Chapter 26: Future Mother-in-law (Seeking Collection and Recommendation)

  On Sunday, Ye Zhenran got up early. Went to the bathroom, washed his face, cooked a package of instant noodles, and turned on the TV to watch the morning news. It was all part of his daily routine. People who work within the system are different from those in other professions in that they pay special attention to media news. Ye Zhenran made it a point to watch the morning and evening news every day, from the county TV station to the provincial and central stations. Perhaps a short and simple piece of news would be glanced over by others, but someone within the system could discern subtle adjustments in policy or hints at personnel changes in official circles.

  Ye Ziran saw the provincial TV news broadcasting a set of economic data, and the host was commenting on it in a rhythmic tone that after the central government implemented the "double tightening" policy, the momentum of inflation had been effectively curbed, residents' deposits had increased, and the possibility of a soft landing for the economy had greatly increased. Indeed, in 1988, the country experienced severe inflation, with retail prices rising by 18.5% and resident consumption prices rising by 18.8%. A wave of panic buying swept across the country. As a result, the State Council implemented strict "rectification" from the fourth quarter of 1988, using various means to tighten investment and currency supply, resulting in a rapid decline in the rate of price increases. However, Ye Ziran also knew that after the tightening in 1988, the GDP growth rate had slowed significantly, with GDP growing by only 4.1% and 3.8% in 1989 and 1990, respectively. This was the slowest growth rate since the reform and opening-up. In this context, the tax incentives policy of Mashan Township Economic Zone would be extremely attractive to all non-public enterprises, and Changjiang Province, being one of the most developed provinces for private economy, would inevitably attract a large number of enterprises to settle in the zone. Once the national economic policy was adjusted and relaxed appropriately, these enterprises would burst forth with strong competitiveness and occupy the commanding heights of the private economy.

  While lost in thought, Ye Zheyen's Chinese pager on his waist suddenly beeped, and he saw a message from Zhang Nianyue that read: "Come over early".

  Ye Ziran glanced at the time, only 8:30, and couldn't help but laugh awkwardly. He had thought that he would be nervous about meeting his future "mother-in-law" today, but it seemed that Zhang Nianyue was just as tense as he was. Was she worried that she would fail the "first test"? However, thinking about it, although they had only known each other for a short half-month, their feelings towards each other were like they had been together for many years. Every word and every smile left behind many memorable details, and often the two of them could understand each other's thoughts with just one glance. So, at this moment, their worries were also roughly the same. He quickly got busy, being a new official on duty, he was also a person who did business, and during this time, he had been keeping a close eye on the work of the economic zone and textile factory. Taking advantage of the early hour, he first reviewed all the newly drafted rules and regulations, preferential measures for new enterprises, tax incentives, personnel assessment methods, etc., and made annotations with a pencil where changes were needed. After finishing these documents, he looked at the time and saw that it was almost time, so he left the economic zone on foot.

  "When the plum blossoms turn yellow, the sun shines every day, and the small stream is filled with water, but the mountain path is still passable. The green shade has not decreased from the road I took last time, and there are four or five orioles singing." Zeng Ji's "Three Qu Tao Zhong" is a true portrayal of Xia Ri Chang County in summer.

  Ye Ziran walked along the riverbank in the city to Ye's old house, all the way feeling that the scenery was beautiful and pleasant. The city river and Xishan were all becoming a delightful scene in his eyes. People in twos and threes were chatting and playing under the shade of trees, revealing the unique laziness and tranquility of the small town.

  When they arrived at Ye Lao's house, Ye Zhenran saw a military jeep parked outside the door and knew that Zhang Nianyue's mother had arrived. Upon entering, he indeed saw a dignified middle-aged woman chatting with Ye Lao.

  Yè Lǎo saw him push the door and come in, and greeted: "Xiao Yè is here, let's get to know each other, this is Niàn Yuè's mother Yè Qīng Lì."

  Ye Ziran looked at Nianyue's mother, Ye Qingli, and saw her smiling at him. He felt a little relieved in his heart, but was worried that she would notice something unusual, so he didn't dare to look at Zhang Nianyue beside her. He slightly bowed his waist and called out: "Auntie."

  "Xiao Ye, right? I've heard Uncle and Heng Liang mention you many times. Thank you for visiting Uncle so often." Nian Yue's mother said warmly, apparently unaware of the subtle relationship between Ye Ziran and Nian Yue.

  Nian Yue's mother was Ye Lao's niece, and her father died in the Korean War when she was six years old. Since Ye Lao had been injured during the war and was infertile, he raised Ye Qingli as his own daughter, treating her like his own flesh and blood.

  Ye Ziran smiled foolishly and scratched his head, saying: "Actually, I often come to Old Ye's place to eat for free. To say it, it was Old Ye who helped me solve a big problem."

  Yè Qīnglì heard the laughter and hadn't replied yet, when Yè Lǎo turned his face to her and said: "Xiao Yè is someone I met while playing cards with Héng Liáng, we hit it off immediately and had a great conversation. Take a look, doesn't he resemble me in my younger years?"

  Ye Qing nodded in agreement and said: "There's a bit of resemblance, but it doesn't compare to Uncle's majestic appearance back then."

  Ye Lao heard the words and burst out laughing. Zhang Nianyue opened her eyes wide and asked her mother, "Mom, was Grandpa handsome when he was young? More handsome than a wooden stick?"

