Lin Wanqiu's heart was instantly filled with joy. She opened her mouth and gently took a bite of the longevity peach. The sweet and glutinous taste filled her mouth, sweetening her heart. She reached out and hugged the baby tightly. Tears finally welled up in her eyes and slid down her cheeks. They were tears of happiness and relief.
Shen Tingzhou gently patted her back, handed her a tissue, his voice trembling with emotion yet full of laughter: "Look at you, today is a joyous occasion, why are you crying?"
Lin Wanqiu wiped away her tears, looking at the large family before her, four generations gathered together, each face beaming with happiness. Her heart was filled with mixed emotions. She remembered when she first transmigrated, when she was alone and helpless, suffering endless torment, holding the frail Nian'an in her arms, unable to even get a decent meal. Back then, she never imagined she would have such a day.
She recalled her days in the Red Flag Production Brigade, how she gradually improved her life with the resources and skills in her space, how she opened a workshop and engaged in planting under pressure, the surprise of Shen Tingzhou's "resurrection," the hardships they endured together against those awful relatives, the children growing up, starting their own families, and how she had gone from a widow struggling to make ends meet to where she was today.
Time flies, and more than half a century has passed in the blink of an eye. All the hardships and difficulties of the past have now turned into fleeting memories, leaving only happiness and gratitude.
"I'm happy, I'm blessed." Lin Wanqiu looked at Shen Tingzhou, then at the children beside her, her voice filled with emotion. "I'm content to have you all by my side in this life."
"Mom, you can't say that! You still have to celebrate our 90th and 100th birthdays with us!" Shen Nian'an stepped forward, picked up a glass of birthday wine, and handed it to Lin Wanqiu, his tone full of sincerity, "Mom, your son toasts you, wishing you good health and a happy life!"
“Yes, Great-Grandma, we’re going to celebrate your 100th birthday with you!” Shen Nianzu said, holding her son. The little guy seemed to understand and waved his little hands, babbling along.
Everyone raised their glasses, surrounding Lin Wanqiu, and said in unison, "Madam Lin, may you enjoy boundless happiness and longevity!"
Looking at the sincere smiling faces before her, and at the room filled with laughter, Lin Wanqiu felt a warm current welling up in her heart. She picked up her wine glass, took a small sip, and the mellow wine slid down her throat, spreading warmth throughout her body. She looked up at the window; the sunlight was perfect, the osmanthus blossoms were fragrant, and everything was as beautiful as a dream.
She knew that this dream was the result of half a lifetime of hard work and sweat.
The birthday banquet officially began, and one after another, delicious dishes were served. There was braised pork, made under Lin Wanqiu's personal guidance, which was fatty but not greasy and melted in your mouth; there was tender and delicious steamed fish, with delicate flesh and a flavorful broth; and there was also the osmanthus cake, a recipe passed down for decades, which was sweet and glutinous with a rich osmanthus aroma. Each dish carried heartfelt wishes and memories of this family.
After several rounds of drinks and dishes, the atmosphere grew increasingly lively. Shen Nianxi's daughter stood up and gracefully walked to the center of the living room, where she presented a dance to everyone. Wearing a flowing dress, her movements were light and graceful, like a delicate butterfly fluttering in the sunlight. To the melodious music, everyone watched with rapt attention, applause rising and falling.
Lin Wanqiu watched the graceful dancers on the stage, her eyes filled with pride. She thought of Shen Nianxi, the little girl who used to dance along with the radio when she was a child; now she had grown into a capable dancer and raised such an outstanding daughter. She then looked at Shen Nian'an, the once thin and timid little boy, who was now a successful entrepreneur who had built a thriving Wanqiu Food Shop and established a green food base, leading the local people to prosperity. And then there was Shen Nianzu, young and promising, who had already taken over part of the company's business, and his great-grandson was lively and adorable, the hope of the family.
Shen Tingzhou grasped Lin Wanqiu's hand, their fingers intertwined tightly, the warmth of their palms conveying their mutual affection. He looked at Lin Wanqiu, his eyes filled with deep love: "Wanqiu, being able to marry you in this life is the greatest blessing I have ever had."
Lin Wanqiu turned her head and looked at Shen Tingzhou, a gentle smile on her face. She thought of the ups and downs they had gone through together, of the days they had shared and supported each other, and her heart was filled with sweetness. She gently leaned on Shen Tingzhou's shoulder, her voice as soft as a breeze: "Tingzhou, it's so good to have you by my side in this life."
As the sun set, its gentle rays painted the sky a beautiful orange-red. The birthday banquet was drawing to a close, and the guests gradually took their leave, leaving the courtyard quiet. Shen Nian'an and Su Yue'e were busy clearing away the dishes, while Shen Nianxi sat with her mother in the courtyard. Shen Nianzu held his son, playing with the little guy.
Lin Wanqiu leaned back in her wicker chair, watching the warm and harmonious scene before her, a feeling of unprecedented peace and contentment welling up inside her. Osmanthus petals continued to fall softly, landing on her shoulders and in her hair, the sweet fragrance in the air growing ever stronger. She closed her eyes, and images flashed through her mind: from the dilapidated thatched hut of the 1960s to this spacious and bright villa; from a lonely widow to a venerable elder surrounded by children and grandchildren.
A slight upturn of her lips revealed a happy smile.
Yes, happiness is hard-won.
Throughout her life, she has tasted the bitterness and sweetness of life, traversed countless hardships and obstacles, and now, finally, the clouds have parted and the moon shines through, ushering in this blissful time of four generations under one roof. She knows that the future is long, and she wants to accompany Shen Tingzhou, accompany the children, watch her great-grandson grow up little by little, watch this family prosper more and more, and watch Wanqiu Food Workshop and Fanghua Dance Studio move towards a broader future.
As night deepened, countless stars twinkled like shattered diamonds against the dark blue sky. The villa was brightly lit, their warm glow illuminating the courtyard and warming the hearts of everyone present. Lin Wanqiu sat in a wicker chair, surrounded by her family, listening to the children's tender words and watching her great-grandson's adorable antics, her heart filled with gratitude.
She knew that this was happiness, the most precious happiness she had earned through a lifetime of hard work. And this happiness would flow quietly through the long river of time, passed down from generation to generation.
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