Zeng Hongjie had planned to write a few articles in the afternoon, but she was immediately tempted by Jiang Lin’s offer and eagerly replied, “Let’s go, let’s go! I’ve got some winter bamboo shoots I was going to use to make three-flavor dumplings. I’m craving it so much!”

The two of them went downstairs arm in arm and ran into Yang Lu on the way, who looked on with envy.

She wished she could be as close with Jiang Lin, but Jiang Lin seemed to be avoiding her for some reason.

Before they could even leave the gate, Cheng Rushan arrived in his jeep to pick them up.

He stopped the car, and Jiang Lin opened the door, sliding into the back seat with Zeng Hongjie.

She leaned over the front seat and quickly kissed his cheek, saying, “Thank you, Captain Cheng.”

Cheng Rushan had recently been promoted to the head of the transportation division, responsible for scheduling and arranging, no longer needing to drive himself.

Captain Cheng could finally spend every day at home with his wife.

He smiled down at her and pressed the accelerator, saying, “Let’s go home.”

So much had happened this year, and Jiang Lin had heard all about it from Cheng Rushan.

Upon arriving at the doorstep, they were greeted by the delightful aroma of freshly cooked dumplings and the lively chatter of Daba, Xiaobao, Wensheng, and He Liang.

“My mother loves shrimp dumplings, don’t grab them!” Wensheng’s voice.

Jiang Lin was tempted and smiled at Zeng Hongjie, “Let’s see who gets there first!”

She sprinted towards the house, with Zeng Hongjie racing to catch up.

Cheng Rushan was carrying a bag of winter bamboo shoots, “… Wife, be careful!”

Just as Fang Chengguang came out from the courtyard, Jiang Lin swiftly dodged and ran inside, but Zeng Hongjie, unable to avoid, bumped into him.

Fang Chengguang was barely affected by the bump, but Zeng Hongjie was pushed backward.

He quickly grabbed her arm to prevent her from hitting the decorative wall. “Be careful.”

Zeng Hongjie smiled at him and said, “Thank you.”

She then lifted his arm and squeezed past him under his armpit, eager to get to the dumplings.

Fang Chengguang glanced at the wide corridor on the other side, thought for a moment, and then noticed Cheng Rushan coming in with a bag of winter bamboo shoots. “Let’s go to the Command Headquarters first.”

Cheng Rushan asked, “For what?”

“The Military District is establishing a new department—the Military Discipline Inspection Commission. There will be action teams below it, and team leaders need to be appointed.”

Cheng Rushan replied, “I’m from the Transportation Division. I shouldn’t be double-appointed.”

Fang Chengguang said, “Let’s see what happens.”

Cheng Rushan nodded, first took the winter bamboo shoots home, informed Jiang Lin, and then went with Fang Chengguang to the front office area.

On their way, they ran into Bian Haitao.

Bian Haitao felt that as the Deputy Director of the Political Department in the Logistics Department, he should be able to take on a role as an inspector in the Discipline Inspection Commission, which would be a promising career move.

He had already received advance information from Meng Yiyi and had made connections with key figures.

He was determined to get the position.

Seeing Cheng Rushan and Fang Chengguang, he took the initiative to greet them.

They glanced at him, responded perfunctorily, and walked away without engaging in conversation, leaving Bian Haitao feeling very embarrassed.

Cheng Rushan ignored him.

Fang Chengguang disliked Bian Haitao’s scrutinizing and calculating gaze.

In the past, Bian Haitao had looked at him with a mix of warmth and a desire to ingratiate himself.

Now, with Fang Jianhua no longer in power, Bian Haitao’s look was filled with gloating, despite his attempts to hide it; it was still evident in his eyes and expressions.

Many people were discussing the contents of the Third Plenary Session of the 11th Central Committee.

The atmosphere was filled with broadcasts, newspapers, and the military had also sent people for study sessions.

With the restoration of public prosecution and judicial work, and the central government’s establishment of the Discipline Inspection Commission from top to bottom, the focus of work was shifting to economic construction.

These were all exhilarating news.

Cheng Rushan and Fang Chengguang registered and then waited for the screening, not seeking any connections, letting things take their course.

Cheng Rushan glanced at the time and called out to Fang Chengguang, “Let’s go home for dinner.”

Fang Chengguang was barely affected by the bump, but Zeng Hongjie was pushed backward.

He quickly grabbed her arm to prevent her from hitting the decorative wall. “Be careful.”

Zeng Hongjie smiled at him and said, “Thank you.”

She then lifted his arm and squeezed past him under his armpit, eager to get to the dumplings.

Fang Chengguang glanced at the wide corridor on the other side, thought for a moment, and then noticed Cheng Rushan coming in with a bag of winter bamboo shoots. “Let’s go to the Command Headquarters first.”

Cheng Rushan asked, “For what?”

“The Military District is establishing a new department—the Military Discipline Inspection Commission. There will be action teams below it, and team leaders need to be appointed.”

Cheng Rushan replied, “I’m from the Transportation Division. I shouldn’t be double-appointed.”

Fang Chengguang said, “Let’s see what happens.”

Cheng Rushan nodded, first took the winter bamboo shoots home, informed Jiang Lin, and then went with Fang Chengguang to the front office area.

On their way, they ran into Bian Haitao.

Bian Haitao felt that as the Deputy Director of the Political Department in the Logistics Department, he should be able to take on a role as an inspector in the Discipline Inspection Commission, which would be a promising career move.

He had already received advance information from Meng Yiyi and had made connections with key figures.

He was determined to get the position.

Seeing Cheng Rushan and Fang Chengguang, he took the initiative to greet them.

They glanced at him, responded perfunctorily, and walked away without engaging in conversation, leaving Bian Haitao feeling very embarrassed.

Cheng Rushan ignored him.

Fang Chengguang disliked Bian Haitao’s scrutinizing and calculating gaze.

In the past, Bian Haitao had looked at him with a mix of warmth and a desire to ingratiate himself.

Now, with Fang Jianhua no longer in power, Bian Haitao’s look was filled with gloating, despite his attempts to hide it; it was still evident in his eyes and expressions.

Many people were discussing the contents of the Third Plenary Session of the 11th Central Committee.

The atmosphere was filled with broadcasts, newspapers, and the military had also sent people for study sessions.

With the restoration of public prosecution and judicial work, and the central government’s establishment of the Discipline Inspection Commission from top to bottom, the focus of work was shifting to economic construction.

These were all exhilarating news.

Cheng Rushan and Fang Chengguang registered and then waited for the screening, not seeking any connections, letting things take their course.

Cheng Rushan glanced at the time and called out to Fang Chengguang, “Let’s go home for dinner.”

The pork was bought with tickets, the lamb was brought by Fang Chengguang, the shrimp was purchased by Cheng Rushan, and the dumplings were made by everyone together.

With everyone contributing, the dumplings tasted especially delicious.

Dabao ate a few dumplings just like he was assigning tasks, making sure to eat four of the lamb dumplings and four of each of the others.

Xiaobao ate two of each kind, and then had some sugar dumplings, which he and He Liang secretly made to satisfy his cravings.

Jiang Lin glanced at him, “Xiaobao, why do your dumplings look different?”

Xiaobao grinned, winking at her, and whispered, “Linlin, there are guests here. Give me a little face.”

Jiang Lin said, “Auntie Xiaojie isn’t a guest, so there’s no need to be embarrassed. I see you’ve had ten sugar dumplings already.”

Xiaobao said, “I brush my teeth. I brush my teeth carefully every morning, noon, and night, and use toothpaste very quickly.”

He showed her his teeth with a big smile.

He was still losing his baby teeth, and the new ones coming in were of different sizes, making him look quite funny.

Zeng Hongjie said, “Are you going to the dance party later? It’d be quite embarrassing to have a mouthful of cavities. Haha, when my younger brother was little, he used to sneak sugar at night and ended up with both front teeth rotten. It looked really bad.”

Xiaobao’s expression changed, “I don’t sneak sugar at night.” He looked nervously at Dabao and Wensheng, hoping they’d give him a help.

Dabao, with a smirk, said, “You don’t sneak sugar when you’re asleep, but you might do it in your dreams. You won’t get cavities from that.”

They now all slept in the same room with Fang Chengguang.

Xiaobao sometimes played tricks, and if others saw, they would stop him; if they didn’t see, he would get away with it.

They were always playing clever games.

Jiang Lin held up the dumplings that Wensheng had picked for her.

The shrimp dumplings were juicy, and when she bit into one, the delicious juice flowed into her mouth, so fresh that her eyes nearly closed with pleasure.

No need for vinegar, soy sauce, or garlic!

The lamb dumplings, dipped in vinegar and garlic, tasted even better, with the vinegar and garlic adding a complementary effect, cutting through the richness and enhancing the flavor.

They made a lot of dumplings, and everyone ate their fill.

Yan Runzhi laughed and said, “Liangzi might be good at this. If he’s looking for a wife, he might have an advantage.”

He Liang looked at Jiang Lin and asked, “Sister-in-law, could you introduce someone?”

Jiang Lin replied, “This weekend, we’re having a matchmaking event. Dress to impress.”

He Liang puffed out his chest, “How do I look?”

Dabao chimed in, “You look so handsome you’re dropping crumbs!”

With flour all over him, it’s no wonder!

Everyone laughed and raised their glasses to celebrate the Winter Solstice.

Cheng Rushan was an excellent drinker, and Bei Dongshan and the others were all defeated.

They chose not to force him to drink anymore, to avoid getting themselves drunk.

After dinner, Bei Dongshan was in charge of washing the dishes.

Dabao and Xiaobao got out their instruments to accompany Wensheng, while Yan Runzhi brought out the costume she had made for him.