Lin Tang silently gave her approval.
That’s what she thought too.
"Uncle, I feel the same way. The outside world is filled with miasma. There’s no need for the brigade to follow suit and lead the kids astray, right?"
Speaking of the kids, other members of the brigade voiced their opinions too.
They all felt that it wasn’t right to mimic the outside world.
Everyone had been to the county and knew how chaotic it was outside.
Even adults felt a sense of trepidation, let alone children.
A village kid had gone to the county with an adult and encountered some messy situation, becoming so frightened that they didn’t sleep well for several days.
They went to see a barefoot doctor, who said the child had been scared.
Because of this, the members of the brigade no longer dared to let the little ones go to the county.
They were all frightened!
"What Tangtang said is right. We don’t care what’s happening outside; we just live our own lives. Why bother with all that extra stuff?"
"Exactly! Rather than wasting time on that, it’s better to till a few more fields. I also don’t want to get involved. It’s bringing misfortune!"
...
Lin Tang saw her brigade becoming more rational, not having their minds clouded by the crazes outside. The corners of her mouth curved upward more and more.
Guan Aiju saw her smiling and asked, "Tangtang, what are you laughing about? Do you think we made the right decision?!"
The members of the brigade cared a lot about Lin Tang’s opinion, and upon hearing this question, they all looked towards her.
Lin Tang raised both thumbs up, her face filled with pride.
"It’s of no use what I think! Each one of you uncles and aunties has a fair judgment. I always remember what my dad said: ’As long as everything you do sits well with your conscience, that’s all that matters, just follow your heart.’"
She didn’t give a straight answer, but everyone could see her appreciation.
This reassured them.
After casually greeting Lin Fu, they all went about their business.
The new ’criminals’—no one paid them much mind.
As the crowd dispersed, Sisi and the others felt much more at ease in an instant.
Seeing this, Lin Fu felt relieved. Looking at the newcomers, he said, "Let’s go, I’ll take you to where you will be staying. The conditions are tough, so bear with us."
For those who had suffered a lot, not being beaten or scolded was already a good outcome.
"Thank you, Captain," said the eldest among them.
Lin Tang looked at this person.
His hair was white, but he stood tall and straight. A permanent crease between his brows made him seem unapproachable.
Lin Fu led the group away.
Sisi turned her head towards Lin Tang with a shy smile and waved at her.
Lin Tang responded with a smile.
"Tongzi, is the mission completed?"
[...Congratulations, host, for completing the task of preventing the Shuangshan Brigade members from joining the chaos. Reward: 3000 points.]
Lin Tang was stunned when she heard this number.
"3000? Why has it suddenly increased so much?"
Wasn’t it 2000 before?
[The host over-delivered and also maintained the dignity of key individuals, hence the bonus reward.]
Lin Tang raised an eyebrow and said, "That’s a pleasant surprise. Send more tasks like this in the future, Tongzi."
[It depends on luck and is beyond the control of the system. Please don’t have unrealistic expectations, host.]
"Alright then," responded Lin Tang obediently.
Then, changing her tone, "I won’t have unrealistic expectations, but you can, Tongzi. Send a few more tasks like this one. Your points will shoot up, right?"
The system fell silent.
Hmm, it also wanted to soar...
The system remained silent, and Lin Tang paid it no mind.
To her at this moment, points were not important.
If it weren’t for helping Tongzi, she most likely wouldn’t take on any tasks.
-
Lin Fu took the people to the Pig Farm, settled them down, and then left.
On the way back to the Brigade Department, he ran into Lin Tang.
"Tangtang, you’re still wandering around."
Lin Tang smiled and said, "Uncle, I need to talk to you."
Lin Fu looked surprised, "Oh? What about?"
Lin Tang played coy and didn’t say right away, instead speaking in a soft voice, "I have my plans, just tell me, Uncle."
Lin Fu had no resistance to his pampered niece. Considering that the matter wasn’t a big secret, he told her straightforwardly.
"One is a career official, one is a wealthy person, and there’s also one who wields a paintbrush. That young couple with a child seems to be skilled professionals..."
All of them were accomplished individuals.
Who knew when the world would return to normal.
It’s a huge waste to have talented people stuck in the countryside!
Lin Tang’s eyes lit up, "Someone with a paintbrush?"
"Absolutely!" Lin Fu said. "He’s reputed to be a great artist. I don’t understand much about it; I’m just repeating what I’ve heard from others."
"Uncle, what if we have Zhixuan become his disciple and learn painting from him? Would that work?" Lin Tang asked.
She disliked beating around the bush. If she had an idea, she’d speak it out.
Everyone could discuss it together.
The uncle was the patriarch of the Lin Family, especially concerning the intricately-identified newcomers. Asking the uncle was essential.
Lin Fu hadn’t expected Tangtang to have such a plan.
After pondering, he said, "It’s not impossible."
"But we can’t do it openly."
"How about this, you handle your part, and I’ll pretend to be unaware. I’ll support you from behind, how’s that?"
That was exactly what Lin Tang had in mind.
An uncle, after all, was somewhat of a leader.
Getting too close to those people was not a good thing.
But she was different.
"Sure, then I’ll do it myself."
Lin Fu patted Lin Tang’s head, full of affection.
"Go ahead with confidence. I can’t guarantee much, but as long as I am the captain, I’ll protect you every day."
Lin Tang’s eyes were full of smiles. "Thank you, Uncle."
"Thanks for what? I’m your real uncle. Isn’t it natural to look after you?"
-
Lin Tang went home and shared her plan for Zhixuan to take on a mentor with her family.
Li Xiuli’s face showed concern.
"Won’t there be any trouble? Those people are..."
She didn’t harbor any ill feelings towards them.
Especially since one of them had a little girl about the same age as her granddaughter. She didn’t just feel no ill will; she even felt a bit of sorrow.
But, sympathy was one thing.
She was afraid that her family would invite trouble.
Although it didn’t lead to serious trouble when Tangtang was reported, it still gave her a start.
Lin Lu thought for a moment and said, "Being careful should prevent any issues."
He knew Tangtang had always wanted to find Choudan a good teacher, but due to the scarcity of painting instructors in the county, the search had been fruitless.
Now that an opportunity had arisen, his daughter likely wouldn’t want to let it slip by.
Lin Tang indeed felt this way.
"Opportunities come but do not linger. Zhixuan has also grown another year older. The teachers at the Culture Palace in the county are limited in their abilities; they can’t teach him anymore. We must find another master. Zhixuan is talented, and we can’t sit back and watch his talent go to waste."
"If we really couldn’t find a teacher, we’d let it be, but now that a teacher has come to our doorstep, if we don’t cherish this..."
... I really worry about being struck by lightning!
Seeing Ning Xinrou earnestly advocating for her son, Li Xiuli warmed inside and voiced her support.
"Dad, Mom, I think Tangtang makes a good point. Zhixuan truly loves painting, and now is the perfect time for him to build his foundation. If we miss this chance..."
She caressed Little Zhixuan’s tender face, her gaze turning slightly forlorn.
In such troubled times, when would it all end?