It's rare for Sheng Xiping to come back, so we need to maintain good relations with Songjianghe. I was busy with other things the past few days and didn't have time to think about it.

So after delivering the items home, Sheng Xiping went to find Zhou Mingyuan and Zhao Guangning.

Taking advantage of the fact that everyone had time, we invited the factory directors from the lumber mill, fiberboard mill, and paper mill, along with several section chiefs from the bureau, to get together for dinner that evening.

Outsiders may not know Sheng Xiping's capabilities, but how could these cadres in the bureau not know?

Putting aside the fact that he's the bureau chief's son-in-law, just look at this year's deal to exchange timber for home appliances—without a powerful backer, most people simply couldn't do this kind of business.

Therefore, everyone at the banquet treated Sheng Xiping with great courtesy. Several factory directors even said that if Sheng Xiping ever needed anything in the future, he should just ask, and the factories would definitely provide strong support.

The atmosphere at the banquet was great, and everyone drank and had a great time until almost nine o'clock. Everyone was so drunk that they were all staggering, and then the party ended and everyone went home.

Sheng Xiping first took his father-in-law home, then strolled back to his own home.

When Zhou Qinglan saw that Sheng Xiping had drunk so much, she rolled her eyes at them both in anger.

“You’re always either out and about and never come home, or when you do come home you’re just drinking. Look at you, drinking like this.”

Although Zhou Qinglan complained, her actions were very gentle. She carefully helped Sheng Xiping onto the kang (a heated brick bed) and took off his coat and shoes.

Then I made some tea and fed him a cup.

"Are you feeling unwell? If you feel like throwing up, just tell me, and I'll help you to the outer room. Don't throw up inside."

After Sheng Xiping finished his tea, Zhou Qinglan asked him.

Sheng Xiping shook his head, "It's alright. I didn't actually drink too much. It's just that the wind made me feel the effects of the alcohol."

"You'll be fine after a good night's sleep, don't worry." Sheng Xiping was still conscious and spoke coherently.

"Pah, I'm worried about you. You're overthinking it. I'm afraid you'll throw up in the room and make the whole place smell bad," Zhou Qinglan stubbornly retorted.

"Really? I thought you were worried about me. Oh dear, I'm so sad."

Sheng Xiping reached out and pulled his wife into his arms with a strong pull, then flipped over, and their positions were immediately reversed.

"Wife, my good wife, I know you care about me." After saying that, he kissed Zhou Qinglan.

Zhou Qinglan finally believed that Sheng Xiping hadn't drunk too much, but the price was that she almost missed work the next day.

During the day, Zhou Qinglan and Sheng Xitai went to school, while Sheng Xiping stayed at home, packing his things with Aunt Li.

It mainly contained clothes, blankets, diapers, formula, bottles, and other items for Xinyue and Xinqi, which filled two large bags.

School is closed in the afternoon, and the commuter bus from Qianchuan Forest Farm departs from the forest railway at 2 p.m.

So after lunch, Sheng Xiping and the other two packed their things, went out and hired a donkey cart, loaded all the things Sheng Xiping had bought onto the cart, and headed straight for the Sen Tie small train station.

Upon arrival, Sheng Xiping told the driver and loaded the items into the car.

Students and teachers from various forest farms boarded the bus one after another, and at 2 o'clock sharp, the bus departed to head back.

Around four o'clock, the commuter bus arrived at Qianchuan Forest Farm.

Sheng Xiping carried Xin Yue in his arms and had a large bag on his back, Zhou Qinglan carried Xin Qi in her arms, and Sheng Xitai carried several bags on his back and in his arms. The three of them got off the bus with the crowd.

As soon as they got out of the car, they saw the Sheng sisters, Sheng Yunfang and Sheng Yunfei, waving at them.

Sheng Xiping handed the child directly to his sister and told Sheng Xitai to throw the things on the ground. The two brothers quickly unloaded the flour and other items.

"Sixth Brother, hurry home and bring the sled." It's freezing cold, and the car won't work; we need a sled.

In those days, every household had a sled, which was used for winter.

Upon hearing this, Sheng Xitai immediately grabbed two bags and ran home as fast as he could.

Sheng Yunfang held the child, while Sheng Yunfei picked up two bags and left with Zhou Qinglan, also carrying the child.

It's too cold. Adults can handle it, but children can't. We need to send the children home quickly.

Fortunately, the Sheng family's home wasn't too far from the small train station. Before long, Sheng Xitai was seen pulling a sled and walking briskly towards them.

The two brothers loaded flour, rice, oil, and other supplies onto the sled, and then dragged the sled home.

On the Sheng family's side, as soon as Zhang Shuzhen saw Zhou Qinglan enter carrying a child, she happily went forward and took one of them.

"Oh, my dear granddaughter, you're finally back. Come on, get on the kang (heated brick bed)."

As she spoke, Zhang Shuzhen carried the child into the east room, placed the child on the kang (a heated brick bed), and untied the outer quilt, revealing the adorable little baby inside.

The two children were wearing cotton-padded jackets that Sheng Xiping had bought for them, with fluffy hats, and wrapped in blankets. They weren't cold at all, and their little faces were rosy.

The two children fell asleep on the way and woke up just before getting off the bus. As soon as the blankets were pulled off, the little one smiled at Zhang Shuzhen.

Zhang Shuzhen was overjoyed when her granddaughter smiled. She quickly picked up the child and kissed her twice. "My darling, I'm your grandma."

Xinqi obediently called out "Grandma," which made Zhang Shuzhen so happy that she hugged her granddaughter and was overjoyed.

"Mom, the child didn't pee in the car, could you help her pee?"

Over there, Zhou Qinglan also untied the blanket for Sheng Xinyue, took the child out from under the blanket, and went directly to the outer room. There, she used a bucket of dirty water that they usually used to pour urine on the child.

Knowing that her daughter-in-law and granddaughter were coming home today, Zhang Shuzhen specially made sure the house was warm and cozy.

The child was wearing many layers, which made it difficult for him to move around, so after he finished urinating, we quickly took off his outer cotton-padded jacket and pants.

The two children were wearing padded jackets and trousers and playing on the kang (a heated brick bed).

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!