Chapter 19 Refusing to ruin one's life
Shi Guilan's colleague, Zheng Chunhua, was still at the radio station and hadn't left yet. Shi Guilan had just finished her self-criticism; she had indeed turned off the radio, but accidentally turned it back on without her realizing it.
"Who reported me?" Shi Guilan was furious. "Do they think I'm easy to report? Just because I'm not showing my teeth doesn't mean I'm a pushover! I'll make her pay!"
"Regardless of who reported it, this matter is settled," Zheng Chunhua said.
"Do you know who reported it?" Shi Guilan asked again, "Was it Song Fenglan?"
"Do you think she's stupid? If she wanted to say something, would she need to report you? She could have just come to your house and said it herself, couldn't she? You did say things about her in public," Zheng Chunhua said. "And don't even think about your cousin marrying Commander Qin."
"Song Fenglan is a shameless wretch. Commander Qin should divorce her," Shi Guilan said. "Isn't Commander Qin's future restricted because of her? And their son? This son's life is ruined! With a mother like that, how can he pass the political review?"
Shi Guilan didn't care whether Song Fenglan had passed the political review when she married Qin Yizhou; she only knew that she didn't like Song Fenglan, and Song Fenglan interrupted her plans.
"Your cousin is willing to be a stepmother?" Zheng Chunhua said. "But that's for a boy, unlike you, who has two stepdaughters."
“Why wouldn’t she be willing?” Shi Guilan said. “She’s more than willing.”
“Breaking up someone else’s marriage makes you a mistress,” Zheng Chunhua said. “Are you trying to be thuggish?”
"Don't make it sound so serious," Shi Guilan said. "My cousin has a good family background and is in the cultural troupe. She and Commander Qin are the perfect match. But now it seems that Commander Qin isn't such a good person. He doesn't like my cousin, and my cousin doesn't like him either. Who does he think he is? Does my cousin have to marry him?"
Li Hui, who was walking down the street, heard the voice on the radio and her eyes widened. She immediately ran towards the broadcasting station. She bumped into people on the way, but Li Hui didn't dare to stop, as she couldn't let them continue talking.
Li Hui did not like Song Fenglan, but she had no intention of becoming a mistress; this was a very serious matter. Li Hui rushed to the broadcasting room, and when the door was suddenly pushed open, Shi Guilan and Zheng Chunhua were both stunned. Li Hui quickly turned off the broadcast, and as soon as it was off, she collapsed to the ground.
Shi Guilan and Zheng Chunhua then realized that the broadcast system hadn't been turned off. Zheng Chunhua's expression was slightly better, and she didn't say anything too harsh. Shi Guilan, on the other hand, looked extremely embarrassed. She had clearly turned off the broadcast system, but who knew it was back on?
"You should go back and reflect on your actions. Don't come to work for a while." Zheng Chunhua was annoyed. After such an incident, if Shi Guilan were still allowed to go to work, many people would probably object.
Zheng Chunhua didn't want to stay there any longer, so she turned around and left.
Shi Guilan never expected that such a thing would happen before she could get an answer from her questions.
“Cousin.” Li Hui looked up at Shi Guilan, her eyes red, “I…I never intended to marry Commander Qin.”
Even if Li Hui had had those thoughts before, she couldn't think about them anymore. Li Hui only felt ashamed. It was a serious crime for a man to act like a hooligan, while it was less serious for a woman, but Li Hui didn't want others to think she was a shameless person.
For a moment, Li Hui wanted to turn on the radio and say that she had no intention of marrying Commander Qin. But what would that do? No one would believe her; they would only think there was something wrong with her.
"You...I..." Shi Guilan felt a pang of heartache. At the time, only she and Zheng Chunhua were there; Zheng Chunhua hadn't even stood in front of the broadcast control panel yet. Shi Guilan knew that she must have accidentally pressed something, causing such a big problem.
"I'll find someone else." Li Hui thought she needed to find someone else as soon as possible so that people would talk less about her and stop gossiping.
Song Fenglan, who was at home, heard the broadcast and thought that Shi Guilan was crazy.
