On a crisp April morning, the rosy dawn, like spilled rouge, painted the sky above the Hongqi Production Brigade a deep crimson. The "Late Autumn Food Workshop" at the west end of the village was already bustling with activity. The three brick-and-tile houses shone brightly in the morning light, their brand-new wooden window frames adorned with large red "福" (good fortune) characters. The wooden plaque hanging above the door was even more striking—the five gilded characters "Late Autumn Food Workshop" were specially commissioned by Shen Tingzhou from the most renowned old scholar in the commune. The calligraphy was vigorous and powerful, gleaming warmly in the morning sun. Two strings of red silk embroidered balls hung on either side of the plaque, swaying gently in the breeze, exuding a festive atmosphere.
Lin Wanqiu, dressed in a brand-new blue khaki jacket, her hair neatly combed, was directing the villagers to place the freshly made peach shortbread, sesame cakes, and mung bean cakes on the long table by the door. On the ceramic plates, the peach shortbread was golden and crisp, sprinkled with white sesame seeds that glittered like diamonds; the sesame cakes were soft, chewy, and glossy, their rich sesame aroma wafting on the morning breeze, attracting passersby to stop and admire them; the mung bean cakes were emerald green, with a refreshing sweetness that made one's mouth water just looking at them.
"Late Autumn, this signboard is so beautiful! 'Late Autumn Food Workshop,' it sounds so welcoming!" Aunt Li walked over with a smile, holding a stack of oil paper in her hands, her eyes full of admiration. "I got up very early this morning and sifted the fine flour at home three times. The peach shortbread I made will definitely be even crispier than last time!"
Lin Wanqiu took the oil paper and nodded with a smile: "Thanks to the help of my aunt and the villagers, otherwise we wouldn't have been able to open so quickly. People from the county's supply and marketing cooperative and pastry shops will be coming later, and Director Zhou will also come to congratulate us. We must bring out our best skills and let them know that the pastries from our 'Wanqiu Food Workshop' are absolutely delicious!"
Shen Tingzhou, busy greeting the villagers who were helping, was wearing a clean, old military uniform. Standing tall, he was directing several young men to take the last batch of jujube cakes out of the oven. The oven was still hot, and fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead, but he still smiled gently: "Be careful, don't burn yourself. Let the jujube cakes cool in a ventilated place for a while, so the guests can taste them when they arrive."
Nian'an, carrying his little schoolbag and wearing a newly made blue cotton-padded jacket, stood in front of the accounting table like a little adult, carefully wiping the abacus beads. Seeing someone approaching, he immediately puffed out his little chest and said in his childish voice, "Uncle and Auntie, you can ask me to do your accounting when you buy pastries later. I'm really fast at it!" This made the villagers laugh heartily, praising him as a capable little helper.
As the sun rose higher, more and more people came to offer their congratulations. The commune secretary arrived with several cadres, carrying a red silk plaque that read "Enriching the People and Revitalizing the Village." Smiling, he said to Lin Wanqiu and Shen Tingzhou, "Wanqiu, Tingzhou, congratulations on the opening of your workshop! Your 'Wanqiu Food Workshop' is the first food workshop in our commune to be jointly owned by villagers and to help them get rich. On behalf of the commune, I've come to present you with a congratulatory gift!"
Lin Wanqiu and Shen Tingzhou quickly accepted the plaque, their hearts filled with gratitude: "Thank you, Secretary! We will definitely work hard and live up to the commune's expectations, leading more villagers to a better life!"
Director Zhou from the county food factory also arrived in a car, followed by two staff members carrying several large cardboard boxes. "Comrade Lin, Comrade Shen, congratulations on the opening!" Director Zhou warmly stepped forward and shook hands with the two men. "This is a small token of our appreciation from our food factory. Inside are some wrapping paper and sealing rope. From now on, the pastries we produce together will be packaged using these uniformly to establish our joint brand!"
Lin Wanqiu opened the cardboard box and saw that the packaging paper inside read "Wanqiu Food Workshop x County Food Factory Joint Design," with a simple and elegant design and a faint smell of ink. She smiled and said, "Director Zhou is so thoughtful. With this packaging, our pastries look much more professional!"
Director Wang from the county's supply and marketing cooperative also arrived, bringing several regular customers with him. "Comrade Wanqiu, we've come especially to support you!" Director Wang said with a smile. "The pastries you sold at the supply and marketing cooperative last time were very well received by customers. Many people asked when you would sell them again. Now that your workshop is opening, I'll buy a lot to take back so that our customers can try them!"
Soon, a long queue formed in front of "Late Autumn Food Workshop," including villagers, commune cadres, and customers who had come all the way from the county town. Lin Wanqiu and the villagers were busy greeting customers, handing out samples of pastries, packing and weighing them, working with great enthusiasm.
An elderly woman in a gray cotton-padded coat took the peach shortbread from Lin Wanqiu, took a bite, and the flaky crust melted instantly in her mouth. The sweet but not cloying taste made her eyes light up: "This peach shortbread is even better than last time! Wanqiu, your skills are amazing! I will definitely come to buy it often in the future!"
"I'm glad you like it, Auntie!" Lin Wanqiu said with a smile. "Our workshop will produce fresh pastries every day from now on, so you can buy them anytime you come. If it's inconvenient for you to come, you can ask one of the young men in the village to bring them to your door!"
Shen Tingzhou was busy maintaining order, helping to move things and weigh them from time to time. Seeing Lin Wanqiu's busy figure, his eyes were filled with tenderness and pride. He knew how much effort Lin Wanqiu had put into this workshop, from the initial difficult start to its successful opening; every step had been hard-won. And now, seeing her surrounded by the villagers, smiling so brightly, his heart was filled with relief—this was the home he wanted to protect, the happiness he wanted to safeguard.
At noon, the opening ceremony officially began. Standing under the plaque, Lin Wanqiu looked at the villagers and guests before her, her heart filled with mixed emotions. She cleared her throat, her voice tinged with excitement: "Dear villagers and leaders, thank you all for attending the opening ceremony of 'Wanqiu Food Workshop'! I, Lin Wanqiu, used to be a widow who couldn't even afford to eat. It was the help of the villagers and the support of Tingzhou that gave me the courage to come to where I am today. This workshop is not only the result of Tingzhou and my hard work, but also the hope of the more than twenty households that have invested! From now on, we will insist on using high-quality ingredients and making authentic flavors, without cutting corners or engaging in fraudulent practices, so that everyone can enjoy safe and delicious pastries. At the same time, we will prioritize hiring villagers in need, so that everyone can have work and earn money, and together we can make our lives prosperous!"
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