Because of the importance of the Qinchuan Group project, Chen Men specifically asked Yan Bin to inquire about it. Only then did she learn that it was truly a bloodbath.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
There were dozens, if not hundreds, of construction teams bidding for the project, and each one was rted to someone in leadership.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
It was said that when the leadership decided on a construction team one day, someone would report it the next day. If they decided on another team the following day, someone would put up big-character posters the day after. The Cultural Revolution had only recently ended, and the habit of posting big-character posters was still prevalent.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The engineeringpanies were also unregted. Basically, whoever the client designated would receive the money directly. There were no supervisionpanies yet, so buildings were constructed however they pleased. Making money was far too easy.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Your rtives would report mine, and mine would report yours. It had be a bloodbath, to the point where even Qin Yuxing''s bribery was posted on the factory bulletin board.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
This incident even affected Yan Dawei''s work at Dongfang Group. His superiors thought he was neglecting his duties and trying to grab projects at Qinchuan Group. He was directly moved to a cold bench position. It was truly a case of not getting the meat but being left with the stink of sheep.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Finally, Leader Ma lost his temper, mming the table and berating everyone. He insisted on bringing in leaders from the Housing and Construction Bureau, gathering all the leadership to collectively review all the "Bid Documents". They scrutinized the bids down to the details listed, such as the thickness of steel bars and the grade of cement, to see whose bid was the most sincere.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Hearing Yan Bin say this, Chen Men felt that she should be prepared, because Teacher Huang''s bid was more sincere than anyone else''s.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
But just then, Chen Men received a cold shower of news from the children''s side.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
It was Saturday evening, and Ma Xiaogang came to visit. Just as he and Little Wang entered, Mrs. Ma called saying, "Little Chen, I''m really sorry, but it seems the project might not work out. However, Xiaogang has gone to your ce to y. If you don''t mind, please entertain him for a while. If you do mind, just send him back to me, okay?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The little snot-nosed kid and Little Wang were arm in arm, singing: "Hengshui hundred years, national nourishment gradually awakens, open your eyes, look at Xiusan, that dizzy building gathers... Slow thunder poor wakes eternal eight, intimate thunder yellow and water steal steal."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Little Lang chased after them, asking, "Brother, what does ''yellow and water steal steal'' mean?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Get lost, little brat, you don''t understand anything," Little Wang waved his hand dismissively.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
This little rascal waspletely different from when he first arrived, crouching at the station and looking at Zhou Xueqin pitifully. Now he was not only good at making money but also mischievous, always smiling all day.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Although Chen Men was a bit dazed by this cold shower of news, she rarely saw Little Wang so happy, so she still said, "No need, I''m going out tomorrow anyway. Let him y with my two sons."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"I feel quite embarrassed. Where are you going to y tomorrow?" Mrs. Ma asked again.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Chen Men said, "Xi''an Film Studio."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Yuanyuan had started filming today. Because it wasn''t easy for child actors to shoot on location, Yuanyuan was filming on a set at the film studio. Chen Men had already been there once today. As an apanying family member, she couldn''t enter the set, but she had already arranged with the studio staff that she could bring the children to y tomorrow.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Alright," Mrs. Ma said and hung up the phone.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The Xi''an Film Studio had many interesting things: real nes and cannons, and props used in the hit films "Red Sorghum" and "Yellow Earth", all disyed in exhibition rooms.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Chen Men loved these things, enjoyed looking at them, and liked exining them to the children, but the children didn''t particrly enjoy it. Ma Xiaogang and Little Wang''s favorite activity was still singing. They howled like ghosts and wolves, singing everything from "The Great Wall Will Never Fall" to "Shanghai Beach" as they walked along.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Ma Xiaogang even had a small top hat, just like the one worn by Xu Wenqiang in "Shanghai Beach", but in a child''s version. Wearing it made him look even more like Xu Wenqiang.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Little Lang couldn''t understand any of it and followed Chen Men with a furrowed brow and pouting lips as he watched the two older boys.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
When bored, he would take a sip of water.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The fair-skinned little boy looked at his two brothers with envy.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Chen Men always felt that the conflict was deliberate. At noon, she took the children to eat the soul food of old Shaanxi people:mb paomo with ice peak soda, each person also chewing on two cloves of garlic. They ate until their bellies were round. Just as they came out of themb paomo restaurant, a young man who was humming something like "Ba Gu Ya Cai" suddenly reached out and grabbed Ma Xiaogang''s hat, and even spat on it: "Little brat, trying to sing Cantonese songs, can you even sing?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Ma Xiaogang was a snot-nosed kid, and because he was thin and small, he only had Little Wang as a friend at school.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
