When everyone arrived at Tiananmen Square, there was still more than an hour before the solemn flag-raising ceremony. At this moment, the lively and cheerful Qian Duoduo excitedly suggested, "Since that's the case, why don't we use this waiting time to carefully prepare a unique program?"
Grandma Jin, who had been gazing out the window at the dark sky, turned around upon hearing this and asked with a smile, "Does watching the flag-raising ceremony really require special performances?"
Hearing this, Qian Duoduo's face lit up with a bright smile, and she quickly explained, "Think about it, watching the flag-raising ceremony isn't something you can just do casually! It should leave a lasting memory. Years later, when Yixuan and Yi'an are in school and need to write compositions, they'll have plenty of material. For example, they could describe it like this: 'That morning, my aunt took us excitedly to Tiananmen Square to watch the sacred and solemn flag-raising ceremony.' What's so interesting about such a flat, dry description?"
This doesn't mean that my aunt did nothing but lead everyone to watch the flag-raising ceremony. But what if we put it another way—'As dawn broke, the brilliant Purple Star still shone brightly in the sky. Just as the sun was about to peek over the horizon, the smartly dressed members of the National Flag Guard marched out of the majestic Tiananmen Gate with synchronized and powerful steps. Then, with the first golden rays of the rising sun, the stirring national anthem suddenly resounded, and the bright five-starred red flag, like a soaring eagle, slowly rose into the azure sky…' See? Doesn't that instantly create a powerful visual image?
Qian Yi immediately stood up from her seat, raised her arm high, and excitedly shouted, "Auntie, you really are a college student! You can write such a wonderful article! Now I have a solution for my essay! You must teach me properly later!"
With a smile and great interest, Qian Yu asked, "In that case, what kind of program do you think we should prepare?"
Qian Duoduo replied with a beaming smile, "It's probably not practical to have everyone dance or perform acrobatics together. So, I think we should sing a song together instead!"
However, before he could finish speaking, Qian Sheng put on a stern face and said in a tone that was stern but also revealed his guilty conscience, "We don't know any songs, so don't mess around here!"
Faced with Qian Sheng's rebuke, Qian Duoduo showed no sign of backing down. She continued to explain with a smile, "Oh, we can choose a song that everyone is familiar with, like those classic pieces that are often played on the radio. We can sing 'Ode to the Motherland,' which is played every day. What do you think?"
Qian Feng recalled the scene of Qian Duoduo singing loudly on the island, and after pondering for a moment, he did not express any objection. On the other hand, Old Man Jin waved his hands repeatedly, shaking his head and muttering, "No, no, I'm tone-deaf by nature, I can never do singing."
Qian Yixuan bravely raised her chubby little hands again and said loudly, "I can sing this! We often rehearse this song in our school choir." As the principal singer of the choir, Qian Yixuan knew this song like the back of her hand.
The remaining children couldn't wait any longer and excitedly raised their hands, shouting one after another, "I want to sing too! Brother wants to sing! I want to sing too!"
Looking at the children's innocent and lively appearance, Qian Duoduo's face beamed with a warm and friendly smile. She said, "Okay, since Yixuan can sing, how about we let Yixuan set an example for everyone?"
"Good!" The response was deafening, like thunder, instantly filling the entire carriage. The children's excited cheers, like a surging tide, completely drowned out the faint dissenting voices of Old Man Jin and Qian Sheng.
Of course, Old Man Jin and Qian Sheng's objections not only had no effect, but also earned them disdainful and dissatisfied glares from Old Mrs. Jin and Jin Jinxiu. Faced with this situation, even if Old Man Jin and Qian Sheng were unwilling, they could only helplessly choose to back down, after all, they did not want to continue to provoke public anger.
Just then, a clear and melodious child's voice rang out throughout the bus. It was Qian Yixuan, who had begun to sing at the top of his lungs. "The five-starred red flag flutters in the wind, the song of victory is so loud..." His tender yet deeply affectionate voice flowed like a gentle spring, softly rippling in everyone's ears. As the melody progressed, Qian Yixuan's singing became increasingly passionate and beautiful, as if possessing a magical power that captivated everyone present, drawing them in completely and deeply into the exquisite notes. Even those who had been whispering and gossiping gradually quieted down, listening intently to this moving song.
The other children's faces were filled with excitement and joy as they joined in singing along to Qian Yixuan's clear, melodious, and passionate voice. At first, Qian Feng, Qian Yu, and the others only hummed along softly, but as time went on, their voices grew louder and louder, and their emotions rose higher and higher, as if they wanted to release all the enthusiasm in their hearts through this stirring melody.
Even Old Man Jin and Qian Sheng, who had initially refused to participate, could not resist the fervent atmosphere. Their tense faces gradually relaxed, and their eyes revealed emotion and longing. At this moment, they wished they could rush to the flagpole immediately to witness the bright five-star red flag slowly rising, and they longed to stand under the red flag, to sing their hearts out, and to sing this deeply moving song.
Sitting in the front row, Ou Haixiao and the driver listened quietly to the singing coming from behind them. The familiar and moving melody was like a key, quietly unlocking the door to their deepest memories. Scenes of fighting alongside their comrades flashed before their eyes like a movie, the heroic and fearless figures who ultimately sacrificed themselves deeply piercing their hearts. Unconsciously, their eyes welled up with tears. Ou Haixiao quietly raised his hand and gently wiped away the tears that had slid down his cheeks with his sleeve.
Qian Duoduo noticed that everyone's emotions had been fully stirred, and she nodded in satisfaction before turning to look out the car window. At this moment, the sky was beginning to lighten, the dawn's rays gradually dispelling the darkness, and distant scenery became clearly visible. So she said, "Family members, let's get off the bus now and head towards the direction of the flag-raising ceremony! Let's go together to welcome this solemn and sacred moment!"
Upon hearing this, everyone was so excited that their hands trembled, and they helped each other walk toward the flagpole.
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