Shen Nianxi hugged Lin Wanqiu's neck, resting her little head on her shoulder, her voice clear and melodious: "I'm not nervous! Mom said that when you're dancing, you just need to follow the rhythm of the music and think about happy things! My classmates all applauded for me, and the teacher even praised me for dancing well!"
"Our Xixi is so brave." Lin Wanqiu's heart softened completely. This child, at such a young age, has a confidence and composure far beyond her peers. This quality may well stem from the confidence that dance has given her.
The dinner table was laden with a sumptuous spread: glistening red sweet and sour pork ribs, golden and crispy fried chicken legs, fragrant and refreshing seasonal vegetables, and a bowl of thick corn soup. Chen Nianxi sat in her high chair, holding a chicken leg in her little hand, eating with relish. Every now and then, she would look up and share with her parents the fun things that happened at school—who helped her pick up her pencil, who jumped rope with her, and how her arts teacher taught her new dance moves.
Shen Tingzhou listened patiently, occasionally putting a piece of food on his daughter's plate, his eyes full of doting affection: "Xixi, now that you're a key member of the arts and culture group, you have to work even harder. Not only do you have to dance better, but you also have to cooperate well with your classmates and lead everyone to complete the arts and culture activities, understand?"
Shen Nianxi nodded vigorously, her little mouth full of food, and said indistinctly, "I know, Daddy! I will dance well, and I will also teach my classmates to dance!"
Looking at her daughter's adorable face, Lin Wanqiu was filled with emotion. From struggling with hardship with the frail Nian'an at the beginning of her rebirth, to now having a son and a daughter, a happy family, and a thriving career, all the hardships and difficulties along the way have been transformed into abundant happiness through her children's outstanding performance. She recalled the difficulties caused by Old Lady Shen and Zhang Lan when she was first reborn, Lin Moli's relentless pressure, and Zhao Jianjun's unreasonable behavior. Those dark days are now all a thing of the past. And she, too, has grown from a widow who could only rely on her spatial ability for self-preservation into a strong woman who can stand alone and protect her family.
In the days that followed, Shen Nianxi's life at school became increasingly colorful. Every day after school, she would go to the school's dance studio to practice. The arts teacher paid special attention to her, not only teaching her basic dance moves but also choreographing new dances based on her talents. Lin Wanqiu specially asked someone to buy professional dance shoes and skirts from the provincial capital. After putting them on, Shen Nianxi loved them even more and practiced even more diligently.
On weekends, Shen Nianxi would invite her classmates to her home and teach them to dance in the yard. The children, dressed in colorful clothes, would sway to the rhythm of the music, their laughter filling the entire yard. Lin Wanqiu would prepare fruit and snacks for the children, and a gratified smile would appear on her face as she watched her daughter earnestly instructing her classmates like a little teacher.
Watching this scene, Shen Tingzhou walked to Lin Wanqiu's side and said softly, "Xixi is becoming more and more impressive. Shouldn't we consider finding her a professional dance teacher? The conditions in the county are limited after all; we shouldn't waste her talent."
Lin Wanqiu nodded, a thoughtful look flashing in her eyes: "That's what I was thinking too. After I finish this batch of European orders, I'll go to the provincial capital to inquire and see if there are any professional dance training classes. If so, I'll take Xixi to the provincial capital to learn this weekend."
Just as Lin Wanqiu and Shen Tingzhou were planning their daughter's future dance career, an unexpected piece of news arrived—Grandma Shen was ill.
That morning, Lin Wanqiu was inspecting samples of new products in the food workshop when Sister-in-law Shen, Zhang Lan, rushed over in a panic: "Wanqiu, something bad has happened! Mom suddenly feels dizzy and nauseous, and she can't even stand up straight. You'd better go back and check on her!"
Lin Wanqiu's heart tightened. Over the years, her relationship with Old Madam Shen, though no longer as tense as before, had remained distant. Old Madam Shen was getting old, and her health was not as good as before. Since Shen Tingzhou's "resurrection," she had toned down her temper considerably and was no longer as harsh and difficult as before, only occasionally grumbling about favoring sons over daughters. Although Lin Wanqiu remembered the grudges of the past, she also understood the principle that "the dead are gone, and the living must go on." Moreover, Old Madam Shen was Shen Tingzhou's mother and Nian'an and Xixi's grandmother. For both moral and moral reasons, she could not sit idly by.
"Where's Tingzhou? He went to the county town on business. I'll go back with you to check on him." Lin Wanqiu made a quick decision, put down the sample in her hand, and followed Zhang Lan to the Shen family's old house.
The Shen family's old house remained much the same as it had been, only now it appeared somewhat dilapidated. The weeds in the yard grew tall, and spiderwebs swayed in the wind in the corners of the walls, giving it a desolate appearance. Old Mrs. Shen lay on the earthen bed in the east wing, her face pale, her eyes closed, her brows furrowed, and she occasionally let out a few groans.
Lin Wanqiu stepped forward and reached out to feel Old Mrs. Shen's forehead; her temperature was a little high. She then gently grasped Old Mrs. Shen's wrist, feeling her pulse—rapid and weak, clearly indicating that her physical condition was not good.
"When did you start feeling unwell? Did you eat anything unclean?" Lin Wanqiu's voice was calm and steady. At this moment, she shed her identity as an entrepreneur and was more like an experienced doctor. Over the years, she had never given up learning medical skills in the space, and she could handle minor illnesses and pains with ease.
Zhang Lan stood to the side, looking helpless, and said, "She was fine this morning, but after breakfast she said she felt dizzy. At first I thought she was faking it, but it got worse and worse, and she even vomited twice..."
Lin Wanqiu frowned but didn't reprimand Zhang Lan. She knew Zhang Lan was always lazy and greedy, and not exactly filial to Old Madam Shen. The fact that Zhang Lan even came to inform her was already quite kind of her.
"Go boil some water first, I'll wash Mom's face, and then go to the brigade clinic to ask Doctor Wang to come and take a look." Lin Wanqiu arranged things methodically, and as she spoke, she took out a clean handkerchief from her bag, dipped it in warm water, and gently wiped Old Lady Shen's cheeks.
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