After New Year’s Eve, the Spring Festival officially begins.

Ning Tang and Chen Lie seemed to have accomplished something big and started to become lazy. They would never do any work themselves if they could make the three children do it.

On the third day of the New Year, the entire military family compound became lively and people began to visit each other to wish each other a happy new year.

Most of the military dependents who come to Hailang Island to join the army live far away from their hometowns. Those who live nearby are not given holidays by their superiors, so almost every household celebrates the New Year in the military dependents' compound. Similarly, they visit each other to pay New Year's greetings.

Mrs. Luo brought her daughter Zhao Qing and Political Commissar Zhao, and called Zeng Xinlan, Battalion Commander Qi and Da Hu, as well as Ding Ronghua, Division Commander Wang and their son Wang Zhuangzhuang to come to the Shen family to pay New Year's greetings.

They are all colleagues, and during the New Year's greetings, there is no distinction between ranks. The regiment commander pays New Year's greetings to the battalion commander, the battalion commander pays New Year's greetings to the company commander, and it is normal for Commander Wang to come to the Shen family.

Upon entering, Luo Saozi and the others handed the New Year's gifts they had brought to Ning Tang, "Captain Shen, Xiao Ning, Happy New Year."

Ning Tang took it and said with a smile, "Happy New Year."

Chen Lie also smiled and said, "Happy New Year."

Ning Tang had prepared various snacks early in the morning, including a five-color platter made up of peanuts, melon seeds, rice candies, rice cakes, and cat ears, as well as fresh pears, apples, and oranges, as well as longans, red dates, chestnuts, and walnuts, accompanied by a pot of hot ginger and jujube tea, filling the table.

It was Ding Ronghua's first time to visit the Shen family. She glanced at the clean house and the carefully prepared snacks, and her opinion of Ning Tang went up a level.

Chen Lie was familiar with Political Commissar Zhao, Battalion Commander Qi, and Division Commander Wang. "Don't be polite. Just sit down like you're at home."

Men chat at one table, and women chat at another.

Ning Tang even had the ingenuity to prepare a table for the group of children including Da Wa. Even the snacks on the table were similar to those on the main table, but the portions were relatively smaller considering the children's appetites.

The eldest child had never thought that they could act like adults. His face flushed with excitement, and he volunteered to entertain the little guests. "Da Hu, you sit next to me. Zhuang Zhuang, you sit on Da Hu's right. Sister Qing Qing..."

Zhao Qing was impatient to sit with the little brats and pouted, "I'm going to my mom's place."

The eldest child didn't care. He arranged seats for the little guests and imitated the adults, eating snacks and chatting, playing house.

Seeing so many delicious foods for the first time, Big Tiger Head couldn't help but swallow his saliva, "Big Boy, I really envy you. You have so many delicious foods at home."

Sweet rice candy, crispy cat ears, soft and sweet chestnuts...all the kids were envious.

The eldest child puffed out her chest proudly and said modestly, "Oh, it's not bad. Eat more if you like."

Zhao Qing went to the woman's table but didn't sit down. He said something to Mrs. Luo, went to play with his classmates, and wanted to leave.

Older children don’t like to pay New Year’s greetings because they find it boring.

Mrs. Luo was anxious and wanted to say something to her, "Everyone is here having a great time, where are you going? It's New Year's Eve, and which classmate will play with you?"

Zhao Qing frowned and said, "Liu Ling, she asked me to take a boat to the Xinhua Bookstore in Jiang City to buy some books."

"Is it safe for just the two of you girls to go?" Mrs. Luo asked.

Ning Tang patted Mrs. Luo's hand and said, "If she wants to go, let her go. It's normal for her to feel bored sitting around chatting with a bunch of adults."

"I think your daughter is a person with her own ideas. If she told you about this, she would have already thought of how to arrange it." I just want to inform you.

Zhao Qing was quite surprised because Ning Tang actually spoke for her.

She patiently explained to Mrs. Luo, "It's not just Liu Ling and I. Several other boys from our class, including Zhu Song, Wang Lili, and Zhou Qi, are going with us. Our homeroom teacher is going too. We made the appointment long ago."

Mrs. Luo was relieved at this, but she wanted to give a few more instructions.

Ning Tang waved his hand, interrupting Mrs. Luo and saying that he would be annoyed if she continued.

She gave Zhao Qing the red envelope she had prepared long ago, and also gave her another ten yuan.

