Mrs. Luo wiped the dirt off her hands with her clothes, went to the kitchen and got out four cans of sweet and sour radishes. "Here, Xiaoning. I apologize to you again on behalf of Qingqing. She is young and doesn't know much."

Ning Tang took the sweet and sour radish and said, "It's really okay, sister-in-law."

Sister Luo paused, "Sister-in-law, let me ask you one more thing. Why did you marry Captain Shen?"

Not to mention that Zhao Qing didn't understand, Mrs. Luo was actually also confused about Ning Tang marrying Captain Shen.

After getting to know each other for some time, Mrs. Luo discovered that Ning Tang was not only pretty, but also a very smart and independent girl.

Such a girl married a widowed soldier as her stepmother. To be honest, Mrs. Luo felt that Shen Lie was marrying above her station.

Ning Tang said, "There's nothing else to say. There are mainly two reasons. First, Shen Lie has good conditions and a high salary. If I marry him, I won't have to work in the fields. Second, I don't want to have children. Shen Lie already has three children, a boy and a girl. He won't let me have one."

Mrs. Luo nodded, "I understand. I'll go tell Qingqing about it later. If she dares to say that to you again, I'll make sure to beat her up."

Ning Tang waved her hands and said, "It's up to you, sister-in-law. But I'll say this in advance. If Zhao Qing embarrasses me again, I won't be polite."

She is a person who never gets angry.

If not this time? For Mrs. Luo's sake, she could make Zhao Qing cry.

When I got home, Shen Lie had already prepared the meal.

Finely chopped vegetables and lean meat are boiled into a pot of vegetable and lean meat porridge with an aroma that is irresistible.

The three children were awakened by the smell of porridge. The eldest child rubbed his eyes and went downstairs in a daze, "Dad, what delicious food are you cooking? It smells so good."

Shen Lie brought the porridge to the table, "Let's have green vegetable and lean meat porridge."

The eldest child's eyes lit up, "Wait a minute, I'll wash my face and come right over."

Ning Tang placed four earthenware jars in the corner of the kitchen. Shen Lie asked, "What are these?"

"Mrs. Luo gave them to me. They're sweet and sour radishes. I'll scoop some out on a plate. They're perfect to eat with porridge." Ning Tang said.

Ning Tang put the sweet and sour radishes on the table. The white radishes were cut into small cubes and decorated with red peppers. The sight of them made people's appetites whet.

Shen Lie took a sip of porridge and put a piece of sweet and sour radish into his mouth. It tasted sour, sweet, spicy, and crisp, and went very well with rice. "Mm, delicious."

He ate breakfast while chatting: "I have mowed the grass in the yard. What do you think we should plant? How about we do what Mrs. Luo did and plant some fruits and vegetables in the yard?"

Ning Tang: "No, I don't have the energy to serve you."

If we really grow fruits, vegetables and melons, it is equivalent to farming in disguise, except that we move the place from Shangang Village to Hailang Island.

Shen Lie curled his lips, "Are you too lazy to death?"

Ning Tang glanced at him and said, "If you are not lazy, then you can plant the whole land and take care of it."

Shen Lie didn't have the time, "Then what do you want to plant?"

Ning Tang thought for a moment and said, "Let's plant mint, that kind of wild grass that smells very fresh. I heard from my eldest son that there is mint in the back mountain. Plant a bunch of mint in the yard and under the windowsill. It can repel mosquitoes in summer. The mint leaves can also be used to make tea to clear away heat and relieve summer heat."

Shen Lie: "It's almost winter, why are you still repelling mosquitoes? Where do the mosquitoes come from?" Having said that, he called Da Wa and Er Niu, "When you two go to the back mountains, dig up a few plants and bring them back."

The eldest child swallowed the porridge and nodded, "Then Dad, you have to make candy for us."

"Sugar biscuits?" Shen Lie turned an inquiring look towards Ning Tang.

"It's made by coating the dough with syrup and rolling it into a pancake shape. Then, frying it in oil until both sides are golden brown. When you take a bite, you'll first taste the crispiness of the skin, and then the hot and sweet syrup." Ning Tang said.

Shen Lie licked his lips and said, "That sounds good. Okay, big kids, pick the mint and I'll make some candy for you."

Two days later, Da Wa and Er Niu dug up mint from the back mountain, and Shen Lie planted them in the yard.

When the breeze blows, the green mint sways in the wind, emitting a faint and refreshing fragrance.

Shen Lie rested one hand on the wooden handle of the hoe, glanced at the mint he had grown, then glanced at the green onion, ginger and garlic sprouts grown in the yard of the Su family opposite. He suddenly felt that the things he grew were more classy.

