As the wine flowed, everyone at the table shared updates about their recent lives.

Duan Chang’an said, “Recently, the national roads haven’t been very safe. There have been some highway robberies. Be extra cautious when traveling long distances. Some of our people have encountered these incidents multiple times; they’re just local ruffians that the local police can’t control.”

With economic development, there are always a few people who don’t want to work hard and instead resort to fraud, theft, and robbery to get by.

Most of these individuals are remnants from the Cultural Revolution era, who, after being repressed, began to form gangs and engage in shady dealings as soon as the reforms began.

Over time, they became a local menace.

Local police stations often lack enough personnel or the ability to manage them due to various reasons.

Lu Hang said, “We’ve encountered similar problems before. Once, when we went west to collect cotton yarn, we faced such trouble. But since we had a large group, we didn’t suffer any losses.”

Cheng Rushan listened for a while and said, “Government departments, state-owned enterprises, and large factories are fine. Individual businesses need to be cautious.”

Their co-owned retail point officially received its individual business license from the Industry and Commerce Bureau in 1981 and was rebranded as a small department store.

Now, it is managed by Xu Aimei and Jiang Dongjian, with Lu Hang, Jiang Xinglei, and others helping out when they can.

Jiang Lin said, “You should also notify the Public Security Bureau. As long as the leaders pay attention and issue a severe crackdown notice, it should be manageable. With the economy developing further, and more individuals and small businesses operating, those doing business might encounter these problems. At best, they’ll suffer financial losses or injuries; at worst, they could lose their lives.”

Since they weren’t ordinary people, and were prominent figures in the provincial political and business circles, addressing these issues together had a significant impact.

He Liang, Duan Chang’an, and others said, “We’ll write a letter of complaint. Cheng Ge, you don’t need to get involved.”

Cheng Rushan, now a deputy director and squad leader, could easily face accusations of overstepping his bounds if he got involved.

There were already rumors spreading that he was targeting the police departments and had ulterior motives, especially since some in the provincial Public Security Bureau were displeased with him and thought he was intentionally scrutinizing them.

Jiang Lin then mentioned that she would be giving a lecture on urban cultural development and other topics at the Provincial University’s grand auditorium in ten days and invited those who were available to attend.

Lu Hang said, “Dr. Guo, let’s go.”

Guo Yanqiu smiled and replied, “No need for you to remind me.”

Jiang Xinglei and others also expressed their intention to attend.

He then asked Cheng Rushan, “Brother-in-law, you’re going too, right?”

Cheng Rushan said, “I’ll go.”

Jiang Lin knew he was very busy and said, “You work so much, it might be better if you skip it. There’s nothing too special to hear anyway.”

Since his promotion, he had been overwhelmed with work.

The former director, who also held the position of Secretary of the Discipline Inspection Commission, had passed most of the work onto him.

With the insufficient staff in their anti-corruption department, he was essentially working the jobs of three people.

Apart from work, he had no time for idle chat with anyone.

Cheng Rushan held her hand and gazed into her eyes, saying, “Whatever you say sounds wonderful.”

In front of so many people, Jiang Lin felt a bit shy.

She tried to pull her hand away, but he gripped it tighter.

Lu Hang and Jiang Xinglei, among others, started to tease them.

It was getting late, so everyone began to leave.

As Lu Hang was about to leave, he leaned in and whispered to Jiang Lin, “Linlin, did you know your speech is on the same day as Jiang Ling’s art exhibition?”

Jiang Lin gave him a look, “What’s it to you? Why are you so concerned about her? Watch out or Dr. Guo might make you kneel on a washboard.”

Lü Hang shrugged, “I don’t know, I just don’t like her. She doesn’t seem like a good person.”

He leaned closer to Jiang Lin and whispered, “You should know, once Cheng Ge went to a dinner party where Jiang Ling was also present. It was obvious she was throwing flirtatious looks at him. Just be careful.”

Cheng Rushan, due to his past experiences and contributions, was highly valued by the military and took advantage of the government’s urgent need for talent, so by the age of 35, he had already achieved a high-ranking position.

While their family was low-key about it, seeing it as just a job to support the family, many others viewed him as highly desirable.

Numerous people sought to build connections with him.

Those looking to find political backing to develop their businesses often tried to get in his good graces.

They believed that with money and beauty, they could break through any barrier; it was just a matter of how much leverage they had and how long they could persist.

They thought that although Cheng Rushan worked in the discipline inspection and anti-corruption departments and didn’t directly handle economic matters, his connections with various government departments made him valuable.

Unfortunately, Cheng Rushan didn’t give them a chance.

There were rumors that trying to win him over was harder than moving mountains!

Jiang Lin was aware of this.

She smiled and said, “Don’t worry, Cheng Rushan knows about it. You’ve been drinking, so let Dr. Guo drive. Be careful on the way.”

Over there, Lu Hang and Guo Sheng reluctantly said goodbye to Bao Sheng and the kids, who also waved goodbye to Dabao and Xiaobao.

After sending off their friends and family, Yan Runzhi and Cheng Yunzhi took the children home.

Cheng Rushan and Jiang Lin walked hand in hand along the riverbank.

No matter how busy he was, he always made time to accompany Jiang Lin, to share moments, even if it was just a quiet walk together.

Since joining the provincial government, Cheng Rushan had become increasingly composed and professional, dealing with various people with calm efficiency.

People said he was even more inscrutable than the old director, who was more relaxed and left matters to others, telling them to deal with Cheng Rushan instead.

Only when he was with Jiang Lin did he completely relax, as if the work-related pressures were insignificant.

Jiang Lin, in their private moments, was still as playful and carefree as when they were in love.

She never questioned or troubled him about his external affairs.

