In the early summer of 1994, a breeze carrying the fresh scent of grass and trees swept through the factory area of "Natural Taste" Food Workshop. The branches and leaves of the camphor trees stretched out in the sunlight, casting large foliage and filtering out most of the summer heat. Inside the workshop, the machines continued to hum, but the midsummer heat had lessened, replaced by a more steady vitality—the sales of low-sugar health foods remained strong, and orders poured in like snowflakes. Workers, dressed in uniform, wore busy but satisfied smiles as their fingers flew across the board, shipping boxes of beautifully packaged pastries to all parts of the country. Meanwhile, in the R&D center on the east side of the factory, the bright and clean glass windows revealed the focused figures of researchers in white coats conducting experiments. The air was filled with the faint aroma of wheat and the rich scent of nuts—the scent of a new batch of product development.
Inside the Shen family's living room, however, the atmosphere was entirely different. Warm yellow light filtered through the white curtains, casting soft dappled patterns on the floor. A freshly cut watermelon sat on the coffee table, its bright red flesh exuding sweetness, yet no one touched it. Shen Nian sat ramrod straight on the edge of the sofa, his hands clasped in his knees, his back ramrod straight. A hint of barely concealed anxiety etched on his thin face, and his gaze frequently drifted to the wall clock, the ticking of the second hand seeming to resonate with everyone's heartstrings.
Lin Wanqiu walked over with a glass of cool water and gently placed it on the coffee table in front of him. Her fingertips accidentally touched the back of his hand, which was slightly cool. "Don't be too nervous," her voice was as gentle as an early summer breeze, with a soothing power. "We've seen all your efforts. No matter the outcome, your parents are proud of you."
Despite this, she herself harbored a heavy expectation. Ever since Nian'an solemnly declared his intention to apply for the Food Engineering program at Jiangnan University last year, this young man had been like a clockwork mechanism, striving relentlessly towards his goal. Countless nights, the study light shone late into the night, illuminating his figure as he diligently studied; countless weekends, while other children went out to play, he immersed himself in the research and development center, pestering Professor Li for professional questions, or observing every detail of product development in the laboratory. More than once, Lin Wanqiu quietly pushed open the study door late at night and saw him asleep at his desk, with densely packed notes spread out beside him, his bangs tinged with a light gold by the lamplight, and a youthful face bearing a determination beyond his years.
She recalled Nian'an at four years old, thin and frail like a sapling battered by a storm, his eyes filled with timidity. He would hide behind her at the sight of strangers, too afraid to even speak loudly. At that time, she had only recently been reborn, and she had taken him with her when they separated from the Shen family. They lived in a drafty mud-brick house, eating coarse grains mixed with wild vegetables. Her only wish was for this child to be well-fed, warmly clothed, and to grow up safely. But now, this little boy, whom she once had to protect with all her might, had grown into a tall, determined young man. Not only was he cheerful and academically excellent, but he also had a clear direction in life. This transformation filled her with joy and pride, and her eyes often welled up with tears.
Shen Tingzhou sat on a single sofa nearby, holding a newspaper in his hand. His gaze wasn't on the words, but rather occasionally glanced at his son, his eyes filled with the deep understanding and expectation typical of a father. He reached out and patted Shen Nian'an's shoulder, his tone steady and firm: "A man should relax. Gold shines wherever it is. Your abilities speak for themselves, so there's no need to be too anxious."
Shen Tingzhou never put too much pressure on his children, but always supported them silently in his own way. During Nian'an's exam preparation, he would often take him to the suburbs for a run on weekends, which would not only relax his mind and body but also hone his willpower. When he learned that Nian'an was interested in food research and development, he used his connections to find many professional books and industry reports for Nian'an. Even late at night, he would quietly go into the kitchen to prepare a hot late-night snack for his son who was studying hard. He didn't say much, but his fatherly love was deep and warm.
"Brother, you will definitely pass the exam!" Shen Nianxi, with her two pigtails, skipped over to Shen Nian'an and handed him a hand-drawn card. The card featured a little figure in a doctoral gown, with the words "Brother is the best" scrawled next to it. "I'm going to visit you at Jiangnan University and eat the delicious food you developed!"
The little girl's words were like a gentle breeze, dispelling some of the tension. Shen Nian'an took the card, looked at the childish handwriting on it, and a smile finally appeared on his tense lips. He ruffled his sister's hair, his voice slightly hoarse: "Okay, when your brother develops a new product, Xixi will be the first to try it."
Just then, a crisp bicycle bell rang out from outside the courtyard gate, followed by the postman's familiar call: "Chen Nian'an, there's a registered letter for you. Come and sign for it!"
The shout, like a thunderclap, instantly shattered the silence in the living room. Shen Nian'an abruptly stood up, her movements so fast they created a gust of wind, and she almost stumbled as she rushed towards the door. Lin Wanqiu and Shen Tingzhou followed closely behind, while Shen Nianxi fluttered after her like a little butterfly.
At the gate of the courtyard, the postman was smiling as he held up a thick envelope, its red cover gleaming brightly in the sunlight. Shen Nian'an's heart pounded wildly, as if it would burst from his chest. He reached out his slightly trembling hand, took the envelope, and felt the smooth paper beneath his fingertips, sensing the hard, card-like object inside. His breathing instantly became rapid.
"Thank you, Uncle." His voice trembled uncontrollably as he thanked him repeatedly before eagerly tearing open the envelope.
Lin Wanqiu stood behind him, her hands unconsciously tightening around Shen Tingzhou's, her knuckles turning slightly white. She could clearly feel her heart racing, her palms damp with sweat, her gaze fixed on the envelope about to be opened, countless thoughts flashing through her mind: Nian'an is working so hard, she'll definitely get in, right? The admission score for the Food Engineering major at Jiangnan University isn't low, what if… No, it can't be, Nian'an is so outstanding, she definitely can.
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