In the midsummer of 1993, the incessant chirping of cicadas swept past the red brick walls of the "Natural Taste" food workshop, intensifying the summer heat. The camphor trees in the factory area had grown tall and majestic, their dense foliage filtering dappled sunlight onto the sweat-soaked shoulders of the workers. In the laboratory of the research and development center, wisps of cool air permeated the metal surfaces of the precision instruments, creating a stark contrast with the heatwave outside the window. Lin Wanqiu was holding her breath, staring intently at the test report in Professor Li's hand, her fingertips unconsciously stroking the warm jade pendant at her waist. That familiar coolness gradually calmed her chaotic thoughts.

"President Lin, all the data meet the standards!" Professor Li's voice was filled with barely concealed excitement, his gray hair gleaming softly under the light. "The sucrose content of the low-sugar walnut cake is only 30% of that of ordinary pastries, while the dietary fiber content is doubled. The texture is soft and chewy without sticking to the teeth, perfectly achieving our goal of 'balancing health and deliciousness'." He handed the report to Lin Wanqiu, the densely packed data on the paper like dancing musical notes, composing the culmination of months of hard work.

Lin Wanqiu took the report, her gaze sweeping over each indicator, and her eyes suddenly welled up with tears. From the promise made on the day the R&D center was completed to the successful launch of three low-sugar health foods—low-sugar walnut cake, low-sugar jujube cake, and low-sugar multigrain biscuits—the tireless efforts of over 180 days and nights seemed to still be fresh in her mind. She remembered how the team adjusted the formula more than fifty times to overcome the challenge of "low sugar without dryness"; she remembered Professor Li and his students working late into the night in the lab, their glasses fogged up; she remembered Shen Tingzhou quietly bringing her late-night snacks and his resolute words, "Take a rest if you're tired, I'll take care of you if the sky falls." The jade pendant at her waist seemed to sense her joy, its warm luster shining even brighter, as if cheering her on.

"That's wonderful, Professor Li!" Lin Wanqiu's voice trembled slightly, yet her excitement was palpable. "Our efforts haven't been in vain. These products will definitely satisfy middle-aged and elderly consumers." Images of elderly people she had met in her past life, who had to abstain from sweets due to blood sugar issues, flashed through her mind, her eyes filled with anticipation. As a food blogger who had transmigrated from another world, she knew that food was not merely for sustenance, but also a source of happiness in life. What she could do was to allow people of all ages to savor the beauty of food.

"Next is marketing." Professor Li pushed up his glasses, his tone serious but not without expectation. "Middle-aged and elderly consumers are a special group. They value health and trust word-of-mouth. Our marketing strategy must be down-to-earth and not as flashy as products for young people."

Lin Wanqiu wholeheartedly agreed. These past few days, she had already secretly surveyed major shopping malls and senior activity centers in the city, and had a preliminary plan in mind. "Professor Li, rest assured, I plan to proceed in three steps." She lightly tapped her finger on the table. "First, we'll set up 'healthy food experience zones' in three core shopping malls in the city, allowing consumers to sample the food for free; second, we'll collaborate with communities to conduct 'healthy eating lectures,' inviting you and the hospital's nutritionist to educate the elderly about the importance of low-sugar diets; third, we'll launch 'family-oriented gift boxes,' emphasizing the emotional appeal of 'filial piety,' making the product not just food, but also a bond of affection."

Her thinking was clear and meticulous, and Professor Li nodded in approval frequently. Even the cicadas chirping outside the window seemed to become more pleasant. Lin Wanqiu knew that a new battle was about to begin, and this time, her weapons were craftsmanship, sincerity, and a profound understanding of consumer needs.

Three days later, the "Natural Delights" experience area in the city's largest community supermarket was decorated in a warm and elegant style. On the light wood display stand, three kinds of low-sugar pastries were neatly arranged: light brown walnut cakes were garnished with crushed nuts, dark red date cakes exuded a natural date aroma, and golden multigrain cakes had a faint wheat sheen on their surface. Lin Wanqiu was personally in charge, wearing a simple beige dress, her long hair loosely tied up. Compared to the usually decisive and efficient "President Lin," she appeared more approachable and gentle.

"Auntie, try our low-sugar walnut cake! It contains no sucrose, is flavored with honey and maltitol, and also contains high-quality walnuts—it's good for your brain!" The staff member enthusiastically handed over toothpicks. Several elderly shoppers took them with some skepticism, then carefully put them into their mouths.

"Hmm? This tastes good!" An elderly woman with gray hair exclaimed, her eyes lighting up as she chewed carefully. "It's very soft and chewy, not too sweet, and has a pleasant walnut aroma. I have diabetes and usually don't dare to eat any pastries, but this one isn't greasy at all!"

"Really? Then I'll try some!" The old man next to me quickly reached out and took a piece of low-sugar jujube cake. The moment it entered my mouth, the natural aroma of jujubes filled my mouth, sweet but not cloying, with just the right amount of chewiness. "Good! Good! This jujube cake is made with high-quality ingredients, without any of those weird additives. It's much better than what I used to eat!"

The experiential area gradually filled up, word spread quickly, and soon a long queue formed. Lin Wanqiu stood to the side, watching the satisfied smiles on the elderly people's faces, a warm feeling welled up in her heart. She recalled when she first traveled back to the 1960s, Nian'an's thin face and longing eyes for food. Back then, her greatest wish was to ensure her child was well-fed and clothed. Now, she had the ability to bring health and delicious food to more people, and this sense of accomplishment gave her far more peace of mind than any amount of money she could earn.

"Wanqiu? It really is you!" A familiar voice came, and Lin Wanqiu looked up to see that it was Grandma Shen, Zhang Lan, and a few neighbor aunties. Grandma Shen was wearing a navy blue polyester shirt, and her hair was neatly combed. Compared to her previous mean-spirited appearance, she looked much kinder.

"Mom, sister-in-law, what brings you here?" Lin Wanqiu hurriedly went to greet them.

Grandma Shen held her hand, her eyes full of pride: "I heard you've started making pastries that are perfect for us old folks, so your sister-in-law and I brought the neighbors to try them. You're such a thoughtful child, always thinking about what's in our hearts!" She picked up a low-sugar multigrain cake and handed it to the woman next to her, "Try it, my family's Wanqiu makes things with absolutely high-quality ingredients, safe and reliable!"

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