She suddenly remembered what Lin Wanqiu had said: "In the workshop, only the capable can stay; there are no special treatments." She used to think Lin Wanqiu was deliberately targeting her, but now she understood that it wasn't targeting, it was fairness. People had built the workshop through their own abilities, providing work for the villagers; why should they tolerate her laziness and shirking her duties? If she were Lin Wanqiu, she probably wouldn't have kept such a worker either.

The next morning, Zhang Lan got up exceptionally early. She cleaned the yard, washed Shen Laoda and the children's clothes, and even steamed a pot of cornbread—tasks she usually made excuses for, either doing them half-heartedly or waiting for Shen Laotai to do them. When Shen Laotai got up and saw this, she asked in surprise, "Why are you so diligent today? Did the sun rise in the west?"

Zhang Lan didn't say anything, but simply put the cornbread on the table and gave each child a piece: "Eat quickly, then go to school."

On her way back from dropping her child off at school, Zhang Lan ran into Widow Li, who was on her way to the workshop. Widow Li was carrying a cloth bag filled with fresh vegetables for the workshop. When she saw Zhang Lan, she smiled and said, "Good morning, sister-in-law. I heard from Comrade Wanqiu yesterday that you didn't stay. Don't worry about it. If you want to learn how to knead dough, I can teach you. Once you've practiced enough, you can try it out."

Looking into Widow Li's sincere eyes, Zhang Lan felt a warmth in her heart, and her eyes instantly welled up with tears. She choked back sobs and said, "Thank you, sister. I was too lazy before. I'll practice hard from now on, and once I'm better, I'll trouble Comrade Wanqiu again."

Widow Li smiled and nodded: "That's right! We women are proud to earn money with our own hands. Don't worry, as long as you're willing to learn, I'll definitely teach you well."

Watching Widow Li's departing figure, a glimmer of hope rekindled in Zhang Lan's heart. She secretly resolved to overcome her laziness, learn the craft properly, and try her luck at "Late Autumn Food Workshop" when the opportunity arose—not for anything else, but simply to buy the peach shortbread her child wanted and to improve her family's life.

Meanwhile, the "Late Autumn Food Workshop" was already bustling with activity. Lin Wanqiu was teaching the villagers how to make her newly developed osmanthus cake in the production area. Fresh osmanthus flowers and ground glutinous rice flour were laid out on the cutting board, and the sweet aroma filled the air. Shen Tingzhou was checking orders from the county food factory in the courtyard, glancing up at the production area from time to time with tenderness in his eyes.

Nian'an, carrying his little schoolbag, sat at the accounting table, diligently recording the amount of raw materials used that day. Seeing Lin Wanqiu come out, he immediately held up the ledger: "Mom, today we used fifty catties of flour, ten catties of sesame seeds, and five catties of osmanthus flowers. I've recorded it all clearly!"

Lin Wanqiu smiled and patted his head: "Our Nian'an is getting more and more capable. By the way, Widow Li just said that Zhang Lan wants to learn how to knead dough from her. Do you think we can give Zhang Lan another chance in the future?"

Nian'an thought for a moment and said seriously, "Mom, Sister-in-law Shen was not good before, but if she really changes and is willing to work hard, let's give her a chance. The teacher said that a child who knows his mistakes and can correct them is a good child, and the same goes for adults."

Lin Wanqiu nodded: "Nian'an is right. As long as she can really get rid of her lazy habit and is willing to work hard, the workshop will welcome her anytime. However, the rules still need to be followed, and she can't be given special treatment just because she is the eldest sister-in-law."

Shen Tingzhou walked over and took Lin Wanqiu's hand: "You did the right thing. We should give people opportunities, but we can't do things without rules. If our workshop wants to last, we have to be fair and impartial, so that those who work hard have something to look forward to, and those who want to slack off have no chance."

As the sunlight rose higher, it shone on the signboard of "Late Autumn Food Workshop," making the large, gilded characters gleam. Lin Wanqiu looked at the busy villagers before her, her heart filled with satisfaction—the workshop not only brought them income but also gave them hope for a better life. She knew that more challenges lay ahead, such as the tangled web of issues within the Shen family and the occasional difficulties caused by Old Lady Shen. But as long as she and Shen Tingzhou worked together, upheld the rules, they would surely protect their small family and the villagers in the workshop, making their lives increasingly prosperous.

A few days later, news spread through the village that Old Lady Shen had been complaining of chest pains and loss of appetite. Old Lady Shen wanted to call a doctor but was worried about the cost. Lin Wanqiu simply nodded in agreement—according to village custom, children supporting their elderly parents was a matter of course, and she and Shen Tingzhou would naturally be no exception. However, they would never allow Old Lady Shen to manipulate them into giving them anything extra, as they had done before. She would provide the necessary food and medical expenses in full; but any attempt to take advantage of her illness or torment her as before was absolutely out of the question.