Lin Wanqiu's eyes welled up slightly. She picked up her enamel mug and took a sip of hot water to hide her surging emotions: "Thank you, Secretary Wang and Director Li. Our family's success today is all thanks to the help of the commune and the team. We will continue to work hard in our workshop and strive to help more villagers get rich together, so as not to disappoint your expectations."
Shen Tingzhou chimed in, "Yes, Secretary Wang. We've been thinking that once the weather gets warmer, we can expand the workshop and bring in a few more families in need. We'll teach them how to make pickles so everyone can earn money together."
"Great! This is a great idea!" Wang Jianguo slapped his thigh, his voice filled with excitement. "Don't worry, the commune will help you coordinate the site, and we'll help you with any necessary procedures. As long as it allows the commune members to live a good life, the commune will give its full support!"
The group chatted for a while longer, and Director Li inquired in detail about Lin Wanqiu's pregnancy symptoms—whether she had morning sickness, whether she slept well, and what she usually ate. He also took out a yellowed "Pregnancy Care Handbook" from his bag and handed it to her: "This was given to me by the county health center. It contains a lot of precautions for pregnancy. Take a look at it when you have time, and ask me if you don't understand anything. I used to be a nurse at the health center, so I know a little bit about it."
Lin Wanqiu took the manual, her fingertips touching the rough pages, her heart filled with gratitude: "Thank you, Director Li, you've thought of everything."
As the sun began to set, Wang Jianguo and Director Li rose to take their leave. Shen Tingzhou wanted to see them off, but Wang Jianguo stopped him: "No need to see them off. Just take good care of Wanqiu at home. Remember, if you have any difficulties, come to the commune!" He pushed his bicycle, and the cloth bag on the back seat swayed. Inside were cotton cloth and cotton that the commune had prepared for Lin Wanqiu. "This cloth just arrived from the commune's supply and marketing cooperative. It's perfect for making little clothes for the child. Don't mind it."
Lin Wanqiu quickly asked Shen Nian'an to go inside and get two jars of freshly made pickled cucumbers, which she then handed to Wang Jianguo: "Secretary Wang, these are pickled cucumbers that we made ourselves. Please take them back and try them with Director Li. They're nothing valuable, just a small token of our appreciation."
Wang Jianguo couldn't refuse, so he had no choice but to accept: "Then we won't stand on ceremony. At the next commune meeting, I'll share some with everyone so they can also taste your cooking!"
Watching the two figures disappear at the alley entrance, Lin Wanqiu slowly sat down, her fingertips gently stroking her lower abdomen, her face full of tender smiles. Chen Nian'an nestled beside her, her little hand also on her belly, and whispered, "Mommy, Secretary Wang and Director Li are so kind, they even gave you eggs and brown sugar."
“Yes, they are all good people.” Lin Wanqiu patted his head. “So we should also be good people and help others, just like they helped us.”
Shen Tingzhou walked over and draped a thick coat over her shoulders: "It's windy outside, don't catch a cold. Secretary Wang just said he'd help us contact the supply and marketing cooperative, so we don't have to worry about the sales of our fermented bean curd anymore. In a while, we'll expand the workshop and hire a few more people."
Lin Wanqiu nodded, looking up at Shen Tingzhou's eyes, which were full of anticipation for the future: "Yes, after the baby is born, our family will work together to make our lives better and better. By the way, Director Li just said that we can bring Nian'an with us to the next prenatal checkup, so he can hear the baby's heartbeat. He'll definitely be happy."
Shen Tingzhou smiled and ruffled Shen Nian'an's hair: "Then let's make a promise to go to the next prenatal checkup together. Nian'an, you have to be a good girl and not cause any trouble."
"I will definitely be good!" Shen Nian'an nodded vigorously, her eyes full of anticipation. "I also want to tell my little brother to grow up well in Mommy's tummy and not make Mommy suffer."
As the sun set, golden rays bathed the courtyard, casting a warm glow on the crabapple blossoms. Lin Wanqiu leaned against Shen Tingzhou, with Shen Nian'an nestled beside her. The shadows of the family of three were stretched long by the setting sun, creating a warm and beautiful scene. She gently stroked her lower abdomen, feeling the baby's movements, her heart filled with happiness—in her past life, she was a lonely and destitute food blogger; in this life, she had a loving husband, a sensible son, and a baby on the way. This kind of life was something she had never dared to dream of before.
At dinner, Shen Tingzhou specially made steamed fish and scrambled eggs with tomatoes, which Lin Wanqiu liked. He also soaked the brown sugar that the commune had given him in water and brought it to her: "Drink some brown sugar water to relieve your fatigue. Director Li said this is good for pregnant women."
Lin Wanqiu took the water cup. The warm brown sugar water slid down her throat, the sweet taste spreading on her tongue and warming her heart. Shen Nian'an kept putting fish on her plate: "Mom, eat more fish. The doctor said eating fish will make the baby smarter. I hope my little brother can be like me and get a perfect score in math!"
Grandma Shen smiled and said, "Yes, Wanqiu, you should eat more. Look at your belly, it might be a chubby boy! Then our Shen family will have both a son and a daughter!"
Upon hearing this, Lin Wanqiu's heart suddenly stirred—she had always thought she was carrying a son, but what if it was a daughter? How wonderful it would be if she were a sweet and caring daughter. She looked at the food on the table, then at Shen Tingzhou and Shen Nian'an beside her, and a gentle smile appeared on her face: "Boy or girl, it's all good, as long as they are healthy."
After dinner, Shen Nian'an took the initiative to clear the dishes, while Shen Tingzhou helped Lin Wanqiu take a walk in the yard. Night deepened, the stars twinkled in the sky, and the evening breeze carried the fragrance of crabapple blossoms, gently caressing their cheeks. Lin Wanqiu leaned against Shen Tingzhou and whispered, "Tingzhou, I was so touched when Secretary Wang and Director Li came today. We really have to thank them, and the villagers in the team, for making us who we are today."
Shen Tingzhou held her hand tightly, his tone firm: "Don't worry, I'll remember it all. We'll work even harder in the future, not only to make our own lives better, but also to help more people live better lives. After the baby is born, we'll take him and Nian'an to thank Secretary Wang and the others."
This chapter is not finished yet. Please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com