The dressing room was a hive of activity, bustling with parents, children, and makeup artists.

This time, the makeup wasn't like the kind they had for Children's Day, with blush applied so heavily their cheeks were bright red. Instead, it was very natural, just a bit of light red lipstick and defined eyebrows that made her look like a proper young lady.

After she was done, her teacher gave Lin Feng a program for the recital. The checked items were the ones Sanbao would be performing in.

"Once the previous act has started, you can bring Sanbao over!"

Lin Feng nodded in understanding.

Returning to his seat, Zhang Yuxi took the program, glanced at it, and smiled. The judges sat in the first row, while they were in the second, giving them a clear view of the stage. Lin Feng looked around; the performances would begin in half an hour. The sound and lighting equipment were still being tested.

"Does anyone need to use the restroom?"

All the children indicated that they did.

Lin Feng put down his backpack. "Honey, I'm taking the kids to the bathroom."

"Okay."

Lin Feng stood in the middle of the public restroom, calling out to the children from time to time. He only felt reassured when each of the kids responded.

Xiao Rui was also participating in the event, performing a duet with a little girl. He would play the violin while the girl danced.

Xiao Rui's mom greeted Lin Feng with a smile. "Which act is your daughter in?"

Lin Feng showed the program to Xiao Rui's mom.

She gasped. "I've heard the teachers mention that your daughter is very talented. Xiao Rui started learning the violin when he was three, so he's been at it for a year. But the teachers said your daughter is almost at his level already."

Lin Feng replied humbly, "Sanbao has always loved music, so that's probably a factor."

Just then, Xiao Rui, Dabao, and Sibao all came out together. All three boys were wearing small suits and looked full of spirit. Compared to Xiao Rui, however, Dabao and Sibao looked much sturdier.

At that moment, Erbao and Sanbao came out too. After taking up Taekwondo, Erbao's tomboyish nature had become even more pronounced. She was more outspoken than ever, and even dressed in a little princess outfit, she couldn't hide her true self.

Sanbao wore her favorite pink dress. It wasn't a fluffy style, but rather understated and elegant. Lin Feng had also pinned a pearl brooch to the front of her dress. Her hair was tied up in a neat little bun, adorned with a teardrop pearl hairpiece that echoed the brooch.

People say that some children who are beautiful when they're young don't always live up to that beauty when they grow up. But Sanbao, now four years old, was only getting more and more beautiful.

Xiao Rui pattered over. "Sanbao, are you going to be scared on stage later?"

Sanbao nodded, glancing at Xiao Rui. "A little bit. Are you scared?"

Xiao Rui shook his head. "I'm not scared!"

When they returned to their seats, they realized Xiao Rui was sitting in the row right behind them. He peered over the back of his seat at Sanbao. "I have snacks. Do you want some?"

Sanbao shook her head. "No, thank you!"

Erbao, sitting right next to her, quickly chimed in, "I want some!"

Xiao Rui gave her a cookie.

Sibao leaned over. "I want some too."

As everyone else began to eat, the aroma made Sanbao feel a little tempted. Delighted, Xiao Rui quickly handed her all the cookies he had left.

"No, that's too much! I can't finish it all!"

"It's okay, you can save them for later!"

"Well, thank you then!"

Xiao Rui leaned forward, watching her. "You don't have to thank me. We're good friends."

The music began to play, and the event officially started. The hosts were two children, about eight or nine years old. The little girl wore a gown, and the little boy was in a suit. Their hosting skills were impressive; they spoke at length without even glancing at their cue cards.

The first act was a song and dance performance by a group of children with an average age of three or four. The moment the cheerful music started, a crowd of adorable children appeared on stage, each one smiling out at the audience. It was enough to lift anyone's spirits.

Then came the second act, and it was Xiao Rui's turn to take the stage. He stood before the microphone and gave it a little tug to make sure it was working.

The performance began.

Accompanied by his violin, a five-year-old girl danced gracefully across the stage. The couple couldn't help but glance at Erbao. She was crunching away on her snacks, watching the stage intently and offering commentary.

"Wow, that girl is a really good dancer!"

Lin Feng asked, "Do you like dancing?"

Erbao shook her head. "Nope, I like Taekwondo! And making crafts is okay too!"

Alright, just let her follow her own path.

Next up was Sanbao performing on the drums with other children. For this act, Sanbao had changed into a different outfit and looked much more agile. A row of little ones drumming together on their kits—they all looked so incredibly cool!

Erbao's eyes sparkled. "Sanbao is so amazing!"

Dabao also said, "Sis is amazing. She's the best!"

Sibao chimed in, "So cool! It makes me want to learn!"

Lin Feng glanced at Sibao. That isn't real interest; you just think it looks cool.

When Sanbao returned to her seat, the couple and her siblings showered her with effusive praise. It made her so embarrassed that her little face turned pink all the way to her ears. Lin Feng leaned in and asked quietly, "Yuan Yuan, were you nervous on stage?"

Sanbao nodded. "I was a little nervous at the beginning, but then it went away."

Lin Feng immediately laid on another thick layer of praise. "Wow, you're so incredible! Daddy was terrified during my first time performing on stage. You're much braver than Daddy was!" As he spoke, Lin Feng continued to encourage her. "That was great, and I'm sure you'll do wonderfully in your next two performances too!"

Her second performance was a piano piece. A girl in a white dress sang a gentle, lyrical song to Sanbao's accompaniment. Lin Feng didn't know anything about the piano, so he had no idea if Sanbao was playing well or not. But from the look on the teacher's face, who was standing in the corner of the stage, he could tell.

Sanbao must be playing very well!

Zhang Yuxi squeezed Lin Feng's hand. "Honey, Sanbao seems to be glowing on stage!"

Lin Feng squeezed her hand back, watching his daughter with deep pride.

Finally, it was time for Sanbao's violin solo. She stood in the center of the stage as a single spotlight fell upon her. She closed her eyes, completely immersing herself in the music.

When the piece ended, Sanbao bowed to the audience, turned, and walked off the stage.

Next, the judges would announce the top three acts of the show, followed by five awards for outstanding performances. With three acts, Sanbao's chances of winning were relatively high.

The couple comforted Sanbao while also reminding the other children, "What's important is that you participate and try your best so you have no regrets. Winning an award doesn't matter!"

In reality, that wasn't what they were thinking at all. They really hoped Sanbao would win an award for her first performance; it would be a symbol of recognition. They had seen how hard Sanbao practiced every day. If she didn't win this time, she would surely be crushed.

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