Chapter 171 Autumn

1976 was destined to leave a deep mark on the nation's annals of history.

Even after the massive natural disaster, the turmoil on earth did not cease.

By September, a huge shadow had fallen once again.

The beloved national leader has passed away.

The news spread rapidly through radio, newspapers, and various levels of government, reaching every corner of the country and plunging the nation into grief.

The atmosphere in the capital became extremely solemn and oppressive.

The loudspeakers in the military compound stopped broadcasting bugle calls as usual, and were replaced by low, mournful funeral music.

All flags were lowered to half-mast, all cultural and recreational activities ceased, and people spontaneously began wearing black veils and white flowers.

The atmosphere in the Beijing Military Region became subtle and tense.

Organizations at all levels organized centralized memorial activities, but in addition to grief, there seemed to be an indescribable sense of tension, like the impending storm.

Commander Gu, who was far away in Jian'an, rushed to Beijing to attend the memorial service and related meetings.

He checked into the military guesthouse and made a brief phone call to Gu Xiao, instructing him to be conscientious in his duties, remain vigilant, and take good care of his wife and children.

Gu Xiao agreed in a deep voice.

Neither the father nor the son said much on the phone.

Gradually.

There has been a noticeable increase in the number of guards patrolling the army compound, and password verification has become more rigorous.

Nan Zhiyi felt a tension different from that during the earthquake.

That was a natural disaster, but now it is a turmoil in people's hearts.

Looking at Gu Xiao's increasingly cold profile, she felt uneasy. She simply took better care of the house and the children so that he could have no worries.

A few days later, Gu Xiao left work early and went home. He specially asked Sister Zhang to take Xiaoman to play in the yard.

He pulled Nan Zhiyi's hand and sat down on the sofa. His face showed undisguised fatigue, but a light shone deep in his eyes.

"Just now, 'those people' were taken into custody. They... are about to fall... It was done with the cooperation of the military..."

Nan Zhiyi's eyes widened, her heart pounding.

Even though she didn't get too involved in politics, she vaguely knew who her husband was referring to; it was a huge weight on the hearts of many, including her family.

"Really...really?" Her voice trembled.

“Really.” Gu Xiao nodded emphatically. “The world is jubilant, the dark clouds have dispersed. The winds of change are about to blow. That deformed system of the Revolutionary Committee will soon be liquidated and abolished!”

He leaned close to her ear and whispered, "I've always remembered what happened to your parents. I investigated secretly before, but faced many obstacles. Now it's different. I'll find a way as soon as possible, using all my connections, to thoroughly investigate the truth behind your parents' persecution back then, to clear their name, and those who seized the Nan family's property and kicked them when they were down will not escape..."

As Nan Zhiyi listened to his words, tears welled up in her eyes.

She wasn't crying for herself, but for her parents who didn't live to see this day, and for everything that had been distorted and harmed in those years, in this country, and among those people.

She leaned against Gu Xiao's chest, silently shedding tears.

Gu Xiao gently patted her back. After she calmed down a bit, he cupped her face, wiped away her tears, and promised, "Leave it to me, my wife. Don't worry, our good days are yet to come."

Nan Zhiyi looked up at her husband through teary eyes.

"Thank you, Gu Xiao."

He ruffled her hair. "Don't talk nonsense. You never need to thank me."

Outside the window, the autumn sun pierced through the gloom of the past few days and shone into the courtyard.

After several autumn rains, the weather has become even colder.

It's a rare treat to have such good weather on the weekend.

When Xiaoman woke up from his afternoon nap, Gu Xiao volunteered to take his son for a walk.

"You stay home and do your own thing, I'll take care of this kid."

Nan Zhiyi was busy writing and only took a moment to give him a thumbs up before burying herself in her work. After handing over 100,000 words to Editor Lin, she had too few drafts left.

She is also a person who plans ahead, and she insists on writing one or two thousand words every day, revising and editing, but the progress is average.

Nan Zhiyi had just put down her pen and rubbed her wrist when Zhang Jie's voice came from downstairs: "Sister-in-law, we have guests."

She hurried downstairs and saw Zhou Anping standing in the living room, dressed in military green casual clothes with a black veil on his sleeve.

"You're finally done with your work," Nan Zhiyi greeted her, took her hand, and complained, "You only remembered to look for me now."

Zhou Anping let her pull him to sit on the sofa, and smiled, "The mourning activities are finally over. I've been working non-stop for days. Don't wrong me, I only had time today, otherwise I would have come to see you already..."

Nan Zhiyi loudly ordered, "Sister Zhang, could you please add two more good dishes tonight?"

Sister Zhang exclaimed "Oh!" from the kitchen.

Nan Zhiyi personally brewed the tea and pushed the plates of snacks over.

"I see you've lost weight again. Here, have something to eat, and we'll have a nice meal together tonight."

Zhou Anping didn't stand on ceremony, took a piece of pastry and took a bite: "Where's Xiaoman? I miss him."

"Fifth Brother took him out for a walk, he should be back soon."

Nan Zhiyi noticed the lingering weariness in Anping's eyes; it seemed her friend was more than just physically exhausted...

After finishing his snacks, Zhou Anping sipped his tea and looked around.

"Zhiyi, your home is so cozy." She touched the sofa cushions. "New cotton?"

"It was made from an old cotton quilt, so I just made a new cover."

She never flaunted such things, and even though Gu Xiao kept adding things to the house, she only chose practical items.

After sitting for a while, Zhou Anping pulled her up, "The sun is shining brightly in the courtyard, let's go outside to talk."

The two sisters sat side by side on the swing, swaying gently.

The autumn sky was clear and the sun shone through the grape trellis, casting dappled patterns of light on the blue brick ground.

"This courtyard is even more tidy than your family compound over there," Zhou Anping remarked.

"Fifth Brother did all the cleaning; I only had to say a few words."

"Showing off again? Everyone knows how good Fifth Brother is to you," Zhou Anping teased.

Nan Zhiyi persisted, reaching out to tickle Zhou Anping's waist a few times, teasing her until she begged for mercy.

"Okay, okay, I won't say anymore!"

The two joked and laughed for a while.

Zhou Anping remained silent for a moment, then lowered his voice.

“My parents came to Beijing last weekend to discuss the marriage with the Meng family.”

Nan Zhiyi turned her head to look at her, "Is the marriage settled?"

"The date for registering the marriage was chosen to be New Year's Day. As for the wedding... due to the leader's death, the Meng family said they would postpone it until the Lunar New Year, around the sixth day of the Lunar New Year. My mother insisted on holding another one in Jian'an, and the Meng family agreed."

Nan Zhiyi stared at Anping.

They grew up together and couldn't hide their feelings for each other.

"What did Aunt Meng say?"

Anping sighed, "She was very polite. She said everything she needed to say and agreed to everything she was asked to agree to."

Nan Zhiyi gently patted Anping's hand. She understood the politeness and aloofness within those high-class families. On the surface, everything was proper, but behind closed doors, it was a completely different story.

She tried to comfort her, saying, "Holding a ceremony in Jian'an would be good; Aunt Song would definitely be very happy..."

Zhou Zhengping's marriage ended in farce. If his daughter could marry into the Meng family in the capital in a grand manner, it would be a great comfort and a source of pride for Song Lanxin.