The early winter night arrived suddenly. Just past dusk, a howling north wind began to blow outside the window, swirling withered leaves that rattled against the windowpane. Lin Wanqiu sat on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed), using the dim light of the kerosene lamp to sew the last few stitches on Shen Tingzhou's cotton-padded coat. The fine stitches moved across the fabric, each one revealing her meticulous care. Shen Tingzhou, meanwhile, was sorting through the remaining cotton wadding he had carded during the day, preparing to make a cotton vest for Nian'an the next day. The room was warm and cozy, filled with the sweet scent of cotton and the warmth of home.

Suddenly, a series of violent banging sounds came from outside the courtyard gate. The "bang, bang, bang" sounds, mixed with the north wind, broke the tranquility of the night. Immediately afterward, Old Mrs. Shen's shrill voice rang out: "Lin Wanqiu! Shen Tingzhou! Open the door for me! What kind of ability is it to hide inside!"

Lin Wanqiu paused in her needlework, her brows furrowing instantly. Shen Tingzhou also stopped what he was doing, a cold glint in his eyes. He put down the cotton wadding, stood up, and walked towards the door: "I'll go check on you. You stay inside and don't come out."

“I’ll go with you.” Lin Wanqiu put down her needlework and stood up as well. She knew that Old Madam Shen was up to no good and that she couldn’t let Shen Tingzhou face her alone.

The two had just reached the door, and before they could even open it, Old Mrs. Shen flung it open a crack. She pushed it open forcefully, sending a gust of cold wind rushing in, followed by her obsequious sister-in-law, Zhang Lan. Old Mrs. Shen's eyes, like those of a greedy eagle, swept across the room, finally landing on the brand-new cotton quilt beside Nian'an on the kang (heated brick bed). Her eyes lit up instantly, as if she had found a treasure, and she rushed onto the kang: "Good! You really did have something good hidden away! Such a soft, new quilt, why is it given to this little brat Nian'an? I am the matriarch of the Shen family, this quilt should be mine!"

As she spoke, she reached out to pull the quilt from Nian'an's arms. Nian'an was startled awake, clutching the quilt tightly, her eyes red-rimmed, and whispered, "Mom! Grandma took my quilt!"

"Stop!" Shen Tingzhou strode forward and grabbed Old Madam Shen's wrist with such force that she winced in pain. "Mother, this is a new quilt that Wanqiu specially made for Nian'an. Nian'an's quilt from last year was already stiff and he cried from the cold at night. How could you take his things?"

Old Mrs. Shen was in so much pain that cold sweat beaded on her forehead, but she still refused to let go, throwing a tantrum: "I don't care! I'm your mother! You have to listen to me! I'm taking this quilt with me today! If you dare to stop me, you're unfilial! If the neighbors find out, see what they say about you!" As she shouted, she winked at Zhang Lan, "Zhang Lan, what are you standing there for? Quickly help me grab the quilt!"

Zhang Lan had long coveted this new quilt. Looking at its fluffy, soft texture, she felt a strong urge to grab it. Upon hearing this, she immediately stepped forward, reaching out to grab a corner. Seeing this, Lin Wanqiu quickly walked to the edge of the kang (heated brick bed), blocking Zhang Lan's hand, her eyes as cold as ice: "Sister-in-law, this quilt was made from cotton I grew in my own space. It didn't cost the Shen family a single penny, nor did I take advantage of them in any way. What right do you have to take it? Nian'an is just a child; how can you bear to take things from him?"

"Stop pretending to be a good person!" Old Mrs. Shen was so angry when she saw Zhang Lan being stopped that she jumped up and down. She glared at Lin Wanqiu, spitting everywhere. "You're a married woman from outside the family. What's wrong with eating, dressing, and having a quilt made for you in the Shen family? You should give it to your ancestor! If you don't give it to me, you're being unfilial. I'll go to the commune and report you, and I'll make sure you can't hold your heads up in the village!"

