In the spring of 1984, the fields of Hongqi Commune shed their winter bleakness. The hillsides were ablaze with rapeseed flowers, turning the earth a brilliant golden hue. A gentle breeze stirred, and delicate petals drifted down like golden snowflakes, filling the air with a sweet fragrance. Lin Wanqiu stood at the courtyard gate, carefully braiding her daughter Chen Nianxi's soft pigtails. Her fingertips gently twirled a pink and white ribbon—a gift she had specially bought from the county department store a few days earlier; its soft satin material made her daughter's fair face appear even more delicate.

"Xixi, today is your first day of kindergarten. Be a good girl and listen to your teacher, and get along well with your friends, okay?" Lin Wanqiu gently instructed her daughter while combing her hair. Chen Nianxi had just turned three years old. Her delicate and beautiful appearance resembled a doll in a traditional Chinese New Year painting. She blinked her big, round eyes, reached out her chubby little hands to grab Lin Wanqiu's clothes, and said in a childish voice, "Mommy, if Xixi is good, will Mommy be the first one to pick me up after school?"

"Of course." Lin Wanqiu knelt down and gently kissed her daughter's soft cheek. Her fingertips touched her daughter's warm skin, and her heart was filled with tenderness. Since giving birth to Nianxi last autumn, she had consciously cultivated her daughter's self-care ability according to the "Guide to the Behavioral Development of Children Aged 0-3" in her jade pendant space. She started teaching her to eat with a spoon when she was one and a half years old, and practiced dressing and undressing her own simple clothes when she was two. She would also take her to the neighbors' houses to play with other children, all to help her adapt to kindergarten group life more quickly.

"Mom, let me help my sister with her schoolbag!" Shen Nian'an walked out of the house carrying his own canvas schoolbag and a mini pink schoolbag in his hand, containing Nianxi's change of clothes and a strawberry-flavored pastry made by Lin Wanqiu. Now thirteen years old, Shen Nian'an has grown to 1.6 meters tall, and the childishness in his eyes has faded, replaced by a more mature and composed demeanor. Every morning, he takes the initiative to prepare his sister's school things, showing himself to be a complete "sister-obsessed" brother.

Lin Wanqiu looked at her sensible son with eyes full of relief. She remembered that the "Handbook for Cultivating Sibling Relationships" in her space mentioned that having the older brother participate in taking care of his younger sister's daily life could enhance the emotional bond between children. Now it seemed to be true. Since Nianxi was born, Shen Nian'an had not only not felt lost because of the shift in his parents' attention, but had also protected his younger sister in every way. He even specially gave the pen he won in a math competition to his younger sister as a "toy".

"Nian'an, after school today, go to the food stall and wait for Mom. Mom will come over after picking up Xixi. We'll have your favorite braised pork for dinner." Lin Wanqiu stood up, took the small backpack from her son, carefully checked the contents to make sure nothing was missing, and then put the backpack on Nianxi's back. Shen Nian'an nodded vigorously, reached out and patted his sister's head, and said with a smile, "Xixi, don't be afraid. There are lots of fun toys at kindergarten, and lots of friends to play with. If anyone bullies you, tell your brother, and your brother will teach them a lesson!"

Shen Nianxi blinked, seemingly understanding but not quite, then reached out her little hand to grasp her brother's finger, resting her head gently on his arm, looking both obedient and dependent. Shen Tingzhou came out of the house, carrying two oil-paper umbrellas—spring weather is unpredictable, and the once clear sky was now drizzling. He handed one umbrella to Lin Wanqiu, and opened the other, carefully sheltering the two children from the rain. "It's getting late, we should go now, don't keep the teacher and children waiting."

The family of three stepped out of the courtyard gate and walked along the flagstone path towards the commune kindergarten. A fine drizzle fell like silk threads, pattering softly against the oil-paper umbrella, washing the willow leaves along the roadside even greener. Chen Nianxi sat on her father's broad shoulders, her little hands tightly gripping his hair, occasionally reaching out to catch the falling raindrops. Her clear laughter echoed in the rain, like the crisp chirping of birds in the forest.

"Dad, look! Those are ducklings!" Shen Nianxi suddenly pointed to the paddy field by the roadside and shouted excitedly. Several fluffy ducklings were swimming happily in the paddy field, their yellow figures standing out among the green rice seedlings. Shen Tingzhou slowed down and said with a smile, "Yes, the ducklings are looking for food. When Xixi goes to kindergarten, she should eat well, just like the ducklings, so she can grow tall."

Lin Wanqiu walked beside her, watching the interaction between the father and daughter, her heart filled with happiness. She remembered that the book "Parent-Child Communication Skills" in her online space mentioned that using natural things that children are familiar with as metaphors can make it easier for them to understand the principles. So she added to Shen Tingzhou's words, "Xixi, look, the ducklings swim together and look for food together. The children in kindergarten also play games and eat together. That's how they are happier."

Chen Nianxi nodded, seemingly understanding, her little head resting on her father's shoulder, her big eyes curiously taking in the surrounding scenery. Soon, they arrived at the entrance of the commune kindergarten. The kindergarten was a newly built brick and tile building from the previous year, with a white fence surrounding the courtyard, covered with pink roses. A wooden plaque hung at the entrance, with the words "Red Flag Commune Central Kindergarten" painted in red, the characters round and cute, full of childlike charm.

Many children had already arrived in the yard. Some were crying and clinging to their parents' legs, while others hid behind their parents, looking around timidly. Chen Nianxi climbed down from her father's shoulders, her little hands tightly gripping Lin Wanqiu's hand. Her big eyes curiously examined the slide and swing in the yard, showing no sign of timidity—which relieved Lin Wanqiu. It seemed that the previous acclimatization training had not been in vain.

"Hello, little Chen Nianxi! I'm your teacher, Ms. Li." A young female teacher in a blue dress walked over with a smile. Her voice was gentle and pleasant, and she had a kind smile on her face. She was also holding a plush bear toy in her hand. Ms. Li squatted down, handed the bear to Chen Nianxi, and said softly, "Nianxi, would you like to go and meet some new friends with me? There are lots of fun toys and sweet candies in the yard."

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