The March winds had shed their biting chill, carrying the scent of freshly turned soil from the fields, gently caressing the Hongqi Production Brigade. The old crabapple tree in the Shen family courtyard was laden with pink and white buds; a gust of wind would send delicate petals fluttering down, carpeting the bluestone slabs like a thin layer of rouge. Lin Wanqiu sat in a wicker chair on the veranda, covered with a small rabbit fur blanket specially made for her by Shen Tingzhou, holding a well-worn magazine in her hand, her gaze fixed on a distance—Shen Nian'an was squatting by the flowerbed, carefully watering the newly planted sunflowers, her small face full of seriousness, a few specks of mud on the hem of her blue school uniform, but she showed no sign of disarray.

"Mom, look, these seedlings are sprouting!" Shen Nian'an ran over holding a small watering can, her shoes leaving tiny footprints on the stone slab in the mud. "When they grow taller, they'll bear melon seeds, and I'll roast them for you and your brother!"

Lin Wanqiu smiled and pinched his cheek. The skin her fingertips touched was much firmer than it had been two years ago, no longer the kind of skin where you could feel the bone with a single pinch. "Alright, then Nian'an, you must take good care of them." Just as she finished speaking, several cheerful greetings suddenly came from outside the courtyard gate, mixed with the soft sound of bicycle bells, "Is Shen Tingzhou home? Is Comrade Lin Wanqiu home?"

Shen Tingzhou had just returned from the workshop, still holding the account book in his hand. Upon hearing this, he hurriedly went out to greet him: "It's Secretary Wang! Please come in and sit down!"

Commune Secretary Wang Jianguo pushed in a slightly worn "Forever" brand bicycle, with two bulging cloth bags strapped to the back seat. Beside him followed Director Li of the commune's Women's Federation, who carried a net bag containing several red-shelled eggs and a small bag of brown sugar. Wang Jianguo, dressed in a faded blue cadre uniform with the sleeves rolled up to his forearms, revealing his muscular arms, wore a simple, honest smile: "We heard Comrade Wanqiu is pregnant, so we've come on behalf of the commune to see if there's anything we can help with."

Director Li echoed, his gaze falling on Lin Wanqiu's protruding belly, his tone exceptionally gentle: "Wanqiu, you're quite far along now, you need to rest more. Our commune has specially prepared some nutritional supplements for you, eggs to nourish your body, and brown sugar water to drink, it's good for pregnant women."

Lin Wanqiu hurriedly tried to stand up to greet them, but Director Li quickly stepped forward and pressed her down: "Sit down and don't move. You can't get up casually while you're pregnant." She sat down, her heart filled with warmth—since she and Shen Tingzhou started the workshop with Nian'an, not only had their own lives improved, but they had also led more than a dozen households in the team to make pickles and cured meat. Last year, when the commune was evaluating the families, the Shen family was even named "leading figures in getting rich." Now, the commune cadres had come to visit them in person, and this gesture touched her deeply.

Shen Tingzhou busied himself moving stools and pouring hot water, the enamel mugs clinking together with a crisp sound: "Secretary Wang, Director Li, have some water to warm yourselves up. Wanqiu has been doing well lately, she just gets a little lazy sometimes and doesn't want to move."

“It’s normal to be a little lazy during pregnancy!” Wang Jianguo took a sip of hot water and glanced at the scene in the yard—cured meat and dried chili peppers were hanging to dry under the porch, green vegetables and newly sprouted green beans were planted in the flower beds, and the clucking of hens came from the chicken coop in the corner of the wall, a scene full of vitality. “Your family’s life is getting better and better. Last year, the workshop alone paid a lot of taxes for the team, and also helped poor households find employment. The commune party committee praised you at the meeting!”

Mentioning the workshop, Lin Wanqiu's face showed a hint of pride: "It's all thanks to the commune's policies and the help of the villagers that we've achieved what we have today. By the way, Secretary Wang, our workshop recently wanted to try making fermented bean curd. The recipe has been adjusted, but we're worried about sales. Could you help us think of a solution?"

Wang Jianguo's eyes lit up, and he put down the enamel mug: "Fermented bean curd is great! The supply and marketing cooperative in the county town is short of it right now, and our commune's canteen often talks to me about wanting to buy some good fermented bean curd to improve the meals for the commune members. If you can make some, send some to the commune to try first. If it tastes good, I'll help you contact the supply and marketing cooperative, and I guarantee you won't have to worry about selling it!"

Director Li added with a smile, "Wanqiu, you're so quick-witted! The pickled cucumbers and spicy cabbage you made before were in high demand in the county town, so the fermented bean curd you're making this time will definitely be just as good. By the way, you're going to the county town's health center for your prenatal checkups, right? If you find it inconvenient to travel back and forth, just tell the commune, and we'll help you contact doctors in the county to come down and check on you regularly, so you don't have to make unnecessary trips."

Lin Wanqiu quickly thanked her, gently stroking her lower abdomen with her fingertips. She felt the baby kick softly, as if responding to her feelings. Shen Nian'an, standing beside her, heard the words "prenatal checkup" and asked curiously, "Aunt Li, what is a prenatal checkup? Can we see what the baby looks like?"

Director Li chuckled and reached out to pat his head: "That's right! Prenatal checkups are for the doctor to see if the baby is doing well in the mother's tummy. When it gets a little bigger, you can even hear the baby's heartbeat. Nian'an, would you like to hear your little brother's heartbeat?"

Shen Nian'an nodded vigorously, her eyes sparkling: "Yes! Can I go with you to the next prenatal checkup? I want to see if my little brother is healthy."

"Of course!" Director Li smiled even more broadly. "Your dad will take you then, and we'll cheer for your little brother together!"

Watching this heartwarming scene, Wang Jianguo felt a warmth in his heart as well. He recalled the first time he met Lin Wanqiu two years ago—wearing patched clothes, holding the frail Nian'an, standing at the commune gate trying to apply for relief grain, her eyes filled with exhaustion and helplessness. Who could have imagined that in just two short years, she would not only improve her life but also become a leader in the team? He deeply admired her resilience: "Wanqiu, you've had a tough journey. Now that things are better, you must take good care of yourself. You're not only Shen Tingzhou's wife and Nian'an's mother, but also a role model for our commune. If you encounter any difficulties, don't hesitate to ask; the commune will definitely help you."

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