Chapter 197 Bookstore

Gu Yong, the son of Gu Weiguo, the eldest brother of the Gu family, is the oldest of the third generation of the Gu family. He is only a senior in high school this year. If the college entrance examination is reinstated, the school should register students for the exam together.

Gu Xiao and Nan Zhiyi did not tell their older brother and sister-in-law about the possible resumption of the college entrance examination. After all, they did not know the exact time when the college entrance examination would be resumed, but only that it might be resumed in the future, so they were just preparing in advance.

Before reviewing her academic lessons, Nan Zhiyi had to finish writing the final draft.

By the end of June, the heat of Beijing was intense, and small bunches of grapes began to form on the vines.

Nan Zhiyi finally put the end of her new manuscript, and her 500,000-word science fiction novel came to a close.

She let out a soft sigh, her pen lingering on the paper for a moment as she solemnly bid farewell to the characters she had created.

When Gu Xiao got home from get off work, he saw Nan Zhiyi carefully organizing and binding the last stack of manuscripts.

He wrapped his arms around her from behind: "Finished writing?"

"Okay." Nan Zhiyi leaned into his arms. "I'll call Editor Lin tomorrow and let him know."

Lin Yuan was delighted to receive her call, but made an unexpected suggestion: "If Comrade Zhiyi has some free time, why don't you come to the editorial office for a visit? There are some proofs that need to be checked in person, and we can also talk about the subsequent publishing plans."

Nan Zhiyi thought of the place where books were born and agreed.

Gu Xiao specially asked Xiao Liu to drive her to the editorial office of People's Literature.

The editorial office of People's Literature was located in an old-fashioned office building in Dongcheng District. The red brick building was shaded by green trees, and the corridor was filled with the unique smell of ink and old paper.

Lin Yuan was waiting at the door early. Upon seeing Nan Zhiyi, he warmly led her inside and showed her around: "This is the proofreading department, this is the graphic design room..."

Finally, we arrived at his office, where the bookshelves were piled high with manuscripts and several potted spider plants sat on the windowsill.

"This is the final proof of the 170,000-word manuscript. It will continue serialization from the first 300,000 words." Lin Yuan handed over a stack of papers covered in red text. "The remaining 200,000-word standalone volume is expected to be released at the end of the year."

Nan Zhiyi carefully checked the proofs and occasionally discussed the details of the revisions with Lin Yuan.

Editors would occasionally come over to greet her, their eyes filled with admiration. It was astonishing that such a gentle young woman could write such a grand science fiction story.

After finishing their business, Lin Yuan adjusted his glasses and asked, "Comrade Nan, what are your creative plans for the future?"

Nan Zhiyi truthfully replied, "I want to study more deeply first... and then continue writing."

Lin Yuan nodded knowingly: "Okay! Writers do need systematic learning." He lowered his voice, "There might be news by the end of this year, so you should start reviewing."

"I also have to thank Editor Lin for the news."

Lin Yuan waved his hand and then took out the publication tax settlement statement. "The royalties for the first print run of 30,000 copies have been paid. You can go to the bank to check when you have time."

Nan Zhiyi accepted the gift with both hands and thanked her again, saying, "Thank you."

The two chatted for a while longer before she said goodbye and left.

On the way back, the setting sun shone brightly on the Jeep's windows, so bright it was dazzling. Nan Zhiyi rolled down the window, letting the warm breeze tousle her hair.

It was already evening when the jeep returned to the compound.

Gu Xiao returned home early today and was playing in the water with Xiao Man in the yard.

The father and son squatted by the basin, with Xiaoman splashing water with her hands, which splashed water all over Gu Xiaojun's trousers.

"You're back so early?"

Gu Xiao strode forward and took her hand: "Did it go smoothly?"

"Everything went very smoothly. Editor Lin said the next volume will be published by the end of the year, and he even settled my royalties. I just went to the bank to check and deposited it..."

After Nan Zhiyi finished explaining everything, she showed him the file bag in her hand, "The deposit slip is inside."

Gu Xiao tapped her little nose, a smile spreading across his face. "No wonder you looked so smug..."

She tossed her hair and chuckled, "Just a little bit smug."

Xiaoman was unhappy about being ignored, so she splashed water even louder and called out, "Mom, Mom! Come here!"

Nan Zhiyi shoved the file bag into Gu Xiao's arms, walked over, picked up her son, and kissed him passionately: "My sweet baby, did you miss Mommy?"

Xiaoman was pleased with the kiss and, to her credit, responded loudly, "Yes!"

Gu Xiao frowned. This kid, a real man, how can he think about his mother all the time?

Nan Zhiyi played with her son for a while, and then Sister Zhang invited the family of three to have dinner.

After dinner, Nan Zhiyi took out the deposit slip and stared at the number on it, lost in thought: three thousand six hundred yuan.

Aside from the money left by her parents, Gu Xiao's salary, and her royalties, she's now quite well-off with this additional royalty payment.

After coaxing Xiaoman to sleep, Gu Xiao came over and hugged her: "Mrs. Gu has turned into a little money-grubber again?"

Nan Zhiyi shared her feelings with him, "I feel that our lives are getting better and better. Look at the past two years, our savings have been increasing day by day!"

Gu Xiao didn't even glance at those things, pulled his wife onto his lap and hugged her, "I like it when you say 'we'."

The moonlight outside the window is bright and clear.

She raised her hand and gently traced his eyebrows, but her tone was teasing: "Oh? Since Commander Gu likes it, then I'll say it a hundred times... so you can hear it to your heart's content?"

Gu Xiao chuckled and leaned down to kiss her lips. "If you're not afraid of wasting your breath, then say it... a thousand times?"

His gaze carried a blatant hint.

Nan Zhiyi blushed and pushed him away, but Gu Xiao held her neck, his thumb brushing against the corner of her lips: "Continue..."

Around Army Day, Gu Xiao was extremely busy. He needed to participate in the preparation of the military region's celebration and organize exercise reports, leaving early and returning late for two consecutive weeks.

Nan Zhiyi would leave the light on for him every night, and take the opportunity to review her academic knowledge.

Gu Xiao specifically told her, "Don't wait for me, you should get some rest."

Nan Zhiyi verbally agreed, but still insisted on waiting for him to come home before she would go to sleep. Sometimes she would wake up in the middle of the night and find him still reviewing documents in the study.

On the second weekend of July, Gu Xiao finally had some free time.

After breakfast, he said, "Today I'll take you to Wangfujing Bookstore."

He knew that Nan Zhiyi's book had been officially released for several days, and he thought it would be meaningful to take his wife to the bookstore to see her own book.

Nan Zhiyi readily agreed, as she was also very curious about the book's sales.

Before driving, Gu Xiao told Sister Zhang that the three of them would eat lunch out.

Sister Zhang nodded and said she was doing a thorough cleaning at home today.

Nan Zhiyi nodded to Sister Zhang and waited at the gate of the courtyard with Xiaoman in her arms for Gu Xiao to drive over.

Xiaoman hadn't been out for a long time, and she was so excited when she got into the jeep that she excitedly patted the window with her little hands.

The streets were bustling with people, and bicycle bells rang incessantly.

Occasionally, you can see vendors selling popsicles by the roadside, with wisps of white steam rising from wooden boxes wrapped in cotton blankets.

The streets were covered with red banners celebrating Army Day, and the intersection near the bookstore was completely jammed.

Gu Xiao parked the car nearby, and the family of three walked over.