Nan Sheng and her husband talked to Sizhe about going to school. When he heard about the military-style management, he was extremely excited, patting his chest and promising that he would absolutely study hard and not let his parents down.

“Don’t celebrate too early. High school coursework is heavy to begin with, and you also have to do physical training. You only get half a day off each week, and you can only come home at the end of the month when you have a two-day break.”

Hearing that he could only come home once a month, Sizhe was visibly a bit unhappy, but he remained firm in his idea of joining the army. Leaving home was just the first step, and he would overcome it.

“We are going to Grandpa Han’s house for dinner tonight. You need to say thank you, understand? The fact that you can attend such a good school is all thanks to your Grandpa Han’s arrangements.”

Nan Sheng and her family couldn’t possibly wait until dinnertime to show up; that would be too impolite. When Li Jun came over to deliver groceries and daily necessities, Nan Sheng asked him to lead the way, taking the opportunity on the road to mention that she wanted his help buying some things.

Nan Sheng spoke very politely and shared some local specialties from Rongcheng with Li Jun. He had a particularly good impression of Lin Han and his wife, so he was more than willing to run errands for them.

“Don’t worry, Sister-in-law. I know people at the department store. The things I buy are cheaper than what others get, and I don’t even need ration coupons.”

Nan Sheng said, “I have coupons. You take them first, and you don’t need to bring them back.”

The place where the Corps Commander lived was very spacious. It was clear that the small courtyard was managed to be very cozy, suggesting that the hostess must be someone who loves life.

“Who are you, and what are you doing at my house?”

The speaker was a little girl, about four or five years old. She had been playing by herself in the yard and wasn’t afraid when she saw strangers, even daring to speak up and question them.

Hearing the voice, the child’s mother immediately came out of the house. Nan Sheng introduced herself, “Hello, Sister-in-law. I am Nan Sheng, this is my husband Lin Han, and our two children. We came from Rongcheng today specifically to visit.”

The woman was the eldest daughter-in-law of the Han family. She had a somewhat serious personality but very politely invited Nan Sheng and her family into the house. She didn’t forget to hold onto her daughter’s hand, wondering how she had given birth to such a messy child who got covered in mud the moment she took her eyes off her.

Corps Commander Han’s wife, surnamed Xia, worked at the Education Bureau. Recently, she was resting at home due to health reasons. She was a very gentle person, and upon seeing Lin Han’s family enter the house, she waved Nan Sheng over to sit beside her.

“Good child, treat this as your own home from now on. You can’t bring these things next time you visit.”

“Aunt Xia, these are all local specialties from Rongcheng. We brought quite a lot when we left, and didn’t think too much about it, just wanting to bring them over for you to taste.”

Corps Commander Han and his wife only had two children. People usually say the eldest son inherits the family business, but in their family, it was the opposite. The eldest was gentle and refined, working in education like his mother, while the second son had been rebellious since childhood and was thrown into the military district by his father for reformation.

The eldest daughter-in-law, Liu Ying, also worked in education. She had suffered a lot of gossip in recent years, which made her personality serious and reluctant to interact with others. She left them space to talk and went to the kitchen to continue preparing dinner.

Niuniu was a talkative little girl, and Qiqi was no less so. Qiqi also especially loved playing with younger children, and it wasn’t long before the two little girls were holding hands and going to the yard to play hopscotch.

Sizhe was bored, so he ran to the kitchen to help. At first, Liu Ying didn’t believe he could do any chores, but to her surprise, the boy washed and chopped vegetables quite decently. Liu Ying ended up feeling embarrassed, feeling as if she was bullying a child.

She told Sizhe to go out and play, saying the kitchen was too smoky, but Sizhe refused.

“My parents and Grandma Xia are talking, and I can’t get a word in anyway. I might as well stay here and be Aunt Liu’s assistant.”

Although Liu Ying was a serious person, she was much more tolerant toward sensible children. The two of them weren’t idle in the kitchen, and she would ask Sizhe some questions about his studies.

In the living room, Grandma Xia was currently thanking Nan Sheng. “Little Nan, I have to thank you. Your Uncle Han’s old comrades and my good friends were all implicated and sent down to the countryside. If you hadn’t lent a helping hand back then, who knows how much they would have suffered.”

This was also the reason why the couple was willing to treat Lin Han and his wife with special regard; they felt that they had kind hearts and certainly good character.

As they chatted, the topic drifted to Han Yongxiang. “That boy Yongxiang has been going against his father since he was a child. He was forced to join the army back then, but who would dare mess with him around here? He acted like a little tyrant, and Lao Han had no choice but to send him to Rongcheng.”

The couple was afraid at the time that the boy would sneak back, but unexpectedly, he stayed there for quite a few years. If Lin Han and his wife hadn’t been transferred here this time, he still wouldn’t have been willing to come home.

