After the Awakening of Insects, the spring breeze in Beijing carries a sense of vastness, sweeping over the red walls and black tiles, and brushing against the bustling traffic of Chang'an Avenue. The headquarters building of "Natural Delights," located in the east of the city, reflects a warm and dazzling luster in the morning light through its glazed tile roof. The eighteen-story building stands like a pillar supporting the sky among the rows of buildings. The four gilded characters "Natural Delights" at the entrance, personally inscribed by a renowned calligrapher, are powerful and radiant, showcasing the glorious achievements of this company, which started as a small rural workshop in the 1960s and has now become one of the most well-known food enterprises in China.
In the CEO's office on the top floor of the building, floor-to-ceiling windows offered a panoramic view of the city skyline. The distant Yanshan Mountains appeared and disappeared in the thin mist, while the nearby moat rippled with emerald water, and the willows along the banks sprouted tender yellow buds—a vibrant scene of springtime life. Lin Wanqiu wore a moon-white silk suit, the collar adorned with delicate pearl buttons. Her long hair was loosely styled in a bun, revealing her slender and graceful neck. Time seemed to have been exceptionally kind to her; in her forties, only a few imperceptible fine lines appeared at the corners of her eyes, making her appear even more gentle and dignified. The composure and wisdom that had been tempered by life's trials emanated from her, giving her a unique charm.
She was standing in front of a huge mahogany desk, holding a newly delivered annual financial statement in her hands. Her fingertips traced the striking numbers, her eyes surging with barely suppressed excitement and emotion, her nose slightly tingling, and her vision becoming somewhat blurred.
Net profit: 12.65 million.
This string of numbers was branded into her mind like a brand; each Arabic numeral seemed to burn with scorching heat, searing her nerves. Twelve million six hundred and fifty thousand! In an era when even having ten thousand yuan was something to be envied, this was undoubtedly an astronomical figure. But only Lin Wanqiu herself knew how much blood, sweat, and tears, how many sleepless days and nights, and how many arduous journeys lay behind this string of numbers.
She recalled arriving in the 1960s, on a snowy winter day, struggling to wake from the icy river. Beside her lay her emaciated, terrified four-year-old son, Shen Nian'an, dressed in patched, coarse cloth. Her stomach was growling with hunger, and the harsh treatment from her in-laws was a constant companion; even a decent meal was a luxury. Standing in the cold wind, gazing at the snow-covered village, she had only one thought: to survive, to live well with Nian'an.
She recalled the ecstatic joy of activating the space within her ancestral jade pendant. The dazzling array of modern goods within was like a ray of light in the darkness, illuminating her desperate path ahead. She barely survived the most difficult years thanks to the food and medicine in the space, and resolutely separated from her awful in-laws with Nian'an, settling down in a dilapidated cave dwelling at the edge of the village. Back then, she earned work points in the production team during the day, and at night, by the dim light of a kerosene lamp, she secretly used flour from the space to make pastries, which she then sold on the black market. Every penny she earned was carefully earned, and every step she took was like walking on thin ice.
She recalled the scene when "Late Autumn Food Workshop" first opened. In the small courtyard, with a few large vats and a few cutting boards, she and a few trusted villagers worked from dawn till dusk making pickles, pastries, and salted vegetables. The conditions were extremely rudimentary back then. There was no modern production equipment; everything was done by hand. To ensure quality, she personally oversaw every step of the process, often working herself to the bone. Even so, she never thought of giving up, because she knew that this was not only her and Nian'an's hope, but also the hope of the villagers who worked with her.
She recalled the shock and elation of Shen Tingzhou's "resurrection," and the days they walked hand in hand after clearing up their misunderstandings. In those years, while secretly investigating suspicious aspects of the mission, Shen Tingzhou silently supported her career, shielding her from hardship and resolving her troubles. He used his management experience from the military to help her standardize the workshop's production process; he used his network to help her open up sales channels; and when she faced malicious competition and slander from peers, he calmly dealt with the situation and cleared her name. Without Shen Tingzhou, there would be no "Natural Flavor" as it is today.
"What are you thinking about?" A warm and strong hand gently covered her shoulder, a familiar scent lingered around her nose, and Shen Tingzhou's voice was deep and gentle, with a hint of barely perceptible concern.
Lin Wanqiu turned around and met Shen Tingzhou's deep eyes, which reflected her image, filled with tenderness and doting affection. Over the years, Shen Tingzhou had also shed some of his youthful naiveté, and the fine lines at the corners of his eyes also recorded the marks of time, but made him appear more mature and steady. His well-tailored dark gray suit accentuated his tall and upright figure, giving him an extraordinary air.
"Thinking about the journey we've taken," Lin Wanqiu said, her voice slightly choked. She handed the financial statements to Shen Tingzhou. "Look, the net profit is 12.65 million. We did it."
Shen Tingzhou took the report, his gaze falling on the string of numbers. A flicker of shock crossed his eyes, quickly turning into deep satisfaction and pride. He gently pulled Lin Wanqiu into his arms, resting his chin on the top of her head, feeling her warm body and slightly trembling shoulders, his heart filled with mixed emotions. "I knew you could do it," he said, his voice slightly hoarse. "Wanqiu, thank you for everything."
"It's not hard work." Lin Wanqiu leaned against his chest, listening to his steady and strong heartbeat, feeling a sense of security. "With you here, I'm not afraid of anything."
The two embraced for a long time. The sunlight outside the window gradually rose, shining warmly on them through the glass. Shen Tingzhou gently pushed Lin Wanqiu away, wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes, and said with a smile, "Alright, don't cry. This is something to be happy about. We should celebrate."
Lin Wanqiu smiled through her tears and nodded: "Yes, we should celebrate. Not only for this number, but also for all the villagers who support us and work with us, and for our family."
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