Qian Lisheng was surprised. Director Jiang brought him a roast chicken?

What’s going on?

Their neighbors, Aunt Tong and Tong Ailian, overheard and started gossiping.

Aunt Tong said, “Did their family get close to Director Jiang? Is Qian Lisheng going to be promoted to workshop supervisor?”

Tong Ailian replied, “I didn’t hear Lin Xia say they were close to Director Jiang.”

She then urged her husband to quickly prepare a gift and send it to Director Jiang as soon as possible.

Originally, the Qian family’s dinner was simple, just some homemade dishes lightly fried.

But with the roast chicken sent by Aunt Jiang, the meal became much more abundant.

Qian Lisheng was especially warm towards Lin Shu and Sister Lu, constantly urging them to eat more of the chicken.

Qian’s mother didn’t seem to mind at all.

Lin Shu noticed something but didn’t show it.

She just suggested everyone enjoy the meal together.

After dinner, Qian Lisheng suggested to Lin Xia, “I’ll go get some movie tickets, and we can take your sister and sister-in-law to see a movie?”

Lin Xia liked the idea, but movie tickets were hard to get.

Lin Shu said, “Brother-in-law, don’t worry about it. I’m not really into watching movies.”

Movies didn’t interest her much; she preferred to chat with her sister.

Since Qian Lisheng was always around, she hadn’t had the chance to have a private conversation with her sister.

Lin Shu pulled Lin Xia aside and said, “Second Sister, let’s go for a walk, just like we did when we were kids.”

Lin Xia lovingly pinched her cheek, “Let’s go.”

She wanted to get a jacket for Lin Shu to wear in case it got chilly outside.

Hearing this, Qian Lisheng quickly suggested, “Why don’t we go to the Workers’ Sports and Cultural Palace?”

Sister Lu couldn’t stand it anymore and said to Qian Lisheng, “Brother-in-law, your sister-in-law wants to talk about women’s things with her sister. You, a big man, shouldn’t get involved.”

Qian Lisheng felt really embarrassed. Sister Lu was so blunt…

How does her husband tolerate her?

But since Sister Lu pointed it out, he didn’t dare to insist on joining them and let the two sisters go for their walk.

Qian’s mother said, “Lisheng, Sister Lu and your sister will sleep here tonight. I’ll go to your brother’s place, so take me over.”

Their younger son lived in the house the old couple owned, while Qian Lisheng’s house was provided by the steel mill.

Usually, she and her husband lived with their younger son, but they visited their eldest son and daughter-in-law often to encourage them to have children.

Qian’s mother secretly packed half of the roast chicken in her bag to give to her grandson.

Although the chicken was brought for Lin Shu by Aunt Jiang, she thought that if her eldest daughter-in-law had a child, whether it was a boy or girl…

The child is always pampered and loved, so naturally, the roast chicken should be given to the child.

Since the eldest daughter-in-law doesn’t have any children, it would be too sinful for the adults to eat a whole roast chicken.

Naturally, she wants to give it to her eldest grandson.

Qian Lisheng rode his bike to deliver money to his mother.

Sister-in-law Lu Da didn’t disturb Lin Shu and her sister talking; she just sat in the Qian family’s house and listened to the radio.

Lin Shu and her second sister were strolling downstairs. “Second Sister, how did Brother-in-law’s check-up go?”

Lin Xia replied, “It went well. Everything is normal.”

Lin Shu asked, “Did you see the lab report?”

Lin Xia nodded, “Yes, he just brought it back the day before yesterday to show me.”

Lin Shu inquired, “The day before yesterday? You both got checked at the same time, so why did it take so long for him to get it?”

Lin Xia explained, “He’s been busy and didn’t have a chance to take leave before. Why, what’s up?”

Lin Shu smiled and said, “Nothing. If Brother-in-law is all good, just remember to take your medication and get a follow-up. You’ll have a baby soon.”

Lin Xia was also quite happy.

She had been in a good mood lately because she had gone to the city hospital for an ultrasound, and her infertility could be treated.

Qian Lisheng was fine as well.

Both she and Qian Lisheng were preparing for exams.

The workshop was still selecting a deputy director, and she thought Qian Lisheng, with his good abilities and responsible attitude, had a high chance of being chosen.

Life suddenly had more to look forward to.

If her third sister could also find a good match in the future, it would be even better.

She thought that once Lin Shu’s mood stabilized, she would introduce her to a city guy next year.

It would be more practical to find someone who works in a factory and earns a salary.

