After the commendation ceremony, Shen Meng was seeing people off at the entrance. Many of the factory's leaders felt extremely reluctant to part with her, thinking though it was a commendation, wasn't it also a farewell ceremony?

In these years, with Shen Meng around and in combination with new policies, the factory had been running more and more successfully. Now with the new leadership taking over and Shen Meng leaving, they were somewhat at a loss about the factory's future direction.

Especially with the subsequent matters that Shen Meng had stopped involving herself with half a year ago. Of course, it wasn't that she didn't want to handle them, but there were people eying her contract expiration and had started to slowly meddle in her affairs. Ning County had developed well, with large sums of money flowing in, making the county's finance department extremely wealthy. Just the construction of new schools amounted to eight, and several main roads leading to the county had been paved. Some of the larger villages even had street lights installed, something other counties couldn't match.

Now Shen Meng had let go completely. Some leaders' eyes were red with tears as they said goodbye to her at the entrance. Of course, those Shen Meng had placed behind the scenes also showed great reluctance, but they couldn't afford to slip up.

Xiao Zhang left as if he were drunk, staggering and nodding to Shen Meng before he departed. Seeing his state, many people thought of him as an ingrate.

He had been so obsequious just a moment ago, but the moment it was over, he became so indifferent. Humph, such a person.

Wang Guizhi and Shen Fugui felt achingly sympathetic towards Shen Meng.

"Dad, Mom, I'm fine. You should hurry back with Xiaobin and Xiangxiang. Look how tired the kids are."

"Alright, there are no guests left here. You should head back with Zhenping and rest. Sleep whenever you want, wake whenever you want. Go home and let Xiao Dai nourish you well."

"Alright!"

Shen Xiaobin and Lu Xiangxiang, carrying their children, waved goodbye to her. Knowing she was tired today, the couple decided to visit and have a good chat with Shen Meng in a couple of days.

"Elder sister-in-law, I'll take the kids and head back first. When you're free, we'll come visit you, okay? Yong Qiang and Yong Li, say goodbye to elder aunt."

"Elder aunt, goodbye! In a few days, my sister and I will go play with Mingyang and Mingliang!"

"Alright, head back now! Xiang Lan, ride slowly since it's cold!"

"Okay."

Wu Xianglan pushed the bicycle, letting Yong Li sit at the back, while Yong Qiang rode his own bike. The three of them waved to Shen Meng and started riding towards home. In the past two years, Wu Xianglan had finally been allocated a house in the county, a large three-bedroom. She hadn't been at the job long and shouldn't have been eligible for such a good place, but who could stop her from visiting Shen Meng with her children every now and then?

Hu Jinbu hadn't told Shen Meng but had approved it directly. When it was time for the housewarming, knowing Shen Meng was busy, he even brought his wife to deliver some gifts. The fact that the factory director personally housewarmed her had everyone in the textile factory watching!

Compared to Zhou Jiaojiao, the situation seemed much lonelier. She had been working for five or six years without being allocated a house. It was about time she got one. Ning County wasn't like other jurisdictions where housing was tight; during the good times, the factory had already built a new batch of houses, and workers who had completed their tenure had been allocated housing.

Zhou Jiaojiao knew Shen Meng didn't like her, but housing allocation was a big deal. She had tried to approach the matter directly and even stirred the Lu Family elders to intercede on her behalf, but Lu Jiaxuan held them back.

He was the Village Chief and cared about his reputation, not willing to let any disparaging word spread. Therefore, she could only wait out the time. Fortunately, this year she finally achieved the goal and was certain to get a house. If still not, she would cause a stir at the union, as it would be unjustifiable for anyone, whether the higher-up leaders or the factory leaders.

Seeing that most people had left, Lu Zhenping wrapped an arm around Shen Meng and called out to Mingyang and the kids to head towards the car. Behind them, Liu Sanjin and Lu Changzhu hurriedly called out to him.

"I'll take Xiao Meng and the kids home first, and will visit Lu Jiaxuan later. You all head home first and wait for the news. This time is perfect to catch a public bus."

Liu Sanjin still wanted to say something, but Lu Changzhu quickly pulled her back.

"Don't talk too much; if big brother gets upset and no longer visits Lao Si, what would we do? Just bear with it, wife, let's head back home. Make sure to hold Yaya tight and keep her from catching a cold."

"Can't we be driven home first? It's such a long journey, and with two kids, taking the bus is so inconvenient!"

Lu Zhenping glanced at Chen Du, who nodded back at him.

"Grandpa and Grandma, come here, let me hold the child. After my captain sends off these people, he still has to go and get an update on Comrade Lu Jiaxuan's situation; he's in a hurry. Both of you want to hear about his news as soon as possible, don't you? So let's not delay any further. My driving you is all the same."

Liu Sanjin: "Young man, did you also drive here?"

"Walking to the bus station!"

Liu Sanjin: "....."

Is your help really needed? It's just a few steps away!!!

After Shen Meng got home, she took off her high heels, freshened up, changed clothes, and then went to bed. Mingyang and Mingliang are grown up now, busy with their own affairs, so they did not disturb their mom's rest.

It was only when Lu Zhenping came back in the evening that Shen Meng woke up in a daze.

"You're back!"

"Yeah. Are you going to continue sleeping, or are you getting up? I brought back some food. The kids are already eating. Are you hungry?"

Shen Meng shook her head; she had slept somewhat fitfully and had a headache, she didn't want to eat anything at the moment. She took a sip of warm water that Lu Zhenping passed to her and raised her chin slightly.

Lu Zhenping took off his coat and sat beside her.

"Who would've thought that Lu Jiaxuan has been quite busy these past few years, really stirring up quite a bit of trouble behind the scenes. Even took on a mistress. If it weren't for that woman's partner getting into trouble, we wouldn't have traced it back to Lu Jiaxuan. One thing leads to another, and quite a few issues have been dug up. Now, if he has to do time..."

What about a smirk? Too impatient, way too impatient. A young man, having become the Village Chief in just a few years, and yet he still thinks he's been promoted too slowly.

Get real! Doesn't even have a high school education and already he thinks he's exceptionally gifted, wants to keep climbing up the ladder. Without the connections I helped him make, he would have been lucky to be an official at the commune level. What was he thinking!

"Tomorrow, when Xiao Dai comes over, let her leak some news to Zhang Liang; about the textile factory housing allocation. Give Zhou Jiaojiao her share, and help her out with her household registration at the same time."

"Are we really giving it to her? You've been holding off on that matter. The houses allocated by the textile factory this year are quite good. With her seniority, she should be able to get two and a half rooms at least!"

"Yeah, if Lu Jiaxuan really ends up behind bars, it's only right as his brother and sister-in-law to take care of his wife and kids. With the two kids in the countryside, facing criticism and finger-pointing from so many people, how would they ever lift their heads up again."

Lu Zhenping: "....."

Since when were you so considerate, thinking through everything so thoroughly???