Shen Tingzhou looked at Lin Wanqiu, his heart filled with emotion—during his most difficult time, Lin Wanqiu had always been by his side, supporting and encouraging him. "Wanqiu, thank you," Shen Tingzhou gently hugged Lin Wanqiu. "The evidence isn't sufficient yet. I need to investigate for a few more days to obtain more conclusive evidence before reporting it to the relevant departments. In the meantime, you must be careful and not go out alone. Also, pay close attention to things in the workshop to prevent Zhao's father from causing trouble behind the scenes." Lin Wanqiu nodded: "I understand. You be careful too. Nian'an and I are waiting for you to come back."

Over the next few days, Shen Tingzhou became even more cautious in his surveillance of Zhao's father, gathering evidence. He discovered that Zhao's father would visit a teahouse in the county town every few days to meet with a mysterious person. Shen Tingzhou secretly followed him to the teahouse, hid in the next private room, and recorded their conversation using pre-prepared recording equipment. From the conversation, Shen Tingzhou learned that Zhao's father had leaked information such as the location and security details of the county's armory to foreign powers, and had also arranged to deliver a batch of weapons to foreign forces at an abandoned factory outside the city on the fifteenth of the following month.

Shen Tingzhou also discovered that, in order to cover up his crimes, Zhao's father had actually tried to sabotage Lin Wanqiu's workshop—he secretly instructed several thugs to poison the workshop's ingredients, hoping to poison customers and ruin the workshop's reputation. Fortunately, Shen Tingzhou discovered this in time and replaced the poisoned ingredients, preventing serious consequences. "Zhao's father is truly depraved!" Looking at the cassette tape and the poisoned ingredients in his hand, Shen Tingzhou could no longer suppress his anger—he had to bring Zhao's father to justice as soon as possible and prevent him from harming Lin Wanqiu and the villagers any further.

That evening, Shen Tingzhou laid out all the evidence he had collected—the audiotapes, the poisoning materials, and the photos he had secretly taken of Zhao's father meeting with foreign forces—on the table. Lin Wanqiu looked at the evidence, feeling both angry and afraid: "Tingzhou, is this enough evidence? Let's report it to the relevant departments now. I'm afraid something might happen if we wait any longer." Shen Tingzhou nodded: "This evidence is sufficient. I'll go to the local police station to report the case tomorrow. We must make sure Zhao's father receives the punishment he deserves."

Nian'an didn't know what had happened, but seeing her parents' serious expressions, she sensibly walked over and took Lin Wanqiu's hand: "Mom, what's wrong? Have you encountered any difficulties? I'll be good and won't make you angry." Lin Wanqiu squatted down, hugged Nian'an, her eyes moist: "Nian'an, don't be afraid, your parents will protect you. We'll soon be able to live a good life." Shen Tingzhou looked at his wife and child, his resolve strengthened—he was determined to bring Zhao's father to justice, give his wife and child a safe living environment, and bring justice to the villagers.

Outside the window, the cold wind still howled, but the light inside seemed exceptionally warm. Shen Tingzhou carefully put the evidence away, placing it in an iron box and locking it in the cabinet. He looked at Lin Wanqiu and Nian'an, and said solemnly, "Wanqiu, after I report the case tomorrow, there might be danger. You must take good care of yourself and Nian'an. If anything happens, go to the commune secretary; he's an upright man and will help us." Lin Wanqiu nodded and held Shen Tingzhou's hand, "Tingzhou, don't worry, I'll take good care of Nian'an. You must also be careful. Nian'an and I will wait for you to come back."

Shen Tingzhou knew tomorrow would be a tough battle, but he was fearless—for his wife and children, for his fellow villagers, and for the safety of the country, he had to face it bravely. He believed that justice would ultimately prevail over evil, Zhao's father's crimes would be exposed, their lives would return to normal, and "Late Autumn Food Workshop" would continue to thrive, leading the villagers towards a better life.