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After sending off Zhao Qiancheng, who had been fishing for information the whole time, Shen Jianan prepared to head back to Cheng Hu's house with Gu Yu to make clothes.

Over the past few days, everyone's production skills had gradually matured. With the twenty selected technical backbones keeping watch, the two of them no longer needed to stay at the brigade all the time.

Speaking of this, Cheng Hu's family had to be mentioned. They had shot to fame through the selection and had now become the objects of admiration for every brigade member.

Those who had once bullied the family of three felt as sick as if they had swallowed flies. Back then, they had trampled Cheng Hu, his wife, and child beneath their feet, freely mocking and abusing them.

But now, the family of three had excellent skills, nimble hands, and a knack for innovation. Not only did they earn full work points every day—

Cheng Hu and Xiang Haiyan had also been personally appointed by Shen Jianan as the initial quality inspectors for hair accessories and backpacks. Their standing in the brigade had become increasingly important.

Meanwhile, those people had to make their living under the couple's supervision. Just thinking about it made them feel awful. But no matter how awful it was, they had to endure it. Who told them to be so ruthless in the past, leaving no room for reconciliation?

Still, although Cheng Hu and his wife remembered the humiliation those people had inflicted on them, they did not bring personal grudges into their work.

They treated everyone equally. The products people made were either good or bad; they favored no one and targeted no one.

If anyone deliberately caused trouble, whichever of the couple was present would point out, in front of everyone, exactly where that person's work failed to meet the standards.

Whether it was the stitching and cutting of hair accessories, color matching and material selection, or the weave density, size, and style of backpacks, the two could explain everything clearly and leave no room for argument. You would even find yourself agreeing that they were right.

So aside from the first two days, when a few troublemakers deliberately picked fights, no one dared mutter another complaint from the third day onward.

On top of that, several cadres and Shen Jianan had made it clear that anyone who dared stir up trouble again would have their entire family sent back to farm work and barred from participating in the making of backpacks and hair accessories.

With things said that plainly, who would be stupid enough to go looking for punishment and pick a fight with money?

Shen Jianan snapped back to his senses and smiled at the cadres. "I'll have to trouble you to keep an eye on the progress here."

"What trouble!?"

Zhao Gang curled his lips and waved a hand. "Go take care of your business. You've already been delayed for several days."

He knew Shen Jianan had accepted quite a few clothing orders. He had not even begun working on them these past few days because he had been helping the brigade. They could not keep delaying his earnings.

Shen Jianan nodded at that. Just as he was about to say goodbye, a burst of bell ringing came from outside, followed by the postman's distinctive shout.

"Hey! Come get your letters!"

Shen Jianan immediately grew excited. He grabbed Gu Yu and hurriedly rushed out of the courtyard. Zhao Gang and the others laughed and followed them outside.

"Brother Xiao Chen? Is there a letter for me?"

The postman, Xiao Chen, looked up and saw Shen Jianan. He immediately broke into a grin. "There is! Oh, wow! You're really something, Shen. Your article made it into the newspaper."

"What!?"

The cadres who had followed them out all froze in shock. They stared at the postman in disbelief. "Xiao Chen, explain yourself. What made it into the newspaper?"

"Shen's article!"

The postman answered, then suddenly exclaimed, "Wait a second!" He hurriedly pulled a newspaper from the mailbag on the back of his bicycle and casually handed it to Zhao Gang and the others, pointing at an article titled Hot-Blooded Struggle in the Seventies.

"Look! It's even on the front page! I heard the higher-ups all felt Shen's article fully showed the spirit and outlook educated youths should have when going to the countryside. It was especially positive and uplifting, so they pulled the article originally scheduled for publication and replaced it with Shen's on the front page."

He glanced at the brigade members who had come out upon hearing the commotion, then at Shen Jianan standing nearby with joy in his eyes. He looked just as proud as if it were his own achievement.

"Today, the town leaders were all praising Shen for his literary talent, saying he was a model for educated youths sent to the countryside. That's why they specially gave your brigade an extra newspaper!"

Normally, these newspapers were only distributed as far as the commune. None went farther down.

At once, Zhao Gang reached out and took it. Sure enough, he saw the front-page article, signed, "Shen Jianan of Chaoyang Production Brigade, Red Flag Commune." He beamed and nodded repeatedly.

"Good, excellent! Let's hold a meeting tonight and read it to everyone, so they can all learn properly from Shen."

"Absolutely."

Xiao Chen chuckled along, then took two envelopes and a parcel from the large mailbag on his bicycle and handed them to Shen Jianan. "Here, your parcel and letters. They're all from Hai City, and they're pretty heavy."

"Thanks, Brother Xiao Chen."

Shen Jianan thanked him happily. Gu Yu consciously reached out to take them, holding everything securely in his arms. "I'll carry them for him. Thank you."

"You're welcome."

Xiao Chen smiled and waved a hand. "Hurry and sign for them. I still need to deliver letters to other villages."

"Sure, sure."

