In mid-February, the capital city was still a gray and gloomy place. But as you drove south out of the city, the gray outside the window gradually lightened and then turned green, and the scenery slowly began to look better.
From dawn to sunset, the Maybach traveled at a leisurely pace, stopping frequently.
Xiao Bao finally realized that this was a trip that could be taken on a whim.
Only when he occasionally glanced out the window did a fleeting look of fear cross his eyes.
Ye Li knew what was going on at a glance.
He didn't even celebrate his first birthday.
On his second birthday, he returned to the old house. Although the little guy didn't know what a birthday meant, the memory of being locked in a cage was too painful. The fifteenth day of the first lunar month became an unspeakable fear in his heart.
For the past two years, because of Xiao Bao, let alone his birthday, the old house didn't even make any big preparations for the Lantern Festival. We just ate a bowl of tangyuan (sweet rice balls) each morning as a token gesture.
"Brother Mu, your birthday is the day after tomorrow. Is there anything you'd like as a gift?"
Xiao Bao was taken aback by Ye Li's words.
The meaning on his face was crystal clear: Wasn't it... today?
Even Fu Yanci, who was in the driver's seat, glanced at Ye Li through the rearview mirror.
Then, belatedly, I realized what had happened.
Today is the Lantern Festival on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, which is also Xiaobao's lunar birthday.
According to the Gregorian calendar, it's the day after tomorrow.
That is, the date of Xiaobao's birth as shown on the household registration booklet.
Xiao Bao shook his head, it was unclear whether he didn't want anything or hadn't decided yet.
She clung tightly to Ye Li's arm, her eyes sparkling as she looked out the window.
At noon, the car drove into a quaint, old-fashioned town.
A path paved with bluestone slabs.
Shops lined both sides of the road.
Colorful banners fluttered in the wind above the shop entrance.
Because of the Lantern Festival, countless lanterns were hung in the alleyways.
As you walk forward, you can see the town's leaders banging gongs in the small square in the middle of the street to announce that there will be a Lantern Festival that night.
Ye Li looked down at Xiao Bao and asked, "Are we coming tonight?"
Xiao Bao nodded.
Fu Yanci replied, "Alright, then we'll stay here tonight."
We had lunch at a century-old restaurant.
From afar, they could see the large, century-old banner, and Xiao Bao pulled Ye Li along as fast as he could.
When he got closer and saw the small characters on both sides of the banner, Xiao Bao was dumbfounded.
"96 years until it becomes a century-old brand..."
After Fu Yanci finished reading, he gave Xiaobao a smiling look, turned around and went inside.
Outside the palace gate, the little guy glared angrily at Ye Li: "Ye Xiaoli, complain about him! Isn't this a false advertisement?"
"good!"
Ye Li nodded decisively.
Xiao Bao was taken aback.
Ye Li took his hand and led him over the high threshold. "Let's eat first. If it's delicious, we'll let it go! If it's not, we'll complain right away!"
He knew perfectly well that she was teasing him.
But because of that resolute "yes," it was as if no matter how much he acted up, she would always be on his side.
When Ye Li asked him if he wanted to eat glutinous rice balls, and whether he preferred sesame or peanut filling, Xiao Bao hesitated for a moment while looking at the menu and then pointed to each one.
The glutinous rice balls are white and plump, soft and chewy.
It took a gentle bite, as if it were trying to glue his teeth together.
Even more delicious than its sticky texture is its rich, sweet aroma.
I didn't understand when I was little.
But now that he's five years old and plays with the tablet well, Xiao Bao knows better than anyone why every year on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, when the capital is filled with the sounds of gongs and drums, with lantern festivals being held here and shopping malls having big sales for the Lantern Festival there, the huge Fu family old house is quiet, as if it were just an ordinary workday.
Now he understands!
It's all because of him!
Because they love him!
They are all the same type of glutinous rice balls, but they seem to taste different when they are served in separate bowls.
Xiao Bao scooped one out of his own bowl and happily placed it in Ye Li's bowl.
They caught another one and cautiously went to look at Fu Yanci.
Seeing him nod, she smiled and put it in his bowl.
Fu Yanci looked at the glutinous rice balls in the bowl and sighed almost imperceptibly.
It's been three years, and this is the first time Xiao Bao has served him food.
After exchanging a glance, Ye Li and Fu Yanci each scooped one out of their own bowls and gave it to Xiao Bao.
When his phone rang, Fu Yanci glanced at the new message and subconsciously looked towards the bathroom.
Ye Li stood at the door waiting.
Xiao Bao is not lost.
On the screen was a message from the little guy: "Uncle, I've figured out what gift you want!"
【what would you like?】
I want to go to school, is that okay?
Staring blankly at the line of text on his phone, Fu Yanci felt a moment of turmoil in his heart.
The psychologist said: So far there is no effective medical solution. All we can say is to be patient, and even more patient. Just like growing flowers, give them time and wait for them to bloom.
And now, a tiny sprout has emerged from the soil.
I was afraid that if I replied too slowly, the little guy would retreat back into his snail shell.
Fu Yanci replied: 【Good!】
In the afternoon, stroll through the ancient town and listen to Fu Yanci's magnetic voice explain the town's historical changes and the interesting legends that have been passed down.
I went back to the guesthouse to rest for a while in the evening.
The sky had just begun to darken when the outside world erupted in a lively commotion with gongs, drums, and fireworks.
Guess the lantern riddles.
Release lanterns.
Eating candied hawthorn.
Watch the older brothers and sisters dressed in ethnic minority costumes perform acrobatics and magic tricks.
I did all the things I'd never done before tonight.
Back in the room, when Xiao Bao yawned to indicate that he was going to sleep, he broke into a bright smile when he met Fu Yanci's concerned gaze.
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