Seeing Zhenzhen looking at him with her eyes wide open in confusion, Zhang Renze turned around and asked Xi Junjie: "Are you willing to pay off her debt?"
Xi Junjie touched his nose and said, "Since it's Zhenzhen's debt, there will be no problem."
Zhen Zhen finally came to her senses, beating her chest and shaking her head, "Sir, you are so treacherous."
"No way, there aren't many people as generous as me these days." Zhang Renze pointed at the Buddha Jumps Over the Wall in the jar and said, "I don't ask for much. You just need to come to my house every two weeks and cook me a pot of Buddha Jumps Over the Wall. I have all the ingredients. I just need your cooking skills. Do you think it's okay?"
Xi Junjie smiled and said, "Since you like it, I am willing to cook for you more often."
Zhen Zhen looked at Zhang Renze's triumphant smile and couldn't help but complain, "Who told me every day to eat healthy and live longer by eating less meat?"
Zhang Renze looked innocent: "Eating less meat is the same as not eating it. There are a lot of meat soups in the medicinal diet. At worst, I can give up the medicinal diet and just eat this."
"You don't even look like a doctor at all." Zhen Zhen shook her head and sighed, "Is the appetite so important?"
"You should ask yourself this question. Who brings a wild rabbit and a pheasant to my house for barbecue?" Zhang Renze hit back forcefully. Seeing Zhenzhen's wilting look, he smugly let her go and told Xi Junjie: "I'm inviting a few old friends to my house for dinner this Sunday. Please help me stew Buddha Jumps Over the Wall in advance." He handed over the paper and pen on the table: "Write down what you need. If I don't have it, I have to buy it quickly. Don't delay dinner."
Xi Junjie immediately took the paper and pen and quickly wrote down all the ingredients needed. Zhenzhen reached out and poked Zhang Renze: "Let's make a deal first. Junjie can help you cook it, but you are not allowed to tell Mr. Wangwo, Mr. Su Weiran, and Mr. Xie Shurang that this dish was made by my girlfriend. Otherwise, I'm afraid Junjie will have to go to each family every day to pay off his debts."
Hearing the names coming out of Zhenzhen's mouth, both Old Lady Xi and Ling Xiu Lan were a little shocked. They had been wondering how a little girl from another province could be connected with Zhang Renze, a master of traditional Chinese medicine who most officials couldn't even curry favor with. Then they heard the names Zhenzhen mentioned, including China's first Nobel Prize winner in literature, a master of traditional Chinese painting, and a master of Peking Opera, all of whom were top masters in their respective industries. But from what Zhenzhen said, it seemed that they were all quite familiar with her.
"I will definitely not say anything." Zhang Renze said with a smile, "But after they eat it, they will definitely come to my house to grab my Buddha Jumps Over the Wall. Junjie will have to make me two more meals to compensate them."
Zhen Zhen looked at him speechlessly: "Treacherous."
Zhang Renze laughed: "Otherwise, how can I be your husband?"
Old Lady Xi put down the teacup in her hand and asked with a smile: "Has Zhenzhen also received guidance from Master Su Weiran in painting? No wonder she can paint such good works at such a young age."
"Mr. Su has given me some advice." Zhenzhen smiled. She knew that people would be curious about her knowing so many people. She looked at Zhang Renze for help. Mr. Zhang immediately explained the story they had discussed long ago: "Before, a few of us old guys went to swim in a wild lake in the suburbs. As a result, we were old and had no strength. We got cramps just when we swam to the middle of the lake. Zhenzhen happened to pass by there and heard the cry for help and rescued us all." After refilling everyone's tea, Mr. Zhang sighed and said what was in his heart: "Don't look at Zhenzhen's young age, but she is the lifesaver of us old guys."
Zhenzhen smiled awkwardly: "It's just a coincidence. Well, let's not talk about it anymore. I'll be embarrassed if you mention it again."
Seeing that Zhenzhen really didn't want to talk about this matter, Mrs. Xi and Ling Xiulan tactfully didn't ask any more questions. They looked at their watches and realized that they had been here for quite a while. They stood up and said goodbye to Mr. Zhang: "I'm really sorry to bother you this time, sir. Thank you very much."
"No need to thank me, no need to thank me. We are all family from now on." Zhang Renze waved his hand casually, "Bring the old lady to check her pulse in a month. If anyone in the family feels unwell, just come over. We are not outsiders."
The two thanked him again, then put on their coats and prepared to leave. Zhenzhen looked at Zhang Renze and said, "Sir, do you want me to stay and have lunch with you?"
