She made a dough, rolled it into a pancake shape, and topped it with cut cuttlefish rings, bell peppers, chicken cubes, halved red tomatoes, and mushrooms. Then she steamed the 'seafood pancake' like steamed buns.

Open the lid at the right time, and the hot steam will let out the aroma of the wheat fillings and the aroma of seafood and other ingredients.

Shen Lie looked at the seafood pancakes that had just come out of the pot. "This smells good, but will the eldest kid buy it?"

“Just like when we made burgers and French fries before, they have never seen the real thing, and I say this is pizza, then it is pizza.” Ning Tang said.

“Will it taste good?”

"Don't worry, there are so many ingredients. Even steamed insoles will taste good if you add them in."

The three of them were really good at buying things. When Ningtang brought the pizza to the table, they all exclaimed "Wow" in unison. The second girl even said, "It smells so good."

"It smells good, right?" 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."

Shen 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 seafood stuffed pancake.

After lunch, the three little ones did not go out to set off firecrackers like they did in previous years.

Shen Lie asked them why they didn't go. The eldest kid patted his chest and said, "We are junior high school students, not little kids anymore. Why should we set off firecrackers?"

Er Niu exposed him, "You are just tired of playing."

Since the three little ones refused to go out to play, Ning Tang assigned them a task and asked them to make dumplings for tonight.

The eldest, second and third daughters have become experts at making dumplings. They are no longer like they did the first time, when the dumplings fell apart. As soon as they were put into the pot, they became dough soup.

The eldest child saw Ning Tang take out the clay pot that had not been used for a long time, "Mom, what are you going to do?"

"To dig 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 up the water chestnuts would dig up gold ingots and get double the New Year's money.

Every time, this "ingot" was dug out by her. Ning Xue even made a fuss, saying that the braised pork rice was made by Sun Aiju, and that they must have cheated.

This year, let the eldest boy and his friends dig for gold ingots and have some fun.

In the evening, the pork stew was ready. Ning Tang gave a spoon to each of the eldest, second, third, and fourth children. "Whoever finds the ingot will get double the New Year's bonus this year."

The three kids looked at each other and raised their spoons at the same time, "It must be me? Got it!"

In addition to bacon and water chestnuts, the bacon rice also contains peas, bacon intestines, eggs and diced mushrooms. When the eldest, second and third kids stir it with a spoon, the aroma overflows.

Shen 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?

Shen Lie cut out the report and pasted 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, teacher 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 teacher Li Guyi.

The Spring Festival Gala was broadcast live. Teacher Li Guyi faced the camera and sang in a sweet and moving voice, with graceful and fluent intonation, "After that, the 30th is the New Year..."

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 her notebook which she used specially for copying 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. He thought, "This is a song on TV. Just listen with your ears. Can't you listen while digging for gold ingots?"

He grabbed the spoon and increased the fire, vowing to dig out gold ingots from this big pot of bacon rice today!

The program list of the Spring Festival Gala is very exciting, including riddle guessing games, crosstalk, poetry recitation, Huangmei Opera, sketches, Peking Opera performances...it has everything. There is nothing they cannot perform, only things the audience cannot think of.

During the journey, the host read out the program list.

The eldest child opened his eyes wide, "Why are there so many programs?" He clapped his hands, "Great, I can watch them for a long time."

Shen Lie said: "Because they will perform until 12:00, to keep us company in celebrating the New Year."

Sanwa suddenly screamed, "Found it!"

Ning Tang poked his head over to take a look and saw a ripe water chestnut lying completely on Sanwa's spoon. He smiled and said, "This year, I'll give Sanwa double the New Year's bonus."

Shen Lie also said, "Being able to dig up ingots, Sanwazi will definitely have good fortune in the new year."

Sanwa smiled, rubbed his head, and said to Dawa and Erniu, "Don't worry, we will share the extra New Year's money with you."

Er Niu was busy watching a show, and waved her hands, "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."

The TV screen changed and the camera turned to 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, "Then 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's performance, I want to perform myself."

Sanwa also said, "Me? I want one too."

Shen Lie was amused. "What can you two perform? Will your performance cause trouble?"

Big kid: "Let's show you how to ride a bicycle."

Sanwa said, "Then I will perform 'Digging for Ingots'."

Time passed amid the noise 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... ok?"

The elder child's heart was pounding. "Okay, let's shout together."

Shen Lie curled his lips and joined in the fun, "Ten, nine..."

Ning Tang: "Eight, seven..."

The three little ones said 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, the sound of firecrackers rang out outside the house, and half of the sky was illuminated red by the gorgeous fireworks.

Shen Lie glanced at the fireworks outside the house, then looked at Ning Tang, "Another year has passed."

Ning Tang smiled back, "Well, another year?"

This year, because we 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 it wasn't even 3 o'clock yet and 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 want to stay up to celebrate the New Year."

Ning Tang rushed them back to the room, "I'll take care of you, your dad. Go back to your room and go to sleep."

The eldest, the second, and the third kid staggered up the stairs like three little quails and went back to their own rooms.

Shen Lie tucked in their quilts, and Ning Tang stuffed the prepared New Year's money under their pillows. She kept her word and really gave the three children double the New Year's 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?"