Song Fenglan sneered. Did she really think she was foolish enough to believe that Shi Guilan would admit her mistakes and change her ways? Impossible!
The fact that Madam Zhao came but Shi Guilan didn't shows it. Shi Guilan didn't come to apologize yesterday, and she didn't come today either.
As Mrs. Zhao walked down the street, her face darkened. What on earth was Shi Guilan up to?
After Shi Guilan's fuss, everyone knew that her apology wasn't heartfelt; she still wanted to make things difficult for Song Fenglan.
What kind of people are these?
Just because Qin Yizhou didn't divorce Song Fenglan and didn't marry Shi Guilan's cousin, Shi Guilan has to cause so much trouble.
The broadcast was very loud, and many people heard it, and everyone knew how filthy Shi Guilan's heart was.
"Mom." Qin Zihang heard the voice on the radio and reached out to cover his mother's ears. "Mom, it's dirty, don't listen."
"It's okay." Song Fenglan looked at her son's little face and saw the grievance in his eyes. "Don't worry, Mom isn't that fragile."
“But the baby is in so much pain,” Qin Zihang said.
"Don't be sad, baby." Song Fenglan rubbed her son's face.
“The baby’s life isn’t ruined, the baby is fine,” Qin Zihang said.
"Yes, all right, all right," Song Fenglan said. She sensed the contempt those people had for her and for her son, and she couldn't let this situation continue.
"The baby is fine." Qin Zihang held out his hand. "He's fine."
Song Fenglan had no intention of going to Shi Guilan's house. She had just spoken with Madam Zhao, which was a gesture of respect. If Song Fenglan went to find Shi Guilan now, Madam Zhao would only think that Song Fenglan was being inconsiderate. Madam Zhao and her ilk had been in the family compound for so long that many people would side with her and think that she had already done a very good job.
This matter involves not only Shi Guilan, but also Madam Zhao.
After thinking for a moment, Song Fenglan took Qin Zihang directly to Madam Zhao's house to avoid being accused of hogging the job. She didn't want the job anymore, so people wouldn't say she wanted it and then asked for it.
Madam Zhao was surprised that Song Fenglan had come so quickly with the child. Song Fenglan got straight to the point.
"I'm not going to be a teacher anymore." Song Fenglan said this directly at the Zhao family's door, not afraid of being overheard. "This is your condition for me to forgive Shi Guilan. I can't forgive her!"
"No, please!" Madam Zhao quickly said. "Don't give up being a teacher over such a small thing. Being a teacher is great. Besides teaching students, you can also take care of the children."
"What's the point of being a teacher?" Song Fenglan asked. "Does it earn you respect?"
"this……"
"Everyone"
"I didn't know teachers could be sent to farms by their students," Song Fenglan said. "If the students are unhappy, then it'll be my fault. Didn't you say there were people lining up for jobs?"
“You graduated from high school,” Mrs. Zhao said. “Not everyone can do every job.”
"No," Song Fenglan refused. "Teaching children can easily offend people. You can treat me as having a bad temper and a bad family background, and do whatever you want with me. You're Political Commissar Zhao's wife, and I've given you face, but Staff Officer Xu's wife clearly doesn't want me to give you that face. The first time, fine, but the second time, if I bow my head again, will I have to wait until the third time, and then they say things shouldn't happen more than three times?"
Madam Zhao looked at Qin Zihang and said, "It's best not to say these things in front of the children."
“Today, I’m showing my child that he’s three years old and needs to grow up,” Song Fenglan said. “If you bully me like this today, you can bully my child like this tomorrow. My child and I came here to be with my husband and his family, not to be bullied by you.”
“I didn’t,” Madam Zhao said.
“You’re just trying to smooth things over,” Song Fenglan said. “I know what’s going on. Everyone can just turn a blind eye and this will all be over. But they don’t want to give you or me face, what can I do? It’s not that I want to make things difficult for you, but since you came to me on her behalf, I can also come to you instead of her. You’re of high status, the wife of the political commissar, so I should give you face to avoid affecting my husband. If things really turn out like this, it just means that things are completely rotten inside.”
