Li Long insisted on refusing the money, and Director Qian could guess why. Neither of them actually brought up the Taibazi; it was a tacit understanding.
Director Qian asked about Li Long's family. When he learned that Li Long's wife had given birth to twin boys, he said enviously:
"I originally wanted a boy and a girl, but I ended up with two daughters. They're both in school now, and they're very filial, but honestly, I still have some regrets about not having a son...
"Don't say I favor boys over girls. That's just the way our society is..."
Li Long understood, of course. If he had had twin daughters, he might not have minded, but people in the village would certainly have talked. His parents might have said something too, and Gu Xiaoxia might also have felt somewhat uncomfortable about it.
Overall, the idea of gender equality was more firmly established around Ma County in Northern Xinjiang than in many places farther inland, but some people inevitably still harbored a little of that bias.
Li Long could tell that Director Qian was speaking sincerely.
Family planning had not yet begun when he had his children, so he had been able to have two daughters. But a family like his clearly had its own principles. After having two children without getting a son, they had stopped.
Li Long could tell that Director Qian's envy was genuine. He smiled and said:
"Boys or girls, it's all the same. As long as they're filial and healthy, that's enough."
"Yes, yes, that's right." Director Qian had only let his true feelings slip for a moment. At Li Long's words, he immediately reined them in and asked more about the children.
When he learned that the children were well behaved, Director Qian smiled and