"Okay, Mother, go ahead without worry." Shen Nian'an nodded sensibly.

Over the next few days, Lin Wanqiu continued making tofu as usual while anxiously awaiting news from the supply and marketing cooperative. Every day, she would frequently look towards the village entrance, hoping someone would come to tell her good news.

Finally, on a sunny morning, Lin Wanqiu was grinding soybeans in the yard when she suddenly heard footsteps outside the door. She looked up and saw a strange young man standing at the door.

"Are you Comrade Lin Wanqiu?" the young man asked politely.

"I am, and you are?" Lin Wanqiu looked at him in confusion.

“I’m a staff member of the supply and marketing cooperative. Director Zhang asked me to inform you that the quality and price of your tofu meet our requirements, and we have decided to cooperate with you. This is the cooperation agreement; please take a look and see if there are any problems.” The young man said, taking a document out of his bag and handing it to Lin Wanqiu.

Lin Wanqiu took the document, her hands trembling with excitement. She carefully reviewed the agreement, and after confirming there were no problems, she quickly said, "No problem, no problem, thank you so much!"

"That's good. Just sign it, and the cooperation will officially take effect. From now on, you just need to deliver the tofu to the supply and marketing cooperative on the 1st and 15th of each month," the young man said.

Lin Wanqiu signed the agreement without hesitation, her joy beyond words. She knew that from this moment on, her tofu business would enter a new chapter.

After seeing off the staff from the supply and marketing cooperative, Lin Wanqiu excitedly paced around the yard several times. She couldn't wait to share the good news with Shen Nian'an and the villagers.

"Nian'an, Nian'an!" Lin Wanqiu shouted Shen Nian'an's name loudly.

Hearing the shouts, Shen Nian'an ran out of the house: "Mother, what's wrong?"

"We've partnered with the supply and marketing cooperative! We'll be able to sell even more tofu from now on, and our lives will get better and better!" Lin Wanqiu excitedly hugged Shen Nian'an.

"That's great, Mom! I knew you could do it!" Shen Nian'an jumped up excitedly.

The mother and son were immersed in joy, and their laughter echoed in the yard.

However, before Lin Wanqiu could even properly celebrate, trouble struck. It turned out that Zhao Jianjun, the son of the brigade secretary, had learned of Lin Wanqiu's partnership with the supply and marketing cooperative and was extremely jealous. He had always harbored ill intentions towards Lin Wanqiu; he had previously tried to force himself on her but was refused. Now, seeing Lin Wanqiu's business thriving, his resentment only intensified.

"This Lin Wanqiu has actually partnered with the supply and marketing cooperative. Where did she get such power? No, I can't let her get away with this so easily," Zhao Jianjun said through gritted teeth, sitting at home.

After much deliberation, Zhao Jianjun decided to go to Director Zhang of the supply and marketing cooperative and try to persuade him to cancel his cooperation with Lin Wanqiu. He was used to running rampant in the village, relying on his father's power, and believed that nothing was impossible for him.

The next day, Zhao Jianjun went to the supply and marketing cooperative and found Director Zhang.

"Director Zhang, I heard you've partnered with that Lin Wanqiu?" Zhao Jianjun asked casually as soon as he entered the room.

Director Zhang was somewhat displeased when he saw it was him, but still politely replied, "Yes, what's wrong?"

"Director Zhang, you can't cooperate with her. What skills could a widow possibly have? Maybe she buys her tofu from someone else and pretends it's homemade, just to cheat the supply and marketing cooperative out of money." Zhao Jianjun began to spread rumors and slander Lin Wanqiu.

Director Zhang frowned: "Comrade Zhao Jianjun, you need to have evidence to back up your claims. Our cooperation with Lin Wanqiu was based on investigation, and her tofu is indeed of good quality."

"Director Zhang, don't be fooled by her. I've also heard that she's suspected of speculation and profiteering in the past. How can someone like that cooperate with the supply and marketing cooperative? If word gets out, it won't be good for the cooperative's reputation," Zhao Jianjun continued, adding fuel to the fire.

Director Zhang's expression turned somewhat grim upon hearing this. Although he didn't quite believe Zhao Jianjun's words, he was still wavering. After all, the cooperative relationship with the supply and marketing cooperative was of great importance, and he couldn't afford to be careless.

"I'll think about it some more," Director Zhang said dismissively.

"Director Zhang, you must be careful. I'm doing this all for the good of the supply and marketing cooperative." Zhao Jianjun was secretly pleased to see that Director Zhang's attitude had softened.

After leaving the supply and marketing cooperative, Zhao Jianjun revealed a smug smile: "Lin Wanqiu, let's see how smug you are this time."

Meanwhile, Lin Wanqiu was completely unaware of what was happening. She was excitedly preparing for her first delivery to the supply and marketing cooperative. She carefully selected the best soybeans, got up early to grind them, and made tofu, hoping to leave a good impression on the cooperative.

"Nian'an, today I'm delivering the first batch of goods to the supply and marketing cooperative. Be good at home." Lin Wanqiu said to Shen Nian'an while she was busy.

“Okay, Mom, don’t worry. I’m sure your tofu will be a big hit,” Shen Nian’an said sensibly.

Lin Wanqiu pushed her cart full of tofu toward the supply and marketing cooperative with great anticipation. She imagined her tofu filling the shelves of the cooperative, and her heart was filled with a sense of accomplishment.

However, when she arrived at the supply and marketing cooperative, she found that things didn't go as smoothly as she had imagined. Director Zhang looked somewhat embarrassed when he saw her.

"Director Zhang, I've brought the tofu. Look, it's all freshly made this morning," Lin Wanqiu said with a smile.

Director Zhang hesitated for a moment, then said, "Comrade Lin Wanqiu, I'm really sorry. Our cooperation may have to be put on hold for now. We need to verify some things further."

Upon hearing this, Lin Wanqiu's heart skipped a beat: "Director Zhang, what's going on? Didn't we already agree on everything?"

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