"It's rotten to the core," Qin Zihang added.
"See? We're not welcome here, but it doesn't matter. We don't need their welcome. They're not our family." Song Fenglan turned and carried Qin Zihang away.
Others might say that Song Fenglan shouldn't have brought the child, but if she hadn't brought the child, who would have taken care of the child? Fatty?
Song Fenglan wanted to swallow her anger, but she couldn't!
She couldn't let everyone think she was inferior, so she had to bow her head and let others bully her.
It seems she has to become stronger; joining the aircraft research institute is the best option.
The Song family has produced scientists and pilots in the past, and it's possible that Song Fenglan understands airplanes and has done research. Besides, even if others doubt how she knows those things, Song Fenglan is contributing to the country, so they won't investigate further. They will only protect her and prevent her from being harmed by hostile forces.
Back in the capital, Qin Zihang had experienced being looked down upon. Because of Song Fenglan's unfavorable family background, her child was also bullied. One reason Song Fenglan brought her child with her was to protect him from unfair treatment. This was her precious son, not some cheap rag.
"It's Qin Tuan's family." Madam Zhao caught up.
Song Fenglan, carrying the child, couldn't walk fast, and she eventually shook off Madam Zhao's hand.
Madam Zhao was having a headache. She had already handled everything, but who knew Shi Guilan would still cause such a fuss.
Song Fenglan understood perfectly well that since Madam Zhao was involved in this matter, she might as well go all the way. Otherwise, everyone would think Song Fenglan was bad, but not Shi Guilan. Song Fenglan was thinking about how to get into the nearby aircraft research institute, a top-secret unit where ordinary people would be turned away even if they stood at the door, let alone someone of Song Fenglan's background.
I hope she gets killed before she can find someone to help her get into the research institute.
Song Fenglan felt heavy-hearted. If only the college entrance exam could be reinstated this year! No, even if it were reinstated, it would be difficult for her. Living in this era was truly too difficult, extremely difficult. If she could, Song Fenglan wouldn't want to live in this era.
"Mom," Qin Zihang hugged his mother's neck, "Mom, I'm here."
“I know you’re here,” Song Fenglan said. “See? Whoever makes you unhappy, you have to make them unhappy too. Don’t hold back. If you hold back, they’ll only take advantage of you. Whoever comes to you, you have to go to them too.”
Those who want to smooth things over can continue to do so.
Song Fenglan wanted to see how Madam Zhao would try to smooth things over. When she encountered other people and they asked her, she would just say it directly.
“I don’t want that job. I’d rather be jobless than accept it as a condition for me to forgive her.”
"Her mistake made me the one who stole someone else's job."
"It's all my fault, and she's not at fault at all. What kind of logic is that?"
...
Song Fenglan is not afraid of others thinking she is too tough; that's just how she wants to be.
This matter quickly reached Political Commissar Zhao. He rubbed his temples, clearly not expecting Shi Guilan to make things so bad, and even less expecting Song Fenglan's attitude to suddenly become so tough.
So Political Commissar Zhao summoned Qin Yizhou and Staff Officer Xu, and briefly explained the situation.
"This is your wife's fault." Political Commissar Zhao looked at Staff Officer Xu. "Is this how you apologize? Is this how you make a self-criticism? It's all just for show, nothing but for show. And you even want to retaliate. Is this what your good wife is like!"
Commissar Zhao slammed his fist on the table. His wife had already stepped forward, but Shi Guilan had let him down. What would people think? If he and his wife sided with Shi Guilan, would people say they were bullying Qin Yizhou's wife?
Qin Yizhou listened without saying a word. What could he say? Could he offer forgiveness?
impossible!
Qin Yizhou could never let his wife forgive Shi Guilan; it was impossible for him in this lifetime.
Song Fenglan didn't go home; instead, she bought some fruit. She didn't want to go see this person, but she had to. Without connections, nothing can be done well.
When Song Fenglan came to Nancheng, she called her father, who told her about someone they had some connections with. This person was a researcher, and he said that if Song Fenglan encountered any difficulties, she could contact him; he was a very good person.
