Chapter 198 Roast Duck

Sure enough, there were eye-catching promotional posters at the entrance of the bookstore, and the window displayed "The Star Whisperer," with its silver-stamped planetary orbits on the dark blue cover shining brightly. Next to it stood a hand-painted promotional board: "People's Literature Magazine highly recommends this science fiction novel."

Nan Zhiyi's cheeks flushed slightly, and she unconsciously hid behind Gu Xiao.

"Wait here." Gu Xiao took out a camera from his backpack, adjusted the lens, and gestured for her to stand in front of the shop window. "Take a picture to remember the moment."

Nan Zhiyi never expected him to bring a camera. She shyly tidied her hair and stood by the shop window.

"Honey, smile."

Nan Zhiyi was a little embarrassed: "So many people are watching..."

"What's there to be afraid of?"

Gu Xiao had already adjusted the focus.

She could only straighten her skirt and look at the camera somewhat stiffly.

Gu Xiao shook his head again: "Smile more, like you did the day you finished writing the manuscript."

Recalling the joy of finishing the manuscript, Nan Zhiyi couldn't help but smile.

Gu Xiao insisted on letting her take a few more photos on her own before finally putting the wriggling Xiaoman down on the ground.

The little guy immediately wobbled towards the shop window, his little hand slapping against the glass, right next to the book title.

"This one is even better." Gu Xiao quickly snapped another picture, "Mother and son in the same frame."

"Take a picture too," Nan Zhiyi tugged at his sleeve.

Gu Xiao had already put away his camera: "I'll pass. I'll be happy just taking pictures of you two."

The bookstore was more bustling than I had imagined.

A group of young people gathered in front of the newly opened bookshelf, and several of them were curiously flipping through "The Star Whisperer".

Nan Zhiyi casually walked by and overheard people discussing, "This is really interesting."

She lowered her head and smiled, as Gu Xiao gently put his arm around her waist and led her inside. The family of three strolled around casually, with Xiao Man occasionally letting out surprised "oh" sounds.

When she passed by the supplementary teaching materials section, she carefully selected several subject-specific exercise books and tutoring books. Although she already had a complete set of materials at home, it wouldn't hurt to take a look at more.

The children's section had a newly arrived copy of "Little Smarty's Adventures in the Future." Nan Zhiyi bought a color illustrated edition for Xiaoman and also bought a few other fun picture books.

Gu Xiao pulled out a copy of "Introduction to Photography": "I'll take even better photos of you and your son in the future."

After leaving the bookstore, Nan Zhiyi carried a paper bag full of books.

Gu Xiao said softly, "I'll take you guys out for Peking duck for lunch today. I've been in Beijing for a year and haven't properly taken you out to eat yet."

Normally, he's either busy or she's rushing to finish her manuscript; at most, they'd buy some good food to take home. They'd never go out for a meal so formally.

Nan Zhiyi's eyes lit up.

"Really? I heard that Quanjude's roast duck is the most authentic." She teased her son, "Xiaoman, did you hear that? Daddy is going to take us to eat roast duck."

Gu Xiao felt a pang of sadness as he looked at her excited expression.

While other people's wives go shopping and watch movies, his Zhiyi spends all her time with her manuscripts and children, and she's so happy even just to eat a roast duck.

His desires are always so easily satisfied.

But the more he felt this way, the more he felt indebted; he should have made her life better.

He adjusted his grip on the child, freeing his right hand to hold her firmly: "It's just a short walk from Qianmen Street."

The family of three strolled around and arrived at their destination in about ten minutes.

The roast duck restaurant is a quaint two-story building with a gilded plaque hanging at the entrance.

It was lunchtime, and the hall was bustling with noise.

When the waiter saw Gu Xiao carrying the child in, he didn't know Gu Xiao's identity, but he could tell from Gu Xiao's demeanor that he was no ordinary person. He quickly led them to a private room by the window, where they could see the green-tiled roofs of the old alley.

Nan Zhiyi looked around curiously.

The hall's beams and pillars were painted vermilion, and portraits of teachers and the slogan "Serve the People" hung on the white walls. Ceiling fans whirred overhead.

