Early this morning, Lin’s mother took the roast duck that Ning Shu sent and went to the county town.

She thought that since her daughter had been busy studying for the college entrance exam recently, this roast duck would be a good supplement for her.

However, with Xiao Jing taking the college entrance exam, Lin Qinglan is now doing her job.

Lin Qinglan didn’t do well in school and couldn’t continue after high school, so Lin Xiaojing transferred the job to her.

They agreed that if Lin Xiaojing got into college, the job would be sold to her, with the same terms as when Ning Shu sold it to Lin Xiaojing, allowing her to pay in installments.

If Lin Xiaojing didn’t get into college, the job would naturally return to her.

The Lin family’s eldest branch had no objections to this.

Eighteen-year-old Lin Qinglan was very happy and worked diligently.

Lin Xiaojing wasn’t the only one taking the exam; her husband was too.

Xiaojing’s in-laws, who were educated, had no issues with their son and daughter-in-law taking the college entrance exam.

Even though their granddaughter was still very young, born at the beginning of the year, they felt that if their son and daughter-in-law passed the exam and sold the job, the money from the sale would be enough to support raising the child.

Plus, they both still had jobs, so they could easily take care of their granddaughter.

Xiaojing’s mother-in-law, whose surname is Zheng, was previously called Sister Zheng by the neighbors.

After Xiaojing had her daughter, her status was upgraded, and people started calling her Granny Zheng.

Today was a weekend, and the factory was closed.

After breakfast, Granny Zheng cleaned up the dishes and went to her son and daughter-in-law’s room.

She saw the couple diligently studying while their granddaughter, little Mantou, crawled and played on the bed.

The bed had a wooden railing that was very sturdy and smooth, covered with an old quilt to ensure that even if the child bumped into it, she would only get a little red but wouldn’t be hurt at all.

A seven or eight-month-old baby was crawling around quite actively.

“Xiao Jing, you all read your books. I’ll take Little Mantou for a walk outside,” said Granny Zheng, who had only one son and adored her only granddaughter.

Even though everyone in this era wanted a grandson, she was no exception.

But her granddaughter was still her own grandchild, and she wouldn’t dislike her just because she preferred grandsons.

“Alright, thank you, Mom,” Lin Xiao Jing replied with a smile.

“We’re family, no need to thank me,” Granny Zheng said cheerfully.

She swiftly picked up her granddaughter, placed her in the stroller, and pushed her outside.

The stroller was a gift from Ning Shu.

It wasn’t sent from the army to the Qinglin Bay Brigade.

Rather, Ning Shu had sent the picture after finding out Lin Xiaojing was pregnant.

Lin’s mother gave some money and paper to Granny Zheng, asking her to have a carpenter from Qinglin Bay Brigade make something.

It turned out that no mother in this era could resist the temptation of a baby stroller.

It was simply too useful.

Putting the baby in the stroller and taking them outside was very convenient.

Even going to the market could be done easily with the stroller.

Whether the baby was asleep or awake, it didn’t affect carrying them and didn’t tire the parents.

Moreover, baby strollers weren’t disposable items.

They could be used for future children or given to someone else.

They were great for passing down to the next generation.

Of course, people of this era wouldn’t have imagined that future baby strollers would be even better, so there was no need to save them for the next generation.

Granny Zheng was out with her granddaughter because it was the weekend, and there were many people in the yard.

“Granny Zheng, are you out for a walk with your granddaughter again?”

“Granny Zheng, I heard your daughter-in-law is also taking the college entrance exam. What will happen to the child if she passes?”

“Granny Zheng, you can’t let your daughter-in-law be out all the time. As a grandmother, you should take care of the granddaughter while she’s out. Your daughter-in-law is already in her twenties. If she doesn’t have another child soon, it might be too late.”

When Lin’s mother arrived and saw her in-laws holding the granddaughter, she was about to greet them when she overheard this conversation.

It made her so angry she felt like shouting. But Granny Zheng spoke up:

“When my daughter-in-law passes the exam, I’ll retire and take care of the granddaughter. I’m getting older and want to enjoy some quiet time. As for my daughter-in-law being out, if she passes the exam, I’ll be happy for her. A university student should get out and gain experience; it’s good for serving the country. As for having another grandchild, we are now following the family planning policy and supporting the national regulations.”

A woman nearby commented, “What family planning? Many people are having second and third children now and just pay a fine if they have more. Your family can afford the fine, right?”

Indeed, the strictness of family planning had relaxed over time.

Initially implemented in 1971 and written into the constitution in 1982, it became more lenient in later years.

Granny Zheng also hoped for another grandchild, as more children were always welcomed.

However, she wouldn’t discuss such private family matters openly.

Regarding having a second child, she had privately asked her son.