Professor Su was not at home; his wife was there instead. She was a gentle, elderly woman who hadn't expected anyone to come looking for Professor Su.
"Old Su won't be back so soon," Mrs. Su said. Many people have come to see Professor Su, and some have even tried to find connections.
"Can I wait a moment?" Song Fenglan said. "My father told me I could come to him; I have something I'd like to talk to him about."
"What is it?" Madam Su looked at the beautiful man in front of her, then at Qin Zihang. "Have some candy."
"Thank you, Grandma," Qin Zihang said obediently. "Grandma, you are so kind."
"Good girl," said Madam Su.
Song Fenglan briefly explained the conflict between herself and Shi Guilan, and she wanted Professor Su to give her a chance.
"You want to work at the research institute?" Mrs. Su asked in surprise.
“Yes.” Song Fenglan nodded. “Our family has produced scientists and pilots. I have read many related books since I was a child. If possible, please give me a chance, Professor Su.”
“Give me a chance,” Qin Zihang said. “My mom said she’d build me an airplane, a flying airplane, not a wooden one.”
"..." Madam Su was somewhat helpless. Seeing that Song Fenglan was so young, she feared that Song Fenglan knew nothing at all. What could a high school graduate like Song Fenglan possibly know?
Song Fenglan knew that what she said might have been a bit boastful. It was normal for others not to believe her; what she needed was an opportunity to demonstrate her abilities. As long as she was given that opportunity, she would strive to do a good job.
Just then, someone knocked on the door. It was the neighbor from next door. "Our radio is broken. Is Professor Su home? Could you help us fix it?"
“I can fix it,” Song Fenglan said immediately upon hearing this.
Not to mention radios, Song Fenglan can also repair televisions and washing machines, as the wiring for these machines is relatively simple.
"Can you fix it?" the neighbor asked doubtfully.
“She is Commander Qin’s wife,” Mrs. Su explained. “Her father knows our husband, Mr. Su.”
"It's just that the ingredients are bad..." The neighbor then covered his mouth.
It should be noted that these people also live in or near the family compound, and this neighbor had also heard some rumors.
“My mother’s family background isn’t bad, it’s actually very good,” Qin Zihang said. “No one is better than my mother. She can bake pastries, embroider little dogs, make airplanes, and so on. There’s nothing my mother can’t do.”
Song Fenglan looked at her son, who always liked to say things like that. Her son lacked a sense of security; he always wanted others to know that he had a very, very powerful mother. After all, his father wasn't around, and the only person he could rely on was his mother.
"Let me try. If I break it, I'll just give you a new radio instead," Song Fenglan said.
"Okay." The neighbor nodded. Regardless of whether Song Fenglan fixed the radio or not, he wouldn't lose out.
Song Fenglan asked Mrs. Su to look after the child while she went to repair the radio. Mrs. Su and Qin Zihang went over as well and watched from the side.
The neighbor chatted with Mrs. Su and even poured Qin Zihang a glass of water.
"Is your mother really that amazing?" the neighbor asked.
"Amazing," Qin Zihang said. "Super, super amazing!"
Mom said she'd let me sit on the plane.
"That's really nice," the neighbor said.
"I'll let you in on a little secret: a lot of kids want my mom to be their mom, but I don't agree. My mom is my mom, not their mom," Qin Zihang said. "They all have their own moms, why would they want my mom too? If they want my mom, wouldn't they have two moms? A mom belongs to only one person."
The neighbors were amused by Qin Zihang's words; this child was even afraid that someone would steal his mother.
In less than twenty minutes, Song Fenglan had packed up the radio. Some parts were loose, and a few were worn out. Song Fenglan easily put the parts away. At this time, some radios had many parts, but not all of them were necessary; some parts could be removed and adjusted. However, Song Fenglan didn't remove the so-called unnecessary parts. If she did, others, not understanding the workings, would think it was Song Fenglan's fault.
"It's ready." Song Fenglan clicked to play the radio.
"The broad masses of people..."
The radio sounds normal, exactly the same as before it broke.
