She made a dough, rolled it into a pancake, and topped it with cuttlefish rings, bell peppers, diced chicken, halved red tomatoes, and mushrooms. Then, she steamed this "seafood pie" like steamed buns.
Open the lid at the right time, and with the rising hot steam comes the aroma of wheat from the pie, as well as the fragrance of seafood and other ingredients.
Chen Lie looked at the freshly baked seafood pie. "It smells okay, but will Da Wa and the others like it?"
"Just like making hamburgers and French fries before, they have never seen the real thing. I say this is pizza, and this is pizza." Ning Tang said.
"Will that be delicious?"
"Don't worry, with so many ingredients, even steamed insoles would be delicious."
As expected, the three of them were very impressed. When Ning Tang placed the pizza on the table, they all exclaimed "Wow!", and the second girl even said, "It smells so good."
"Smells good, doesn't it?" Ning Tang said, "Eat it quickly. This is pizza, Western fast food."
The eldest child asked, "How do we eat this?"
Ning Tang took a knife and cut it into eight pieces. "Here, each of you take one piece."
Sanwa took a piece and tasted it. "It's delicious! This is the pizza that foreigners eat."
Chen Lie didn't believe it and tried a piece. Hey, you know what, it tasted really good. To put it bluntly, it was just a big seafood pie.
After lunch, the three little ones did not go out to set off firecrackers like they did in previous years.
Chen Lie asked them why they didn't go. The eldest child patted his chest and said, "We are middle school students, not little kids anymore. Why would we set off firecrackers?"
Er Niu exposed him, "You are just tired of playing around."
Since the three little ones refused to go out to play, Ning Tang assigned them a task and asked them to make dumplings for dinner.
The eldest, second, and third daughters have become skilled at making dumplings. Unlike the first time, they did not make the dumplings fall apart and turned into noodle soup as soon as they were put into the pot.
The eldest child saw Ning Tang take out the clay pot that had not been used for a long time and asked, "Mom, what are you going to make?"
"To do 'digging for gold ingots'." Ning Tang answered him casually.
"Digging for gold ingots?" Erniu asked.
"Yes." Ning Tang said.
During the Chinese New Year this year, she recalled that when she was at home, every New Year's Eve, Sun Aiju would steam a pot of bacon rice and bury a few water chestnuts in the rice. Whoever dug the water chestnuts would dig up gold ingots and get double the New Year's money.
Every time, she dug out this "ingot"; Ning Xue even made a fuss, saying that the bacon rice was made by Sun Aiju, and that they must have cheated.
This year, let the eldest boy and his two friends dig for gold ingots and experience the fun.
In the evening, after the bacon rice was steamed, Ning Tang gave a spoon to each of the eldest, second, and third children. "Whoever digs up a gold ingot will get double the New Year's money this year."
The three little ones looked at each other and raised their spoons together, "It must be me? Got it!"
In addition to bacon and water chestnuts, the bacon rice also contains peas, sausages, eggs and diced mushrooms. When the eldest, second and third daughters stir it with a spoon, the aroma overflows.
Chen Lie sniffed and turned on the TV. "Let's watch the Spring Festival Gala."
As soon as the news of holding the first Spring Festival Gala was confirmed, it was reported in the newspapers?
Chen Lie cut out the report and posted it next to the TV. Every day when the three little ones passed by, they would read the report and count the days, waiting to watch the Spring Festival Gala.
The Spring Festival Gala started. First, Mr. Zhao Zhongxiang gave a speech, the host introduced the guests and wished the people of the whole country a happy new year. Then the first program began, "New Year Greetings Song" sung by Ms. Li Guyi.
The Spring Festival Gala was broadcast live. Teacher Li Guyi faced the camera, her voice sweet and moving, her intonation flowing and graceful, "After the 30th, it's New Year's Day, eh..."
The eldest boy forgot to dig out the gold ingots. He held up the spoon and swayed left and right to the singing of teacher Li Guyi.
Erniu threw the spoon away, ran back to her room, took out the notebook she used to write down lyrics, squatted in front of the TV, and quickly copied down every line that Teacher Li sang.
The third child looked at the TV, then looked at his older brothers and sisters. He didn't understand. They were singing on TV, so he could just listen with his ears. He couldn't listen while digging for gold ingots.
He grabbed the spoon and increased the firepower, vowing to dig out gold ingots from this big pot of bacon rice today!
