The cold wind outside the Jinxiu Restaurant grew increasingly biting, yet it couldn't dispel the lively warmth at the entrance. Red lanterns swayed gently in the breeze, gilded banners gleamed in the sunlight, and the cheongsams of the hostesses drew graceful arcs with each bow, their sweet greetings rising and falling. Just after nine o'clock in the morning, a familiar commotion came from the street corner. Lin Wanqiu and Shen Tingzhou were greeting guests at the entrance when they looked up and saw several farm tricycles and bicycles approaching in the distance, amidst billowing dust. The truck beds were filled with familiar faces—the villagers from the Hongqi Production Brigade.
"Late Autumn! Tingzhou! We've come to celebrate Grandma Shen's birthday!" On the lead tricycle, team leader Zhao Jianguo's voice boomed as he held a large gift box wrapped in red cloth, a simple smile plastered on his face. In the back of the tricycle, Aunt Li, Grandma Wang, and Grandpa Zhang sat huddled together, each carrying their own birthday gifts: dried peanuts, ground cornmeal, and free-range eggs from their own chickens, all packed in coarse cloth bags, heavy with heartfelt sentiments. In the bicycle convoy, several teenagers rode old-fashioned bicycles, bamboo baskets strapped to the back seats filled with oranges and apples freshly picked from their orchards—a vibrant mix of red, yellow, and green, exuding a fresh, fruity aroma.
Lin Wanqiu immediately recognized Aunt Li in the crowd. Years ago, when she and Nian'an had just separated from the family and were struggling to make ends meet, Aunt Li had secretly given her half a bag of sweet potato flour and taught her how to make pancakes with wild vegetables. And there was Aunt Wang, who had taken the initiative to look after Nian'an when Lin Wanqiu opened her first small workshop, allowing her to focus on her work. These memories flooded back, and Lin Wanqiu's eyes welled up with tears. She quickly went to greet them, her voice trembling with barely suppressed excitement: "Aunt Li, Aunt Wang, Captain Zhao, what brings you all here? It's such a long way, please rest!"
Shen Tingzhou also stepped forward, took the gift box from Captain Zhao's hand, and said with a smile, "Fellow villagers, thank you for making this trip. Please come into the restaurant and warm up."
"Grandma Shen's 80th birthday is such a joyous occasion, how could we not come!" Aunt Li held Lin Wanqiu's hand, looked her up and down, her eyes full of satisfaction. "Wanqiu, you've made something of yourself now, but we still remember how you and Nian'an lived in the brigade back then. You said back then that when life got better, you would make sure everyone could live a good life, and you really did it!"
Aunt Wang chimed in, "Yes, Wanqiu, if it weren't for you leading us to grow off-season vegetables and run a chicken farm back then, how could we have the good life we have now? You are a great contributor to our brigade. We absolutely have to come to Grandma Shen's birthday banquet to share in the joy!"
As they spoke, the villagers got off the bus one after another, each taking out their birthday gifts. Grandpa Zhang handed over a cloth bag containing a peach wood statue of the God of Longevity that he had carved himself. Although it wasn't particularly exquisite, it conveyed his sincere wishes: "Wanqiu, this is something I spent half a month working on carving. I wish Grandma Shen boundless happiness and longevity!" Several young people who had learned planting techniques from Lin Wanqiu years ago carried a large basket together. Inside were the exquisite potted plants they had cultivated, with a few bright red flowers blooming among the lush green leaves, symbolizing vitality and long life.
Looking at the gifts, still carrying the scent of earth, Lin Wanqiu felt a surge of warmth in her heart. These gifts might not be as expensive as those from relatives in the city, but they carried the most sincere affection of her fellow villagers. She recalled the early days of her rebirth, in the Hongqi Production Brigade, when she lacked food and clothing and faced ostracism. It was these kind villagers who extended a helping hand during her most difficult times, giving her the courage to persevere. Now that her life was better, she had never forgotten this kindness. Over the years, she had been thinking of ways to promote the development of the brigade and help her fellow villagers increase their income and become wealthy. Seeing the happy smiles on everyone's faces, she felt that all her efforts were worthwhile.
"Fellow villagers, please come in quickly, it's windy outside." Lin Wanqiu hurriedly invited everyone into the house. Shen Tingzhou had already arranged seats for them in the front row of the banquet hall, with a wide view and close to the stage. The villagers entered the banquet hall and were stunned by the decorations. The bright red and gilded colors, the exquisite lanterns, the fragrant flowers, and the melodious folk music all made them feel fresh and festive.
"My goodness, this restaurant is really grand!" Aunt Li couldn't help but exclaim, carefully touching the new clothes she was wearing, which she had specially made for the birthday banquet. "Wanqiu, you've put so much thought into it, organizing such a grand birthday banquet for Old Madam Shen."
"Grandma Shen has had a tough life. Now that things are better, we should celebrate properly," Lin Wanqiu said with a smile, and had someone serve hot tea and snacks to the villagers. "Everyone, please try these. They are pastries made by our 'Natural Taste' brand. They are all low in sugar, so you can eat them without worry."
The villagers picked up the pastries and tasted them, praising them highly. "These pastries are delicious, even better than those sold in the city!" "Yes, not too sweet or greasy, with a wheaty aroma, really good!" While eating the pastries, they chatted about their daily lives and the changes over the years, their words filled with gratitude for Lin Wanqiu. Years ago, Lin Wanqiu led them to grow off-season vegetables, introduced new planting techniques, and helped them find sales channels, allowing their agricultural products to fetch good prices. Later, she helped the village establish a cooperative and build a small processing plant, enabling everyone to earn money without leaving the village, and their lives became increasingly prosperous.
Wearing a red cotton-padded jacket and the jade bracelet and gold pendant Lin Wanqiu had prepared for her, Old Mrs. Shen walked over, supported by Zhang Lan. Seeing so many fellow villagers, Old Mrs. Shen's smile grew even brighter: "Oh my, why are you all here? Please, have a seat!"
"Happy birthday, Grandma Shen! May you live a long and healthy life!" The villagers stood up to greet her, their tone respectful and warm.
Grandma Shen held Aunt Li's hand and said with emotion, "Old Li, thank you so much for remembering me and coming all this way."
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