Researcher is a non-leadership position in my country's civil service system, generally established at the department or bureau level or below.

Researchers can enjoy the same salary, work benefits, and political status as county-level officials, but they do not have the responsibilities of county-level leaders.

Of course, without responsibilities, there are also no rights for county-level leaders.

Therefore, this researcher from the provincial government may not necessarily have a very important background.

This also indirectly confirms that if this researcher were truly of high status, Wang Jianguo would have sent his office director to coordinate and handle the matter long ago, instead of simply having someone notify Yan Guohui, the village's headman, and that would have been the end of it!

Li Xiangdong understood the situation immediately after a quick thought.

Yan Guohui has spent his entire life in the village, so it's understandable that he can't quite grasp the intricacies of the situation.

It is said that when Yan Guohui heard that a researcher was coming to visit Grandma Jiang's family, his gums inexplicably started to throb.

This must be Jiang Fang, Old Lady Jiang's nominal son!

Sure enough, when the people in the county introduced him, it really was him!

Yan Guohui was actually quite annoyed. Jiang Fang, you're not that old lady Jiang's biological son. Everyone knows some things, so why are you pretending?

He said he missed his mother, but over the years he had to work and couldn't be both loyal to his family and fulfill his filial duties, which is why he hadn't been able to come back to take care of her.

Now that he's old, he wants to emulate Lao Laizi, who dressed in colorful clothes to entertain his parents and bring joy to Grandma Jiang.

Oh my god!

This is utterly absurd. During the previous political movements, Grandma Jiang was frequently dragged out and criticized. Although the entire Quanshui Village brigade remembered Grandma Jiang's kindness and couldn't bear to go too far with her.

But at that time, it wasn't just the people from Quanshui Village who were being criticized and denounced; many people from other counties and villages came to join in, and they didn't show any mercy.

Grandma Jiang suffered a lot over the years, but it was only because she was as resilient as a weed that she was able to live to this day.

Back then, you, Jiang, had a lot of influence in the province, but you didn't save your mother from any trouble!

Ha, things aren't going well for me now, so I want to come back.

Pooh!

You're just causing trouble for others!

Yan Guohui had secretly cursed Jiang Fang countless times to his wife, but the task assigned by the county still needed to be completed without any compromise.

"Auntie, I'm begging you. Please, for the sake of all the years I've taken care of you, agree to let Jiang Fang into the family, okay?"

Yan Guohui pleaded, while inwardly cursing himself, "Serves you right for being so obsessed with officialdom and insisting on becoming this worthless brigade leader!"

Grandma Jiang remained motionless, but Li Xiangdong still noticed that her body was trembling slightly.

"Master, if you don't want to see me, then don't!"

"You silly child—"

Yan Guohui was furious. "Instead of offering to help persuade them, you're just adding fuel to the fire!"

Li Xiangdong's face was cold and hard. "Why should I advise her? My master is old enough to do whatever she wants, however she pleases. Even if she wants the stars in the sky, we'll find a way to bring one back for her. So why should my master suffer just to complete the county's task?"

These words were spoken with resounding force and conviction.

Grandma Jiang's originally indifferent gaze suddenly softened, as if a century-old block of ice had melted away.

Over the years, countless people have used the guise of loving and caring for her to actually do things that restrict her and scheme against her.

Is there anyone who allows her to do whatever she wants?

Now there is such a person who said it and did it.

"Captain Yan, we all saw and appreciated your care for my master. We didn't mean to make things difficult for you this time. He's just a mere researcher; you don't need to worry about it, I'll handle it. If the county blames us, let them come directly to me!"

When Yan Guohui heard Li Xiangdong's words, his first reaction was, "How arrogant!"

But then I thought, if someone could rescue me from this mess, I would be so grateful!

Yan Guohui's expression shifted several times before settling on a warm, friendly smile. "Xiang Dong, I know your abilities well. But he's from the provincial government after all, so you'd better be careful!"

After saying a few more random things, Yan Guohui hummed a little tune and left.

His relaxed demeanor was a stark contrast to his worried expression when he first entered.

Li Ying and Hong Shui saw him off at the door, and when they returned, it was the two of them who looked worried and distressed.

Li Ying hesitated, then asked, "Xiang Dong, can you handle this?"

Seeing his third sister's worry, Li Xiangdong waved his hand, "Uncle Liu is the executive vice mayor of Cangshan City, and Mayor Zhang is still in our Dongfang City. They are both people who can speak with the provincial authorities. A mere researcher can't cause much trouble!"

He had spoken with Liu Donglai a few days ago, and from what he said, Liu Donglai might be transferred back to Yanjing City.

And what's more, good news came from the delivery room—she's been promoted!

Of course, such matters must be kept secret until they are made public.

...

Jiang Fang's incident spoiled the mood, and everyone lost their mood for chatting and laughing. Li Ying helped clear the table before helping Grandma Hong home.

Daxia insisted on sleeping with her second uncle. Originally, Li Ying was worried that she would disturb Li Xiangdong, but it was only after Old Mrs. Hong secretly gave her daughter-in-law a wink that Li Ying was able to keep Daxia.

As they left, Grandma Hong said, "It's good to let Daxia stay there and put Sister Jiang's mind at ease. Otherwise, given her temper, she'll definitely be too angry to sleep again."

Li Ying nodded, then cursed Jiang Fang, "You're shameless!"

Grandma Hong wholeheartedly agreed with her daughter-in-law's words, "Just like his shameless parents!"

On the Jiang family's side.

Li Xiangdong helped Grandma Jiang and Daxia make their beds, straighten their pillows, and then washed Daxia's hands, face, and feet.

Seeing his gentle and meticulous movements, Grandma Jiang couldn't help but smile and say, "You're quite good at taking care of children, even for a young man like you."

Li Xiangdong took a square towel and wiped Da Xia's face clean, then applied a thin layer of Gala oil to her face. "What are you saying, old man? What's so difficult about taking care of children? Do you have to distinguish between men and women? Taking care of children is nothing more than having patience and being careful."

Grandma Jiang paused for a moment, then nodded in agreement. "I've never had any biological children in my life, but thinking about it, what you said does make sense."

Now that the topic has come up, Li Xiangdong asked.

After all, in some situations, knowing yourself and your enemy is the key to victory.

"Master, what exactly happened to Jiang Fang?"

If this had happened before, Grandma Jiang would never have liked to bring it up; she found it offensive.

But now, facing her serious-looking, clear-eyed young disciple, she suddenly felt the urge to confide in him.