She looped her arm through Cheng Rushan’s, “Brother Shan, what do you think we’d be doing now if you hadn’t brought Dabao and Xiaobao to the provincial capital back then?”

Cheng Rushan smiled and wrapped his arm around her waist, “You’d probably still be a college student, but I’m not so sure. I might… be a self-employed transport operator now.”

He was an external member of the military back then, and given the current situation, if he hadn’t managed to convert to an internal position through Gu Mingyi, he would probably have left the military to work independently.

With the policy openness and support for individual enterprises, he would have started a transportation company and engaged in wholesale and retail of goods.

Whatever he did, he would make sure she never lacked for money.

As for which is better or worse?

To him, there was no such distinction. Work and earning money were just means to ensure a good life for his family.

As long as there was enough money, that was all that mattered.

What he wanted was to be constantly by her and his parents’ side.

He felt indebted to her and was willing to repay with a lifetime of companionship.

After walking for a while, Cheng Rushan checked his watch and said softly, “Are you tired? Let’s go home.”

After so many years together, they had a deep understanding of each other.

Jiang Lin immediately understood and playfully said, “Not tired, not tired. Let’s walk a bit more.”

Cheng Rushan simply picked her up, “That’s good. I was worried you’d be tired from the defense.” If she wasn’t tired, they could stay up a bit longer.

…

Over the next few days, Jiang Lin stayed home, carefully preparing her speech.

She even asked her family for feedback to make sure it would be understandable to everyone, young and old.

Bao Sheng asked, “Mommy, why don’t you ask me?”

Jiang Lin laughed, “What suggestions do you have?”

What could a 6-year-old girl suggest? But Jiang Lin still humored her.

Bao Sheng said, “Mom, don’t you think there should be more playgrounds for us kids?”

The provincial capital had a large amusement park, but it was more for older kids, not for younger ones.

Jiang Lin smiled, “Alright, we’ll add that to the plan.”

At that time, there wasn’t enough spare money to build playgrounds specifically for children, but they could be included in the long-term plan and gradually improved.

As long as the overall plan was good and all supporting functions and locations were well-planned, it wouldn’t be a problem.

The biggest issue was not anticipating these needs during the planning phase.

If everything was set in stone and only after a few years did they find it outdated, inadequate, or unreasonable, it would lead to endless demolitions and reconstructions, causing repeated waste.

In the blink of an eye, it was July 4th.

After lunch, Jiang Lin prepared to head to the provincial university.

With the summer vacation, Da Bao, Xiao Bao, and Wen Sheng were free, and Yan Runzhi and Cheng Yunzhi were also coming to support her.

Cheng Rushan went to his office to finalize some things and then came back to accompany her.

Jiang Lin couldn’t persuade him otherwise.

Cheng Rushan changed out of his uniform into dark-colored pants and a linen long-sleeve shirt.

These clothes were designed by Jiang Lin and made by Yan Runzhi, with a simple and elegant style that would never go out of fashion.

Since Cheng Rushan was tall with long legs and arms, and had considerable strength, the shirt’s sleeves and upper arms had to be slightly larger.

Jiang Lin had Yan Runzhi add sleeve bands so the sleeves wouldn’t hang down too long.

She helped Cheng Rushan roll up his sleeves and secure them with the bands, exposing his firm, well-toned forearms.

His body was strong, and beneath his fair, thin skin were solid muscles, firm to the touch.

“A man with such fair skin, isn’t it a bit much?” she teased him.

Cheng Rushan’s large hand roamed across her back. “When we have time to sunbathe, the color will darken,” he said, helping Jiang Lin fasten her bra and zip up her dress.

He had bought the dress, but regretted it a bit because the style was quite avant-garde.

It had a small V-neck in the front and a larger V-shaped cutout in the back, exposing a patch of her white, delicate skin, which was dazzling under the light.

He kissed the back of her neck and tied a white scarf around her neck to cover the large neckline, “The open neck might cause sunburn.”

Jiang Lin laughed at his seriousness and stood on tiptoe to kiss him.

As they were being affectionate, their little one called out from outside, “Mom and Dad, hurry up! We’re going to be late!”

Since their family couldn’t fit into one car, they took two cars along with Bie Dongshan and others.

During working hours, the roads were crowded with bicycles, and the narrow lanes made honking useless.

Dabo was getting anxious as they moved slowly, even slower than the bicycles.

Jiang Lin said, “Dabao, don’t worry, we won’t be late.”

Bao Sheng wriggled out of Wen Sheng’s arm and rummaged under the seat, pulling out an alarm device.

She handed it to Xiaobao, “Xiaobao, you put it on.”

Xiaobao took it with a smile, leaned out of the window, attached the alarm to the car roof, and turned it on.

The alarm began to flash and sound.

The bicycles, which had been ignoring the honking, all pulled over immediately upon hearing the alarm.

Jiang Lin was shocked by the clever move!

Cheng Rushan asked, “Where did this alarm come from?”

This alarm was definitely not from Cheng Rushan or the Jeep.

The car was a second-hand one that Captain Cen and Fang Chengguang had helped him get, repainted to look like new. However, it didn’t come with an alarm.

So, whose was it?

Jiang Lin looked at them.

Dabao: “I pretend not to know.”

Xiaobao and Bao Sheng both looked like they didn’t know, neither wanting to admit it.

Jiang Lin asked, “Xiaobao, Bao Sheng?”

Xiaobao looked puzzled, “Huh? Where did it come from? I don’t know. Is it Dad’s?”

Bao Sheng: I’m not telling you it was a gift from Uncle Guang when he came to visit!

Actually, Fang Chengguang had come by to see them, and Bao Sheng and Xiaobao had seen the shiny light on his car and asked for it.

Fang Chengguang was generous; he’d give them anything, not just the light.