The morning light of late autumn in 1982, carrying a crisp warmth, shone through the carved windows of the regional auditorium onto the red-carpeted stage. On the backdrop, the nine gilded characters of "Regional Outstanding Enterprises Commendation Conference" gleamed in the sunlight. Red ribbons hanging on either side cascaded to the ground, creating a striking contrast with the neatly arranged blue chairs below, filling the air with a solemn yet festive atmosphere.

Lin Wanqiu, dressed in a navy blue suit skirt with a small pearl brooch at the collar, stood at the entrance of the auditorium, her fingertips gently stroking the hem of her skirt—a piece Shen Tingzhou had specially commissioned to be bought from Shanghai, saying it was "worthy of Wanqiu's status." She looked up at the stage, her heart filled with both anticipation and a touch of nervousness. Since receiving the notification from the regional light industry bureau, she and Shen Tingzhou had spent half a month preparing for this commendation meeting. They had not only compiled production reports and employment data from the food workshop, but also specially made sample gift boxes of their new product, "Jujube and Walnut Cake," to distribute to the delegates after the meeting.

“Wanqiu, don’t be nervous. Look, everyone from our commune is here.” Shen Tingzhou walked to her side, gently taking her hand, his fingers warm against her skin. He wore a dark blue Zhongshan suit, his hair neatly combed, his eyes filled with admiration and pride for Lin Wanqiu. Following his gaze, Lin Wanqiu saw the commune secretary leading several village representatives toward her, including Li Xiulian, a female worker from the food workshop, wearing a newly made floral shirt and a smile of excitement on her face.

"Director Lin, you look so energetic today!" Li Xiulian walked up quickly, carrying a cloth bag in her hand. "These are eggs that my son specially boiled for you. He said you're going to receive an award today, and eating eggs will give you energy!" Several villagers behind her also came forward, some holding apples they had grown themselves, and others holding freshly baked white flour pancakes. They all said, "Go, Director Lin!" and "Our food workshop will definitely win the award!" This instantly filled Lin Wanqiu's heart with warmth.

"Thank you everyone, thank you everyone!" Lin Wanqiu accepted the gifts from the villagers one by one, her eyes slightly moist. "Our food workshop wouldn't be where it is today without everyone's support. This honor belongs to all of us!" She knew that she could stand here not only because of her personal efforts, but also because of the trust and support of countless villagers behind her—they took the initiative to help when the food workshop was expanding, they gave priority to supplying raw materials when there was a shortage, and they never abandoned her when she encountered difficulties. It was these people who helped "Wanqiu Food Workshop" grow from a small courtyard workshop into a well-known regional enterprise that can provide employment for more than sixty families.

At 9:00 AM sharp, the commendation ceremony officially began. Regional leaders took to the stage and delivered enthusiastic speeches, affirming the contributions made by regional enterprises in recent years to job creation and economic development. When mentioning "Wanqiu Food Workshop," the leader specifically cited it, saying, "Wanqiu Food Workshop in Hongqi Commune started as a small family workshop. In just a few years, it has not only developed more than ten kinds of food that are popular with the people, but also created jobs for more than sixty impoverished women and sponsored ten impoverished students to attend school. It truly embodies the principle of 'running a business and benefiting the people,' and is a model for enterprises in our region!"

A round of enthusiastic applause erupted from the audience. Lin Wanqiu sat in her seat, her heart filled with excitement. She turned to look at Shen Tingzhou and found him looking at her with pride in his eyes. Shen Nian'an sat beside them, holding a small notebook and diligently taking notes on the leader's speech. Every now and then, he would look up at Lin Wanqiu and give her an encouraging smile. Shen Nian'an was now twelve years old. Not only was he a top student at the commune's middle school, but he also often helped with the family's food shop accounts, demonstrating outstanding mathematical talent.

Next came the most exciting part: the awards ceremony. When Director Zhang of the Regional Light Industry Bureau announced, "Wanqiu Food Workshop is awarded the title of 'Regional Outstanding Enterprise,' and Comrade Lin Wanqiu is awarded the title of 'Regional Outstanding Entrepreneur,'" Lin Wanqiu took a deep breath, straightened her skirt, and walked onto the stage amidst applause.

Director Zhang personally presented her with an honorary certificate and bonus, and shook her hand, saying earnestly, "Director Lin, congratulations! I hope you can continue to play an exemplary role, make Wanqiu Food Workshop bigger and stronger, create more jobs for the villagers, and make greater contributions to the economic development of our region!"

"Thank you, Director Zhang, and thank you for the recognition from the regional leaders!" Lin Wanqiu accepted the certificate of honor and the bonus, her voice firm. "I will certainly live up to the expectations of the leaders and my fellow villagers. I will continue to work hard, develop more high-quality products, create more jobs, and help more families live a better life!" She raised the certificate of honor and waved to the villagers below the stage. She saw Li Xiulian and the other female workers from the food workshop waving their handkerchiefs excitedly, their eyes full of pride.

After the awards ceremony, the conference arranged for outstanding entrepreneurs to speak. Lin Wanqiu walked to the microphone, looking at the dense crowd below the stage, her heart filled with mixed emotions. She remembered when she first transmigrated to this era, living in a drafty mud-brick house with the frail Shen Nian'an, and not even having a full meal; she remembered being bullied by Granny Shen and Zhang Lan, and almost being pushed into the river to drown; she remembered how, after activating her space, she gradually improved her life with modern resources and skills, and founded a food workshop; she remembered Shen Tingzhou's "resurrection," and how the two of them joined hands to fight against the villains and protect their family; she remembered how the food workshop gradually grew and expanded, creating jobs for the villagers and helping impoverished students go to school... This journey had been full of hardships and challenges, but it had also yielded abundant happiness and touching moments.

"Distinguished leaders, fellow villagers, good afternoon!" Lin Wanqiu's voice, clear and firm, resonated throughout the auditorium through the microphone. "Today, I am able to stand here and receive the title of 'Outstanding Entrepreneur of the Region.' First of all, I would like to thank the Party and the government for their good policies, thank the leaders for their care and support, and even more so, thank the villagers behind me—it was you who lent a helping hand when I was in my most difficult time, and it was you who supported me all the way on the road to the development of Wanqiu Food Workshop. Without you, there would be no Wanqiu Food Workshop today, and there would be no me today."

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