At least it wouldn’t be like Lu Shaotang, who left and didn’t come home for several years.

The next moment, the news Lin Shu told her left her stunned. “Third Sister, what did you just say?”

Lin Shu softly repeated, “Second Sister, Lu Shaotang is back. He’s safe.”

Although it was officially declared that Lu Shaotang was missing and presumed dead, and the family had even received compensation, only people in specific departments knew.

Ordinary people wouldn’t have access to this information.

Lin Xia never told anyone that her brother-in-law was gone, not even Qian Lisheng or her in-laws, let alone the neighbors.

Whenever Tong Ailian asked if her third sister’s husband hadn’t returned home yet or if her third sister was still alone, Lin Xia would snap back at her.

But in her heart, she was deeply saddened.

Hearing Lin Shu’s words now, she could hardly believe it.

Lin Shu said, “Sister, it’s true.”

Lin Xia clasped her hands together, crying with joy, “This is wonderful, truly wonderful. Thank heaven and our ancestors for their protection.”

She was crying and laughing at the same time, her voice slightly louder, catching the attention of Jiang Weidong, who was passing by.

Jiang Weidong approached and asked, “Master Lin, what’s going on?”

Lin Xia quickly wiped her tears and replied, embarrassed, “Director Jiang, it’s nothing. I was just reminiscing about childhood with my sister.”

Jiang Weidong glanced at Lin Shu.

Although the streetlights weren’t very bright, he could still make out her beautiful features.

Quickly averting his gaze, he realized there was nothing serious happening and left.

He then strolled over to the former director’s house, only to find out that the old director had gone to the secretary’s house for tea and a chat.

So, Jiang Weidong headed there as well, where he found the factory’s office director with them.

The elderly colleagues were playing chess and invited Jiang Weidong to join.

The old director said, “Weidong, come over and help me win a couple of games.”

Jiang Weidong sat nearby to observe but didn’t offer any advice. He didn’t want to be blamed if they lost or won.

The two older gentlemen enjoyed chess but weren’t very skilled. One game could drag on until bedtime.

The secretary asked, “Weidong, have you reviewed the candidates for the deputy director position in the second workshop? What do you think?”

Jiang Weidong knew they were torn between Qian Lisheng and Tong Guoqiang. Both were capable, but Qian Lisheng was slightly better—he was younger, hardworking, and had a stronger ability to learn.

The secretary usually didn’t involve himself in production matters.

The old director favored Qian Lisheng, while the office director leaned towards Tong Guoqiang.

The office director remarked, “Tong Guoqiang’s name sounds grand and patriotic. But Qian Lisheng? His name sounds a bit bourgeois, almost corrupt.”

Jiang Weidong thought to himself, “No wonder you changed your name at your age.”

The others looked at Jiang Weidong, waiting for his opinion.

Jiang Weidong replied, “We’re a steel factory. Our priority is revolutionary production. The role should go to the one who excels in production. Those with other strengths can work in political or union roles—there are plenty of departments like that.”

The old director chuckled, “That’s true.”

The office director argued, “But Tong Guoqiang isn’t bad at production either—he’s a production team leader.”

He was still unconvinced.

The old director asked, “Weidong, what do you think?”

Jiang Weidong thought, “You’re trying to use me as the deciding factor. If I don’t fully commit, you’ll blame me later for not putting in enough effort.”

He then said, “Tong Guoqiang’s wife doesn’t have as good a reputation as Qian Lisheng’s wife. Comrade Lin Xia is a strong, capable woman—she’s already a Level 2 electrician and is aiming to become a Level 3. As Qian Lisheng’s wife, she’s never taken any advantage from her husband’s team members, unlike Tong Guoqiang’s wife…”

Tong Guoqiang’s wife, taking advantage of the fact that her husband had a few apprentices under him, frequently ordered them around and demanded they pay her respect.

Lin Xia, however, never behaved like this.

The old party secretary nodded and said, “A family is a unit. Many of our comrades have withstood the enemy’s bullets, but couldn’t resist the enemy’s sugar-coated bullets. The corrupting influence of these sugar-coated bullets on family members is swift and profound, so we must remain vigilant.”

At night, Lin Shu and Sister-in-law Lu Da squeezed onto the bed in Lin Xia’s bedroom, while Qian Lisheng slept on a small bed partitioned off in the living room.

Sister-in-law Lu Da fell asleep quickly, but Lin Shu and her second sister whispered quietly to each other for quite a while.