Shen Tingzhou tightened his grip on Old Madam Shen's wrist, his tone icy cold: "Mother, filial piety is not an excuse for your insatiable greed. I know how you and my sister-in-law tormented Wanqiu and Nian'an when I wasn't home, but I didn't hold it against you because you're my mother. But now that I'm back, no one can bully them anymore. This quilt is Wanqiu's life's work, it's for Nian'an, and no one can take it away!"

He paused, his sharp gaze sweeping over Old Mrs. Shen and Zhang Lan, and said, word by word, "Furthermore, from today onwards, the three of us are separating from the Shen family and will live our own lives. Don't covet our things anymore. If you dare to cause trouble again, or bully Wanqiu and Nian'an again, don't blame me for disowning you as my mother, and don't blame me for reporting all the things you've done to the commune so everyone can judge!"

Old Mrs. Shen shuddered at Shen Tingzhou's gaze. She had never seen him so serious and cold. The sharp pain in her wrist forced her to let go. She knew Shen Tingzhou meant what he said; if things escalated to the commune level, she would not only gain nothing but also be gossiped about. Zhang Lan also shrank back in fear, not daring to step forward. Looking at Shen Tingzhou's icy face, she felt a chill run down her spine.

"You...you unfilial son!" Old Mrs. Shen cursed unwillingly, but dared not linger any longer. She glared fiercely at Lin Wanqiu, turned around and pulled Zhang Lan out. She almost tripped over the threshold when she went out, looking utterly disheveled.

Watching Grandma Shen and Zhang Lan disappear into the night, Lin Wanqiu breathed a sigh of relief. She walked to the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed), picked up Nian'an who was still trembling, and gently patted his back: "Nian'an, don't be afraid. Grandma is gone. No one can take your quilt away now."

Nian'an hugged Lin Wanqiu's neck tightly and whispered, "Mom, I don't like Grandma. She always takes my things."

"It's alright," Lin Wanqiu gently patted Nian'an's head. "With your parents here, no one will bully you anymore. Go to sleep now, cover yourself with the new quilt, and have sweet dreams."

Shen Tingzhou walked over and sat on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed). Watching Nian'an gradually fall asleep, his eyes were filled with heartache and determination. He held Lin Wanqiu's hand and said softly, "Wanqiu, I'm sorry that you and Nian'an have suffered. I will protect you from now on and never let you suffer like this again."

Lin Wanqiu shook her head and said with a smile, "I'm not wronged. With you here, I'm not afraid of anything. It's better for our family to live a good life together than anything else."

The dim light of the kerosene lamp illuminated their faces, and the room regained its previous warmth. The north wind was still howling outside the window, but the room was cozy and warm, a warmth that came not only from the fire in the kang (a heated brick bed), but also from the love and care the family members shared.

The next morning, sunlight streamed into the room through the window. Nian'an woke up early, grabbed his new quilt, and ran to the yard, excitedly sharing with the big yellow dog, "Big Yellow, look at my new quilt! It's so soft and warm!"

Lin Wanqiu and Shen Tingzhou smiled at each other as they watched their child's happy expression. After breakfast, Shen Tingzhou went up the mountain to cut bamboo to make window frames, while Lin Wanqiu stayed home to tidy up the yard and sort through the remaining cotton to make a cotton vest for Nian'an.

Just then, Xiao Li, the commune's messenger, rushed over with a smile on his face: "Sister-in-law Wanqiu, is Brother Tingzhou home? The commune has some good news for you!"

Lin Wanqiu stopped what she was doing and looked at Xiao Li with a puzzled expression: "Comrade Xiao Li, what's the good news? Tingzhou went up the mountain to cut bamboo, I'm going to call him back."

"No need, no need, I can tell you anyway," Xiao Li said with a smile. "The commune is setting up a sideline business group to help the villagers earn more money and improve their lives. Everyone knows you're capable; you not only grow good crops but also run a soy sauce workshop. So the commune leaders specifically asked me to come and ask if you'd like to be the leader of the sideline business group and lead everyone in doing sideline work. Would you be willing?"