Early winter sunlight filtered through the old locust tree in the corner of the courtyard, casting dappled shadows on the ground. Lin Wanqiu was bending over, sorting cotton in the yard, her fingertips brushing against the fluffy cotton, still warm from the sun. Hearing Xiao Li's words, her hands suddenly stopped, and when she looked up, her eyes were full of surprise—she had never imagined that the commune would actually invite her to be the leader of the sideline production group.
Seeing her stunned expression, Xiao Li added with a smile, "Sister-in-law Wanqiu, this was personally decided by Secretary Li of the commune! Look at you, the vegetables you planted before grew better than others, and the soy sauce you made at your soy sauce mill was praised by everyone in the village. Now the commune wants everyone to do side jobs, earn more work points, and improve their lives. If you can take the lead, everyone will definitely be willing to follow!"
Lin Wanqiu's heart gradually warmed. She remembered when she first transmigrated, many families in the village were struggling to make ends meet, children wore patched clothes, and didn't even have warm cotton-padded coats in winter. If she could lead everyone to start a side business, enabling the villagers to earn money and live a better life, it would not only be an affirmation of her abilities but also a virtuous deed. However, she also hesitated—being a group leader meant taking on too many responsibilities; she also had to take care of Nian'an and manage the soy sauce workshop, and she was afraid she wouldn't be able to handle it all.
"Comrade Xiao Li, thank you for your trust and that of the commune leaders." Lin Wanqiu spoke cautiously, "But being a group leader carries great responsibility. I need to discuss it with Tingzhou first before giving you an answer, is that alright?"
"Of course!" Xiao Li readily agreed. "You should discuss it with Brother Tingzhou as soon as possible, and once you've decided, go to the commune to find Secretary Li. By the way, Secretary Li also said that if you're willing to be the group leader, the commune can provide the sideline group with a venue and some seeds and tools, giving you its full support!"
After seeing Xiao Li off, Lin Wanqiu's heart was still pounding. She walked to the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed) and watched Nian'an playing with a small wooden car on it, her heart filled with conflict. Just then, Shen Tingzhou returned from outside carrying a bundle of bamboo. Seeing Lin Wanqiu standing there in a daze, he asked in confusion, "Wanqiu, what's wrong? What happened?"
Lin Wanqiu told Shen Tingzhou everything Xiao Li had said. After listening, Shen Tingzhou put down the bamboo, walked to her side, took her hand, and said with his eyes full of support, "Wanqiu, this is a good thing! You are capable and hardworking. Leading everyone to develop side businesses and improve the lives of the villagers is such a meaningful thing. If you are worried about Nian'an, I can take on more housework and come back earlier every day to take care of him."
Shen Tingzhou's words were like a reassuring pill, putting Lin Wanqiu's mind at ease. Looking into Shen Tingzhou's gentle eyes, she was filled with gratitude: "Tingzhou, thank you for your support. I was just afraid that I wouldn't do a good job and would let down the commune leaders and the villagers."
“Don’t worry,” Shen Tingzhou said with a smile. “You are meticulous and organized, so you’ll definitely do a good job. We can think about what projects the side business group can do. The soy sauce you made before was very popular. You can also make some pickled vegetables and cured meat, which everyone loves to eat in winter. Maybe we can even sell them in the county town and earn more money.”
Lin Wanqiu's eyes lit up; Shen Tingzhou's words had reminded her. She remembered that there were many modern food production techniques and recipes in the space, such as improved soy sauce brewing processes, recipes for various flavored pickles, and methods for making vacuum-packed cured meat. If these could be used in the side business group, they would definitely be able to create unique products that would be popular with everyone.
"Tingzhou, you're right!" Lin Wanqiu said excitedly. "We can start with food processing, making soy sauce, pickles, and cured meat. These things are easy to preserve and transport. I can also teach everyone to make some modern snacks, such as sesame candy and peanut brittle. The kids will definitely love them, and we can sell them in the county town for a good price!"
Upon hearing "sesame candy" and "peanut brittle," Nian'an immediately jumped up from the kang (a heated brick bed), ran to Lin Wanqiu's side, tugged at her clothes, and looked on with anticipation: "Mom, are you going to make sesame candy? I love sesame candy the most! I'll help you with chores and hand you candy!"
Lin Wanqiu smiled and picked up Nian'an, kissing him on the cheek: "Good boy, Nian'an is such a sensible child. Once the side business group is set up, Mom will make sesame candy for you, and you can even come with Mom to the county town to sell candy, okay?"
Nian'an nodded vigorously, her little face beaming with joy. Shen Tingzhou, seeing the mother and son so happy, felt a surge of satisfaction. He knew that Lin Wanqiu was not only a good wife and mother, but also a good team leader, guiding the villagers onto a path to prosperity.
That afternoon, Lin Wanqiu and Shen Tingzhou went to the commune. Upon meeting Secretary Li, Lin Wanqiu expressed her willingness to be the leader of the sideline business group and told him about the sideline project she had come up with. Secretary Li clapped his hands with delight: "Comrade Wanqiu, your idea is fantastic! Food processing requires little investment, yields quick results, and can make full use of the village's resources—it's a really good idea! The commune will definitely support you fully. The site will be the old warehouse next to the commune; I'll have someone clean and tidy it up tomorrow. Make a list of seeds and tools, and I'll have someone go to the county town to purchase them!"
With Secretary Li's support, Lin Wanqiu felt even more confident. After returning from the commune, she immediately got busy. First, she made a detailed list of supplies, including soybeans and flour for making soy sauce, cabbage and radishes for making pickled vegetables, pork for making cured meat, and sesame seeds, peanuts, and sugar for making sesame candy and peanut brittle. Then, she visited each household in the village, asking if they would like to join the sideline production group.
When the villagers heard that Lin Wanqiu was going to lead them in starting a side business where they could earn work points and pocket money, they were all very enthusiastic. Aunt Wang was the first to sign up: "Wanqiu, I've wanted to work with you for a long time! Your soy sauce is even better than the ones sold in the county town. I'm sure I can make money by working with you! I have a big jar at home, which is perfect for pickling vegetables!"
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