"See? I didn't lie to you, did I? That police uncle is so tall and his uniform looks great. When I grow up, I want to be a police officer too," Little Fatty mumbled, propping his chin on his chubby hands, his voice full of longing.
Rui Rui frowned again, shaking his head helplessly at Little Fatty's ignorance. "My dad isn't a police officer. He's in the People's Liberation Army."
"Oh," Little Fatty nodded, not quite understanding. "Gu Rui, is your dad as impressive as that police uncle outside?"
Rui Rui: "..."
The family of three returned home. Zhao Qiuyue had already returned from grocery shopping and was preparing vegetables. Chen Lishu put her shoulder bag in the house and came out to help her cook.
Since Gu Xingguo and his brothers were coming over in the evening, the two women prepared six dishes together: Di San Xian (fried potatoes, eggplant, and peppers), Twice-Cooked Pork, Sweet and Sour Fish, Stir-fried Tomatoes and Eggs, Stir-fried Greens, and a cold dish.
After finishing the cooking, Zhao Qiuyue glanced at the wall clock, untied her apron, and said to Chen Lishu, "Sister, I'll head back now. I'll come over again tomorrow afternoon."
Chen Lishu nodded, and Zhao Qiuyue left the house.
In the evening, Gu Xingguo and his brothers arrived. It was rare for the four brothers to gather together. After dinner, Chen Lishu and Rui Rui left the living room to the four brothers.
Dinner lasted until past eight o'clock, and Gu Xingguo and his brothers left to catch the last bus back.
Seeing Gu Xingdong start to clear the dishes, Chen Lishu said, "You just returned from a mission, and you haven't rested all day. You must be tired. Why don't you go wash up first? I'll handle the cleanup here."
"Dad works hard. Rui Rui can also help Mom." Rui Rui said, trotting to the table to help arrange the stools. The child, only a head taller than the stools, pursed his lips into a straight line from the effort.
Gu Xingdong chuckled upon hearing his words and didn't stop him from helping. He continued clearing the dishes while curiously asking, "How do you know Dad works hard?"
Rui Rui looked up at Chen Lishu, then back at Gu Xingdong, and said earnestly, "Mom said Dad works very hard to protect everyone. Mom and I also have to take good care of our home."
Gu Xingdong paused his action of carrying the plates, surprised by such words. He smiled and said, "Is that so? Then you'll have to eat more in the future, otherwise, you won't even have the strength to move stools. How will you take care of the family?"
Rui Rui's little face flushed. "I, I have strength now."
Chen Lishu couldn't stand it any longer. She nudged Gu Xingdong, telling him not to tease the child, and went to place the other two stools properly.
"Rui Rui has a day off tomorrow. How about we take the child to the zoo?"
Usually, both Chen Lishu and Gu Xingdong were busy and didn't have time to accompany their child. Since Gu Xingdong was off work, Chen Lishu made the suggestion.
Upon hearing "zoo," Rui Rui's eyes instantly lit up, a flicker of longing in his eyes.
"Okay, then we'll go to the zoo tomorrow," Gu Xingdong nodded, looking at Rui Rui and saying, "Go to bed early tonight so you'll have the energy to wake up early tomorrow."
Rui Rui nodded repeatedly and obediently said goodbye to Chen Lishu and Gu Xingdong before returning to his room to sleep.
Hearing the door close, Gu Xingdong turned to Chen Lishu and whispered in a low voice, "Let's go to bed early too."
Meeting his ardent gaze, Chen Lishu's heart skipped a beat, and her throat felt a little tight. "The child just went into his room..."
Before she could finish her sentence, Chen Lishu felt herself lifted in a swoon as Gu Xingdong scooped her up.
...
The next day, Chen Lishu was woken by the aroma of food. When she opened her eyes, she found the spot beside her empty. Knowing Gu Xingdong's habit of waking up early, Chen Lishu didn't pay it much mind.
Outside, Rui Rui had already brushed his teeth and washed his face. Seeing her come out, he said, "Mom, you're awake? Dad is making porridge. He also bought steamed buns, soy milk, and fried dough sticks."
Chen Lishu turned towards the kitchen upon hearing his words and saw Gu Xingdong standing by the stove, ladling porridge into bowls. Beside him were several plates and bowls, which, as Rui Rui had said, contained an assortment of buns, eggs, soy milk, and fried dough sticks.
Gu Xingdong glanced over. "You're awake? Go wash up quickly. We'll eat soon."
"Why did you get so much?"
"I didn't know which kind you liked, so I bought a little of everything. It's fine, give me any leftovers."
Chen Lishu nodded and turned to the bathroom to wash up.
After breakfast, Chen Lishu specifically went back to her room to change into a knee-length plain dress. Her hair, as black as raven feathers, was neatly pinned up in a bun at the top of her head, revealing her fair and slender neck.
She wore blue-strapped wedge sandals that made her slender calves seem to glow.
Gu Xingdong felt his eyes dazzled.
"Let's go."
The city zoo wasn't too far from where they lived, only four bus stops away.
Tickets were two mao each. Since the children were on summer vacation, there were quite a few tourists at the zoo.
The city zoo was a comprehensive zoo, featuring monkeys, tigers, elephants, and more. There were also two animal parades held daily, one in the morning and one in the afternoon.
Due to the large number of tourists and Rui Rui's short stature, Gu Xingdong simply lifted him onto his shoulders.
It was Rui Rui's first time sitting so high up. He was initially a little scared and held Gu Xingdong's hand tightly. Later, his attention was gradually captured by the animals, and he completely forgot his fear, his dark, grape-like eyes occasionally flashing with excitement.
The family of three visited many places, including the monkey mountain, the Siberian tiger enclosure, and the panda house. Chen Lishu watched as both father and son were engrossed, especially Rui Rui. Even under the sun, sweat trickled down his forehead, and his small face was flushed, either from the heat or excitement.
"I see they're selling banana soda over there. I'll go buy two bottles." Chen Lishu took out a handkerchief and wiped the sweat from Rui Rui's forehead. She then turned and walked towards the soda stall.
"Miss, iced soda is one mao a bottle."
A bottle of soda would only cost five fen outside the park, but here, the price had doubled.
"Give me two bottles." Chen Lishu handed the vendor two mao.
Rui Rui was too young to drink too many cold drinks, so one bottle was enough for her and Rui Rui.
"Give me two bottles too," Wan Liansheng said, his gaze falling on the young woman beside him.
Beautiful people or things always draw attention, and Wan Liansheng was no exception. However, he harbored no improper thoughts; it was purely out of admiration.
Watching the woman take her sodas and walk away, Wan Liansheng took out two mao from his pocket and handed them to the stall owner.
It was a rare day off, so he decided to visit the zoo with his wife and child.
Just as he turned with his sodas, he suddenly heard screams from the direction of the bear mountain: "A child fell in!"
A sudden bad premonition struck him. He changed direction and quickly ran towards the bear mountain.
Chen Lishu returned to the father and son. She hadn't even had time to hand out the sodas when she also heard the shouts from the bear mountain.
The couple exchanged glances, seeing the worry in each other's eyes.
They had just come from the bear mountain, which housed two black bears, each over a meter tall and weighing more than three to four hundred catties. If someone fell in, the consequences would be unimaginable.
"You two stay here. I'll go take a look." Gu Xingdong, his face solemn, lowered Rui Rui from his shoulders, gave a hurried instruction, and then quickly ran towards the bear mountain.