Zhao Qing was stunned. She understood red envelopes, but what was the purpose of giving her the ten yuan?

Ning Tang explained, "You said you were going to the Xinhua Bookstore in the city. I wanted you to buy me some books for Da Wa, Er Niu, and San Wa. It doesn't matter what kind, as long as they're storybooks. Classics like Journey to the West or Dream of the Red Chamber would be even better. It would be best if you could get them."

Last time, the eldest child said that he was inspired by the story of "the first effort is strong, the second is weak, and the third is exhausted" told by their class teacher Zhou.

Ning Tang thought that it would be better to prepare some storybooks at home so that children can read them before going to bed. It would actually be quite meaningful for them.

Even if you can't understand the meaning of the book, you can still recognize the words.

And even if Da Wa and the others don’t watch it, Ning Tang and Chen Lie can watch it.

There is no TV or radio at home, but reading storybooks is quite interesting.

Zhao Qing rolled her eyes. "You? Aren't you afraid that I'll buy the wrong thing?"

It is very likely that she still has some dissatisfaction with Ning Tang and deliberately makes trouble for him by buying some mediocre books for him.

Ning Tang smiled and said firmly, "You won't buy the wrong book. Because after you buy it and we finish reading it, you can still borrow more from us. Because of my relationship with your mother, I will definitely lend it to you. It's like you can read the book you want without spending your own money. This deal is so cost-effective, there's no reason not to do it."

Seeing through Ning Tang's intentions, Zhao Qing curled her lips and stuffed the money into her pocket. "Got it. Just wait. It's just storybooks and classics. I'll definitely buy them for you."

Zhao Qing left. After eating and drinking for a while, Sister Luo called a group of children to her side and said, "Come here, your sisters-in-law will give you New Year's money."

There were red envelopes to be received, and the children's eyes were shining.

The eldest child spoke first, "Happy New Year to all the uncles and aunts, and a prosperous New Year!"

Mrs. Luo patted his head and said with a smile, "Hey, big boy, you're such a good boy. Here's your New Year's money."

After she gave it, Zeng Xinlan and Ding Ronghua gave it in turn.

After a circle of children congratulated each other, they all had several red envelopes in their hands. They were immediately smiling and said nice things as if they were free.

As soon as the children left, Ding Ronghua joked, "Xiaoning's family has so many children, so they're really taking advantage."

Ning Tang was amused. "Sister-in-law, you're envious. You can pick any of these three naughty monkeys in our family and take them away. I won't say a word."

Ding Ronghua's eyes lit up. "You guys are calling them naughty monkeys. Our house isn't the Water Curtain Cave. How can we accommodate these three little naughty monkeys? You should keep them for yourself."

The children asked for red envelopes from the women, then went to the men's table for a round, and came back with their pockets fuller.

Mrs. Luo looked at Dahu and asked in surprise, "Xinlan, has your Dahu grown stronger?" She gestured with her hand again, "He seems to have grown even taller."

Ding Ronghua nodded and agreed, "Yes, he's grown stronger and taller. I think he's much bigger than before."

In the past, Da Hu was thin and small, with sunken cheeks and dull eyes.

Now I see that he has grown taller, has more flesh on his face, and looks more energetic.

Zeng Xinlan blushed and her eyes lit up when she mentioned this. "I think Dahu has grown stronger, too. The day before yesterday, I helped him knit cotton gloves. When I compared his hands, I found that his fingers had grown fleshier."

Mrs. Luo nodded and said, "Even her fingers are growing flesh, which means she's really grown stronger."

Ding Ronghua couldn't help but ask, "Xinlan, how do you raise children? Teach me too."

Wang Zhuangzhuang is not as good as his name suggests. He is almost the same as the previous Da Hu, both thin and small.

Zeng Xinlan's face was full of smiles. "For this, I have to thank Xiao Ning."

Ning Tang was busy shelling peanuts. He raised an eyebrow and said jokingly, "Thank me? Your children don't eat the rice in my house."

Zeng Xinlan glared at her and glanced at the men's table. She saw Captain Qi was talking to Chen Lie and the others, his face flushed with excitement. He hadn't noticed them at all. Then she lowered her voice and said, "Thank you for the idea you gave me last time."

"Idea?" Ding Ronghua was stunned.

She was not there at the time, so naturally she didn't know about it.

