Chapter 192 Xidan

After going downstairs, Master Zhao declined the offer to stay for tea, only accepting the deposit and two packs of Daqianmen cigarettes, which Nan Zhiyi had specially asked Sister Zhang to prepare.

Before leaving, he said, "I'll bring the materials in a few days and start work. I guarantee I'll do a perfect job for you."

That weekend, the weather was fine, and Gu Xiao drove his wife and children to the nearby Yuyuantan Park.

Nan Zhiyi brought a blue and white checkered cushion, and her basket contained washed apples and pears, as well as egg pancakes wrapped in oil paper.

Sunlight filtered through the newly sprouted willow branches, dappling the grass. Nan Zhiyi, wearing a white sun hat, sat side by side with Gu Xiao on a mat, watching Xiaoman crawl around on the grass.

The little one became interested in a sycamore leaf, holding it in his hand and babbling in baby talk.

Gu Xiao put his arm around Nan Zhiyi's shoulder. "We should buy a camera so we can take pictures when we go out. Xiaoman grows up so fast, she'll forget everything if we don't take more pictures."

Nan Zhiyi recalled that Xiaoman's photo was taken at Jian'an Photo Studio when she was a full moon baby; it had indeed been a long time since she had taken one.

Do you know how to choose?

“A colleague in the operations department knows about this. I’ll ask him for advice later.” He lowered his head to kiss her forehead. “I also need to take more pictures of you, preferably every month.”

Nan Zhiyi dodged slightly, leaned on his shoulder and laughed: "Who takes photos every month?"

“My wife is so beautiful, of course I have to take pictures of her every month.” He said earnestly, his fingers gently twirling a strand of her hair.

Nan Zhiyi leaned on his shoulder and softly replied, "Okay."

A spring breeze swept across the lake, bringing with it moist air and the scent of fresh grass.

Xiaoman got tired from climbing and lay down next to a yellow dandelion flower, yawning.

When we got on the bus home in the late afternoon, Xiaoman fell asleep as soon as she got in.

Gu Xiao was unusually persistent that night.

He was going to Haishi on a business trip the next day, and he really couldn't bear to part with his wife, so he kept whispering some embarrassing things.

Nan Zhiyi tried to cover his mouth, but he grabbed her wrist and kissed her from her palm to the delicate skin inside her wrist.

"I haven't seen you for a week..." He leaned down and kissed me more deeply.

Nan Zhiyi could only weakly beg for mercy, but he gripped her wrist tightly, pressed it above her head, and pressed her even deeper.

Before dawn the next day, Gu Xiao got up and packed his luggage.

Nan Zhiyi also got up and sat on the edge of the bed, staring intently at him.

He walked over with a light laugh, pointed to his collar, and leaned slightly closer.

In the soft light of dawn, his smile was tender.

Nan Zhiyi reached out and fastened the last button for him.

"Sleep a little longer." He tucked her in and kissed her forehead. "I'll be back as soon as I'm done."

Nan Zhiyi closed her eyes, hummed in agreement, and strained her ears to listen to the sounds of him coming downstairs and the jeep starting up outside the courtyard.

The house was indeed much quieter in the first two days after Gu Xiao left.

Xiaoman often looks at the door and barks and makes noises. Every evening, when Nan Zhiyi is writing, she always subconsciously listens to the sounds downstairs.

One evening, Zhou Anping arrived carrying a net bag of oranges.

"Zhiyi, are you free tomorrow? Come with me to Xidan for a stroll." Anping asked enthusiastically, "I heard they just got some new dresses from the South, and they're really stylish."

Nan Zhiyi didn't need any clothes yet, but seeing Anping's expectant eyes, she nodded and said, "Okay, I'll buy two new dresses for Yueran."

Anping nodded quickly: "Then it's settled! I'll come find you tomorrow."

The next day, Nan Zhiyi chose a light green dress with tiny white jasmine embroidered on the neckline. It was made in Jian'an City last spring, and the waist had been altered, so it fit her well.

