A charming widow in her 70s married a factory manager and raised his children.

Zhuang Qingxiang knew this matter would be difficult, but there was no need to push herself to the brink from the start; she would wait and see.

"The most important thing now is for me to cook a delicious meal to celebrate that my Chenglin is safe and sound," she said with a smile.

"Yes! Let's take it one step at a time. If it doesn't work out in the end, we can just give him the house anyway," Sun Yongxian agreed.

The two men smiled at each other, and Shi Peiran smiled along with them.

Jin Guilan came home from get off work during a busy period.

Seeing Zhuang Qingxiang and her two children, she happily picked up and rocked the two children, then began to help Zhuang Qingxiang.

Zhuang Qingxiang then recounted her experience working at the steel factory and asked Jin Guilan if she had any ideas.

Jin Guilan shook her head: "There's nothing we can do. That beast was so capable of arranging several jobs for people back then, but he couldn't get one into the steel mill. The steel mill has a lot of power there."

After thinking for a moment, he added, "Unless you can help their steel mill solve some major problems."

"What big problem?" Zhuang Qingxiang asked curiously.

"I don't know either, I was just saying." Jin Guilan smiled. "But these days, even a factory as big as theirs must be short of supplies. You're familiar with the food factory, why don't you ask them? Or ask Huang Yuejin, wouldn't it be possible to get a permanent job at the food factory?"

Zhuang Qingxiang was too embarrassed to bring it up. Director Dai might not be willing to give her a permanent position. What if she brought it up too early and got slapped in the face?

Jin Guilan told her not to worry, and to just let Lu Congyue handle it when he returned. She said that as a senior director, he could surely come up with a solution.

Everyone felt the same way; all the pressure was on Lu Congyue, who hadn't even gone home yet.

Meanwhile, Lu Congyue had already boarded the train with Xiao Chenglin.

Thanks to Lu Sheng, I got a soft sleeper berth and didn't suffer too much.

Lu Sheng really wanted to build a relationship with Xiao Chenglin, but Lu Congyue kept a close eye on him and wouldn't let Xiao Chenglin call him "Grandpa," only "Grandpa Lu."

Aside from the initial greeting, he wouldn't allow Xiao Chenglin to have any contact with him afterward.

Lu Sheng was in a gloomy mood and decided to wait for Lu Guoqiang to be released before sending him to the General Hospital of the Army or the First Hospital of Beijing for a follow-up examination to see if there was any way to cure his body and at least have a child.

After two days on the train, someone picked them up by car after they got off the train. It was another day's drive before they finally arrived at Lu Sheng's hometown.

The return of the high-ranking official kept the county government leaders busy, with the brigade leader and the brigade secretary even driving an oxcart out of the mountains to receive him.

Lu Congyue scoffed, "What a grand gesture..."

Lu Sheng remained silent.

He came back to kowtow and admit his mistakes. He didn't want to disturb so many people, otherwise he would be a laughing stock.

But the news probably got back as soon as he took leave from Beijing.

These local leaders simply want to cultivate good relations with the high-ranking officials from Beijing in hopes of receiving preferential treatment, which is understandable.

Unfortunately, he's retiring and can't help them much anymore.

Lu Congyue didn't get involved with these people. He picked up Xiao Chenglin and left, saying he would wait for Lu Sheng in Ningshan Village.

Lu Congyue has hardly returned to Ningshan Village since leaving, but as soon as he enters the village, some people still recognize him.

"This is...from Yue, right?" A few elderly women sitting under the big tree at the village entrance asked uncertainly.

Lu Congyue, holding Xiao Chenglin, greeted them with a smile: "Aunt Lin, Aunt Hua, Aunt Ning..."

After the shouting, several elderly women gathered around in surprise.

"Oh, it really is from Vietnam! I hardly recognize you, you've gotten quite old."

"Is this your son? When did you get married? Why didn't you tell the villagers? Look at this kid, he's so handsome, just like you when you were a kid."

As they spoke, more people gathered around. The older folks all recognized Lu Congyue and invited him to their homes for tea.

The Lu family had no relatives left in Ningshan Village, so Lu Congyue went to Aunt Hua's house with her.

Aunt Hua had a better relationship with his mother back then, so it was easier for them to talk.

Sitting under the tree in the yard, Aunt Hua specially took out white sugar and made them a bowl of sugar water.

In Ningshan Village, this is the highest level of hospitality.

Lu Congyue did not refuse. After thanking him, he slowly fed the drink to Xiao Chenglin.

Aunt Hua laughed as she watched, "Oh my, this boy drinks water so delicately! He's nothing like you were when you were little."

"He probably takes after his mother," Lu Congyue said with a smile.

"Speaking of which, didn't you bring your wife back this time?" Aunt Hua asked. "She's married and has children now, so she has to come back to kowtow to your mother. That way, she can rest in peace in the afterlife."

She quickly fell silent, afraid that someone would hear her and accuse her of practicing feudal superstition.

"She didn't come back this time, but I'll bring her back with me next time," Lu Congyue replied.

Aunt Hua asked curiously, "So, why did you bring the child back this time...?"

Lu Congyue glanced at the onlookers outside the door, his smile faded, and he said in a low voice, "I'll bring that man back and have him kowtow and apologize to my mother."

"What?!" Aunt Hua almost jumped up. "Your dad? Your dad's back? No wonder... no wonder the village chief and the village secretary drove the oxcart into town so early, were they going to pick up your dad? Your dad really became a high-ranking official? A top leader?"

When the village chief and the village party secretary left, they mysteriously said they were going to see a high-ranking official. Who would have thought it was Lu Congyue's father?

What was it called again?

Aunt Hua recalled for a moment before remembering that his name was Lu Sheng. More than 30 years had passed since he left, and she had almost forgotten about him.

Thinking that Lu Sheng is now a high-ranking official while her good friend has long since passed away, Aunt Hua sighed, "Your mother was unlucky. If she were still alive, she would be the wife of a high-ranking official."

"He's already married and had children outside." Lu Congyue didn't try to hide it for Lu Sheng. "He doesn't acknowledge me or my mother, and I don't plan to acknowledge him either, but he owes my mother too much and has to come and apologize."

Aunt Hua was dumbfounded.

I think Lu Congyue is right, and Lu Sheng really should apologize.

But then I thought about it again and realized that wasn't right.

That's a high-ranking official! With a high-ranking official as your father, why wouldn't you acknowledge him? Wouldn't it be a loss to refuse? If you acknowledge him, you'll live a life of luxury.

"You silly child," Aunt Hua frowned, "You can't say that. You have to acknowledge him. How can you ask for compensation if you don't?"

"Aunt Hua, I can earn my own living, get married, and support my family. I don't need him anymore," Lu Congyue said patiently.

Aunt Hua nodded: "You've always been capable and resourceful, and you never listen to your mother... Oh well, as long as you know what you're doing. By the way, when you go to your grave, do you want me to help you prepare anything?"

These days, although feudal superstitions are forbidden, everyone secretly complies with the rules when it comes to visiting graves. Each family secretly prepares paper money and other offerings for the graves. As long as the village chief and village party secretary don't interfere, the rest of the people are far away and no one can come and control them.

"Yes, Aunt Hua, thank you for preparing something for me."

As Lu Congyue spoke, he put his son on the ground, took out ten yuan from his bag, and said, "Take this money; the items are considered as if I bought them."