"Mom, Dad, sister wrote us a letter!"

Mingli rushed home after work today, clutching an envelope instead of heading to the black market, his face alight with excitement.

Such was the nature of family—when together, their bond might seem ordinary, but distance only deepened the longing. Now, the Nan family missed Nan Sheng and her two little ones more than ever.

Nan's Mother had already bought fabric to sew new clothes for her daughter’s family and send them over!

In ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌ ‌‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‍Huaishan Town, fieldwork had begun, and every household was busy laboring. By the time Mingli got home, Nan's Father and Nan's Mother had just returned from the fields.

"Mom, don’t bother cooking. I bought steamed buns and dishes from town. Let’s see what Sister wrote first."

Mingli had resisted the urge to open the letter earlier. He’d learned his lesson before—once, he’d torn it open himself and nearly had his head twisted off by his furious father, with his mother glaring daggers at him.

At his words, Zhong Yanyan immediately washed her hands, and the family huddled together to read the letter. As they opened the envelope, sewing machine tickets, money for a wristwatch, and some industrial vouchers tumbled out.

Mingli froze, then glanced at his parents, raising his hands in innocence. "I never asked Sister for anything!"

Zhong Yanyan gathered the vouchers, her eyes slightly reddened. "Your sister remembers her family without you having to beg!"

Nothing made parents happier than their children’s success, yet they could do so little for them. Their daughter was far away, unable to lend a hand in daily matters.

Their son was no different—working day and night to save for his engagement. Sometimes, the old couple lay awake in bed, restless with worry.

Mingli chuckled and, noticing his mother’s mood, quickly changed the subject. "Let’s read the letter! I wonder if Sister got promoted again!"

Nan Jingyu scoffed at his son’s nonsense. "Secretary Ma is already so old and only a town secretary. Even if your sister climbs the ranks, it’ll take years."

Mingli disagreed inwardly—his sister was no ordinary person. Even his future father-in-law still sang her praises.

In her letter, Nan Sheng first congratulated Mingli on his engagement, then explained that she and her family couldn’t return. Lin Han and the kids had been busy helping Mingli gather what he needed, leaving her, the sister, with little to contribute.

"My brother-in-law is so reliable! And I didn’t dote on Big Kid and Qiqi for nothing!"

She also mentioned sending several bolts of fabric for the family to make new clothes, ensuring they’d look their best at the engagement.

Nan Jingyu beamed. "My daughter is so thoughtful, even worrying her old man won’t have nice clothes to wear."

Finally, Nan Sheng updated them on her work. Mingli’s eyes sparkled at the news—he was even happier than when he got engaged.

"Dad, see? Didn’t I tell you? Sister got promoted! I knew it, I just knew it!"

Nan Jingyu was overjoyed. His daughter was truly remarkable—soon to be promoted to County Revolutionary Committee Director, a rank no lower than his in-laws.

"Come home early tomorrow. Bring more joss paper—we’ll report the good news to our ancestors!"

Zhong Yanyan clutched the letter, rereading it despite knowing only a few characters. Once the excitement faded, worry crept in.

"But Nan Sheng still hasn’t shared any good news… This is driving me mad."

Mingli blinked. "Mom, Sister getting promoted isn’t good enough? Since when are your standards so high?"

Nan Jingyu shot his son a look before comforting his wife. "No rush. She’s still young, and with her busy schedule, when would she even have time to raise a child?"

Privately, though, he wondered—could it be his son-in-law’s health? Always swinging swords and spears, what if he’d injured himself…

"Son, ask Xiao Yi if he can still get tiger penis. We’ll make medicinal wine for your brother-in-law!"

Mingli finally understood. But given his brother-in-law’s imposing stature, he hardly seemed the type to suffer from… that. Still, he nodded. "I’ll ask tomorrow!"

True to his word, Mingli swung by the government office the next day before heading to the black market.

"Yi-ge, can you get your hands on tiger penis?"

Xiao Yi gave him a lewd look. "Little brother, you’re not even engaged yet, and you already need this?"

"Ah, no! Yi-ge, just ask around—it’s important!"

This concerned when he’d get to hold a sweet, soft little niece.

Xiao Yi couldn’t hold back his laughter, and even Shitou, overhearing, grinned foolishly. "That stuff’s rare as hen’s teeth. You’d have better luck with deer antler or blood."

Wouldn’t that be too direct? Mingli imagined his brother-in-law’s embarrassment.

"Anything else you need for the engagement? Just say the word," Xiao Yi offered.

"Nothing much. Sister sent sewing machine and wristwatch vouchers, so the extra savings can cover a lot."

At the mention of Nan Sheng, Xiao Yi and Shitou perked up.

"Nan-jie wrote?"

"How’s she doing? Did she finish the cured meat?"

Mingli rubbed his head. If only he had half her charm. "Sister’s living the high life—she’s getting promoted again! County Revolutionary Committee Director, ever heard of it? I really ought to visit Rongcheng someday and see how impressive she is."

Shitou’s face lit with admiration. "Typical Nan-jie—top dog wherever she goes. I’ll send more cured meat and chicken her way. Managing such a huge workload must be exhausting."

Even Xiao Yi couldn’t resist. "Take me with you when you visit Rongcheng! I’d love to drop by!"

Time flew, and soon it was Mingli’s engagement day. The Nan family, dressed in brand-new clothes, arrived at the Yu household with a sewing machine, bicycle, wristwatch, and other lavish gifts.

The journey was long, so only a few made the trip—Uncle Zhong and his wife joined to show their sincerity.

"The in-laws are here! Come in, come in!"

Yu Feng, the county magistrate, had no airs about him. He and his wife personally greeted them, followed by the Yu family and her relatives. Today called for a grand feast.

Nan Jingyu and Zhong Yanyan, though nervous, couldn’t show it—they were the ones taking a daughter-in-law, after all.

Mingli, however, was another story. The moment he saw his fiancée in her new outfit, his eyes darted everywhere, his ears and neck burning red.

Yu Luotong wasn’t much better. Pushed toward Mingli by her giggling friends, she shuffled awkwardly, drawing good-natured laughter from the crowd—until Yu Feng’s glare silenced them.

Inside, Zhong Yanyan handed Madam Yu a bulging betrothal gift.

"Madam, this is our sincerity. Rest assured, once Luotong joins our family, no one will mistreat her. I’ll treat her as my own daughter."

The Nan family’s display was undeniably lavish, and the Yus’ reputation soared.

Madam Yu accepted the gifts warmly. "I believe you, sister. Mingli is a fine young man, and my husband and I adore him.

"These gifts will stay with the newlyweds. As long as they’re happy, we elders are content. And don’t worry—we’ll prepare a generous dowry for them too!"

Her words sent ripples through the room, especially among Yu Luotong’s brother and sister-in-law.

They’d seen doting parents before—but never to this extent!