When the man spat on him and took his hat away, he didn''t even dare to make a sound, just stood there.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The young man went into the ce next door, which was an open-air café. Drinking coffee next to a paomo restaurant, the local and foreign cultures of Xi''an were blending and mixing.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Little Wang was unhappy and chased into the café''s courtyard: "Uncle, you just spat on my friend''s face, give my friend''s hat back."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The young man continued humming, with the hat on his head.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Nowadays, there were many hooligans on the streets stealing things. Victory brand nail shoes, Xu Wenqiang''s hat, they would steal anything whether they could wear it or not. This guy wanted to keep the hat.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
From the perspective of a contractor who had carefully prepared a bid for Qinchuan Group only to be stood up in the end, Ma Xiaogang being bullied was none of her business. Chen Men could have just pretended not to see it.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
But she was, after all, a woman first, and she didn''t like seeing children being taken advantage of.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
So she went in too, and as soon as she entered, she said, "You''re singing Leslie Cheung, yet you bully children? Are you worthy of singing Leslie Cheung''s songs?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
It was the height of poprity for Hong Kong and Taiwan songs, and the young man was humming Leslie Cheung''s "Monica". People nowadays valued kindred spirits, and hearing that Chen Men actually knew Leslie Cheung, the young man suddenly showed respect: "My apologies, my apologies, you''re also a fan of Leslie Cheung." He voluntarily handed over the hat.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Chen Men was just short of telling him to get lost.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Ma Xiaogang''s top hat was lost and found, but the little fellow had lost his earlier spirit. He and Little Wang held hands, not daring to sing anymore, walking silently behind.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Even though the business deal might not happen, business was adult affairs. Chen Men, having lived an extra lifetime, had a more peaceful mindset. It was also because in her previous life, she had let Yuanyuan suffer too much, so she didn''t like to see children being wronged.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Just as they were passing by a barbecue shop, seeing Ma Xiaogang and Little Wang looking so pitiful, she asked them, "Do you want to eat some grilled sausages?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Little Lang finally had a chance to answer first: "Yes!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Even though their stomachs were round from the paomo they had just eaten, a thin Vienna sausage grilled over charcoal fire and sprinkled with chili and cumin was still a favorite of children.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
So Chen Men ordered a grilled sausage for each of the three children. Just as she turned around, she saw Mrs. Ma standing behind her with a smile.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Grandma, grilled sausage," Ma Xiaogang called out.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Mrs. Ma, what a coincidence," Chen Men also said.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Mrs. Ma smiled and said, "Yes, it''s quite a coincidence. I was passing by and happened to run into you. I hope Xiaogang hasn''t caused you any trouble?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"No, not at all," Chen Men didn''t think it was a coincidence at all. Mrs. Ma had specifically asked her yesterday where they were going to y.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Men, I''m heading back now. Remember to wait for a call. Your Uncle Ma is still in a meeting today, but he will do his utmost to ensure you get the project," Mrs. Ma said, then left with Ma Xiaogang.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
This was the nature of the project - ny-nine difficulties, with onest hurdle to ovee.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Mrs. Ma wanted to see if she was a person who remembered kindness and returned favors. Last night, she deliberately said the project had fallen through, and today she hired a young hooligan to specifically bully Ma Xiaogang, just to test if she could still treat the child normally after hearing the project had failed.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Chen Men had been a person who acted with conscience in both her lifetimes.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Many of the projects that Lu Jingyu couldn''t secure initially were slowly won over by Chen Men''s persistent efforts, like water dripping through stone.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
She had always worried whether she could manage without Lu Jingyu, after all, in this society, people ced more value on men.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
But this time, without Lu Jingyu, didn''t she still seed?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The project, she had secured it!<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Little Lang''s grilled sausage was of course gone in just a few bites, but Little Wang hadn''t eaten his Vienna sausage. He waited until he saw Yuanyuaning out of the film studio, then reached out and gave it to her from afar.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Chen Men had originally thought that since sausages cool quickly, she would buy one when Yuanyuan came out. Since Little Wang had given his, she decided not to buy another one.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
However, Yuanyuan had only taken one bite when Little Wang, taking advantage of Chen Men''s inattention, suddenly said mysteriously, "Little Yuanyuan, there''s my snot on it."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Yuanyuan was so angry she pinched him, and Little Wang quickly surrendered, "I''m just kidding, I didn''t even dare to smell it."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Is it toote to return this brother now?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
