"You're a daughter-in-law of the Shen family, so your business is the Shen family's business!" Old Mrs. Shen said domineeringly. "If you make tofu and sell it, you have to give half of it to the Shen family! Otherwise, you can forget about making it!"

Zhang Lan fanned the flames from the side: "That's right! Wanqiu, what skills do you, a widow, have to make tofu? Isn't it all thanks to the Shen family's reputation? It's only right that you give half the money to the Shen family."

Looking at their greedy faces, Lin Wanqiu's anger flared up instantly, but she still suppressed her anger and calmly said, "Mother, sister-in-law, I haven't even started making money from tofu yet, and you're already thinking about sharing the profits. Isn't that a bit too early? Besides, I'm making tofu to earn tuition fees for Nian'an. I'm even reluctant to eat or dress well for myself, so where would I get extra money to share with you?"

Shen Tingjun then raised his head and said in a low voice, "Wanqiu, I'm doing this for your own good. As a woman making tofu, you're bound to encounter troubles. With the Shen family helping you, you can avoid some detours. It's only right that you share some money with the Shen family."

Looking at Shen Tingjun's cowardly appearance, Lin Wanqiu felt disdain: "Uncle, I thank you for your 'kindness,' but I don't need it. I can handle the trouble myself; I don't need the Shen family's help."

Seeing that Lin Wanqiu refused to back down, Old Mrs. Shen was so angry that her face turned red: "Lin Wanqiu! Don't be so shameless! If you don't agree, I'll go to the commune and report you for doing business on your own and engaging in speculation!"

In the 1960s, "speculation and profiteering" was a serious crime. Once convicted, not only would all property be confiscated, but the person would also be paraded through the streets. Old Mrs. Shen was actually using this to threaten her, which made Lin Wanqiu both angry and resentful. However, she also knew that if Old Mrs. Shen really went to the commune to report her, she would be in real trouble.

Just then, Aunt Wang's voice came from outside the courtyard gate: "Grandma Shen, what are you doing? What did Wanqiu do to you? Are you going to report her to the commune?"

Aunt Wang and Uncle Li came in. Aunt Wang had just passed by Lin Wanqiu's house and heard a commotion inside, so she quickly called Uncle Li over to take a look.

When Grandma Shen saw Aunt Wang arrive, her tone immediately softened: "Aunt Wang, I... I just wanted to discuss something with Wanqiu, that's all."

Aunt Wang sneered, "Discussing matters? I heard everything outside the door just now. You wanted Wanqiu to give half the money to the Shen family, and you even threatened to report her for speculation at the commune. Old Mrs. Shen, you can't just say things like that. Wanqiu makes tofu to earn tuition fees for her children, not for her own enjoyment. How can that be considered speculation?"

Uncle Li chimed in, "That's right! Grandma Shen, Wanqiu is a good girl, so don't make things difficult for her. It's not easy for her to raise a child alone. As her mother-in-law, it's one thing not to help, but to try and take advantage of her. Aren't you afraid of being laughed at by others?"

Grandma Shen was speechless after being confronted by Aunt Wang and Uncle Li, her face turning pale and then flushed. Seeing that things were not going well, Zhang Lan quickly tugged at Grandma Shen's sleeve: "Mom, let's go back first, we can talk about it later."

Old Mrs. Shen glared at Lin Wanqiu fiercely and said unwillingly, "Lin Wanqiu, I'm not done with you about this!" After saying that, she left with Shen Tingjun and Zhang Lan in a dejected manner.

Watching their retreating figures, Aunt Wang sighed, "Wanqiu, you'd better be careful in the future. Old Mrs. Shen and Zhang Lan definitely won't let this go."

Lin Wanqiu said gratefully, "Aunt Wang, Uncle Li, thank you so much. I don't know what I would have done today without you."

Uncle Li said, "Wanqiu, don't worry too much. Making tofu is a legitimate business. As long as you do it well and don't cut corners, the commune won't make things difficult for you. I'll go find you a sturdier wooden bucket tomorrow. Your old bucket has been repaired, so it probably can't hold much water."

Lin Wanqiu was deeply moved, and her eyes even reddened: "Uncle Li, Aunt Wang, you are both so kind. I don't know how to thank you enough."

"No need to thank me, we're all from the same village, helping each other is only right," Aunt Wang said with a smile. "You should get some rest, you have to get up early tomorrow to grind soybeans."

After seeing Aunt Wang and Uncle Li off, Lin Wanqiu turned and went back into the house. Shen Nian'an quickly ran over and grabbed her hand: "Mom, Grandma was so fierce just now, I was so scared."

Lin Wanqiu picked up her son and gently patted his back: "Nian'an, don't be afraid. With your mother here, and Grandma Wang and Grandpa Li to help us, Grandma won't dare to bully us."

Shen Nian'an nodded as if she understood, and hugged Lin Wanqiu's neck tightly: "Mother, I will definitely study hard in the future and protect you when I grow up."

Lin Wanqiu felt a warmth in her heart and kissed her son on the top of his head: "Nian'an, you're such a good boy. Go to sleep now, Mom has to get up early tomorrow to grind beans."

Lin Wanqiu tried to lull Nian'an to sleep, but she couldn't fall asleep herself. She sat on the edge of the kang (heated brick bed), gazing at the moonlight outside the window, pondering—Old Lady Shen and Zhang Lan certainly wouldn't let this go; they might cause her further trouble later. She needed to finish making the tofu as soon as possible and find a market. Once she made money and established herself in the village, Old Lady Shen and Zhang Lan wouldn't dare bully her anymore.

She got up and went to the outer room, looking at the soybeans soaking in the wooden tub. The soybeans had swelled up quite a bit; you could squeeze out water with your hands. She then checked the stone mill and the repaired wooden tub, her heart filled with anticipation.

"Tomorrow, we can grind soybeans and make tofu," Lin Wanqiu said softly, her eyes filled with determination. She knew that the road to making tofu wouldn't be smooth, but she was confident that as long as she worked hard, she would succeed. She wanted to rely on her own hands to create a path to wealth for herself and Nian'an, making their lives better and better.

As night deepened, the village lights gradually went out, except for Lin Wanqiu's house, where the light remained on. Under the lamplight, Lin Wanqiu's figure appeared exceptionally resolute; she was silently striving for her own future, for Nian'an's future. She believed that as long as she persevered, one day she would achieve her goal and lead Nian'an to a truly comfortable life.