While Song Fenglan was repairing it, she also checked some other parts to prevent the radio from breaking down again shortly after she finished fixing it. Radios are quite valuable these days, and if someone else's radio breaks down, they might grumble at Song Fenglan, so it's best to fix things properly.
"It really works!" the neighbor exclaimed in surprise.
“These are all simple jobs,” Song Fenglan said. “They’re not difficult. Anyone with a little technical knowledge would know how to fix them.”
“How is it simple?” one of the neighbors said. “I asked other people to fix it, but they all said it would be difficult to fix, that the parts were broken, and that it would probably cost a lot of money. So I thought I’d ask Professor Su to fix it.”
Professor Su works at the research institute; if any parts break down, we can ask Professor Su to think of a solution.
“Some parts were broken,” Song Fenglan said. “I adjusted some of the parts inside. Some parts can be modified and adjusted to achieve the same effect.”
"You're really good at using your brain," the neighbor said with a smile. Her husband's surname was Wu, and she was quite old, so people called her either Aunt Wu or Grandma Wu.
Song Fenglan showed off her skills, letting Madam Su know that she was indeed capable. The neighbor was Madam Su's next-door neighbor, and Song Fenglan came from the capital; it was impossible for the two of them to have conspired to deceive Madam Su.
After some thought, Madam Su ultimately decided to let Song Fenglan stay. Madam Su had heard her husband talk about those who had been sent to the farms; her husband had sighed countless times, but he was helpless and unable to support so many people.
When Mrs. Su and the others came out of the Wu family's house, Aunt Wu gave the child two biscuits.
Song Fenglan waited until evening, but Professor Su still hadn't returned, and Qin Zihang's stomach was growling.
"Mom." Qin Zihang was hungry. Those two biscuits weren't enough to keep him full, especially since so much time had passed. They had been waiting since the afternoon, only managing a quick and easy lunch.
"Let's have dinner here tonight," Mrs. Su said with a smile. "I'll cook."
"No, no need. I'll take him to the cafeteria to eat, and we'll come back after we've eaten." Song Fenglan got up to leave with the child.
"No, it's just a meal," Madam Su said, still quite liking Song Fenglan's straightforwardness.
This time, if Song Fenglan hadn't been pressured by various parties, she wouldn't have come to see Professor Su so quickly. Song Fenglan might have waited until the drawings were finished before coming to see Professor Su.
While at the Su family's house, Song Fenglan asked Madam Su for paper and pen. She simplified some drawings and also wrote down the formula for the invisible paint. Having worked on fighter jets in her previous life, Song Fenglan knew many classified details that didn't yet exist at that time.
If it were just blueprints for a fighter jet, those people wouldn't be able to build it so quickly; the materials wouldn't be up to par, and it would be much slower. What Song Fenglan needed was a chance to quickly get into the research institute. She wanted her son to gain a foothold and ensure that no one would look down on him.
People might say she's sexist, but no, if it were a daughter, she would work even harder. Sons are tougher and can endure more. Daughters are more delicate, and Song Fenglan would consider more aspects for her.
"Didn't you say your father knows my man?" Mrs. Su said. "They know each other, can't I even invite you to a meal?"
If it were anyone else, Madam Su would have kicked them out immediately. But seeing Song Fenglan and Qin Zihang, she couldn't bear to send them away. Madam Su felt that Song Fenglan and her son had already had enough to go through. This had happened so soon after they arrived. Since she had already decided to let Song Fenglan wait for her husband at home, she figured she could at least let Song Fenglan and her son have a meal.
“In that case, could you please give these drawings and documents to Professor Su?” Song Fenglan said. “I’ll take the child back with me.”
"Aren't we going to wait?" Madam Su asked.
“It’s not that I’m not willing to wait. I believe that once Professor Su sees these documents, he will definitely give me a chance,” Song Fenglan said. “As long as you hand the documents to him personally, you must hand them to him personally, not to anyone else.”
"Is this confidential?" Mrs. Su asked instinctively.
“I guess so,” Song Fenglan said. “We live close by, so I can come and see him later.”
