Chapter 127 Playing
Before long, a sweet aroma wafted from the kitchen, the rich scent of red dates mixed with the delicate sweetness of longan, filling the entire yard.
An'an was the first to smell the aroma and pulled Lei Lei's hand, running towards the kitchen: "Grandma, it smells so good! Are you making something delicious?"
Zhong Yulan smiled and patted his head: "Don't worry, it'll be ready soon. I'll serve you big bowls when it's done."
The sweet soup was simmered until it was thick and sticky, the red dates were plump and full, and the longan pulp floated on the surface of the soup, its color bright red and tempting.
Zhong Yulan filled several bowls with coarse porcelain and placed them on the stone table in the courtyard: "Come on, have a taste. Dongzi and Liuyun, you should also have some. These are the good things you brought."
Zhuangzhuang held the bowl, blew on it to cool it down, took a sip, and his eyes immediately lit up: "Sweet, even sweeter than milk candy."
Yao Yao also took a sip, her little brows relaxing: "Grandma's soup is so delicious."
As Dongzi sipped the sweet soup, he smiled and said to Huo Zheng, "Auntie really knows how to manage a household. This soup made from red dates and longan is even more delicious than eating them directly."
Liu Yun nodded in agreement: "Yes, this sweet soup is so comforting, it makes me feel good."
As night deepened, Dongzi's family got up to say goodbye. Liu Yun held Zhuangzhuang, who was so sleepy he could barely keep his eyes open, while Dongzi picked up the empty net bag from the table.
Lu Mingyue was prepared. She quickly went into the inner room, picked up two bulging cloth bags, and handed them over: "Dongzi and Liuyun, these are for you. Don't go back empty-handed."
The cloth bag was packed full of dried scallops and dried shrimp they brought from the island, jujube flower buns steamed by Zhong Yulan, and Beijing-style snacks they had just bought that afternoon.
"Sister-in-law, you're too kind," Dongzi quickly declined.
Lu Mingyue smiled and stuffed the cloth bag into his hand: "Isn't that what the New Year is all about? It's lively and lasts longer when there's giving and receiving. These dried scallops make a delicious chicken soup. You should try it when you get back. Zhuangzhuang can drink it too."
Huo Zheng added with a smile, "Dongzi, these eight Beijing delicacies are for Zhuangzhuang as snacks."
Looking at the heavy cloth bag in his hand, Dongzi felt a warm glow in his heart. He stopped refusing and just smiled, saying, "Then I'll accept it. Thank you, Brother Zheng and Sister-in-law. Next time, we'll treat you to a meal."
As they reached the courtyard gate, Huo Zheng suddenly remembered something and patted Dongzi on the shoulder: "By the way, how about our two families take the kids to Tiananmen Square tomorrow? It's lively there at the end of the year, and the kids can take some photos."
Dongzi's eyes lit up and he immediately nodded: "Great! Zhuangzhuang also wants to go, so let's meet up early tomorrow morning and ride our bikes there together."
There are many of them, and several children will definitely need to ride in the car, so there won't be enough room. Anyway, Tiananmen Square isn't far away, so it's more convenient to ride a bike there.
Liu Yun smiled and said, "That's great! I'd like to take Zhuangzhuang to see it too."
Zhong Yulan reminded them, "Come early tomorrow. It will be cold on the way. Make sure the children wear plenty of clothes and bring hot water."
The next morning, the bicycle bells rang crisply in the alley.
Dongzi rode a bicycle with Zhuangzhuang sitting on the front crossbar and Liuyun sitting behind him.
Huo Zheng's car carried Lu Mingyue and her two children in the back seat, while Huo Feng also brought his wife. The three families made their way to Tiananmen Square.
Tiananmen Square is especially lively in winter, with many people taking photos around the gate tower.
As soon as the children got off the bus, they were attracted by the scene in the square. An'an pulled Lei Lei's hand and ran forward, while Wen Yuexian followed behind, calling out, "Slow down, don't get lost."