The program of the Spring Festival Gala is very exciting, with riddles, crosstalk, poetry recitation, Huangmei Opera, sketches, Peking Opera performances... It has everything. There is nothing they can't perform, only things the audience can't think of.
During the program, the host read out the program list.
The eldest child's eyes widened. "Why are there so many programs?" He clapped his hands. "Great! I can watch them for a long time."
Chen Lie said, "Because they have to perform until midnight, so we can stay up all night to celebrate the New Year."
Sanwa suddenly screamed, "We dug it up!"
Ning Tang leaned over to take a look and saw a ripe water chestnut lying perfectly on Sanwa's spoon. He smiled and said, "This year, I'll give Sanwa double the New Year's money."
Chen Lie also said, "Being able to dig up ingots, Sanwazi will definitely have good luck in the new year."
Sanwa chuckled, scratched his head, and said to Dawa and Erniu, "Don't worry, I will share the extra New Year's money with you."
Er Niu was busy watching a show and waved her hand, "Keep the flowers for yourself."
The eldest child said, "I won't be polite to you. Tomorrow I will treat you to some sour plums that have just arrived from the supply and marketing cooperative."
On the TV, the scene changed and the camera was focused on the audience. Er Niu exclaimed, "There are so many people."
Ning Tang took a quick look and found that some of the audience were celebrities with high social status, some were representatives of people of various ethnic groups, and some were on-site staff or family members of the Spring Festival Gala performers.
Er Niu held her little face in her hands and said intoxicatedly, "It would be great if one day I could also go up and perform."
Ning Tang said, "When the time comes, I, your father, and the eldest and third children will sit in the audience and watch your performance and applaud you."
The eldest child put his hands on his hips and said, "I don't want to watch Erniu perform, I want to perform myself."
Sanwa also said, "Me too?"
Chen Lie was amused. "What can you two do when you go up there? Will you get into trouble if you do that?"
The eldest child said: "Let's show you how to ride a bicycle."
Sanwa said, "Then I will perform 'Digging for Ingots'."
Time passed by amid the noisy sounds of the three little ones, and the time on the wall clock pointed to 11:59.
Ning Tang counted the time, "Let's count down. I'll count to five, and then start shouting, ten, nine... okay?"
The eldest child's heart was pounding. "Okay, let's shout together."
Chen Lie curled his lips and joined in the fun, "Ten, nine..."
Ning Tang: "Eight, seven..."
The three little ones shouted in unison, "Three, two, one!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the hour and minute hands on the wall clock pointed to twelve o'clock at the same time. At the same time, firecrackers rang out one after another outside the house, and half of the sky was illuminated red by the gorgeous fireworks.
Chen Lie glanced at the fireworks outside, then looked at Ning Tang, "Another year."
Ning Tang smiled back, "Well, another year?"
This year, because they have a TV and the Spring Festival Gala to watch, New Year's Eve is much more lively than in previous years. The three little ones have had a lot of fun.
They said they were going to stay up all night, but before three o'clock they were already closing their eyes?
The eldest child narrowed his eyes and muttered, "I won't go upstairs to sleep. I won't, I won't stay up to celebrate the New Year."
Ning Tang drove them back to their room. "I'll be the one guarding you, your dad. Go back to your room and sleep."
The eldest, second and third kids staggered up the stairs like three little quails and went back to their respective rooms.
Chen Lie tucked in the quilts for them, and Ning Tang stuffed the prepared lucky money under their pillows. He kept his word and really gave the three kids double the lucky money.
Walk out of the room and close the door gently.
The two looked at each other.
Ning Tang blinked, "Captain Shen, are you still sleepy?"
Chen Lie also blinked, "Have a drink?"
Ning Tang: "Let's go."
Serve some cold dishes, bring out the soaked sea buckthorn wine, and fill two cups.
Ning Tang raised his glass, "Happy New Year!"
Chen Lie clinked his glass with hers, drank it all in one gulp, and turned the glass upside down, leaving not a drop. "Happy New Year."
Ning Tang was slightly tipsy, with two peach-blossom-like blushes on her face. "Happy New Year?"
The New Year holiday passed by in a flash, and in the blink of an eye, school is about to start.
A week before school starts, it is time for the three little ones in the family to create a miracle with just a pen and a lamp.