“Xiao Nan, that boy admires you and Xiao Lin the most. You two should try to persuade him. At his age, it’s time for him to settle down and start a family.”

“Mom, who wants to start a family?”

As she spoke, Han Yongxiang actually walked in. He hadn’t communicated with his family at all before coming back, and Aunt Xia thought she wouldn’t see him for a few more days.

“Sister-in-law, Commander Lin, it’s been a few days. Did you miss me?”

Han Yongxiang had no filter on his mouth. If they weren’t in the Han family home, someone acting as obnoxious as him would have been knocked to the ground long ago.

Aunt Xia was obviously very pleasantly surprised. Her son had been on duty at the military district during the New Year this year, and she hadn’t seen him for over a year.

“Who else could we be talking about? We’re talking about you! Why didn’t you call ahead before coming back so I could have someone pick you up!”

Han Yongxiang sat down carelessly on the sofa. “It’s not like I don’t know the way home, what’s there to pick up? I mailed all my things back and only brought a small personal bag. Is the old man still at the military district?”

“Where else would he be if not at the military district? Go upstairs, take a shower, and change your clothes. We’ll be eating soon.”

Han Yongxiang greeted Lin Han and his wife, then followed Aunt Xia’s orders to go upstairs and freshen up. He still had a lot of respect and love for his own mother, but his personality just clashed with his father’s, and he always wanted to act cheeky and be confrontational.

When Corps Commander Han returned from the military district, Nan Sheng was just helping Sister-in-law Liu clear the table and serve the dishes. She felt a bit embarrassed because she hadn’t helped much and had just been keeping Aunt Xia company.

Corps Commander Han had originally entered the house with a smile, but upon seeing his youngest son sitting at the dining table, he instantly flared up. “You brat, when did you get back? Did you report in?”

Han Yongxiang adopted an attitude of completely tuning out his dad’s preaching. He provocatively picked up a bite of shredded pork with sweet bean sauce and put it in his mouth. Ah, this was the exact taste!

Aunt Xia, afraid that the father and son would start arguing again, quickly stood up and gave her husband a look. “Don’t worry, Xiao Lin already asked. Our son only came back after all the procedures were completed. The couple hasn’t eaten since noon, so whatever you want to say, wait until after dinner.”

For the sake of the guests, Corps Commander Han couldn’t be bothered to argue with his son anymore. He sat at the head of the table, with Lin Han on his left and Aunt Xia on his right. As for Han Yongxiang, he sat far away, running over to sit between the two little girls.

Niuniu seemed to really like this young uncle. He had a way with words and made both Qiqi and Niuniu laugh out loud.

Corps Commander Han didn’t bother looking at his son and just invited Lin Han and his wife to eat. “If the food suits your taste, please eat more. Make sure you don’t leave with empty stomachs.”

Nan Sheng smiled and said, “Sister-in-law Liu’s cooking is so good that I’m afraid I’ll have to hold my belly on the way out. How could we possibly go hungry?”

Seeing Nan Sheng, Corps Commander Han was also surprised by her age. Being in a high position, he naturally knew how formidable this young comrade was.

“If you like the food, you should come over more often. In a few days, it will just be me and your aunt left at home, without a bit of warmth or liveliness.”

“Don’t worry, Uncle Han, I’ll definitely visit often from now on!”

Liu Ying and the children usually lived in the city; they had only come back during the holidays to spend some time with the elderly couple. As for Brother Han, he had gone out of town on business for a few days.

At this moment, Han Yongxiang suddenly chimed in, “What do you mean no warmth? Haven’t I come back?”

Commander Han couldn’t even be bothered to acknowledge him. Even when this brat came home, he stayed at the military district. Wouldn’t the house still be left to just the two old folks?

“You don’t count, you’re not even human!”

Han Yongxiang was so angry he couldn’t speak. Coming home was a mistake!

After eating and leaving the Han family’s home, Qiqi was still thinking about the shredded pork with sweet bean sauce. “Mom, I still want to eat the dried tofu rolls with shredded pork.”

“Alright, Mom will make it for you when we get home. There are so many delicious foods here in the capital, like zhajiangmian, roast duck, and so much more. Just wait to gain another ten pounds!”

Sizhe looked at his sister’s little belly, thinking she had finally managed to lose a few pounds, so she shouldn’t eat herself into a little fat pig again.

The next day, after Lin Han went to work, Nan Sheng had the children stay at home while she went to visit the homes of several division commanders and the brigade commander.

Although she was only a regiment commander’s wife, she had a deep relationship with the army commander’s family. No matter whose house she went to, she wasn’t met with any cold shoulders. She completed her visits in less than a morning.

Just as she arrived at her own doorstep, she saw a small car parked outside, but there was no one inside. It was only after she entered the house that she realized the guests had already let themselves in. The two children were hosting them quite well and had even brewed tea.

