The cold wind of December swirled with snowflakes over the Hongqi Production Brigade, yet it couldn't dispel the warmth in the brigade headquarters courtyard. Lin Wanqiu stood in the center of the crowd, looking at the elderly people with gray hair and wrinkled faces. The tears glistening in their eyes and their sincere smiles were like a warm current, instantly dispelling the chill from her and strengthening her resolve to donate and build a nursing home.
"Late Autumn, you are truly our savior!" an elderly man leaning on a cane said excitedly, his voice trembling with emotion. "I have no children, and all I've ever hoped for in my life is a peaceful place to retire. I never imagined that this wish would actually come true!"
"Yes, yes, Wanqiu, you are such a kind person!" An old woman next to her said, holding Lin Wanqiu's hand tightly. The roughness and warmth of her palm made Lin Wanqiu feel a pang of sadness. "Back then, you suffered in the village with Nian'an, and we couldn't help much. Now you are so concerned about us. We really feel bad!"
Lin Wanqiu gently patted the old woman's hand, her eyes full of gentle smiles: "Auntie, please don't say that. If it weren't for the help of the villagers back then, Nian'an and I wouldn't be where we are today. Now that I have the ability, it's only right that I do something practical for everyone. Once the nursing home is built, you'll have a place to live, people to take care of you, and you won't have to worry about making a living anymore."
Shen Tingzhou stood beside Lin Wanqiu, watching her chat warmly with the elderly, his eyes filled with admiration and pride. He knew that this woman, though seemingly frail, possessed incredible resilience and a kind and loving heart. The fact that she had managed to raise her son so tenaciously in such difficult circumstances, and now, having achieved success, remained true to her roots and gave back to her hometown, filled him with immense respect.
Shen Nian'an busied himself handing hot water to the elderly, trying to calm their agitated emotions. Looking at these old neighbors who had once helped his family, he was filled with gratitude. As a child, he and his mother had suffered a lot in the village, and it was these kind villagers who extended a helping hand, giving them warmth and hope. Now, he was able to do something for them, and he felt incredibly at peace and satisfied.
Standing to the side, Brigade Party Secretary Zhao Jianguo watched this touching scene, his heart filled with mixed emotions. He recalled the days when Lin Wanqiu struggled to survive in the village with her son, her unwavering dedication to leading everyone in planting and cooking despite the pressure, and her resolute yet reluctant departure from the village. Now, she had achieved great success, yet she still cared deeply for the villagers. This affection and sense of responsibility profoundly moved him.
"Everyone, quiet down, quiet down!" Zhao Jianguo cleared his throat and raised his voice, "Today, Wanqiu, Tingzhou, and Nian'an have returned to our village. They've not only come to visit everyone, but they've also decided to donate 500,000 yuan to build a nursing home for our village! This is a tremendously good thing!"
As soon as he finished speaking, thunderous applause and cheers erupted in the courtyard once again. The elderly embraced each other excitedly, while the children cheered and jumped for joy, and the whole courtyard was immersed in a joyful atmosphere.
"Director Zhao, when will the nursing home construction begin?" an elderly man asked impatiently.
"Don't worry, everyone. I've already contacted the construction team, and we'll start construction right after the New Year!" Zhao Jianguo said with a smile. "We'll get the nursing home built as soon as possible so everyone can move in and enjoy their later years!"
Looking at the lively scene before her, Lin Wanqiu felt a surge of satisfaction. She turned to Shen Tingzhou and Shen Nian'an and said, "Tingzhou, Nian'an, we need to plan the construction of the nursing home carefully. We must build it into a comfortable, warm, and safe home so that the elderly can live happily and contentedly here."
“Okay, we’ll do as you say.” Shen Tingzhou nodded and said firmly, “I’ve already contacted the best architect in the city and asked him to come and help us plan and design the nursing home. We will build it to the highest standards to ensure that the elderly live in a safe and comfortable environment.”
Shen Nian'an added, "Mom, Dad, I will be in charge of the supplies for the nursing home. I will regularly donate pastries and functional foods from the food workshop, as well as ginseng, goji berries, and other tonics from the space, to the nursing home so that the elderly can eat healthily and nutritiously."
Lin Wanqiu nodded in satisfaction, her heart filled with anticipation. She imagined what the nursing home would look like after it was built: spacious and bright rooms, a clean and tidy courtyard, where the elderly would sunbathe, chat, and play chess, while children played and frolicked nearby—a scene of peace and tranquility.
In the days that followed, Lin Wanqiu and her team got busy. They first contacted an architect to develop a detailed plan for the construction of the nursing home. Based on the needs of the elderly, the architect designed spacious and bright bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, medical rooms, activity rooms, and other functional areas. They also planned a garden, fitness area, and leisure area in the courtyard so that the elderly could enjoy a comfortable life there.
To ensure the quality of the nursing home's construction, Shen Tingzhou personally selected the construction team and established a strict quality supervision system. He visited the construction site daily to check the progress and quality, ensuring that every step met the standards. Lin Wanqiu, on the other hand, was busy purchasing the necessary supplies for the nursing home. From furniture and appliances to bedding and daily necessities, she personally selected everything, striving for the best.
Shen Nian'an used his professional knowledge to develop a scientific nutritional menu for the nursing home. Based on the physical characteristics of the elderly and the available food resources, he designed a series of nutritious and easily digestible meals to ensure the residents eat healthily and get the necessary nutrition. He also plans to create a vegetable garden within the nursing home to grow fresh vegetables, allowing the residents to enjoy the organic produce they have grown themselves.
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