Each of the eight-immortal tables was set with blue and white porcelain tableware.

A chef in a white coat was slicing duck on the spot, pushing a food cart. His knife skills were so skillful that the duck meat was sliced ​​as thin as cicada wings.

Gu Xiao placed his son on a chair at the back, his arm loosely wrapped around him to prevent him from crawling around.

He ordered with practiced ease: "One roast duck, duck carcass soup, and some mustard greens, fried meatballs, and duck pastries," then turned to Nan Zhiyi and asked, "What else would you like to eat?"

Nan Zhiyi whispered, "Too much."

But he insisted, "It's a rare opportunity to come here."

When the roast duck was brought out, the master chef sliced ​​the duck meat right there.

Xiaoman watched intently as the glistening duck skin crackled and popped under the knife.

Gu Xiao first wiped his son's hands with a hot towel, then stuffed a piece of duck shortbread into his mouth for him to chew on. This thing was hard and would keep the little guy chewing on it for a long time.

Nan Zhiyi carefully wrapped the first pancake, dipped the scallion and cucumber strips in sweet bean sauce, and paired it with the crispy duck skin. She then handed it to Gu Xiao's mouth, saying, "You worked the hardest today."

Gu Xiao bit down on her hand, his lips unintentionally brushing against her fingertips.

Nan Zhiyi's ears burned, but he chewed nonchalantly, saying, "My wife's dumplings are always the best."

Later, he also wrapped one up and handed it to her mouth; the duck meat in the pancake was piled high.

Seeing this, Xiaoman mumbled, "Dad...eat..." while her little hands scratched in the air.

Gu Xiao then tore off a small piece of duck meat and fed it to him. The little guy ate it with his mouth glistening with oil, and he danced around happily.

The duck bone soup was simmered until it turned milky white, and Nan Zhiyi served everyone a bowl.

Xiaoman sat on Gu Xiao's lap, holding her special little bowl and drinking happily.

I paid six yuan and three liang of meat coupons when I paid the bill.

Nan Zhiyi felt a pang of regret; this was several days' worth of food expenses.

Gu Xiao looked at her conflicted little expression with amusement, took her hand and shook it.

“It’s all small money. We can come whenever we want to eat, even once a week is fine.”

Nan Zhiyi stopped hesitating, smiled, and gently squeezed her fingers back into his palm. "Okay, let's go out for a big meal, it's on me~"

Xiaoman was fast asleep on Gu Xiao's shoulder, her soft face pressed against him, but she was still tightly clutching the pastry in her hand.

Nan Zhiyi gently brushed the crumbs off her son's cheek, and the three of them slowly walked toward the alley where they had parked.

The jeep was parked quietly under the locust tree, and Gu Xiao carefully handed the child to the back seat.

Nan Zhiyi took the heavy little body and adjusted her position so that her son could sleep in her arms.

Back to the Army compound.

As soon as Nan Zhiyi entered the courtyard, she smelled the fragrance of sun-dried cotton fabrics. She saw that the clothesline was full of sheets and quilts, and several cotton quilts were spread out under the grape trellis.

Sister Zhang was beating the cotton quilts with a rattan sieve when she saw them return and hurriedly came to greet them: "The sun is shining brightly today, so I took apart and washed all the winter quilts."

She leaned closer to look at the sleeping Xiaoman and lowered her voice, "Xiaoman's bedding has been changed too."

Nan Zhiyi felt a warmth in her heart: "Thank you for all that work..."

"Of course," Sister Zhang said with a smile, pointing to the kitchen. "There's some mung bean soup warming on the stove. I'll go get some."

After Nan Zhiyi settled Xiaoman downstairs, Sister Zhang was still tidying up the clothes that had been drying.

Nan Zhiyi took out the oil paper package she had brought back: "I brought you roast duck and shortbread. Take them back for the children to try."

Sister Zhang waved her hands repeatedly, saying, "I can't accept this..."

"I bought this especially for you." Nan Zhiyi stuffed it into her hand.