On the weekend, Yan Zhao was cleaning up at home, as Xiong Xiangdang wasing over as a guest today.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Although Yan Zhao worked inw enforcement, Xiong Xiangdang always liked to consult him on criminal investigation matters, such as the ongoing child trafficking cases. There were many such cases, and they had arrested several that could serve as examples. It was time for some heavy sentences, and Xiong Xiangdang wanted to hear Yan Zhao''s opinion.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Let''s wait a bit longer. The current examples aren''t enough yet. Keep looking," said Yan Zhao.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Indeed, regarding child trafficking, they needed to find exemry cases and crack down hard, with public executions. So the examples had to be sufficiently typical to warrant public execution.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Xiong Xiangdang then left.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Little Three?" a woman called Yan Zhao by his childhood nickname at the door. "It''s me, Chuncao."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
It was Su Chuncao. Her family was from the First Brigade, but she had married into the Third Brigade. She and Yan Zhao were ssmates in elementary school.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
As a child, she often copied Yan Zhao''s homework. They had a good rtionship. Moreover, the current family nning policy allowed married couples to have only one child. For remarried couples, only if one partner had no children could they have another. If both had children already, they were required to undergo sterilization. As a small-time health worker, she had a heavy quota for sterilizations to meet.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Otherwise, she wouldn''t dare toe knocking on this tiger''s door so rashly.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Seeing that Chen Men wasn''t around, she smiled and said, "Captain Yan, the policy is forcing our hand. If your wife won''t get sterilized, you should do it. You promised before, remember?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Yan Zhao was hangingundry, hisrge hand patting Chen Men''s white shirt, smoothing it out.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
His hand paused on the white shirt, as if hearing this for the first time: "What sterilization?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"The family nning policy. That year you called and told me personally not to sterilize Zhou Xueqin, but to sterilize you instead if needed. Now that Chen Men won''t do it, you should step up. Set an example for our vige," Su Chuncao said again.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Zhou Xueqin and Yan Zhao didn''t have a good rtionship. She had lived in Salt Barrier Vige for a few days, saying everyone bullied her and she didn''t want to stay, wanting to go to the capital instead.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
When she got to the capital, sheined that her father-inw and sister-inw bullied her, so she returned to her parents'' home.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
At that time, to help Zhou Xueqin move, Yan Zhao had specially asked Su Chuncao to help her move.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
But even though Zhou Xueqin lived with her parents, she was still considered a member of Salt Barrier Vige. In theory, under the family nning policy, she should have been sterilized. However, when Su Chuncao went to find Zhou Xueqin, she made Su Chuncao call Yan Zhao, yelling into the phone: "Yan Zhao, my being with you was all rape, pure rape. The child was also from rape. I won''t get sterilized. If anyone''s getting sterilized, it should be you."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Yan Zhao had Su Chuncao listen to the call, then said, "Wait until Ie back to get sterilized. Don''t sterilize Zhou Xueqin."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Zhou Xueqin grabbed the phone and said softly, "Yan Zhao, you''re so good. I''ll take good care of our child, thank you." One mention of sterilization, and rape could turn into "so good" - it shows how much women resented sterilization.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
It was also because of this that Salt Barrier Vige let Zhou Xueqin off. Otherwise, they would have sterilized her long ago.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
A few days ago, Su Chuncao had been trying to persuade Chen Men to get sterilized, but she didn''t take the bait. So Su Chuncao came to find the "Cold King Yan."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Once, when Yan Zhao couldn''t find a partner in the army, Yan Yong had asked about their female elementary school ssmates. Su Chuncao had married early and missed the chance. There was one called Su Yuan, but she refused even when Yan Zhao''s mother personally proposed, saying he was too dark and fierce-looking.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
But this "Cold King Yan" had a soft heart despite his tough exterior, and was actually very good to women.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Chuncao, can you gather the vige women? I''d like to say a few words about the sterilization issue," said Yan Zhao.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Just then, Chen Men came in with the children and saw Su Chuncao chatting cheerfully with Yan Zhao. She asked, "Chuncao, what''s going on?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Yan Zhao wants to get himself sterilized!" Su Chuncao stuck out her tongue. "Men, don''t think Yan Zhao is poor. You''ve found a good man."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Under the grand family nning policy, forget about women - what man would voluntarily get sterilized?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Su Chuncao had already gone to gather people. Chen Men felt like she''d been hit over the head.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The current policy was still okay in cities, but in rural areas, family nning was a one-size-fits-all policy - either sterilization or IUD insertion.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Sterilization directly took away your ability to have children, while IUDs had a chance of perforating the uterus.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
However, Yan Zhao worked at the police station. If he didn''t voluntarily get sterilized, who would dare to make trouble at his workce?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