After signing, Shen Jianan casually pulled several milk candies from his pocket and pressed them into the other man's hand. "You've worked hard, Brother Xiao Chen."

"Hey, this..."

Xiao Chen held the candies awkwardly, but Shen Jianan smiled and pushed his hand back toward him. "Take them! Let Xiaodong have something sweet."

When Xiao Chen heard him mention his son, he stopped refusing. He immediately tucked the candies into his pocket, sincerely thanked him, and rode away from Chaoyang Production Brigade.

As soon as he left, many educated youths and villagers who had come out gathered around them. "Congratulations, Shen! You made it into the newspaper."

"Thank you!"

The young man accepted their congratulations openly. "If I make it into the newspaper again, I'll treat everyone to candy."

"Great!"

When everyone heard there would be candy, they were overjoyed. But Zheng Lei and Huang Qimei, standing at the edge of the crowd, were so jealous they were practically going mad.

Huang Qimei was better off, at least knowing enough to hate him silently. Zheng Lei could never hide what he felt and immediately started muttering on the spot.

"Hmph! Does he really think he's some great writer? You think he can get published again and again? It's not like that newspaper belongs to your family."

His ill-timed words instantly broke the lively mood. Everyone turned toward the sound and saw Zheng Lei's jealous face. They were speechless. This man was always such a killjoy.

Shen Jianan hated that smug face of his even more and shot back directly. "Whether I'm a great writer or not, at least I've been in the newspaper once. Have you? If you haven't, stop yapping, or people will think you're a drake that can only quack and can't lay eggs."

Zheng Lei did not understand, but he knew Shen Jianan was insulting him. He angrily raised his voice. "What do you mean?"

"Heh. Figure it out yourself."

Shen Jianan gave a disdainful snort and looked him up and down mockingly. "With your ability, you've got the nerve to criticize me? Go study for a few more years. When you can get published too, then come argue with me!"

"You!"

Zheng Lei's face turned bright red with embarrassment, and the veins at his temples bulged. He was about to say, "Don't get cocky. I'll surpass you sooner or later," when Zhao Qiancheng, who had left not long ago, appeared on the road again with his hands behind his back, accompanied by his son Zhao Jianguo.

"What are you all doing? Why are you gathered at the entrance instead of working?"

The Zhao Household lived nearby, so whenever there was the slightest commotion at the brigade, they noticed it quickly. The father and son had hurried over as soon as they heard the noise.

But Zhao Qiancheng's question immediately darkened everyone's faces and made them unhappy.

Hadn't we been working? Didn't you come by earlier and see for yourself? Besides, even people farming for landlords got breaks.

You only saw everyone standing around for a moment and started nagging. Anyone who didn't know better would think we were all working for your family.

The cadres were equally displeased. Although the work belonged to the brigade, everyone had volunteered to do it. Put another way, whether they wanted to earn this money was none of Zhao Qiancheng's business.

You came over and immediately put on airs as the brigade secretary. Who would want to pay attention to you? Besides, your whole family had not even come to work yet. What right did you have to meddle in other people's affairs?

Seeing him approach with his hands behind his back, Zhao Gang expressionlessly raised the newspaper in his hand. "No one has been slacking off. Postman Xiao Chen brought our brigade a newspaper from the town leaders. He said Shen's article made the front-page headline, so everyone came out to take a look."

"What?"

The smile on Zhao Qiancheng's face nearly cracked. "It... it made the newspaper?"

Zhao Jianguo's expression changed even faster. His eyes blazed as he glared at Shen Jianan. "An article he wrote made it into the newspaper!?"

"That's right!"

Looking at him, Zhao Hongjun felt sickened. What kind of people were the Zhao Household? They could never stand seeing anyone else doing well.

"The newspaper office and town leaders both said Shen had literary talent. His article was positive and uplifting, fully showing the spirit educated youths should have when going to the countryside. That's why they specially sent our brigade an extra newspaper."

"Really? That... that impressive?"

Zhao Qiancheng stiffly tugged at the corners of his mouth. Inside, he seethed. This person has already made a name for himself with the higher-ups. Is there still any hope of me taking over the brigade cooperation matter? What an eyesore.

"Of course."

Zhao Quan loved seeing him embarrassed. He reached out, snatched the newspaper from Zhao Gang, and shoved it in front of Zhao Qiancheng. "Secretary, look. The front-page article, Hot-Blooded Struggle in the Seventies, was written by Shen. We're planning to study it together with everyone after work tonight. What do you think?"

Zhao Qiancheng stepped back and pushed away the newspaper thrust in front of his face, rolling his eyes in annoyance. "I can see it."

"Oh!"

Zhao Quan pretended to be embarrassed and stepped back slightly. "I was just worried your presbyopia might keep you from seeing clearly."

"Pfft!"

Everyone stifled their laughter. Afraid Zhao Qiancheng would hold a grudge, they quickly looked up at the sky, down at the ground, or began talking about unrelated matters.

"How much of that backpack do you have left to weave?"