"Alright." Seeing that Song Fenglan was determined to leave, Madam Su did not ask Song Fenglan and her son to stay any longer.
Song Fenglan took Qin Zihang home to get lunchboxes to get food, but Qin Yizhou had already prepared it. Seeing the lunchboxes still at home, Qin Yizhou decided to go to the cafeteria instead. He didn't believe Song Fenglan and her son had gone elsewhere to eat; he hadn't seen them when he went to the cafeteria.
"You're back so early today?" Song Fenglan asked.
"Staff Officer Xu and I were summoned by Political Commissar Zhao," Qin Yizhou said. "You don't need to forgive Staff Officer Xu's wife."
“I haven’t forgiven him,” Song Fenglan said. “If I don’t forgive him now, I will never forgive him in the future.”
Political Commissar Zhao didn't tell Qin Yizhou to keep an eye on Song Fenglan, nor did he say Song Fenglan couldn't visit Madam Zhao. This whole affair was Shi Guilan's fault; if Shi Guilan had handled it properly, none of this would have happened.
"Baby is wronged." Qin Zihang said unhappily, "Baby's life hasn't been ruined."
Qin Zihang rarely refers to himself as a "baby." He only says it when he's very sad or upset. He calls himself a "baby" because he wants others to feel a little more sorry for him.
"No, no," Qin Yizhou said.
“I took him to see Professor Su.” Song Fenglan didn’t hide anything from Qin Yizhou. “Commissar Zhao’s wife said I should become a middle school teacher, but given the current situation, it’s not suitable. In the end, I still refused. When I went to the Zhao family’s house, some people said I had taken their job. They said I got the teaching job through my own abilities, but who would believe that? People would just think I cut in line!”
There are quite a few people here; Song Fenglan isn't the only one who graduated from high school. Others have also graduated. Those people will definitely think Song Fenglan got in through connections, that she cut in line as soon as she arrived. They'll feel uncomfortable, and while they don't blame Madam Zhao, they'll naturally blame Song Fenglan.
“Professor Su works at the research institute, and I want to join the institute,” Song Fenglan said. “I want to research fighter jets.”
"A fighter jet?" Qin Yizhou asked in surprise. "Can you do that?"
"Mom can, very well, very well," Qin Zihang said. "There's nothing Mom can't do."
It wasn't that Qin Yizhou didn't believe Song Fenglan's words, but rather that this was no easy task. Many of their domestic fighter jets were modified from foreign models, making them vulnerable to being held hostage.
“Yes!” Song Fenglan said, “Our Song family is a prestigious family with scientists, pilots, and of course, people who have gone abroad.”
Another reason the Song family was implicated was that some members had gone abroad. The Song family is a large clan, not just the branch led by Song's father. In those special times, if something really happened, everyone would be held accountable.
“My dad knows Professor Su. I didn’t want to go looking for him, but…” Song Fenglan put down her chopsticks. She stared at Qin Yizhou, her eyes slightly red. She looked down at her son who was eating, then looked back at Qin Yizhou. “I have a child. It doesn’t matter if I suffer some grievances, but I can’t let him suffer. Since I gave birth to him, I have to give him the best.”
"I..." Qin Yizhou sensed Song Fenglan's sorrow, "It's my fault for not protecting you."
“The country, the family, the larger family, and the smaller family—you can’t stay by our side forever,” Song Fenglan said. “Since they think my class background is bad, and they think the children I gave birth to are bad, then I will change my class background.”
"The research institute is a classified unit," Qin Yizhou said, afraid that his wife would be disappointed.
The military's approval of Qin Yizhou's marriage to Song Fenglan does not mean the state will allow Song Fenglan to work in a classified unit. This is not something that can be accomplished by Qin Yizhou saying a few words.
“I didn’t ask you for help,” Song Fenglan said. “And I don’t need your help.”
"No, it's not that I don't want to help you." Qin Yi
Zhou Sheng was afraid that Song Fenglan would be unhappy, "Fenglan."
Qin Yizhou quickly reached out and grasped Song Fenglan's hand tightly, saying, "I'll go talk to the leaders."