This year's school start is more difficult for my eldest son than in previous years because he is in junior high school and has eight subjects to study, which means he has eight winter vacation homework assignments!
The eldest child threw down his pen and said, "Oh my God, when will I ever finish this?"
Chen Lie: "There's no point in yelling. Hurry up and write. If you can't finish, I'll slap your palm."
The eldest child wanted to cry but had no tears. "Can I go back to elementary school?"
Chen Lie was confused, "Why?" He finally got promoted to a higher school.
Ning Tang said: "Because he only has to study Chinese and mathematics in elementary school, he can do six less winter vacation homework."
Shen Lie sneered, "Shen Da Wa, you are really promising."
The three kids worked hard and finally finished their homework the day before school started.
In a blink of an eye, it has been two months since the start of school.
After school that afternoon, Sanwa said, "Mom, can you make me a pair of swimming trunks?"
Ning Tang asked, "Why make swimming trunks?"
Sanwa said, "Principal Lu is calling me? I'm going to a swimming competition. I need to bring my own swimming trunks."
"Swimming competition?" Ning Tang was stunned. "What swimming competition?"
Sanwa shook his head and said, "I don't know. Principal Lu didn't tell me in detail."
The older kid knew, "It's the swimming competition held by our junior high school. Principal Lu is the organizer. Anyone who wants to participate can sign up. The fastest swimmers will receive certificates and prizes."
There is only one principal for all primary, middle and high schools on the island, Principal Lu, but the vice principal is usually in charge.
"That's great." Ning Tang said, "I'll sew you two pairs of swimming trunks." Then he asked Er Niu, "Will you join us?"
Er Niu shook her head and said, "I'm not interested, and Principal Lu didn't call me."
After all, it was a swimming competition held among junior high school students, and the main participants were junior high school students. The elementary school children were too young to see anything.
Ning Tang was surprised. "Then why did you yell? Sanwa?"
Sanwa scratched his head and said, "I don't know either. Just participate. There are prizes anyway."
This kid is still obsessed with the prizes for the school anniversary party.
Chen Lie came back and heard about this. He knew more than the three little ones. "...In recent years, the higher-ups have been paying more and more attention to sports. When we compete with foreign friends, we... always fall short. So they said they need to recruit talents on a large scale, striving for both arts and sports. For example, in track and field, gymnastics, table tennis, swimming, the whole country will select from every level, from the province to the county level. As long as you have a strong point, your background won't matter."
Hailang Island is close to the sea, and children on the beach are good at swimming. This time, most of the swimming talents are selected in cities near the sea.
Ning Tang nodded. "So that's how it is. No wonder they're holding a competition to select talents."
I told the eldest, second, and third children, "I'll make you two pairs of swimming trunks later." Then I thought about it and said, "It doesn't matter if we don't win any prizes. The important thing is that we participated."
Hailang Island is close to the sea, and children who grew up by the sea are much better at swimming. The eldest and third children may not be able to swim better than others.
The eldest child puffed up his cheeks and said, "Mom, can't you just hope for the best for us?" He clenched his fist and said, "We will definitely come back with first place."
Ning Tang was amused. "Come on, you can't even swim as fast as Sanwa."
She pulled down two pieces of cloth from upstairs. "Principal Lu is really a hassle. He insists on asking for swimming trunks. Don't you know my craftsmanship is not good? Don't expose your butt while swimming."
The eldest child thought about it and decided that this was very possible. "Then I'll wear another pair of shorts underneath."
Principal Lu didn't mean to make things difficult for everyone. The main thing was that there would be leaders watching the swimming competition, and if they all wore briefs, it wouldn't have much of an impact. Okay, let those who have the means get some boxer shorts, which will look more neat.
Thanks to the liberalization of the policy in the past two years, factories have been spinning cloth on a large scale. Cloth is no longer supplied solely by tickets. Every household with extra money has stockpiled a lot of cloth, and the children's clothes are now wearing more colorful clothes. Now there is extra cloth to make things like swimming trunks.
Ning Tang did what he said. He made a pair of 'swimming trunks' for the eldest and third child respectively. They were just small boxer shorts, and he even ingeniously sewed little silver fish and coconut trees on them.
Ning Tang unfolded the finished swimming trunks and was very satisfied. Her skills had been honed over the past few years. Although the sewing was not as vivid as Zeng Xinlan's, at least it would not flake or fall apart, right?
