Ning Shu still hadn’t managed to buy the tape recorder.

Apart from trying to buy one with industrial vouchers, she had already exchanged the industrial vouchers she had with familiar relatives for a television.

Therefore, she needed to wait a while longer to buy the recorder.

Of course, she could try to exchange industrial vouchers with unfamiliar people, but with a refrigerator and a television already on her mind, Ning Shu felt she could take her time with the recorder.

However, they did manage to buy the cassette tapes.

They couldn’t keep relying on the cultural troupe’s tapes forever.

“Mom, Teacher Hong is here.”

That afternoon after school, Teacher Hong arrived with Er Bao.

Teacher Hong said, “Comrade Ning…”

Ning Shu had been practicing with Er Bao every day after school for their performance.

They didn’t miss a single day, starting practice right after finishing homework.

With the National Day program approaching, Teacher Hong only checked on Er Bao’s progress daily.

It had been a week now, and she wanted to see how they were doing.

“Teacher Hong is here. Please have a seat. What brings you here today?” Ning Shu asked with a smile.

Teacher Hong replied, “Comrade Ning, I’ve come to see how Lin HaiZhi and the others are doing. I asked them at school, and they said they’ve been practicing every day. Now that the selection is near, I came to check.”

“I see. Let me play some music then, and Yi Bao and Er Bao can perform for you in the courtyard,” Ning Shu offered.

Teacher Hong nodded, “Sure, that would be great.”

Er Bao said, “Mom, let’s go change our clothes.”

Ning Shu responded, “…they’re just dancing for you, why change clothes?” These silly kids…

“We’ll change when it’s time for the performance. Changing now means we’ll have to wash them immediately due to the sweat in this heat.”

Er Bao pouted; he just wanted to wear something nice for the dance.

Besides, he knew how to wash his own clothes.

For their performance, Mom had prepared them some nice clothes.

Teacher Hong also laughed, “Lin Hairui, you don’t need to wear fancy clothes; this is fine. You’re both good-looking kids, and I’m watching.”

Er Bao blushed, feeling a bit shy.

“Are you ready?” asked Ning Shu.

“Yes, Mum, we’re ready,” replied Yi Bao.

With everyone ready, Ning Shu pressed the button on the cassette recorder.

As the music played from the recorder, Er Bao, standing in place, started moving first.

He was just a small child, only five years old, but he squatted into a horse stance and started practicing his punches.

His punches were surprisingly strong, and he hummed softly, sounding clear and heroic.

Although there were some humming sounds in the courtyard, they would be masked on stage.

After a while, Yi Bao and Er Bao emerged from the sides, somersaulting.

However, due to the small courtyard, they only managed one each.

Ning Shu explained to Teacher Hong, “If it were on stage, their somersaults would adjust according to the stage size. I’ve talked to them about this.”

Teacher Hong nodded, “Comrade Ning, you teach them meticulously and understand a lot. With a mother like you, these two kids are very fortunate.”

Ning Shu didn’t really consider herself knowledgeable; she had simply seen a lot being born in a later generation.

People of this era, especially women, had limited exposure due to various constraints.

Therefore, Ning Shu didn’t think she knew much.

“The children are fortunate to have Teacher Hong.” Ning Shu didn’t know much about Teacher Hong, but from what the children said and her interactions with him, she felt that Teacher Hong treated girls and boys equally.

This was why these children were fortunate.

A good teacher could impart crucial education to children, not just in knowledge but also in character.

There’s a saying that “actions speak louder than words,” which applies here.

After watching the program featuring the two children, Teacher Hong clapped with satisfaction and said, “That was very well done.”

The atmosphere was also very well portrayed, much like watching a performance by a professional troupe.

From her perspective, this selection process would definitely go smoothly.

Teacher Hong also thought that Lin Haizhi and the others’ performance was better than the choir she had arranged herself.

Once again, she thought highly of Comrade Ning.

“Well, Comrade Ning, I’ll head back first. You’ll need to put in extra effort for the two children’s program later. I really appreciate your help with this.”

Although it was a matter within her class and her responsibility as their teacher, she felt a bit embarrassed passing it on to the children’s parents.

Ning Shu replied, “Thank you, Teacher Hong. As their mother, it’s only natural for me to put in extra effort. Children also require teachers to put in extra effort at school. Thank you for taking care of them.”

After exchanging pleasantries, Teacher Hong left.

In the blink of an eye, it was time for the National Day program selection.

The two children were nervous when they left for school that day, their little faces tense.

However, when they returned around noon, they were extremely excited.

As soon as they entered the house, they shouted, “Mom… Mom…”

“Mom, we’re back.”

“Mom, Erbao is back.”

Ning Shu could tell from their voices what had happened.

But she pretended not to know and asked, “What’s going on? Why are you so happy?”

Yi Bao flashed a happy smile, “Mom, we passed the selection.”