As for her, she could just hide, right? Who could really force her onto the operating table?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
How did Yan Zhao suddenly decide to voluntarily sterilize himself? Was it like Zhou Xueqin said, that he was an unyielding golden shield when it came to following rules andws, making no exceptions even for himself?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Captain Yan, how did you suddenly decide to sterilize yourself? What''s going on?" Chen Men had to ask.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
No matter howw-abiding he was, he couldn''t be like this. This policy could only control people with official jobs. The nouveau riche and coal bosses had many children, who would upy more social resources in the future. This was an unequal treaty.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Yan Zhao surprisingly said, "If I voluntarily get sterilized, you should be happy, right?" Then he just stared at her.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Chen Men almost jumped up, thinking, "Captain Yan, why would I be happy if you get sterilized?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
It''s said that after men get sterilized, they''re likely to be impotent in that area.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Why would I be happy if you get sterilized?" Chen Men asked back.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"They say after a man gets sterilized, he bes impotent in that area. Then you won''t hurt anymore," Yan Zhao indeed said, proving he knew about it too.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Chen Men thought to herself, this man looks upright on the surface, but how can he blurt out such things so brazenly?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
It made her heart race.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"I don''t hurt that much now, and isn''t it normal anyway?" Chen Men wasn''t a shameless woman. In her two lifetimes, she had never discussed bedroom matters with anyone, but now she had to say such things.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Tofort a man who was ruthless and ck-hearted, yet actually quite cunning inside, while appearing simple and honest on the outside.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Yan Zhao smiled but didn''t say anything.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Even if you have to get sterilized for the policy, there are actually connections and ways around it. Why don''t I quietly find someone to pull some strings for you, and you can just go through the motions? How about that?" Chen Men tried saying.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Suggesting using connections to the iron-willed, impartial Captain Yan - she treaded lightly, afraid he might not only reject the favor but also give her a lecture.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Yan Zhao frowned again: "You can use connections for this too?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"You probably won''t want to, but many people pay a few hundred yuan to bribe the doctor and it''s fine," Chen Men exined. "They make a small incision, get a certificate to take home, and just be careful about contraception afterwards."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
This was almost a social norm. If he lectured her for this, he''d deserve Zhou Xueqin cheating on him.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Yan Zhao: "Now I know."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
This was a man who had been in the army for over a decade. After a long military career, he was slowly getting familiar with the rules of this new society. He would get angry hearing that only those who visited prostitutes could win, and he didn''t quite understand the various unspoken rules of society. Having been isted for too long, he was trying to integrate into this world that was no longer the ck-and-white of the Cultural Revolution era, but rather bizarre and varied.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"If you''re willing to use connections, I''ll go tell Chuncao not to call people, and we can just quietly get it done," Chen Men said, tempting Captain Yan to break the rules. But this was a necessary transgression, as it concerned her sexual happiness.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Su Chuncao is working so hard on family nning everywhere. Does she take money too?" Yan Zhao asked instead.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Actually, she didn''t. Su Chuncao was just a small health worker with family nning quotas to meet. If she didn''tplete them, she''d be criticized by her superiors. How could she possibly be taking bribes?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Rural family nning was so strict in the 1990s because of performance evaluations. Local governmentspeted to see who could sterilize more people, and that was considered glorious.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
As for the gray benefits, in this era, as long as a woman was pushed onto the operating table, everyone from the family nning office to the surgeon would open their pockets to take money.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Chen Men had just finished persuading Yan Zhao when Su Chuncao''s voice came over the loudspeaker outside: "All women in the brigade, gather in front of the Third Brigade health clinic. There''s a policy to be announced." It wasn''t just once, but repeated over and over.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Fortunately, she didn''t directly say Yan Zhao wanted to sterilize himself.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
They had to go now. Chen Men needed to get Su Chuncao to suppress this matter. Otherwise, if it spread that Yan Zhao was voluntarily getting sterilized, given how the government operated these days, Chen Men feared that leaders from the Family nning Bureau woulde in person to observe Yan Zhao''s sterilization surgery. Then the doctor would definitely tie a knot in his vas deferens.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Let''s go. I''ll say a few words," Yan Zhao said, getting up.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"You can''t get sterilized," Chen Men pleaded earnestly.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"I won''t get sterilized," Yan Zhao suddenly lowered his head and looked at Chen Men. "But you have to promise me that starting tonight, you won''t go back to sleep on that kang bed. It''s too cold, you''ll catch a cold."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
