Chapter 121 Complex

After listening, a look of bewilderment flashed across Zhou Anping's face.

"He...he said that? He's really not Wang Lili's boyfriend?"

“He didn’t mention Wang Lili at all,” Nan Zhiyi said definitively.

Zhou Anping's expression was complicated.

Did I really take my anger out on an innocent person so arbitrarily and indiscriminately just because I disliked Wang Lili?

Yes, what makes her so sure that Meng Qingshan and Wang Lili are in cahoots... just because he didn't embarrass Wang Lili in public?

But in that situation... what could he do? Just walk away with a cold face like her brother did?

But Meng Qingshan didn't seem to give Wang Lili a friendly look either...

"Zhiyi, he asked about me?"

“Hmm.” Nan Zhiyi nodded. “He seemed very open and honest, not like he was lying. Besides, he said he had only met you twice, both times at events.”

Zhou Anping fell silent.

He said he'd only seen her twice? And he even asked Zhiyi to ask... Could it be true... that he's interested in her?

This thought made Zhou Anping's ears inexplicably heat up, but he was then overwhelmed by even deeper confusion.

There's still Chen Hong on my mother's side...

Seeing Zhou Anping's ever-changing expression, Nan Zhiyi said, "Anping, this matter isn't something you can handle right now. Meng Qingshan asked me to inquire, but how you think about it, how you reply, or even whether you reply at all, is entirely up to you."

Zhou Anping sniffed and said in a low voice, "I know... I'm just a little confused..."

"Then let's not think about it for now."

Nan Zhiyi decisively cut off her chaotic thoughts.

"No matter how big the problem is, get some sleep first. What you need most right now is to crawl into bed and sleep soundly for the rest of your life."

Zhou Anping nodded obediently: "Yes, I'll listen to you. I really need to go back and rest properly; my bones feel like they're falling apart."

"That's right." Nan Zhiyi breathed a sigh of relief. "Go back now, it's cold outside, bundle up. I won't keep you any longer. Once this busy period is over, when you're free, come and talk to me anytime."

Zhou Anping stood up and carefully put on his scarf and hat. "Don't worry, it's not really that tiring, it's just that things have been happening one after another, and I've been under a lot of pressure. And now, the New Year is almost here..."

"Yes, the New Year is almost here..." Nan Zhiyi sighed softly, "As for the cultural troupe... I'm afraid the memorial activities won't be stopped, right?"

"Yes. The order has been conveyed: all entertainment activities are suspended during the mourning period. Our group... our main task is still rehearsing and participating in memorial services in various places. A holiday?"

She gave a wry smile and shook her head. "They didn't even mention it. Just being able to get everyone home on time and get a good night's sleep is considered taking care of them. I guess we'll be working non-stop until... after the holiday."

Nan Zhiyi saw her to the door: "Then you need to take better care of yourself. Work is never-ending, don't push yourself. Go back and get some rest."

"Okay, Zhiyi, I'm leaving."

She stood by the door, gazing in the direction Zhou Anping had left, then looked up at the gray, moonless night sky.

On the 24th day of the twelfth lunar month, dust and sweep the house.

Early in the morning, Aunt Wu started a thorough cleaning, and Nan Zhiyi was not idle either, taking a feather duster to clean the dust on the windowsill and bookshelves.

25. Grind tofu.

On the 26th, I went to buy meat.

On the 27th, a rooster was slaughtered.

Before we knew it, it was the 28th day of the twelfth lunar month.

Aunt Wu deftly kneaded the dough into long strips, preparing to make steamed buns.

Nan Zhiyi sat on a small stool and helped put a damp gauze in the steamer.

Just then, several car horns sounded outside the gate, followed by the sound of car doors opening and closing.

Aunt Wu peered out the window: "Could it be the Commander returning?"

Nan Zhiyi immediately stood up. "You go ahead with your work, I'll go take a look."

She opened the courtyard gate, her heart filled with joy.

Commander Gu, who was walking ahead, looked even more haggard than when he left home, but he stood up straight and was full of energy.

Following closely behind was Gu Xiao.

The moment he saw Nan Zhiyi, the coldness between his brows melted away, and his eyes revealed undisguised warmth and longing.

Guard Xiao Li followed at the back, carrying two not-so-large bags.

Gu Xiao stepped forward and pulled Nan Zhiyi into the house, saying, "It's cold outside."

"Commander! Regimental Commander Gu! Little Li!"

Hearing the commotion, Wu Ma was both surprised and delighted, and came out to greet them, wanting to take the bag from Xiao Li's hand.

"Aunt Wu, let me do it." Xiao Li quickly placed the luggage in the entryway.

"Is everything alright at home?" Commander Gu asked.

“Yes, yes, everything is fine! Zhiyi is doing well, and so is the child!” Aunt Wu replied repeatedly.

Commander Gu was clearly exhausted. He nodded to Wu Ma and Nan Zhiyi, "I'll go back to my room to rest for a while. Xiao Li, bring the bag up."

He and Xiao Li went into the bedroom together.

Wu Ma went back to the kitchen.

Gu Xiao then released Nan Zhiyi's hand, took off his coat, hung it on the coat rack, and then led her back to the bedroom.

He closed the door and held her tightly in his arms.

Nan Zhiyi wrapped her arms around his waist and pressed herself tightly against him.

After a while, she looked up and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Why did you come back with Dad?"

"The conference in Beijing has concluded, and Dad, as the representative of the military region, has finished handling some follow-up work. The Central Military Commission has requested that the commanders of each military region return to their posts as soon as possible to preside over the mourning activities and stability work in their respective regions."

He always explained things to her carefully, whenever he could.

“I happened to be coordinating some follow-up matters of the joint exercise in the Beijing Military Region, and the timing was just right, so I escorted Dad back.”

"Joint exercises?" Nan Zhiyi asked, somewhat puzzled.

Gu Xiao's eyes darkened slightly. He didn't elaborate, but simply said vaguely, "Yes, some work exchanges across military regions."

He carefully looked Nan Zhiyi up and down; her face was rosy, and her eyes and brows exuded gentleness.

It was warm at home, so she wore a cardigan over a thick cotton dress, her lower abdomen slightly protruding.

Gu Xiao carried her to the sofa, gently placing his large hand on her slightly protruding belly.

"Zhiyi, I miss you, so much. How have you been these days?"

Nan Zhiyi's nose tingled, and she buried her face in his neck: "I'm fine, I think about you every day..."

Gu Xiao gave a soft "hmm" and pressed his warm lips to her forehead.

The two embraced and cuddled for a while.

Nan Zhiyi tilted her head up slightly and rubbed her chin against his chest.

“A few days ago, a comrade named Meng Qingshan came to my house and said that you asked him to deliver something.”

Gu Xiao gently stroked her back with his large hand. "Hmm, did you receive the things?"

"Received, bird's nest and pastries."

Nan Zhiyi nodded, her eyes sparkling with gossip. "That Comrade Meng... he seems quite energetic, and he speaks so directly? He immediately said he wanted to get to know me and asked me to ask Anping what he thought."

Gu Xiao raised an eyebrow, seemingly unsurprised by this development: "He certainly doesn't beat around the bush."

"Yes, it startled me. Who asks someone to inquire about a young lady's feelings like that?"