NCCnovel Chapter 280 Able to Spend the New Year in Beijing
Chapter 280 Able to Spend the New Year in Beijing
Soon, the family arrived at their destination by car.
Pushing open the antique carved wooden door of Quanjude, you are greeted by the rich and mellow aroma of roasted duck, mixed with the unique charred fragrance of jujube wood roasting over an open fire, instantly whetting everyone's appetite.
The palace lanterns hanging high in the shop emitted a warm yellow glow, which reflected on the red lacquered wooden table and gave everyone's face a festive look.
"Please come in, everyone!" A waiter dressed in an indigo Chinese-style gown warmly led the family to their reserved large round table.
The table was already set with pristine white bone china tableware, and the blue and white porcelain plates were painted with lifelike duck patterns. The napkins were folded into lotus flower shapes, exuding a distinctly Beijing flavor.
Xiao Shan, holding Xiao Shi, craned his neck to watch the scene of slicing duck at the next table, his mouth practically watering: "Sister Bao, why hasn't it been our duck yet!"
As soon as the words were spoken, a chef slowly pushed a food cart with an open kitchen, which was covered with a snow-white cotton cover and faintly emitted heat.
"Our ducks are made from fattened ducks from Yuquan Mountain on the outskirts of Beijing. They are roasted over an open fire with jujube wood, resulting in crispy skin and tender meat!" The chef introduced as he lifted the cotton cover, revealing a roasted duck with a glossy golden color and an amber sheen on its skin.
Xiaoshan and Pingping immediately stepped forward, while Xiaoshi and Zitong also curiously poked their heads out, staring at the plump roast duck and exclaiming.
The chef skillfully sliced off a thin, paper-thin slice of duck meat with skin and meat attached, and arranged it neatly on a blue-and-white porcelain plate.
Yuan Bao took the plate and first picked out two of the crispiest duck skins for his grandparents, dipped them in white sugar, and handed them over: "Grandpa and Grandma, try this duck skin, it's especially fragrant and crispy!"
Grandma smiled and took it, taking a small bite. The crispy duck skin crunched in her mouth, and the sweetness of the white sugar and the rich aroma of the duck oil blended perfectly. She couldn't help but exclaim, "Oh my, I've never eaten anything so delicious in my life!"
Mr. Yuan picked up a thin pancake, carefully rolled it with shredded scallions, cucumber strips, and duck meat, spread it with sweet bean sauce, and handed it to Mrs. Yuan: "Here, try my cooking."
Mrs. Yuan rolled her eyes at Mr. Yuan: "You still call yourself a chef? Where's your face?"
Mr. Yuan smiled and said, "It's my skill in making these rolls."
"That's more like it!" Yuan's mother actually knew that Yuan's father was just teasing her.
Xiao Shan was already impatient, holding a rolled-up duck pancake in one hand and protecting Xiao Shi, who was secretly eating scallions on the table, with the other: "Xiao Shi, don't be in a hurry, I'll save some meat for you later!"
Pingping was busy taking pictures of Zitong, the flash going off non-stop: "Zitong, look at the camera! We've taken pictures to prove we were here! We'll let you try some Peking duck later!"
Boss Chen made a special trip to keep us company, raising his glass and saying with a smile, "Today's meal is twofold: first, to welcome everyone, and second, to celebrate our increasingly successful cooperation! Cheers!"
Everyone raised their glasses, and amidst laughter and chatter, the sounds of clinking glasses, chewing, and meowing cats mingled together, making the festive atmosphere at Quanjudeli even stronger.
Yuan Bao looked at the happy family and picked up a piece of duck meat to savor it.
The crispy skin and tender meat, combined with the sauce and side dishes, create a rich and layered taste that explodes on your tongue.
She knew that this delicious roast duck was not only a treat for the taste buds, but also a beautiful testament to the family's reunion in Beijing. This warmth and happiness was more precious than any delicacy.