Mrs. Luo explained it to her again, and Ding Ronghua asked repeatedly, "And then what?" She was obviously very curious about what idea Ning Tang had given Zeng Xinlan.

Ning Tang quickly told Ding Ronghua about her idea. Ding Ronghua's eyes widened as she questioned Zeng Xinlan, "So, what happened after you and your Captain Qi fell out?"

"How is it?" Zeng Xinlan laughed. "Ever since I had a few big fights with him, he no longer dares to order me around like before. Before he wants to give money or things from home to those people back home, he will ask for my opinion first, because he knows that if I find that something is missing, I will definitely have another big fight with him, and the neighbors will know about it, and he will lose face."

After several quarrels with Captain Qi, he became much more restrained, and Zeng Xinlan also saved some money.

She used the money to improve the quality of the family's meals, raised Dahu to be stronger, and had some spare money to buy New Year's goods and give out New Year's money.

Otherwise, it would be like in previous years, I wouldn’t dare go out to pay New Year’s greetings because I wouldn’t be able to give back the New Year’s money.

Zeng Xinlan looked at Dahu and Dawa's excited and flushed faces as they played, and she felt that this was a good decision.

She let out a long sigh of relief. "Xiao Ning is right. Money is a person's confidence. With money, I can stand up straighter and speak with more confidence."

Ding Ronghua patted her hand lovingly, "After all the hardship comes happiness, and after the rain comes the sun. We can always get through this, and the good days are still to come."

Zeng Xinlan smiled at her and asked, "Sister Ding, I'm looking for a job. Is the Women's Committee hiring after the New Year? How many people are they hiring? Can I go and try?"

Ding Ronghua said, "Yes, the Women's Committee will be recruiting in early March. We are looking for two secretaries. They will mainly be responsible for some clerical work and arranging some affairs of the Military Family House. Xinlan, you can definitely give it a try."

After she finished speaking, she smiled and looked at Ning Tang. "It's not just Xinlan. Xiaoning, you can also try. We have two stages: a written test and an interview. If you pass both, you can officially join the company. The monthly salary is seven yuan, and there are also holiday benefits during the Spring Festival."

Ning Tang was stunned. Wasn't Zeng Xinlan looking for a job? Why were they talking about her again?

She remembered Xiaoling, the secretary who had distributed jackfruits before.

Mrs. Luo told me that during the period when the Women's Committee decided to distribute jackfruits and longans, Secretary Xiaoling had to organize people to pick jackfruits in advance, and then get up at four or five in the morning on the day of distribution, arrange for fellow villagers to deliver the longans to the military family compound, and then go to the grain and oil station to borrow a scale and arrange a site... It took at least three layers of effort to do all this work.

If you're lucky, the issue will be resolved and that's it. If you're unlucky, you might run into a tough guy like Wang Dilai who comes to stir up trouble, or someone might feel that the issue is unfair and protest, and you'll be in a mess again.

If things are handled well, no one will praise you. If they are handled poorly, you will be criticized and asked to write a self-criticism.

Moreover, there are many activities in the military family compound, not just distributing jackfruits and longans. After all, it only happens twice a year at most. They also organize various cultural and entertainment activities and competitions, and do mediation work for each household. All these burdens are shared by Ding Ronghua, the director of the Women's Committee, and the various secretaries.

Ning Tang slept until nine or ten every day, and her life was comfortable and pleasant. It was too late to let her get involved in the tedious and trivial matters of the Women's Committee.

She refused decisively.

But she couldn't refuse directly in front of Ding Ronghua. She laughed and said, "Oh, well, let's talk about it later."

Ding Ronghua wanted to persuade her a few more times, but Ning Tang's eyes darted around, trying to find an excuse to shirk responsibility.

Fortunately, the eldest child came to the rescue in time.

The eldest child came running over, yelling, "Stepmother, our table of ginger and jujube tea is gone."

When children get excited, they like to scream and shout. Their throats become dry after screaming, so they drink more water.

Ginger and jujube tea is sweet and warm, and is very popular with children. It is normal for them to drink it quickly.

Ning Tang said, "I have some tea bags prepared in the kitchen. Ask your father to boil some water and make ginger and jujube tea for you."

The boiling water was very hot, and Ning Tang didn't dare let the eldest child do it himself. It would not be fun if he got burned.

Big Boy nodded, turned around and went to find Chen Lie to help him make ginger and jujube tea.