"About half. If I work harder, I can finish it this afternoon."

"Hey! I can never sew the beads on my hair flower properly. Can you take a look for me?"

"Sure, let's go!"

As they spoke, everyone invited their companions and headed back into the brigade courtyard, completely ignoring Zhao Qiancheng. Shen Jianan and Gu Yu were better about it; at least, they could not openly oppose him yet. They gave him, Zhao Gang, and the others a lukewarm farewell before leaving with the parcel.

Zhao Qiancheng was so angry he panted heavily. He truly could not understand it. He had only accompanied his father elsewhere for medical treatment for a while. How had everyone stopped respecting him after he returned?

Unfortunately, before he could figure it out, another commotion came from ahead, instantly drawing everyone's attention. One after another, they stopped and looked back, only to see a Liberation truck driving steadily in from the village entrance.

Everyone was stunned, then cried out, "Oh my god! It's a Liberation truck! Why would it come to our village?"

"Who knows? Could some leader have arrived?"

Someone's remark was instantly caught by Zhao Qiancheng. His spirits lifted at once. He hurriedly tugged at the hem of his clothes, stepped forward, and waved at the people in the truck.

Zhao Gang and the other cadres exchanged speechless glances. This man truly had no shame. Still, they followed him forward. If it really was a leader, they could not just ignore them.

Bai Yun and her husband, who were sitting in the vehicle, saw Zhao Qiancheng waving and told the driver to stop. They got out and spoke to them. "Hello, everyone. Could you tell us how to get to the Educated Youth Station? I'm here to bring something to my younger brother, Shen Jianan."

When everyone heard Bai Yun's words, their eyes reddened with envy. Just who was Shen? He actually had an older sister who could drive a Liberation truck over to deliver things to him!?

Zhao Qiancheng, however, thought more deeply. The two were well dressed, spoke elegantly, and could even arrange for a vehicle to deliver things. Their identities were certainly not ordinary.

If he could curry favor with them, perhaps it would greatly help his promotion. He smiled ingratiatingly and said, "He doesn't live at the Educated Youth Station. I'll take you there."

Seeing his fawning expression, Bai Yun could not help frowning. "We won't trouble you. Just tell us where he lives, and my husband and I can go ourselves."

Zhao Qiancheng choked at once. He was furious inside, feeling that this woman did not know what was good for her. He looked toward her husband, only to find that the man did not even glance at him. He merely said, "Please tell us the location, fellow villager."

He even thanked him afterward. With no other choice, Zhao Qiancheng reluctantly pointed behind him, his face falling. "Keep going straight. When you see the small courtyard halfway up the mountain, that's where he lives."

"Thank you."

Bai Yun thanked him again, then pulled her husband back into the truck and drove away, leaving everyone standing where they were and staring after them with unreadable expressions.

Seeing everyone standing there like statues, Zhao Qiancheng knew they had no mind to work now. He pretended to be annoyed as he waved his hand and called out, "If you want to look, then go look. Just don't disturb Shen while he's discussing business with them."

The moment he said that, Zhao Gang and the other cadres nearly rolled their eyes into the sky. He truly had no shame. He obviously wanted to watch himself, yet he used everyone else as an excuse. Still, who told everyone to fall for it?

After hearing him give permission, everyone immediately became energized. Shouting excitedly, they swarmed toward Half-Mountain Courtyard.

Meanwhile, Shen Jianan and Gu Yu, who had just arrived home, were drawn out by the sound of the vehicle. When they saw Bai Yun and her husband, they were immensely surprised and hurried down the mountain to greet them.

"Sister Bai Yun, why are you here?"

"To bring you something!"

Bai Yun looked at the young man who had run up before her with Gu Yu, nodded to greet them, then pointed to her husband beside her. "This is my husband, Su Chen."

The two hurriedly greeted him. "Hello, brother-in-law/Mr. Su."

Their different forms of address immediately made Su Chen laugh. Even Bai Yun and the driver could not hold back their smiles.

"Call me brother-in-law."

Su Chen spoke first. He had always disliked people who eagerly tried to claim connections with him, but these two children were pleasing to the eye and carried themselves with an upright, open manner. They were unlike those shifty-eyed people, and he found himself rather fond of them.

"Since you recognize Xiao Yun as your older sister, then I'm your brother-in-law. Stop calling me Mr. Su. It sounds too distant."

Hearing that, Shen Jianan promptly called him again. Gu Yu's face grew a little warm, but he obediently followed suit. "Brother-in-law, Sister Bai Yun."

"Ah, that's more like it!"

Bai Yun and Su Chen exchanged smiles, then pointed to the truck behind them. "Give us a hand. Let's unload the things first."

"Okay."

Shen Jianan guessed Bai Yun had brought him fabric, so he did not think much of it. He simply went around to the back of the truck with Gu Yu and Su Chen to wait.

But when the driver climbed into the truck bed first and lifted the tarp covering the cargo, Shen Jianan's eyes went wide in shock at the sight of what was inside. "My god!"