When Nan Sheng returned to the Revolutionary Committee office, someone had already come to clean.

"Hello, Director Nan. I'm Su Jie. Please let me know if you need anything!"

"Hello, Director Nan. I'm Tian An. Feel free to assign me tasks as well!"

One was a girl who could handle cleaning, and the other a boy who could run errands. Nan Sheng was quite satisfied with Secretary Cai’s arrangements.

After the office was tidied up, Su Jie also filled a thermos with hot water before leaving, ensuring Nan Sheng could use it whenever needed.

Meanwhile, Lin Han wasn’t idle at the military base either. He had exchanged money for sewing machine and wristwatch ration coupons before starting his daily training. At noon, he still had to visit Division Commander Yao for guidance.

After several interactions, Division Commander Yao had grown to appreciate Lin Han’s work ethic. It was safe to say that Lin Han had firmly secured his position as deputy regimental commander, and promotion to regimental commander was only a matter of time.

Even the soldiers and battalion commanders under him had changed their previous attitudes, now showing him genuine respect.

The only troublemakers were Luo Hao and Han Yongxiang. The two had gotten into another fight yesterday and were once again confined to detention. Lin Han decided he’d give them another beating once they were released.

"Foolish brats," he muttered. "How old are they, still brawling like kids? They’re making a joke out of me."

Nan Sheng left work a few minutes early that day to buy fabric at the town’s supply and marketing cooperative. She purchased three bolts of cloth, planning to send them back to her parents and younger brother so they could make new clothes.

She wouldn’t be able to attend the engagement ceremony, so she sent gifts as a token of her feelings. When it came to spending money, Nan Sheng had no reservations—after all, she earned well and could spend it however she pleased!

Not in the mood for takeout, Nan Sheng bought some fresh meat to cook at home. Since spicy food was off the table, she cut the meat into chunks and stewed it with dried shredded green beans, filling the house with a rich aroma.

Sizhe helped her as her assistant. "Mom, I’ve learned how to use the gas stove now. Should I start cooking when I get home from now on?"

Nan Sheng refused. "No need. We don’t cook at home much anyway—we usually buy meals."

She didn’t want to come home one day and find their house blown to bits.

"Son, are you feeling any pressure with middle school coming up?"

Sizhe shook his head. "The workload isn’t heavy yet. Half the day is still labor classes. Mom, the teacher said we can choose between boarding or commuting if we study in town."

"What do you think?"

Sizhe glanced at her. "I want to live at home!"

He figured that since he planned to attend military academy in the future—which would take him far from home—he wanted to spend as much time with his family as possible now.

Nan Sheng nodded. Staying at home would definitely be more comfortable, though the commute might be tiring.

"In a few days, when I have time, I’ll take you to buy a bicycle."

Siqi sighed like a little adult. "Mom, what am I supposed to do when big brother goes to school in town?"

No ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‍one would carry her to and from school anymore!

Nan Sheng teased her. "Why don’t you work hard and start middle school with your brother?"

Siqi’s eyes widened in excitement. "I can count to two hundred now! The teacher even said I’m smart. Mom, can I really go with him?"

Before Nan Sheng could answer, a knock came at the door. She didn’t respond immediately, so Sizhe patted his silly little sister’s head.

"Mom’s just teasing you. You have to study properly before you can go to middle school."

Siqi pouted angrily, thinking her mom was so mean.

When Nan Sheng opened the door, she found Zhu Jinghui's wife standing there with a strange expression. "Oh, sister-in-law! Come in and sit?"

"No need, sister-in-law. I just came to tell you something." Zhu Jinghui's wife had debated whether to come but ultimately decided it was necessary.

"This morning, when I was going downstairs, I ran into Regimental Commander Shen’s wife. She was standing at your door knocking. I greeted her casually, and she asked me to pass on a message—she wants you to visit her when you get back from work. Said she has something to discuss."

Nan Sheng was puzzled. "Who’s Regimental Commander Shen’s wife?"

Zhu Jinghui's wife explained, "Her name is Ding Xiang. She rarely comes over here, so I figured it must be something important."

"Alright, thanks for letting me know. Won’t you come in for a bit?"

"No, no, I still have to cook!"

After closing the door, Nan Sheng mulled it over. If it were something related to the military, Lin Han would have informed her in advance. That meant it had to concern her directly.

The Revolutionary Committee? Sent-down households?

Or was Ding Xiang from the Ding family?

"What’s going on, Mom?"

Once Nan Sheng returned inside, Siqi grinned cheekily—Nan Sheng had warned her that if she kept pouting, she’d hang an oil pot from her lips.

"Nothing. Both of you go wash your hands. Dinner’s almost ready."

Ding Xiang had already prepared a meal, but after waiting endlessly for Nan Sheng to show up, she began to wonder if the message hadn’t been relayed. "That Zhu Jinghui's wife is so unreliable," she grumbled.

When Regimental Commander Shen returned home and saw the food on the table, he assumed his wife had come around and forgotten yesterday’s argument.

But the next day, when he ran into Deputy Regimental Commander Lin at the base entrance, the latter stopped him.

"Regimental Commander Shen, what did your wife need from mine? She’s been busy lately, so she asked me to check."

Shen immediately understood—Ding Xiang hadn’t listened to him and was still trying to help her uncle evade punishment. He pulled Lin Han aside and explained the situation in a low voice.

"Tell your wife to handle it fairly. Don’t mind my wife—she’s just asking out of obligation to family."

Truthfully, Shen Yu didn’t care much for Lin Han’s family either, if only because of Nan Sheng’s background. If not for his wife’s interference, he wouldn’t have even spoken to Lin Han.

"Got it. I’ll pass that along to my wife."

After Lin Han left, Shen Yu clenched his teeth in frustration. He and his wife were definitely in for an argument that night.

Meanwhile, Ding Xiang wandered back to the residential building, this time knocking on Zhu Jinghui's door.

Zhu Jinghui's wife also had a job, though her shift started later. She had left early that day, so the two missed each other.

A neighbor across the hall heard the knocking and opened her door. "Sister-in-law, Zhu’s wife has already gone to work. If you need something, come back in the evening."

Ding Xiang considered asking the neighbor to relay another message to Nan Sheng, but then thought better of it. It’d be safer to go herself—the longer this dragged on, the worse it’d be for her uncle.

"Thanks," she said before leaving.