As the family left Quanjude, dusk had already quietly enveloped Beijing.
The streetlights lit up one by one, casting an orange glow on the bluestone pavement and giving everyone a soft golden edge. Xiao Shan burped contentedly, while Xiao Shi, nestled lazily in his arms, occasionally stroked its little whiskers with its tiny paws.
Pingping somehow got hold of a small backpack and carried Zi Tong on her front so she could keep an eye on her at all times.
They even carefully wrapped the unfinished duck bones in oil paper.
"Burp—Sister Bao, my stomach is about to burst!" Xiaoshan rubbed his round belly. "It tastes even better than during Chinese New Year!"
Yuan Bao chuckled and poked his cheek: "Now you know you're full? Who ate five duck pancakes just now?"
The crowd burst into laughter, startling the sparrows in the locust tree by the street into fluttering flight.
"How about we go to Tiananmen Square to see the night view?" Brother Lin pointed to the faint outline of the city gate in the distance. "The lights are just coming on now, and the lights on Chang'an Avenue are so beautiful."
The suggestion was immediately met with cheers from Xiaoshan and Pingping. The two little ones skipped and hopped ahead, carrying the kitten, humming the nursery rhymes they had just learned.
On the pedestrian street, the neon signs of state-run stores flashed the words "Spring Festival Grand Sale".
Aunt Yuan and her younger sister were drawn to a fabric shop, where bright red brocade and floral cotton fabrics were displayed in the window.
“This fabric would make a perfect cotton-padded jacket, perfect for the New Year!” Aunt Yuan touched the fabric and turned to ask her aunt, “Auntie, shall we make one for Xiaoshan and one for Pingping?” Her aunt nodded with a smile, her eyes full of anticipation. This was the first time she had shown such a relaxed smile in days.
The maternal grandparents were attracted by the sugar blowing stalls on the street.
The old artist's hands flew up and down, and in the blink of an eye, he blew out a lifelike little mouse.
Xiaoshan immediately leaned over: "Grandpa, can you blow a little cat? Just like my Xiaoshi!"
The old artist laughed heartily, stared at Xiao Shi for a while, and asked, "Is this really a cat? It looks like a miniature panda!"
Before long, a panda-themed candy cat appeared in front of Xiaoshan, with a bell made of sugar threads tied to its tail.
The night view of Chang'an Avenue lived up to expectations.
The Tiananmen Gate Tower was resplendent under the lights, and the portrait of the great grandfather was solemn and dignified.
Xiaoshan and Pingping excitedly held up the candy cat and asked Yuanbao to take their picture.
"Cheese!" With the click of the shutter, the two little ones' bright smiles, along with the magnificent night view behind them, were captured on film.
Passing by a state-run ice cream shop, Baoguo suggested, "How about we have an ice cream on such a cold day?"
This "crazy" proposal actually received a unanimous response.
Xiaoshan and Pingping licked their popsicles, exhaling white breath, which amused the kittens, who stretched out their paws.
Xiao Shi's beard was stained with milk, making him look extremely comical, which made everyone laugh so hard they almost fell over.
As night deepened, the family slowly made their way back.
When they got back to the courtyard house by car, Xiaoshan and Pingping were so tired they could barely keep their eyes open, but they still held the kitten tightly and refused to let go.
Yuan Bao walked beside her grandmother, listening to her chatter on and on: "I never dreamed in my life that I could spend the New Year in Beijing and see so many new and exciting things..."
The red lanterns in the courtyard swayed gently in the cold wind.
Inside the house, Mr. Yuan had already lit a fire in the stove, and warmth wafted over.
Xiaoshan and Pingping yawned as they put the kitten into its newly made nest.
Xiao Shi and Zi Tong curled up into two balls of fur and soon began to purr evenly.
Yuan Bao stood in the courtyard, looking at the starry sky.
This night was filled with delicious food, laughter, the company of family, and the unique lively atmosphere of Beijing.