"Don't move."
Old Zhang held his head down.
"A knife doesn't have eyes."
When all the procedures were completed, Wu Ermaitai stood in front of the mirror and couldn't even recognize himself.
Her face was clean, her hair was neatly trimmed, and even her complexion, which had been covered by dirt for years, was much whiter.
Su Jianguo was surprised to discover that this fool, despised by the entire village, actually had a remarkably handsome face.
A high, straight nose, thick eyebrows, and a pair of clear eyes.
"This...this is me?"
Wu Er touched his smooth cheek, unable to believe it.
"Let's go, I'll take you to eat something good."
Su Jianguo handed over the new clothes with a smile.
When the two walked out of the bathhouse, the sun was already setting in the west.
I passed by an eyewear store, and there was a row of stylish sunglasses hanging in the window.
Wu Ermaitai suddenly stopped and stared intently at one of the round-framed sunglasses.
"I...I like..."
He said in a low voice, his fingers unconsciously touching the shop window glass.
Without saying a word, Su Jianguo walked into the store.
"Boss, could you let me see those sunglasses?"
When Wu Ermaitai put on sunglasses and looked at himself in the mirror in the store, a childlike smile appeared on his face.
Su Jianguo noticed that the sunglasses suited him unexpectedly well, concealing his slightly dull eyes and adding a touch of mystery.
"How much?"
Nine pieces.
The boss said.
This was a considerable sum at the time, equivalent to three or four days' wages for an ordinary worker.
But Su Jianguo paid the money without hesitation.
"Keep it; it's a gift for you."
Wu Er was so happy that he danced around, jumping and skipping in the street wearing sunglasses, attracting curious glances from passersby.
Su Jianguo didn't stop him, but just smiled and followed behind.
The Quanjude signboard stood out prominently in the twilight.
Stepping into the restaurant, Wu Er was stunned by its antique-style decor.
Rosewood tables and chairs, carved screens, calligraphy and paintings by famous artists hanging on the walls, and waiters in neat uniforms moving back and forth.
"Can two or three people eat this much?"
Wu Ermaitai watched as Su Jianguo ordered two whole roast ducks, along with duck bone soup, stir-fried duck offal, and several side dishes, and asked in a low voice.
"I'm afraid there won't be enough to eat."
Su Jianguo smiled.
Eat as much as you like.
When the roast duck chef pushed the food cart over to carve the duck on the spot, Wu Ermai's eyes widened like copper bells.
With swift strokes of his knife, the chef sliced the duck meat into paper-thin pieces, neatly arranging them on a blue-and-white porcelain plate, the golden duck skin glistening with oil.
Wu Er couldn't resist reaching out to grab it.
But Su Jianguo stopped him.
"Watch carefully, eat it like this."
Su Jianguo picked up a thin lotus leaf pancake, took two slices of duck meat, dipped them in sweet bean sauce, added shredded scallions and cucumber strips, skillfully rolled them into a small package, and handed it to Wu Ermaitai.
Wu Er tried to imitate Su Jianguo, but clumsily spilled the filling all over the table.
Su Jianguo patiently demonstrated it again.
"Put the meat in first, then the scallions and cucumber, and finally dip it in the sauce. This way, the roll won't leak."
When Wu Ermaita finally managed to put the first tortilla into his mouth, his expression froze.
The crispy duck skin, the tender duck meat, the sweet and savory sauce, the spiciness of the scallions, and the refreshing taste of the cucumber burst in your mouth.
"So...delicious..."
Wu Er's tears suddenly welled up and rolled down his cheeks.
"I...I...I've never, ever eaten anything so delicious..."
Su Jianguo was stunned, then he understood.
This fool, forgotten by society, may never have eaten a decent meal in his entire life.
"Eat slowly, there's more."
Su Jianguo rolled up another one and handed it to him.
Wu Er ate while crying, swallowing his tears along with his food.
"Brother Jian, Brother Jianguo... after eating this meal... even if I die, it'll be worth it..."
Su Jianguo choked up and suddenly felt a lump in his throat.
He poured himself a glass of Erguotou (a type of Chinese liquor) and pushed it towards him.
"Have a drink, to help you relax."
Wu Ermai downed the drink in one gulp, his tongue lolling out from the spiciness, yet he still grinned foolishly.
"Hot...warm..."
The two of them taught each other and learned in this way, and the roast duck was quickly finished.
Su Jianguo served a second one, until Wu Er patted his bulging belly and said he couldn't eat anymore.
It was already dark when I left Quanjude.
Wu Ermai was wearing new sunglasses and clean clothes. His belly was round from eating, and his face showed an unprecedented expression of satisfaction.
He suddenly grabbed Su Jianguo's sleeve, his voice choked with emotion.
"Brother Jianguo...today...today I feel like a normal person..."
Tears welled up in Wu Er's unkempt eyes; they were tears of joy at regaining his dignity.
"Don't talk nonsense."
Su Jianguo put his arm around his shoulder.
"You're a human being, and you're my good brother."
Afterwards, Su Jianguo took Wu Er back home.
Inside what was originally Mrs. Zhang's house...
When Mrs. Zhang moved out, she took almost everything she could carry from the house.
Fortunately, Su Jianguo brought a set of bedding from home.
Wearing those round-framed sunglasses, Wu Ermai wandered around the room like a child, occasionally touching the walls and patting the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed), chuckling softly.
"Second brother, you can stay here tonight."
Su Jianguo spread the bedding he brought from home on the kang (a heated brick bed).
"This blanket is new; just use it when it gets cold at night."
Wu Er sat carefully on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed), afraid of soiling the brand-new bedding.
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