With the new swimming trunks, the eldest and third children were very happy and couldn't wait to participate in the swimming competition.
Ning Tang asked, "Where is the competition held?"
The eldest child said, "Just stand by the beach, draw a line, and whoever reaches the end first wins."
Sanwa said, "Mom, Second Sister, do you want to go and see it?"
The two asked about the time, but both said they couldn't go. Erniu was listening to music on the radio. Sister Lijun had released a new song.
Ning Tang couldn't get up, and the beach was too sunny, so he encouraged the eldest and third children, "We support you mentally."
Er Niu asked, "I wonder what prizes I'll get if I win. Pens, notebooks, or enamel pots?"
Sanwa said, "I want an enamel pot."
After Erniu got the enamel pot that was called "the most glorious thing for women", she treasured it very much and would not let anyone touch it except Ningtang.
Last time, Sanwa felt itchy and wanted to touch it, but Erniu chased him all over the military compound.
They participated in the swimming competition for a whole day.
Ning Tang calculated the time and thought it was time for her to return. Just as she was about to go to the kitchen to cook, she heard the jingle of a bicycle bell. The eldest child hurried into the house, "Dad, Mom, Principal Lu will be coming to our house soon."
Chen Lie was stunned. "What are you doing here?" He frowned and said, "Tell me, what did you do wrong? Is it serious or not?" Without waiting for the eldest child to answer, he added, "It's probably not a small matter, otherwise Principal Lu wouldn't be here."
The eldest child shook his head and said, "I didn't do anything wrong."
I just participated in a swimming competition, what could be wrong?
Sanwa puffed up his cheeks and said, "Nothing wrong. We performed very well. We even took first place in the swimming competition. However, Principal Lu said that the prize and certificate will be given to me tomorrow."
Ning Tang waved his hand. "No matter how big the world is, eating is the most important thing. Let's eat first. If there's anything, we can talk about it after Principal Lu comes."
While the family was having dinner, Principal Lu first went to the army, and then rode his bicycle to the Shen family.
He arrived quite late. When he arrived, Ning Tang was already discussing having a midnight snack with the three little ones.
Ning Tang welcomed Principal Lu into the room. "Principal Lu, please come in. Excuse me, is there anything I can help you with?"
What's the big deal? Come home at night.
Chen Lie stood up and said, "Did the eldest and third children get into trouble? Tell me, I will definitely educate them well."
Principal Lu took a sip of the tea Ning Tang poured for him, waved his hand, and said with a smile, "No, they didn't get into trouble. I came here because I have some good news to tell you."
Ning Tang and Shen Lie looked at each other, "What good news?"
Principal Lu said with a smile, "The good news is that Shen Xiangdong has been selected for the Navy swimming team."
Ning Tang: "Navy?"
Shen Lie: "Swimming team?"
In unison: "Elected?"
"Yes," Principal Lu said, "The swimming competition we're holding this time is to select talents for the swimming team." He glanced at Ning Tang and Shen Lie, "You guys know this, right?"
Of course they knew, but neither of them took it seriously.
Principal Lu continued, "Student Shen Xiangdong swims incredibly fast. He's already halfway through the race, while others have just started, and he's already reached the finish line. The students competing with him are still struggling halfway."
What Principal Lu said was quite modest. During the competition, Sanwa was like a flash of lightning, and he passed by in an instant, leaving behind a trail of white waves. Principal Lu turned around and said a few words to others. When he looked back, his eyes almost popped out because this kid had already reached the finish line.
The leader who was watching the game with Principal Lu suddenly stood up and pointed at Sanwa, "Who is this kid? Why do you want him?!"
In particular, the people competing with Sanwa were a group of junior high school students, but he was just an elementary school student, but he was able to leave others behind. His talent is limitless.
Principal Lu was very proud of himself. Fortunately, when the leader of the Navy Swimming Team asked him to organize a swimming competition, he remembered that Sanwa swam particularly fast in the diving competition, so he reminded him to let Sanwa participate.
Hey, unexpectedly, Sanwa not only won the first place, but was also noticed by the leader of the navy swimming team.
What is this called? This is called Bole and the Thousand-Li Horse.
Principal Lu is the Bole, and Sanwa is the steed.
Principal Lu recounted what happened during the swimming competition and then said, "You should say goodbye properly these few days. By this Friday at the latest, Shen Xiangdong will have to leave for the Navy Swimming Team's training base."
