Watching Mingwei's actions, the classmates instantly understood that the morning's exam results were about to be announced. Those who had performed well were beaming with pride, while those who hadn't fared as well wore gloomy faces, some with furrowed brows and sighs.
At this moment, Mingwei let out a soft cough, and the large study immediately fell silent. Mingwei surveyed the assembled students below the podium, her eyes scanning everyone before she stated in a stern voice, "Class, please be quiet! The exam results have all been graded. I will now distribute the papers to each of you. Everyone, look at where you made mistakes, copy down all your errors, and write them out several times in your notebooks. This will be your homework for today, and you must submit it tomorrow morning."
Upon hearing Mingwei's words, everyone in the large study's hearts leaped into their throats. They all looked at her with anxious expressions.
Mingwei cleared her throat and said with a serious tone, "Class, this exam is just one exam. In our future studies, we will encounter all sorts of many, many more exams."
After speaking, seeing their tense, battle-ready expressions, Mingwei, though still serious, softened her tone and expression considerably. She pulled the corners of her mouth upwards slightly and continued, "This is merely a diagnostic test, and it doesn't represent anything. I simply want to use this exam to understand how well you've grasped the knowledge we've covered in the past few days.
I hope that those who did well in this exam do not become complacent and slacken in their studies. And for those who didn't achieve good results, do not be discouraged. Let's strive to do better next time."
After listening to Mingwei's words, the students who hadn't performed well felt their suspended hearts finally relax. Several students quietly resolved to listen attentively in class from now on and aim for better results next time.
Following this exam, the students' enthusiasm for learning reached an unprecedented peak. Their attitude towards learning in class became much more serious. Those who hadn't done well were not disheartened at all; instead, they listened even more attentively in class and actively participated in discussions.
Chen Lan worried that studying this way continuously might become tedious for the students over time. After discussing with Mingwei and her three younger brothers, they decided to add three new subjects: arithmetic, drawing, and singing. It wouldn't be called music class, but simply teaching them to sing.
The four of them would take turns teaching arithmetic. For drawing, Chen Lan persuaded her mother to take on the role, with a drawing class every three days. Singing would be temporarily led by Chen Lan. Chen Lan, as a favor, taught one singing class to demonstrate for Mingwei.
On this particular morning, the last class of the day was singing. The students were exceptionally excited, chattering incessantly.
Soon, it was time for class, and the students quickly entered the large study, eagerly awaiting their first singing lesson.
Chen Lan entered the large study and, just as she settled in, the students all stood up and said in unison, "Hello, Teacher!"
Chen Lan was momentarily taken aback and paused for half a second before replying, "Hello, class! Please sit down."
Chen Lan looked around, seeing pairs of expectant eyes. She decided not to waste any more time and immediately prepared to begin the lesson.
She then announced loudly, "Class, for today's singing lesson, I will teach you a children's song. Its title is 'Pulling Radishes.' I will sing it through once for you to hear, and then I will sing a line, and you will all sing it after me. Do you understand?"
The students responded with great excitement, "Teacher, we understand!"
Chen Lan immediately said, "Good! Class, please be quiet! Everyone listen carefully! I'm going to start singing now;
Pulling radishes, pulling radishes. Heave-ho, heave-ho, pulling radishes, heave-ho, heave-ho, can't pull them out.
Old Granny, come quickly, come quickly and help us pull the radishes.
Pulling radishes, pulling radishes, heave-ho, heave-ho, pulling radishes, heave-ho, heave-ho, can't pull them out.
Little girl, come quickly, come quickly and help us pull the radishes. Pulling radishes, pulling radishes..."
The cheerful melody echoed through the large study. The lyrics were simple and catchy, and the tune was upbeat, creating a lively atmosphere. The students quickly learned the song. By the end of the lesson, they still seemed eager for more and hadn't had enough singing. As soon as school ended, they each hummed, "Pulling radishes, pulling radishes, heave-ho, heave-ho, heave-ho, heave-ho..."
The elder mother and mother-in-law exchanged bewildered glances. Chen Lan walked out of the large study with the students and, seeing their expressions, immediately explained, "Mother-in-law, Mother, today I was teaching them to sing, wasn't I? The song I taught them is this one they're singing, and its title is 'Pulling Radishes'."
The mother-in-law quickly said, "I knew it! No wonder they were all coming out of the study mumbling about pulling radishes, pulling radishes. But the tune sounds quite good! Pleasant!"
The reading club had officially begun to run smoothly. The days in the valley passed by amidst this nationwide learning fervor.
Time flew by quickly! Half of the twelfth lunar month had already passed, and there was still no news from Xu Mingxuan in the valley. As the New Year drew closer, Xiang Dong and his brothers had also shown no sign of returning. The mother-in-law and the elder mother had been lamenting this matter for the past few days.
On this day, the mother-in-law and the elder mother started their daily lament again. The mother-in-law sighed, "My dear sister-in-law, in this cold weather, I wonder how Mingxuan is doing? I don't know where he is, or if he's gone to the battlefield. Sigh!"
Before the elder mother could reply, she continued speaking to herself, "I also wonder if Xiang Dong and his brothers have found him? Where are they now? Will they be able to come home for the New Year this year? Sigh!"
Although Chen Lan possessed memories of her past life and knew that this "defend the country" war would ultimately end in victory, the process was extremely brutal.
The situation on the battlefield changed rapidly. Who could guarantee anything? To spare them worry, she absolutely couldn't tell the mother-in-law and elder mother about the severe shortage of food and clothing and the extremely harsh conditions on the battlefield.
However, she couldn't let the mother-in-law continue to fret like this every day. If it went on, her body wouldn't be able to take it and could lead to health problems.
To distract the mother-in-law and elder mother, Chen Lan decided to discuss New Year's preparations with them, giving the two elders something to do to divert their attention.
She said, "Mother-in-law, Mother, with the New Year not too far away, how should we prepare our New Year's goods in the valley this year? After all, this is everyone's first New Year in the valley, so we naturally can't let it be too desolate."