“Hello, Director Nan, I am your assistant Gao Feng, responsible for taking you to work at the research institute!”

Considering Nan Sheng’s gender, the institute had assigned her one male and one female assistant. The male assistant was her official bodyguard, Xiao Zhu, and the female assistant, Gao Feng, was responsible for taking care of Nan Sheng’s work and daily life.

“So soon?”

Gao Feng nodded. They had already been waiting for several hours. Hearing that Nan Sheng was busy, they hadn’t dared to disturb her.

“Then can I bring my two children along?”

Gao Feng: “Yes, you can. Your residence has already been arranged. It is very close to the laboratory and very safe. If you need to arrange for the children to attend a nearby school, I will contact the school immediately.”

Nan Sheng only had time to leave a letter before she was whisked away in the car. After the car left, the neighbors were somewhat surprised, wondering about the background of Commander Lin’s wife.

By the time Nan Sheng and her children arrived in the city, it was already 2:30 in the afternoon. They first went to their residence to settle the children down before Nan Sheng followed the two to the institute.

“Rest assured, Director Nan, if we return late, someone will be there to take care of the children.”

This area was entirely inhabited by researchers, with a high level of confidentiality, so there was no need to worry about the children’s safety.

After arriving at the institute, Nan Sheng was first taken to the director’s office. Looking at the gray-haired old man in front of her, Nan Sheng felt extremely guilty and inadequate.

No, how could she dare? This person was clearly a giant in the scientific research community. She absolutely had to decline the position of deputy director.

“You must be Comrade Nan Sheng. I’ve heard so much about you. I had to beat out several old guys to snatch you up. Welcome to the Imperial Capital Research Institute.”

Director Gao Tu was in his early sixties this year. He had dedicated his entire life to scientific research and had never married. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call him a research fanatic.

If Nan Sheng hadn’t come today, it would have been impossible for him to step out of the laboratory.

Nan Sheng: I am sweating bullets here, friends.

“Director Gao, you are too polite. I haven’t specialized in research work before, so I really can’t accept the position of deputy director. How about I just do what I did before, and come over when there’s a project I’m good at?”

Gao Tu had a very comprehensive understanding of Nan Sheng beforehand. She was a highly capable government official. If it hadn’t been for the sudden appearance of that compound fertilizer, no one would have known just how terrifying her talent in scientific research was.

Unfortunately, she was too smart but lacked any grand ambitions. She wasn’t interested in promotions, showed no desire for money, and treated scientific research merely as a hobby.

If the project in his hands hadn’t been especially important, one that would affect the country’s development for decades to come, Nan Sheng wouldn’t have been forcibly transferred to work here.

“Comrade Nan Sheng, I think it’s necessary for me to give you a detailed introduction to the project currently underway in the laboratory. If you still insist on your current thoughts after hearing it, I won’t force you.”

Half an hour later, Nan Sheng was persuaded. She decided to join the institute and dedicate the next few years of her time to this project.

However, she also communicated her research habits with the director. Director Gao obviously understood this well and told her not to feel pressured, but to work together in the way she preferred.

What did it matter if she didn’t like doing experiments?

There were plenty of people at her disposal to verify her conclusions.

After chatting with the director, Nan Sheng was sent back to her residence. The place she lived in was very quiet, a two-story small house with a telephone already installed.

Suddenly detaching from officialdom and plunging into the research circle, Nan Sheng felt unaccustomed to everything. The two children were extremely happy to see their mother return.

“Mom packed some food from the institute’s cafeteria. Try it and see how it tastes.”

Siqi didn’t understand what a research institute was, but Sizhe did. He asked, “Mom, why were you transferred to work at the research institute?”

At this point, Nan Sheng saw no need to hide it from the children. Moreover, in the near future, enemies might try to target her family to obtain classified information, so she had to take precautions.

“Children, actually, Mom has a bit of talent in scientific research. My previous business trips were to participate in secret research work, where I couldn’t contact the outside world.”

Next, Nan Sheng carefully explained the special nature of this job to the two children, as well as the dangers and temptations they would inevitably face in the future.

Sizhe took everything to heart, but at this moment, his mind was completely occupied by one thought.

“My mom is a scientist!”

What an amazing title, what a great profession!

To the two children, this was much cooler than being a government official. Perhaps in the future, their mother’s photo would even be published in newspapers and books.

Upon learning that Nan Sheng was not only a scientist but also the deputy director of the institute, Sizhe’s affection for her was joined by a deep sense of admiration.

Qiqi still didn’t understand the true weight of being a scientist, but she always felt that her mother was a particularly amazing person, so her flattery was no less enthusiastic than her brother’s.

When asked where she wanted to study, Qiqi chose without hesitation to stay by her mother’s side. As a result, Lin Han, who had just arrived at the family compound in the capital, became a loner once again…

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep