Cheng Fugui felt a sense of powerlessness and panic as others’ families rose while his own had no capable successors.

He waved away the documents, fixing his gaze on Cheng Rushan instead.

The young man before him now exuded a calmness that surpassed his previous sharpness.

Where once he seemed like a naked sword, now he was a sheathed blade, unseen but ready to strike fatally at any moment.

Cheng Fugui had never encountered such an example.

To single-handedly remove the black mark from his family required courage and determination few possessed.

Surely, no successor from their family could achieve such a feat.

As Cheng Fugui stared at him, Cheng Rushan met his gaze without flinching, his demeanor sharp yet steady, revealing no weakness.

Ultimately, Cheng Fugui felt a tremor in his heart.

He realized he couldn’t hold Cheng Rushan’s gaze for long; such sharp and steady eyes would easily overpower anyone.

Sighing softly, he took the documents back from Cheng Fuwan.

Everything was in order, leaving him no room to nitpick.

Cheng Rushan had already smoothed out the most difficult bureaucratic hurdles.

If he didn’t proceed, it would imply that all the higher approvals were wrong.

Feeling anxious, Cheng Fugui reluctantly took out his stamp and applied it.

Seeing this, Cheng Rushan calmly remarked, “The collective and brigade’s confiscated property should be inventoried and returned promptly.”

While land couldn’t be reclaimed, household items like furniture and antiques should be returned according to the policy.

Cheng Fugui replied with a smile, “Even if we inventory, we need to do it carefully. Over time, some documents may be lost, and some items may have deteriorated due to pests.”

Cheng Rushan assured him, “It’s alright. We can start with the visible items first—things that won’t be damaged by pests, like houses, furniture, and antiques.”

“The collective is busy with the autumn harvest now. You’ll have to wait. Once they have time, we can establish a restitution discussion group specifically for your family’s case,” Cheng Fugui said, sounding unsure but trying to hold his ground. “It won’t take more than two years to sort this out for you.”

Cheng Rushan took back the documents. “It’s fine. I’ll submit an application to the County Revolutionary Committee, asking them to send officials to assist.

This is a significant case.

A revolutionary landlord wrongly labeled as a counter-revolutionary should be handled by county officials.”

Pausing, he glanced at Cheng Fugui and lightly scoffed, “But I’m not sure you’re qualified to handle this.”

Gritting his teeth, Cheng Fugui’s jaw muscles trembled slightly. “Son, sometimes we must look forward in life. The bigger picture matters. Dwelling on the past is meaningless.”

Cheng Rushan smiled. “That advice suits you well, Secretary Cheng!”

Stepping back, he returned the documents to his bag.

“Goodbye.” With that, he left Cheng Fugui’s office.

Once Cheng Rushan left, Cheng Fuwan jumped up, swearing, “Big brother, did you see that? This guy is too arrogant, even more so than Cheng Ruzhou back in the day!”

Cheng Fugui muttered bitterly, “He has the right to be. If it were someone from our family, could any of you achieve what he has?”

Cheng Fuwan fell silent.

Leaning back in his chair, Cheng Fugui sighed, “I fear the situation is about to change.”

Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river—it’s not an inaccurate saying.

After leaving Cheng Fugui’s office, Cheng Rushan went to the communications group at the post office, spending money to call the county office where he had stamped the documents.

He explained the situation and requested them to supervise the collective and brigade in promptly inventorying and returning the confiscated property.

Carrying his backpack, he headed outside. Before approaching, he heard delightful laughter by the river.

Quickly walking to the riverbank, he saw Jiang Lin and her sons playing in the water.

The three of them wore hats woven from reeds and grass.

Jiang Lin’s hat, adorned with wildflowers in red, yellow, pink, and purple, looked somewhat comical.

The boys, bare except for their hats, also had flowers tucked in, though in a more charming manner.

Xiaobao’s hat had three sword-like spikes of bulrush, resembling a young knight, albeit without clothes.

Jiang Lin stood in the water, her pants rolled up to her knees, her slender legs strikingly white.

Cheng Rushan stood on the bank with his hands in his pockets, quietly watching them.

The reeds pointed like swords toward the sky, the azure sky embracing scattered white clouds reflecting in the clear water.

The innocence of the children and Jiang Lin’s graceful figure moved him, as if he didn’t want to waste this moment in his lifetime of trials.

He wanted to keep her!

Jiang Lin said, “Cinderella finally returned to the castle with the prince and lived happily ever after.”

Cheng Xiaobao asked, “Did they have any little babies? Did they name them Da Bao and Xiao Bao too?”

Children always ask about the ending of stories, wanting to know if there are babies just like them.

Jiang Lin nodded, “Yes, they did.”

“And did they have a little sister too?”

“Yes.”

Cheng Dabao pondered, “So, Cinderella was fake? The evil witch turned the stepmother’s daughter into Cinderella to follow the prince?”

Jiang Lin sighed inwardly. “You’re so young; don’t think about conspiracy theories. It’s better to stay cute and innocent.”

Just then, Cheng Xiaobao spotted Cheng Rushan and joyfully shouted, “Dongsheng, come play in the water! I’ll tell you the story of Dongsheng and Linlin.”

For Cheng Xiaobao, no matter how many stories Yan Runzhi and Jiang Lin told him, he always replaced the main characters with Dongsheng and Linlin, imagining them with two children named Da Bao and Xiao Bao.

