Chapter 112 Temple Fair
In the end, Gu Xiao still didn't take Nan Zhiyi ice skating.
She was pregnant, and the ice was slippery; he didn't dare to think about what might happen if something went wrong.
After thinking for a moment, he decided to take her to the City God Temple.
As the year draws to a close, the temple fair is bustling. It's located in the city center, so the wind is gentle and you can rest anywhere if you get tired.
"Going to the temple fair? Let's see if there's anything we like on Dongmen Street and buy some back."
Nan Zhiyi became interested as soon as she heard about shopping and nodded repeatedly.
The New Year's Day temple fair on Dongmen Street is an old tradition in Jian'an, and she used to often go to join in the fun.
The temple fair was bustling with activity.
Temporary stalls were set up on both sides of the bluestone road.
An old man blows sugar figurines, his nimble fingers creating roosters and figures of Sun Wukong; an old woman sells handmade cloth tigers and tiger-head shoes.
A group of teenagers were noisily gathered around a stall selling ring toss games and air guns.
The vendor selling candied hawthorns carried a straw basket, and the bright red hawthorns, coated with a glistening sugar shell, looked incredibly tempting.
There were also fried dough sticks, braised pork offal, bamboo winnowing baskets and hampers, coarse pottery bowls and plates, colorful scraps of cloth, needles and thread, homemade frozen tofu, vermicelli... a dazzling array of goods, packed tightly together.
Nan Zhiyi, like a bird released from its cage, held Gu Xiao's hand as they weaved through the crowd.
At a stall selling velvet flowers, she picked out a pale yellow one and tucked it behind her ear: "Does it look good?"
The velvet flower made her features appear even more vibrant.
Gu Xiao praised without reservation: "Beautiful."
She also bought a small bag of roasted chestnuts and insisted that Gu Xiao peel them for her. He peeled them slowly and methodically, while she ate them with a smile on her face.
I saw a dough figurine stall with dough figurines of Tang Sanzang and his disciples; they were incredibly cute.
She was so tempted by what she saw that she stopped and said, "Gu Xiao, I want to buy Tang Sanzang and his disciples..."
Gu Xiao raised an eyebrow. "I'll do whatever you say."
Nan Zhiyi waved her hand at the craftsman, "Give me one each. And make two more for the two of us."
After finishing making the dough figurines, she picked out a few pairs of insoles from a stall selling insoles and tiger-head hats next to her, and also bought a small and cute tiger-head hat for her unborn child.
Gu Xiao stayed by her side the whole time, watching what she liked and silently taking out money and tickets to hand over, indulging her rare happiness.
After strolling around for most of the morning, Gu Xiao noticed that Nan Zhiyi had slowed down and knew she was tired: "Let's go back, it's time for lunch."
She was still eager for more, but both of them had their hands full of things, so she obediently nodded and said, "Mmm."
The two carried their haul back to the Gu family's courtyard.
As soon as I pushed open the courtyard gate, I heard a sound from inside the house that was much noisier than usual.
It turned out that the second brother, Gu Jianjun, and his family had returned.
Gu Xiao was somewhat surprised and helped Nan Zhiyi change her shoes.
"Second Brother?"
"Fifth brother? Back on vacation?" Gu Jianjun put down his teacup, stood up from the sofa, patted Gu Xiao on the shoulder, glanced at Nan Zhiyi, and nodded with a smile, "Sister-in-law."
"Mm," Gu Xiao replied.
"Second Brother." Nan Zhiyi greeted him with a smile, then looked at the two boys beside her, "Xiao Gang, Xiao Qiang, come on, try this."
She shared a small bag of sesame candy she had bought at the temple fair with her two children.
"Thank you, Fifth Aunt." Gu Gang and Gu Qiang accepted the items and expressed their gratitude.
The kitchen curtain was lifted, and Zhang Xiufen, the second sister-in-law, poked her head out, holding a spatula in her hand: "Fifth brother, fifth sister-in-law is back? Lunch will be ready soon."
Nan Zhiyi put down her things, rolled up her sleeves, and headed towards the kitchen: "Second sister-in-law, Aunt Wu, let me help."
Before she could even take a step, Gu Xiao reached out, grabbed her wrist, and led her toward the stairs.
"I've been walking all morning, let's go upstairs, put our things away, and then rest for a while."
Nan Zhiyi knew he was worried about her, and her heart warmed. She obediently picked up her things and went upstairs.
Back in her bedroom upstairs, she carefully took out a cardboard box, opened it, and inside lay two small dough figurines.
Although the materials used are simple, the expressions are captured very accurately: one is wearing a military uniform, with a tall and handsome figure; the other has two small braids, with curved eyebrows and a sweet smile.
The two little figures stood side by side, looking utterly adorable.
She happily placed the dough figurine in the most conspicuous spot on her desk, rested her chin on her hand, and looked at it from left to right, especially staring at the "little Gu Xiao," laughing more and more as she looked: "Hehe, it really looks like Fifth Brother..."
Gu Xiao stood behind her, and seeing her so happy and silly over two little clay figurines, his heart softened.
He leaned down, rested his chin on her shoulder, and looked at the person opposite him.
The sculpting is indeed incredibly lifelike, especially hers; the lively expression in her eyes and brows is just like her.
"Are you that happy?"
"Mmm!" Nan Zhiyi nodded vigorously, her fingertips gently touching "Little Gu Xiao's" face.
Her lips were slightly pouting, like ripe cherries.
Gu Xiao's eyes darkened, and he couldn't resist gently biting her soft cheek.
"Ouch!" Nan Zhiyi clutched the spot where she had been bitten, glaring at him angrily. "Gu Xiao! Don't leave a tooth mark..."
She rubbed her face with the back of her hand. "It's all drool! You bad guy!"
Gu Xiao chuckled softly, not annoyed, and turned to walk into the bathroom next door.
A moment later, he came out with a warm, damp towel and gently wiped her cheek where she had been bitten, then carefully wiped each of her fingers clean.
Nan Zhiyi obediently let him wipe her, a smile curving her lips.
Lunch was a feast, with large and small plates and bowls filling the table. The braised pork was glistening with oil, the steamed fish was fragrant and delicious, and there was also tender chicken soup and vibrant green vegetables. The meal was plentiful and festive.
Nan Zhiyi originally had a good appetite, but as soon as she sat down, a strong smell of spices and greasy meat hit her.
She endured her discomfort, her face turning slightly pale.
Gu Xiao sat next to her and noticed her unusual behavior.
Under the table, he gently squeezed her hand, turned his head and asked in a low voice, "Are you not feeling well? Do you want to go back to your room to eat? I'll have Aunt Wu make you something light."
Nan Zhiyi shook her head, not wanting to spoil everyone's fun, and also afraid of appearing too delicate: "It's okay, I'm just not very hungry."
Gu Xiao frowned slightly, stopped trying to persuade her, picked up some dishes that she could accept, and put a bowl of clear soup next to her.
Nan Zhiyi ate the meal reluctantly and remained silent.
After eating about half a bowl, Nan Zhiyi couldn't hold on any longer. She put down her chopsticks and said softly to everyone, "Dad, Second Brother and Second Sister-in-law, please eat slowly. I'm a little tired. I'll go back to my room to rest for a while."
Commander Gu nodded: "If you're not feeling well, then get some rest."
Gu Jianjun and Zhang Xiufen politely responded.
Gu Xiao quickly finished the last few bites and put down his chopsticks: "I'll go upstairs with you."
He pulled Nan Zhiyi upstairs.
After a brief silence at the dinner table, Gu Jianjun chuckled and said, "Fifth Brother... he's really good to his wife."
Zhang Xiufen didn't reply, but just kept her head down, picking at the rice in her bowl, her eyes involuntarily glancing towards the stairwell.
After the meal, Zhang Xiufen helped Wu Ma clear the dishes and went into the kitchen.
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