He raised his eyebrows. Why is there still no movement in the Su family's yard at this time? Usually at this time, Ning Xue would be in the yard tending to her small plot of land. "I haven't seen your cousin in the past two days. What's wrong? Is she sick and hasn't left the house?"

How could Ning Tang know that she didn't care about Ning Xue at all.

The eldest child swallowed the candy biscuit made by Shen Lie and raised his hand, "I know."

Shen Lie was happy. "Then you tell me."

"We are about to take the final exams in the first grade, and our aunt is asking Su Guangzong and Su Yaozu to study. Don't say that she never leaves the house. It's rare to see Su Guangzong and Su Yaozu, aren't you?" said the eldest kid.

Shen Lie thought about it for a moment, and it seemed to be like this. He lowered his head and glanced at the eldest child, "The final exam is coming up, so why don't you do the same as him and study hard."

What's so fun about reviewing? The eldest child rolled his eyes and said, "I'm hungry. I'll go back to the room and get some candy."

Shen Lie sneered, "You're itching, come back with the red lantern and I'll beat you up."

"What can I do? Stir-fried bamboo shoots with meat." Ning Tang said, "Captain Shen, what are we having for dinner?"

Shen Lie put the hoe back into the house and said, "Let's have crispy fried chicken legs and silver noodles with duck soup."

Ning Tang was stunned. "What kind of festival is today? Why are there so many flowers blooming?"

Shen Lie: "It's not a holiday, I'm in a good mood." He also took the opportunity to annoy Ning Xue and let her provoke the big kid.

Ning Tang called out to the house, "Big boy, don't eat the candy, save some space for us, your dad is going to cook chicken and duck for us."

Boiled chicken or duck?

The eldest child's ears twitched, he put down the half-bitten cookie, and ran out of the house, "Really, stepmother, are you lying to me so that I can leave the cookie for you to eat?"

Ning Tang sneered, "That's all you can do. If you don't believe me, ask your dad."

The eldest child looked at Shen Lie, and Shen Lie said, "Really? Look carefully, it's just a big crispy chicken drumstick. We have it at home, too. I'll even make duck soup and silver noodles for you."

The eldest child's mouth was almost stretched to his ears. "Dad, you are so nice." He thought for a moment and added, "You are a better dad than the stepmother next door."

Compare him with Ning Xue? Shen Lie blew his beard and glared.

Seeing that Shen Lie was about to get angry, the eldest child quickly said, "Dad, I'll light the fire for you."

Shen Lie snorted, "That's better."

Crispy chicken legs and duck soup silver noodles were served. Ning Tang picked up a few silver noodles with chopsticks and put them into his mouth with the sauce. He raised his thumb and said, "Captain Shen, your cooking skills are good."

The eldest child took a bite of the crispy chicken drumstick. He first tasted the crispy skin and then the tender chicken meat. He couldn't help but exclaimed, "So this is what crispy chicken drumsticks taste like. So delicious!"

Erniu, "I still think the sugar cookies are delicious." She prefers the sweeter ones. "Sanwa, do you think so?"

Sanwa also liked the cookie more and nodded his little head hard.

Shen Lie was happy. "If you like, I'll make it for you tomorrow. It's just a candy cookie, not worth the effort."

The eldest child rolled his eyes and said, "Dad, I like crispy chicken drumsticks, too."

Shen Lie said with a fake smile, "Shen Da Wa, say it again."

The eldest child wanted to cry but couldn't. "I, I like candy cookies."

Ning Xue was in the house tutoring Su Guangzong and Su Yaozu in their studies.

She graduated from high school and tutored two first-grade children, which was more than enough for her.

Su Guangzong leaned over the table, holding the pencil with his tender little hands, revealing a large part of the end. He sniffed, "What a nice smell, like the smell of fried chicken legs."

Su Yaozu twisted his butt restlessly and said coquettishly, "Mom——"

Ning Xue touched the twins' heads and said, "Be good, study hard and I will cook for you at noon."

"Cook big chicken legs?" Su Yaozu asked.

Of course not. Last time, in order to differentiate herself from Ning Tang, Ning Xue bought chicken for several days and spent quite a bit of money. Su Junyan often told her that she should at least be frugal for the time being.

"No? Let's do it later. Let's eat seafood today." Ning Xue said.

Su Yaozu frowned and said, "No, I want to eat crispy fried chicken legs."

Ning Xue loved the twins from the bottom of her heart, "Okay, okay, when your dad comes back this afternoon, I'll talk to him about making the big chicken drumsticks, okay?"

Su Yaozu was satisfied and said sweetly, "Mom, you are so nice."

