Seeing their approval, Lin Wanqiu quickly seized the opportunity to say, "Secretary Zhou, I was just about to bring this up with you. I still have quite a few seeds, and I've also gained some experience in planting techniques. If the commune supports me, I'm willing to teach the techniques to the villagers so we can grow off-season vegetables together, allowing everyone to eat fresh vegetables in winter and also make money from it."
Secretary Zhou's eyes lit up immediately, and he slapped his thigh, saying, "Comrade Wanqiu, your idea is brilliant! The commune is just worried about how to help everyone increase their income! Here's what we'll do: the commune will allocate a special fund to help the village build ten greenhouses first, and then Station Chief Wang will send agricultural technicians over to provide guidance, so that we can promote it on a large scale next spring. At that time, your family will be the commune's 'leading figures in getting rich,' and we'll even recognize you as an advanced worker!"
Hearing this, the villagers who had come to watch the excitement cheered. Aunt Li held Lin Wanqiu's hand, her eyes reddening with emotion: "Wanqiu, you are truly a great hero to our village! From now on, we won't have to eat only radishes and cabbages in winter anymore, and we can even make money by growing vegetables. Life is getting better and better!" Lin Wanqiu nodded with a smile, but in her heart she was thinking—this is just the beginning. In the future, she will grow more off-season vegetables, open a workshop, and enable her whole family and the villagers to live a good life.
At noon, Lin Wanqiu invited Secretary Zhou and his team to have lunch at her home. She took out pork, eggs, and fresh tomatoes from her spatial storage and prepared a sumptuous meal—scrambled eggs with tomatoes, braised beef brisket with tomatoes, cold tomato salad, and steamed white rice made with rice from her spatial storage. Secretary Zhou ate with great relish, saying it was the most delicious meal he had eaten all year. Before leaving, Secretary Zhou specifically instructed, "Comrade Wanqiu, you must carefully summarize your planting experience. The commune will hold an agricultural production conference next month; please go on stage and share your techniques with everyone so that more people can learn from you."
After seeing Secretary Zhou and his group off, Lin Wanqiu and Shen Tingzhou exchanged a smile, both seeing hope in each other's eyes. Shen Tingzhou handed her the commune funds he had just received, saying firmly, "Our responsibilities will be heavier from now on. We'll not only have to grow our own vegetables well, but also help the villagers grow them. But don't worry, I'll always be with you, and we'll work together to make our lives prosperous." Lin Wanqiu took the money, clutching it tightly in her hand, her eyes slightly moist—in her previous life, she was just an ordinary food blogger, never imagining that she could create such a future with her own hands in this era.
In the following days, Lin Wanqiu's house became even more lively. Villagers came to ask her for planting tips, and some even offered to help build the greenhouse. Lin Wanqiu patiently explained to everyone how to select seeds, cultivate seedlings, and control the greenhouse temperature. She also took out several modern vegetable planting manuals from her spatial storage, made copies, and distributed them to everyone. Shen Tingzhou, on the other hand, was busy going to town to purchase the materials needed to build the greenhouse. He was busy until very late every day, but he didn't feel tired at all.
That evening, Shen Tingzhou returned from town with good news: "Uncle Zhou from the supply and marketing cooperative said that the county department store has heard about our tomatoes and wants to cooperate with us long-term. In the future, our tomatoes will not only supply the commune and restaurants, but also be sold in the county, expanding our sales channels." Lin Wanqiu jumped up with joy, hugged him, and kissed him: "That's wonderful! This will make our income more stable, and we can save up enough money to build a new house faster."
Shen Nian'an ran over, holding up his workbook, and said, "Mom, the teacher praised my handwriting today and said I'm a sensible child!" Lin Wanqiu took the workbook and felt a warmth in her heart as she looked at the neat handwriting. She picked up her son and kissed him on the cheek: "Nian'an is such a good boy. When we move into our new house, Mom will buy you a new schoolbag so you can study hard."
As night deepened, the lights in the courtyard came on, casting a soft glow on the plastic sheeting covering the greenhouse. Lin Wanqiu leaned against Shen Tingzhou, looking at her sleeping son beside her, her heart filled with happiness. She knew that although many challenges lay ahead, as long as the family worked together, no difficulty was insurmountable. She thought of the vegetable seeds in her spatial storage that she hadn't had time to plant, and the small workshop that might one day open, and a smile involuntarily crept onto her face—in this hopeful 1960s, she was certain that she could lead her family to create a world of their own, making their lives as vibrant and sweet as the tomatoes in the yard.
Just as Lin Wanqiu was immersed in her dreams for the future, a sinister gaze swept over from outside the courtyard wall. Lin Moli, hiding behind a tree in the corner, watched the heartwarming scene in the yard, her nails digging deep into her palms. She had gone to town yesterday and heard that Lin Wanqiu had made a fortune selling tomatoes and had even gained the commune's attention; she was consumed by jealousy. Why? Why could Lin Wanqiu, a widow, live so well? She had a loving man, a well-behaved son, and could earn a fortune, while she was reduced to living under someone else's roof, unable even to afford a new dress?
"Lin Wanqiu, don't be too smug." Lin Moli gritted her teeth, a ruthless glint in her eyes. "I won't let you get away with this so easily. Your tomatoes, your money, and Shen Tingzhou, I'll take them all!" She quietly turned and disappeared into the night, already plotting a vicious plan in her mind—she would destroy Lin Wanqiu's tomato field, make her lose everything, and let her taste the suffering she had endured in her previous life.
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