Er Bao chimed in, “Mom, aren’t we amazing? Many teachers praised us, and our classmates said our performance was great. I told them they haven’t even seen us in our performance costumes yet. It’ll look even better once we put them on.”

San Bao’s eyes sparkled too.

As the first to perform and the youngest, he received the most praise.

Everyone said he looked like a little movie star.

Though Ning Shu had already guessed the outcome from their expressions when they returned, seeing them now, she couldn’t help but feel happy for them. “You guys are fantastic. You make me so proud.”

They were her eternal pride.

The three boys burst into laughter.

They loved their mom’s praise and loved being her proudest children.

In the blink of an eye, it was the day of the National Day performance.

The National Day performance was scheduled for the afternoon before National Day itself.

That afternoon, both the school and the military were on break.

Everyone in the garrison could attend the performance.

After a good lunch, the Lin family took quick showers, then put on the new clothes their mom had made for their performance.

It was a set of military-green attire: short-sleeved shirts and long pants, all in military-green, complete with hats and canvas shoes.

The hats were also military-green, featuring a five-pointed star in the center, designed by Ning Shu based on a children’s magazine.

The canvas shoes were a reward Er Bao received from kindergarten, which he decided to give to Ning Shu.

Now she had brought them out for this occasion.

The three boys dressed neatly and approached Ning Shu.

Yi Bao and Sanbao stood straight, while Er Bao spun around a few times before running to hold Ning Shu’s hand. “Mom, do I look good in my new clothes?”

“Very handsome.” Ning Shu responded confidently, “My children always look the best. Good looks enhance with good clothes.”

Lin Guodong heard his wife’s words and glanced at the three boys.

Though it was true, he couldn’t praise them as enthusiastically as his wife could.

Nevertheless, he couldn’t deny that the boys did indeed look good.

“Mommy, what about me?” Hearing his mom praise San Bao, Yi Bao couldn’t wait to ask.

Ning Shu didn’t want Yi Bao to feel left out after San Bao’s question, so she said, “Yi Bao and San Bao are both my children, of course, they are the most handsome.”

Sam Bao smiled broadly at her words.

Yi Bao smirked, maintaining his image as the older brother without showing his teeth.

But his eyes gleamed with happiness, evident to everyone.

Even the steady Yi Bao couldn’t resist his mom’s effusive praise.

When the family of five stepped outside, Da Mao and Tie Dan were crouching under the eaves, watching them.

As Yi Bao and Er Bao grew older, Da Mao and Tie Dan didn’t stick to them as closely anymore.

Gradually, they also started enjoying being a bit lazy.

But compared to following Yi Bao, Er Bao and Sanbao Ning Shu preferred having them at home, where they could guard the house, sparing her the trouble of locking up whenever she left.

The entire family compound was bustling with activity now, crowded with people outside.

In this era, there weren’t many entertainment options, so the National Day performance was a rare treat for them.

Therefore, everyone from the military base went to watch.

“Oh my, Yi Bao, why are you all dressed up today?” As soon as they exited the courtyard, they ran into Aunt Yang and others.

Seeing Yi Bao, Er Bao and San Bao in their new clothes and hats, Aunt Yang teasingly asked.

Er Bao proudly replied, “We’re performing in the show today.” This was a glorious occasion—how could Er Bao not show off a bit?

“Wow, that’s impressive.” Aunt Yang looked at the two boys affectionately, her eyes practically dripping with sweetness. “You’re both amazing.” Why didn’t she have grandsons of her own?

No, after this performance, she had to ask Ning Shu for the secret to having sons.

Oh… she felt so foolish.

Why was she only thinking of this now? Why didn’t she think of it two years ago?

Thinking this, Aunt Yang quickly approached Ning Shu. “Ning Shu, let’s sit together later.”

Although the military hall was spacious enough to accommodate everyone, seating was a bit of a challenge.

Some people had to stand while others could sit, based on the men’s ranks.

Aunt Yang’s son was a deputy company commander, so she had the privilege to sit.

Since Aunt Yang had the privilege, Ning Shu naturally had it too.

“Sure.” Ning Shu agreed readily. Sitting together meant she could gossip with Aunt Yang, which was always enjoyable.

Little did Ning Shu know, Aunt Yang had a life-changing question to ask her when they returned.

“Mom, we’re off to school.” At the fork in the road, Yi Bao and Er Bao and San Bao bid farewell to Ning Shu and left, walking alongside their school teachers.

“Alright.” Ning Shu waved her hand.

The road from the family compound to the hall was packed with people.

When Ning Shu and Aunt Yang arrived at the hall’s entrance, they saw soldiers guarding it.

It wasn’t time yet, so everyone was queuing up.

However, there were separate lines for those sitting and those standing.

When it was time, the hall doors opened, allowing those with seats to enter first. Ning Shu and Aunt Yang arrived neither early nor late and found seats in the middle section.

Several front rows were reserved for military leaders, which were left empty and off-limits to others.

As people continued to trickle in, the performance was about to begin at last!