingli came out, saw them, and called out "Sis, brother-in-law!" that everyone had a sudden realization.
"It's Sister Nan! She's back!"
After two years in Rongcheng, Nan Sheng's skin had become fairer, and her bearing was completely different from before. She carried an air of authority. If Mingli hadn't spoken up, others truly wouldn't have dared to recognize her.
After they entered the Party Secretary's office, Director Liu from the Discipline Inspection Commission called someone to his office. "Tell me in detail about Nan Mingli's sister."
Mentioning Nan Sheng inevitably brought up that drought and the poverty-alleviation method she devised for Xiaoling Village. After hearing about it, Director Liu fell silent, feeling only that this person would be difficult to deal with.
"So, do you know where she was transferred?"
"Down south. Sister Nan's husband is a military man. She followed him as an army dependent."
Director Liu felt rather displeased. He clearly sensed that after Nan Sheng appeared at the government building, even people on his side viewed her favorably and seemed quite excited.
This was greatly disadvantageous to his plan of suppressing Secretary Ma, especially since her brother, Nan Mingli, was Secretary Ma's most capable section member.
Meanwhile, in the Party Secretary's office, Secretary Ma was overjoyed. "It's hard to believe you still remember me and even know to bring me some local specialties."
Secretary Ma's words carried a hint of playful grievance. When Mingli asked for leave, he had told him that Nan Sheng was coming home for the New Year. Secretary Ma had been eagerly waiting from that day on, almost to the point of his hair falling out, before Nan Sheng finally showed up.
Nan Sheng raised an eyebrow. "Should I leave then?"
Hearing this, Secretary Ma could no longer maintain his pretend-angry expression. He stood up and shook hands with Nan Sheng and Lin Han. "Your temper has grown even bigger, hasn't it? Can't I even complain a little?"
Compared to Yu Feng, Secretary Ma had aged considerably, his whole person exuding a deep weariness.
Nan Sheng teased him, "Back when you were competing with County Magistrate Yu, I never saw you at a disadvantage. What's wrong now? Getting old?"
Secretary Ma snorted a laugh. "Better to offend a gentleman than a petty man."
This Director Liu wasn't even fit to be mentioned in the same breath as County Magistrate Yu. Back then, no matter how fiercely they clashed, they were still aligned on major issues. Not like this Director Liu, who opened his eyes every day thinking about how to stab people in the back.
Not wanting to ruin the good atmosphere with those annoying matters, Secretary Ma started talking to Nan Sheng about the subsequent development of Xiaoling Village.
"Our efforts back then weren't in vain. Xiaoling Village was once notoriously poor and remote. Now the villagers' lives are much better, and they are especially grateful to the government. Other villages have started to emulate them, hoping for good results."
As they chatted, Secretary Ma asked Nan Sheng what she had been busy with lately. "Ah, just keeping busy, you know."
Secretary Ma clearly didn't buy her answer. "I don't believe that. You, no matter where you are, can never stay idle. Out with it, are you tinkering with something good again?
Don't forget where you're from. If you have something good, you must remember Huaishan County."
Nan Sheng clicked her tongue, thinking to herself what an old fox he was, guessing so accurately.
"Well, that depends on whether Secretary Ma is bold enough. In Rongcheng, I had people develop a type of compound fertilizer that can increase grain yield. I originally planned to promote it locally after successful trials. If Secretary Ma is interested, you might consider submitting a report to higher authorities to apply for becoming a trial town."
Secretary Ma was, of course, interested. He immediately asked many questions related to the fertilizer, so many that Nan Sheng eventually grew annoyed.
"People who know might think I'm visiting a friend. Those who don't would think I'm here to report on my work."
Secretary Ma hurriedly soothed Nan Sheng, knowing he had to keep this particular ancestor happy. "Alright, alright, I won't ask anymore. Come on, let's go eat at the state-run restaurant!"
It must be said that upon hearing such good news, Secretary Ma instantly looked five years younger, his whole person glowing with renewed vigor. When he walked out, Director Liu was quite surprised to see his triumphant air.
But Director Liu didn't take it to heart. He thought to himself, what help could an army dependent stationed far down south possibly offer? It wasn't like she could be transferred back anyway.
