When the wintersweet blossoms, the morning frost adorns the eaves of the Red Flag Production Brigade with a layer of crystalline white. In Lin Wanqiu's courtyard, several red plum trees are in full bloom, their bright red petals covered with fine frost, exuding a cool elegance in the morning light. Three-year-old Chen Nianxi, dressed in a light yellow cotton-padded jacket and with two round pigtails, is tiptoeing, spinning around to the melody of the radio coming from the main room.

"Little ball, round and round, Malan flowers bloom at twenty-one..." The cheerful children's song on the radio had a brisk rhythm. Nianxi waved her little arms, her skirt fluttering gently with her movements, like a fluttering little yellow butterfly. Her movements were childlike but earnest, her little face full of focus, and her dark grape-like eyes sparkled with a pure love for dance.

Lin Wanqiu came out of the house carrying a basin of freshly washed clothes. Seeing her daughter's adorable appearance, she couldn't help but stop, a gentle smile spreading across her lips. Ever since Nianxi mentioned wanting to learn to dance, she had kept it in mind and had been looking for suitable dance classes in the city.

"Mommy!" Nianxi stopped what she was doing as soon as she saw Lin Wanqiu, ran over with her short legs, hugged her trouser leg, and looked up at her with her little face, asking coquettishly, "Did I dance well?"

Lin Wanqiu put down the wooden basin, squatted down, and gently stroked her daughter's soft hair, her eyes full of doting: "Beautiful! Our Nianxi danced so beautifully!" She gently pinched her daughter's little cheek, "Mom has already inquired for you. A new children's dance class has opened at the city cultural center. Let's go register next week, okay?"

Nianxi's eyes lit up instantly, as if filled with starlight: "Really? That's great! Thank you, Mom!" She excitedly spun around on the ground, her little braids swinging happily.

Shen Tingzhou returned from his workout, still warm from exercise. Seeing the heartwarming interaction between the mother and daughter, a gentle smile appeared on his usually stern face: "What's making you so happy?"

"Daddy!" Nianxi threw herself into Chen Tingzhou's arms, hugged his neck, and said proudly, "Mommy is taking me to dance class!"

Shen Tingzhou hugged his daughter and kissed her on the cheek: "Our Nianxi wants to learn to dance, of course Daddy supports her!" He looked at Lin Wanqiu with admiration in his eyes, "You're so thoughtful."

Lin Wanqiu smiled and said, "If the child is interested, we as parents will naturally nurture her." She thought to herself, Nian An has shown talent in business, and since Nian Xi likes dancing, perhaps she can also develop in this area.

A week later, Lin Wanqiu rode his bicycle with Nianxi to the cultural center in the city. The early winter wind was chilly, so Lin Wanqiu specially wrapped Nianxi in a thick cotton-padded coat and put a fluffy hat on her, leaving only her big, round eyes showing.

The cultural center is a simple, old-fashioned brick building with a red plaque above the entrance bearing the three gilded characters "City Cultural Center." Stepping inside, a faint scent of ink mingles with the sound of a musical instrument, creating a soothing atmosphere. The dance class is located in a large classroom on the second floor; through the window, you can see several children already practicing their basic skills with their teacher.

"Mom, are we here yet?" Nianxi asked nervously, holding Lin Wanqiu's hand, her little body trembling slightly.

Lin Wanqiu crouched down and gently comforted her, "Don't be afraid, there are many children inside, and kind teachers, they will all like you." She gently pushed open the door and led Nianxi inside.

The dance studio had red wooden floors and several large mirrors on the walls. Sunlight streamed through the windows, casting a warm glow on the floor. A female teacher in a pink dance outfit was instructing the children on leg stretches; her movements were elegant and fluid, and her voice was gentle and melodious.

"Hello, Teacher Wang!" Lin Wanqiu stepped forward and greeted him with a smile.

Teacher Wang turned around, saw Lin Wanqiu and Nianxi, and smiled warmly: "Hello! Are you here to sign up for dance lessons?"

“Yes,” Lin Wanqiu nodded, pushing Nianxi forward a little, “This is my daughter, Shen Nianxi. She loves to dance.”

Nianxi looked at Teacher Wang timidly, her little hands tightly gripping Lin Wanqiu's clothes. Teacher Wang bent down and gently patted her head: "Hello, little Nianxi! Welcome to learn to dance."

Nianxi looked up at Teacher Wang's gentle smile, her nervousness gradually dissipating, and whispered, "Hello, Teacher."

Teacher Wang smiled and said, "Good girl! Come on, practice with the other children." She took Nianxi's hand and led her to the back of the line.

Lin Wanqiu found a seat at the back of the classroom and sat down, watching her daughter study diligently, her heart filled with anticipation. Teacher Wang first led the children in warm-up exercises, stretching their limbs and loosening their joints. Nianxi studied very attentively; although her movements were a little clumsy, she tried her best to follow the teacher's rhythm in every movement.

After the warm-up, Teacher Wang began teaching the children basic skills. Leg presses, back bends, and splits were not easy for three-year-olds. When Nianxi was doing leg presses, her little brows furrowed tightly because of the pain, and tears welled up in her eyes, but she held them back.

Lin Wanqiu saw this and felt both heartache and pride. She knew that learning dance required a lot of effort and sweat, and Nianxi's perseverance was already remarkable.

The school bell rang, and the children excitedly ran to their parents. Nianxi also ran to Lin Wanqiu, her little face tired but still beaming with a happy smile: "Mom, I learned how to stretch my legs today!"

Lin Wanqiu picked up her daughter and kissed her on the cheek: "Our Nianxi is amazing! Are you tired?"

"Not tired!" Nianxi shook her head, gesturing with her little hands. "My teacher even praised me for learning so quickly!"

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