Yue Yihan was truly unaware of this.

He wasn’t very familiar with the distribution of officials in Chuncheng. He had always only cared about his missions and his wife.

He Liuzhang frowned. He knew Yue Yihan didn’t concern himself with other matters, so he explained.

"Actually, it’s the director of our Chuncheng Foreign Trade Bureau, Xie Changyi."

The name Xie Changyi wasn’t unfamiliar to them, but they weren’t well-acquainted with it either.

The idea that Xie Changyi was Xie Changning’s cousin was certainly beyond Yue Yihan’s expectations. "You didn’t bring her up just because she’s her cousin, did you?"

"Yes. I suspect she might very well be... her biological sister."

"What!?"

There’s an age gap of over ten years between them. If that’s true...

Their parents must be in their fifties by now.

"They’re investigating in that direction too. And they found something, but I intercepted it first." He Liuzhang’s expression turned serious. "Your wife’s adoptive father once had someone procure a lot of machinery for him—all machines that foreign countries are forbidden from selling to ours. But he managed to get them."

"His network is impressive."

Yue Yihan nodded in agreement.

’If a network like that were put to good use, it could advance our country’s technological development by ten years!’

"But when his assets were seized, none of that machinery was found. There was no sign of it being resold, either. It was as if it had vanished into thin air. We suspect... he might have dealings with other traitors."

Otherwise, there’s no way he could have disposed of everything so discreetly.

Even our investigation came up empty.

"Then he needs to be put under close surveillance." Yue Yihan’s expression was terrifyingly grim.

-

Xie Changning, who was sleeping at home, suddenly felt a chill all over. She couldn’t help but sneeze, waking herself up.

She frowned. "Who’s bad-mouthing me in the middle of the night?"

Thinking about it, Xie Changning recalled what Yue Yihan had said when he came home that evening. She decided to pin the blame on Yu Huo.

’Oh well, it’s not like she can cause any more trouble. I won’t stoop to her level.’

Xie Changning rolled over and went back to sleep.

In the morning, Xie Changning got up, yawning. She rubbed her eyes and sat down at the table. She was about to speak to the two aunts when she looked up and noticed that neither of them seemed very energetic.

Xie Changning frowned slightly.

’If I apply for neighborhood assistance now, the committee probably won’t approve me hiring another person...’

Seeing Xie Changning’s concern, Aunt Wang spoke up. "You’re worried because we don’t seem to have much energy today, aren’t you?" A smug look filled her face as she spoke.

Xie Changning didn’t deny it.

"The two of us usually take turns watching the children. But last night was our second time getting... getting paid, yes, getting paid! We were a little too excited to sleep, that’s why we’re not so energetic."

Aunt Zhao nodded along.

Hearing this, Xie Changning searched her memory and realized that the day after they got paid last time, they had also seemed overly excited and not very energetic...

"The two of us have no one to rely on. We never thought we could earn twenty yuan a month on our own, with food and lodging included, just for watching the children. How could we not be happy about something so wonderful!"

"That’s right, Ningning. Don’t worry about us."

Seeing that the two of them were really fine, Xie Changning finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Xie Changning ate her meal in peace. After leaving them enough money for food, she said, "If there’s anything you need to buy, just tell me. I’ll pick it up on my way out today."

Yue Yihan was the one who brought the children’s milk powder back from Chuncheng. Xie Changning bought all the other daily necessities in Anong County.

She couldn’t be too conspicuous about having special privileges.

Otherwise, people who disapproved would report her for capitalist behavior.

Fortunately, the two aunts were nimble-fingered and skilled, able to make many things by hand, so others didn’t notice anything out of the ordinary.

"Okay, I’ll tell you." Having taken care of the babies for a while, the two aunts knew what things the children used often and would let her know in advance when something was about to run out.

Xie Changning jotted it all down in her notebook, then pedaled her bicycle to work.

Back at the factory, Xie Changning got everything in order and then went to inspect the new workshop. Seeing that it was more or less ready, she began to have the machinery transported over.

Looking at the large, bright workshop that made maximum use of the space, Xie Changning was in an excellent mood.

Wang Guofu stood by Xie Changning’s side, clapping happily. "Wonderful, truly wonderful..." ’To see our factory expand in my lifetime, it’s just great!’

’Just great!’

Six months ago, he would never have dared to imagine their factory would see a day like this, but he never expected—

"Uncle Wang, find someone who knows how to read fortunes and pick an auspicious day for the ribbon-cutting ceremony. We need to invite the leaders to attend."

"Okay!"

With the matter of the branch factory settled, Xie Changning turned her attention to the education of the employees’ children.

Compared to the last batch, this group’s studies were more diverse. There were students for the propaganda department and the technical department. Those in the technical track, after being assessed by Xie Changning, would go take the entrance exam for the First Automobile Works technical school.

As for the propaganda department students, they would be taught by Xie Changning personally.

However, the propaganda department only needed five or six people, so she could only select the cream of the crop.

At the end of a long workday, Xie Changning dragged her exhausted body to the supply cooperative to buy some things. Just as she walked in the door, she saw a familiar figure standing inside.

As she looked at the person, they also turned to look at her.

"Changning!"

It was none other than Xie Changyu, who hadn’t come around to cause trouble for many days.

Compared to the fashionably dressed Xie Changyu from six months ago, the current Xie Changyu looked somewhat older and worn.

She was no longer as arrogant and haughty as before. Now, when she saw Xie Changning, her face was plastered with a fawning expression.

It was obvious she was trying to curry favor with Xie Changning.

"What are you doing here?" If she remembered correctly, Xie Changyu was supposed to be living in the military family compound in Chuncheng. Her sudden appearance in Anong County meant she was probably here for her.

Xie Changning stood at the entrance without moving.

The person at the supply cooperative saw Xie Changning and instantly beamed. "Mr. Xie, you’re here! Take a look, what do you need?"

Xie Changning stepped into the cooperative, picked out what she needed, and turned to leave.

Xie Changyu hurried after her.

"Just go. I’m not going to help you." No matter why she was here, there was no way she would help Xie Changyu.

Xie Changyu’s eyes reddened, and with a THUD, she knelt on the ground. "Changning, I was wrong, I really know I was wrong! I’m begging you, please help me! I don’t want a divorce, I don’t want to let them have their way... WAHHH, but if I don’t get a divorce, he’ll beat me to death."

WAHHH. She was so scared.

She didn’t know what to do. With no family here, her only choice was to find Xie Changning.

Xie Changning stopped in her tracks.

She turned her head back to look at Xie Changyu, her eyes narrowing slightly.

"Your husband cheated on you, and he’s abusive?" A hint of amusement played on Xie Changning’s face. ’Could this be her way of testing my attitude?’