Su Guangzong added, "Better than our own mother."

When Ning Xue heard the twins say that she was better than their biological mother, she felt as if she had drunk a bag of honey.

"You two should study hard and try to get first place in both subjects this time. If your dad is happy, I will cook chicken drumsticks for you every day."

The twins said in a crisp voice, "Okay, let's study hard and get first place in the exam."

Ning Xue smiled and nodded.

She also figured it out: relying on food to compete is not a long-term solution.

Raising both children into talented people is the real thing, and Ning Tang will be the envy of you then.

Thinking of this, Ning Xue asked the twins, "Have you played with the older baby recently?"

Su Guangzong shook his head? He shook his head, "No."

Ning Xue: "The final exam is coming up soon, I wonder if my cousin has forced him to study."

The older one looked very smart. She was afraid that if she overtook the twins and got the first place in the class in the exam, she would be very angry.

Su Yaozu said, "Hey, don't worry, Mom. The eldest boy plays outside every day and doesn't pay attention in class. Besides, his stepmother doesn't seem to force him to study. It's not like you keep an eye on my brother and me studying every day. He will definitely not be able to pass the exam as well as us."

Ning Xue thought the same thing. She nodded and said, "You're right." Then she continued, "Here, this is how we do it..."

At the end of December, the entire Hailang Island was dressed in autumn and winter clothes, and the eldest child was about to take the final exam for the first grade.

On the morning of the exam, Shen Lie got up early and made breakfast.

After watching the eldest child eat and drink his fill, she sent him to school and reminded him, "Do your best on the exam. Don't be careless and make mistakes. Check your answers at least twice." She added, "I'll make you something delicious when you come back in the evening."

The eldest child swallowed his saliva and said, "What's delicious?"

"If you do well in the exam, you'll get a big meal. If you do poorly, you'll get fried pork with bamboo shoots." Ning Tang added.

When he heard the four big words "Stir-fried Bamboo Bamboo Shoots with Pork", the eldest boy was startled and waved his hand, "I'm leaving first." After saying that, he disappeared in a flash.

Shen Lie looked at his back, his heart in turmoil.

Ning Tang was puzzled and asked, "It's just an exam." Or the final exam for the first grade, "Are you that nervous?"

Shen Lie said, "You don't understand. This is a matter of face."

"Is it a matter of face?" Ning Tang said, "Whether he does well or poorly on the test is his own business. If he is embarrassed, it's his own face. What does it have to do with you?"

Shen Lie glanced at her sideways, "You don't understand. If the eldest son comes back with two red lanterns, and I go to the army, people will ask me, 'Hey, Captain Shen, I heard that your eldest son is in the first grade this year, how many points did he get in the exam this time?' What do you want me to say? Say he failed? Where will my face go then?"

He paused, then continued, "I am also a regimental commander, and I have battalion commanders and company commanders under me... If the sons and daughters of the soldiers under me all score better than my eldest son, I will be so embarrassed. People will then say, 'Oh, the sons and daughters of the battalion commander and company commander all scored 80 or 90 points, why did my eldest son only score so little?'"

Ning Tang was happy. She didn't expect Shen Lie to have this side. She stood on tiptoe and patted Shen Lie on the shoulder. "Okay, then you can pray slowly at home. Pray that your eldest son can get a perfect score in the exam."

The next day, Ning Tang went to visit Luo's wife. "Sister-in-law, the sweet and sour radish you gave me last time was so delicious. Teach me how to make it."

Mrs. Luo looked straight ahead, holding the insole in her left hand and the needle in her right hand. She stabbed, "Ouch!"

Ning Tang stretched out his hand and waved it in front of her, "Sister-in-law?"

Mrs. Luo came back to her senses, "I was distracted just now? Xiaoning, what did you just say?"

"I say, sister-in-law, the sweet and sour radish you made is sour, spicy, crispy and especially delicious. I want you to teach me how to make it." Ning Tang said.

Mrs. Luo: "Oh, okay, this is very simple. Cut the white radish into strips or cubes, first take salt water, then add two spoons of white sugar, chili, half a bowl of white vinegar, two bowls of boiled water, marinate for two days and it's done."

Ning Tang nodded and took note of the idea. "I understand. By the way, sister-in-law, what were you thinking about just now? Why were you distracted?"

Mrs. Luo pinched the index finger that had just been pricked by the needle. "Qingqing has final exams in the next two days. I was thinking about her exams. She will graduate next year. I don't know what to do in the future."

Ning Tang recalled for a moment. It was now 1976, and next year, 1977, the college entrance examination would be resumed.

Zhao Qing is only seventeen years old. It is not too late for him to study for another two years.

