Chapter 112: Leisure and Amusement

If no one had reminded her earlier, she really could have forgotten all about it; but now that it had been mentioned, she couldn’t pretend not to know.

Yan Rushan’s gaze was calm. “Go ahead. I’ll come pick you up after work.”

“I probably won’t be coming home for lunch. How about you pick me up in the evening?” His sudden concession made Zhong Yuxiu breathe a sigh of relief, though she felt more apologetic at heart; he had taken time to accompany her for some relaxation, yet she had other plans.

“Then let me bring you lunch. Is that alright?” Yan Rushan asked respectfully.

Without hesitation, Zhong Yuxiu nodded. “That would be wonderful, Brother Yan. The food in the cafeteria is really awful; when there’s nothing better you make do, but if there’s something good, why settle?”

“If you think of anything you want, just tell me.” Yan Rushan’s expression softened into a smile. “Whether it’s meat or vegetables, I’ll do my best to get them for you.”

“Roast duck, from Quanjude—their roast duck is truly delicious, especially the crispy skin,” Zhong Yuxiu replied, relishing the memory.

Yan Rushan nodded without hesitation. “Alright, I’ll bring you a whole roast duck tomorrow at noon. Anything else?”

“Braised pork, Mapo tofu—that’s enough. If there are greens, maybe some vegetables as well.”

“That’s not much. Will it be enough?” Yan Rushan was concerned; Yuxiu had a good appetite, and there were also Hao Nan and Tian Shangguo. The three of them together—three dishes wouldn’t suffice.

Hao Nan smiled. “We won’t eat with Comrade Zhong. We can eat in the cafeteria.”

“It’s not as tasty eating alone,” Zhong Yuxiu shook her head. “Meals are best shared; eating alone is dull.”

“I’ll have them buy a couple more portions,” Yan Rushan decided, then changed topics. “The pomelos I got for Grandpa are arriving soon. I’ll fetch them tomorrow—do you want some? I can bring some over.”

Zhong Yuxiu nodded eagerly. “Yes, bring a few. I’ll save the peels for you to collect.”

“Alright,” Yan Rushan agreed readily.

“Technically, since you asked people to gather pomelos early on, they should’ve been delivered by now. Why so late?” It had been over a month already.

Yan Rushan paused, chopsticks in hand. “There was a bit of trouble over there. We needed a lot of pomelos, and getting them here took quite a bit of effort.”

Seeing he didn’t want to elaborate, Zhong Yuxiu didn’t press further. Clearly, something had happened. “It’s good they’re finally here. With pomelo peels for Grandpa, his old cold leg should improve.”

“Yes, Grandpa hasn’t felt any pain in his leg these days. Your method really works,” Yan Rushan’s eyes sparkled with a smile, his lips gently curved, his mood clearly good. “Grandpa even said he wants to thank you in person.”

“To thank me himself?” Zhong Yuxiu declined. “That really isn’t necessary—it was just a suggestion, and you’re the one handling everything. I’d feel awkward accepting thanks.”

Yan Rushan turned to her, his smile deepening. “Grandpa said that without your remedy, he’d have suffered far more. And now, not only Grandpa uses your method—a number of elderly gentlemen do, too. They’re all benefiting. Most of the pomelo peels I’ve collected are for them.”

“Why must you collect them for them? Can’t they find their own?” For Yan’s grandfather to share the recipe, these must be trusted acquaintances, none of low status.

“I needed to get pomelos for Grandpa anyway—it’s convenient to help,” Yan Rushan explained, his tone slightly hesitant before continuing, “They’ve put in requests, and will make up for it elsewhere. Some are the elders of my brothers’ families.”

Zhong Yuxiu nodded in understanding. “That’s good.”

She knew well the importance of connections; she just lacked patience to cultivate them. Well-managed relationships meant half the effort for double the results. But in her field of research, these matters of social grace were less important; her temperament was best suited for research.

“Don’t worry, I know how to handle it,” Yan Rushan said with a smile, then looked to Hao Nan and Tian Shangguo. “Is there anything you’d like to bring home for your families? I’m getting a batch of new supplies soon.”

Hao Nan and Tian Shangguo exchanged glances, surprised by the question. Yan Rushan had never been close to them, much less proactively inquiring about their needs.

“Could you get more malted milk powder and fabric?” Hao Nan hesitated but finally asked.

Tian Shangguo looked at him, but didn’t object.

Yan Rushan nodded gently. “Yes, those are basic items. If you need them, Comrade Hao, I’ll bring them for you tomorrow.”

“Thank you. I’ll need three cans of malted milk powder and two bolts of fabric. Let me know how much and I’ll settle the account,” Hao Nan replied, not one to take advantage.

“Alright, I’ll bring them tomorrow and sort it together,” Yan Rushan said, then turned to Tian Shangguo. “And you, anything?”

Tian Shangguo nodded. “Can you get a bicycle, a watch, and a sewing machine? My younger brother is getting married and needs those three items.”

Those were in high demand, and buying them outright wasn’t easy. To get them all, considerable connections would be needed; he’d rather not leverage his own, so if Yan Rushan could manage it, it would save a lot of trouble.

“I can. Flying Pigeon bicycle, Shanghai watch, Plum Blossom sewing machine—is that alright?” Yan Rushan listed the brands.

“That’s fine, nothing fancy; the cheaper models will do.”

Yan Rushan agreed, and after a brief rest, the group skipped their usual midday nap to allow more time for leisure.

Exiting the compound, they found a Red Flag sedan parked outside. The license plate looked familiar.

“Let’s go. I borrowed the car from Grandpa, so we can save some time on the road,” Yan Rushan said, taking Yuxiu by the hand as they approached. Only then did she notice a security officer inside—a trusted aide from Yan’s grandfather’s staff.

“Doesn’t Grandpa need it?” Zhong Yuxiu paused.

Yan Rushan smiled, “Grandpa isn’t working today.”

“I see!” Reassured, Yuxiu slid into the car, followed by Yan Rushan, then Tian Shangguo beside her; Hao Nan took the driver’s seat.

“Tiananmen Square, please.”

“Understood.” The security officer drove them out of the compound.

Tiananmen Square was vast, with people coming and going. Though it looked sparse, the crowd was considerable.

“Isn’t today a weekday? Why are there so many people?” Zhong Yuxiu stepped out, her gaze settling on the enormous portrait—the face of a great leader.

Yan Rushan retrieved a camera from the car and handed it to her. “Would you like to take some photos?”

Zhong Yuxiu looked down—her eyes lit up with delight.

“You even brought a camera!”

Yan Rushan nodded with a smile, saying nothing.

Zhong Yuxiu took the camera, studied the old contraption for a moment, then powered it on and snapped several shots of Tiananmen Square, especially the portrait of the leader, which came out exceptionally clear.

“Brother Yan, you’re wonderful. You really think of everything,” she said sincerely, lowering the camera.

Yan Rushan took it back, pointed to the raised platform ahead. “Go over there, I’ll take a photo of you.”

“Alright.”

The two wandered around Tiananmen Square, stopping to take a photo whenever they found a good spot.