Chapter 125 Childhood Friend

Lu Mingyue leaned closer to take a look and saw that the pastries were printed with patterns, some round and some square, and their color was a glossy golden yellow.

She had seen it in the materials before and knew it was a representative of old Beijing flavor, so she smiled and said, "Mom, let's buy two catties of Beijing Eight Treasures and some other pastries to take back as snacks for the children."

Huo Zheng hurriedly stepped forward to pay. Pastries in the 1970s were not cheap, unlike in the 21st century, when supermarkets offer a wide variety of pastries that you can buy anytime you want.

But at this moment, the heavy bag of Beijing delicacies in my hand exudes a rare and precious quality.

Just as they were about to leave after paying, Leilei, munching on the snack in his hand, pulled An'an aside and said, "My mom cooks so well! She can make fish balls from the islands and shrimp dumplings, which are even more delicious than these snacks."

Yao Yao nodded in agreement, her little voice bright and clear: "Yes, my mom makes sweet potato pancakes, they're so sweet, they taste even better than candy."

Huo Li'an was taking a bite of a peach shortbread he had just bought when he heard this. He blinked, swallowed the pastry in his mouth, and said seriously, "My mother is also a good cook. Her fried noodles with soybean paste, mixed with cucumber shreds, are so fragrant. She also makes sugar-coated sesame cakes. When they come out of the oven, the outer crust is crispy and the inside is sweet."

The three children immediately started arguing. One said his mother's food was delicious, while the other said his mother's food was even more fragrant, which made the surrounding customers laugh.

Zhong Yulan smiled and patted Leilei's head: "Your mothers are all good cooks. We have delicious food every day at home."

Lu Mingyue smiled too, feeling a warm glow in her heart as she looked at the children's earnest expressions.

Whether it's island delicacies or Beijing's Zhajiangmian (noodles with soybean paste).

Whether it was the rare snacks purchased with ration coupons in the 1970s, or the snacks that could be bought anytime later.

The truest happiness comes from children saying, "Mom's cooking is the best."

As Huo Zheng led Lu Mingyue into the photo studio, they saw a familiar figure standing in front of the counter.

Wearing blue overalls and with short hair, he was talking to the photo studio owner.

The man turned around at the sound, saw Huo Zheng, and his eyes lit up: "Huo Zheng."

"Dongzi? What are you doing here?" Huo Zheng stepped forward, and the two of them playfully punched each other.

This is Dongzi, the childhood friend who promised to lend him the car. The two grew up together. Later, Huo Zheng went to the army, while Dongzi stayed in Beijing and opened a car repair shop.

Dongzi shook the film canister in his hand: "I'm here to buy two rolls of film for the factory's year-end group photo. I was just thinking of visiting your place, but I didn't expect to run into you here."

"Sure, come over tonight if you're free. I was just telling Mingyue I wanted to treat you to dinner."

Huo Zheng introduced Lu Mingyue: "Mingyue, this is my childhood friend Hu Yaodong, Dongzi."

Lu Mingyue greeted him with a smile, "Comrade Hu, thank you for lending us your car."

Dongzi scratched his head and said with a smile, "Sister-in-law, don't be so polite. Huo Zheng's business is my business. By the way, are you buying film too? The film from this photo studio is of good quality; I've always used this."

Huo Zheng nodded and said to the sales clerk, "Comrade, give me two rolls of film."

As soon as the sales clerk handed over the film, Dongzi rushed to pay, saying, "I'll pay, I'll pay. Consider it money I bought for the kids, so Huo Zheng can take more photos of them."

Huo Zheng tried to pay, but Dongzi stopped him, saying, "If you keep being polite to me, it means you don't consider me a brother."

Unable to persuade him otherwise, Huo Zheng eventually gave up.

After going outside, Hu Yaodong and Zhong Yulan greeted the children.

Huo Zheng opened the car door, turned around and said to Dongzi, "Come over for dinner tonight, I'll show you what I can do."

