Chapter 222

“If I had that kind of ability, do you think I’d still be sitting here sighing?” Tian Daqing rolled his eyes at Zhao Yuanshan.

“Since you already know you don’t have that ability, what are you sighing about?” Zhao Yuanshan said with a laugh.

“Someone as crude as you could never understand the way researchers feel about discovering a rare talent. You have no idea how capable Mu Shi'an is. Even my position isn’t worthy of him.” Tian Daqing let out another sigh.

“Listen to you. I may not do research, but I have plenty of soldiers under my command. If I came across a good soldier but couldn’t take him under my wing, I’d feel just as sorry as you do,” Zhao Yuanshan snorted.

Sigh…

Tian Daqing sighed again.

“All right, stop sighing. You’ve already gone to a great deal of trouble to secure a reward for Mu Shi'an. Now that he has that certificate of merit, his days will be a little easier from here on out. As for what kind of future awaits him, that will depend on him. There’s only so much we can do, and we’ve already done everything within our power.” Seeing him like this, Zhao Yuanshan couldn’t help offering a few words of comfort.

“I know. It’s just that I still feel bad. I hope he’ll be able to return to where he truly belongs someday.”

“He will.”

“…”

After Tian Daqing and Zhao Yuanshan left, Song Nianchu and Mu Shi'an also returned home.

The two of them stared at the nearly identical certificates of merit on the desk, still somewhat dazed.

“Shi'an, with this certificate, if we work a little harder, maybe you’ll soon be able to shed your status as a labor-reform element.” There was a hint of joy in Song Nianchu’s voice.

“…Mm.” Mu Shi'an answered softly, his eyes filled with excitement as well.

He had never imagined that he might have a chance to go back. Yet the certificate before him had given him new hope.

If the organization was still willing to issue him a certificate of merit while he was classified as a labor-reform element, then that meant he had not been completely abandoned.

Perhaps he really did have a chance to regain his freedom.

“Just wait a little longer. Once the village factory is built, there’ll be more funds available. Then your carpentry workshop will be able to develop even better.” Song Nianchu stared intently at Mu Shi'an.

But Mu Shi'an detected something off in her words. He lowered his eyes for a moment, then fixed his gaze on her.

“What did you say?”

“What?” Song Nianchu realized she had let something slip and pretended not to understand.

“You just said that once the factory is built, my workshop will be able to develop better. You worked with Xiang Tianyi and expanded the factory for my sake?” There was a note of urgency in Mu Shi'an’s voice.

Song Nianchu was speechless.

She really had let it slip without realizing it.

“Chu, you…” Mu Shi'an had never imagined that Song Nianchu had done all this for him.

“This wasn’t entirely for you. Building a factory in the village will benefit many people. If we proceeded step by step, we would have had to wait a long time. Although we gave up some of the profits, we haven’t really suffered an overall loss.” Song Nianchu explained.

Mu Shi'an said nothing. He simply stared at Song Nianchu without blinking.

A storm of emotion churned in his eyes.

“Why are you looking at me like that? I truly didn’t make any great sacrifice. I only moved our later plans forward a little.” Song Nianchu smiled reassuringly.

“I understand.” Mu Shi'an’s voice was hoarse.

“All right, shouldn’t we find some frames for these two certificates and hang them in the main room? That way, anyone who comes in will see them first thing.” Afraid that Mu Shi'an would dwell on the matter, Song Nianchu quickly changed the subject.

“I’ll make two frames,” Mu Shi'an said. He understood her intentions and did not expose them.

“Great!” Song Nianchu immediately broke into a delighted smile.

While Mu Shi'an worked on the frames, Song Nianchu went to the kitchen to prepare lunch.

From where he was, Mu Shi'an had a perfect view of Song Nianchu bustling about in the kitchen.

The hand holding his tools paused involuntarily, and his gaze drifted toward her, beyond his control.

Earlier, when Song Nianchu had worked with Xiang Tianyi, he had felt somewhat uncomfortable.

Perhaps Song Nianchu hadn’t noticed, but as a man, he could clearly sense the hostility Xiang Tianyi held toward him.

And the way Xiang Tianyi looked at Song Nianchu was definitely not the way one looked at a business partner.

Still, Mu Shi'an knew very well that building the factory was a great undertaking that would benefit the people. He could not demand that Song Nianchu stop working with someone else simply because of such feelings.

Besides, he trusted Song Nianchu.

He believed that even if she truly found a better option, she would never hide it from him. She would tell him openly and honestly.

That was simply the kind of person she was.

But he had never expected that she would bring her plans forward simply to help him return to the city sooner.

Mu Shi'an felt warmth and bitterness spreading through his chest, where his heart rested.

Yet the look in his eyes gradually grew more determined. If even Song Nianchu believed that he could return to the city and was working toward that goal, then he naturally had to work even harder.

“…”

The news that Mu Shi'an had received recognition from the organization spread throughout the entire production brigade in less than half a day.

By the time Mu Shi'an went to work after lunch, everyone looked at him with undisguised admiration.

He was somewhat at a loss when faced with so much attention, so he silently walked off to the side and began studying the second-generation net-weaving machine.

If he could successfully upgrade it, its efficiency would improve dramatically.

Just as everything was beginning to fall into place, however, something happened to Mu's mother.

That evening, Song Nianchu had finished preparing dinner and waited for a long time, but Mu Shi'an still hadn’t returned. For some reason, a sense of unease gradually settled over her.

“Sister-in-law, Big Brother still isn’t back?” Mu Yongnian and Mu Haoxuan came out after washing up and noticed that Song Nianchu was still the only one sitting at the table.

“Mm.” Song Nianchu nodded.

Her eyes remained fixed on the doorway, filled with worry.

“Didn’t Big Brother say he’d be back by dinnertime?” Mu Haoxuan asked as he dried his hair.

They had already gone home to visit Mu's mother at noon, so they hadn’t accompanied Mu Shi'an when he went over that evening.

“I don’t know. Maybe something happened. I’m going to take a look.” Song Nianchu could no longer sit still. She rose and prepared to leave.

“I’ll go with you,” Mu Haoxuan quickly offered.

“Me too,” Mu Yongnian added immediately.

“All right, then we’ll go together.” Song Nianchu did not refuse.

The three of them took flashlights and hurried toward the Mu family’s home.

But as soon as they reached the entrance, they saw Mu Shi'an rushing out with Mu's mother on his back.

Mu Deyi carefully supported the door beside him.

“What happened?” Song Nianchu hurried forward.

“My mother vomited blood and went into shock. I’m taking her to the hospital now.” Mu Shi'an’s voice was filled with urgency.