The twenty-ninth day of the twelfth lunar month.
Just after dawn, Zhao Chen woke up.
He lay on the bed, looked at the ceiling, and was in a daze for a few seconds - there were no meetings, no reports to read, and no calculations against anyone today.
This pure blankness was somewhat unfamiliar to him.
Last night I promised Su Wantang to go to New Year Goods together.
He didn't think too much when he agreed, he just thought he should do something "something to do during the New Year".
Now that I'm really awake, a fresh, almost childish expectation arises in my heart.
He got up and washed up.
The person in the bathroom mirror has clear eyes and a little green stubble on his chin.
Rarely, he didn't shave it off immediately, but took another look at it - this face was thinner than a few months ago, the contours were clearer, and the things in his eyes were more complicated.
But today, he wanted to give the complicated stuff a break.
When I walked out of the bedroom, the aroma of food was already wafting from downstairs.
He went down the stairs and saw Su Wantang busy between the dining room and the kitchen.
Today she wore a light apricot sweater and off-white trousers. Her long hair was loosely braided to the side and hung on one shoulder.
"Get up so early?" Zhao Chen walked into the restaurant.
Su Wantang turned around when he heard the sound, with a smile on his face, "I woke up early. Breakfast will be ready soon. You sit down first."
The dishes and chopsticks have been placed on Dining Table, and in the middle is a plate of freshly steamed Custard Buns, which is white, plump and steaming.
There are two bowls of Millet Porridge next to it. It is thick and thick, and a few grains of Goji Berries are sprinkled on it.
Zhao Chen sat down at the table and watched Su Wantang bring out a plate of Stir-fried Seasonal Vegetables from the kitchen and a small plate of Pickled Cucumbers that she had pickled herself.
"Eat something simple. We can eat outside at noon." She said as she took off her apron and sat down opposite him.
The two of them had breakfast quietly.
Millet Porridge is warm and delicious, Custard Buns is sweet but not greasy, and Pickled Cucumbers is crisp and refreshing.
It tastes very homely, but makes Zhao Chen feel extra at ease.
"I'm going to the supermarket later. What else is missing at home?" Zhao Chen took a bite of the bun and asked.
Su Wantang thought for a while and counted on his fingers:
"In fact, there is nothing missing. There are meat and vegetables in the refrigerator, Dried Goods is also ready, and the candies Nuts were bought last week. Just some odds and ends..."
She paused and suddenly laughed:
"Should we buy a Spring Festival Couplet? In the past... it was your dad who arranged for the driver to do this."
She spoke in an understatement, but Zhao Chen understood the blankness in her words - in the past years Zhao Jianguo didn't care about these things, and she didn't have the time to do anything about it.
"Buy." Zhao Chen nodded, "You also have to buy Window Paper-cuts, Fu Character. If you want to celebrate the New Year, you have to look like a Chinese New Year."
Su Wantang's eyes lit up and he nodded vigorously. "Yes!"
After breakfast, Zhao Chen took the initiative to clear away the dishes.
Su Wantang wanted to stop her, but he stopped her with his eyes. "I will also do some 'housework' today."
His movements are not very skillful, but he is very serious.
Su Wantang stood aside and watched, a warm emotion welling up in his heart.
These most ordinary interactions were as precious to her as stolen time.
After packing up, the two of them went out.
Today Zhao Chen is still driving.
The car drove out of the Villa area and merged into the slightly sparse traffic flow on the morning of the 29th of the twelfth lunar month.
There are already many New Year Atmospheres on the street. Red Lanterns are hung on both sides of the road. Fu Characters are posted on the doorways of some shops. The paces of pedestrians are also more leisurely than usual.
There were indeed a lot of people in the supermarket.
Pushing the shopping cart through the shelves, Zhao Chen has a long-lost sense of real life that belongs to ordinary people.
He and Su Wantang walked side by side, occasionally discussing which brand of drink to buy or which Snacks was more delicious.
The voice is not high, but there is a natural intimacy.
After shopping around, I didn't actually add much to the shopping cart - I really didn't lack anything at home.
In the end, I only took a few bottles of drinks, some fresh fruits, and a very cute zodiac shape Chocolate Gift Box that Su Wantang saw.
"You can give this to Zhiyi." She picked up the gift box, her eyes widened, "Girls will like it."
Zhao Chen looked at the light in her eyes and nodded. "Okay."
After checking out and passing the square in front of the supermarket, they were attracted by the bustle.
It was a temporary New Year Goods Market. In addition to selling various Dried Goods and candies, there were also many game stalls - Ring Toss, Balloon Darts, Beanbag Toss...
The stall owners were shouting, the children were surrounding and screaming excitedly, and the adults were also laughing and participating. The atmosphere was so lively that people couldn't help but stop.
"Would you like... to play?" Zhao Chen looked at Su Wantang and found that she was staring at a Ring Toss booth with childlike curiosity in her eyes.
Su Wantang was a little embarrassed. "They are all played by children..."
"Who says adults can't play." Zhao Chen was already walking towards the stall, "Boss, what's the calculation?"
The boss, an uncle in his fifties, greeted warmly:
"Ten dollars and ten circles! You can get whatever you find in the trap! Look at this gentleman, he's trying to trap his girlfriend with a doll!"
Zhao Chen didn't explain the title "girlfriend", he just paid the money with a smile and took the ten plastic rings.
Su Wantang stood beside him, his cheeks slightly red, but he did not leave.
In the first circle, Zhao Chen's hand was raw, and he threw it astray. The circle rubbed the ear of a small porcelain doll and flew over.