Chapter 105 Calm

"how?"

Lu Linlang's sharp voice rang out behind him, filled with undisguised sarcasm.

"You lost your soul the moment you saw your 'Fifth Sister-in-law'? You couldn't even walk properly?"

Zhou Zhengping paused in his act of hanging up the clothes, his back stiffening.

Seeing that he didn't react, Lu Linlang thought she had hit a sore spot and became even more smug, her words becoming increasingly vicious and offensive.

"Commander Gu protects her like the apple of his eye, and the couple are so affectionate. Who do you think you are? You expect her to remember you? Her husband is a young man who is already a commander, with a bright future ahead of him!"

And you? A training staff officer, and only through family connections! Would Nan Zhiyi even look at you? She's already hooked up with someone much better! Only you, still dreaming...

"Enough!"

Zhou Zhengping turned around, and his long-suppressed anger erupted.

He stared at Lu Linlang's distorted face, his tone almost cruelly calm, "Yes, I just can't forget her."

Lu Linlang was speechless for a moment from his blunt admission, and her face turned pale.

Suppressing his anger, Zhou Zhengping lashed out, each word clear and distinct.

"She is sincere, kind, considerate, courageous, and upright. No matter who she marries, she will live a good life."

He made no attempt to hide his contempt. "She's a hundred times better than a woman like you, a woman with a vicious mind who only knows how to scheme and plot! You're not even worth a single hair on her head!"

"You!" Lu Linlang trembled with rage and screamed, "Zhou Zhengping! You bastard!"

She grabbed an enamel mug from the table and smashed it hard on the cement floor!

With a loud crash, enamel shards scattered all over the floor.

Looking at the mess on the ground, Zhou Zhengping felt only deep exhaustion and disgust.

He didn't even bother to look at her again, turned around, slammed the door of his little hut shut, and locked it from the inside.

Zhou Zhengping slowly sat down in the chair, listening to the hysterical crying, cursing, and smashing sounds outside. A sense of powerlessness and absurdity overwhelmed him.

What is the meaning of such a marriage and such a life?

He closed his eyes wearily, and the image of Nan Zhiyi nestled in Gu Xiao's arms under the streetlights flashed through his mind, her eyes filled with dependence and warmth.

That warmth that once belonged to him has now become a luxury he can never reach.

The next morning, just as dawn was breaking, the air was dry and biting cold.

Nan Zhiyi struggled to get up, leaned over the pool and dry heaved for a while, only vomiting some sour water. Her complexion was even worse than yesterday.

Gu Xiao handed her a bowl of warm water so she could rinse her mouth.

"Malted milk powder...can you drink it?" he asked in a low voice.

Nan Zhiyi shook her head: "I finished it a couple of days ago... I still have one can of milk powder left, but it smells fishy and I can't drink it."

Gu Xiao silently helped her sit down on the edge of the bed, brought her the millet porridge he had cooked that morning from the kitchen, and coaxed her in a low voice, "Drink a few sips to warm your stomach, the journey is still long."

Nan Zhiyi took a few small sips from his hand, barely managing to drink.

Seeing that she still looked listless, Gu Xiao tenderly ruffled her hair.

Nan Zhiyi leaned against his chest, thinking of the things in the storage room: "Many of the rice, flour, and cooking oil that Dad gave us are still unopened. They're just sitting there anyway. You're alone in the camp and don't even cook, so why don't you take them all back?"

Gu Xiao lowered his head and kissed her forehead: "Okay."

Wait until she recovers.

Gu Xiao began packing his luggage.

The jeep was borrowed from the logistics department in the morning, and the driver, Xiao Zhang, was waiting at the intersection.

He started making trip after trip to the back seat and trunk of the car, bringing back rice, flour, cooking oil, and dried goods that Commander Gu had asked Nan Zhiyi to bring back for the Mid-Autumn Festival. However, she was pregnant and rarely cooked.

While Gu Xiao was moving things, Nan Zhiyi carefully divided the remaining packets of pastries and candies into two portions, wrapped them in oil paper, and each portion was quite heavy.

She went to Sister Wang's house next door first.

Sister-in-law Wang was sweeping snow in the yard when she saw her coming over with something, so she quickly put down her broom.

“Sister-in-law,” Nan Zhiyi handed over the things with a gentle smile, “we’re going home for a while, and these snacks and candies might spoil if left for too long. The kids are on winter break, so I’d appreciate it if they could help me use them up.”

Looking at the heavy little bag, Sister Wang felt quite embarrassed: "Oh dear, sister, how can I accept this! It's too valuable! You should keep it for yourself!"

"Don't be so polite, sister-in-law," Nan Zhiyi said, stuffing the food into her hands. "I can't finish it all by myself. When I first came here, I was so grateful to you for teaching me so many tips on managing household chores. This is just a little something to sweeten the children's mouths."

Sister-in-law Wang couldn't refuse, so she had no choice but to accept.

She turned and ran back into the house, bringing out two small earthenware jars: "These are pickled radishes and pickled mustard greens that I made myself. They're crisp, refreshing, and appetizing! Take them home and try them!"

Nan Zhiyi didn't stand on ceremony, thanked Sister Wang, and then went to Sister Liu's house.

When Sister Liu saw the large bag that Nan Zhiyi handed over, she waved her hands repeatedly, saying, "Zhiyi, this won't do! Take it back quickly... keep it for yourself to eat slowly."

“Sister-in-law, there’s really no need to keep me,” Nan Zhiyi repeated what she had said to Sister Wang, “When I first arrived, I didn’t know anything, and I’m so grateful for the help and guidance you all gave me…”

Hearing her say that and seeing her insistence, Sister Liu blushed and accepted it.

She went to the kitchen, took out the sticky rice cakes she had steamed and frozen solid, and forced them on Nan Zhiyi, saying, "I made these myself, try them."

Aunt Liu offered to see Nan Zhiyi out of the courtyard, but Nan Zhiyi, looking at her prominently pregnant belly, felt sorry for her and quickly said, "Auntie, you're carrying a heavy load, you don't need to see me off..."

After saying goodbye to his two kind-hearted sisters-in-law, Gu Xiao packed all his things.

Gu Xiao carefully helped Nan Zhiyi into the back seat, then sat down next to her.

Xiao Zhang started the car and drove away from the familiar residential compound.

The car was bumping violently, and Nan Zhiyi's stomach started churning again.

She frowned, turned her face to the window, and tightly covered her mouth and nose with a handkerchief, trying her best to suppress the nausea.

Fortunately, she didn't get carsick, but the persistent nausea made her lose her appetite, and she leaned listlessly on Gu Xiao's shoulder.

Gu Xiao put his arm around her shoulder to make her more comfortable, and gently stroked the back of her hand with his fingertips, offering silent comfort.

The journey was long and tedious.

As dusk approached, the jeep finally drove into Jian'an city and turned into the familiar little building in the military compound.

The car stopped at the gate of the courtyard. Gu Xiao got out of the car and went around to the other side to help Nan Zhiyi.

To the surprise of both Gu Xiao and Nan Zhiyi, Commander Gu was waiting at the door, a rare sight. He was dressed in a crisp military uniform with a thick woolen overcoat, his hands behind his back, his posture upright.

"Dad..." Nan Zhiyi was a little surprised and quickly greeted him softly.