Chapter 471 Weight
Gu Zhao was full of anticipation about going out with her mother to choose a gift for her uncle.
After breakfast, contrary to his usual behavior, he didn't rush off to play. Instead, he sat upright on the living room sofa, his little body ramrod straight, his eyes occasionally glancing towards the stairs, waiting for his mother to come downstairs.
Nannan came over and invited him, "Xiaoman, do you want to play with toys together?"
Gu Zhao shook her head. "Sister, I have something to do today, so I can't play." She looked just like a little adult with an important mission on her shoulders.
A little while later, Nannan was also called away by Wang Juan to have her hair braided and change into clothes for going out to pay New Year's visits.
While braiding her daughter's hair, Wang Juan said to Nan Zhiyi beside her, "We're going to visit my parents' house today. We've seen most of the relatives we need to see..." There was a hint of helplessness in her voice.
In previous years, the second and fourth branches of the family would go back to their own homes on the second and third days of the Lunar New Year, each busy with their own New Year's greetings. This year, Commander Gu gave the order early on, asking all the Gu family members to stay until after Gu Yan's wedding banquet. As a result, they all stayed in the Gu family's small building, which was inconvenient in many ways... but there was no other way.
Nan Zhiyi smiled and helped Aunt Wu clear the table.
After the families who needed to go out to pay New Year's visits left one after another, Gu Xiao and Gu Yan accompanied Commander Gu out the door.
Before leaving, Gu Yan deliberately waved to Gu Zhao on the sofa: "Xiao Man, are you really not going out with your uncle? Maybe there will be something more fun."
Gu Zhao sat on the sofa, his bottom seemingly glued to the spot, not moving an inch: "I'm spending today with Mom!" His reason sounded perfectly legitimate.
The adults smiled, didn't press him, gave him a few words of advice, and then left.
Hearing the car drive away, Gu Zhao jumped up from the sofa and excitedly ran to Nan Zhiyi's side, "Mom! Mom! They're all gone! Let's go!"
Nan Zhiyi smiled and tapped his nose: "Okay, Mom will go get something, and then we'll set off."
She went upstairs first, carefully rolled up the dried watercolor painting, wrapped it in kraft paper, and then put it in a waterproof long cloth bag. Only then did she wrap scarves and hats around her son and herself, and braved the crisp winter air to go out.
The mother and son first went to a long-established calligraphy and painting shop in the old town of Jian'an.
The mounting master, an elderly man wearing reading glasses, took the painting and examined it carefully. He also showed Nan Zhiyi several sample booklets, allowing her to choose the mounting style and the color of the silk.
Nan Zhiyi carefully selected a simple and elegant style, explained her needs to the craftsman, and arranged a time to pick it up.
Stepping out of the framing shop, a gust of cold wind made Gu Zhao feel even more energetic.
Nan Zhiyi took his hand and asked, "Alright, Comrade Gu Zhao, it's your turn to make the decision now. Where should we go to pick out a gift for your uncle? Should we go to the department store or the temple fair? The department store has everything, and the trinkets at the temple fair are more interesting."
Without much thought, Gu Zhao shouted, "Go to the department store!" He thought that the department store was the most upscale place with the most things, and the gift for his uncle should naturally be bought in the best place.
"Okay, let's go to the department store then."
The People's Department Store is a five-story building with a gray exterior and red lanterns and colorful flags hanging at the entrance to celebrate the Spring Festival.
Because of the Lunar New Year, crowds surged and jostled each other.
Nan Zhiyi held her son's hand tightly, afraid that she might lose sight of the little guy if she wasn't careful.
The two did not linger on the first floor, but went straight to the fourth floor.
This place sells daily necessities, stationery, handicrafts, and some light industrial products; it's relatively quiet.
Gu Zhao looked around, but soon felt a little lost; there were just too many things!
The glass display case contains thermos flasks, enamel basins, tin biscuit tins, alarm clocks, fountain pens, notebooks, and more.
There are so many options, but which one would be suitable to give to my uncle?
"Mom," he said, a little bewildered, "what should we buy?"
Nan Zhiyi was also pondering this in her heart.
Gu Yan lacks nothing; he has more clothes and other necessities than the fresh goods from the south, probably more than this department store has.
Gu Zhao's feelings are the key.
Nan Zhiyi gently guided him: "Gu Zhao, think about it, what does your uncle like? Or, what do you think can represent your feelings, so that when he sees it, he will think of you, and remember that you wished him a happy marriage and the start of a new life?"
Gu Zhao frowned slightly and began to think seriously.
My uncle likes to smoke (even though Mom says it's unhealthy), likes to drive, likes to buy him toys, and likes to laugh, but sometimes he seems a little unhappy... His little brain is working hard.
The mother and son strolled around among the various counters.
Passing by a relatively quiet counter, I saw displays of handicrafts: cloisonné vases, ivory carvings, jade seals, brass lamps...
"Mom! That!"
Gu Zhao pointed to an inconspicuous thing in the corner of the counter.
It was a palm-sized old-fashioned brass car model, shaped like a vintage Beetle. It was exquisitely crafted with smooth lines, and the doors could even be opened, and the steering wheel could be turned slightly, exuding a rustic mechanical beauty.
Unlike the cloisonné vases or jade carvings next to it, which were more valuable and eye-catching, it still caught Gu Zhao's attention, perhaps because it resembled a car, and his uncle liked cars.
Nan Zhiyi looked in the direction he was pointing.
This gift isn't too expensive, doesn't require any special tickets, and more importantly, it's truly unique, with a touch of childlike fun and nostalgia, yet not as childish as a toy car.
She asked the sales clerk to take it out for her to look at, and after confirming that there were no defects, she looked down at Gu Zhao and asked, "Do you think this is good? Will Uncle like it?"
Gu Zhao nodded vigorously, "My uncle has a real car, so I'll give him a toy car so he can put it on the table and look at it! Besides, this car looks so cool!"
Nan Zhiyi smiled, "Okay, then let's buy this. Let's use Comrade Gu Zhao's own money to give to Uncle."
Gu Zhao solemnly took the red envelope out of his pocket, counted out the brand-new banknotes inside, and handed the money to the sales clerk one by one.
The sales clerk took the money, counted it, and issued a receipt.
Gu Zhao mimicked an adult's tone: "Auntie, could you please wrap it up nicely for me?" He remembered that his mother always wrapped gifts before giving them away.
This is the crafts counter, offering simple packaging services.
The saleswoman said kindly, "Auntie will wrap it up nicely for you. It's Chinese New Year now, so wrapping is free." She skillfully wrapped the bronze chariot model with colored paper, tied it with a red ribbon, made a delicate bow, and finally put it in a kraft paper bag before handing it out.
Gu Zhao accepted the bag with both hands. Only by wrapping it so carefully could it resemble a real, presentable gift!
He carefully held the paper bag in his hand, and it felt heavier than before.
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