"You can study for another year to consolidate your knowledge. There's a rumor from above that the college entrance examination might be resumed next year. Maybe you can pass it and become a college student." Ning Tang said.

Mrs. Luo waved her hands and said, "I know my own children. This girl has always been at the bottom of the class in terms of grades. This year, she will probably have to carry two red lanterns again during the Spring Festival. Let alone studying for another year, she will still be the same even if she studies for another ten years."

She sighed, "My husband, Mr. Zhao, has always advised me that grades are not important for a girl. When I graduate from high school, he will ask someone to find a job for me in the Jiang City Textile Factory."

Ning Tang, "That's good too. A regular employee in a textile factory, a stable job, and you can earn a lot every year."

After chatting for a few more sentences, Ning Tang saw that Mrs. Luo's attention was not there, so she said goodbye and went home.

When I got home, it was already six o'clock and Shen Lie had not returned home yet.

It's the end of the year, he is very busy and often comes home late.

Ning Tang didn't care and asked the three little ones, "What do you want to eat?"

The eldest child said without hesitation, "Eat meat."

Ning Tang was happy. "How about a pickled cabbage hotpot? Use pickled cabbage as the base of the hotpot, add some beef, mutton, and fish balls."

Erniu drooled as she listened to this, and slurped, "Is this what you want to eat?"

The sauerkraut hotpot is ready. The soup base is light green, with milky white fish balls floating on top and undulating red meat slices. It makes one's appetite whet just by looking at it.

While waiting for the food to be cooked, the eldest child asked, "Mom, if Dad doesn't come home tonight, can we still eat like this?"

When his mother was around and his father was not at home, the family did not cook such delicious dishes. At most, they would have pickled vegetables and steamed buns.

It's nothing like Ningtang, which has both fish and meat.

Ning Tang said, "Of course, Captain Shen has a big appetite. If he wants to eat at home, there won't be any left for us. While he's away, we should eat more delicious food and give it to him to save money."

Ning Tang scooped a bowl of pickled cabbage soup, put a few fish balls in the soup, and gave it to Sanwa, "Let it cool down before eating."

The third child nodded, held the bowl with his two little hands, and blew air into it in small sips.

The two big ones didn't even need Ning Tang to watch over them, they just put their chopsticks into the food in the pot.

Ning Tang saw that the three little ones were eating with relish and couldn't help but eat a little more, too, half a bowl.

It was nine o'clock in the evening before Shen Lie came back.

As soon as he came back, he yelled, "Is there anything to eat? I'm starving."

Ning Tang glanced at him and asked, "What's wrong? Did the army cafeteria not feed you enough?"

Shen Lie waved his hands and said, "I was in meetings all night, and I have digested all the food I had for dinner."

Ning Tang went into the kitchen and cooked him a bowl of noodles. The soup base was the leftover sauerkraut soup from the sauerkraut hotpot at dinner. The thin white noodles were dotted with a few fish balls, a handful of green vegetables, a poached egg, and two drops of sesame oil.

Shen Lie didn't mind, he picked up the bowl, ate the noodles in a few bites, wiped his mouth, and said, "Oh, comfortable."

He glanced at the kid next to him and said, "I've been too busy these days to ask you, how did you do in your final exam?"

In the past few days, all the primary, middle and high schools on the island have finished their exams one after another. Everyone asks everyone they meet, "How did your children do in the exams?" Shen Lie is no exception.

The eldest child pouted and said, "Dad, you find me when you are full. I don't know how I did in the exam. I will go to school to get the report card in two days."

Ning Tang was also happy, patted Shen Lie on the shoulder, and said with emotion, "Alas, Captain Shen is always eager for his son to become a dragon."

Shen Lie glanced at her and said, "You also want your son to be a successful person. What if your son comes back with two red lanterns on his back? If someone asks you about it, will you be embarrassed to tell them?"

"Why should I be embarrassed?" Ning Tang pointed at herself. "I am the stepmother. Whether the eldest child does well or not in the exam has nothing to do with me. People will only say, 'Look, how stupid is the child born to Captain Shen and his ex-wife? How come he only got such a low score?'"

She said, "Besides, this exam is not for us. This is Da Wa's exam. Whether he does well or not is his own business. He doesn't take it seriously and doesn't study hard. He deserves to be criticized when he comes back with a red lantern. Similarly, if he gets 100% on the exam, he deserves to be envied and praised. Captain Shen, Da Wa's exam has nothing to do with you."

Head Shen curled his lips, "You are always right." He looked at the eldest child, "If you do well in the exam, I will give you double the red envelope this year."