  When Nianyue blurted out the words "wooden head", Yeziran's heart skipped a beat, and he looked at Yeqingli with some tension. Zhang Nianyue seemed to realize that her words were somewhat awkward, and she made a silly face behind her mother's back at Yeziran, but didn't say anything else. Yeqingli carefully looked at Yeziran again, then turned around to look at her daughter, her eyes filled with puzzlement, asking: "What wooden head?"

  Yeh Lao burst out laughing and helped the two of them out of the awkward situation, saying: "What's with this 'handsome' business? We're all old now. A true hero doesn't mention his past bravery."

  Zhang Nianyue hurriedly walked to the back of Ye Lao, gently massaging his shoulders and said: "Grandpa is not old, he's in good spirits. Otherwise, how could Mom be at ease letting you and Cai Shu live with Chang Jia alone?"

  "Uncle, you're also getting on in years," Ye Qingli continued, "This time I'll leave Jiang Shu and his wife here to tidy up the house and do some household chores. Please don't oppose it anymore."

  Ye Ziran suddenly remembered the rural couple in their 40s he saw when entering the courtyard, who looked quite capable and strong, probably Jiang Shu's husband and wife that Ye Qingli mentioned.

  Ye Lao looked at Cai Shu, who had not spoken up until now, and asked. Cai Shu hastily shook his head and said, "I'm fine, no need." Ye Lao thought for a moment and agreed to Ye Qingli's request, saying, "Let him stay then, one day we'll need him, and it will make things easier for Ah Cai too."

  A few people were chatting when Ye Zhenran saw a big boy, about 1.8 meters tall, with a strong and handsome face, similar to Zhang Hengliang's features, appear at the door leading to the back room. He knew this was Zhang Nianyue's brother. Indeed, he was holding a martial arts novel and asked Nianyue as soon as he came in: "Sister, where is the second volume of 'The Book and Sword'?

  Zhang Nianyue smiled but didn't respond to his words, instead turning to Ye Zhenran and saying: "This is my younger brother Nianheng." Then she turned back to her brother and said: "You've arrived just in time, let me introduce you. This is Ye Zhenran, Brother Ye."

  "Brother Ye?" Zhang Nianheng slightly emphasized the two words "brother", looking at Ye Zhenran with suspicion, then turned to ask his sister: "Isn't he your new boyfriend?"

  One sentence made Zhang Nianyue's face flush red with anger, and she glared at her brother with hatred, scolding "Damn you, what are you talking about?" After scolding him, she looked at her mother with her eyes.

  Ye Qingli originally took her son's words as a joke, but seeing Nianyue's expression and tense reaction, she suddenly understood a little, turned her head to look at Ye Zhenran.

  This glance, although not serious in meaning, made Ye Zhenran's heart feel a little empty. He smiled unnaturally and said to Zhang Nianheng: "You're Nianheng, I heard you just finished the college entrance exam? How did it go?"

  Zhang Nianheng indeed had a small body but a big personality, and he didn't change the subject because of his words. With a somewhat disdainful tone, he said: "Don't digress, wanting to be my brother-in-law isn't easy, not to mention other things, just this one hurdle is hard to pass." His speech carried a hint of a spoiled rich kid's air.

  Ye Ziran is after all a few years older than him, and his life experience has determined his ability to adapt to changing circumstances. He smiled and said: "Nianyue and I are just ordinary friends, you can ask Ye Lao about it."

  Zhang Nianheng shook his head and said, "You've been with Grandpa for so long, you've already made him happy, of course he'll help you speak up. I trust my own intuition, you and your sister must have something going on."

  Zhang Nianyue swung his fist at him and said, "You've become quite bold after not seeing each other for a few days, how dare you spout nonsense?"

  Zhang Nianheng took a look at his sister's somewhat anxious expression, and his body retreated slightly, unintentionally sighing repeatedly, saying: "It's not easy, I've seen many of my sister's admirers and pursuers. You're the first one to make my sister come out and cover for you..." Before he could finish speaking, Zhang Nianyue used a female martial artist's ultimate move - Pincer Skill, and with a ruthless twist, she pinched him hard, making her brother wince in pain, sucking in cold air.

  Yè Qīnglì furrowed her brow and rebuked Zhāng Niànhéng in a low voice: "Niánhéng, stop messing around and stand aside." After finishing speaking, she turned her head and seemingly casually asked Yè Lǎo: "Uncle, what does Little Leaf do for work?"

  Ye Lao also seemed to answer casually: "Xiao Ye is good, capable and upright, now he is the deputy head of Ma Shi Township in Changja County."

  Zhang Nianheng curled his mouth and said, "Just the deputy head of the village..." Before he finished speaking, Nianyue raised her right hand and made a crab claw gesture with her thumb and curved index finger, threateningly saying: "You're just a little kid, what do you know? Mu Tong is a top student at J University, and was even the president of the student union when she was in school."

  Ye Qingli heard the term "wooden" for the second time, and by now she had understood that her daughter had a good impression of this young deputy township head, and her attention to Ye Zhenran increased involuntarily. As the saying goes, when a mother-in-law looks at her son-in-law, she becomes more and more delighted. But Ye Qingli's feeling towards him was not so simple.