In the sweltering summer of 1982, the cicadas' chirping swept through the Hongqi Production Brigade like a cacophony of war cries. The scorching sun baked the earth, and the corn stalks in the fields, their pale yellow fading, sprouted deep green leaves, clustered around plump ears of corn, rustling in the wind as if proclaiming their promise of a bountiful harvest. Inside the new factory of "Natural Delights" food workshop, the roar of machines mingled with the chirping of cicadas, the air filled with the sweet aroma of strawberry jam, the rich flavor of dried fruits and vegetables, and a touch of the vibrant energy of midsummer.
Lin Wanqiu stood before the observation window of the sterile workshop, her pristine white work uniform making her complexion appear even more radiant. Her brows furrowed slightly, her gaze focused intently on the assembly line—workers were methodically packing pre-packaged fruit and vegetable buns into boxes, each step strictly adhering to the standards she had established. Over the years, the food workshop's overseas orders had increased year by year. The exclusive distribution rights in Singapore were secured, and partners in Malaysia and Thailand frequently placed additional orders. The "Natural Taste" brand had long since crossed national borders, establishing a firm foothold in the Southeast Asian market. County leaders had inspected the workshop multiple times, and policy support had been continuous. The planting base had expanded from the initial tens of acres to hundreds of acres, and standardized production workshops had sprung up. The widow who once struggled to survive in the cracks of her husband's family was now a renowned entrepreneur. Yet, only when she spoke of her son, Shen Nian'an, did the unwavering resolve in her eyes soften into an unyielding tenderness.
"What are you thinking about?" A pair of warm, large hands gently rested on her shoulders, Shen Tingzhou's voice deep and gentle. He had just returned from the foreign trade office in the county town, his gray Zhongshan suit impeccably pressed, fine beads of sweat on his forehead, yet his heroic spirit undiminished. Over the years, he had long since ended his classified missions, shedding the sharpness of his military uniform and gaining a more composed demeanor as a businessman, but he remained Lin Wanqiu's strongest support.
Lin Wanqiu turned around, raised her hand to wipe the sweat from his forehead, and looked worried: "What else could he be thinking about? Nian'an is taking his last exam today. I wonder how he did. This kid was still thinking about the cost accounting of the food workshop right before the exam, saying he wanted to help us optimize the process."
Shen Tingzhou chuckled softly and took her hand. "Our son takes after you; he's meticulous and resilient. From a young age, his studies have never caused us any worry, especially in math. He'll definitely get into a top high school." Even so, a hint of barely perceptible expectation lingered in his eyes. Over the years, the couple had been busy running their food shop, leaving them with limited time to spend with Nian'an. Yet, the child was exceptionally sensible, never complaining, and instead channeling her understanding of her parents into motivation for learning.
Just then, light footsteps sounded outside the workshop, accompanied by a clear child's voice: "Mommy! Daddy! Brother's back!" Four-year-old Shen Nianxi, wearing a pink dress, fluttered into Lin Wanqiu's arms like a butterfly. She was the daughter of Lin Wanqiu and Shen Tingzhou after their reunion. Her features combined Lin Wanqiu's gentleness with Shen Tingzhou's heroic spirit. She especially loved to dance, and even at such a young age, she could already sway her body to the melodies on the radio, looking incredibly adorable.
Lin Wanqiu bent down, picked up her daughter, and kissed her soft cheek: "Xixi, why did you come here? Didn't Aunt Wang watch you?"
"Aunt Wang is watching the warehouse, and Xixi ran over by herself!" Chen Nianxi hugged Lin Wanqiu's neck and pointed to the door with her little hand. "Brother is outside. He looks like he did very well on the test. He's all smiles!"
Lin Wanqiu and Shen Tingzhou exchanged a glance, and a great weight was lifted from their hearts. The two quickly walked out of the workshop, where they saw Shen Nian'an standing under the old locust tree in front of the factory. He was wearing a faded blue cotton jacket, with an old schoolbag slung over his shoulder. His dark face showed the unique naivety and joy of a young man. His bangs were damp with sweat and stuck to his smooth forehead. His eyes shone like stars on a summer night.
"Brother!" Shen Nianxi broke free from Lin Wanqiu's embrace and rushed towards Shen Nian'an with her short legs.
Shen Nian'an bent down to catch his younger sister, holding her steadily in his arms, his smile growing even brighter: "Xixi, how can you be so good? You even know to come and pick up your brother."
"Nian'an, how did the exam go?" Lin Wanqiu walked up to him, reached out and brushed the stray hairs from his forehead. Her fingertips touched his warm skin, and her heart was filled with tenderness. This child had suffered with her since he was little. At the age of four, he was as thin as a bean sprout, but now he had grown into a tall and straight young man with a maturity beyond his years.
Shen Nian'an nodded, his voice filled with barely suppressed excitement: "Mom, Dad, I did really well on the test, especially in math. I even solved the last bonus question." He paused and looked at Shen Tingzhou, "Dad, let me tell you, that question was about production scheduling optimization. I immediately thought of our food processing plant's assembly line and figured out how to arrange the processes to improve efficiency. I didn't expect it to actually come in handy."
Shen Tingzhou felt gratified and patted him on the shoulder: "Good lad, you know how to apply what you've learned. Come on, let's go home. Your mom specially made braised pork for you today to reward our soon-to-be high school student."
The family walked home, chatting and laughing. The setting sun cast long, long shadows across the pebbly path. Wildflowers bloomed in vibrant colors, their fragrance filling the air. Chen Nianxi ran among the flowers, picking pretty blossoms, her cheerful laughter adding a touch of life and energy to the tranquil rural evening.
Back home, the pomegranate tree in the yard was already lush and leafy, with bright red pomegranates hanging from the branches like little lanterns. Lin Wanqiu went into the kitchen to busy herself, while Shen Tingzhou sat with Shen Nian'an on a bamboo chair under the eaves. The father and son chatted about the details of the exam and their future plans.
"Dad, I've made up my mind. If I can get into a top high school, I want to study science." Shen Nian'an looked at the distant fields with a determined gaze.
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