Chapter 185 It's over

As evening fell, Gu Yan burst through the door, bringing with him a chill, and mysteriously handed her a cloth bag.

Upon opening it, I found a Seagull twin-lens reflex camera wrapped in velvet.

"It's for Anping's wedding." Gu Yan lowered his voice. "Doesn't Anping love taking pictures? They're better than radios, right?"

Nan Zhiyi stroked the cool metal casing, carefully wrapping it back in the velvet: "She'll definitely like it...it's just too expensive."

"Hey!" Gu Yan waved his hand, "Anping is like a younger sister to me..."

He suddenly looked out the window. "It sounds like Dad and my brother are back? I can hear a jeep. I'll go check it out."

Then, he rushed downstairs like a gust of wind.

Gu Yan did have something to discuss with his brother, but he was just making an excuse to go downstairs right now, afraid that he might let something slip in front of Zhiyi.

After dinner, Gu Yan took Xiaoman into his bedroom and played with her toys for a long time before calling Gu Xiao in under the pretense that the child was looking for her father.

As soon as the door closed, the smile on his face vanished.

Gu Xiao frowned at the hesitant, unspoken look on her face.

"Just say it."

"Brother..." his throat was dry, "I ran into Zhengping."

Gu Xiao was bending down to tease his son who was playing with a rag doll on the ground when he heard this, he paused and slowly straightened up.

When did this happen?

"Just before New Year's Day," Gu Yan hurriedly said, "I bumped into him on the streets of Guangzhou. He... was quite down on his luck, he'd been swindled out of his payment for goods, and was squatting at the alley entrance eating a boxed lunch."

His fingers clenched tightly. "I couldn't bear to watch anymore, so I let him work for me first, providing food, lodging, and a salary."

Gu Xiao looked at him silently, his gaze seemingly able to pierce through flesh and reach the heart.

Xiaoman let out a soft "ee-yah" and stretched out her chubby arm toward her father.

Gu Xiao picked up his son, his voice heavy: "Uncle Zhou's hair turned completely white because of his resignation, and I heard that Aunt Zhou has also been ill several times..."

"I know!" Gu Yan said urgently, "Zhengping himself is filled with remorse... He said he'll definitely come back once he's made something of himself!"

He glanced at his brother's expression, "Brother, don't worry, Zhengping will go solo once he's saved enough capital, he definitely won't drag me down. There are also Da Liu and a few other old buddies over there keeping an eye on things, the accounts are all clear..."

Gu Xiao patted his son's back, his gaze still fixed on his younger brother's face: "You're all grown up now, you have your own judgment. I won't say much more, but ultimately, you have to make your own decisions about business."

Gu Yan understood perfectly well that even close brothers had to keep clear accounts. No matter how good his relationship with Zhengping was, he couldn't let their interests become entangled.

"I know, brother, don't worry. Zhengping has matured now..."

Gu Xiao raised an eyebrow, not expecting his silly younger brother to be able to judge whether a person is mature or not.

Gu Yan saw the meaning on his brother's face and scratched his head: "Really! Zhengping is much more at ease now... he's just too ashamed to contact the family. I promised him I'd help keep it a secret for now... anyway... he'll be back soon, no, very soon!"

Gu Xiao didn't want to make a bad comment, even though Zhou Zhengping was the younger brother next door he had watched grow up, but he really couldn't stand Zhou Zhengping's behavior and character.

He was skeptical of his younger brother's assessment of Zhou Zhengping's maturity, and only asked, "As the older brother, does Anping know about his marriage?"

Gu Yan's voice lowered even further, "I... I called him a couple of days ago, but he... he said he didn't have time to reply right now, and that he would definitely make it up to Anping later..."

Gu Xiao chuckled and carried his son toward the door.

He paused for a moment as he reached the door, then turned back to look at his dejected younger brother: "It's good that you value loyalty. But... you can only help for a while, not forever."

The door closed gently.

Gu Yan collapsed onto the bed.

He remembered.

Bright sunlight streamed in through the skylight, illuminating the sweat-dampened foreheads of the four men.

The harmonica is now rusty, and the cotton is scattered...

They all thought the future was bright and promising... who knew it would turn out like this...

Gu Yan raised his arm to cover his eyes, and a tear slid down his cheek.

On the morning of the fourth day of the Lunar New Year, the sky was overcast.

As Gu Yan carried his luggage downstairs, Wu Ma was stuffing a paper packet into his military satchel: "Braised beef and flatbread, for the journey."

Commander Gu and his elder brother sat on the sofa reading the newspaper. He glanced at him over his reading glasses and said, "The South is chaotic; don't cause trouble."

Before he could finish speaking, he was hit on the head with a rolled-up newspaper.

Gu Weiguo also offered a few polite words of advice.

Gu Yan responded perfunctorily, but his gaze drifted toward the stairwell.

Gu Xiao carried Xiao Man down, with Nan Zhiyi following behind.

The child, wearing a red cotton-padded jacket, reached out to him like a little lucky charm.

"You little ingrate," Gu Yan took the child and rubbed his stubble against his cheek, "Uncle's leaving soon, give me a smile?"

Xiaoman cried out as she was pricked, but she still clung to his collar and wouldn't let go.

Gu Yan carried the child all the way into the yard, and a thin layer of snow had settled on the Toyota.

When he handed Xiaoman back to Gu Xiao, his fingers lingered on the child's back for a moment before he turned to look at Nan Zhiyi.

"Zhiyi, please tell Anping I'm sorry."

Nan Zhiyi nodded: "Don't worry, she's always been reasonable. We'll get together again when you're free and come to the capital."

Gu Yan forced a smile, climbed into the driver's seat, started the car, and after a while, leaned out of the window again.

The morning light fell on his smiling face, but his eyes were slightly red: "Xiaoman! Next time we meet, remember to call me 'Uncle'..."

Gu Xiao waved his hand while holding his son, and Xiao Man called out to Gu Yan.

Gu Yan waved again before driving away.

On the sixth day of the Lunar New Year, the eldest brother and third sister's families will also set off to return home.

Gu Weiguo saluted Commander Gu: "Dad, we're leaving."

The third sister also said softly, "Dad, smoke less and take care of yourself."

Commander Gu, wearing a military overcoat, stood on the steps: "Drive carefully. If Zhao Zhigang acts like a scoundrel, call home."

The third sister's eyes reddened even more. "Thank you, Dad..."

After the two families left, the courtyard immediately fell silent.

Nan Zhiyi held Xiaoman in the kitchen watching Wu Ma simmer pear soup. The pot was filled with rock sugar and snow pears, and the sweet aroma mixed with the steam wafted through the glass window.

"Poor Xiaoman, she's coughing and has a runny nose, the tip of her nose is all red," Aunt Wu muttered, stirring the soup spoon. "She must have caught a chill from skating that day. We should put a slice of ginger on the soles of her feet..."

She then pulled out a ceramic jar from deep within the cupboard. "Add some loquat honey, and I guarantee he'll love how sweet it is."