Chapter 122 Another Year

As soon as Nan Zhiyi finished speaking, she immediately thought of the night Gu Xiao came to set her up on a blind date...

"What are you thinking about?" Gu Xiao gently stroked her flushed cheek with his fingertips.

Nan Zhiyi muttered softly, "N-nothing...it's just that I suddenly remembered...when you and I went on that blind date, it seems like..."

Gu Xiao immediately understood what she hadn't finished saying.

He chuckled softly, picked up a strand of hair from behind her ear, twirled it around his knuckles, and slowly played with it. "Seems...too direct?"

Nan Zhiyi glared at him and then asked, "That Meng Qingshan... what does he do? He doesn't seem like the son of an ordinary cadre."

“Meng Qingshan’s grandfather was General Meng, who used to serve in the General Staff Department and retired a few years ago. His father is now in the General Armaments Department as a deputy minister. He himself is in the X Department of the General Staff Department as a staff officer at the regimental level.”

He explained in detail, "This time, he was representing his unit to coordinate the organization of local memorial activities, which is why he was able to run into Anping."

The Meng family of Beijing? The General Staff? A staff officer at the regimental level?

Nan Zhiyi silently calculated in her mind. Although she was not very sensitive to specific job levels, she still understood the weight of words such as "General Staff" and "Deputy Minister".

His background and age... are far superior to those of Battalion Commander Chen Hong.

She muttered to herself, "These conditions... so many people would dream of having them..."

Seeing that she was lost in thought, Gu Xiao grabbed her chin and forced her to look up.

Nan Zhiyi felt uncomfortable under his gaze. He was pinching her chin, and she couldn't escape. She could only glare at him in embarrassment and annoyance, her eyes watery and harmless.

Gu Xiao suppressed the urge to lower his head and kiss those pink lips.

She is a clean person, and she had just returned from a long and dusty journey without having washed up yet.

He gently stroked her chin twice with his fingertips before letting go. "I'm covered in dust, don't let it bother you. I'm going to take a shower."

Nan Zhiyi was taken aback by this sudden turn of events and suddenly wanted to take a shower.

But she quickly realized what was happening and stood up: "I'll get you some clean clothes..."

"You rest, I can do it myself."

Nan Zhiyi sat on the sofa, listening to the pattering sound of water running in the bathroom, which stirred her emotions and made her cheeks flush.

She picked up the slightly cool tea on the table, took a sip absentmindedly, but her eyes kept drifting towards the bedroom.

The sound of water stopped shortly afterward.

Gu Xiao came out.

He was only wearing a white cotton shirt, with the top two buttons casually undone, revealing a small patch of his chest.

He held a towel in his hand, drying his hair, looking relaxed and casual, a stark contrast to his usual aloofness.

Nan Zhiyi's heart raced uncontrollably, and she hurriedly looked away.

Gu Xiao took in her reaction.

He casually draped the towel over the armrest of the chair.

Before she could speak, he pulled her into his arms again: "It's clean now. Hmm?"

His implication was too obvious.

Nan Zhiyi's long eyelashes trembled slightly. She stood on tiptoe and kissed him on the lips.

Gu Xiao wasn't satisfied, so he leaned closer and said, "Wife, let's do it again..."

She kissed him again, taking the initiative.

He sighed contentedly, deepening the light, understated kiss.

The return of Commander Gu and Gu Xiao brought a breath of fresh air to the quiet Gu family courtyard.

The worry on Wu Ma's face disappeared, and she busied herself with preparing the steamed white buns, fried meatballs soaking in oil, and the rare seafood, all of which added a touch of festive flavor to the kitchen.

However, this joy was ultimately suppressed by the immense sorrow of the times.

Commander Gu was in a somber mood, and the atmosphere at home was heavy.

He personally called his eldest brother Gu Weiguo, who lives in the Northwest, and his third sister Gu Min, who lives in a neighboring province: "This year's situation is special. During the mourning period, it is enough to show your condolences. There is no need for people to travel back and forth. Everyone should stay at their posts and take care of their families."

My eldest brother and third sister naturally understood. On the phone, they mostly advised our father to grieve in moderation and take care of himself. They also said they would prepare gifts for the holiday and send them home.

The two families of Gu Jianjun, the second brother, and Gu Weimin, the fourth brother, in this city, traditionally gather at the Gu family courtyard for a reunion on the afternoon of Lunar New Year's Eve.

Fourth Brother Gu Weimin and his family arrived earlier. Fourth Sister-in-law Wang Juan is usually lively, but she was very reserved this year. She only exchanged a few words with Nan Zhiyi in a low voice, and her eyes kept glancing towards the study.

The second brother and sister-in-law arrived a little later with their two children. Gu Gang and Gu Qiang are usually lively and mischievous, but this time, after their parents whispered a few words of advice to them, they greeted everyone respectfully and sat on the sofa without daring to move.

Gu Yan did not return this year. He only sent a New Year's gift and a letter through someone, saying that he was busy with business in the south and could not get away.

In previous years, when the Gu family celebrated the Lunar New Year, although they followed the rules, the laughter of the children and the chatter between brothers and sisters-in-law were always constant.

But this year, the whole family is being extra careful.

The New Year's Eve dinner was prepared much more simply than in previous years, but the usual chicken, fish, and dumplings were still served, though the atmosphere at the table was somber.

Commander Gu sat in the main seat, his face solemn, his brows furrowed with deep worry.

The adults spoke in hushed tones, avoiding any potentially sensitive words and only discussing trivial everyday matters.

The children buried their heads in their food, not even looking up.

Eating the New Year's Eve dinner felt like completing a task.

After the meal, Commander Gu, as usual, handed out red envelopes to everyone, saying in a low voice, "Take them, for good luck."

Everyone silently accepted the gifts and expressed their gratitude.

Silence reigned outside the window. In previous years, this time of year would have been filled with the sounds of firecrackers and fireworks, but this year there wasn't even a single sound. The entire military compound was immersed in a silent mourning.

There was no New Year's Eve vigil, and no unnecessary small talk.

After handing out the red envelopes, Commander Gu didn't say much. He just patted the heads of his grandchildren and then got up and went back to his study.

On the afternoon of the first day of the Lunar New Year, the families of the second brother, Gu Jianjun, and the fourth brother, Gu Weimin, packed up their things and said goodbye.

Fourth Sister-in-law Wang Juan held Nan Zhiyi's hand and whispered, "I have to go back to my parents' home to see the elders on the second day of the Lunar New Year, so I won't stay any longer."

Gu Xiao pulled Nan Zhiyi along as they left the hospital.

As Nan Zhiyi watched the car drive away, a slight bitterness welled up in her heart.

She has no family to return to.

Gu Xiao put his arm around her shoulder, pulling her closer, and said gently, "Want to go for a walk? How about a stroll in the park?"

She looked at the still-snowy and thin ice on the road outside the courtyard gate and shook her head: "It's cold and the road is slippery, forget it. Staying at home is fine too."

She genuinely thought it was good.

With him by my side, this small place is the safest haven.

The next two days were a rare period of tranquility.

Gu Xiao and she snuggled together on the sofa reading; he read military theory, while she flipped through casual books or conceived novel ideas.

She helped Wu Ma in the kitchen, while he leaned against the door frame and watched, occasionally handing her a plate or peeling garlic.

Most of the time, Gu Xiao would just hold her in his arms and linger over some nonsense.

Time flowed slowly in the warm and tranquil atmosphere, which was quite cozy.