Since they had ordered takeout, the three of them could each eat their own meal. Although Nanny Zhang's cooking was exceptionally delicious, Nian Suian occasionally craved what some might call "junk food."
For lunch today, Gu Junxing had called to order delivery from a restaurant, Nian Suian had ordered spicy and extra-pungent rice noodles with snail, and Gu Zhijing had ordered KFC.
When Gu Junxing went downstairs, he was unaware that the other two had already assigned him a "task." The restaurant delivery he had ordered could be brought directly inside.
As Nian Suian saw Gu Junxing going downstairs, she said to him, "Gu Junxing, why don't you go upstairs and change into that black jacket I bought for you last time? I haven't seen you wear it yet."
Gu Junxing was a bit puzzled. "Why the sudden request to try on clothes?"
"You haven't worn it since I bought it. Try it on, and I'll see how handsome you look. If it looks good, you can wear it when we go to Zhijing's school for the sports meet."
"Yeah, Dad, give it a try," Gu Zhijing chimed in.
Gu Junxing looked at the two suspiciously, unsure why they had suddenly brought up the topic of clothes. However, since the two of them often acted unpredictably, he didn't think much of it and went upstairs to change.
"Don't forget to wear sneakers," Nian Suian added.
When Gu Junxing came back downstairs after changing, Nian Suian was genuinely impressed by how handsome he looked.
The sporty jacket made Gu Junxing appear quite a bit younger.
"Handsome!" Nian Suian's compliment was sincere.
"Dad, you look so cool! When you come to my school dressed like this, you'll definitely outshine all the other dads," Gu Zhijing applauded. No wonder he was such a handsome son – his father's looks were truly top-notch.
"Satisfied now? I'm going to change back," Gu Junxing said.
"Wait!" Nian Suian called out to Gu Junxing as he was about to go upstairs. "Don't change yet."
"What is it?"
"Since you're all dressed up, why don't you go outside and grab our takeout?"
"Dad, my KFC has arrived too," Gu Zhijing added.
Gu Junxing couldn't help but laugh in exasperation. So that's why they had him change clothes out of the blue – they had been waiting for this moment.
Nian Suian remained unapologetic, "You look so good in this outfit. It would be a waste if only Zhijing and I got to see it. You should go out and let others see you too. Otherwise, what's the point of changing?"
"I'll have someone else get it," Gu Junxing protested.
"Everyone's busy. Fang is cleaning Tang Yuan's room, and Sister Zhou is in the laundry room."
"Thank you! The takeout is at the security office," Nian Suian added quickly, cutting off any further objections from Gu Junxing.
Gu Junxing opened his mouth, about to say something more, but was interrupted by Nian Suian's words of thanks.
...
"Mr. Gu? Is there something you need?" The security guard, seeing Gu Junxing standing outside, thought he might have some business to attend to.
"Yes, I'm here to pick up two takeout orders."
The guard looked surprised. "Oh, so these two orders are for your family?"
He quickly retrieved the two packages and handed them to Gu Junxing. "I never expected to see you picking up takeout yourself, Mr. Gu. Would you like me to have them sent to your home?"
While some residents did order takeout, it was usually the household staff who came to collect it. The guard thought to himself that this was the first time he'd seen a homeowner come in person... Oh wait, the second time. The last time he was on night duty, someone from this household had come for barbecue in the middle of the night.
"No need, thank you," Gu Junxing thanked the guard and headed home with the two packages.
Gu Junxing frowned at one of the plastic bags, which undoubtedly contained Nian Suian's rice noodles with snail. It did smell quite pungent. He prayed he wouldn't run into anyone else on the way back.
"Mr. Gu, where are you coming from?"
His prayers went unanswered.
Before Gu Junxing could reply, the newcomer noticed what he was carrying. "Mr. Gu, did you go to pick up takeout?"
Gu Junxing had no choice but to nod and say, "It's for the kids at home."
The man addressing him was a partner at a law firm. They had met at a banquet before and had only exchanged nods when encountering each other in the neighborhood. This was the first time they had stopped to talk.
The man seemed surprised to discover that Gu Junxing was the type of father who would fetch takeout for his children. He remarked admiringly, "Mr. Gu, you're truly a great father."
Gu Junxing smiled without commenting. While it was unusual for him to be picking up takeout at the community entrance, he didn't think that alone qualified him as a great father. If that were the case, being a good dad would be far too easy.
"It's probably going to smell pretty strong. I'll eat in the backyard," Nian Suian said, holding her unopened container of rice noodles.
Gu Junxing wouldn't let her go outside. "Just eat here. It's cold outside, and your food will get cold quickly."
"But the whole house will smell," she protested.
"It's fine. We'll just close the dining room door."
Well, if he put it that way, there was no point in Nian Suian going outside. "As long as you two don't mind the smell."
Seeing Nian Suian's rice noodles, Gu Zhijing was intrigued. "Mom, can I try some of your noodles? I've had some near school before, but never anything this pungent."
Gu Junxing said sternly, "Gu Zhijing, eat your own food."
"Oh come on, this bowl is too big for me to finish anyway," Nian Suian said. Then to Gu Zhijing, "Go get a bowl... actually, get two. And a spoon."
When Gu Zhijing returned with the bowls, Nian Suian first served a couple of spoonfuls to Gu Junxing, including some of the soup.
She pushed the bowl in front of him and watched him mischievously, encouraging him to try it.
Gu Junxing looked at the mysteriously fragrant food before him with some hesitation.
"Trust me! It's really delicious!"
Seeing Nian Suian's enthusiasm, Gu Junxing finally took a bite of the rice noodles.
"How is it?"
After swallowing, Gu Junxing answered honestly, "It's a bit salty and spicy, but the flavor is not bad."
He wanted to remind Nian Suian that the dish was quite heavy and shouldn't be eaten in large quantities, but he was afraid she might think he was being too talkative.
Nian Suian could tell from Gu Junxing's expression what he wanted to say.
"Don't worry, I won't eat too much. This is very fattening, so I just have it occasionally to satisfy my cravings."
Seeing that his father had tried the rice noodles, Gu Zhijing put a piece of fried chicken in his father's bowl, claiming it would let him experience the life of young people.
Gu Junxing's lunch consisted of stir-fried seasonal vegetables, shrimp with Longjing tea leaves, and a pork rib soup with Chinese yam. He gestured for Nian Suian and Gu Zhijing to join him, but neither was interested. These dishes looked so healthy that just looking at them made them feel full. The meals had too much "shrinking power."
Nian Suian knew that Gu Junxing ate very healthily and lightly every day, and no matter how busy he was, he always found time to work out in the evening. She thought to herself: No wonder he has such a great physique... I wonder what he looks like without clothes.
Gu Junxing naturally noticed Nian Suian's intense gaze. She would take a bite of her food, then look up at him.
Even Gu Zhijing noticed.
"Mom, why do you keep looking at my dad?"
"I was just thinking that your dad has a great physique."
"Ahem..." Gu Junxing coughed, wondering why she would say such things in front of the child.
Gu Zhijing didn't see anything wrong with the comment. "Oh yeah, my dad's in great shape. I saw his pecs the other day. He could totally be a male wet nurse."
"You even know about male wet nurses?!" Now it was Nian Suian's turn to be shocked.
"Of course. I heard the girls in my class talking about it."
Gu Junxing: "..."
He had been complimented, but he wasn't happy about it.