When Da Wa heard this, he wished he could go back to the examination room and review the test paper three times.

The Chinese New Year is coming soon, and Ning Xue is at home sewing Chinese New Year clothes for Su Junyan, Su Guangzong and Su Yaozu.

A large piece of red cloth with white auspicious clouds embroidered on it, it looks beautiful and stylish.

Ning Xue spread out the cut clothes and nodded with satisfaction.

When Li Yun saw the exquisite dress, she said enviously, "Your craftsmanship is so good. The embroidery looks just like the real thing."

Ning Xue curled her lips slightly, "Where? If it's not that, you can embroider it."

Li Yun looked at the clothes in her hands and pouted her lips in disgust, "Just comfort me. Look, I can't even sew properly. If I bring clothes like this back, my little six will definitely make a fuss."

Ning Xue said, "It's okay, I'll sew it for you again later."

Li Yun rolled her eyes slyly, "Then it's settled. Oh, by the way, my little Xiaoliu still likes the little tiger you sewed for your twins last time. Can you help me sew it on as well?"

She gestured, "It should be sewn a little bigger, preferably two palms' worth. If it's smaller, my little six will make trouble again."

Tiger head?

Ning Xue remembered that last time the twins' pants had holes in them, and she thought patching them would not look good, so she ingeniously sewed a lifelike tiger head on them, which ruined the twins' happiness.

Li Yun's son Liu Xiaoliu was in the same class as Su Guangzong and Su Yaozu. It was probably because Liu Xiaoliu saw them when they were wearing the clothes to school, so he pestered Li Yun for it.

Ning Xue hesitated a bit and didn't agree right away, because sewing this "tiger head" would take a lot of effort.

It required five kinds of threads, red, white, blue, yellow and black, as well as pink, wheat green, eggplant purple, silver foil and colored silk for inlay and decoration. It took her a whole week to sew it.

Moreover, the tiger head she sewed was as big as a fist. This time, Li Yun specifically asked for two tiger heads as big as palms. After completing this set of skills, she won't be able to sleep for weeks!

Li Yun noticed her hesitation and pretended to sigh, "Well, if you don't want to, forget it. I thought we were good friends, but it seems I was overthinking."

Hearing this, Ning Xue gritted her teeth and said, "Okay, I'll sew it for you. I promise to help you make clothes for your little six by the end of the month."

Li Yun smiled contentedly, holding her hand with one hand and stuffing the clothes into her hand with the other hand, "Then I'll trouble you."

As soon as Li Yun left, Ning Xue started working overtime to sew Liu Xiaoliu's clothes.

While she was sewing, she looked outside absentmindedly, because today was the day when the twins from the Su family would return home with their excellent grades in the final exams for the first grade.

Ning Xue hadn't slept well since two days ago.

It’s the same now. With the next shot, you can look outside the house three times.

At 4:30, the loud laughter of Su Guangzong and Su Yaozu could be heard from outside the house.

Ning Xue's eyes sparkled, she put down the work in her hands, and went out to greet them, "Guangzong, Yaozu, you're back."

Su Yaozu tightened his cross-body bag, held his head high and said in a crisp voice, "Mom, we're back."

Ning Xue asked without thinking, "How was it? How many points did you get in the final exam?"

Su Guangzong and Su Yaozu looked at each other, their little faces were full of smiles, and they said in unison, "We both scored 100 points in this exam! We are the first in the class!"

"How much?" Ning Xue almost fainted on the spot after hearing such good news.

Su Yaozu stepped forward and shook Ning Xue's arm. "My brother and I both got 100 points in Chinese and math. Mom, you have to make delicious food for us and buy fun things as rewards for us."

Su Guangzong was a little more calm than his brother, but he also said, "My brother and I were the only ones in the class who scored 100 points in the exam. Even the teacher praised us for being smart."

"Okay, okay." Ning Xue said in a low voice, "Whatever you want to eat or play, just tell me and I'll buy it for you!"

"Great!" Su Guangzong and Su Yaozu were delighted.

"Wait a minute, you said that you were the only two people in your class who scored double 100 points in the exam." An inexplicable light flashed in Ning Xue's eyes.

Su Guangzong tilted his head and said, "Yes, Mom, what's wrong? "

Ning Xue was delighted. "Big Baby and you two are in the same class, right? You said you were the only ones in the class who scored 100 points. That means Big Baby did worse than you, right?"

Su Yaozu curled his lips in disdain, "Shen Da? Boy, he not only did worse than us in the exam, he, did he do worse in the exam this time?..."

The more Ning Xue listened, the happier she became. She slapped her thigh and said, "Okay, okay, I think the Shen family will be in chaos this time!"