Chapter 180 Gold Watch

Second sister-in-law Zhang Xiufen kneaded the dough with great force, leaving the cutting board covered in a white layer of flour.

Nan Zhiyi picked up a rolling pin and helped peel the dough.

Fourth Sister-in-law Wang Juan was making dumplings next to her when she asked, "Fifth Sister-in-law, what hairstyles are popular in Beijing now? I see girls in the magazines all getting big, wavy perms."

"Our compound is fine, but I've seen people getting perms outside," Nan Zhiyi replied with a smile.

Wang Juan leaned closer: "The daughter of Minister Liu in our General Logistics Department compound got a perm, she looks so stylish! I'm going to get one after the New Year too."

As she spoke, she glanced at Nan Zhiyi's watch, "Your gold watch is prettier. Did you buy it in Shanghai?"

"Yes, I had someone bring it to me," Nan Zhiyi replied vaguely.

Zhang Xiufen interjected, "Not only the gold watch, but Fifth Sister-in-law's wool cardigan is also very fashionable; you can't even buy it at Jian'an Department Store. Fifth Brother is really resourceful..."

Li Xiuqin, holding a plump dumpling in her hand, changed the subject, "Zhiyi looks beautiful in red, so energetic."

The third sister added a spoonful of sesame oil to the dumpling filling: "Yes, she's a perfect match for the fifth brother, and Xiaoman is very lovable too."

Gu Xiao carried Xiaoman over, and the child reached out to grab some flour, but her father lifted her up, making her giggle.

She nodded slightly.

Once the dough was almost ready, the dumplings filled both bamboo mats.

Nan Zhiyi specially rolled out a dozen or so slightly smaller dumpling wrappers, only a third the size of the usual ones, and prepared a separate portion of less salty meat filling.

The third sister watched her carefully pinching miniature dumplings and said, "Oh, are you giving Xiaoman a special treat?"

Wang Juan pointed at her with her flour-covered hands: "These are for Lao Wu, right? You're so skillful."

Nan Zhiyi nodded generously.

Li Xiuqin, who was preparing minced garlic, smiled upon hearing this and said, "Fifth sister-in-law is so thoughtful and considerate. We've been making dumplings for so many years, but we've never thought of making a special kind for our own men."

Zhang Xiufen was chopping ginger on the other side, the chopping sound echoing loudly on the cutting board: "If you ask me, the dough is the same, the filling is the same, who can tell the difference once it's in their stomach? Even dumplings have to be special..."

Before she could finish speaking, her third sister stuffed a segment of orange into her hand: "Second sister-in-law, try this. It's a tangerine from the south."

Nan Zhiyi smiled and lowered her head, continuing to wrap her wheat dumplings.

She spent the whole afternoon in the kitchen helping out.

While Aunt Wu was steaming rice cakes, she secretly learned how to stuff dates into them;

When frying ribbonfish, I remembered to rub the pan with ginger slices first to prevent oil splattering.

The New Year's Eve dinner was spread across two tables.

The braised pork knuckle gleamed and trembled, the sweet and sour fish held its tail high, and in the center sat a copper hot pot, bubbling and steaming.

While the dumplings were cooking, Nan Zhiyi went to the kitchen and brought out a bowl of wheat-ear dumplings, placing it in front of Gu Xiao. She then went to get Xiaoman's dumplings, but Wu Ma took them from her, saying, "I'll feed Xiaoman. You sit down and eat."

Gu Xiao put the child on the sofa, returned to the dining table, and smiled when he saw the dumplings in his bowl.

He squeezed Nan Zhiyi's hand under the table, and she scratched his palm in return.

After dinner, the men called the children to go to the yard to set off firecrackers.

Gu Yan carried Xiao Man and rushed ahead, while Nan Zhiyi chased after him, shouting, "Cover his ears! Don't scare him!"

Gu Xiao replied, "Don't worry, I'll keep an eye on things."

Firecrackers crackled and popped as Nan Zhiyi and the women cleaned the dishes and tidied the kitchen.

