txolops Chapter 74 Arriving at the Park
Chapter 74 Arriving at the Park
The sound of running water could be heard coming from the bathroom of the rented room.
A little while later, Tangtang came running out.
She had changed into her favorite light yellow floral dress, a few drops of water still clinging to her fair face, and she held a small pink wooden comb in her hand.
"Daddy, I've washed my face and brushed my teeth!"
Tangtang ran to the kitchen doorway and handed over the little comb she was holding. "Today I'm going to braid my hair into two little braids to see the windmill!"
Lin Chen turned off the tap and grabbed a towel to dry his hands.
He walked over, took the comb, and knelt down on one knee in front of the kitchen counter.
"Turn around, with your back to Dad."
Lin Chen spoke.
Tangtang obediently turned around and stood still with her hands behind her back.
Lin Chen gently gathered his daughter's soft hair with his hand.
He parted his hair in the middle and tied it into two small pigtails on either side, finally securing them with hair ties decorated with strawberries.
"alright."
Lin Chen put down the comb and patted his daughter's little shoulder.
Tangtang ran to the bathroom mirror, looked at herself, and happily ran back to the restaurant, climbing onto her own little chair with both hands and feet.
Lin Chen had already brought breakfast to the table.
Two simple homemade scallion and egg pancakes, served with two bowls of freshly ground hot soy milk.
"Wow! It smells so good!"
Tangtang scooped up a spoonful of soy milk with a small spoon, blew on it gently, and put it in her mouth.
Lin Chen sat opposite, picked up a slice of egg pancake with his chopsticks, and put it into Tangtang's plate.
"Eat slowly, it's hot."
Lin Chen gave instructions. "Okay!"
Tangtang took a bite of the pancake.
The outer layer was slightly crispy, while the inside was soft and tender. The little girl's cheeks were bulging as she ate, exclaiming, "Daddy's pancakes are the best!"
Lin Chen smiled slightly, picked up his bowl, and ate his breakfast with steady movements.
"Daddy, what are we eating in the park for lunch?"
While chewing on her pancake, Tangtang looked curiously at the double-layered bento box on the kitchen counter.
"I made rice balls and thick omelets."
Lin Chen swallowed the food in his mouth. "When you get hungry at noon, we'll lay out a mat on the grass and eat."
"Eat on the grass!"
Tangtang's big eyes lit up instantly, and she chewed faster. "Then I'll eat faster so we can get a good spot!"
Seeing his daughter's impatient look, Lin Chen took out a tissue and wiped the soy milk stains from the corner of her mouth: "Don't worry, the car is ready, just wait at the intersection."
Ten minutes later, the father and daughter finished their breakfast.
Lin Chen put the bowls and chopsticks into the sink to wash them and wiped them dry.
He then took a backpack from the hook behind the door and began to pack his things.
The double-layered bento box filled with rice balls was placed in an insulated bag and stuffed into the bottom of the backpack.
Next came Tangtang's special children's water bottle, two packs of wet wipes, a bottle of children's mosquito repellent, and a small pack of band-aids.
Finally, Lin Chen took the folded picnic mat and secured it to the side of his backpack with straps.
Did you bring your water bottle?
Lin Chen slung his backpack over his shoulder and turned to ask.
"All taken!"
Tangtang stood in the entryway, carrying a pink backpack and holding a sun hat. "Daddy, can we go now?"
"Walk."
Lin Chen pushed open the security door and led Tangtang downstairs.
As I stepped out of the alley, a taxi was already waiting by the roadside.
Now that Lin Chen has made money, he won't skimp on taxi fares when it comes to taking his daughter out.
Lin Chen opened the car door, gently shielding Tangtang's head so she could get in first, before getting in himself and closing the door.
The car started moving and headed towards the city center.
Tangtang leaned against the car window, watching the street scene rushing past outside.
"Daddy, how big is that windmill?"
Tangtang turned around and asked.
"Very big."
Lin Chen put his arm around his daughter's shoulder to prevent her from swaying with the car, saying, "It's taller than the building we live in."
"Wow—" Tangtang's eyes widened. "Does a fairy live on that windmill?"
"Find it yourself when you get there."
Lin Chen answered. Half an hour later, the car stopped next to the main entrance square of the wetland park.
"Put on your hat."
Lin Chen put a fisherman's hat on Tangtang, opened the car door, and led her out of the car.
As soon as she stood up, Tangtang excitedly stretched out her little finger forward.
The park's main entrance is just across the street.
Above the trees behind the main gate, a huge white windmill is slowly turning its blades.
"It really is a giant windmill!"
Tangtang jumped up and down happily.
Lin Chen glanced at the dense crowd around him and tightened his grip on his daughter's hand.
"Hold on tight to Daddy, there are a lot of people today, don't run around."
Lin Chen gave instructions. The main square was bustling with people, and vendors selling cotton candy and glowing balloons weaved through the crowd.
Lin Chen led Tangtang through the crowds and into the park.
The field of vision suddenly opened up.
Before you lies a vast artificial lake, surrounded by expansive lawns and crisscrossing stone paths.
A gust of wind blew by.
Several long kites rose into the sky above the lawn.
Nearby, a little boy was running around holding a bubble machine, and a string of bubbles floated to Tangtang's face.
Tangtang stretched out her little finger and popped a bubble.
"Smack."
The bubble burst, splashing out a little water, and Tangtang giggled.
Lin Chen took her hand and walked along the main road by the lake.
The lawns on both sides of the road were crowded with families playing.
Colorful picnic mats were spread on the grass, adults chatted, and children chased each other around.
There were also quite a few quick-opening tents pitched under the shade of the trees.
Laughter and joy were everywhere.
"Daddy, where are we going to eat?"
Tangtang watched others sitting on picnic mats eating and swallowed hard.
"Go inside, it's too noisy here."
Lin Chen didn't stop walking.
People are coming and going at the entrance; it's not a good place to sit quietly.
They followed the wooden boardwalk around a small lake bay and came to a relatively quiet willow grove.
There is a flat grassy area with no obstructions in front, offering a perfect view of the lake and the large windmills on the opposite side.
Lin Chen stopped and looked around. Under a huge weeping willow tree.
The tree canopy cast a dense shade over the grass.
"Tangtang, go to that tree."
Lin Chen pointed.
"Great! There are leaves there to block the sun!"
Tangtang nodded vigorously. Lin Chen led his daughter to the tree and put down his backpack.
He untied the straps, pulled out a red and white checkered picnic mat, spread it out on the grass, and flattened the four corners.
"Take off your shoes before you come up."
Lin Chen explained.
Tangtang obediently kicked off her sandals, put on her socks, stepped onto the picnic mat, and happily rolled around.
"Daddy, it's so soft here!"
Tangtang sat up and pointed straight ahead, "You can see the windmill very clearly!"
Lin Chen took off his shoes and sat on the cushion.
He unzipped his backpack and took out a pack of wet wipes.
"Hand out."
Tangtang obediently stretched out her two little hands.
Lin Chen helped her wipe all ten fingers clean.
Then, Lin Chen took the double-layered lunchbox out of the insulated bag and placed it in the center of the picnic mat.
Not far away, several families with children were chatting while having a picnic.
The sounds of children playing echoed in my ears, accompanied by the rustling of willow branches in the wind.
Lin Chen sat on the cushion, looking at his daughter beside him who was staring expectantly at the lunchbox. His originally cold and hard facial features softened completely.