“I don’t need you,” Song Fenglan said. “The military and the research institute are different. I’ve already contacted Professor Su. Although he’s not home, his wife is. I’ve asked her to pass on some things to me. Don’t worry, it’s not money or tickets; there were no bribes involved…”
The next moment, Qin Yizhou covered Song Fenglan's mouth.
"I believe you!" Qin Yizhou trusted his wife; she was definitely not the kind of person who would think of bribing someone.
Qin Yizhou and Song Fenglan locked eyes, and the atmosphere became somewhat ambiguous and warm.
"Dad, how can Mom eat if you cover her mouth?" Qin Zihang didn't know any of that; he only knew that he was hungry, and his mother must be hungry too.
Qin Yizhou withdrew his hand. "Let's eat, let's eat."
Professor Su returned home around 9 p.m. and saw his wife carrying some things.
"What a precious thing, why are you holding it all this time?" Professor Su asked.
“It was Miss Song who told you to give it to her,” Madam Su said. “She drew and wrote it in front of me, saying it was for you, so you could see if you could give her a chance to enter graduate school.”
"The Song family?" Professor Su's eyes widened suddenly. "The Song Xingyun family?"
“Song Xingyun? Is that the old classmate you mentioned who died? Do you think our country could have caught up with foreign countries for decades if he were alive? Do you think he could be worth an entire division?” Madam Su said. “That child, really, why didn’t she say that? She just said her father’s surname was Song and that her father knew you.”
“Xingyun doesn’t have any children; it’s probably his younger brother’s,” Professor Su said.
"That child was wronged too. She wouldn't have dared to come looking for help if she hadn't been bullied so badly," Mrs. Su sighed. "They said the political commissar's wife found her a job as a middle school teacher. She was originally a middle school teacher, but there's more to it than that..."
"Where does she live?" Professor Su saw the blueprints and recalled the times when he and his classmates talked about the future of the motherland. When he saw the contents of the blueprints, he seemed to see his old classmates.
“It’s very close, just in the family compound over here,” Mrs. Su said. “What? You want to go there now? It’s so late, wait until tomorrow.”
"Did she draw all these blueprints?" Professor Su asked.
“Yes.” Mrs. Su nodded. “She said that although she graduated from high school, she had read many books on the subject and that her family originally had a lot of books.”
“Of course there are many books in the collection,” Professor Su said. “Back then, I watched Xingyun get into trouble, and later, I couldn’t help his family. Now, I have to protect his niece, especially since she is truly capable.”
If you didn't have some skill, how could you have drawn these blueprints?
There was also a piece of paper with a paint formula to evade radar detection, along with the production steps.
Professor Su did not doubt Song Fenglan; Song Fenglan had no reason to joke about such things. As a middle school teacher, Song Fenglan also had opportunities to work in laboratories, but the laboratories she entered were relatively simple, unlike the research institute laboratories which had a lot of materials.
"No, I still have to go find her." Professor Su started to walk out.
"Wait a minute, she might be resting now," Madam Su said. "So many things happened today, and she has a child with her, she needs to rest."
"Then I'll go to the institute." Professor Su couldn't wait to get to the research institute. One of the dots on the blueprint was a problem that Professor Su and his team had encountered, not to mention the paint formula for radar detection.
Mrs. Su couldn't stop Professor Su, so she could only let him go to the research institute. Mrs. Su sighed. Judging from her husband's attitude, she knew that Song Fenglan was capable, and at the same time, she felt even more sorry for her. If Song Fenglan's uncle were still alive, the Song family wouldn't have become like this, and Song Fenglan wouldn't have suffered so much. It's so pitiful.
That night, Qin Zihang clung tightly to Song Fenglan. Children are sensitive; he had heard the radio broadcast during the day and was afraid he would lose his mother.
"Mom, I don't want a stepmother, I only want you," Qin Zihang said, looking aggrieved.
“Okay,” Song Fenglan said.
"I want a stepfather, not a stepmother," Qin Zihang said.
"..." Qin Yizhou brought over the foot-washing water, and he heard his son say, "There is no stepmother, and no stepfather."