After she finally finished tidying up, she went out to find Gu Xiao.

As soon as she stepped outside, Gu Xiao wrapped her in a military overcoat and asked, "Aren't you wearing a coat?"

She tilted her head back and laughed: "I forgot."

Over there, Gu Yan also wrapped Xiaoman in his coat. The child was excitedly shouting and yelling. Fireworks bloomed in the night sky, and his grape-like eyes were wide open.

Nan Zhiyi turned her head and said, "The fireworks are so beautiful."

Gu Xiao kissed her forehead. "It only feels beautiful when I watch it with you." Without her, he wouldn't even glance at the most beautiful fireworks.

She secretly pinched the flesh on his waist inside her coat, saying, "You just sweet-talk me."

"Then I'll coax you, will you be happy?" Gu Xiao felt that cold little hand pinching his heart, making him itch.

"Happy!" she nodded without hesitation.

"Tonight, let Xiaoman sleep with Gu Yan again..."

Nan Zhiyi: "......"

She twisted it even harder.

As the night deepened, the fireworks gradually stopped.

The group went inside to stay up all night to welcome the New Year.

The television was playing opera and song and dance programs, which were cheerful and lively. The children crowded in front of the television and watched intently.

Commander Gu and his brothers sat on the sofa and chatted about current affairs and the military.

Gu Xiao greeted his father and brothers, then carried Xiaoman upstairs to the bedroom.

Xiaoman's excitement had dissipated, and he was so sleepy that he kept rubbing his eyes. Nan Zhiyi went to make some milk powder and came over. Gu Xiao held the baby and coaxed him to sleep.

The crib we had taken to Beijing was moved here, so now there's only one large bed in the bedroom.

After Xiaoman fell asleep, Gu Xiao changed his diaper and carried him straight into Gu Yan's room.

Nan Zhiyi said from behind him, "Gu Xiao, what are you doing!"

Gu Xiao looked completely innocent. "Our bed is too small; it will crowd him..."

Before Nan Zhiyi could say anything, he had already placed Xiaoman on Gu Yan's bed and surrounded her with a blanket.

Seeing that she still wanted to speak, he grabbed her waist, lifted her out of the room, and gently closed the door. "Come on, let's go downstairs. Dad is going to give out New Year's money later."

The two of them had barely gone downstairs when the clock on the long table struck twelve.

Xiao Li brought over a tray filled with red paper packets.

Commander Gu handed Nan Zhiyi two red envelopes: "You two take good care of Xiaoman."

When the red envelope was given to Gu Yan, the old man glared at him and said, "Bring a girlfriend home next year!"

Gu Yan agreed with a grin.

Afterwards, the adults gave each other red envelopes. Nan Zhiyi took out the red envelopes she had prepared and gave them to the children, and also collected a few for Xiaoman.

The children were very excited, comparing the thickness of the red envelopes and whose red bills were newer. Gu Yong and his twin sisters carefully stuffed the red envelopes into their pockets, while Gu Qiang secretly opened a few to count the money, only to be slapped hard on the back of his hand by his second sister-in-law.

After distributing the red envelopes, Commander Gu waved his hand and said, "Everyone, take a rest."

The crowd then dispersed one by one.

Gu Yan was the first to leave, yawning. When he returned to his room and turned on the light, he saw his nephew sleeping soundly on the bed, and a curse stuck in his throat.

He tiptoed out of the room and found Gu Xiao and Nan Zhiyi. "Brother! Get Xiaoman out of here, I'm not sleeping with him!"

Gu Xiao glanced at him indifferently, and he immediately shrank back, feeling a suppression on his bloodline.

Finally, he slunk away, whining, "Brother, this is the last time."

Nan Zhiyi found it amusing and said, "Shall I go and bring it back to him?"

Gu Yan was overjoyed and was about to speak when Gu Xiao pushed him out, saying, "Go back to sleep."

Then, with a bang, the door slammed shut.