Before Jiang Si could say a word, Father Huo put down his chopsticks and said with a loving look on his face.
"Your parents and I have something to do today. You guys go out and have fun."
Speaking of Mother Huo, Jiang Si was just wondering where she had gone.
Then, when she turned her head, she saw Mother Huo coming out with a big bag in her hand.
Taking a closer look, she found that it was all stuff for the little ones.
There were things like drinking cups, baby bottles, and teething biscuits.
"The thermos is filled with hot water. Be careful when you carry it," Mother Huo reminded.
"The baby cereal is right next to it. Make some for them when they're hungry. I've also packed some fruits for you."
"Oh, right. I've put the scarves, towels, small toys, and toilet paper in this separate bag. Don't forget them."
No wonder it's not easy to go out.
Just these things filled up a big bag.
"Oops, and this," Mother Huo said as she took out two light - yellow sun hats. "Come on, Suisui, Zhaozhao, put on your hats."
It was the middle of summer, and the morning sun was already very strong.
The two little ones had fair, milky - white skin. Mother Huo would be heart - broken if they got tanned.
Seeing that grandma was going to put hats on them, the two little ones were extremely cooperative.
They grinned and laughed.
"I guess they're happy because they know they're going out to play, right?" the old man said cheerfully from the side.
"By the way, take the stroller," Father Huo reminded.
The two little ones weren't light anymore. If they were carried around all day, their arms wouldn't be able to take it.
"Okay, I'll go get it."
Not long after, Huo Tingzhou pushed the stroller out.
It was a double - seat stroller with a thin cotton cushion inside. It was soft and comfortable to sit on, and it wouldn't hurt their little bottoms.
A double - seat stroller in the 1970s
After chatting for a while longer and seeing that it was getting late, Huo Tingzhou put all the things in the trunk, and Jiang Si took the two little ones and sat in the back seat.
There were no seat belts in the back seat of the car at that time, so Mother Huo put a few pillows in front of the seats.
In this way, even if they accidentally fell, they wouldn't hit their heads.
Fortunately, the two little ones seemed to know they were going out to play.
They were sitting quietly in their seats, their big, shiny eyes curiously looking out of the window, neither crying nor making a fuss.
Mother Huo adored them so much that she rubbed the little ones' heads.
She also reminded Huo Tingzhou, "Drive carefully."
"Got it, Mom."
After saying that, Mother Huo called Huo Tingzhou aside.
Jiang Si was focused on the two little ones and didn't really pay attention to what they were saying.
When Huo Tingzhou got in the car and started the engine, seeing the smile on his lips, Jiang Si couldn't help but be curious.
"What did Mom say to you just now?" Why was he so happy?
Huo Tingzhou turned to look at her and the two kids, his eyes shining with a special light.
Just as Jiang Si was wondering, he suddenly handed her the key in his palm. "Mom said that we don't have to rush back tonight. If we're tired, we can stay at Xishan Courtyard for one night."
Then, trying to cover up his real intention, he added, "It's closer to the zoo."
Hearing the joy in his voice, Jiang Si tightened her grip on the key in her hand, and her face turned red.
Was it just closer?
It was clearly... a good opportunity for them to be alone!
But she didn't refuse.
Anyway, they had spent two nights together, and one more night wouldn't make a difference.
Deep down, she also cherished this chance to be alone with him.
Seeing her nod in agreement, the smile on Huo Tingzhou's face instantly spread.
He looked energetic and in high spirits.
Half an hour later, Huo Tingzhou parked the car steadily in an open space next to the zoo.
It was the weekend, and there were a lot of people visiting the zoo.
At that time, except for some ferocious animals that had their own separate venues, most of the animals in the zoo were displayed in an open - air enclosure.
The Beijing Zoo in 1970
In the first few hours, Jiang Si still had plenty of energy.
Although the kids couldn't understand, it didn't stop her from patiently explaining things to them.
But later, she just couldn't hold on anymore.
She wondered which of them the two little ones took after! After a few hours of walking around, they showed no sign of tiredness in their eyes.
Especially when they saw the little animals that appeared in their picture books, their eyes widened with curiosity.
"Sister, look! It's so big!" It was much bigger than in the book!
"Wow, brother, it can move!" How amazing!
Don't get me wrong. The two little ones couldn't say these words yet.
Jiang Si guessed what they meant from their extremely vivid little expressions and their babbling.
Well, it was a tiring day, but seeing the excited looks on the two little ones' faces, Jiang Si thought it was worth it.
Just like this, the couple, one pushing the stroller and the other holding a camera, kept walking around the zoo until around four o'clock in the afternoon.
In the end, Jiang Si really couldn't walk anymore.
Huo Tingzhou found a shady place for her to sit and rest.
He patiently took the two little ones to visit the last few venues.
At this time, the sun was setting.
The family was walking on the tree - lined avenue, which had a unique charm.
Then, Jiang Si suddenly noticed that there was a state - owned store next to the zoo.
The storefront wasn't very big, but there were quite a lot of people inside.
Going in, she found that it was a bit like a cultural and creative store in later generations.
It sold all kinds of plush toys in the shape of animals, commemorative postcards, badges, and pencil cases and notebooks with animal prints on them. There was quite a variety.
"Mama..." Zhaozhao's little milky voice suddenly rang out.
Before Jiang Si could react, the two little ones both stretched out their chubby little hands.
Zhaozhao pointed at the panda.
Suisui immediately took a fancy to the zebra.
"Okay, I'll buy them for you," Jiang Si said without hesitation, looking at the eager looks in the little ones' eyes.
It was rare for them to go out and have fun, so it was most important for them to be happy.
However, just as Jiang Si was about to pay, the two little ones' attention was attracted by the things on the nearby shelf.
"Mama..."
This time it was Suisui who spoke.
Jiang Si was really helpless.
In terms of physical strength, the two kids obviously took after their father.
And the fact that they couldn't take their eyes off the things they liked, there was no doubt that they took after her!
Well, she had to spoil her own kids.
Of course, Jiang Si didn't forget about her little nephews and nieces at home.
Not surprisingly, by the time they left the store, Huo Tingzhou was almost struggling to carry all the things in his hands.
The two little ones had been running around all day and were extremely tired.
Not long after they got in the car, they fell asleep with their bottles in their mouths before they could even drink the baby cereal.
Jiang Si was also tired.
She didn't even know when she fell asleep.
Huo Tingzhou smiled as he glanced at the back seat and then started the car.
Just like this, the car chased the sun all the way and drove steadily westward.
When Jiang Si woke up again, it was pitch - black outside.
Just as Jiang Si was worrying about her aching waist, Huo Tingzhou simply wrapped his arms around her from behind.
Yes, he just hugged her and didn't make any further moves.
Jiang Si was a bit surprised and tilted her body slightly. "Don't you... don't you want to?"
As she spoke, she involuntarily let out a delicate yawn.
"Yes, I do!" Huo Tingzhou replied honestly.
Then he subconsciously tightened his arms a little.
His longing for her had always been intense.
But his feelings for her were not just about physical attraction and impulse.
Even if they did nothing and just held each other quietly, feeling her warmth and breathing in his arms, Huo Tingzhou was already completely content.
He kissed the corner of her lips and glanced at their son and daughter sleeping soundly.
Huo Tingzhou said, "Go to sleep."
[Sorry, I had something to deal with today, so I'll just post one chapter for now. I'll make it up tomorrow night. Also, Tomato (the platform) has been acting up lately, and many comments have been swallowed. It's not me (Orange) deleting them, by the way.]