Shen Lie also blinked, "Have a drink?"

Ning Tang: "Let's go."

Serve some cold dishes and bring out the sea buckthorn wine, filling two glasses.

Ning Tang raised his cup and said, "Happy New Year."

Shen Lie clinked glasses with her, drank it all in one gulp, and turned the glass upside down, leaving not a drop left. "Happy New Year."

Ning Tang was slightly tipsy, with two peach-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.

One week before school starts, it's time for the three little ones in the family to create a "miracle" with just a pen and a lamp.

This year's school year 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 homeworks!

The eldest child threw down his pen and said, "Oh my God, when will I be able to finish this?"

Shen Lie: "It's no use shouting. 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 primary school?"

Shen Lie was confused, "Why?" He finally got admitted to this school.

Ning Tang said: "Because he only has to study Chinese and mathematics in primary school, he can do six less winter vacation homework."

Shen Lie sneered, "Shen Da Wa, you are really promising."

The three little ones 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 called me? We are participating in a swimming competition. I need to bring my own swimming trunks."

"Swimming competition?" Ning Tang was stunned. "What swimming competition?"

Sanwa shook his head, "I don't know. Principal Lu didn't tell me in detail."

The older kid knew, "It's a swimming competition held by our junior high school. Principal Lu is the organizer. Anyone who wants to participate can sign up. Those who swim faster will receive certificates and prizes."

Every elementary, middle and high school on the island has a principal, Principal Lu, but the principal is usually in charge of the school.

"That's great." Ning Tang said, "I'll sew two pairs of swimming trunks for you." 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 participants were mainly 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 at the school anniversary party.

Shen Lie came back and heard about this. He knew more than the three little ones. "...In recent years, the higher-ups have attached more and more importance to sports. When we compete with foreign friends, we... always fall short of expectations. The higher-ups said that we should vigorously select talents and strive to develop both arts and sports. For example, in track and field, gymnastics, table tennis, swimming, the whole country, from provinces to counties, will select talents at all levels. As long as you have strengths, it doesn't matter what your background is."

Hailang Island is close to the sea. Children living by the sea are good at swimming. Most of the swimming talents selected this time are in cities close to the sea.

Ning Tang nodded, "So that's how it is. No wonder they want to hold a competition to select talents."

I told Da Wa and San Wa, "I'll make two pairs of swimming trunks for you later." Xiang Xiang said, "It doesn't matter if we don't win any prizes. The important thing is to participate."

Hailang Island is close to the sea, and children who grew up by the sea are much better at swimming. The eldest and third child 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 us to do well?" He clenched his fist and said, "We will definitely get first place."

Ning Tang was amused. "Come on, you can't even swim as fast as Sanwa."

She came down from the upstairs with two pieces of cloth, "Principal Lu is really annoying. He insisted on asking for swimming trunks. Don't you know that my craftsmanship is not good? Don't expose your butt while swimming."

The eldest child thought about it and thought it was very possible. "Then I'll wear another pair of pants inside."

Principal Lu didn't mean to make things difficult for everyone. The main point was that there would be leaders coming to watch the swimming competition, and they would all be wearing briefs, so it wouldn't have much of an impact. Well, let those who can afford it wear boxer shorts, which will look more neat.

Thanks to the liberalization of the past two years, factories have been spinning cloth on a large scale. Cloth is not only supplied by coupons, but every household with extra money has stockpiled a lot of cloth. The children's clothes also have more colors. Now there is extra cloth to make things like swimming trunks.

Ning Tang did what she said. She made a pair of "swimming trunks" for the eldest and third children respectively. They were boxer shorts, and she also ingeniously sewed small silver fish and coconut trees on them.

Ning Tang unfolded the finished swimming trunks and was very satisfied. Over the past few years, her craftsmanship has improved. Although the sewing is not as lifelike as Zeng Xinlan's, at least it won't fall apart due to loose threads, right?

With the new swimming trunks, the first and third children were very happy and couldn’t wait to participate in the swimming competition.

Ning Tang asked, "Where will the competition be held?"

The eldest child said, "Just by the sea, draw a line, and whoever swims to the end first wins."

Sanwa asked, "Mom, Erjie, are you going to see it?"

The two asked about the time, but neither of them said they couldn't go. Erniu was listening to music on the radio. Sister Lijun has 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 spiritually."

Er Niu asked, "I wonder what prizes I'll get if I win, a pen, a notebook, or an enamel pot?"

Sanwa said, "I want an enamelware pot."

After Erniu got the enamel pot which was called "the most glorious thing for a woman", she treasured it very much and would not let anyone touch it except Ningtang.

Last time, Sanwa's hand itched and he 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 estimated that he should be back soon. Just as he was about to go to the kitchen to cook, he heard the ding of a bicycle. The eldest child hurried into the house, "Dad, Mom, Principal Lu will be coming to our house soon."

Shen Lie was stunned, "What are you doing here?" He frowned and said, "Tell me, what have you done wrong? Is it a big deal?" After that, without waiting for the eldest child to answer, he added, "It must be a big deal, otherwise Principal Lu would not be able to come to our house."