"Forget it." Mr. Zhang refused immediately: "You can eat half of my jar of Buddha Jumps Over the Wall, but I won't do such a disadvantageous thing. Go away now."
"Humph, I have some at home too." Zhen Zhen put on her clothes indignantly, and when she was about to leave the house, she remembered something and took out a rolled-up newspaper from her pocket and stuffed it into Zhang Renze's hand: "I almost forgot, you've finished your wine, this is for you to make some wine."
"What?" Zhang Renze muttered as he opened the newspaper. A wild ginseng fell out from the middle of the newspaper. Looking at the few shaky and curled roots, Zhang Renze's face twitched with distress. He rushed to the door and opened it. He shouted at Zhenzhen who was about to leave: "Oh, you prodigal child!"
Zhenzhen turned around, waved, and closed the door casually.
It was a rare occasion for Old Lady Xi to come out, so Ling Xiu Lan asked her to stay at her home for two days. One reason was to let Junjie prepare medicinal food for the old lady according to the recipe for a few days, and the other was to relax.
Junjie took the recipe to the kitchen. Old Madam Xi leaned back in the recliner and took a sip of tea from the cup. "Zhenzhen is a very lucky child. You know, there are many people who fall into the water every year in recent years. But she was able to save a bunch of them as soon as she came to the capital. They are all famous people in the world. This shows that she is very lucky and born with good fortune."
Ling Xiulan was knitting a sweater with two bamboo needles. She smoothed the wool with her hands and said, "I just realized that she actually knows so many people. She is a person who can keep things to herself. Such a child is good. She is not impetuous."
"Junjie used to be a quiet kid who didn't like to talk or laugh. He was always indifferent to everyone. I think he became more cheerful after dating Zhenzhen. Since I saw him this morning, he has been smiling all the time." Old Lady Xi put the teacup aside and pulled down the blanket covering her body: "It can be seen that he really likes Zhenzhen."
"Zhenzhen is really sincere to Junjie. If they were not both still in school, I would really like to get them married right away." After saying this, Ling Xiulan picked up the half-knitted sweater in her hand and gave it to Mrs. Xi: "Mom, this is the sweater I knitted for Zhenzhen. Do you think it looks good?"
Seeing that Zhenzhen liked light-colored clothes, Ling Xiulan bought a creamy white wool yarn with a simple hemp flower pattern. Xi Xiulan had lived in France for many years and had a strong sense of fashion, so she designed a medium-length dress with a waist-tightening treatment.
"It's very pretty." Old Lady Xi nodded approvingly: "You have a good eye and skillful hands, the weaving will definitely be good."
Ling Xiulan counted the stitches and started knitting again: "I have to knit it for her before the New Year. It will be perfect to wear under her coat in the spring."
Old Madam Xi smiled and said, "Zhenzhen is a sensible child, and you are kind to others. You two will definitely get along well in the future."
"I only have Junjie as my child. I will definitely like the person he likes, not to mention that Zhenzhen is also a lovely child." Ling Xiulan suddenly laughed: "Mom, you don't know, I used to see Junjie had a blank expression when looking at everyone, and I was worried that he wouldn't be able to find a girl he liked to date in the future. But after meeting Zhenzhen, he smiled more happily than anyone else. I really worried about him in vain."
"Our child is very sensible." Old Mrs. Xi said, "Whose child is this old enough to cook for his parents and grandmother? It's hard to find one."
The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law praised Xi Junjie and Zhenzhen in the room, and after resting for about an hour, Xi Junjie prepared lunch. A pot of Buddha Jumps Over the Wall that was stewed in the morning was left, and it was served hot at noon. In addition, there was a nourishing soup made according to the recipe, a portion of dried shredded vegetables cooked in chicken sauce, and a portion of vegetables in soup. There were meat, vegetables, and soup, just enough for three people.
After lunch, Mrs. Xi and Ling Xiulan both wanted to take a nap. Xi Junjie quietly put on his clothes and ran out of the house. He waited by the river for about five minutes, and then saw Zhenzhen, wearing a thick down jacket, come out of the door. Xi Junjie smiled and stretched out his hand to Zhenzhen. When Zhenzhen put her hand in his, Xi Junjie immediately held it tightly and ran with her all the way until they ran to a place where no one was around.
"This feels like eloping." Zhenzhen covered her mouth with her hands and smiled until her eyes curved. Xi Junjie looked around and saw that no one came out. He quickly kissed Zhenzhen on the forehead and said, "That won't do. For a girl as beautiful as Zhenzhen, I have to bring you home in a sedan chair."
