Just a dozen or so seats away from the center position, I was able to watch the entire process of the honor guard crossing the Jinshui Bridge and raising the flag.

As dawn approached, both sides of the street were packed with people, mostly young people.

Young people today have a strong sense of patriotism.

Most of them came from other places, and many of them slept for half the night on picnic blankets spread out in the square.

It's about to start, and Chen Hong is very excited and looking forward to it!

We can already see the honor guard marching out. The army, navy, and air force honor guards are marching in goose-step, solemn, dignified, and majestic.

These powerful strides need no background music at all!

The national flag guard took a total of 138 steps from Jinshui Bridge to the flagpole.

The 96 steps of the goose step represent China's land area of ​​9.6 million square kilometers.

As the national anthem played and the national flag was slowly raised, everyone present stood at attention, many of them removing their hats to salute solemnly, and everyone sang the national anthem.

So many people were moved to tears and wept uncontrollably!

All the children present (including kindergarten children who followed their older brothers and sisters) saluted the Young Pioneers.

The perfectly synchronized chorus was absolutely breathtaking, and it filled me with an indescribable sense of pride!

As the national flag was raised, the honor guard returned to the foot of Tiananmen Square, and flocks of peace doves flew around the square.

The square erupted in enthusiastic applause and cheers, interspersed with shouts of cheers in English, French, and German.

This shows that our foreign friends have been inspired by the patriotic enthusiasm of the Chinese people.

They may never experience such an exhilarating moment in their entire lives.

The Chinese people are the most indomitable, courageous, and peace-loving nation in the world.

We were born under the red flag and grew up in the spring breeze. The people have faith, the country has strength, and all that we see is China. The five stars shining are all a testament to our faith!

As a fisherman of the new era, Chen Hong is also willing to use her fearless youth to defend this prosperous China!

The flag-raising ceremony had long since ended, but many people were still reluctant to leave.

Watching the flag-raising ceremony at Tiananmen Square is a unique kind of red romance for the Chinese people!

Holding her son's little hand, Chen Hong was deeply moved and felt incredibly proud of soldiers like Zhou Yi.

"Mom, I really want to join the army when I grow up!" After watching the flag-raising ceremony, Yu Yang became even more determined to join the army.

"Okay, Mom supports you! Then you need to study even harder. What the modern army needs most are highly skilled soldiers with education and special expertise!"

If you want to stay in the military for life, you need to acquire more knowledge and learn more skills; otherwise, you'll have to be discharged after two or three years of compulsory service!

After calming down, Chen Hong took her son to find a place to have breakfast.

The mother and daughter went to Xianyu Kou on Qianmen Street next to the square and found a century-old Chinese brand restaurant. For breakfast, they ate fried liver and steamed buns filled with pork and scallions.

The mother and son ate their fill for a little over thirty yuan. After finishing their meal, Yu Yang quietly said to his mother:

"Mom, this fried liver is too sticky, it's a bit too much for my mouth. It's not as good as your sweet porridge, which makes me thirsty."

"Every place has its own eating habits, and old Beijingers like to eat these local specialties."

Even if you don't like it, you should still try it once. When others talk about it, you'll know what it tastes like and won't blindly believe what they hear.

However, you also need to respect other people's eating habits. Everyone has different tastes, and you can't force everyone to eat the same thing.

Yu Yang nodded obediently, "I understand, Mom!"

After dinner, the mother and daughter took a leisurely walk and met up with Zhao Yu's senior, Yang Wenwen, at eight o'clock.

Led by Yang Wenwen, the mother and daughter leisurely visited several attractions suitable for children over the next few days.

The other day, in order to take Xiaoyun and Junjun to see more places, they were in a rush, like they were going to a show.

The Chairman Mao Memorial Hall near Tiananmen Square was the first place Yang Wenwen took them to. Because they had bought tickets in advance, it was easy to queue up and enter the memorial hall.

We bought three bouquets of flowers inside, presented them to the great Chairman Mao with our child, and then came out after taking a quick look around.

Security checks here are very strict; all bags and personal belongings will be checked one by one.

Sunglasses are not allowed inside the memorial hall; you may only bring your mobile phone and ID card.

Taking photos was not allowed, so Chen Hong and Yang Wenwen stored their belongings beforehand, which made the check very quick. They were able to leave with their child in no time.

Only after leaving the memorial hall did I ask my son if he was scared.

Yu Yang: "Mom, so many people are coming to see Chairman Mao, what's there to be afraid of? Chairman Mao is the great savior of China!"

Chen Hong gave him a thumbs up: You're awesome!

I thought to myself, if my mom knew I brought the child to the Chairman Mao Memorial Hall, she would nag me endlessly. That old lady is so superstitious!

The family worships more than a dozen deities, including the Long Snake (called "Changchong" in Jinan), the White Fox, and the Yellow Weasel.

You can't say a single taboo word at home, it's so troublesome!

"Xiao Bao, you absolutely mustn't tell your maternal grandparents or family about coming to the memorial hall. Your maternal grandma will definitely blame me to death if she finds out, and she'll even invite a shaman for you."

Upon hearing her mother's words, Yu Yang immediately became vigilant. "I won't even tell my aunt and Junjun, Mom, don't worry! I'm very tight-lipped."

He had seen his maternal grandmother offering sacrifices to the deities during the Lunar New Year, and she even forced his cousin and him to kowtow to the various deities as well!

From then on, he was no longer willing to visit his maternal grandparents' house during the Chinese New Year!