Given the family planning policy, as workers, they were closely monitored.

So, if they planned for a second child, everything had to be managed carefully, including any fines that might be required. If not handled properly…

If something went wrong, it would be problematic.

However, her son said that he and his daughter-in-law had considered having a second child.

Since little Mantou was still very young, they planned to wait until she could go to kindergarten before preparing for another child.

Granny Zheng was reassured by this.

“A woman needs time to recover after giving birth. Our daughter-in-law isn’t a pig; she can’t just have another child the next year.”

Granny Zheng’s comments didn’t go over well. “What do you think of your daughter-in-law?”

At that moment, Lin’s mother spoke up.

Granny Zheng turned around and saw Lin’s mother standing there with a basket.

She felt a bit nervous, relieved that she hadn’t said anything inappropriate that could cause embarrassment.

Granny Zheng had a very good impression of the Lin family.

They not only visited regularly but also brought gifts like vegetables, sweet potatoes, potatoes, eggs, and sugar cane.

Who wouldn’t like such thoughtful in-laws? So, Granny Zheng was quite familiar with Lin’s mother’s voice.

“Oh, dear in-laws, why are you here? No wonder little Mantou wanted to go out today. She must have known her grandma was coming and wanted to welcome you.” Granny Zheng said warmly.

This made Lin’s mother smile even more.

She explained, “Oh, my dear granddaughter must have heard that her uncle got promoted.

Actually, my third child has been promoted and moved to the capital.

His wife sent things from the capital, including something for Xiaojing. I brought it for you.”

“Promoted?” Lin’s mother was surprised. “I remember he was promoted just a couple of years ago. Wasn’t he a deputy regiment leader then? He was only about thirty at that time, wasn’t he? And now he’s been promoted again?”

Indeed, her daughter-in-law’s brother was impressive.

If Granny Zheng liked her daughter-in-law, it wasn’t just because she was capable and considerate but also because the family was harmonious and her brother was successful.

Who wouldn’t want to marry the sister of a regiment leader in the city?

Her son was lucky to marry her daughter before her brother became a regiment leader; otherwise, who knows if he could have married her at all.

(Granny Zheng’s son: “Mom, I really thank you for this good fortune.”)

“Yes, back then he was a deputy regiment leader, and now he’s a full regiment leader.” Lin’s mother wasn’t a showy person, but today she was a bit more enthusiastic. “He’s now transferred to the capital, and my daughter-in-law bought some local specialties from there, like roast duck. I’m just trying to support my daughter, Lin Xiaojing.”

The family background of a married daughter is her support.

Although her family is from the countryside and can’t offer much support, her brother, who is a regiment leader, can.

Lin’s mother, though from the countryside, understood the significance of a regiment leader.

While the Lin family kept a low profile in the countryside, they proudly showed off the gifts sent by their daughter-in-law, Ning Shu.

In this setting, it was necessary to be a bit more noticeable.

“I know about the roast duck from the capital. It’s famous,” said one woman.

“I know too; it’s a well-known brand,” another added.

Granny Zheng, being well-educated, was more knowledgeable.

The fact that her daughter-in-law’s brother was now in the capital was impressive.

The capital was different from other places; as the saying goes, “In front of a prime minister, even a seventh-rank official is different.”

The family of the daughter-in-law was truly impressive.

“Your third child is really something,” Granny Zheng said. “I don’t know much about the capital. When you visit, you must come back and tell me all about it.”

She had always been polite to Lin’s mother, but now her compliments were even more sincere.

Lin’s mother felt relieved. “My Third daughter-in-law told me they have an assigned house in the capital. It’s a small villa, and they even saved a room for us, so you and I can visit anytime. I’ve always wanted to see the capital if given the chance.”

“Absolutely,” Granny Zheng agreed.

After exchanging pleasantries, Lin’s mother said she needed to leave.

Granny Zheng invited her to stay for lunch, but Lin’s mother declined, eager to head back.

Lin’s mother usually avoided eating at her daughter’s place for several reasons: she wanted to return and cook for her husband, she didn’t like eating at others’ homes, and she didn’t want to be a burden or cause any trouble for her daughter.

After leaving, Lin’s mother didn’t go straight home but instead visited the three houses rented out by Ning Shu’s family.

Two of the houses had been rented out for years and were well-maintained.

The third house was occupied by Lin Qinglan and people from the clothing factory.

After checking on the houses, Lin’s mother visited the clothing factory.

Since Lin Xiaojing used to work there, she knew the area well.

She met with Lin Qinglan, gave her some of the roast duck, and discussed Lin Guodong’s situation before rushing home.

Before long, the first college entrance exam of the decade was over.

With the end of the exams and the issuance of admission letters, the winter break began for the three children, signaling their move to the capital.