Zhang Lan nodded, tears streaming down her cheeks: "Yes, thank you, Wanqiu. You are such a generous person."

Brigade Party Secretary Zhao Jianguo also came with his family to pay their respects. Looking at the simple arrangement of the mourning hall, he was filled with emotion. He said to Shen Tingzhou and Lin Wanqiu, "Tingzhou, Wanqiu, you did the right thing. Following the old man's wishes, keeping the funeral simple, and donating the money to an educational fund—this spirit is worthy of our emulation. I've already discussed it with the brigade cadres, and we will establish a special educational fund management team to properly manage this money and ensure that every penny is used for the children."

Shen Tingzhou and Lin Wanqiu quickly expressed their gratitude: "Thank you, Secretary Zhao, for your trouble."

Zhao Jianguo waved his hand: "No need to be polite, this is what we should do. Old Mrs. Shen was hardworking all her life. Although she had some minor ailments, she was a kind-hearted person. She was still thinking about her children before she passed away. This spirit deserves our respect."

During the funeral, Lin Wanqiu was constantly busy, receiving guests and arranging various matters. She wore a plain-colored dress, her hair simply pulled back, her face bearing a faint sadness, yet remaining composed and capable. Shen Tingzhou remained in the mourning hall, silently burning paper money for his mother, his eyes filled with grief. Shen Nian'an and Shen Nianxi also stayed by their parents' sides, helping with whatever they could, their small figures displaying a maturity beyond their years.

As evening fell, the funeral procession slowly made its way up the hillside behind the village. There were no boisterous drums or lively crowds, only the somber footsteps of the mourners and the occasional sob. The setting sun cast its last rays across the hillside, elongating the shadows of everyone present. The roadside weeds swayed gently in the wind, as if bidding farewell to Old Lady Shen.

Shen Tingzhou personally placed his mother's coffin into the grave. Watching the soil gradually cover the coffin, the grief in his heart surged again. He knelt before the grave, kowtowed three times, and choked out, "Mother, rest in peace. Your son will follow your last wishes, take good care of Wanqiu and the children, and live a good life. May your spirit in heaven bless our family with peace, safety, and happiness."

Lin Wanqiu also knelt before the grave, kowtowed three times, and whispered, "Mother, rest in peace. We will take good care of ourselves and help you fulfill your wish so that more children can have access to education. Please be well over there and don't worry about us anymore."

Shen Nian'an and Shen Nianxi also knelt before the grave, kowtowed three times, and said in unison, "Grandma, rest in peace. We will study hard, take good care of our parents, and live up to your expectations."

Relatives and friends who had come to pay their respects stepped forward to offer flowers to Old Lady Shen and silently prayed. The sun gradually sank below the horizon, the sky darkened, and stars began to twinkle in the night. The funeral procession slowly departed, leaving only a new grave, standing quietly on the hillside, accompanying Old Lady Shen in her eternal rest.

Back home, Lin Wanqiu looked at the empty house, her heart filled with emotion. Although Old Mrs. Shen had been harsh, her departure left the home feeling somewhat lifeless. She went into the kitchen and began preparing dinner. Her busy figure allowed her to temporarily forget her grief. Shen Tingzhou sat in the living room, silently smoking, his eyes still carrying a trace of weariness and sorrow. Shen Nian'an and Shen Nianxi sat to the side, silent, the atmosphere somewhat somber.

Dinner was ready, a few simple home-style dishes. Lin Wanqiu served everyone a bowl of rice and said softly, "You must all be hungry, come and eat. Mother is gone, but we must live our lives well and not let her spirit in heaven worry."

Shen Tingzhou nodded, picked up his chopsticks, but had no appetite. Looking at the rice in his bowl, the image of his mother kept appearing in his mind, and the guilt and longing in his heart surged like a tidal wave.

Lin Wanqiu saw through his thoughts and gently comforted him, "Old Shen, don't be too sad. Mother passed away peacefully and fulfilled her wish. We should be happy for her. From now on, we should take good care of ourselves and our children, and make our lives better and better. That will be the best tribute to Mother."

Shen Tingzhou looked up and saw the determination and tenderness in Lin Wanqiu's eyes. The sadness in his heart gradually subsided. He nodded, picked up his chopsticks, and slowly began to eat.

Shen Nian'an also said, "Dad, Mom is right. We should live a good life and live up to Grandma's expectations. Grandma donated money to the education fund, and we can do more charity work in the future to help more people in need. That way, Grandma will feel gratified in heaven."

Shen Nianxi nodded in agreement: "Yes, brother is right. We can visit those children who can't afford to go to school often, bring them books and stationery, and help them with their studies."

Lin Wanqiu and Shen Tingzhou exchanged a glance, both seeing relief in each other's eyes. Their child had truly grown up, becoming sensible, kind, and understanding how to care for others.

In the following days, following Old Lady Shen's last wishes, Shen Tingzhou and Lin Wanqiu donated a total of 1,000 yuan—her savings plus their own contribution—to the village's educational aid fund. Village Party Secretary Zhao Jianguo convened a special commendation meeting to praise Old Lady Shen's good deed and to award Shen Tingzhou and Lin Wanqiu certificates of honor. The villagers all praised Old Lady Shen's last wish and held Shen Tingzhou and Lin Wanqiu in even higher esteem.

Shenji Food Factory returned to its former bustling state. Lin Wanqiu and Shen Tingzhou buried their grief deep in their hearts and threw themselves wholeheartedly into their work. They knew that only by running the food factory well and making their lives better and better could they best comfort Old Lady Shen.

That evening, Lin Wanqiu and Shen Tingzhou sat in the living room, looking at the moonlight outside the window and chatting about everyday things. Shen Tingzhou held Lin Wanqiu's hand and said softly, "Wanqiu, you've had a hard time all these years. If it weren't for you, this family wouldn't be where it is today. Now that Mom is gone, let's live a good life together as a family and never have any more conflicts."

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