Chapter 317: National Day

The silent flashes of knives and swords at the factory meeting, and the day‑to‑day petty disputes in the Siheyuan, were temporarily washed away by a grander, more joyous atmosphere—National Day of 1963 had arrived.

Bright red flags were hoisted early on both sides of the street, fresh slogans were painted on the walls facing the street, and the air was filled with a light, uplifting festive vibe. According to state regulations, the Steel Rolling Mill also gave a holiday, granting the weary workers a rare chance to catch their breath.

Autumn was crisp and clear, and Tiananmen Square was a riot of blossoms, crowds weaving like fabric. Li Ping'an kept his promise to his family; early that morning he set out with Lin Xueqing, his son Yaozong, his daughter Nuanqing, and met up with his sister Li Pingle's family of four, and they marched grandly toward the Gugong.

Lin Xueqing specially dressed her son in a brand‑new blue school uniform, while little Nuanqing wore a pinkish little jacket, cradled by her mother; her big dark eyes curiously surveyed the bustling crowd. Li Pingle and Chen Jianghe were also neatly attired, holding their babbling dragon‑phoenix twins.

They passed through the bustling Chang'anjie, walked past the imposing Tiananmen Gate Tower, and stepped onto Jinshuiqiao. The marble railings glowed with a gentle sheen in the autumn sun, and the river beneath sparkled.

"Dad, is this where the emperor lives?" Xiao Yaozong clutched Li Ping'an's hand tightly, looking up at the towering, majestic palace complex, his little face full of awe. The steady vigor he usually displayed while practicing horse‑stance martial drills was now replaced by his child's pure curiosity.

"It used to be, but now it is the people's palace, belonging to each of us," Li Ping'an said, lowering his head to look at his son, explaining gently. He embraced his daughter, feeling the softness and warmth of the little life in his arms, then looked at his gentle wife and lively sister's family, his heart filled with a solid sense of happiness. This was entirely different from the mindset he had in the factory confronting power struggles, or in the courtyard coldly watching neighbor disputes.

Lin Xueqing and Li Pingle, the two sisters, walked together, whispering, their eyes lingering on the splendid corner towers of the Golden Luan Hall and the cinnabar‑colored stone steps carved with dragons and phoenixes. As intellectuals, they felt the weight of history the ancient architecture bore, and were sincerely delighted that it was open to ordinary people.

Chen Jianghe acted like a reliable guard, watching over his two little ones, and occasionally exchanged a few remarks about the building's layout with Li Ping'an.

They followed the crowd, passing through Taihedian, Zhonghedian, Baohédian, walking between the long palace walls. The red walls and golden glazed tiles under the deep blue sky formed a richly colored painting.

Xiao Yaozong ran excitedly back and forth, but remembered his father's warning and did not dare to stray too far. Nuanqing became fascinated by the drifting ginkgo leaves, reaching out with her little hand, babbling as she tried to catch them.

In Yuhuayuan, they found a quieter corner to rest. Li Ping'an took a water bottle and cleaned red dates and apples from his cloth bag and handed them out. These fruits from the northwest tasted especially sweet at that moment.

"Brother, the Gugong is really huge; after walking a circuit my legs are sore," Li Pingle pounded his thigh, but his face wore a satisfied smile.

"Indeed, before we could only see it in books; now we can walk inside ourselves, it feels truly different," Lin Xueqing added, cradling her daughter, watching her son chase and laugh not far away, feeling that this peace and contentment was priceless.

After enough rest, with the sun climbing higher, it was lunch time. Li Ping'an gestured broadly, "Let's go to a restaurant! Today we're eating at Quanjude!"

The suggestion was met with an enthusiastic response from the children, even the two little ones who didn't yet understand giggled along.

Inside Quanjude the place was bustling with voices, full of holiday atmosphere. The aroma of roast duck filled the whole hall, tempting their cravings. After much waiting they finally got a private room; though small, the family packed together made it even livelier.

When the senior chef pushed the serving cart in and presented the glossy mahogany‑hued, crisp‑skin, tender‑meat duck, even the adults couldn't help swallowing their saliva. Xiao Yaozong's eyes widened, watching the duck meat as thin as cicada wings fall piece by piece, forgetting to speak.

"Come, pick up your chopsticks!" Li Ping'an called with a smile, first serving his wife and sister, then rolling a lotus‑leaf pancake for his son.

One bite brought together the crisp duck skin, the tender duck meat, the sweet fragrance of the sauce, the spiciness of scallion strips, and the supple lotus‑leaf pancake, all melding perfectly for great satisfaction. Even Xiao Nuanqing tasted a bit of the shredded duck meat puree her mother fed her, eating it with relish.

The sumptuous lunch left the family feeling fully satisfied, smiles all around.

After the meal, Li Ping'an took them to the Zhongguo zhaoxianguan in Wangfujing. It was one of the most famous photo studios in Beijing at the time, and during the holiday a long queue formed.

After a long wait they finally got their turn. The photographer, a senior master, directed them into pose. Li Ping'an and Lin Xueqing sat in the middle, Li Ping'an cradling his daughter, Lin Xueqing holding her son. Li Pingle and Chen Jianghe stood in the back row with their dragon‑phoenix twins.

"Alright! Look here! Smile!" the senior photographer shouted, his voice booming as he stepped behind the backdrop.

The flash lamp went 'Bang!' as it flashed, the dazzling white light instantly illuminated the whole studio.

In that instant the moment was forever captured. In the photo, Li Ping'an's expression was steady, a faint gentle smile at the corner of his mouth; Lin Xueqing was gentle and serene, her gaze soft; Xiao Yaozong puffed his little chest, trying to look serious, though excitement shone in his eyes; Xiao Nuanqing curiously looked at the camera, her little hand gripping her father's lapel. In the back row Li Pingle beamed, Chen Jianghe appeared honest and simple, the two little ones looked naïvely adorable.

This black‑and‑white family portrait condensed all the happiness and hope of this ordinary yet extraordinary family on National Day 1963.

Leaving the studio, the setting sun had already dyed the horizon orange‑red. The family, weary yet excited, boarded a bus and returned to the Siheyuan.

Back in the courtyard, the lights were just coming on. From the Central Courtyard the Jia family still heard Bang Geng crying for meat, the Front Courtyard's Yan family remained quiet, yet none of this seemed able to affect the warmth overflowing in Xi Kua Yuan.

Li Ping'an carefully placed the precious family portrait in the most conspicuous spot of the five‑drawer cabinet. He looked at each smiling face in the photo, then at his wife washing his daughter's face and his son earnestly reporting what he had seen in the Gugong, feeling a wave of calm and certainty.

No matter how the outside world rained or stormed, no matter how many unknown challenges the future held, at least in this moment he was happy. This happiness was worth protecting with everything he had. The celebratory National Day atmosphere would eventually fade, but the laughter by Jinshuiqiao and the captured smiles in the family portrait would, like lights in the dark night, forever warm his road ahead.