To please others? It's better to please yourself.

Seeing the fervor of the people around her, Xu Jing'an didn't dare to waste a second and joined in the shouting without hesitation.

Now, anything or anyone that is different is an object of struggle. In the name of intellectual progress, you can't be sure if your lover, with whom you share a bed at night, will expose you tomorrow;

Parents who casually grumble at home may find themselves facing their children's "righteous indignation" the next day, with the children personally leading the investigation and confiscation of their property.

There are countless instances of colleagues, neighbors, and friends with whom one has maintained a friendly relationship for many years writing letters of denunciation behind each other's backs due to past conflicts or jealousy.

Newspapers occasionally publish announcements of severing ties.

Xu Jing'an could feel countless eyes around her, constantly watching and observing the unusual movements of the people around her.

Faced with the current chaotic situation, most people are filled with unease.

But for some people who are willing to do anything to climb the ladder, it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Taking one step at a time is never as fast as climbing to the sky in one step.

***************************************

"Xiao Wu, Xiao Xu, this is the list of people retiring this year. Take their information out separately and put it away. This is the list of those who were named model workers this year. Please register them and complete their materials," Director Huang instructed.

"Okay, Director." Xu Jing'an took the list and immediately got to work with Wu Sufeng. They worked all morning, registering, backing up, supplementing materials, and taking out the retirees' information and putting it away separately.

Working in the archives requires meticulousness and attention to detail; there can be no carelessness whatsoever.

The factory was bustling with activity as they presented retirees with big red flowers. A dozen or so workers lined up, smiling, shaking hands with the factory leaders one by one and receiving their "Glorious Retirement" certificates. They added that if the factory did well in the future, they would receive gifts from the factory during holidays.

Xu Jing'an looked on with envy, realizing that she was still a long way from retirement!

Now that the weather is hot, Xu Jing'an can no longer pump milk for her baby, as it's easy for the milk to spoil. She can only go home to breastfeed at noon every day, but the Shen family lives far away, and there isn't enough time to travel back and forth at noon. So, during the day, Shen's mother moves with the baby to Xu Jing'an's house, making it more convenient to breastfeed the baby at noon.

During this time, she would also give the child some supplementary food. The little guy, whose full name was Shen Yan and whose nickname was "Zhuangzhuang," really grew up strong and healthy under Shen's mother's care. When it was time to leave work in the afternoon, Xu Jing'an would ride her bicycle and take Shen's mother and son back to the Shen family home.

Whether in this era or in the era when Xu Jing'an lived fifty years later, women are always the ones who contribute more in family life.

Xu Jing'an didn't intend to live such a tiring life. Back at the Shen family home, Shen He had already prepared dinner. Shen's father hurriedly took his grandson, having missed him terribly after a day apart, and told Shen's mother to get some rest.

The grandfather and grandson were babbling to each other. "Oh, right, the eldest son sent a letter."

"Did the eldest son say when he can take leave to visit his family?" Shen's mother asked, tapping her arm. Even though the child wasn't heavy, her arm was aching from carrying him all the way.

"He said he'd be bringing his girlfriend back at the end of the year," Mr. Shen said happily. His son was already 29; it seemed he was finally getting married and starting a family.

With a smile, Shen's mother asked, "Did they say what your daughter-in-law does?"

"He didn't say anything. Let's ask him when he gets back!" Mr. Shen thought for a moment. His son had indeed only mentioned it casually in his letter, without saying anything else.

Upon hearing this, Shen's mother frowned, her heart sinking. Something was wrong! She was experienced; she knew all too well what it was like for young people to date and get married. Even just looking at her second son's dating and marriage, it was happening right before her eyes.

When Xu Jing'an was going to sleep that night, she remembered that Shen's mother had mentioned that Shen Yue was going to bring his girlfriend home for the Chinese New Year.

To put her mind at ease, she searched the space. However, the distance was too great, and she found no information. In this situation, the biggest fear was unforeseen changes, so Xu Jing'an could only temporarily put her mind at ease.

As her child grew, Xu Jing'an felt that she wasn't producing enough breast milk. The formula ration coupons she'd received since the child's birth were now being used. Seeing that her child was drinking formula well, Xu Jing'an decided to wean him when Zhuangzhuang turned one.

Zhuangzhuang didn't show any discomfort and quickly accepted it.

Fearing her grandson would cry, Shen's mother smiled and said, "You're quite a tough rascal, easy to raise."

Zhuangzhuang thought his grandma was playing with him, and he smiled happily at Shen's mother, calling out "Dad, Mom, Grandma, Grandpa" repeatedly.

Since Zhuangzhuang came along, the elderly couple seems to have become a few years younger, and their energy has increased. All day long, as long as the child is awake, you can hear the laughter of the two of them and their baby.

Shen He felt a pang of sadness after reading it: "Wife, Mom doesn't care about me anymore."

"So what, are you planning to compete with him for his favor?" Xu Jing'an found it amusing.

"Let's have another one, otherwise Mom will spoil him rotten," Shen He whispered in his ear.

Xu Jing'an smiled and glanced at him. "Isn't this a look at you?"

"Alright, honey, watch me!"

The couple worked late into the night.

February 1, 1970

Xu Jing'an hadn't been feeling well for the past couple of days, and after thinking about it, she figured she was pregnant. She went to the hospital to check, and it turned out she was almost two months along.

After receiving the test results, Shen He looked at the pregnancy result and smiled broadly.

The elderly couple, Mr. and Mrs. Shen, were overjoyed. Although life is tough for everyone these days, most people welcome the addition of a new member to the family.

Xu Jing'an used to cook a meal at home occasionally, but now she doesn't even have to cook anymore.