Even Cinderella and the prince were not spared.

Cheng Rushan walked down the riverbank, kicked off his shoes, rolled up his pants, and waded into the river.

The afternoon river water, warmed by the late summer heat, was pleasantly tepid.

He bent down, his hand dipped into the water, gently skimming along Jiang Lin’s graceful reflection.

His fingers lightly traced over her smooth, white legs, a sensation so delicate it lingered in his mind.

“Ah!” Jiang Lin almost jumped. “Something bit me!”

Cheng Rushan quickly pulled her close, laughing softly. “Don’t be afraid.”

Locking eyes with his warm smile, Jiang Lin understood immediately, her cheeks flushing. “Let go of me quickly; it’s not appropriate.”

Cheng Rushan teased her, “There are water bugs in this river, really biting.”

Jiang Lin’s expression changed again, and she waved to Da Bao and Xiao Bao, “Come ashore; there are water bugs here.”

But Da Bao and Xiao Bao refused.

Da Bao said confidently, “The bugs are under the rocks; there aren’t any here. We want to keep playing.”

They started splashing water at Jiang Lin and Cheng Rushan.

Cheng Rushan shielded Jiang Lin behind him and turned to face the water. “We need to counterattack.”

He protected Jiang Lin, saying, “Stay behind me.”

Jiang Lin said, “There are water bugs; let’s go back.”

Cheng Rushan playfully splashed water towards Da Bao and Xiao Bao, teasing Jiang Lin, “I can carry you on my back.”

But Jiang Lin refused, staying behind Cheng Rushan to splash water at Da Bao and Xiao Bao. “Haha, we beat you!”

Seeing their parents play, Da Bao and Xiao Bao became energized and enjoyed themselves even more.

They each asked their dad to fold a bulrush into a big sword for their battle.

Cheng Xiaobao declared, “I’m the big tiger; I’m going to catch the princess!”

Cheng Dabao crouched in the water, hiding under his hat made of grass, thinking he was invisible.

The water was too shallow, but Jiang Lin pretended not to see him, occasionally screaming or acting scared, much to the amusement of the boys.

When Da Bao and Xiao Bao closed in on her, Jiang Lin couldn’t decide where to run and stumbled in the water. “Oops!”

she exclaimed, almost falling over.

Cheng Rushan swiftly reached out, his arm scooping her up before she could fall.

Laughing heartily, he said, “I’ve caught the princess and will take her back as my queen.”

He called to Dabao and Xiaobao, “Go put on some clothes and buy some meat.”

Initially reluctant to leave, Da Bao and Xiao Bao eagerly ran ashore at the mention of buying meat.

They stood in the sunny spot, hopping around to dry off, wiping away the water droplets.

After thirty jumps or so, they were mostly dry and then put on their vests, shorts, and shoes.

Cheng Rushan carried Jiang Lin ashore, her face as red as the sunset. “Please put me down,” she requested, feeling embarrassed.

Cheng Rushan settled her on a large rock, letting her sit on his knee while he stretched out one leg. “Let me wipe your feet.”

Jiang Lin was momentarily stunned.

Only her father had pampered her like this when she was young.

She felt a pang of emotion, thinking how she had been a cherished little princess.

Cheng Rushan’s tenderness touched her, and she quickly said, “Don’t tease me; my feet are already dry.”

Cheng Rushan chuckled. “Carrying you is no trouble at all, but I worry about your delicate skin.”

Jiang Lin quickly tapped his leg and hurriedly put on her shoes, fearing he might say something like, “Are you deliberately trying to sit longer on my leg?”

Stepping down, she asked, “Do you have meat tickets?”

Cheng Rushan reached out towards her, saying, “My leg’s gone numb because you sat on it.”

Thinking he was serious, Jiang Lin grabbed his hand.

Cheng Rushan stood up, pulled her close, kissed her forehead, and then casually let go.

Jiang Lin exclaimed, “You!”

Da Bao and Xiao Bao ran over, their cute faces beaming.

Da Bao said to Jiang Lin, “Mom, give me a kiss.”

Dabao leaned down and kissed each of their foreheads.

Xiao Bao held onto Jiang Lin’s arm and rubbed his cheek against her hand, saying softly, “I love Mom the most.”

Jiang Lin ruffled his hair. “Mom loves Da Bao and Xiao Bao the most too.”

Da Bao glanced at her and slowly broke into a happy smile.

Xiao Bao looked at Cheng Rushan and asked, “What about Dad? Does Mom love Dad?”

Jiang Lin quickly avoided Cheng Rushan’s intense gaze. “Let’s go quickly.”

Cheng Rushan lifted both boys with one arm.

Jiang Lin said, “They’re not little kids anymore.”

She guessed that for Cheng Rushan, the boys were still like babies, always wanting to be carried around.

He probably wished they were newborns so he could experience being a father all over again.

Cheng Rushan tilted his head and smiled at her. “I’d rather hold you.”

In Cheng Rushan’s arms, Xiao Bao wrapped his arms around Jiang Lin’s neck and kissed her cheek, saying, “Mom, you smell nice.”

He truly enjoyed being with his parents.

Jiang Lin replied, “Wait until Grandma cooks the meat tonight, then you can decide who smells nice.”

Cheng Rushan said earnestly, “I think it’s still you who smells nice. I’m hungry.”