How did this suddenly turn into a discussion about where she sleeps at night? Chen Men pretended not to hear.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Although people weren''t very enthusiastic, when they heard the loudspeaker, they were willing to bring their small stools to join the crowd. Little Lang shouted loudly, "Sterilize! Let''s all get sterilized together!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Little Wang and Yuanyuan saw Little Lang carrying a small stool, so they also grabbed small stools and ran faster than the adults.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Who''s getting sterilized?" someone asked.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Another person said, "I heard it''s our vige''s ''King of Hell''."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Many people already knew privately, after all, news travels fast. More people kept arriving, and the vige health center weed its busiest day since its establishment.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
And Su Chuncao hadn''t even given her public lecture yet.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"No way, even if you told me West Mountain was getting sterilized, I wouldn''t believe Yan Zhao would do it," someone was saying. Just then, Yan Zhao walked past him, and he immediately fell silent. A chill seemed to follow wherever Yan Zhao went.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
When he stopped in front of the promotional posters at the health center, everyone stopped talking.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Most were women who were required to be sterilized under strict conditions by the family nning office, but who stubbornly refused to go through with it.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
It wasn''t that they wanted to have more children, they just wanted to keep their reproductive rights in their own hands.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
People had heard that a man wanted to get sterilized, which they found novel, so they came to watch themotion.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Chuncao,e read this. What does this sentence say?" Yan Zhao pointed to the "Current Regtions on Family nning Issued by the State Council" posted on the wall.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Su Chuncao hurried over and read where Yan Zhao was pointing: "...All couples meeting the above conditions must implement birth control measures."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"What are birth control measures?" Yan Zhao asked Su Chuncao again.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"IUDs, sterilization," Su Chuncao replied.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Condoms and birth control pills are also birth control measures. This is a regtion issued by the State Council, proving that the state only requires people to use birth control, not a one-size-fits-all approach of sterilizing women. I''m dering here that our couple will follow national regtions for birth control and absolutely won''t have more children, but we''ll use condoms and birth control pills. Men won''t be sterilized," Yan Zhao said.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
A woman in the crowd gathered the courage to speak up: "Team Leader Yan, if Men doesn''t get sterilized, no one would daree to your house to force her. But if we don''t get sterilized, the family nning office wille to our homes and drag us away. You''re in public security - can we report this to the police?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
On one hand, people were hiding to avoid sterilization and secretly having children. On the other hand, the family nning teams were acting like bandits raiding homes.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Yan Zhao looked at the woman and said, "Use the policies to protect your rights and do proper birth control. If family nning officials reallye to your home and assault you, report it immediately, and we''ll respond right away. But you can''t make a scene or hit people either. Whoever strikes first is who we''ll arrest."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The people who had beenughing and joking just moments ago suddenly fell silent.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
After a while, some women started apuding sporadically.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
As Yan Zhao made his way through the crowd, more people joined in the apuse.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Thew is set by the state, and State Council policies have never been one-size-fits-all. There are just some deviations in the implementation process.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
As long as you obey thew, you can call the police to confront the family nning officials. But most people just want to take advantage and have more children, so they end up being bullied by the family nning office.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Su Chuncao was still standing there when suddenly Chen Men grabbed her ear: "You, Su Chuncao! Toplete your family nning quota, you tried to trick my husband into getting sterilized? Good thing my husband is smart."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Let me exin... never mind," Su Chuncao started to speak but then stopped herself, pulling away from Chen Men''s grasp.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
If Yan Zhao hadn''t personally said on the phone that he would get sterilized when he returned, would Su Chuncao havee to their home?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
At the time, after hanging up the phone, Zhou Xueqin hadined to Su Chuncao: "Just look at this. Yan Zhao is so stubborn. If he had any ambition or money, why would he need to get sterilized? Couldn''t he just pay some money to avoid it?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Rich people all pay off the family nning department and the surgeons to exempt their wives from sterilization, and still get an honorary que to hang at home.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Yan Zhao, a soldier on the battlefield of war and smoke, had no such ability and could only get himself sterilized.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Zhou Xueqin''s hatred, resentment, and disappointment had umted bit by bit like this.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Su Chuncao had sighed for Zhou Xueqin at the time, even feeling that Zhou Xueqin''s divorce was understandable. But now, she wanted Zhou Xueqin to see how Yan Zhao handled this matter.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Not only did he not let Men get sterilized, but his interpretation of the policy was also something Su Chuncao had never heard before.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