Dongzi smiled and agreed, "Okay, I'll be there on time tonight."

Watching Dongzi walk away, Lu Mingyue got into the passenger seat and said to Huo Zheng with a smile, "Your childhood friend is really enthusiastic."

Huo Zheng started the car, a smile in his eyes: "Dongzi has always been like this, honest and reliable. Having a brother like him makes me feel at ease."

It was nearly noon when I came out of the photo studio; the sun was warm and comforting.

Huo Zheng glanced at his watch and said to Zhong Yulan and the children, "Mom, let's not go home to cook. There's a state-run restaurant up ahead; we can try some Beijing specialties."

Zhong Yulan nodded in agreement: "Okay, since we've come all this way, let's go to a state-run restaurant and let the kids have a taste of good food."

The state-run restaurant's facade wasn't large; a sign hung at the entrance.

When I entered, a waiter in a white coat was standing behind the counter taking notes.

Upon seeing them enter, he called out, "How many of you? Do you have a reservation?"

Huo Zheng smiled and shook his head: "No reservation, just find a table by the window."

After finding a seat, the waiter handed me a menu, which was made of cardboard with the names and prices of the dishes written on it in calligraphy.

Zhong Yulan came over to look and pointed to the dishes on the table, saying, "I'd like a plate of braised sea cucumber with scallions, which is a famous dish in Beijing. I'd also like a plate of stir-fried liver tips, which the kids love to eat tender. And I'd also like a plate of shredded pork with eggs and a spinach and vermicelli soup, a combination of meat and vegetables."

Lu Mingyue added, "Mom, let's order another bowl of Zhajiangmian (noodles with soybean paste). Leilei said he wants to eat the Zhajiangmian from home. Let's try the taste here."

After the waiter finished taking notes of the order, collected the money and food coupons, and then went to the kitchen.

In the 1970s, state-run restaurants required not only money but also food coupons to eat, unlike the 21st century where you can pay by scanning a code. The variety of dishes was also much less than it is now, but every dish was made with heart.

The dishes were served shortly afterward.

The children picked up their chopsticks and started eating. Huo Li'an tasted the noodles with soybean paste and his eyes lit up: "This noodles with soybean paste is also delicious, but it has less cucumber shreds than the ones my mother makes."

Zhong Yulan smiled and placed a piece of liver tip on his plate: "Eat slowly, no one will take it from you. When you get home this afternoon, ask your mother to make you some cucumber shreds."

Huo Zheng picked up his teacup and took a sip of hot water: "The food at this restaurant is really good, much better than the previous chef's skills."

After finishing lunch, Huo Zheng went to the counter to pay the bill. The clerk gave him change and food coupons, and said with a smile, "Come again next time."

Zhong Yulan, carrying the unfinished noodles with soybean paste, said to the children, "Come on, let's go for a walk in Ditan Park ahead and digest our food."

The children cheered and stood up, following the adults outside. The aroma of food from the state-run restaurant still lingered behind them.

As we walked back from Ditan Park, the sun was past noon, and the jeep drove on the asphalt road, the sound of its wheels rolling over the surface remarkably smooth.

Huo Zheng had only driven a short distance when the children's noise in the back seat stopped.

Turning my head, I saw Leilei leaning against the car door with his head tilted to the side, his little mouth slightly open, breathing evenly.

Yao Yao curled up in Zhong Yulan's arms, her little hand still clutching the unfinished sugar figurine stick.

Huo Li'an sat more upright, but his head was nodding slowly, his eyes were already closed, and the wisps of hair on his forehead were gently swaying in the wind.

Zhong Yulan was afraid the children would catch a cold, so she gently covered them with the thick coats she had brought, her movements so light as if she were afraid of disturbing something.

Lu Mingyue sat in the passenger seat, looking at the three sleeping little figures in the rearview mirror, and couldn't help but smile.