The eldest child shook his head and said, "Nothing has happened."

I just participated in a swimming competition. What could be wrong?

Sanwa puffed up his cheeks and said, "Nothing has happened. We performed very well and we even came in first place. However, Principal Lu said that the prize and certificate will be given to me tomorrow."

Ning Tang waved his hands, "The world is big, but eating is the most important thing. Let's eat first. If there is anything else, we can talk about it after Principal Lu comes."

While the family was having dinner, Principal Lu first went to visit the army, and then rode his bicycle to the Shen family.

He came 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 house. "Principal Lu, please come in. May I ask what I can do for you?"

What's the big deal? I'll come home at night.

Shen Lie stood up and said, "Did the eldest and third child 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 hands, and said with a smile, "No, they didn't do any harm. 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 smiled and said, "The good news is that Shen Xiangdong has been selected for the Navy Swimming Team."

Ning Tang: "Navy?"

Shen Lie: "Swimming team?"

They all said in unison: "Elected?"

"Yes." Principal Lu said, "The swimming competition we are holding this time is to select talents for the swimming team." He glanced at Ning Tang and Shen Lie, "This? Do you know?"

Of course they knew, but neither of them took it seriously.

Principal Lu continued, "Student Shen Xiangdong swims so 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 catching up halfway."

Principal Lu was being relatively modest. During the competition, Sanwa flashed by like a flash of lightning, leaving behind a trail of white waves. Principal Lu turned around and said a few words to someone else. Then he looked back and his eyes nearly popped out because the kid had already reached the finish line.

The leader who was watching the game with Principal Lu stood up and pointed at Sanwa, "Who is this kid? Why do you want him?"

Especially, the people Sanwa was competing with were a group of junior high school students. He was just an elementary school student, but he was able to leave others far behind. His talent must be limitless.

Captain Lu was very proud of himself because when the leader of the Navy swimming team asked him to organize a swimming competition, he remembered that Sanwa swam particularly fast in the previous 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 Qianlima.

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 to each other properly in the next few days. Shen Xiangdong will have to leave for the Navy Swim Team's training base at the latest this Friday."

This unexpected news stunned the family of five. Principal Lu had already left and they hadn't reacted yet.

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 a little older and have half understood the situation. Does this mean that the third daughter wants to leave?

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!"

Shen Lie slapped him on the head in anger, "At this point, you're still thinking about prizes and certificates."

Being selected for the Marine swimming team is much more valuable than any award or certificate. No matter how rich the school is, the awards and certificates it gives out are at best 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. Then, his future will be even brighter.

Ning Tang turned away, "I don't agree. I will tell Principal Lu tomorrow that Sanwa won't go."

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 sad and bitter, "This is a good thing."

Principal Lu said that in 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 to leave him alone?"

Sanwa puffed up his cheeks and said, "I'm not young at all. I'm already ten years old this year."

Shen Lie gently advised, "Didn't Principal Lu say that not only him, but other selected children will also go to the base together. The base will assign them nutrition teachers to take care of their health, and cultural teachers so that they will not fall behind in their studies."

He paused, "With so many people taking care of me, maybe I'll feel more comfortable here than at home."

Sanwa is not like the eldest, who is particularly good at math, nor is he like the second girl, who is good at all subjects. His grades are very average, always hovering around the passing line, and it is common for him to go home with a red lantern on his back.

Shen Lie and Ning Tang sometimes worried that he would not 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 change his mind.

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 to wipe her tears and held Sanwa tightly. Who could have thought that she would go to a swimming competition and her brother would go to that training base? She didn't know if they would see each other again in the future. "Sanwa, let me take another look at you."

The eldest child also said, "Before you leave, let's take a few more photos as a family."

After the Chinese New Year, Shen Lie bought a camera.

Sanwa also reacted, "So, we are going to Shanghai, to the training base of the Navy Swimming Team, to be an athlete?"

Ning Tang slowed down a little, "Yeah."

Sanwa shook his head and said, "I won't go."

He didn't want to leave his father and mother, his brother and sister, and Hailang Island.

Shen Lie scolded him lightly, "It's up to you to decide whether to go or not. Since you have been selected by the country, you have to contribute." He patted Sanwa's shoulder and whispered, "You are a man, a soldier's child. You have to be strong and show more joy. Don't make your mother cry."

Sanwa pursed his lips and uttered a depressed "hmm".

Shen Lie went on to comfort Ning Tang, "Ten years old is not young anymore. Think about it, I joined the army when I was sixteen, and I 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?"

Shen Lie coughed and said, "Didn't Principal Lu say that the training base is not completely closed? We can go to see Sanwa. During the New Year and holidays, Sanwa can also go home for vacation."

Ning Tang also remembered that Captain Lu said that the training base of the Navy Swimming Team is in Shanghai, and Sanwa would not be completely unfamiliar with the place. "Your uncle is also in Shanghai. I will write a letter to him when the time comes. If you have any problems and the teachers and leaders in the base cannot solve them, you can go to your uncle."

The uncle I’m talking about is Ning Jun, the director of a district police station in Shanghai.