The envelope was torn open, and an admission notice with gold foil embossed patterns slipped out and landed in Shen Nian'an's palm. On the bright red background, the five large characters "Admission Notice" shone brightly, below which were the four powerful gold-embossed characters "Jiangnan University," and further down, the words "Shen Nian'an, you have been admitted to our university's Food Engineering program" were clearly printed.
Time seemed to stand still at that moment. Shen Nian'an stared down at the acceptance letter in his hand, his eyes wide, as if he couldn't believe his eyes. A few seconds later, he suddenly looked up, his eyes gleaming, his voice choked with emotion yet full of strength: "I got in! Dad, Mom, I got into Jiangnan University's Food Engineering program!"
He held the acceptance letter high, as if he were holding up the whole world. Tears and smiles mingled on the boy's face—tears of joy, tears of excitement, and the relief and pride of years of hard work finally paying off.
"Good! Good! Good!" Shen Tingzhou said "good" three times in a row, his voice trembling slightly. He stepped forward, hugged his son tightly, patted his back with his broad hands, and his eyes were full of satisfaction and pride. This usually calm and reserved man could not hide his excitement at this moment. His son's success was his greatest pride as a father.
Lin Wanqiu could no longer hold back her tears, which streamed down her cheeks. She quickly stepped forward and embraced her son and husband, feeling the strength of her son's arms, her heart overflowing with emotion. From the dilapidated mud-brick house of the 1960s to the warm and happy home they now had; from that thin, timid child to the young man admitted to a prestigious university, all the hardships and difficulties along the way had transformed into overwhelming happiness and emotion. The jade pendant at her waist seemed to sense this joy, its warm glow lingering on her skin, as if blessing this family.
"Nian'an, Mom knew you could do it!" Lin Wanqiu's voice choked with emotion, yet filled with pride. "You're amazing, truly amazing!"
Shen Nianxi rushed over and hugged Shen Nian'an's leg, tilting her little face up with bright, sparkling eyes: "Brother is so amazing! Brother is a college student!"
Hearing the commotion, the neighbors gathered around. "The Shen family's son got into university?" "This is wonderful news!" "Jiangnan University, that's a prestigious university, he's really promising!" Everyone chattered excitedly, their faces filled with envy. Grandma Shen and Zhang Lan also rushed over. Seeing the acceptance letter in Shen Nian'an's hands, Grandma Shen wiped away tears of joy: "My good grandson, you've truly brought honor to our Shen family! If your father were still alive, he would be overjoyed!"
Zhang Lan also said with a smile, "Nian'an has been sensible since he was a child. Now that he has been admitted to such a good university and is studying food engineering, he will definitely be able to help Wanqiu make the food workshop bigger and better in the future!"
Looking at the relatives and neighbors surrounding her, Lin Wanqiu smiled sincerely. The grudges of the past had long since faded with the passage of time; what remained was the deep bond of family and the harmony among neighbors. She smiled and thanked everyone, her heart filled with gratitude—gratitude for this era that gave them the opportunity to strive and struggle; gratitude for the people around them who offered support and companionship; and even more gratitude for being reborn, having the opportunity to protect her family and witness her children's growth.
That evening, the Shen family hosted a lavish banquet, inviting relatives and friends to celebrate. The table was laden with chicken, duck, fish, meat, seasonal vegetables, and the signature "Natural Delight" pastries, their aroma filling the air. Everyone raised their glasses in toasts, offering their congratulations to Shen Nian'an in a warm and lively atmosphere.
Professor Li also made a special trip to come. He held Shen Nian'an's hand, his eyes full of expectation: "Nian'an, the food engineering program at Jiangnan University is top-notch in the country. It has the best faculty and the most advanced research equipment. You must cherish this opportunity, study hard, and become a pillar of the food industry in the future."
"Thank you, Grandpa Li, I definitely will!" Shen Nian'an nodded solemnly, his eyes resolute. He knew that getting into university was just the beginning; the road ahead was long, and there was still much for him to learn. He wanted to strive to become like his mother and Professor Li, using his knowledge and abilities to develop more healthy and delicious foods to give back to his family and society.
Lin Wanqiu watched her son talking with Professor Li, her heart filled with joy. She picked up her wine glass, walked to Shen Tingzhou's side, and gently clinked glasses with him: "Tingzhou, thank you."
Shen Tingzhou held her hand, his eyes full of tenderness: "Silly girl, we are husband and wife, we should share joys and sorrows. Nian'an's achievements today are inseparable from your careful guidance and dedication."
Lin Wanqiu shook her head, a smile in her eyes: "It's the result of our joint efforts. Look, our son has grown up and has his own ideals and pursuits. That's wonderful."
Moonlight streamed through the window, spilling onto the dining table and illuminating the happy faces of everyone present. Laughter and cheerful conversation echoed in the living room, lingering for a long time.
In the days that followed, Shen Nian'an did not slack off after being admitted to university. He maintained a regular schedule, setting aside time each day to read professional books and solidify his basic knowledge. He also frequently visited the "Natural Flavor" R&D center, learning practical skills from Professor Li and the R&D team. From raw material selection to formula adjustment, from process optimization to quality testing, he studied each step diligently, took careful notes, and accumulated valuable practical experience.
Lin Wanqiu began preparing her son's school luggage. She carefully selected clothes and daily necessities, and also specially prepared some local specialties and "naturally delicious" pastries for him to take to school and share with his classmates. As she packed his luggage, she carefully instructed him: "When you get to school, take good care of yourself, eat on time, and keep warm; study hard, but don't put too much pressure on yourself; if you encounter any problems you don't understand, ask your teachers and classmates for help; be friendly and sincere to others, unite with your classmates, and help each other..."
This chapter is not finished yet. Please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com