Zhu Yun was both amused and exasperated. Still, her sun protection was impeccable; not an inch of her skin was exposed to the blazing sun, so she wasn’t worried about anyone noticing anything unusual.

The next morning, Zhu Yun ran into Sister-in-law Tan in the canteen and learned that Wang Xianbing hadn’t put his family up in the guesthouse. Instead, he had rented a small courtyard house outside the factory.

Coincidentally, it was right across from her!

It turned out the family living across from her small courtyard home had just been assigned a unit in the factory’s family housing. Fed up with the rampant mosquitoes, insects, snakes, and ants, they had just moved out, leaving the place vacant.

"Yesterday evening, Director Wang went for a stroll up the mountain and caught a 220-pound wild boar. He and his nephew dragged it down together. He gave a quarter to the canteen, sent another quarter to the village, and used the rest to host a barbecue for all the neighbors."

"Wild boars are all fattened up this time of year, so it was especially fragrant when roasted. The Wang Family really won over a lot of people. Now everyone’s saying that Old Mrs. Wang is generous and straightforward, that Director Wang is good-natured and capable, and that his niece and nephew don’t even seem like they’re from the countryside..."

"They traded half a boar for a good reputation, but it’s making people start to question you."

Zhu Yun smiled and exchanged a few more words with Sister-in-law Tan. Back in her office, she propped her head in her hands and let out a soft sigh.

’I used the canteen to stop employees and their families from bringing all their friends over to freeload, but there are communes and other work units nearby. As long as someone’s identity checks out, they can still show up and eat their fill.’

’The other work units aren’t a big deal, since the organization allocates their food rations the same way. It’s not really a case of anyone taking advantage of anyone else.’

’The problem is the grain from the rural areas. It’s from this year’s harvest and hasn’t been distributed to the individual households yet.’

’When the commune’s grain stores start to dwindle and famine sets in, they’ll have to wait for relief grain from the organization. When that happens, the villagers will definitely start trouble, and the whole conflict will be pinned on the factory for letting commune members eat there!’

So, she went to see Director Wang again and explained the situation.

Director Wang nodded. "You’re right, we need to make this clear to the commune. Otherwise, when they run short on food, they’ll pin the blame on us, and it’ll be impossible to sort out."

He rode his bike directly to the commune, brought a few of the stewards back to the factory, and arrived just in time for breakfast.

Director Wang took the stewards on an insightful tour and study session, laying out all the pros and cons.

These stewards were sharp people. Their commune depended on the Bright Machinery Factory, so they were always quick to act on any new developments, following the large factory’s lead to secure more benefits for their people.

They studied diligently, asking questions from time to time. They even brazenly asked for a few recipes, copied down the canteen’s rules and regulations, made numerous copies, and distributed them to each brigade with orders that they be strictly enforced.

Old Mrs. Wang chuckled, holding her bowl as she saw Wang Xianbing off at the door. "Son, you’re so resourceful!"

"I originally thought we could eat as much as we wanted at the canteen—that’s why I sent the telegram to your father and the others. I didn’t find out about the new rules until after they were already on the train, and I was worried they had made the trip for nothing."

"But now, a single wild boar has solved all our problems with housing and food! We don’t have to walk on eggshells around your wife anymore. From now on, your father and I can just sit back and enjoy the good life you’ll provide!" 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

"But you’re the man of the house. You need to put your foot down. Give her the cold shoulder for a few days and show her who’s boss! Otherwise, she’ll just lead you around by the nose forever, and your father and I will have to suffer right along with you."

Wang Xianbing frowned slightly. "Mom, Lin Jin is pregnant. Her hormones are all over the place. Please try to be more understanding. I’ll have a serious talk with her after the baby is born. And don’t you worry, I’ll definitely take care of you and Dad in your old age!"

Old Mrs. Wang was also a cunning woman and knew not to push her son too hard, so she nodded. "Alright, alright. I’m not some unreasonable old woman. As long as she treats you well, even if it’s just to protect your reputation at the factory... Your father and I will help raise our grandson until he’s three, and then we’ll head back to our village."

Wang Xianbing was touched and quickly replied, "Mom, what are you talking about? How could I call you here when I need you, only to send you back to work the fields when I’m done? You’re insulting me by even suggesting it."

He pulled fifty yuan and a stack of ration coupons from his pocket. "Over the next few days, take Dad and my niece and nephew out and buy some daily necessities."

Old Mrs. Wang put on a show of refusing before she reluctantly accepted it.

She waved her son off, then tucked the money and coupons into her clothing with a triumphant expression.

’For the past month or two, she and Lin Jin had clashed constantly, and every defeat had been agonizing. She had learned the hard way what it meant to be two-faced.’

’Now her reinforcements had arrived, and after giving Lin Jin just a small taste of her own medicine, she was already seeing such great results!’