Chapter 335: Chapter 325: The Storm Arrives

In the last month of 1982, a wave of contraceptive and IUD installation swept across the nation.

If the family had an only child, parents who underwent sterilization surgery would receive a monetary reward.

The village loudspeakers, slogans on walls, catchy phrases, and a group of women directors with red armbands were all busy and bustling.

This always happens when a new policy is implemented, causing a big stir.

Liu Yulan’s current life is quite leisurely; she takes care of the family’s three meals a day, cleans the communal areas, and then… well, that’s it.

She has a lot of free time, but she can’t sit still. So, she turned the courtyard garden into a small vegetable patch, and seeing the green sprouts thriving fills her with satisfaction.

With several families eating together, Cheng Xue and Wang Pandi give Liu Yulan money for food every month.

Wang Pandi’s morning sickness has passed, and now she has a very good appetite, she can eat and sleep well.

Although she can’t go out, she doesn’t feel bored because the house is big enough and there are many people, making it lively.

She helps Liu Yulan with whatever housework she can, then slowly prepares things for the baby, like diapers, small clothes, small blankets, etc. Every day is quite fulfilling…

Shortly after the community staff came for a census, Yang Zhigang received a call from Old Yang back in his hometown one evening.

They talked for a long time, Yang Zhigang’s mood shifted from happiness to a dark expression by the end.

After hanging up the phone, Liu Yulan eagerly inquired about the situation, “What happened? What did the in-laws say?”

Yang Zhigang sighed deeply, sat down across from Wang Pandi, “My dad said, the village’s women director might come to find us.”

“What does she want?” Hearing Yang Zhigang’s words, Wang Pandi instantly became tense, and her voice inadvertently grew sharper.

Yang Zhigang quickly took a big step, squatting down in front of Wang Pandi, his large hand enveloping her slightly trembling small hand due to excitement, giving her strength and comfort, “Don’t worry, let me explain slowly. Also, I only said there’s a possibility, she’s not definitely coming, especially since it’s not close from J City to Beijing.”

It turns out that after the policy was implemented, it was enforced down to the rural levels. The village’s women director was counting populations house by house, promoting the policy, encouraging women who had children to undergo sterilizations; if they were really unwilling, they had to have an IUD installed.

When they reached the Yang Family and learned that Yang Zhigang’s family of three was not at home and had already moved to Beijing, they were very surprised.

Yang Dahai explained that, just as people strive for higher places, water flows to lower ones. Yang Zhigang was ambitious and took his wife and child to develop in Beijing.

The visitors were happy for the Yang Family. Though the people were not there, the necessary procedures still had to be completed. They asked Old Yang to convey to Wang Pandi to come back quickly and have an IUD installed, as this would put everyone’s mind at ease according to policy, especially since Wang Pandi has only had a daughter.

Just as they finished speaking and were about to leave for the next household, a child’s questioning voice arose, “Is Aunt coming back? Is it a brother or sister she’s having?”

Suddenly, the room fell silent.

After a while, the women director spoke with a dark expression, “You all… really are… Where is Wang Pandi? Quickly tell us.”

“Tell what, tell what, the child is ignorant, talking nonsense, and you take it seriously.” Fang Ci laughed, deflecting with humor while secretly hating Sun Xiangcao.

The one who spoke was Yang Zhiwei and Sun Xiangcao’s seven-year-old son. A child saying such things must have overheard Sun Xiangcao talking carelessly.

“Stop talking nonsense, children don’t lie.” A group of women began reproaching the Yang Family members, “It’s disappointing that Yang Zhigang, a former soldier and long-time official, has such low ideological awareness. Is he worthy of the party and nation’s trust and training?”

Everyone chimed in, causing a commotion in the house, drawing neighbors to come and see the commotion, slowly turning into a criticism meeting. Some old issues were dragged out, regardless of truth, all dirty water poured onto Yang Zhigang.

Hearts, sometimes really… can’t stand scrutiny, terrifyingly fickle.

“Enough, stop speaking, my Gangzi is not at home. If you have the guts, tell him face to face.” Yang Dahai was furious; these people, Gangzi treated them well usually, now he realized, they are all greedy wretches, no need to be polite, “Out, all of you out. Our Yang Family doesn’t welcome backstabbers…”

“Oh, life is unbearable, you’re going to drive us old couple to death. How did Gangzi treat you, have you all forgot?” Fang Ci exclaimed in heartbreak, “Out of sight, out of mind, out of sight, out of mind…”

Yang Zhihao was already angrily shooing people away; his elder brother is such a good person, yet they dare to slander him, it’s too much.

Seeing Yang Dahai and Fang Ci’s state, listening to their words, the group reluctantly left… Of course, some regretted their impulsiveness already. Yet others left dissatisfied, continuing to gossip outside the house.

As for going to Beijing to confront Yang Zhigang face to face or bringing Wang Pandi back to verify, those are unlikely tasks. After all, the travel and expense are a concern, who would cover it?

A large group of people left grandly, gossiping about the Yang Family in small groups, speculating whether Wang Pandi was indeed pregnant.

After all, she hasn’t conceived in ten years, how could she suddenly be pregnant at this critical moment? Some were skeptical…

“Zhiwei, Xiangcao, you two are great, how many bad things have you concocted behind everyone’s back… What has your elder brother done to wrong you?” Fang Ci glared viciously at Sun Xiangcao, nearly piercing a hole in her with the stare.

She felt that if there was intrigue in the family, it would only be Sun Xiangcao.

“Mom, don’t be angry. We didn’t slander elder brother or sister-in-law.” Seeing his mother upset, Yang Zhiwei quickly explained, “We were just speculating at home about sister-in-law’s chances of having a boy or girl, never thought it would be overheard by the child and he remembered it, unintentionally said it.”

Yang Zhigang didn’t actually tell the truth; he chose to conceal parts of it for Sun Xiangcao.

In truth, Liu Xiangcao had not held back from speaking ill about the main family. But, as she is the mother of his child, and now the second family, adults and children alike are present, he could only try to patch things up.

“Alright, stop talking in front of me, all of you go rest, we’re tired…” Yang Dahai weakly waved his hand, indicating for them to leave.

Once everyone had gone, he couldn’t help but sigh, “Gangzi was indeed foresighted…”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep