She Lives without Regret in This Life

Lao San had uncommonly progressive thoughts and, having made up his mind, didn't argue with Shen Luhua. Instead, he entered An'an's room and talked to her for a while, sharing his thoughts with her.

"Dad, does my sister really want to come back to pick me up?" An'an asked cautiously.

"Don't worry," Lao San patted his chest, "I'll write her a letter, and she won't dare not to come back."

"Good, Dad, you're really wonderful," An'an smiled through her tears, "I will definitely make a lot of money and take care of you in the future."

"As long as you're doing well, that's enough for me," Lao San said with difficulty as he stood up, "Stop crying, it's unlucky to cry on New Year's Day, you might end up crying all year."

"Okay, I won't cry anymore; I won't hold a grudge against my mom."

"This child! Go to sleep early, tomorrow we have to go pay New Year's visits."

"Mhm!"

Lao San left, and Sheng An lay in bed with childhood memories involuntarily surfacing. She really had no recollection of her days before living with her mom in the Sheng family. She only knew they had lived in a very large house, but she couldn't remember what it looked like or who was there.

Maybe she was just too young at that time! She didn't know who her real father was. Her mother didn't like to talk about it—she remembered that whenever she asked as a child, her mother would cry in deep sorrow.

Gradually, her stepfather treated her very well, and she eventually forgot about her real father. The villagers all said her real father had died early on, which is why her mother remarried and brought her along.

In her heart, her dad was her real father, and he treated her just like his own daughter. For many years, she never thought about it, but tonight, for some reason, her mind was filled with such messy thoughts.

After Sheng An fell asleep, Shen Luhua draped a coat over herself and came in to tuck in the blankets for her. This girl had always been restless in her sleep and often kicked off her blankets, risking a chill.

Watching the sleeping An'an, Shen Luhua sat by the bed and quietly wiped away her tears.

*******

The morning of the second day of the New Year suddenly saw the emergence of a newspaper named One Weekly. This newspaper was different from current newspapers; it was printed in color and its style resembled that of Hong Kong and Taiwan movies. Upon its release, it rapidly caught the eye of countless people.

Some intellectuals criticized the newspaper harshly, claiming it was undermining traditional values. However, the younger generation, influenced by new thoughts, praised it. Especially the cover girl, who was so sensuously enticing that she was absolutely stunning.

Especially the expression of captivating pleasure, she clearly looked like a woman thoroughly enjoying a man.

The uproar caused by One Weekly was unimaginable; from the Trade Union Mansion down to ordinary citizens, everyone was talking about it, and some even reported it to the government.

However, with the country vigorously pushing forward with reforms and opening up, One Weekly's bold style and sharp words were recognized by the President and the Secretary.

After the emergency meeting concluded, Su Hai was kept behind.

"Tell me, why do you support this?" the Secretary asked sternly, looking at him.

Su Hai stopped organizing the documents in front of him and yawned slightly; damn this newspaper, he had been called in for a meeting before six in the morning. Inside, he cursed his cheap nephew thoroughly. This brat was either idle or caused earth-shattering trouble with just any trivial matter.

"Secretary, do you know who is on the cover of the newspaper?"

The Secretary put on his reading glasses and took a careful look before quickly averting his gaze.