Chapter 139 Loneliness

After chatting for a while, Zhou Anping got up to say goodbye.

Nan Zhiyi noticed that she seemed a bit off, so she escorted her to the gate of the courtyard.

"Anping, what's wrong? You seem to have something on your mind?" she asked softly.

Zhou Anping shook his head and forced a smile: "It's nothing. It's just that my mother has been staying with my brother and sister-in-law for several days and hasn't sent any word back, so I'm a little worried."

Nan Zhiyi comforted him, "Don't worry too much. Why don't you call the military camp and ask about the situation?"

“Okay, I’ll call it when I get to the troupe tomorrow.” Zhou Anping nodded. “The performances are basically over, and the memorial activities are almost done. I can relax for a while now.”

Nan Zhiyi breathed a sigh of relief: "That's perfect. Come over more often when you have time, let's chat. How are things between you and Meng Qingshan?"

Zhou Anping's eyes were filled with mixed emotions: "He's a good person. It's just... I'll think about it carefully."

She didn't want to talk about it anymore, and gently touched Nan Zhiyi's protruding belly. "Zhiyi, you must take good care of yourself."

Nan Zhiyi grasped her hand and solemnly promised, "I will, don't worry."

Zhou Anping squeezed his hand back firmly. "I'll come talk to you when I have time." With that, he walked into the night.

Nan Zhiyi stood at the door, watching her lonely figure, her heart heavy, and she vaguely understood something.

She turned around, and Gu Xiao was standing a few steps behind her, watching her for who knows how long.

Night had fallen and the light was dim, but his eyes, as he looked at her, were calm and gentle, like the sea that could embrace everything.

Gu Xiao stepped forward and pulled her halfway into his arms. "What are you looking at, so engrossed?"

Nan Zhiyi's initially low mood was soothed a little, and she gently leaned on his shoulder.

"It's nothing, I just feel like Anping has something on her mind."

The two did not immediately return to the house, but instead strolled slowly in their own courtyard.

The air after the spring rain carries the fresh scent of earth and grass.

Nan Zhiyi's gaze swept across the corner of the yard, where a cluster of roses planted by Aunt Wu had sprouted tender red buds, and several late-blooming camellias were in full bloom.

She remembered that she had planted some flowers in the family compound. "Brother, how are the flowers in my yard doing?"

Gu Xiao said, "Don't worry, wildflowers are very resilient and not that delicate."

Nan Zhiyi smiled faintly. Some flowers may seem delicate, but they are rooted in the soil and have their own tenacity.

As they were talking, a fine drizzle began to fall from the sky, wetting their hair and clothes.

Gu Xiao put his arm around her tightly: "It's raining, let's go back inside, don't catch a cold."

The next morning, the rain continued and the sky was overcast.

Gu Yan carried his luggage downstairs, preparing to head back to the south.

Gu Xiao escorted him to the secondhand Toyota.

The rain pattered against the roof of the car.

Gu Yan stuffed his luggage into the back seat, his usual playful smile fading slightly: "Brother, I'm leaving. As for Zhiyi... when she's about to give birth, be sure to let me know in advance. I have to rush back to bring some good things for my little nephew!"

Gu Xiao raised his hand and lightly punched him on the shoulder: "I know. Stop nagging."

After finishing his punch, Gu Xiao didn't immediately put his hand down. Instead, he placed it on Gu Yan's shoulder and said in a more serious tone, "Be careful out there. Keep your head clear and don't let yourself get carried away by any little bit of profit. Don't wade into any troubled waters. Things may look exciting out there, but there are many pitfalls. One wrong step and it's no laughing matter."

Gu Yan stopped smiling and nodded seriously: "Brother, I understand. Don't worry, I have a sense of right and wrong. I won't touch anything I shouldn't, and I'll make money steadily."

He knew his brother's worries.

A large portion of his start-up capital came from Gu Xiao. He cherished this trust and support.

"Besides, you have half of the capital. If I lose it, wouldn't that mean I've also lost your savings for your future wife? That would be a huge sin of mine!"

Gu Xiao glared at him and snapped, "Stop talking nonsense! Get lost. Drive carefully on the road and be safe."

Gu Yan grinned and gave Gu Xiao a tight hug: "Let's go, bro! Take good care of Zhiyi and your nephew!"

He nimbly climbed into the driver's seat, lowered the window, and waved to Nan Zhiyi, who was standing at the second-floor window.

Nan Zhiyi also raised her hand and waved with a smile.

The car slowly drove out of the yard and disappeared into the misty rain.

Gu Xiao stood at the door until the car's taillights were out of sight before walking into the yard.

In the afternoon, it was still raining outside. Nan Zhiyi had nothing to do, so she put the washed clothes into the wardrobe.

Gu Xiao then said, "I'll take care of it, you go and rest."

Nan Zhiyi refused; she could do this little thing herself.

She thought of something, took out a few small clothes from the wardrobe, and spread them out for Gu Xiao to see.

“Look, this is a monk’s robe. Aunt Wu said it’s the most convenient for newborns to wear… Also, these diaper rings are made of old cotton cloth that Aunt Wu found. They’ve been boiled, washed, and dried many times, so they’re very soft.”

She pursed her lips and looked at Gu Xiao: "I was thinking, should we buy some new cotton fabric to make this? Wouldn't that be too wasteful? Also, the baby will need to be wrapped in a swaddle blanket, right? Should we prepare a few small blankets as well? What about the bottles?"

She kept talking, and the more she thought about it, the more she felt that there were still many things she hadn't prepared.

Gu Xiao's heart softened as he looked at the tiny clothes.

But as Nan Zhiyi listed more and more, his brows gradually furrowed.

A baby needs more than just a few clothes.

He was so focused on Nan Zhiyi's health that he never really thought about these trivial matters.

He turned around abruptly, the movement somewhat sudden.

"Sit down first, write something or rest for a while." After saying that, he strode downstairs.

As Wu Ma was tidying up in the kitchen, Gu Xiao rushed in like a whirlwind, stopped in front of her, and said with a tense posture, "Wu Ma, the baby is due soon. What other essential things do we need to prepare? Tell me, and I'll go buy them right now and get everything at once."

Wu Ma rarely saw Gu Xiao so impatient.

Although he controlled his expression well, Wu Ma saw right through him.

She couldn't help but laugh: "Don't rush, take your time, there's still plenty of time. The things you need for having a baby will take time to gather. Some things you can buy, but others you'll have to make yourself."

Gu Xiao stood aside, waiting for the list.

Aunt Wu then counted on her fingers for him: "Use old cotton cloth for diapers. I've saved some, enough for now. If you want to prepare some new ones, go to the department store and buy a few feet of the softest white cotton cloth, and I'll cut it myself."

Gu Xiao said, "Then I'll buy some more to keep on hand."

Aunt Wu agreed and continued, "We need both thin and thick swaddle blankets and small quilts. The textile counter at the department store sometimes sells ready-made ones, but the selection is limited, and the fabric may not be as good as what we prepare ourselves. It would be best to buy some new cotton and soft cotton flannel, and I'll make them for you as soon as possible. It's more worthwhile and thoughtful than buying them."