Lin Wanqiu nodded, her worries gradually dissipating. She knew that with Shen Tingzhou back, she was no longer alone. The two then chatted about their future plans. Lin Wanqiu said that after successfully making fermented bean curd, she wanted to try making broad bean paste and fermented black beans, which were all side dishes that would surely be popular in an era of oil and salt shortages. Shen Tingzhou listened attentively, occasionally offering his own ideas, such as how to solve the problem of materials and how to find sales channels. The two chatted more and more congenially, as if they had endless things to talk about.

As evening approached, the tofu was finally ready. Lin Wanqiu took the tofu out of the wooden frame and cut it into evenly sized cubes, each one as white as jade and emitting a faint aroma of soybeans. She neatly arranged the tofu cubes on a bamboo sieve lined with straw, then evenly sprinkled the starter culture from the oil paper packet onto the surface of the tofu, covered it with a clean gauze, and placed it in a pre-prepared wooden box to ferment.

"Now we have to wait three days for the tofu to grow white mold, and then we'll marinate it with salt and spices." Lin Wanqiu explained to Shen Tingzhou while she was busy. "When marinating, we also need to add some white wine, which can both prevent spoilage and make the fermented bean curd more fragrant."

Shen Tingzhou helped move the wooden box to a well-ventilated place under the eaves and carefully covered it with a rainproof tarpaulin: "I'll go to town tomorrow to buy some liquor and mention the fermented bean curd to Lao Zhou so he can be prepared."

Shen Nian'an stayed close to the two of them, watching the tofu blocks being carefully placed into the wooden box. She asked curiously, "Mom, when the fermented tofu is ready, can we send some to Aunt Wang and Uncle Zhang to try? They spoke up for us last time."

Lin Wanqiu felt a warmth in her heart and patted her son's head: "Of course he can, Nian'an is so sensible. We must not forget our roots. If someone helps us, we must remember it."

At dinner, Lin Wanqiu used the leftover tofu pudding to make tofu pudding soup. She also took out a small piece of cured meat from her spatial storage, diced it, and added it to the soup, then sprinkled some chopped green onions on top. In the milky white soup, the tofu pudding was so tender it melted in your mouth, and the salty aroma of the cured meat and the fresh fragrance of the green onions intertwined, making it incredibly appetizing. Shen Nian'an ate until her little belly was bulging, repeatedly saying "delicious." Shen Tingzhou also ate with extra relish; this was the most peaceful and heartwarming meal he had eaten since faking his death.

That night, Shen Tingzhou was returning to the dilapidated temple, and Lin Wanqiu escorted him to the courtyard gate. The moonlight, like water, shone on the two of them, casting long shadows. Shen Tingzhou stopped, turned around, and took Lin Wanqiu's hand: "Wanqiu, thank you for still believing in me."

Lin Wanqiu shook her head, her eyes a little red: "I've never blamed you, I was just worried about you. No matter what happens in the future, we'll face it together."

Shen Tingzhou nodded vigorously, squeezing her hand even tighter: "Okay, we'll carry this together. Get some rest, I'll come first thing tomorrow morning." With that, he turned and disappeared into the night, his steps much lighter than when he arrived—he knew that he had not only found his wife and children, but also found hope for life.

For the next three days, Lin Wanqiu checked on the fermentation of the tofu every day. On the first day, fine white fuzz appeared on the surface of the tofu; on the second day, the fuzz became longer and denser, like a thin layer of snowflakes; by the third day, the fuzz had turned a pale yellow and emitted a unique musty aroma. Lin Wanqiu knew that fermentation was complete, and the next step was pickling.

As promised, Shen Tingzhou brought baijiu and more salt, as well as news from Lao Zhou at the supply and marketing cooperative—Lao Zhou was very interested when he heard they were going to make fermented bean curd, and asked them to send some samples over to taste after they finished making it. If it tasted good, they could sign a long-term supply contract.

"Great!" Lin Wanqiu was so happy she almost jumped for joy, and immediately began preparing the marinating process. She first dipped the fermented tofu cubes in white wine, coating each piece with the liquid, then placed them in a prepared earthenware jar, layering tofu with salt and spices. She had crushed star anise and cinnamon beforehand, mixed them with the salt, and sprinkled them on the tofu, instantly releasing a rich, spicy aroma. Shen Tingzhou helped by handing her the jar and putting on the lid; the two worked together seamlessly.

Finally, Lin Wanqiu poured an appropriate amount of cooled boiled water into the jar, covering the tofu blocks, then sealed the jar tightly and affixed a red paper with the date written on it. Looking at the jars filled with fermented tofu neatly arranged under the eaves, she felt a great sense of accomplishment. These were not just jars of fermented tofu, but also the hope for her, Shen Tingzhou, and Shen Nian'an's future life; they were her first step in expanding her side business and striving for a better life in this era.

"In about half a month, the fermented bean curd will be ready. We'll send two jars to the supply and marketing cooperative so Old Zhou can have a taste," Lin Wanqiu said to Shen Tingzhou with a smile, wiping the sweat from her brow.

Looking at the light in her eyes, Shen Tingzhou was also filled with anticipation: "Okay, I'll go with you then. I believe our fermented bean curd will definitely sell well."

As the sun set, the evening glow painted the sky a vibrant orange-red. In Lin Wanqiu's courtyard, the aroma of fermented bean curd mingled with spices, filling the air and attracting Aunt Li from next door. Aunt Li called out over the courtyard wall, "Wanqiu, what delicious food are you making? It smells so good!"

Lin Wanqiu replied with a smile, "Aunt Li, we made fermented bean curd. We'll bring you some to try once it's ready!"

"Okay, sure!" Aunt Li's voice was full of joy.

Lin Wanqiu and Shen Tingzhou exchanged a smile, both seeing hope for the future in each other's eyes. They knew that these jars of fermented bean curd would not only bring in income but also improve their lives. Next, they would face Zhao Jianjun's threats and investigate the truth behind the leaked mission, but as a family, they could overcome any difficulty. Meanwhile, Old Zhou at the supply and marketing cooperative was also eagerly anticipating the surprises this jar of fermented bean curd would bring. A story about food and opportunity was just beginning.