The June sun had just climbed over the treetops, warming the mud-brick houses of the Red Flag Production Brigade. Lin Wanqiu was squatting in the yard, turning over the vegetables she had just harvested from the soil in her spatial dimension. The emerald green leaves, glistening with morning dew, shimmered in the sunlight, and even the air was filled with a refreshing aroma of vegetables. Nian'an sat on a small stool beside her, holding a small wooden stick, helping to stir the leaves with great enthusiasm. Her little face was much rounder than last month, and her skin had a healthy pinkish-white glow.

"Mommy, can we have vegetable and egg noodles again today?" Nian'an looked up, her dark grape-like eyes full of anticipation. Ever since Lin Wanqiu activated her space, there has never been a shortage of meat on the family's dining table, and eggs have become a staple. The little girl, who used to struggle to even get enough coarse grains, has now learned to "order" food.

Lin Wanqiu was amused by her son and reached out to pinch his soft cheek: "Yes, Mom will go to the henhouse and get two eggs later, and then I'll poach one for you." Just as she finished speaking, a series of "thump-thump-thump" footsteps suddenly came from outside the courtyard gate, along with a few loud and boisterous words, breaking the tranquility of the courtyard.

"Is Wanqiu home? Jianjun from my family is here to see you!"

Lin Wanqiu paused in her movements. She recognized the voice; it was Wang Guilan, the wife of Zhao Laogen, the brigade secretary. Her heart skipped a beat—Zhao Jianjun? That bully who relied on his father being the secretary to run rampant in the brigade—what was he doing here?

Before she could react, the courtyard gate creaked open, and Wang Guilan led in a young man wearing a polyester shirt and sporting a slicked-back hairstyle. The man was about twenty years old, tall but with an air of arrogance. His eyes were fixed on Lin Wanqiu, his gaze undisguised as he scrutinized her. It was Zhao Jianjun.

"Late Autumn, busy?" Wang Guilan had a fake smile on her face, but her eyes scanned the yard like a scanner. When she saw half a piece of cured meat hanging on the rope, her eyes lit up. "Tsk tsk, you're living a good life. You even have cured meat to eat. You're better off than us."

Lin Wanqiu sneered inwardly, but remained outwardly calm. She straightened up and patted the dirt off her hands: "Aunt Zhao, Comrade Zhao, is there something you need?" She deliberately emphasized the word "comrade" to keep her distance.

Before Wang Guilan could speak, Zhao Jianjun took two steps forward, his gaze lingering on Lin Wanqiu's face. After two months of recuperation, Lin Wanqiu's originally sallow complexion had become fair and radiant, her features delicate. Even in a faded coarse cloth jacket, her beautiful appearance was undeniable; she was more than ten times prettier than the rough girls in the brigade. He swallowed hard, his tone slightly flippant: "Lin Wanqiu, I heard you helped treat Tie Dan from Old Wang's family a few days ago? You even know how to use folk remedies? I didn't realize you were so capable."

Lin Wanqiu took a step back, avoiding his gaze: "It's just a coincidence that I have a folk remedy, nothing special." She could clearly feel the ill intent in Zhao Jianjun's eyes, and her vigilance increased even more.

Seeing this, Wang Guilan quickly smoothed things over: "Wanqiu, don't be so polite with Jianjun, he's just a straightforward guy. We're here today to talk to you about something important." She grabbed Lin Wanqiu's hand, her grip so tight it seemed she wanted to crush it. "Look at you, so young and widowed, raising a child alone is so difficult. My Jianjun is young and strong, and he's the Party Secretary's son. If you two get together, I guarantee you and your child will live a life of luxury, never having to suffer from others again."

Upon hearing this, Lin Wanqiu's face instantly turned cold, and she abruptly pulled her hand back: "Aunt Zhao, what do you mean by that? Although my husband Shen Tingzhou has sacrificed himself, I will always be a member of the Shen family and will never remarry!"

Nian'an seemed to sense something was wrong. She climbed off the bench, hugged Lin Wanqiu's leg tightly, and her little face was full of vigilance: "You are not allowed to bully my mother!"

Zhao Jianjun's smile froze, and his tone turned serious: "Lin Wanqiu, don't push your luck! I, Zhao Jianjun, am doing you a favor by taking a liking to you! You're a widow with a child in tow, and you still want to be picky?" He took a step forward, closing in on Lin Wanqiu, "Let me tell you, in this Hongqi Production Brigade, my father's word is law. If I want to marry you, you can't escape!"

"You dare!" Lin Wanqiu shielded Nian An behind her, her eyes as cold as ice. "Zhao Jianjun, I'm warning you, don't think you can do whatever you want just because your father is the Party Secretary! Marriage is a matter of personal choice. If I don't agree, no one can force me!"

Seeing the two arguing, Wang Guilan quickly pulled Zhao Jianjun aside: "Jianjun, don't get agitated, let's talk this out. Wanqiu, don't be stubborn. Think about it, you have a child with you. When it comes to distributing grain and earning work points, you'll always need to ask for help. If you go with Jianjun, won't all these problems be solved? Besides, that old lady and sister-in-law from the Shen family are always causing you trouble. If you become part of our Zhao family, will they dare to lay a finger on you?"

Wang Guilan's words hit the nail on the head—Old Mrs. Shen and Zhang Lan were indeed difficult to deal with, but that was by no means a reason for her to remarry. Lin Wanqiu sneered: "Aunt Zhao, thank you for your 'kindness,' but I don't need it. I can earn work points myself and support Nian'an. Even if Old Mrs. Shen and the others cause trouble, I can handle it. As for your Comrade Zhao, you should find a girl who is willing to marry him. I am not worthy of your status."

"You!" Zhao Jianjun's face flushed red from Lin Wanqiu's retort. He pointed at her nose and cursed, "Lin Wanqiu, don't push your luck! I think you don't know what's what! You believe I'll have my dad deduct your work points and leave you and your mother starving!"

"You dare deduct my work points?" Lin Wanqiu's eyes flashed sharply. "I earned a full set of work points last month, everyone in the team saw it. What right do you have to deduct them? Besides, this is a new society, where distribution is based on work. Even if your father is the Party Secretary, he can't be corrupt! If you really dare to deduct my work points, I'll go to the commune and report you!"

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