Chapter 163 Details

Nan Zhiyi invited them in and they stood in the living room.

Officer Wang briefly introduced their respective situations: one's husband works in logistics, one's son works in the motor transport unit, and one is a military dependent who is unemployed.

Nan Zhiyi's gaze swept over them.

The first one had a very lively look in her eyes, constantly looking around at the furnishings in the room.

The second one had his head down, appearing overly nervous.

The third one stood a little further back, with a simple face and rough hands. He only nodded slightly with a somewhat awkward smile when Nan Zhiyi looked over.

Nan Zhiyi asked them a few questions about their families, such as where they were from, their family situations, and how long they had worked there.

When answering, the third woman's voice was the most steady. She said that her husband had injured his leg during a mission two years ago and now works in the logistics department. His child is in elementary school, and his elderly parents can help out. She works to supplement the family income and has also helped out at other families before.

Nan Zhiyi then pointed to the third one: "Let's go with this lady."

Officer Wang smiled and agreed, then gave the woman a few more instructions before taking his leave with the other two.

The woman who remained was surnamed Zhang, and Nan Zhiyi called her Sister Zhang.

"I usually just take care of the kids and do housework, like kitchen chores and cleaning. I might have to trouble you with all that. How about we try it out for a few days first, and then we can talk more if we're a good match?"

Sister Zhang nodded repeatedly: "Okay, don't worry, I can do it."

Nan Zhiyi briefly explained her family situation, and Sister Zhang listened attentively.

After saying that, Nan Zhiyi told her to come back to work officially the next morning.

After seeing Sister Zhang off, Nan Zhiyi closed the door and quickly went back to her bedroom upstairs.

Gu Xiao was sitting in a rattan chair by the window, holding a small rattle drum in his hand, gently turning it to tease Xiaoman in the crib.

Sunlight streamed through the glass, casting a small halo of light on his shoulder.

Upon seeing Nan Zhiyi, he put down the rattle drum, reached out to her, pulled her over, and placed her on his lap.

The rattan chair made a slight protesting sound.

“This chair is too small,” he said, wrapping his arms around her waist and nuzzling his chin against her cheek. “This room is empty. We’ll add a sofa here later to make it softer.”

Nan Zhiyi leaned against him, her gaze sweeping over the desk and dressing table against the wall. They were both relatively new solid wood furniture, with a simple and dignified style.

"Did you just buy all of these?"

“Hmm,” he responded, his nose brushing against the skin of her neck, inhaling the faint scent of soap and milk. “When we first moved here, this house was quite empty, with only a few pieces of old furniture. We figured our family would be staying here for a long time, so we couldn’t just make do. We asked someone to find this place for us. Anyway, we’d have to add furniture sooner or later.”

Nan Zhiyi frowned slightly and turned to look at him: "Comrade Gu Xiao, tell me honestly, have you spent all that little bit of your secret stash of money again?"

Gu Xiao chuckled softly, "Yes."

"Why didn't you tell me?" she asked, her voice tinged with urgency, pinching his chin. "All the money in the house is kept by me."

"The previous bonuses are enough."

He nuzzled her neck again. "Things from the family compound over there—bicycles, fans, and some odds and ends—were inconvenient to carry, so I gave them all to my colleagues there at a discount. I didn't lose out; I sold them at almost the original price and got some food coupons and cash in return."

Nan Zhiyi felt a little regretful after hearing this, as the bicycle was quite new.

But knowing he was right, it was impossible to bring everything on such a long journey, so he stopped worrying about it and just muttered, "You have to tell me next time you need money."

"Okay." He lowered his head and kissed her lips, lingering for a while.

“Once the procedures here are all settled, and we get back the allowance book and grain and oil certificates, you'll be in charge of them again. You're the backbone of our family.”

Nan Zhiyi was pleased and smiled, "So how much has your allowance increased now?"

"My current position is Deputy Director of the Operations Department, at the deputy division level, with an allowance of over 190. The exact amount will be calculated based on my years of service. As for other food ration coupons, I'll tell you the details later."

Nan Zhiyi laughed and pressed her face against his shoulder, "So much... we can't possibly spend it all, we simply can't spend it all."

She then asked, "How much should we pay Sister Zhang? She provides three meals a day, as well as cleaning and tidying up and down the two floors."

Gu Xiao thought for a moment: "The service center has its usual practice. For someone like her who comes during the day and leaves at night, it's about thirty yuan. You can decide the exact amount, it won't be too far off."

Nan Zhiyi nodded and rubbed her cheek against his.

"What time are you going to work tomorrow morning? What are you having for breakfast? What time does Sister Zhang... she arrive in the morning? Does she want me to make you breakfast?"

She kept asking questions, wanting to know everything she wanted to know as she stood beside him. Her forehead touched the skin of his neck, and the slightly cool touch made her feel especially safe and comfortable.

Gu Xiao twirled a strand of her hair with his finger and patiently answered, "Normally I go to get off work at a normal pace. I arrive at the office at 7:30 in the morning and can get back around 5:30 in the afternoon. However, the situation in the operations department is special. In case of emergency combat readiness or exercises, it is common to be on duty or stay up all night. Sometimes I can't even go home for several days. I leave at 7:00 and eat breakfast in the canteen."

He added, "The daytime helpers here usually start work around eight o'clock and finish get off work after cooking dinner. If I'm not coming back for dinner, I'll ask the security guard to let me know in advance."

Hearing him speak so meticulously, Nan Zhiyi's heart softened even more. She touched his earlobe and then thought of the yard: "I want to plant some flowers in the yard, roses and jasmine are fine. I'll also clear a small patch next to it to plant some scallions and vegetables. What do you think? Also, when Xiaoman is older, I'll get him a swing..."

"It's up to you. Plant whatever you want. Ask Sister Zhang tomorrow; she should know where to buy flower seedlings and vegetable seeds."

Nan Zhiyi was delighted and tilted her head back to kiss his Adam's apple.

The protrusion rolled slightly, and then the back of her head was supported, and a hot kiss landed, engulfing all her breath.

The kiss was deep and lingering, lasting until she was breathless and limp in his arms.

As his breathing calmed down, Gu Xiao felt an unusual dampness on his shirt.

He looked down, and Nan Zhiyi followed his gaze, her face flushing red. She hurriedly stood up, muttering softly, "It's all your fault..." and turned to run to the bathroom.

A hint of a smile flashed across Gu Xiao's eyes. He went to the wardrobe, took out a clean pair of clothes, walked to the bathroom door, knocked, and then went in.

...

After a while, the two came out one after the other. Nan Zhiyi's hair was slightly damp and her cheeks were flushed.

Gu Xiao's expression remained unchanged, though there was a faint blush at the base of his ears.

He said he was going downstairs to pack up the things he had bought and the luggage that hadn't been put away properly.

Nan Zhiyi's eyes darted away, not daring to look at him, and she murmured an "Mmm".

Gu Xiao glanced at her again before hurrying downstairs.

Fortunately, Xiaoman woke up in time in the crib and waved her little hand.

Nan Zhiyi rushed over, picked him up, and breastfed him, trying hard to forget the tender moment that had just occurred...

When she finished feeding her child and came downstairs, the kitchen had been completely renovated.

The brand-new double-hole gas stove was polished to a shine, and aluminum pots and iron woks hung on hooks on the wall, while oil, salt, soy sauce, and vinegar were laid out next to the stove.