"Grandma Shen, what are you saying?" Aunt Li said. "Although you were a bit strict with Wanqiu back then, you were a kind-hearted person, and we all remember that. Now that Wanqiu is so filial, you should enjoy your retirement!"
Grandma Shen looked at Lin Wanqiu with a guilty expression: "I was confused before and treated Wanqiu badly. I am so grateful that she doesn't hold a grudge and is still so filial to me."
Lin Wanqiu quickly said, "Mom, it's all in the past. Now the whole family is happy, which is more important than anything else." She knew that her mother-in-law's changes over the years were genuine, especially after seeing the villagers living well. Her mother-in-law often talked about the hardships of the past and cherished her current happy life even more.
Just then, a clear laugh rang out, and Shen Nianxi ran over holding her painting "One Hundred Longevity Characters," saying sweetly, "Hello, grandpas and grandmas, I'm Nianxi. Welcome to celebrate Grandma's birthday!"
Looking at the beautifully sculpted Shen Nianxi, the villagers praised her, saying, "This little girl is so pretty and sensible!" "Grandma Shen, your granddaughter is so adorable!"
Chen Nianxi was a little shy from the praise. She hid behind Lin Wanqiu, secretly peeking out her head. Seeing the smiles on the villagers' faces, she smiled along with them.
By 10:30 a.m., most of the guests had arrived, and the banquet hall was packed. Besides the villagers from the Hongqi Production Brigade, there were also Shen Tingzhou's comrades-in-arms, Lin Wanqiu's business partners, and some city leaders and colleagues. Everyone gathered together in a lively and joyful atmosphere. The air was filled with the fragrance of flowers, the sweet aroma of pastries, and the aroma of food, creating a warm and peaceful scene.
Looking at the scene before her, Lin Wanqiu was filled with emotion. At the beginning of her rebirth, she only wanted to live well with Nian'an and escape the torment of her awful in-laws. She never imagined that along the way, she would not only gain a happy family but also the recognition and support of her fellow villagers, and even make so many like-minded friends and partners. The jade pendant at her waist felt slightly warm, as if blessing her and reminding her not to forget her original aspirations.
At 11:00 AM sharp, the birthday banquet officially began. A folk music ensemble played the festive piece "Joyful Celebration," its cheerful melody echoing throughout the banquet hall, bringing joy to everyone. Shen Tingzhou walked to the center of the stage, picked up the microphone, and spoke in a steady and powerful voice: "Respected elders, relatives, friends, and fellow villagers, good afternoon! Today is my mother, Granny Shen's, 80th birthday. Thank you all for taking time out of your busy schedules to celebrate. Your presence makes this banquet even more lively, and it is a great honor for our entire family. On behalf of my family, I extend our warmest welcome and heartfelt thanks to everyone for coming!"
Thunderous applause erupted from the audience, and the villagers clapped even harder, their hands turning red from clapping.
Shen Tingzhou continued, “My mother was hardworking and simple all her life, raising us siblings with great difficulty. We will always remember her sacrifices. Now, my mother is in her eighties, surrounded by children and grandchildren, and her family is harmonious. This is her greatest blessing. And all of this is inseparable from my wife, Lin Wanqiu. Over the years, she has not only been filial to my mother and taken care of the children, but also used her own efforts and wisdom to help the villagers increase their income and become wealthy, making a great contribution to the development of our hometown. She is the best wife in my heart and is also recognized by everyone as a leader in getting rich.”
Hearing Shen Tingzhou's praise, Lin Wanqiu's cheeks flushed slightly, but her heart was filled with emotion. She knew that Shen Tingzhou had always been her strongest support; no matter what she did, he would unconditionally support her. This trust and care were her greatest motivation.
The villagers below the stage echoed, "Yes, Wanqiu is a great hero to us!" "Without Wanqiu, we wouldn't have the good life we have now!"
Shen Tingzhou raised his hand to signal everyone to be quiet and continued, "Today is not only my mother's birthday banquet, but also a day of gratitude for our whole family. We are grateful for the love and care of our elders, the support of our relatives and friends, and especially for the companionship and trust of our fellow villagers. In the future, we will continue to stay true to our original aspirations and do our best to contribute to the development of our hometown, so that more villagers can live a better life. Finally, thank you all again for coming. I wish my mother boundless happiness and longevity! I also wish all the guests good health, all the best, and happiness for their families!"
As soon as he finished speaking, thunderous applause erupted from the audience once again, lasting for a long time. Lin Wanqiu watched Shen Tingzhou walk off the stage, her eyes filled with love and admiration. This man always gave her warmth and strength unintentionally, making her feel that no matter what difficulties she encountered, she had the courage to face them.
Next, the opera troupe took the stage and performed "The Butterfly Lovers," Grandma Shen's favorite piece. The melodious singing and captivating performance enthralled Grandma Shen, who occasionally hummed along, her smile growing ever brighter. Although most of the villagers didn't understand Yue Opera, seeing Grandma Shen's joyful expression, they clapped and cheered, creating a warm and lively atmosphere.
During the meal, Lin Wanqiu and Shen Tingzhou took turns toasting the guests, stopping at each table to exchange a few words. When they reached the table of the villagers from the Hongqi Production Brigade, Lin Wanqiu lingered a little longer: "Dear villagers, thank you for coming today. I'd like to propose a toast to you all!"
"Late Autumn, it's our turn to toast you!" Captain Zhao raised his glass and said excitedly, "If it weren't for you, how could we be living such a good life? This glass is for you!"
"Yes, Wanqiu, a toast to you!" The villagers raised their glasses and drank it all in one gulp. The crisp sound of the glasses clinking echoed in the air, as if telling a story of the deep friendship between them.
Looking at the villagers' simple, smiling faces, Lin Wanqiu secretly resolved to do more for her hometown. Although the villagers' incomes had increased in recent years, the village's infrastructure remained relatively backward; the roads were uneven, medical conditions needed improvement, and educational resources for the children were scarce. She thought that after the birthday banquet, she would definitely make a good plan to build several paved roads, a decent health clinic, and donate to build a Hope Primary School, so that the children could have a better learning environment.
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