"Don't mention it, it's an honor for our village that you can come back." Zhao Jianguo warmly poured them tea. "Back then, you were a celebrity in our village, leading everyone in planting and making delicious food, making many people rich. Now you have a large factory in the city, which is even more of a source of pride for our village!"

Speaking of the current situation in the village, Zhao Jianguo sighed: "Most of the young people in the village have gone out to work, leaving only the elderly and children. Although life is much better than before, the problem of elderly care is becoming more and more prominent. Many elderly people do not have their children around, so there is no one to take care of them, and it is inconvenient for them to see a doctor. It's really a headache."

Lin Wanqiu's heart stirred, recalling the scene she had witnessed at her old neighbor's house earlier. Although Aunt Wang and Uncle Li were still relatively healthy, they had no one to care for them, and no one to help them in case of an emergency. Most of the other old neighbors were also elderly people living alone, and their lives were indeed difficult.

“Director Zhao, we’ve considered the issue you raised,” Lin Wanqiu said. “We came back this time hoping to do something practical for the village. We do have an idea about elderly care, but we don’t know if it’s feasible.”

"Oh? What's your idea? Tell me about it." Zhao Jianguo's eyes lit up, and he quickly said.

“We want to donate funds to build a nursing home in the village,” Lin Wanqiu said. “The nursing home can hire professional caregivers to take care of the elderly’s daily lives, and be equipped with some basic medical equipment so that the elderly can enjoy their later years in peace.”

Shen Tingzhou and Shen Nian'an nodded in agreement, expressing their support for Lin Wanqiu's idea. Shen Tingzhou said, "Our initial plan is to donate 500,000 yuan for the construction and operation of the nursing home. If that's not enough, we can add more."

"Five hundred thousand yuan?" Zhao Jianguo's eyes widened in shock, almost unable to believe his ears. "Wanqiu, Tingzhou, you...you're not kidding, are you? That's a huge sum of money!"

“Director Zhao, we’re not joking,” Lin Wanqiu said earnestly. “We suffered a lot in the village back then, and it was the villagers who lent us a helping hand that made us who we are today. Now that we have the ability, it is only right that we give back to our hometown and do something practical for our fellow villagers.”

Zhao Jianguo was so moved that tears welled up in his eyes. He held Lin Wanqiu's hand tightly and said, "Wanqiu, Tingzhou, thank you! Thank you so much! You are truly our village's benefactors! With this nursing home, the elderly in the village are so fortunate!"

Just then, a commotion arose outside the door. It turned out that several elderly villagers had heard that Lin Wanqiu had returned and was planning to donate money to build a nursing home, so they all rushed over. They gathered at the door, looking at Lin Wanqiu and her party with excitement, repeatedly expressing their gratitude.

"Late Autumn, thank you so much! You're such a kind person!"

"With nursing homes, we old folks living alone will have someone to take care of us, and we won't have to worry about being left unattended anymore!"

“Back then, you suffered in the village with your child, and we couldn’t help you much. Now you’re so concerned about us. We really feel bad about it!”

Seeing the elderly people's excited expressions, Lin Wanqiu felt a surge of warmth in her heart. She stepped forward, took one of the elderly people's hands, and said gently, "Grandpas and grandmas, if it weren't for your help back then, I wouldn't be where I am today. Now that I have the ability, it's only right that I do something practical for you. Once the nursing home is built, you can enjoy your later years here and never have to worry about making a living again."

As the sun set, its afterglow bathed the fields of the Hongqi Production Brigade, gilding the earth with a warm golden light. Lin Wanqiu stood in the brigade headquarters courtyard, looking at the enthusiastic villagers before her, her heart filled with emotion. She recalled the hardship and confusion she felt when she left, the pride and joy she felt seeing Nianxi shine in Beijing, and the warmth and peace she felt at this moment.

Shen Tingzhou walked to her side and gently took her hand: "Wanqiu, you have done something very meaningful."

Lin Wanqiu turned to look at him, her eyes sparkling with tenderness: "Yes, I'm very happy to be able to do something practical for my fellow villagers. This is my root, and no matter how far I go, I will never forget it."

Shen Nian'an smiled and said, "Mom, Dad, I support you. Once the nursing home is built, we can live an even better life."