"Oh my, your little mouth is quite sweet today." Zhen Zhen reached out and pinched Xi Junjie's chin: "Let me see if you ate honey before going out."
"I've eaten half a can." Xi Junjie whispered in Zhenzhen's ear, then moved closer to her mouth and winked at her seductively: "Do you want to try it?"
Zhen Zhen leaned back and looked at him suspiciously: "Why do I feel that you are a little thick-skinned today? Unlike your usual style of blushing ears."
As soon as the words fell, Zhenzhen saw Xi Junjie's ears turn red at a visible speed, and he burst into laughter. Xi Junjie was angry and pulled Zhenzhen into a dead end, hugged her in his arms, and kissed her deeply.
The boy's kiss was hot and a little awkward, and a little shy in his passion. He kissed Zhenzhen's lips and tongue over and over again. Zhenzhen couldn't help but hug Xi Junjie's neck and tried to respond to his kiss by standing on tiptoes. After an unknown amount of time, the two separated breathlessly.
Xi Junjie pecked and kissed Zhenzhen on the lips again, and held her in his arms contentedly. Zhenzhen lay in Xi Junjie's arms, scratching Xi Junjie's Adam's apple with her fingers again and again: "Why do I feel like you miss me so much?"
"I just miss you so much." Xi Junjie lowered his head and kissed her on the forehead: "It's been a long time since I played alone with you."
"Are you asking me to come out and play?" Zhen Zhen raised her head and looked at him suspiciously: "Why do I feel like you want to stay in this alley for the whole afternoon?"
"You figured it out." Xi Junjie sighed with regret, then couldn't help but smiled and touched Zhenzhen's hair: "Let's go, I'll take you to a fun place."
Zhenzhen was not paying attention and was dragged outside by Xi Junjie again. They ran all the way to the bus stop, but before they could stand still, a bus came. Xi Junjie put in the banknotes and found a seat in the last row with Zhenzhen.
The bus stopped at the Forbidden City, and Xi Junjie bought a ticket and walked into the Forbidden City with Zhenzhen. On a winter afternoon, the huge palace was empty, even the staff who occasionally came out for patrols stayed indoors. Apart from Xi Junjie and Zhenzhen, there was no one to be seen.
"The Forbidden City, the imperial palace in the past." Xi Junjie took off the schoolbag on his back, took out a camera and quickly opened the lens cover. Before Zhenzhen could come to her senses, he pressed the shutter button, freezing the blue sky and white clouds, the thick snow, the towering palace and the beautiful woman with a sweet smile on the film.
"Oh, I'm not prepared. What if the photo looks ugly?" Zhenzhen wanted to see the film, but when she walked over, she remembered that this was an old-fashioned film camera and she couldn't see the photos instantly.
"Oh my, does a pretty girl like our Zhenzhen ever worry about being ugly?" Xi Junjie looked at the uncontrollable smile on Zhenzhen's face and deliberately said, "For example, I never worry about this problem. I've never been ugly."
Zhenzhen's smile froze for a moment. She turned her head and looked at Xi Junjie: "You mean you're prettier than me?"
"Isn't it?" Xi Junjie looked at her innocently: "Didn't you say that too?"
"I think you're itching for trouble." Zhenzhen squatted down, rolled up a snowball and threw it at Xi Junjie. Xi Junjie wanted to dodge it nimbly, but the snowball seemed to have eyes and hit him directly on the back of the head.
Looking at Xi Junjie who was stunned by the beating, Zhen Zhen bent over with laughter: "I grew up in a snow pile since I was a child. I have never lost a snowball fight."
Xi Junjie took off his camera and backpack and put them aside, then he made a snowball and threw it at Zhenzhen. The two of them ran back and forth in the square in front of the Hall of Supreme Harmony, with snowballs flying between them one after another. Soon, Xi Junjie was covered with snowflakes.
"No more playing, no more playing." Xi Junjie bent down, covered his knees and laughed until he couldn't breathe: "Your Majesty is the best in the world, I admit defeat."
Zhenzhen ran over with a smile on her face and jumped onto Xi Junjie's back. Just as she hugged his neck, Xi Junjie's legs went weak and they both fell to the ground on the thick snow.
Wearing a thick enough down jacket, she didn't feel cold even when lying on the snow. Zhen Zhen supported her head with one hand and pinched Xi Junjie's cheek with the other hand: "Why did you fall? Do you think I'm too heavy?"
