The cool autumn wind swept through the Hongqi Production Brigade, rustling the withered grass on the field ridges, but it couldn't dispel the warmth at the Shen family's doorstep. As soon as the morning sun peeked over the courtyard wall, Lin Wanqiu spread the cut sky-blue cotton cloth on the eight-immortal table in the main room. The snow-white new cotton looked like fluffy clouds piled up beside it, and even the air was filled with the clean scent of cotton.

"Mommy, the cotton is so soft!" Shen Nian'an, wearing a faded little jacket, tiptoed to the table and gently poked the cotton with his little finger. His eyes lit up at the soft touch. Since Lin Wanqiu's rebirth, his life had transformed from bitter to sweet. He not only ate his fill every day but also had new shoes, new toys, and now even a winter coat—his favorite sky blue one.

Lin Wanqiu held her son's small hand, letting him feel the smooth texture of the cotton fabric: "This fabric was handwoven by your mother, and the cotton is the best new cotton. Once it's made into a cotton-padded coat, Nian'an will never have cold hands and feet again in winter." She remembered when she was first reborn, Nian'an was wrapped in an old cotton-padded coat full of patches, the cuffs worn so that the cotton wadding was showing through, his little hands were red and cracked from the cold, and he even had difficulty holding chopsticks, and her heart ached. Now that she had a space, she would never let her child suffer like that again.

Shen Tingzhou walked in carrying freshly boiled water. Seeing the cloth and cotton on the table, a gentle smile appeared in his eyes: "I'll go get the sewing basket and find a piece of red cloth to sew a pocket onto Nian'an's cotton-padded jacket, to make it festive." He was temporarily hiding his identity, and every day, besides helping Lin Wanqiu with housework, he secretly investigated the suspicious points of the mission from back then. But whenever he was home, he would always take the initiative to help with chores. Seeing the smiles of his wife and children, the guilt he felt from his "fake death" was gradually soothed by warmth.

Lin Wanqiu smiled and nodded, then picked up the scissors and began to stuff the cotton. She first laid the cotton cloth flat, then grabbed a handful of new cotton and carefully spread it on the surface, from the collar to the cuffs, making sure it was evenly and thickly spread. She even planned the direction of the stitches in her mind—a fine, zigzag stitch, so the cotton wouldn't clump together and would last longer. Shen Nian'an sat on a small stool beside her, holding a spool of thread, occasionally handing her a thimble, her little mouth constantly murmuring, "Mommy, can you embroider the bib into a little rabbit? I like little rabbits."

"Okay, let's embroider a little rabbit." Lin Wanqiu was amused by her son's anticipation, and her fingers moved faster and faster with the needle and thread. Sunlight streamed through the window and fell on her, bathing her profile in a warm golden hue. Shen Tingzhou sat opposite her, helping her organize the ball of yarn. Watching his wife and son interact, he felt that this ordinary life brought him more peace of mind than any military achievement.

Before they knew it, they heard the neighbors talking in the courtyard. Aunt Zhang, carrying a basket, passed by and saw the window of the Shen family's main room open. She couldn't resist peeking inside, and her eyes immediately lit up: "Wanqiu, are you making a new cotton-padded jacket for Nian'an? The fabric is such a beautiful color, like the clouds in the sky!"

Lin Wanqiu looked up and replied with a smile, "Yes, Sister Zhang, winter is coming soon, make a thick cotton-padded coat for the child."

Sister Zhang put down her basket and came in. She went to the table, touched the cotton cloth, and then pinched the cotton. She couldn't help but exclaim, "This cloth feels so soft. Is it newly woven? The cotton is so white. It's obviously good cotton! In our brigade, only your Nian'an is so lucky to be able to wear such a nice new cotton-padded coat." As she spoke, she thought of her own child still wearing a patched old cotton-padded coat in winter, and couldn't help but feel a little envious.

Just then, Aunt Li brought over a bowl of freshly steamed sweet potatoes: "Wanqiu, I brought some sweet potatoes for Nian'an. They're fresh out of the steamer and still warm!" As soon as she entered and saw the new cotton-padded jacket on the table, Aunt Li couldn't help but exclaim: "Oh my, this cotton-padded jacket is so beautiful! Wanqiu, your weaving skills are getting better and better. It's even finer than the cloth my old sister-in-law wove back then!"

Lin Wanqiu quickly took the sweet potato, told Nian'an to thank her, and said with a smile, "It's all thanks to Aunt Li and Sister-in-law for your good guidance, otherwise I wouldn't have been able to learn so quickly. After I finish making Nian'an's cotton-padded jacket, I'll weave some more cloth and make you a scarf too."

Upon hearing this, Aunt Li smiled so much her eyes narrowed: "Thank you so much! But don't overwork yourself. Taking care of Nian'an is busy enough, and you also have to build a house and grow a vegetable garden. You must rest well." Seeing Lin Wanqiu's life getting better and better, she was happy for her. Everyone knew how hard Lin Wanqiu's life was when she first married into the family. Her husband "sacrificed" her, and her in-laws made things difficult for her. Now she can support her family with her own abilities and live such a good life. She is truly a capable girl.

More and more neighbors were drawn over, and they gathered around the eight-immortal table, praising the new cotton-padded jacket. Grandma Wang touched the fabric and exclaimed, "This fabric is even better than what the supply and marketing cooperative sells! The color is perfect, and it feels so soft. Late autumn, if you wove more fabric to sell, you'd definitely make a lot of money!"

“That’s right!” Aunt Liu chimed in. “Look at Nian’an. Ever since you took him in last autumn, he’s been getting better and better. Now he has a new cotton-padded jacket to wear, and he’s much more energetic than before!”

Listening to everyone's praise, Shen Nian'an puffed out his chest, tightly clutching Lin Wanqiu's clothes, his face full of pride—he knew that this was all thanks to his mother, who was the most amazing mother in the world.

Lin Wanqiu smiled and responded to everyone while her needlework continued. She sewed the front of her cotton-padded jacket, then picked up a red cloth and began embroidering a little rabbit bib. The red thread weaved through the blue cotton cloth, and soon, a round little rabbit gradually took shape, with long ears, round eyes, and a cute little tail.

"Oh my, this little rabbit is so lifelike!" Aunt Zhang exclaimed, her eyes wide with admiration. "Wanqiu, you're so skillful! You can cook, farm, weave, and embroider—you can do everything!"

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