As dawn broke, the distant Southeast Asian seas were bathed in golden sunlight, and the sounds of ship horns echoed from the port of Singapore, mingling with the cheerful chirping of birds in the streets to create a lively morning symphony. Meanwhile, thousands of miles away, in the office building of the Hongqi Production Brigade's Chenji Food Factory, the lights were already bright and the atmosphere warm and inviting.

Lin Wanqiu stood by the window, her fingertips gently tracing the delicate wood carvings on the window frame. Her gaze drifted to the southeastern horizon, her eyes brimming with undisguised smiles and anticipation. Outside, the winter mist hadn't yet dissipated, and glistening frost clung to the bare poplar branches, like a tree studded with tiny diamonds. Inside, the fireplace burned brightly, its orange flames licking the walls, warming the entire room. The air was filled with the sweet aroma of osmanthus cake and the refreshing scent of jasmine tea—something she had specially prepared for today, to accompany her in witnessing Chen Ji's glorious moment.

Shen Tingzhou walked up behind her with a cup of warm honey water, gently handed it to her, and said in a deep voice with a gentle smile, "What are you thinking about? You're smiling so sweetly."

Lin Wanqiu turned around, took the water glass, and felt a warm sensation spread through her body as her fingertips touched the warm glass. She looked up at Shen Tingzhou, her eyes sparkling: "I was thinking, it must be sunny in Singapore right now, right? Nian'an must be sweating with nervousness today."

Shen Tingzhou reached out and put his arm around her waist, pulling her into his embrace. He rested his chin on the top of her head and looked out the window into the distance. His voice was deep and powerful, filled with unwavering trust: "Don't worry, I've seen all the hardships that kid has endured these past few days. He's steady and reliable, and with Chairman Chen's support, the opening ceremony will definitely be a success."

Lin Wanqiu leaned gently against his chest, listening to his steady and strong heartbeat, and the slight unease in her heart gradually dissipated. Yes, her son was no longer the timid little one hiding behind her. In the letters that had come from Singapore these past few days, every word spoke of his growth and responsibility—the meticulous selection of the factory site, the repeated debugging of product development, the considerate and thoughtful recruitment of workers—everything was done flawlessly. She looked down at the water glass in her hand, the rising steam blurring her vision, but a warm, moist emotion slowly welled up in her eyes.

The wall clock ticked away, each tick like a blow to Lin Wanqiu's heart. She glanced at her watch every now and then, her fingertips trembling slightly. Shen Tingzhou, seeing this, couldn't help but chuckle, reaching out to hold her cool fingertips and gently stroking them: "Don't rush, time's almost up."

Just then, the telephone on the desk suddenly rang, breaking the silence of the room. Lin Wanqiu stood up abruptly as if burned, a hint of anxiety flashing in her eyes. Shen Tingzhou patted the back of her hand, signaling her to calm down, before slowly walking to the desk and picking up the receiver.

"Hello, this is Chenji Food Factory." His voice was calm and steady as usual, but the fingers holding the receiver tightened slightly.

A noisy and lively sound came from the other end of the phone. The booming of firecrackers and the cheers of the crowd could be faintly heard, along with Shen Nian'an's slightly excited voice, which was still clearly audible even though they were thousands of miles apart: "Dad! Mom! It's me! The branch office opening ceremony has started smoothly!"

Lin Wanqiu's heart leaped into her throat. She quickly stepped forward, leaned close to the receiver, and asked in a barely perceptible tremor, "Nian'an? Can you hear me? How's the situation over there?"

"Mom! I can hear you clearly!" Shen Nian'an's voice was filled with barely suppressed joy. "President Chen came to cut the ribbon in person, and many overseas Chinese elders and local business owners also came to show their support! Our durian and osmanthus cake was snapped up as soon as it was put out, and everyone said it was delicious!"

The cheers from the receiver grew clearer, accompanied by the crackling of firecrackers, as if they were trying to travel through the telephone line to the Red Flag Production Brigade, hundreds of miles away. Lin Wanqiu's eyes instantly reddened, and hot tears rolled down her cheeks uncontrollably, landing on the back of her hand, warm and burning. She raised her hand to cover her mouth, trying hard not to cry out, but her choked sobs still betrayed her excitement and relief.

The trials and tribulations of the past years flashed before her eyes. From the unfortunate widow who was tormented by her in-laws and nearly drowned in the river, to now leading her son abroad and transforming her small pastry workshop into a renowned international food factory, only she truly knows the hardships she has endured. And now, her son stands on foreign soil, fulfilling her dream of "making Chenji pastries fragrant all over the world."

Seeing her tear-streaked face, Shen Tingzhou felt a surge of bittersweet pride. He reached out and pulled her into his arms, gently patting her back, and said in a deep voice into the receiver, "Good job, lad. Don't panic, stick to the plan, and be careful."

"Dad, I know!" Shen Nian'an's voice was still excited. "Mom, I also invited the local overseas Chinese opera troupe. They're going to sing 'Mu Guiying Takes Command' later! Isn't that your favorite? I'll put the receiver over here now so you can listen!"

As soon as she finished speaking, the melodious sounds of gongs and drums and a clear singing voice came through the receiver. The familiar tune was Lin Wanqiu's favorite. Leaning against Shen Tingzhou's chest, listening to the opera music coming from thousands of miles away, her tears flowed even more fiercely, but a bright smile curved her lips.

Sunlight gradually climbed through the windowpanes, dispelling the winter mist. The fire in the stove inside still burned brightly, and the sweet aroma of osmanthus cake grew even stronger. Lin Wanqiu wiped away her tears, and spoke into the receiver, her voice slightly choked, yet incredibly clear: "Nian'an, Mom heard you. Mom is proud of you. Please tell Chairman Chen and everyone who helped us thank them. Next spring, your dad and I will come to Singapore to see you."

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