Er Bao and the squad leader had just finished a hearty lunch and were heading to the dormitory to get some supplies to steam rice when they saw Yi Bao waiting downstairs.

“Big Brother…” Er Bao’s eyes lit up when he saw Yi Bao. “Big Brother, what are you doing here?”

Yi Bao said, “Da Mao and Tie Dan arrived yesterday, and I brought them to see you.”

Upon hearing that Da Mao and Tie Dan had arrived, Er Bao’s eyes sparkled with excitement. “Really? Big Brother, wait a moment. I’ll go steam the rice first.”

Yi Bao nodded, “Okay, we’ll wait for you at the school gate. Da Mao and Tie Dan can’t come in.”

“Got it.” Concerned about Da Mao and Tie Dan, Er Bao hurriedly ran to the dormitory to get the supplies and was equally quick to steam the rice.

After finishing, he rushed to the school gate to see Da Mao and Tie Dan.

On his way, he noticed the school gate was crowded.

“Da Mao, Tie Dan…” Er Bao shouted as he ran towards the school gate. “Da Mao, Tie Dan, I’m here!”

Behind Er Bao was the squad leader, who was also waiting to see Da Mao and Tie Dan.

Hearing Er Bao’s voice, Da Mao and Tie Dan barked excitedly at the school gate but didn’t run inside.

“Da Mao, Tie Dan…” Er Bao reached the school gate and excitedly hugged Tie Dan.

The relationship between Er Bao and Tie Dan was similar to the one between Da Mao and San Bao.

After hugging Tie Dan for a while, Er Bao went on to hug Da Mao.

“Da Mao, Tie Dan, you smell so good. Did you have a bath?” Er Bao sniffed Da Mao.

“Woof woof woof…”

Er Bao said, “Oh, you had a bath. Da Mao, Tie Dan, let me introduce you to our squad leader. He’s a really nice person.”

“Woof woof woof…”

The person and two dogs seemed to communicate exceptionally well, though how exactly was unclear.

Er Bao said, “Squad leader, these are the two military dogs we keep at home. Look.”

The squad leader curiously looked at Da Mao and Tie Dan and asked, “May I pet them?”

Er Bao replied, “Of course.”

No boy of their age could resist the charm of dogs, and the squad leader’s reaction was similar to Yu Chengci’s.

Of course, Da Mao and Tie Dan were special; they had an aura about them, so everyone saw them through a filter of admiration.

Since they couldn’t enter the school, everyone played at the school gate for a while.

With Yi Bao present, they didn’t spend too long there and soon returned home with Da Mao and Tie Dan.

As they left, Er Bao shouted, “Da Mao, Tie Dan, wait for me to come back and see you during the break. Big Brother, I’m eating better now, so remember to bring more food next time. If the food at home isn’t enough, my money is hidden under the mat.”

Yi Bao replied loudly, “Got it.”

It was amusing how Er Bao reiterated things he had just said.

In reality, many people do this as children, reminding loudly even about things already discussed.

….

The Lin family’s life in the compound started off smoothly.

The five-member family adapted well to their new environment.

Ning Shu had opened up relationships through food, leading to good relations among the children and their parents.

The winter holiday was particularly short, meaning the Chinese New Year arrived early.

With the New Year approaching, Ning Shu’s letter and package from the capital had been received by Lin Mother.

One day, Lin Mother was airing out the bedding, as it was winter and airing the bedding made it warmer at night.

Another benefit of winter was that there was less work in the fields, and even if there was work, only a few people were needed, so not everyone had to go.

“Ning Shu’s package has arrived.” The mail carrier was quite familiar with the area and had arrived directly at Lin’s old residence. “Is Aunt Lin here? There’s a package from the capital.”

“Yes, yes…” Lin Mother ran out from the house. “Comrade Zheng, is that you?”

“Aunt Lin, the package has arrived. Please sign here,” the mail carrier said.

“Ah.” Lin Mother, familiar with the procedure, quickly signed and then took the package into her room.

The people from the main house and the second house watched from their doorsteps.

They were curious about what Ning Shu had sent.

Just as their curiosity was piqued, they heard Lin Mother’s voice, “Haicai… Haicai, come in and read the letter for Grandma.”

“Coming.”

Lin Haicai ran into Lin Mother’s room. “Grandma…”

Lin Mother handed the letter to Haicai. “Read it and see what it says.”

“Alright.” Lin Haicai began reading the letter.

When he reached the part about Er Bao entering the sports school and even skipping a grade to enter junior high, both he and Lin Mother were stunned.

Lin Haicai couldn’t help exclaiming, “Grandma, Er Bao is amazing! He’s now a junior high student, in the first year!”

Lin Mother’s eyes were so wide with happiness that they nearly closed. “Yes, who would have thought that Er Bao would skip a grade?” Among the three siblings, Er Bao was not as smart as Yi Bao and San Bao.

In fact, compared to other children in the Lin family, Er Bao was the least scheming.

Lin Mother, having lived a long life, had some understanding of her grandchildren.

It was precisely this understanding that made Er Bao’s achievements surprising.

“Grandma…” Suddenly, Haicai exclaimed again, “The letter also says that Er Bao might participate in the World Middle School Games next year…”

Lin Mother didn’t understand what that was. “What’s the World Middle School Games?”

