"That's right!" Shen Tingzhou picked up his son and said with a smile, "With the commune's certificate, Zhao Jianjun will never dare to bully us again. Once your mother is selected as a 'wealth-creating expert' in the county, our whole family can go to the county town to eat delicious food!"
"Yay!" Nian'an cheered and kissed Shen Tingzhou on the cheek. "Mom is the best!"
Watching the father and son playfully interacting, Lin Wanqiu felt a surge of happiness. She knew that these two certificates not only preserved her eligibility for the selection process but also gave her more confidence in this era—she was no longer a helpless widow but a "leader in getting rich" with her husband's support, the villagers' endorsement, and the commune's recognition.
In the afternoon, Lin Wanqiu carefully placed the certificate issued by the commune, along with the previously organized documents and account books, into a brand-new cloth bag. Shen Tingzhou, meanwhile, was weaving a bamboo basket in the courtyard. His craftsmanship was excellent; he quickly finished a beautiful basket, adorned with a few simple flowers. He put the vegetables and tofu brought by the villagers into the basket, and placed a few apples he had just taken from his spatial storage—apples he had specially saved so the judges could also taste fresh fruit.
"We're going to the county tomorrow, are you nervous?" Shen Tingzhou sat down next to Lin Wanqiu, helping her organize her cloth bag, his voice full of tenderness.
Lin Wanqiu shook her head, her eyes full of determination: "I'm not nervous. With you here, with everyone's support, and with this evidence, I'm confident I can be elected. Even if I'm not elected, it's okay, I've tried my best and I won't regret it."
"You'll definitely be selected." Shen Tingzhou held her hand, his tone firm. "Your hard work and your abilities deserve this honor. I'll go to the county with you tomorrow, help you carry your things, and cheer you on."
That evening, Lin Wanqiu specially prepared a sumptuous dinner—stir-fried vegetables, stewed tofu soup, and even took some meat from her spatial storage to make braised pork. Nian'an ate with her mouth full of oil, repeatedly saying, "Mom's braised pork is so delicious! Much better than the one in the production team's canteen!"
Shen Tingzhou also ate heartily, looking at Lin Wanqiu with deep gratitude. He knew how much effort Lin Wanqiu had put in to achieve what she had today—the days and nights she spent raising the child alone, the grievances she suffered at the hands of her in-laws, the countless sleepless nights she spent working on planting and running the workshop—all of these had transformed into her current confidence and honor. He secretly vowed to protect her and Nian'an from now on, to ensure they would never suffer any more injustice and that their lives would only get better and better.
After dinner, Lin Wanqiu packed everything she needed for tomorrow and placed it on her bedside table. Shen Tingzhou helped her check it, making sure she hadn't forgotten anything. The flickering flame of the kerosene lamp illuminated their faces, filling them with warmth and anticipation.
“Oh, right, Wanqiu,” Shen Tingzhou suddenly remembered something, took out a small box from his pocket, and handed it to her, “This is for you.”
Lin Wanqiu opened the box and saw a fountain pen inside—the pen itself was black, and although somewhat old, it was very well maintained. She looked at Shen Tingzhou in surprise: "This is…"
“This is a prize I won in the army, and I’ve always kept it with me,” Shen Tingzhou said with a smile. “Tomorrow I’m going to the county to participate in the selection, and I might have to sign something. It’s a good omen that you’re carrying this pen.”
Lin Wanqiu picked up the pen, her fingertips gently tracing its surface, a warm feeling spreading through her heart. She knew this pen held immense significance for Shen Tingzhou; his willingness to give it to her was a gesture of complete trust and support. She gripped the pen tightly, looked up at Shen Tingzhou, her eyes filled with a smile: "Thank you, Tingzhou. I will definitely use it well and won't let you down."
Shen Tingzhou reached out and pulled her into his arms, resting his chin on the top of her head, his voice so gentle it could melt water: "Get some rest, you have to get up early tomorrow to go to the county. No matter what the outcome, in my heart you will always be the most amazing."
As night deepened outside the window, a gentle breeze rustled through the wild chrysanthemums in the yard, carrying their delicate fragrance. The kerosene lamp inside gradually went out, leaving only the even breathing of the two of them. Lin Wanqiu leaned against Shen Tingzhou, her heart filled with anticipation—she could almost see the scene of the county-level selection tomorrow, the approving looks in the judges' eyes, and herself holding the "Wealth Creation Expert" certificate.
She knew that tomorrow's selection was not only an affirmation of her past efforts, but also a new starting point for her future life. With Shen Tingzhou's support, the villagers' expectations, and the commune's recognition, she would showcase her achievements on the county's selection stage and strive for the honor that belonged to her. Zhao Jianjun's conspiracy was merely a minor episode on her road to success, long since left far behind, no longer capable of causing any ripples.
As night deepened, the Hongqi Production Brigade fell into silence, except for a faint warmth remaining in the Shen family's house. Lin Wanqiu closed her eyes, a smile playing on her lips, her heart filled with anticipation for tomorrow—she believed that tomorrow would surely be a good day.
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