The winter sun broke through the fog, warming the frozen soil of the Hongqi Production Brigade. Outside the auditorium of the Chenji Food Factory, vermilion pillars were wrapped with brand-new red silk, the ends of which were adorned with gilded bells that tinkled in the wind like birdsong announcing good news. In the open space in front of the gate, a newly erected canopy was covered with bright yellow tarpaulin, and hanging beneath it was a gold-embossed banner that read, "Congratulations to Miss Chen Nianxi for winning the gold medal in the National Children's Dance Competition." Sunlight shone on it, reflecting a dazzling golden light, attracting passing villagers to stop and admire it, their whispers as gentle as spring breezes.
"Look at this extravagance! Only Wanqiu's family has the ability to make a victory celebration banquet even more lively than the New Year."
"Nianxi is such a promising child, winning a national gold medal! She's the first child in our commune to be this talented. Wanqiu and her husband have finally made it through."
"I heard they even invited some big shots from the city, including the head of the provincial song and dance troupe. This is a great honor for our brigade!"
The auditorium was decorated with an elegant, ethereal beauty. Layers of pink and white gauze curtains, adorned with delicate pearl strings, hung from the ceiling. A gentle breeze caused the curtains to sway, and the pearls to clink softly. The walls were decorated with auspicious paper-cuts—magpies on plum blossoms, peacocks displaying their plumage—all designed by Lin Wanqiu herself, their red paper and gold patterns vividly lifelike. The floor was covered with a red carpet specially purchased from the county's supply and marketing cooperative, soft and silent underfoot. Neatly arranged octagonal tables stood on either side, each covered with a pale white tablecloth. In the center sat a celadon vase filled with fresh wintersweet and nandina, their subtle fragrance filling the air and soothing the soul.
Lin Wanqiu wore a well-tailored lake-blue silk dress with delicate lotus embroidery on the neckline. Her jet-black hair was styled in a bun, adorned with a pearl hairpin, which made her face appear even more gentle and radiant. She stood at the entrance of the hall to greet the guests, a polite smile on her face, but her eyes couldn't hide the fatigue of the past few days and an undisguised pride. She had been busy for nearly a week preparing for this celebration banquet, personally handling every detail from purchasing ingredients to setting up the venue. She had to ensure that the guests ate and played to their hearts' content, while also balancing elegance and affordability, and secretly arrange for people to keep an eye on Old Madam Shen and Zhang Lan's movements to prevent any mishaps. Only she knew the extent of her exhaustion.
"Sister Wanqiu, congratulations! Nianxi is truly outstanding, she has brought honor to us women!" The speaker was Wang Xiulian, the director of the Women's Federation in the brigade. She was wearing a dark blue Lenin suit and carrying a cloth bag in her hand, which contained a congratulatory gift for Nianxi—a handkerchief embroidered with a little rabbit.
Lin Wanqiu quickly stepped forward and grasped her hand, her smile sincere: "Director Wang, please come in. Thank you for making this special trip. Nianxi's success today is inseparable from your usual care."
"It's all thanks to the child's own hard work and your excellent teaching!" Wang Xiulian smiled as she walked into the auditorium, her eyes widening in amazement at the impressive decorations. She nodded repeatedly, "This grandeur is truly remarkable. Sister Wanqiu, you're becoming more and more capable."
Guests arrived one after another, including employees of the food factory, neighbors from the village, cadres from the commune, business partners from the county town, old comrades-in-arms of Shen Tingzhou, and experts from the Provincial Academy of Sciences invited by Su Wanqing. The auditorium was soon filled with lively chatter and laughter. Everyone congratulated Lin Wanqiu and Shen Tingzhou, their eyes frequently glancing at Shen Nianxi, who was surrounded by the crowd, their eyes full of affection and admiration.
Shen Nianxi wore a pink princess dress adorned with sparkling rhinestones, and a peace knot given to her by her father adorned her chest. Her face was flushed, a mixture of shyness and excitement. She obediently accepted everyone's blessings, her sweet and melodious "Thank you, uncles and aunts" and "Thank you, grandpa and grandma" eliciting even more affection from everyone. Shen Nian'an, dressed in a dark gray suit, stood tall and straight, accompanying Su Wanqing in entertaining the uncles and aunts from the Provincial Academy of Sciences. His speech was refined and articulate, belying his early twenties. Su Wanqing, in a light green dress, was gentle and graceful, helping Lin Wanqiu greet the female guests. The two worked together seamlessly, keeping the event running smoothly.
Shen Tingzhou, dressed in a crisp military uniform, stood tall and imposing, his face stern, yet a rare gentle smile appeared on his face when facing the guests' congratulations. He stayed close to Lin Wanqiu, occasionally accepting gifts from the guests, and softly asking if she was tired. The concern and doting in his eyes were evident to everyone around, drawing envy. "Are you tired? Why don't you go to the back and rest for a while? I'll keep an eye on things here," Shen Tingzhou whispered gently in Lin Wanqiu's ear.
Lin Wanqiu shook her head, a smile playing on her lips: "I'm not tired. Today is Nianxi's big day, I have to be with her." She turned to look at her daughter, who was surrounded by people, her eyes full of tenderness, "Look how happy she is. This is the most glorious day of her life."
Shen Tingzhou followed her gaze and saw the radiant smile on his daughter's face, a warm feeling welling up in his heart. He recalled the hardships his daughter endured while practicing dance, the way she stubbornly got up after falling, and the tears of excitement she shed when she won the gold medal. He felt both heartache and pride. "Our daughter has never let us down," Shen Tingzhou said firmly, squeezing Lin Wanqiu's hand. "In the future, we will give her even better opportunities so she can go further on her dance journey."
Just then, a commotion arose at the door, and Li Manjun, the director of the provincial song and dance troupe, walked in with several key members of the troupe. Li Manjun was dressed in a red cheongsam, with an elegant demeanor and remarkable manners. As soon as she entered, she smiled and said, "Shen Tingzhou, Lin Wanqiu, congratulations! Nianxi is truly a gifted child. Her performance of 'Spirit of the Peacock' was absolutely wonderful. I came here specifically to congratulate you."
Lin Wanqiu and Shen Tingzhou rushed forward to greet him, their faces beaming with delight: "Commander Li, your presence is truly an honor for us! Please come in, please come in!"
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