Huo Zheng took out his camera from his bag, loaded the film he had bought yesterday, and said to the children with a smile, "Come on, stand together, I'll take a group photo of you."
Lu Mingyue quickly helped Yao Yao straighten her hat, while Liu Yun zipped up Zhuang Zhuang's cotton-padded jacket: "Stand still, look at the camera."
The children stood obediently in a row.
Huo Zheng raised his camera and pointed it at the children: "Look here, smile."
Zhuangzhuang opened his round eyes wide and tried to turn the corners of his mouth up, but he didn't make a sound.
Yao Yao showed her two little tiger teeth and smiled sweetly.
Lei Lei and Huo Li'an grinned as well, the sunlight making their cheeks rosy.
With a click, the camera captured the moment.
Four children stood in front of Tiananmen Gate, with the majestic buildings and crowds of people behind them.
Everyone smiled broadly, their eyes filled with curiosity and joy.
Wen Yuexian watched from the side and said to Lu Mingyue with a smile, "Look how happy the children are. We must keep these photos safe once they are developed."
Liu Yun nodded, watching Zhuangzhuang tiptoe to reach for the camera, and couldn't help but laugh: "This kid, he wants to see the photos after they've been taken."
Huo Zheng put away his camera and said to the children, "Come on, let's go to the bottom of the city gate and take a few more pictures. Let's all take a few pictures."
"We're going to have a great time today. I even brought my camera." Dongzi held up the camera in his hand.
The day after returning from Tiananmen Square, the two families went to the Great Wall together.
The snow had completely melted by now, leaving only damp earth and fresh air.
Early in the morning, Lu Mingyue climbed up the hillside and looked at the winding city wall, which resembled a dragon. At first, she excitedly followed the children up the hill.
But after climbing for a short while, my legs felt as heavy as if they were filled with lead.
A few days ago, she went to the park and Tiananmen Square. After several days of running around, she couldn't take it anymore. She leaned against the city wall, panting heavily, and her forehead was covered in a fine layer of sweat.
Looking at the children around them, Leilei and Yaoyao had lost their usual energy.
Leilei let go of Zhuangzhuang's hand, sat down on the steps, and pouted, "Mom, I can't walk anymore, my legs are so sore."
Yao Yao threw herself into Zhong Yulan's arms, rubbing against her clothes and saying sweetly, "Mommy, I'm tired, I don't want to climb anymore."
The two little ones looked like wilted seedlings after a frost, their heads drooping. Even Huo Li'an, who was usually the most energetic, slowed down and rubbed his calves from time to time.
Seeing this, Huo Zheng quickly took out a water bottle from his backpack and handed Lu Mingyue a sip of water: "Take a rest if you're tired, don't push yourself. We won't climb any higher, let's just enjoy the scenery here."
Dongzi smiled and chimed in, "Yes, the children are tired too. Let's find a place to sit for a while and then slowly descend the mountain."
Lu Mingyue took out a cloth she had prepared earlier from her bag and spread it on the stone steps: "Come on, eat something first to fill your stomach and replenish your strength. Yao Yao, be good, Mommy will break you a piece of steamed egg cake, you'll have energy after eating it."
Although An'an was also tired, she still followed the example of adults and shared half of her steamed bun with Lei Lei: "Here, have some. If you eat it, we'll go down the mountain together."
Lu Mingyue leaned against the city wall, watching Huo Zheng wipe the children's sweat. The two children were eating chicken cakes with relish. Suddenly, she felt that it didn't matter if they didn't reach the top.
No matter how magnificent the scenery of the Great Wall is, it can't compare to the tenderness of family members or the adorable way children share with each other.
Sunlight streamed through the crenellations of the city wall, falling warmly on them and easing their fatigue.
After resting for more than half an hour, Lu Mingyue felt that her strength had recovered somewhat.
Seeing the children chasing and playing on the stone steps again, he smiled and said to Huo Zheng, "Let's go, let's slowly go down the mountain, and make some meat soup tonight to nourish the children."
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