Back To The 80s-Chapter 331 - 341: Temple Fair_1

Gu Xiaobei worriedly said, "This trip could take most of the day. I think I’d better not go, and let Aiguo and Fang Jing take Yueyue there."

"It’s okay, Xiaobei, you have never been to a temple fair, go and see it. It’s a new arrangement this year, and there will surely be many novel things. Aunt Li and I can watch over Mo Wang and Xiaopang. Besides, if you’re planning to wean the child, you should get ready for it and get used to being apart. Otherwise, it will be harder to wean him later," Wen Xiuqing said.

Gu Xiaobei hesitated, but Lu Zhanguo intervened, "Fine, let’s go early tomorrow and get back early." He felt that his wife had changed a lot since they had a child, all her concerns were focused on the child.

She had been at home for such a long time without going anywhere. If it were in the past, she would have been bouncing like a child, eager to visit places.

Gu Xiaobei was still hesitant, but Fang Jing added, "Come with us, don’t worry. It’s like a mother can’t leave her child, not the other way around. If you go out for a day, they will be equally happy at home."

Persuaded by everyone, Gu Xiaobei agreed, and she also started to look forward to the temple fair.

The Spring Festival Gala began at 8 pm. This year’s hosts were still Ma Ji, Jiang Kun, and others. Watching these young artists, Gu Xiaobei couldn’t help but sigh about the passing of time.

The stage lights at this Spring Festival Gala were simple, and Lu Aiguo was still laughing heartily.

Mo Wang and Xiaopang were sleepy by nine o’clock, and they dozed off first. Gu Xiaobei and Lu Zhanguo had to take the two kids upstairs to sleep.

It had been snowing a little all day, but it stopped in the late night. The first day of the New Year began with a clear sunny day.

After dinner, Lu Zhanguo and Lu Aiguo rode bicycles, taking Gu Xiaobei and Fang Jing to the temple fair. Gu Xiaobei suggested they invite Bai Xiaolan, who had specifically asked her to take her along the other day.

Conveniently, it was on the way, so they visited Bai Xiaolan’s place to wish her a happy new year, and agreed to head towards the city together. Zhou Siping was more at ease knowing that they were going together to the temple fair.

Bai Xiaolan was happily riding a bike, following behind them.

For the residents of Capital City during Chinese New Year, visiting a temple fair is an important activity. Regardless of whether they have money or not, everyone wants to join in on the fun. With storytelling, cross-talking, Peking opera, various snacks, and local specialties, the temple fair was agog.

The temple fair was crowded, people didn’t walk, they shuffled slowly following the crowd ahead, especially in front of the booths with shredded tripe, barbecued meat skewers, and stir-fried mung bean jelly, where it was jam-packed.

Lu Aiguo let Yueyue sit on his shoulders, and slowly followed the crowd.

Gu Xiaobei, Bai Xiaolan, and Fang Jing, with hands intertwined, followed behind Lu Aiguo, and Lu Zhanguo trailed at the end, guarding them against the rush of the crowd.

The group first watched a monkey performance, then searched for something to eat and see if there were any new snacks. Gu Xiaobei even bought Yueyue a skewer of big candied hawthorns.

Bai Xiaolan loved to eat shredded tripe, and she insisted on treating everyone. Lu Aiguo and Lu Zhanguo didn’t care about snacks, so they just let the others go ahead and waited at the side of the road.

You can’t sit down to eat the snacks at the temple fair, you have to stand and eat right after you make your purchase, and return the bowl when you’re done.

Bai Xiaolan ordered a bowl of shredded tripe, Gu Xiaobei ordered a portion of stir-fried mung bean jelly, and Fang Jing ordered fried dough rings, so the three of them could share their food and eat a bit of everything.

The three of them simply ate under a large tree at the crossroads near the food stall, planning to find Lu Zhanguo and the others afterward.

Bai Xiaolan would take small bites when she ate, but she ate quickly. Moreover, she would only talk once she finished chewing her food, "I think the food here tastes good. If my aunt knew that I was eating on the streets, she would definitely nag me for half a year."

Gu Xiaobei noticed from the eating habits of Bai Xiaolan’s home that the table manners were very strict. They had to chew their food carefully, couldn’t talk with food in their mouths, and could only pick up the food that was right in front of them. They wouldn’t reach over the dish to get the best portions.

However, probably because Bai Xiaolan was too eager, the small bites, but rapid eating style made her look very cute.

"Actually, food from outside isn’t that great, as hygiene cannot be guaranteed." Gu Xiaobei nodded in agreement.

Bai Xiaolan quickly swallowed the last piece of shredded tripe and said, "My aunt doesn’t just say it’s because it’s dirty outside, she also says that eating on the streets is inelegant and unpleasant. In addition, at my aunt’s house, you can’t talk during meals."

Ji Xiangdong and Director Ba were also walking slowly among the crowds.

Director Ba sighed, "No wonder they are developing so quickly, just look at the number of people here. Even when we have a large bazaar in our town, we don’t have so many people."

Ji Xiangdong nodded in agreement, "The most important thing for us is that the transportation is not convenient, and many places are inaccessible. We have good things, but they can’t get in or out."

Someone suggested going to the special product area to buy some local products to take home. The special product area was behind the food stalls, so Ji Xiangdong and his group happened to pass by Bai Xiaolan and Gu Xiaobei.

Out of the corner of his eye, Ji Xiangdong saw Bai Xiaolan and two other girls eating in a huddle. He found it interesting that he ran into this girl three days in a row.

But today, she looked rather contented with a smile in her eyes, hiding the wildness of her personality.

Ji Xiangdong only glanced at Bai Xiaolan for a few seconds, then followed the others to the special product area.

The specialties of Capital City were various Beijing-style pastries, preserved fruits, and candied fruits.

Everyone spread out to look for souvenirs to take home.

Director Ba noticed a stall selling halal pastries, so he went over to buy some. As Xiao Ji was his subordinate, he naturally followed him.

Ji Xiangdong wasn’t interested in these snacks and didn’t need to buy gifts for anyone at home, so he just stood aside and watched Director Ba select items.

A basin filled with something similar to Sachima (Honey Rice Krispies) with colored shreds sprinkled in the middle attracted Ji Xiangdong’s attention. Actually, it was the words ’honey tribute’ written on a small wooden card stuck in the basin that drew him over.

Ji Xiangdong didn’t know why, but inexplicably, he was compelled to buy two pounds of honey essence.

After wrapping it in oilpaper, he unwrapped it and plucked out a piece to savor carefully. It wasn’t too sweet and had a faint osmanthus flavor, it did taste quite good.

Director Ba picked out some pastries and said delightedly once he was done, "I must say, the pastries made back in our hometown taste much better, even if they don’t look as appetizing as those sold here."

Ji Xiangdong smiled without saying a word. There was still a faint fragrance of osmanthus in his mouth. Eating this really did make one feel better.

When everyone had gathered, it was suggested they go watch a Beijing Opera performance, as many people had never seen a live performance before. Ji Xiangdong followed behind the others towards the theater.

On the way to the theater, they crossed an arch bridge. Because of the crowd, people shuffled very slowly while crossing the bridge.

When Ji Xiangdong looked down inadvertently while crossing the bridge, he stood rooted to the spot.