"Okay, Mom!" Shen Nian'an's voice was full of anticipation. "Mom, don't worry, I will definitely run the branch company well and make the Shenji brand take root in Southeast Asia!"

After hanging up the phone, Lin Wanqiu was still immersed in her excitement and couldn't calm down for a long time. Shen Tingzhou took her hand and walked to the window, pointing to the distant horizon: "Look, the sun is rising."

Lin Wanqiu looked in the direction he pointed and saw a golden sun slowly rising, dyeing the clouds on the horizon a brilliant orange-red. Sunlight shone on the Shenji Food Factory buildings, making the white exterior walls gleam as if plated with gold leaf. A red flag fluttered in the wind at the factory gate, the five large characters "Shenji Food Factory" standing out prominently in the sunlight.

"This is wonderful." Lin Wanqiu murmured to herself, her eyes filled with happiness. "Back then, when I was raising Nian'an, we couldn't even afford a decent meal. I never imagined we would have a life like this today."

Shen Tingzhou held her hand tightly, his palm warm and firm: "You deserve all of this. It is you who, with your tenacity, have held this family together."

Lin Wanqiu turned to look at him, her eyes filled with a gentle, tender smile. She remembered the shock and panic when Shen Tingzhou "came back to life," the times they fought side by side against the schemes and difficulties of Old Madam Shen and Lin Moli, the days and nights they spent planting in the fields and making pastries in the workshop. Those difficult years had now transformed into a warm feeling deep in their hearts, nourishing their love and kinship.

“Oh, right,” Shen Tingzhou suddenly said, as if he remembered something, “yesterday the county leaders sent someone to tell you that our Shenji Food Factory is a benchmark enterprise in the county, and they want to invite you to give a report and share your experience with other factories.”

Upon hearing this, Lin Wanqiu couldn't help but laugh: "It's not about passing on knowledge and skills, but rather about taking some detours and figuring out a little experience." She paused, a sly glint in her eyes, "However, if we can take this opportunity to promote our pastries to more places, that would be a good thing."

Looking at her smiling face, Shen Tingzhou couldn't help but lower his head and kiss her forehead: "You, you never forget your pastry business no matter where you go."

As the two were talking, a series of light footsteps and a clear laugh suddenly came from outside the door. A little girl in a floral cotton-padded jacket ran in, her hair in two pigtails, her cheeks rosy. It was Lin Wanqiu and Shen Tingzhou's youngest daughter, Shen Nianxi. Holding a bright red apple, she ran to Lin Wanqiu, looked up at her, and said in a clear voice, "Mom! Dad! My sister wrote! She said she got first place again at the teachers' college in the provincial capital!"

Lin Wanqiu took the letter from her daughter, her fingertips tracing the delicate handwriting, her smile growing even brighter. Her children, one working hard overseas, the other studying in the provincial capital, were both so accomplished—what could be more gratifying?

Chen Nianxi tugged at Lin Wanqiu's sleeve and asked curiously, "Mom, my brother's branch office has opened. Does that mean we'll be able to eat more delicious pastries? And will the fruits from Singapore be able to be shipped back?"

Lin Wanqiu squatted down, pinched her daughter's rosy cheeks, and said with a smile, "Yes. When your brother runs the branch company better and better, we'll be able to eat durian from Singapore and mangoes from Thailand."

Shen Nianxi's eyes lit up instantly, and she clapped her hands and cheered, "Great! I love mangoes the most!"

Seeing her daughter's joyful expression, Lin Wanqiu's heart was filled with happiness and contentment. Sunlight streamed through the window, bathing the family in a warm golden glow. The sweet aroma of osmanthus cake wafted through the air, and the fire crackled in the stove; everything was as beautiful as a meticulously painted picture.

She knew that the opening of the overseas branch was just a new beginning. In the future, Shenji's pastries would spread their fragrance to more places; her family would be even happier and more fulfilled. But amidst this joy and anticipation, she was unaware that an even greater surprise was quietly brewing—far away in Singapore, the overseas Chinese girl named Lin Yue'e beside Shen Nian'an was looking at him with eyes already brimming with girlish shyness and admiration. And this affection would soon bear sweet fruit, allowing Lin Wanqiu to usher in another important identity in her life, becoming a joyful grandmother.

The sun rose higher and higher outside the window, dispelling the winter chill and casting its warm rays upon the earth. On the ridges of the Hongqi Production Brigade's fields, hardworking villagers had already begun their work. In the distance, the laughter of children mingled with the sweet aroma wafting from the Chenji Food Factory, composing a symphony of struggle and happiness belonging to this era.