Lin Haicai had never heard of the World Middle School Games either, but he understood from the context.

The letter explained: “Grandma, the World Middle School Games are a competition where middle school students from all countries participate… Er Bao will be going abroad for it…”

Upon hearing Lin Haicai’s explanation, Lin Mother was even more stunned.

My goodness, not just the world, but even the entire country—she could hardly believe it.

Now, it seemed the whole world was in disbelief.

Erbao from their family had truly achieved greatness; it was as if the Lin family’s ancestors were blessing them.

Lin Mother was overjoyed: “Haicai, quickly, go find your grandfather and bring him back. We need to tell him this news!”

Haicai replied, “Yes,” and immediately ran out of the room.

“What is Haicai going to do?” Qian Aifen called out after him.

Lin Haicai answered, “Going to call Grandpa.”

Hearing Lin Haicai’s words, the people from the other rooms were startled.

What could be so serious that it required the old man’s presence?

They thought something had happened with Ning Shu’s letter, so they quickly went to find Lin Mother.

“Mother, what’s going on?”

“Mother, why is Haicai calling Father? Is something wrong with the third family?”

The postman had said it was a letter from the capital, and only the third family was in the capital.

So, it must be something concerning the third family.

Lin Mother, who was happily handling the clothes sent by Ning Shu, was startled when the people from the other rooms rushed in: “What are you all doing here? Oh, it’s nothing. It’s just that the third daughter-in-law has sent some good news in the letter. I asked Haicai to call your grandfather. We’ll talk once he arrives.”

Good news?

Hearing it was good news, the people from the other rooms relaxed.

Meanwhile, Lin Fathrr was chatting with the villagers in the village committee’s courtyard when Haicai burst in: “Grandpa… Grandpa…”

Hearing his grandson’s voice, Lin Father turned around, “Haicai, what are you doing here?”

“Grandpa, the third aunt sent a letter. Grandma asked you to come home.” Lin Haicai spoke with an unmistakable tone of joy and excitement.

Before Lin Father could say anything, the people around him commented, “Old Lin, it seems that Ning Zhiqing has sent something back again.”

“Of course, with the New Year coming, she must have sent a lot of New Year goods.”

“Old Lin, you and your wife are really lucky.”

“Old Lin…”

Lin Father listened to their teasing, envy, and other remarks.

Smiling, he said, “I’ll head back now.”

After leaving the village committee courtyard, Lin Father, a bit impatient, asked, “Haicai, what good news did the third aunt’s letter mention?”

If it was just sending things back, the old lady wouldn’t have asked Lin Haicai to call him.

“Hehe…” Haicai showed a silly grin but was so happy that the smile seemed more triumphant than silly.

Lin Father looked at his foolish expression and shook his head, “Tell Grandpa about it.”

Haicai shook his head, “I can’t say. Grandma said to wait until you get home to tell you.”

“You little fool.” Lin Father was helpless.

The child seemed silly, but he was good-natured and straightforward, so he wouldn’t say anything unless told.

Lin Father didn’t press him further.

He would find out when he got home.

Upon arriving home, Lin Father saw that the people from the other rooms were gathered at the door, looking anxious.

“Grandpa, you’re finally back…” Lin Haiwen said while urging, “Grandma, please tell us the good news now that Grandpa is back.”

Everyone turned their attention to Lin Mu.

Seeing so many pairs of eyes on her, Lin Mother enjoyed the feeling. “Now that you’re all here, I’ll tell you. Our Erbao has been promoted to junior high.”

“What?”

“Erbao? Mother, are you sure? Isn’t it Yibao?”

“Yes, Erbao couldn’t possibly have advanced. It must be Yibao. Mother, you must have made a mistake.”

“I also think it’s Yibao.”

The people from the other rooms started discussing the matter.

Lin Mother was speechless.

They had already decided she was mistaken without waiting for her response.

“Grandma didn’t make a mistake. It’s Erbao. The letter clearly states that it’s Erbao.” Haicai said.

However, Haicai’s statement didn’t change anything.

“It must be that the sister-in-law mistakenly wrote Erbao instead of Yibao.”

“Exactly. I don’t believe Erbao could advance to junior high.”

“I also don’t believe it. Erbao has never seemed particularly smart.”

“Yeah, it must be Yibao.”

Lin Mother was truly helpless.

Could it be that the third daughter-in-law actually made a mistake?

Was it really Yibao who advanced, not Erbao?

Lin Mother began to have doubts.

Lin Father said, “Alright, stop arguing. What exactly did the letter say?”

Lin Mu replied, “Haicai, you tell them.”

“Alright.” Haicai repeated the contents of the letter, “It says…”

Lin Father explained, “Then it must be Erbao. Junior high here refers to the sports school, which is specialized in training talented athletes. Erbao might not be as smart as Yibao, but he’s faster and stronger. He’s more suited to be an athlete.”

Upon hearing Lin Father’s analysis, everyone thought it made sense.

The Lin family was once again thrilled.

Their family had a child who skipped a grade.

It was amazing.

Moreover, Erbao might even represent the country in international sports events, bringing honor to the nation.

The Lin family was excited to share the news with the villagers, eager to see their envious and jealous expressions.

But they couldn’t.

The third daughter-in-law had instructed not to disclose anything until it was confirmed.