“No, there isn’t.” Song Fenglan patted her son’s head. “Don’t worry, your mom and dad are here with you. Just like your dad said, there’s no stepmother or stepfather.”
"It absolutely must be none," Qin Zihang said.
"No, really no," Qin Yizhou said, looking at Song Fenglan. "You should soak your feet first."
Qin Yizhou stayed with Qin Zihang and noticed his son's unease, all caused by Shi Guilan. This made Qin Yizhou dislike Shi Guilan even more; she was utterly despicable.
At this moment, Staff Officer Xu was giving Shi Guilan a cold look, and Shi Guilan was a little scared.
"This...I..." Shi Guilan didn't know what to say. Her husband didn't say a word to her when he got home.
He didn't say anything during the meal, nor after the meal, and he still didn't say anything when it was time to go to sleep.
Shi Guilan suspected that if there were no extra rooms available, her husband would sleep in another room.
"What happened today... I didn't mean to. I really didn't expect the radio to be on," Shi Guilan said.
"The radio was turned off, so you could say those things?" Staff Officer Xu felt ashamed just thinking about it. He was called over by the political commissar, who meant that he hadn't handled his family affairs well.
“No, I…” Shi Guilan stammered.
"Did Qin's wife offend you?" Staff Officer Xu asked. "She didn't know beforehand that you were going to introduce someone to her husband. When you introduced someone to Qin, he was already married!"
"I……"
"Find your cousin a boyfriend as soon as possible," Staff Officer Xu said. "Don't even think about married men. You're not afraid of losing face, but I am."
“I’ll introduce her to someone in the next few days, it will be quick,” Shi Guilan said.
Shi Guilan hoped her cousin would find a boyfriend soon so this whole thing would pass quickly and there wouldn't be so many problems. Shi Guilan also thought that it was because of her cousin that she sought out Qin Yizhou, which led to all this trouble.
"It's just... introducing someone to someone, that's a lifelong matter, it might... it will definitely be soon." Shi Guilan saw Staff Officer Xu glancing at her sideways and quickly said, "As soon as possible, try to get it done within this month, no, no, half a month, half a month is enough."
Shi Guilan didn't care whether her cousin could find a good partner; she only cared about whether she could make her husband happy, fearing that she might offend him.
"As soon as possible," Staff Officer Xu emphasized. "Don't let this embarrass everyone."
It wasn't just Staff Officer Xu's family who said these things here; other families also had similar comments.
At first, people were worried that Song Fenglan would live in a tenement building or a single-story house, and they breathed a sigh of relief; later, they thought that Song Fenglan would need to work after being sent to the countryside, but then she said she didn't want to be a junior high school teacher, and they breathed a sigh of relief again...
They didn't know whether to call Song Fenglan spineless or tough. Everyone else wanted a tenement building and a good job, but Song Fenglan gave up so easily. Some thought she was worried about her family background and didn't want to upset everyone, which was why she let go. Others thought Song Fenglan was assertive and not someone to be trifled with.
When Fatty Sister-in-law talked to her husband about sending Fenglan away, she felt it was a pity. "What a good job! Qin Tuan's family just gave it up like that. It makes sense. If she had taken that job, people would say she cut in line and that it was Shi Guilan's compensation to her. She would have been even more furious."
“Don’t concern yourself with these things,” Zhang Chenghai said. “Don’t worry about who our family is.”
"I didn't interfere much," said the plump woman. "Shi Guilan really went too far."
The next morning, Professor Su, with dark circles under his eyes, led a group to Song Fenglan's house. He had been busy until two or three in the morning, slept for two or three hours, and then rushed over, fearing that something might have happened to Song Fenglan.
"Is this Song Fenglan's house?" Professor Su stood at the door. He had already asked around, but he was afraid of going to the wrong place. Seeing the things Song Fenglan had left behind, Professor Su wished he could come and find her immediately, but it was late, before dawn, and he could only wait until now.
"Professor Su?" The plump woman came out and saw Professor Su. Many people here knew Professor Su, and she was very surprised.
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