At dawn, Dabao and Erbao got up. After washing their faces with water, Qin Lanlan got up.
"Dabao, Erbao, why did you get up so early today?"
Qin Lanlan was very puzzled because she never got up so early normally.
"Grandma, let's get up and recite the rhymes. Didn't we recite them fluently yesterday? Let's get up early and recite them. Mommy will check them today." Dabao and Erbao said in unison.
"If you study hard, grandma won't bother you anymore. I'll go cook and call you for breakfast when it's done." Qin Lanlan was very pleased to see her grandson being sensible. If Ye'er were still alive, he would probably be very happy to see Dabao and Erbao studying so hard.
Thinking of her short-lived son, Qin Lanlan was about to cry. In order not to let her two grandsons see, Qin Lanlan turned back to the kitchen.
Dabao and Erbao didn't notice what grandma did. After washing their faces, they went back to their room to recite the rhymes.
Qin Lanlan returned to the kitchen, wiped her tears, washed the rice and started to cook porridge.
Dabao and Erbao recited the formula in the room: "One plus one equals two, one plus two equals three, one plus three equals four, one plus four equals five, one plus five equals six, one plus six equals seven, one plus seven equals eight......"
"Mom, my eldest and second brothers are reciting the mantra." Li Yun and Sanbao woke up and washed their faces. Not seeing Dabao and Erbao up, they asked Sanbao to go get them to wash their faces and have breakfast. Unexpectedly, when Sanbao reached their room, he heard Dabao and Erbao reciting the mantra from inside. So, he shouted to his mother, "Dabao and Erbao are reciting the mantra."
Li Yun heard Sanbao's cry and came to Dabao and Erbao's room. He really heard Dabao and Erbao reciting the formula. So he pushed open the door and walked in.
"Dabao, Erbao, why did you get up so early today? You are reciting rhymes. You are so diligent. Mom is proud of you." Li Yun was very happy. It was her blessing that her two sons were so enthusiastic about studying.
"Mom, Erbao and I are not as good at studying as Sanbao.
I can only spend more time memorizing the formulas, hoping to learn from their strengths and make up for their weaknesses." Dabao explained to Li Yun why he and Erbao were memorizing the formulas.
"Dabao, Erbao, it's right for you to think like this. If we don't understand it the first time, we will recite it again. If we don't understand it the second time, we will recite it again, until we can recite it. If we are not as smart as others, we have to work twice as hard as others. If once is not enough, then twice, until we can recite it. Because genius is obtained by one percent talent and ninety-nine percent hard work." Li Yun was very pleased that Dabao and Erbao had a correct view of reading. They knew that since they were not as smart as Sanbao, they could rely on reciting more to meet the requirements.
"Big brother, second brother, you are so hardworking. Sanbao also wants to learn from you. Mother, I want to stay here and recite the formulas with big brother and second brother." Sanbao also wants to work as hard as big brother and second brother. Mother just praised big brother and second brother, and she also wants to be praised by mother.
"Okay, you three siblings, recite the formula here, and mom will go help grandma cook. I'll call you to eat when it's done. After dinner, mom will test you on the formula. The one who recites the best will be rewarded with candies you've never had before. You have to work hard for the candies! Mom is rooting for you!" Li Yun announced today's rewards.
When the three siblings heard that the prize was candy they had never tasted before, they all wanted to be first. They were all very interested in the candy their mother mentioned and were determined to get it.
"Mom, don't worry and go cook. I will recite well. I want to come first and get your candy." Sanbao said confidently.
"Sister, I won't let you win this time. I must take first place and get mom's candy." Erbao was not willing to lose to Sanbao at all, and said confidently.
"Although I am the eldest brother, I should give in to my younger siblings. But when it comes to studying, I don't want to let them lag behind. This time I am determined to win, and I will definitely surpass you and take first place." Dabao also had an expression full of frustration.
Li Yun was very pleased to see that the three children refused to give up. If they continued to study like this, there would be no fear of failure in the future.
"Since you three are unwilling to admit defeat, why don't we have a competition. Let's see who will be the champion in the end. The two who don't win the championship must be punished, which is not being able to eat candy for a month. The winner will not only have two candies every day, but your mother will also reward him (her) with five taels of silver. What do you think? Do you three dare to compete?" Li Yun came up with a good idea for the three children. Let them compete to see who will win in the end.
"Mom, I agree. I will definitely win the championship. You must keep your word and give me two candies every day, and five taels of silver. With the silver, Sanbao will buy you a hair flower." Sanbao was the first to agree. She was very confident about the competition.
"Since Sanbao has agreed, I, as the eldest brother, cannot lose to my younger sister, so I agree to the competition. I believe I will win, and you two just wait and see me eat candy." Dabao also agreed to the competition. He felt that although he was not as smart as Sanbao, he was willing to work hard and would definitely surpass Sanbao.
"Erbao, what about you? Dabao and Sanbao have agreed to compete. Do you have anything to say?" Li Yun asked Erbao, who had remained silent, to see if he wanted to compete. She was confident that Erbao would not let her down and would definitely challenge Dabao and Erbao.
Sure enough, after Li Yun finished speaking, Erbao accepted the challenge.
"Mother, I am your child too. Dabao and Erbao are both participating in the competition. Will I be so timid? Will I embarrass you? Definitely not. I will challenge Dabao and Erbao and become the final champion. Take five taels of silver and buy beautiful clothes for you." Erbao was not timid at all. He issued a declaration of war directly with the majesty of a general.
"Okay, it's settled. Mother will be the referee. The competition will begin after breakfast. Now, start reciting the formulas.
"Mom won't disturb you. I'm going to cook. You guys should work hard!" Li Yun said and left the room and went to the kitchen to help Qin Lanlan cook breakfast.
When Dabao, Erbao and Sanbao saw their mother leave, they started to recite the rhymes.
In less than half an hour, breakfast was ready. Li Yun asked the three siblings to come over for breakfast.
After everyone finished breakfast, Li Yun took Dabao, Erbao and Sanbao back to the room.
"Let's start reciting the formula now. Who will go first?" Li Yun announced the start of the competition.
"Mom, I'll go first." Sanbao was the first to recite the formula.
"Okay, Sanbao, you go first." Li Yun replied that Sanbao would be the first to recite.
"One plus one equals two, one plus two equals three, one plus three equals four, one plus four equals five..."
Sanbao recited quickly, clearly, and fluently, and Li Yun was captivated by her clear voice. It was truly beautiful, and Li Yun applauded Sanbao. Dabao and Erbao also applauded, saying, "Sister is truly amazing! They're definitely going to lose."
"Okay, Sanbao recited it really well. Not only are the characters clear but also fluent. Mother gives him ten points." Li Yun was really impressed by Sanbao.
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