The Sweetness of the Seventies
Chapter 381 - 352 Opera, Chinatown, Sugar Figure_1

Chapter 381: Chapter 352 Opera, Chinatown, Sugar Figure_1

He Tiantian didn’t know how to translate the name of the animated film, and although she could vaguely understand the dialogue within, by the time she tried to carefully savor a line, it had already passed.

He Tiantian found watching quite difficult, but with snacks at hand, time passed quite quickly.

After the movie, they went to a nearby restaurant to eat, and then to an amusement park.

Qi Zhenghan and Qi Zhengmin thought He Tiantian liked these things, but the only thing He Tiantian could ride was the merry-go-round for two turns; as for the rest, she dared not try.

Qi Zhengmin forcibly pulled her to try the bumper cars for a while, and sure enough, just like the game’s name suggested, if there was a car, she would bump into others.

After a round, He Tiantian didn’t want to play anymore and stood outside watching Qi Zhengmin.

Seeing He Tiantian not playing, Qi Zhenghan also stayed by the side, keeping Tiantian company as they watched his sister play.

"Zhenghan, do you know where Chinese opera is performed?" He Tiantian asked. Even though she couldn’t play many games and only half-understood the movie, she had seen a lot that day and was very happy.

Third Grandma Qi was at home; she must have been a bit bored.

While chatting with Third Grandma Qi before, she mentioned that she liked listening to Chinese opera.

In China now, apart from "model operas," nothing else could be heard or seen.

Since she was out of the country now, maybe she could listen to it abroad!

"There are Chinese operas in Chinatown, and Dad sometimes goes to listen to them," Qi Zhenghan said. "Do you like listening too? Although I’ve listened attentively, there are many parts I don’t understand, but I can feel that the intonation is beautiful!"

"Actually, I don’t understand much either," He Tiantian said. "And it’s not that I want to watch it but that I want to take Grandma to listen. As you know, in China, because of a political factor, we can’t understand these operas, so Grandma hasn’t heard them in a long time."

"Ah?" Qi Zhenghan was puzzled. "It’s art, why aren’t people allowed to listen? Or to perform?"

"Uh... um..." He Tiantian didn’t know how to explain. For a Chinese person like Qi Zhenghan, who was born and raised in Country M, the understanding of China was extremely low; most of it was hearsay slandering Country H.

"Is it hard to answer?" Qi Zhenghan questioned. "I heard from Dad that you can’t get enough food to eat in China? No schooling?"

"Uh... um..." He Tiantian could answer that question, but couldn’t just say that she could eat her fill when most people could only eat half their fill, could she?

"I knew it wasn’t good there. Would you please not go back?" Qi Zhenghan said quietly, having learned from his father that He Tiantian didn’t want to go to school here; he felt sorry for her.

He Tiantian turned to look at Qi Zhenghan, her hair blown across her face by the wind. She brushed a few strands aside and said, "It’s not good there, material life is lacking, but that’s my motherland, my family is there. It may not be good right now, but it will get better in the future."

"Is it absolutely necessary for you to go back?" Qi Zhenghan asked, feeling a profound sense of loss. He had his own little thoughts—if He Tiantian stayed here, perhaps due to time and distance, she might break up with her fiancé?

"Yes, it is absolutely necessary," He Tiantian replied. "Hopefully, once the two countries establish diplomatic relations, we could come and go normally. Then, I will invite you to my home as a guest."

"Okay, great!" Qi Zhenghan smiled. "When the time comes, you must take me to see the Great Wall..."

"Uh... um..." He Tiantian was at a loss for words; she wanted to say her home wasn’t in Yanjing...

She decided not to explain further. If Qi Zhenghan really went, she would just take him for a tour; it would be her duty as a host.

"Alright then, we’ll take Grandma to the opera tomorrow," Qi Zhenghan said, finding his own way to show filial piety to Third Grandma Qi.

"That’s great," He Tiantian said joyfully, finally getting the chance to experience Chinatown abroad.

Having had their fill of fun, Qi Zhengmin pulled He Tiantian and Qi Zhenghan back home, one on each side.

Passing by a cake shop, Qi Zhengmin even bought the shop’s signature cookies, chocolates, and so on.

Although they were reluctant to leave, they had to get back before dinner.

After eating dinner at home, He Tiantian and Qi Zhengmin accompanied Third Grandma Qi for a walk, sharing with her their day’s experiences outside.

Third Grandma Qi listened attentively, and where she understood, she asked questions.

"Grandma, Sister Tiantian said you enjoy watching plays. Dad has already booked a private box at the Auspicious Building in Chinatown for tomorrow, so we can accompany you to the theater," Qi Zhengmin said excitedly. Although she herself couldn’t understand the opera, it wouldn’t stop her from enjoying the local snacks there!

After all, with grandma around, she would surely be doted on.

Third Grandma Qi was taken aback, looking at He Tiantian and asked, "Did you say that?"

"I did. Don’t you want to watch a play, Grandma? So, I asked Zhenghan, and he said there’s theater in Chinatown. Probably mentioned it when returning, and informed Uncle," He Tiantian said with a beaming smile, "Since we’re here, we shouldn’t leave with any regrets!"

"Mmm, you know exactly what’s in my heart," Third Grandma Qi laughed. Today, she’d been muttering to herself about having her son take her to a play the next day.

"Haha, right. I’ll make sure you’re dressed up beautifully tomorrow, and we’ll go watch the play together," He Tiantian proposed. After a stroll outside, they returned to the bedroom.

The following morning, after breakfast, Qi Shuliang took everyone to Chinatown to watch a play.

Upon arriving in Chinatown, Third Grandma Qi was amazed by the familiar traditional characters around her and the buildings bearing obvious Country H characteristics.

"Oh my, if it weren’t for the foreigners walking past, I’d think this was Country H before its liberation," Third Grandma Qi sighed. It had been so many years since she’d last seen such a scene.

The street vendors on both sides of the street had opened their shops for business, selling items all too familiar to Third Grandma Qi.

"I’d like to take a walk!" Third Grandma Qi said softly, immensely enjoying the atmosphere.

"Sure, I’ll walk with you," Qi Shuliang responded with a smile, surrounded by plenty of bodyguards. Moreover, he had let a police chief friend know about today, asking him to pay extra attention to the security of the area.

He had also notified the local Hongmen.

Third Grandma Qi stepped out of the car, leisurely strolling down the street.

"Ah, sugar art!" Third Grandma Qi’s eyes lit up. "Could you make one for me and each of the children?"

"Mother, if you like, I will have them made for you right away," Qi Shuliang laughed, calling out to a sugar artist, "Uncle, make six sugar figures, please!"

"What shapes do you want?" The sugar artist asked, hearing the order for six, realizing it was a sizable request. Moreover, this family of young and old looked well-off, possibly earning him a good tip.

Third Grandma Qi gave it some thought and said, "I’m born in the year of the Rabbit, so a little rabbit for me. Shuliang, you’re born in the year of the Ox, so a yellow bull for you; Tiantian is born in the year of the Sheep, a little sheep for her..."

They each had sugar figures made according to their zodiac signs.

Anna saw that everyone had one, and although she didn’t know what zodiac signs were, the little tiger in her hands was impressive and looked like a piece of art.

The old man crafting the sugar art must be an artist.