She had heard that Zhou Xueqin and her new man had made a lot of money outside the vige, and Zhou''s mother was bragging about her new son-inw''s capabilities at mahjong tables.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
But Su Chuncao felt that even if Zhou Xueqin''s new son-inw was good, Yan Zhao wasn''t bad either.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
He might have less money, but at least he was upright and lived with dignity.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Yan Zhao had once voluntarily brought up getting sterilized, but to avoid leaving Men with any misgivings, she wouldn''t mention it. She would be the bad guy in this!<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
On the way back, Yan Zhao repeated once more that she wasn''t allowed to leave tonight - it was too cold, and she could easily catch a cold running back and forth in the middle of the night.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
But that night, Chen Men broke her promise. After being held down by Yan Zhao several times and getting up again, she still ran away with her pillow.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Little Lang was her get-out-of-jail-free card. She was always listening for Little Lang''s voice, ready to run at his first cry.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
...<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
To outsiders, Chen Men''s contract with Qinchuan Group seemed like dumb luck, and even other leaders at Qinchuan Group couldn''t say anything against it, since no one could connect her to Leader Ma.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Chen Men brought her manager Yan Bin, foreman Chen Degong, and supervisor Huang Zhengde to sign the contract. The four of them made quite an impressive professional team.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
But other foremen looked at Chen Men as if she were a lucky fool.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
This was a big project, with the first payment being 30% upfront - 90,000 yuan for buying basic materials.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
However, in this era, as long as you were familiar with suppliers, you could get various construction materials on credit.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
So Chen Men saved that 90,000 yuan, nning to invest it in the West Mountainpany when the time came.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Qinchuan Group only had a small crew start construction work this winter, with her older brother leading the experienced workers to work slowly. The main building construction wouldn''t start until spring of ''89, and the 30,000 yuan Chen Men had originally earned was enough to cover expenses.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
This project could help her turn Yuanyuan''s two mines into safe mines where no one would die.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
With those two mines, Yuanyuan wouldn''t have to struggle and toil for half her life like in her previous life.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
She had a dowry whose value she didn''t even know herself, and it was clean money too.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Moreover, to prevent Yan Xishan from ying tricks with the project, Chen Men hadn''t told him about this money yet.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Yan Xishan was busy with construction at the coal pit, asionallying to chat with Chen Men, telling her how much money Zhou Xueqin had made again.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
He said it was unconscionable of her to keep him cooped up in the mountains working on safety projects.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Chen Men, I''ve always looked down on that woman Zhou Xueqin, but as a woman, she''s a thousand times better than you," Yan Xishan said through gritted teeth, pointing at Chen Men''s nose.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Just then, Little Wang and Yuanyuan came home from school. Little Wang hadn''t heard yet, but the sensible Yuanyuan pulled him away, turning to run.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Her annoying brother wasn''t the best student in school, but he was the most diligent, always eager to help teachers clean the ckboard and assist his ssmates. He was happy every day, but whenever he heard the name Zhou Xueqin, he became unhappy.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Yuanyuan knew this better than anyone, so whenever someone mentioned Zhou Xueqin, she would find a way to pull her brother far away so he wouldn''t hear.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Even though they lived in the same vige.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The other reincarnated person, Zhou Xueqin, had never shown herself, remainingpletely unconnected to Chen Men like two parallel lines.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Little Lang was even closer to Chen Men than Yuanyuan. Little Wang would have been a very good child if not for some asional bad habits. Yuanyuan and Little Wang often quarreled but would reconcile without adult intervention.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Chen Men thought she would forever only hear news of Zhou Xueqin''s sudden wealth and witness Lu Jingyu be the new richest man ahead of schedule.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
But just then, an unexpected piece of news arrived.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The phone rang in the middle of the night.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
After a while, Yan Zhao came to knock on the window. Chen Men was holding onto her get-out-of-jail-free card: "Little Lang won''t let me leave. He cries as soon as I let go."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Zhou Xueqin has been stabbed. They say her life is in danger!" Yan Zhao said.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Zhou Xueqin, who was a thousand times stronger than Chen Men, had now sent news that she was on the brink of death.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0