This unexpected news stunned the family of five. Principal Lu had already left, and they still hadn't reacted.
Ning Tang immediately got furious. "Say goodbye, Sanwa is just a child, why would he go to a training base?"
The eldest and second daughter are older and have half understood the situation. Does this mean that the third daughter is leaving?
The two children stood there in a daze, not saying a word.
Sanwa was the only one who was still confused. "Why did Principal Lu leave? He hasn't given me the prize and certificate yet!"
Chen Lie slapped him on the forehead in anger, "It's already this late, and you're still thinking about prizes and certificates."
Being selected for the Navy swimming team is much more valuable than any prize or certificate. No matter how rich the school is, the prizes and certificates it can give out are at most some kind of pen, notebook, enamel pot or basin.
After going to the training base, at Sanwa's age, he will be a reserve member of the swimming team. If he performs well, he may be able to join the national team. At that time, his future will be even brighter.
Ning Tang turned away, "I don't agree. I'll tell Principal Lu tomorrow to turn it down and tell him that Sanwa won't be going."
No matter how high-sounding the name is, as long as it has the word "training" in it, it is definitely not an easy place.
Shen Lie felt a pang of bitterness in his heart, "This is a good thing."
Principal Lu said that from the entire Hailang Island, including the neighboring Jiang City and Long City, only Sanwa was selected. It is conceivable how rare this opportunity is.
Ning Tang said, "Sanwa is still so young, are you sure you want him to be alone?"
Sanwa puffed up his cheeks and said, "I'm not a kid at all. I'm already ten years old this year."
Chen Lie gently advised, "Didn't Principal Lu say that not only him, but the other selected children will also go to the base. The base will assign them nutrition teachers to take care of their health, as well as cultural teachers, so they won't fall behind in their studies."
He paused, "With so many people taking care of me, maybe I'll be more comfortable here than at home."
The third child is not like the eldest child, who is particularly good at math, nor is he like the second child, who is good at all subjects. His grades are very average, always hovering around the passing line, and it is common for him to come home carrying a red lantern.
Chen Lie and Ning Tang sometimes worried that he wouldn't be able to get into college or even go to high school.
But if he joins the Navy swimming team, he will be an athlete in the future. No matter what, the country will definitely provide him with a job.
This is really a great place for Sanwa.
Ning Tang knew this in his heart, but he just couldn't get around it.
Even though they are not biological children, they have been together for so many years and have developed feelings for each other. Who can bear it if the child is suddenly taken away from her?
Erniu had already started wiping away her tears, holding onto Sanwa's hand tightly. Who could have imagined that just by participating in a swimming competition, her brother would be going to that damn training base? They didn't know if they would ever see each other again. "Sanwa, let me see you again."
The eldest child also said, "Before you leave, let's take a few more photos as a family."
After the Chinese New Year, Chen Lie bought a camera.
Sanwa also realized, "So, we're going to Shanghai, to that Navy Swimming Team training base, to become an athlete?"
Ning Tang recovered a little, "Yeah."
Sanwa shook his head and said, "I won't go."
He didn't want to leave his parents, his brother and sister, and Hailang Island.
Chen Lie scolded him lightly, "It's up to you whether you want to go or not. Since you've been chosen by the country, you have to contribute your efforts." He patted Sanwa's shoulder and whispered, "You're a man, a soldier's son. You have to be strong and act happy. Don't make your mother cry."
Sanwa pouted and said "hmm" in a depressed tone.
Chen Lie went on to comfort Ning Tang, "Ten years old is not young anymore. Back then, I joined the army at sixteen and was away from home for so many years."
Ning Tang glared at him. "You already said that you joined the army at the age of sixteen, and Sanwa is only ten. Ten years old, how old are you? Do you want me to teach you again?"
Chen Lie coughed and said, "Didn't Principal Lu say that the training base isn't completely closed off? We can go visit Sanwa. During holidays, Sanwa can also go home for the holidays."
Ning Tang also remembered that Principal Lu had said that the Navy Swimming Team's training base was in Shanghai, so Sanwa wouldn't be completely unfamiliar with the area. "Your eldest uncle is also in Shanghai. I'll write him a letter when the time comes. If you have any problems that can't be solved by the teachers and leaders at the base, you can go to your eldest uncle."
The uncle I am talking about is Ning Jun, the director of a district police station in Shanghai.
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