The women around laughed. Aunt Li teased, "Wanqiu, your son is such a sweet little darling, much better than my naughty kids." Lin Wanqiu looked at her son's earnest expression, her heart melting completely—all the hardships she had endured since transmigrating to this era felt worthwhile the moment she saw her son growing up healthy.

The days slipped by quietly amidst the aroma of soy sauce and laughter, and before they knew it, it was payday. That morning, an eight-immortal table was set up in the open space of the soy sauce workshop. Lin Wanqiu neatly stacked a stack of brand-new banknotes by group; the red notes, printed with the portrait of the leader, were particularly eye-catching in the morning light. Shen Tingzhou stood to the side, holding a register, ready to have those who had received their wages sign and affix their fingerprints.

"Aunt Li, bean-picking team leader, eighteen yuan." Lin Wanqiu handed over the money, adding two extra yuan, "This is your bonus for leading everyone to exceed the task target last month." Aunt Li's hands trembled as she took the money, her fingertips repeatedly tracing the bills, tears suddenly falling: "Wanqiu, I've lived for over forty years, and this is the first time I've received so much money... My husband always said women weren't worth much, but now I can earn money for the family!"

Aunt Wang received her fifteen yuan wages and immediately stuffed the money into her inner pocket: "Now I can buy my grandson some brown sugar to help him recover. He always complained of dizziness before, but I couldn't bear to buy him any." Several young women, holding their money, excitedly discussed buying a piece of floral fabric to make new clothes, their chattering like a flock of happy sparrows.

Seeing everyone's tearful joy, Lin Wanqiu's eyes also welled up with tears. She recalled her past life as a food blogger, with millions of followers and a substantial income, yet she had never felt this sense of accomplishment. This satisfaction of creating value with her own hands and helping others become wealthy was something no amount of online traffic could buy. Shen Tingzhou quietly handed her a handkerchief, whispering, "Don't get too excited, things will get better from now on." She looked up at his gentle gaze and nodded firmly.

The soy sauce workshop's success spread like wildfire, quickly reaching several nearby production brigades. Every morning, people from other villages would arrive at the entrance of the Hongqi Production Brigade, eager to learn if they could work at the workshop. Lin Wanqiu specifically discussed the matter with Shen Tingzhou, and they recruited ten more women from other villages. They even asked the commune clerk to help write a recruitment notice, which was posted at the commune's entrance.

That evening, Lin Wanqiu was leading everyone in sealing the newly brewed soy sauce when she saw Zhang Lan carrying a bamboo basket, walking awkwardly towards the soy sauce workshop. She was wearing a faded floral blouse, her hair was slicked back, and an unnatural smile was plastered on her face, making her look completely different from her usual fiery self.

Lin Wanqiu's heart skipped a beat; she knew this sister-in-law was up to no good. Before, when they were rushing to finish brewing soy sauce, Zhang Lan hadn't done a single day of work, using the excuse that her child was sick. Now that the soy sauce shop was making money, she was proactively coming to their door. She calmly continued her work, placing the ceramic lid on the porcelain bottle full of soy sauce with swift and efficient movements.

Zhang Lan approached, first surveying the busy women, then inhaling the aroma of soy sauce in the air. Her smile grew even more ingratiating: "Wanqiu, look how thriving this soy sauce shop is! It's truly bringing honor to our Shen family." She tugged at Lin Wanqiu's sleeve, lowering her voice, "I heard you're short-handed here. Look... I'd like to come and help. I'm very efficient at work."

The women around stopped what they were doing and quietly watched the commotion. Aunt Li pursed her lips and muttered to Aunt Wang: "When we asked her to come help before, she said she had to take care of her child because of a fever. Now she's suddenly thinking about this." Aunt Wang didn't say anything, but gently shook her head.

Lin Wanqiu straightened up, dusted off her hands, and said calmly, "Sister-in-law, the soy sauce shop is indeed short-staffed, but they're all long-term employees. When we were rushing to finish, I called you three times, but you always said you had things to do at home. Now that things are running smoothly, we don't need so many people anymore."

Zhang Lan's face instantly turned a deep purplish-red, a hint of resentment flashing in her eyes, but she still stubbornly argued: "It's just that the child at home is really not feeling well... Wanqiu, we're all family, how can you hold this against me? Besides, I'm Tingzhou's sister-in-law, you can't let outsiders laugh at our family for not being harmonious, can you?"

Because we're family, we should be even more honest with each other. Shen Tingzhou walked over unnoticed, his face cold and his eyes distant. "What did you say when Wanqiu came to your door for help? Now that you see you can make money, you want to come back? There's no such thing as a free lunch."

Zhang Lan was speechless after being rebuked. Seeing the disdainful looks from those around her, she lost face and abruptly put down her bamboo basket: "Hmph, it's just a shabby soy sauce shop, what's so great about it! Lin Wanqiu, don't be too smug, I'll see how long your business lasts!" She left with these harsh words, turned around and left, her back view revealing her utter disarray.

Lin Wanqiu watched her retreating figure, her brows furrowing slightly. She knew Zhang Lan was always vengeful, and this time, being rejected, she certainly wouldn't let it go easily. Shen Tingzhou grasped her hand, the warmth of his palm calming her somewhat: "Don't worry, she can't cause any trouble. As long as we run the soy sauce shop well and everyone can make money, people will naturally be on our side."

As the sun set, its afterglow bathed the earthenware vats of the soy sauce workshop in a golden-red hue. The rich aroma of soy sauce filled the air, mingling with the rising smoke to create a warm, rural scene. Lin Wanqiu watched the busy villagers, then glanced at her husband beside her and her son helping to move porcelain jars a short distance away. A surge of strength filled her heart. She knew this road to prosperity wouldn't be smooth sailing; there would be obstacles like Zhang Lan's, and perhaps even greater difficulties. But as long as her family worked together, leading the villagers forward, no obstacle was insurmountable. Yes.