In the depths of winter in 1994, a biting wind swept through the city streets, swirling snowflakes and coating the red bricks and gray tiles with a thin layer of silver frost. Inside the "Natural Taste" food workshop, however, a warm and inviting atmosphere prevailed. The hum of machinery mingled with the laughter of workers as boxes of pastries labeled "Limited Edition for the New Year" were being urgently packed and shipped across the country. Meanwhile, in the Shen family's living room, warm yellow light dispelled the chill. Lin Wanqiu and Shen Tingzhou sat around a coffee table, a thick stack of birthday banquet plans laid out before them. The air was filled with the faint scent of ink and the sweet aroma of fruit.

“I’ve already called Nian’an to ask.” Lin Wanqiu’s fingertip traced the “birthday banquet schedule” section of the plan, her voice gentle yet resolute. “He said he’s in the crucial stage of his final exams and really can’t get away. He’s already sent me a handwritten birthday invitation and a birthday gift for Mom, and he said he’ll definitely spend time with Mom properly when he comes back for winter break.” She recalled her son’s apologetic yet firm tone on the phone, and a touch of tenderness welled up in her heart, only to be replaced by the enthusiasm for preparing the birthday banquet.

Shen Tingzhou nodded and pushed a cup of warm black tea to her side: "Studies come first, Mom will understand. But how's the venue for the birthday banquet coming along?"

"We've booked the best restaurant in the city, 'Jinxiu Restaurant,' and reserved the entire third-floor banquet hall." Lin Wanqiu flipped through another brochure, pointing to the interior design renderings. "I had them rearrange it in a Chinese style, using bright red and gilded gold as the main colors, which is both festive and dignified. There will be a main stage in the center of the hall, with auspicious and longevity paintings and fresh flowers on both sides, and a few pots of winter plum blossoms in the corners, which will perfectly match the winter scene and bring good luck." She paused, a meticulous consideration flashing in her eyes. "In addition, I also specially asked the restaurant to reserve a rest room. Mom is getting old, and she can rest whenever she gets tired. The heating and tea in the room should be prepared in advance."

Shen Tingzhou watched his wife meticulously planning, his eyes filled with admiration. Since deciding to celebrate Old Mrs. Shen's 80th birthday, Lin Wanqiu had devoted most of her work to personally handling every detail. In the past, her mother-in-law had been harsh and critical, constantly tormenting her, but with the passage of time, those grievances had gradually melted away in the daily grind. Now, Old Mrs. Shen was in her eighties, still relatively healthy, but increasingly nostalgic, longing for a family reunion and celebration. Lin Wanqiu knew that this birthday banquet was not only a gesture of filial piety towards the elderly woman, but also a testament to the harmony and happiness of their extended family.

“As for gifts, I’ve prepared three,” Lin Wanqiu continued, taking out a brocade box from a drawer. Inside lay a pair of warm, lustrous jade bracelets. “These Hetian jade bracelets were brought back from Xinjiang by someone I asked. They’re of fine texture and good for your health, perfect for Mom’s age.” She then took out a red velvet box containing a gold pendant engraved with the words “福寿安康” (blessings, longevity, peace, and health). “This gold pendant is lightweight, convenient for Mom to wear, and also for good luck.” Finally, she pointed to a large box in the corner, “There’s also a fox fur coat. The fur is thick and warm, perfect for Mom’s damp and cold winters when she goes out.”

Looking at the carefully selected gifts, Shen Tingzhou felt a warm glow in his heart: "You've thought of everything. Mom will definitely like them." He thought of the changes his mother had undergone over the years. The selfish and mean old lady of the past had become increasingly kind, especially towards Nian'an and Nianxi, whom she doted on. And all of this was inseparable from Lin Wanqiu's tolerance and filial piety.

"I've finalized the banquet menu with the restaurant's chefs repeatedly." Lin Wanqiu took out a menu, which was densely covered with dish names. "There are eight cold dishes, all of which are the light flavors that Mom usually likes, such as braised duck tongue, drunken shrimp, and cold jellyfish salad; there are twelve hot dishes, including steamed grouper, braised sea cucumber, rock sugar pork knuckle, and Mom's favorite preserved vegetable braised pork. I specifically instructed the chef to use less salt and sugar and to make it soft and tender so that Mom can chew it easily; for soup, we have chicken soup and white fungus and lotus seed soup, one meat and one vegetable, to take into account nutrition; for staple food, in addition to longevity peaches and longevity noodles, there is also our 'Natural Flavor' newly made low-sugar longevity cake, so that the elders can eat with peace of mind."

As she spoke, she recalled Old Mrs. Shen's dietary preferences, details she had long since silently memorized. Reborn, she cherished the family ties she had now, and even those past misunderstandings were willing to be resolved with sincerity. The jade pendant at her waist gently clung to her skin, its warm luster seemingly echoing her sentiments, making her heart even more resolute.

In the days that followed, Lin Wanqiu was extremely busy. She personally oversaw the preparations at the restaurant, meticulously attending to every detail, from the stage backdrop design and table and chair arrangement to the selection of flowers and the adjustment of lighting. At the entrance to the banquet hall, she arranged for a red archway to be erected, adorned with red lanterns and ribbons, flanked by two rows of flower baskets filled with blooming red roses, carnations, and lilies, filling the air with a rich floral fragrance. On the stage backdrop, the eight gilded characters "May your happiness be as boundless as the Eastern Sea and your longevity as enduring as the Southern Mountains" shone brightly, below which was a large painting of longevity and good fortune, depicting pine trees and cranes symbolizing long life.

To make the birthday banquet more lively, Lin Wanqiu specially invited a local opera troupe and a folk music ensemble. Knowing that Grandma Shen loved Yue Opera when she was young, she asked the opera troupe to prepare classic plays such as "The Butterfly Lovers" and "Dream of the Red Chamber"; the folk music ensemble prepared festive pieces such as "Joyful" and "Step by Step Higher" to create a joyful and peaceful atmosphere.

Shen Nianxi also offered to help. The little girl was already ten years old this year, and had grown into a graceful young lady, like a little adult. She followed Lin Wanqiu to choose small gifts for the birthday banquet, and even painted a "Hundred Longevity Characters" picture by hand as a gift for her grandmother. "Mom, will Grandma like the Hundred Longevity Characters picture I painted?" Shen Nianxi held the painting, her eyes full of anticipation.

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