The weekend morning light, like a handful of crumpled gold leaf, gently sprinkled across the bamboo fence of the suburban villa. Dewdrops on the vines reflected shimmering light, and the air was filled with the sweet fragrance of osmanthus and the moist scent of earth. Even the sound of the wind rustling through the grapevines carried a touch of languid comfort. As a car horn sounded outside the gate, Lin Wanqiu, wearing a floral apron, carried a steamer of freshly steamed red bean buns out of the pot. The rising steam blurred the silver strands at her temples, but made her smiling eyes appear even more gentle and bright.
"Grandpa and Grandma!" A clear, childlike voice, like a pebble dropped into the tranquil morning scene, rippled outwards. Chen Nianzu broke free from Su Yue'e's hand and, like a playful kitten, ran towards the kitchen along the pebbled path, the pom-poms on his tiger-head shoes bouncing merrily behind him. Lin Wanqiu quickly put down the steamer cloth in her hand, bent down, and hugged the little guy who had jumped into her arms, her nose filled with the faint scent of milk and sunshine emanating from him.
"Run slowly, don't fall." She raised her hand to wipe the milk stains from the corner of the little one's mouth, the warmth of her fingertips carrying a touch of doting affection. "Look what Grandma made for you?"
Shen Nianzu nuzzled his head against her neck, his big, dark eyes instantly brightening as if studded with stars, his gaze fixed on the osmanthus cake on the cutting board: "It's osmanthus cake! Grandma's favorite osmanthus cake!" he shouted in his childish voice, his little hands eagerly reaching for it, but Lin Wanqiu gently patted the back of his hand.
"It's piping hot right out of the pot, let it cool down before you eat it." Lin Wanqiu gently pinched his little nose, her eyes brimming with joy. Looking at his exquisitely handsome face, she couldn't help but think of Nian'an as a child—that tiny, frail little boy who spoke in a soft, delicate voice, who had now grown into a capable young man and brought with him such a lively and adorable grandson. Time is truly wondrous, like a cup of slowly simmered sugar water, initially bitter, but now only sweetness remains.
Hearing the sound, Shen Tingzhou came out of the vegetable garden, holding a bunch of freshly picked greens in his hand, dewdrops sliding down his fingers. He wore a plain cotton jacket, the cuffs of his trousers rolled up to his calves, revealing his strong ankles. The silver strands at his temples were particularly noticeable in the morning light, yet they did not diminish his composed demeanor in the slightest. Seeing Shen Nianzu snuggling in Lin Wanqiu's arms, his previously tense brows and eyes instantly softened like a pool of spring water.
"Grandpa!" Shen Nianzu, with his sharp eyes, spotted the vegetables in Shen Tingzhou's hand at a glance. He immediately broke free from Lin Wanqiu's embrace, ran over to Shen Tingzhou with his short legs, and looked up at the vegetables with curiosity. "Grandpa, what kind of vegetables are these? Can we eat them?"
Shen Tingzhou squatted down and handed the greens to him, his voice as gentle as if afraid of disturbing the birds on the branches: "This is bok choy. Grandma will make you stir-fried bok choy for lunch, okay?"
"Okay!" Shen Nianzu nodded emphatically, his little hands clumsily trying to grab a vegetable leaf, but he accidentally knocked off a dewdrop, making him giggle. Shen Tingzhou looked at his innocent and carefree appearance, his smile deepening. Once upon a time, he had been fighting and growing in the army, his mind filled only with missions and responsibilities, never imagining that one day he would be tending a small courtyard, spending time with his wife and children, playing with his grandchildren, living such a simple and peaceful life. This kind of tranquility was more precious than any military medal.
Su Yue'e walked into the courtyard carrying a cloth bag. Seeing the harmonious scene of three generations of grandmother and grandchildren, she couldn't help but shake her head with a smile: "This child is like a wild horse once he gets here." She handed the cloth bag to Lin Wanqiu, "Mom, these are some pickles I made. Please try them. Nian'an went to get something from the trunk and will be in soon."
Lin Wanqiu took the cloth bag, the salty aroma of pickled vegetables lingering in her nostrils, and said with a smile, "You're so thoughtful. Come in and sit down, have a cup of hot tea to warm yourself up."
As they spoke, Shen Nian'an carried two large suitcases into the yard. Dressed in a suit and tie, he seemed somewhat out of place in this idyllic courtyard, yet his gentle demeanor was still undeniable. He placed the suitcases at the entrance to the living room, walked to Shen Tingzhou's side, and took the vegetables from his hands: "Dad, take a rest. I can do these chores."
Shen Tingzhou stood up, patted the dirt off his hands, and looked at his son with a hint of relief: "Don't be tired. You're busy at the company, so just rest when you get back and don't worry about these trivial matters."
Shen Nian'an smiled and didn't refute. He knew that his father had truly put aside his past military career and was now immersed in the peaceful life in this small courtyard. And he himself was already capable of standing on his own and supporting his parents.
The breakfast table was laden with food made by Lin Wanqiu herself. There were soft, sweet red bean buns, crumbly and delicate osmanthus cakes, refreshing cucumber salad, and steaming millet porridge. Shen Nianzu sat in his high chair, a red bean bun in his hand, his mouth covered in red bean paste, like a little kitten stealing a bite. Lin Wanqiu sat beside him, patiently wiping his mouth and occasionally feeding him a spoonful of millet porridge. Shen Tingzhou chatted with Shen Nian'an, discussing everything from the vegetables growing in the yard to the recent developments at the food workshop, his tone relaxed and content.
“The company is currently researching a new project,” Shen Nian’an said suddenly after taking a sip of millet porridge, “It’s about green food, in response to the country’s call for environmental protection.”
Upon hearing this, Lin Wanqiu looked up at him, a hint of curiosity in her eyes: "Green food? What's that?"
"It means food grown entirely organically without the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides," Shen Nian'an explained. "People's lives are getting better and better, and their demands for food are also getting higher and higher. We plan to establish an organic planting base in the Hongqi Production Brigade to encourage villagers to grow food together. This will not only ensure the quality of the raw materials for our food workshop, but also increase the income of our villagers."
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