Zhou Anping arrived on time, wearing a polyester shirt, a blue skirt, and her hair tied in a high ponytail.

"Sister Zhang, just feed Xiaoman some apple puree after she wakes up from her afternoon nap."

After giving her instructions, Nan Zhiyi took Anping's arm and left.

It's about ten kilometers from the Army Compound to Xidan. Zhou Anping and Nan Zhiyi walked to the bus stop near the compound.

After waiting for about fifteen minutes, a rather old bus arrived.

The carriage was packed with people, and the ticket seller was shouting the station names. The two of them finally managed to find two adjacent seats in the back.

"This train goes directly to Xidan, which is more convenient than taking the tram." Anping took out some small bills to buy a ticket. "It's just that it'll be a bit crowded."

The car swayed and moved slowly, and the street scene of gray walls and green trees flashed past the window.

Anping talked about her situation: "I'm a key member of the dance troupe now, but since I'm relatively new, I still have to work hard to get more performance opportunities..."

Nan Zhiyi listened attentively, occasionally asking a few questions.

Anping mentioned that some veteran members of the troupe ostracized newcomers, reserving the good roles for their own people, leaving newcomers like her often only able to perform in group dances.

“But it doesn’t matter,” Anping said, her eyes shining. “There’s an important performance next month, and I heard that leaders from the Ministry of Culture are coming to watch. I’m practicing extra every day, and I don’t believe I won’t be selected as the lead dancer.”

Nan Zhiyi held Zhou Anping's hand tightly; she truly admired how Zhou Anping shone brightly in his field.

"You can definitely do it. Back in Jian'an, you were the best dancer in the troupe."

Anping smiled, his eyes and brows radiating vitality.

She whispered in Nan Zhiyi's ear, telling her about the gossip she had overheard, leaving Nan Zhiyi dumbfounded and utterly shocked....

The bus swayed and rocked, and sunlight shone through the windows onto two young women. One was gentle and quiet, and the other was bright and lively, attracting many people on the bus to secretly observe them.

Xidan Shopping Mall was packed with people.

There were long queues in front of the fabric counters, and the wardrobe counters were packed with people.

The two sisters linked arms and nimbly slipped into the crowd.

"Comrade, bring me that pink one!"

Anping pointed to the dress hanging at the very top.

The saleswoman, expressionless, took off the skirt: "New style from Shanghai, sixteen yuan, no fabric coupon required."

Anping paid the money promptly and then picked out a sky-blue one.

Nan Zhiyi took a fancy to a beige dress with tiny jasmine flowers embroidered on the neckline, which would suit Zhang Yueran perfectly.

"Why don't you buy one too? You've come all this way..." Anping shook her arm.

Nan Zhiyi smiled and finally bought herself the same style as Zhou Anping, and also bought Yue Ran a light yellow one.

Zhou Anping chuckled, "If we go out dressed like this, everyone will know we're best friends."

She then pulled Nan Zhiyi to the skincare counter, where there were fewer people and the glass counters neatly displayed Wan Zi Qian Hong, Ya Shuang, and Youyi Snow Cream.

Anping bought a box of Wan Zi Qian Hong, while Nan Zhiyi chose a jar of Ya Shuang.

Walking to the jewelry counter, the two picked out several pairs of simple hair clips and hair ornaments.

Finally, Nan Zhiyi went to the fabric counter and picked out a few pieces of soft cotton fabric for Xiaoman. Although her brother and sister-in-law had given her some old clothes, she still wanted to make some new clothes for her son.

"This fabric is so soft, it's perfect for making a summer jacket for Xiaoman." Anping touched it. "I'll make a jacket for Xiaoman too."

Nan Zhiyi: "Your work is the most important thing right now, so I'm just asking the tailor to make it."

Zhou Anping didn't insist, thinking that he would buy Xiaoman nice clothes when he came across them in the future.

As the two of them squeezed out of the mall carrying their spoils, they were both covered in a thin layer of sweat.