Lin Wanqiu nodded, placed Shen Nianyao in the stroller, and took the order from Xiao Zhang: "Thank you for your hard work, Xiao Zhang. There are quite a few cake orders today. Please prepare the ingredients first, and I will make them later. By the way, yesterday a customer gave feedback that our chocolate cookies were a bit too sweet, so please put less sugar in them today."

"Okay, boss lady, I've got it." Xiao Zhang said with a smile, "Don't worry, I'll definitely do as you say."

Lin Wanqiu's food shop has been able to establish itself in the city thanks to her strict quality control. She personally oversees everything from ingredient selection to preparation processes, never being careless. She also frequently adjusts flavors based on customer feedback and launches new products. For example, the strawberry mousse cake she recently introduced was an instant hit with customers, selling dozens every day.

Just as Lin Wanqiu was about to start making the cake, her phone suddenly rang. It was a call from Chen Nian'an's teacher at school. Her heart tightened, and she quickly answered the phone: "Hello, Teacher Li, how can I help you?"

A gentle voice came from the other end of the phone: "Hello, Ms. Shen Nian'an, this is Ms. Li. I wanted to talk to you today about how Shen Nian'an has been doing exceptionally well at school. He got first place in the grade again in the math unit test, and he also proactively helps classmates who are struggling with math. Everyone likes him very much. I'd like to discuss something with you. The city is holding a math competition for junior high school students next month, and the school would like to recommend Shen Nian'an to participate. What do you think?"

Lin Wanqiu was overjoyed and quickly said, "Of course, thank you, Teacher Li! Nian'an's achievements today are all thanks to your guidance."

"This is all thanks to Shen Nian'an's own hard work," Teacher Li said with a smile. "He is not only smart, but also very diligent. You can see him studying in the classroom every day. Don't worry, we will guide him well and strive to help him achieve good results."

After hanging up the phone, Lin Wanqiu was in an exceptionally good mood, and even her movements while making the cake became much lighter. She looked at Shen Nianyao sleeping soundly in the stroller, a smile playing on her lips—her children were all so outstanding; this was her greatest pride.

At noon, Lin Wanqiu closed the food shop early and carried Shen Nianyao home to cook for Grandma Shen. As she approached the entrance to the residential compound, she saw Grandma Shen sitting on a stone bench under the shade of a tree, chatting with several other elderly women. Upon seeing Lin Wanqiu, Grandma Shen immediately stood up, quickly walked over, and carefully took Shen Nianyao from her: "My dear granddaughter, did you miss Grandma?"

Shen Nianyao rubbed her eyes, saw Grandma Shen, and immediately reached out her little hands to hug her neck, softly calling out, "Grandma."

Grandma Shen beamed from ear to ear, holding Shen Nianyao as she turned to the other grandmas and said, "Look at my granddaughter, how well-behaved and beautiful she is!" The other grandmas nodded in approval and said enviously, "Grandma Shen, you are so blessed to have such a wonderful daughter-in-law and such adorable grandchildren."

Lin Wanqiu walked over with a smile and took Old Madam Shen's arm: "Mom, let's go home. I made your favorite braised pork."

Back home, Lin Wanqiu served the meal. Grandma Shen sat at the table with Shen Nianyao in her arms, feeding Shen Nianyao while chatting with Lin Wanqiu: "Wanqiu, this morning I went for a walk in the park and ran into some old neighbors from the Red Flag Commune. They asked about our family. I told them we're doing very well in the city now. Nian'an is a good student, Nianxi is sensible, Nianyao is adorable, and you even opened a food shop. Business is booming, and they're all so envious."

Lin Wanqiu said with a smile, "It's all thanks to you that our family has worked together so well and our lives are so good."

Grandma Shen sighed, her eyes filled with emotion: "Back then, I was so sorry to you, but you didn't hold a grudge and even brought me to the city to enjoy my retirement. If it weren't for you, how could our family have such a good life today?"

Lin Wanqiu held her hand and said softly, "Mother, let's not talk about the past. We are a family now, and living a good life is the most important thing."

In the afternoon, when Lin Wanqiu went to pick up Shen Nianxi from kindergarten, she happened to come across a "parent-child craft activity." Shen Nianxi grabbed Lin Wanqiu's hand and insisted that she participate: "Mom, let's make a little rabbit lantern together! The teacher said we can take it home if we make it!"

Lin Wanqiu smiled and agreed, sitting down at the table with Shen Nianxi. They picked up colored paper, scissors, and glue to begin making their lantern. Shen Nianxi's little hands deftly folded the paper; though her movements were a bit clumsy, she worked with exceptional focus. Lin Wanqiu helped by cutting the paper, and the mother and daughter cooperated perfectly. Before long, a cute little rabbit lantern was finished. Shen Nianxi happily held up the lantern and ran to her teacher to show it off: "Teacher Wang, look at the lantern my mom and I made! Isn't it pretty?"

Teacher Wang smiled and nodded, "Beautiful! Nianxi and her mother did a wonderful job!" She looked at Lin Wanqiu, her eyes full of admiration, "Ms. Chen, you are so patient. Nianxi is so lucky to have a mother like you."

Lin Wanqiu felt a warmth in her heart. Seeing Shen Nianxi's happy expression, she felt that all her efforts were worthwhile.

In the evening, Shen Tingzhou returned with roasted chestnuts, and Shen Nian'an also came home from school. The family sat around the dining table, enjoying a sumptuous dinner and chatting about their day's events—Shen Tingzhou talked about the interesting things that happened in the army, Shen Nian'an shared about her studies at school, Shen Nianxi excitedly described her kindergarten craft activities, and Grandma Shen held Shen Nianyao, occasionally chiming in with a few words. The whole house was filled with laughter and joy.

After dinner, Shen Nian'an went back to his room to do his homework, with Shen Tingzhou helping him review math. Lin Wanqiu sat in the living room watching TV with Grandma Shen, while Shen Nianxi lay beside her, playing with the little rabbit lantern she had made during the day. Shen Nianyao was already asleep, her little face rosy, like a ripe apple.

Moonlight streamed through the window, casting long, long shadows on everyone. Lin Wanqiu gazed at the heartwarming scene before her, her heart filled with contentment. She had once thought that being transported to this unfamiliar era meant she was destined for hardship, but unexpectedly, she had not only found a loving husband but also adorable children, kind family, and, through her own efforts, established herself in the city, living a prosperous and happy life.

"Wanqiu, what are you thinking about?" Shen Tingzhou walked over, sat down next to her, and took her hand.

Lin Wanqiu snapped out of her reverie and said with a smile, "I was thinking, we're really living a good life now."

Shen Tingzhou nodded, his eyes full of tenderness: "Yes, things will only get better from now on. Nian'an is about to participate in a math competition, Nianxi is doing better and better in kindergarten, Nianyao is growing up, and our food shop is becoming more and more prosperous. Our family will continue to be this happy." Lin Wanqiu leaned on his shoulder, a happy smile on her lips.