Ding Ronghua asked, "Xiao Ning, what are these tea bags you're talking about? Is this ginger and jujube tea made with those tea bags?"

The delicious taste of ginger and jujube tea not only captured the hearts of the children, but even Ding Ronghua couldn't help but ask a few more questions.

The Wang family's house was quite far away, and Ding Ronghua had to cross half of the military compound to get there. By the time she arrived at the Shen family's house, her hands and feet were frozen and she was shaking constantly.

I thought it would take a while to recover, but as soon as I drank the ginger and jujube tea that Ning Tang handed to me, a wave of heat rushed from my heels to the top of my head, and my whole body felt warm. That's why Ding Ronghua couldn't help but ask Ning Tang about the ginger and jujube tea.

"Yes, a tea bag is tea leaves wrapped in gauze. The tea bag for ginger and jujube tea is the same." Ning Tang opened the kettle and showed them the tea bag. "Dried red dates and sliced fresh ginger, along with longan, orange peel, and wolfberry, are wrapped in gauze. Store it in a dry place. When you want to drink ginger and jujube tea, just throw the tea bag into the teapot and add two pieces of brown sugar. It's very convenient and easy to clean. Just throw away the tea bag and rinse the kettle a few times with water."

Ding Ronghua was very excited after listening to this, "Then, how much of these longan and orange peel should I add?" She was afraid that it would not taste good if she added too much.

Ning Tang thought for a moment and said, "I'll write the recipe down for you later."

Ding Ronghua was overjoyed. "Thank you so much, Xiaoning."

Ning Tang waved her hand, "You're welcome, sister-in-law."

Zeng Xinlan and Mrs. Luo also asked Ningtang to copy a recipe for ginger and jujube tea. This ginger and jujube tea tastes good and has the effect of warming the body, so they also want it.

As for Da Wa, he dug out a tea bag from the kitchen chest of drawers and ran to find Chen Lie.

Chen Lie was having a great time chatting at that table.

Men, when they get together, can't help but start bragging, chatting and talking big.

Talk about life, military affairs, international situation, ancient and modern times, China and abroad, all over the world, everything.

Captain Qi confided with a bitter face, "I don't know what's wrong with my wife lately. She's always arguing with me. I wanted to send some money back home to my parents, but she refused to agree. She said if I did, she'd take Dahu with her and divorce me."

Teacher Wang couldn't help but ask, "How much are you sending to your parents? Why is it such a big deal?"

Captain Qi hesitated and said, "Actually, it's not much, just about thirty yuan."

Political Commissar Zhao glanced at him and said, "You're really generous. I remember your monthly salary was only about 40 yuan, and you've given away most of it right away."

"Our situation is different..." Captain Qi recalled what Zeng Xinlan had told him. Zeng Xinlan had asked him to ask other families who were like theirs, emptying their savings and giving them away. So he asked, "Aren't you the same?"

Commander Wang said, "Of course. I only give my parents five dollars a month, and they say it's too much."

Captain Qi remembered that Commander Wang's family situation was similar to his, with his parents also living in the countryside and several brothers and sisters. Commander Wang's salary was much higher than his. Then why could Commander Wang only send five yuan, and Commander Wang's parents said it was too much, while he sent more than thirty yuan back, and his parents said it was not enough?

He asked whatever he thought.

Chen Lie said it all, "A little bit of rice is a favor, a peck of rice is a grudge. You help them in times of need, but not in times of poverty. You've spoiled them. You give them thirty yuan every month, and occasionally only twenty yuan once or twice a month, and they complain that it's too little. On the other hand, if you give them five yuan a month, and occasionally ten yuan once or twice a month, they'll just be grateful."

Captain Qi was stunned. Could it be true as Chen Lie said, that he had spoiled his family members?

Before he could ask, the eldest child came over and interrupted, calling Chen Lie, "Dad, please boil a pot of water for me. We are out of ginger and jujube tea on the table."

Chen Lie stood up and said, "Besides, in the countryside, how can we spend so much money in a month?"

After saying that, without caring about Captain Qi's reaction, he went to the kitchen to help the eldest boy make ginger and jujube tea.

Chen Lie's words were just unintentional, but they stirred up a storm in Captain Qi's heart.

Yes, in the countryside, how many places can there be to spend money?

He sends thirty-thirty yuan back home every month, which is enough to build a golden house for his family!