"Yes, yes, have you been eating too much meat recently?" Xi Junjie smiled and rested his head on his hands, letting Zhenzhen do whatever she wanted on his face.
Zhenzhen made a ferocious expression and raised both hands: "What else do you want to say?"
"Hahaha, Zhenzhen, do you know that you look really cute when you make this expression?" Xi Junjie pulled his hand out and hugged Zhenzhen's waist. Zhenzhen fell on Xi Junjie without warning.
Their eyes met, and the doting in Xi Junjie's eyes was like the sunshine in spring, wrapping Zhenzhen from head to toe, making her feel warm and at ease.
"Why would I think you're fat?" Xi Junjie hugged Zhenzhen's waist tightly: "My life goal is to make you fat."
"I won't get fat." Zhen Zhen patted Xi Junjie's hand that was around her waist, turned over and lay back on the snow, looking at the blue and somewhat dazzling sky, with a happy smile on her face: "Xi Junjie, do you like me very much?"
Xi Junjie held Zhenzhen's hand and turned his head to look at her: "No!" At the moment when Zhenzhen was about to jump up, Xi Junjie added calmly: "I love you very much."
This sentence was like a magic spell, instantly making Zhenzhen's whole body soften. Although Xi Junjie's tone was very relaxed, Zhenzhen saw seriousness, persistence, and commitment in his eyes.
Under Xi Junjie's gaze, shyness gradually appeared in her heart, and her cheeks were flushed. Just as Xi Junjie was about to speak, Zhenzhen suddenly covered her face and said from between her fingernails: "Don't talk now, I'm shy."
“Hahaha…” Xi Junjie laughed so hard that he couldn’t even lie down. He sat up and looked at Zhenzhen who was curled up on the side with her face covered: “How can you be so cute?”
As soon as he finished speaking, he saw someone coming in from Taihe Gate: "Someone is coming, get up quickly."
Upon hearing this, Zhenzhen no longer cared about being shy, and immediately jumped up from the snow and ran away. Xi Junjie followed with a smile. After running a few steps, he remembered that he had forgotten to take his camera and backpack. He hurriedly ran back to get the things, caught up with Zhenzhen, and ran while laughing all the way. He stopped only when he could no longer see her.
Zhenzhen leaned against the palace wall with a flushed face. There were strings of icicles hanging under the eaves, which became more crystal clear under the sunlight. Zhenzhen sat on the ground, with one leg straight and the other bent, looking at the palace in the distance, her eyes were a little empty, and no one knew what she was thinking.
Xi Junjie picked up the camera and chose a suitable angle to capture Zhenzhen's profile and the Forbidden City shrouded in white.
"Click." The sound of the shutter startled Zhenzhen. Zhenzhen jumped up and patted the snow on her butt: "Is there a treasure exhibition here? I want to take a look."
"Yes." Xi Junjie said immediately: "I remember that you took the course of Ancient Cultural Relics Research. It's a good opportunity to see the real objects today to verify what you have learned."
Zhen Zhen followed Xi Junjie and walked towards the East Six Palaces: "Actually, I have quite a lot of antiques in my collection, I just want to see the collections that I don't have."
The two of them often joked around, and Xi Junjie didn't take them seriously. He led Zhenzhen to the palace where antiques were displayed. When he saw the Kangxi blue and white fishtail vase with flower and bird patterns displayed in the glass window, he immediately pounced on it, scaring the staff sitting next to him. They stared at her cautiously for a long time, and only relaxed their guard when they saw that she was really just excited about the cultural relics and had no other thoughts.
Xi Junjie had no knowledge of cultural relics. Seeing Zhen Zhen's eyes sparkling and almost drooling, he couldn't help but move closer to look at the bottle: "Is it really that beautiful?"
"Of course, it's more beautiful than yours!" Zhenzhen leaned on the glass and couldn't bear to look away: "This is the unique 'emerald blue' of Kangxi blue and white porcelain, which is the best blue and white art of all dynasties."
Xi Junjie didn’t hear the latter sentence at all. He kept pondering the former sentence in his mind. Maybe his future love rivals would not be men, but these antiques that were “prettier than himself”
The author has something to say: This morning, while I was on an IV drip, I was watching "The Pretty Sister Who Often Treats Me to Dinner". I was fed a mouthful of sweet dog food and laughed my ass off in the infusion room, so I decided to feed you dog food today, too. How about it? Is it sweet
Update first, then fix the bug