Captain Qi felt a little uncomfortable and frowned.

Political Commissar Zhao noticed his displeasure and changed the subject, "I really envy you, Lao Qi. You're the one managing the money in your family. My wife only gives me three or five yuan in pocket money a month."

Captain Qi was very surprised and asked Division Commander Wang and Political Commissar Zhao, "Do your wives manage the finances in your family too?"

Commander Wang and Political Commissar Zhao said in unison, "Of course. We hand over our monthly wages to our wives, and then we get pocket money from them. Women know how to manage money. We just hand over the money, and they can take care of our lives without us having to worry about anything. What a wonderful thing."

Captain Qi was somewhat persuaded. Zeng Xinlan was also a woman who knew how to live. If he gave her the money, she would definitely be able to arrange everything clearly.

But for a while, he couldn't get over it, so he said, "Hey, why should I let a woman manage my money and take money from her? I can't do that. It's better to manage my own money and buy whatever I want. How great is that?"

Chen Lie came back from boiling water and just happened to hear this. "You? You're thinking the wrong way. I'm a man, I don't have any bad habits, and I'm in the army, food and accommodation are all included, how much can I spend? My wife gives me three or four yuan, and I can save a little every month."

Political Commissar Zhao continued, "Give the money to your wife. She's made everything very clear for you. You'll have hot meals after work, and she'll make you clothes for all seasons. If you want a drink or a cigarette, just mention it to your wife, and you'll be able to see it the next day when you get home from get off work."

Commander Wang said, "Otherwise, my wife would have to ask you for money every month to buy firewood, rice, oil, salt, soy sauce, vinegar and tea. Even this little money would pass through several hands and damage the relationship between husband and wife. Why bother with that?"

"The wives we married are all good wives, otherwise they wouldn't have come all the way to accompany us to the army. We feel at ease letting them manage our money." Chen Lie said, "Old Qi, think about it yourself. How many times do you get to see your parents in a year? Are your wife and son the ones who stay with you every day?"

Captain Qi? He pursed his lips and said nothing.

Chen Lie brewed three new pots of ginger and jujube tea. When the eldest child replaced the tea on the small table, he also changed the tea on Ning Tang's table. "Stepmother, this is freshly brewed ginger and jujube tea. Be careful of the heat."

Ning Tang was busy writing a recipe for ginger and jujube tea for Ding Ronghua and the others. He waved his hand and said, "I know, you nagging little thing."

The eldest kid made a face at her and skipped back to his table to play with his friends.

Ning Tang wrote the prescription and made three copies, giving them to Mrs. Luo, Ding Ronghua and Zeng Xinlan.

Mrs. Luo put the recipe in her pocket. When she heard the eldest child calling Ning Tang "stepmother," she couldn't help but lower her voice and ask Ning Tang, "You have three children in your family, and you still call you stepmother?"

The phrases "stepmother is long" and "stepmother is short" really don't sound nice.

Ding Ronghua also realized, "Yes, Xiaoning, that's why the eldest son called you? He called you stepmother."

Ning Tang explained to Ding Ronghua and Zeng Xinlan, "I told him to shout."

Mrs. Luo still advised her, "Why don't you let the child change his tone."

She was more traditional in her thinking and was also concerned about Ning Tang, so she couldn't help but advise him.

Ning Tang said, "Sister-in-law, it doesn't matter what you call me. It's just a matter of words. If he truly treats me as his mother, then what's wrong with calling me stepmother? Similarly, if he calls me mother sweetly but never treats me as his mother in his heart, then what's the point of calling me that? He's just deceiving himself."

Ning Tang would rather not have such a fake 'mother'.

Ding Ronghua and Zeng Xinlan were stunned. They didn't expect Ning Tang to say such insightful words. They both felt that she had a high level of thinking.

For some reason, Mrs. Luo thought of the Su family's twins.

Su Guangzong and Su Yaozu are like this, following Ning Xue every day, calling her "Mom" and "Mom" all the time, like little tails.

When outsiders see this, they all think that the mother and son have a good relationship.

Even if they are not biological children, there is a natural bond between mother and child.

Mrs. Luo didn't know if she was overthinking it, but every time she heard the Su family twins call Ning Xue "Mom", she felt awkward.

Ning Xue has only been here for a short time, but the twins have already forgotten their biological mother and sweetly call Ning Xue "Mom" as if she were her own daughter.

It's a bit disheartening.