Chapter 215 Silk Scarf

In the stillness of the night, sunlight filtered through the curtains in the master bedroom.

Gu Xiao took her hand and pressed it against his chest: "Really, it doesn't smell bad?"

Nan Zhiyi never expected that he would still remember this after a whole day.

She leaned close to his neck and took a deep breath; the fresh scent of soap mixed with the unique warmth of his skin was indeed the most comforting smell for her.

"It smells wonderful..."

She was telling the truth. He knew he was a clean person and would take a thorough shower and change clothes every night. In addition, he didn't smoke, so he always had soap and his own unique scent on him.

She smiled and kissed his Adam's apple, trying to make him forget her casual teasing.

Gu Xiao was like a man possessed. He rolled over and pinned her down, kissing her deeply and urgently, his large hand reaching inside her pajamas to caress her back.

Nan Zhiyi, slightly out of breath, pushed him away: "Tomorrow... I have to pick up Gu Yan tomorrow..."

“They won’t arrive until the afternoon…” He kissed her lips, tasting the minty flavor of the toothpaste.

As dusk settled, sporadic firecrackers echoed through the army compound.

In the late afternoon, Gu Xiao drove to the airport to pick up Gu Yan and his girlfriend. Nan Zhiyi originally wanted to go with them.

Gu Xiao said, "Sister Zhang is busy with the New Year's Eve dinner and taking care of Xiaoman all by herself. She can't manage it all. Besides, it's so cold outside. Preparing the meal at home is a way of showing your care for them."

Nan Zhiyi stayed at home and helped out in the kitchen.

Her hands were covered in flour as she listened to Sister Zhang reciting the dinner menu: "Braised ribbonfish, four-happiness meatballs, shrimp in tomato sauce, braised bok choy with mushrooms, braised chicken with chestnuts, a platter of braised beef, and a tofu and vermicelli soup. That's it. The dumplings are pork and cabbage, and three-delicacy dumplings."

"Thanks to you, Sister Zhang, otherwise I wouldn't have been able to manage this huge table," Nan Zhiyi said gently.

She pinched the dumpling pleats with light and quick movements, one of the few kitchen skills she was proficient in.

At her feet, Xiaoman sat on a small stool, intently playing with a small piece of dough, her nose covered in white dust.

Sister Zhang deftly peeled the skin: "Please don't say that, it's all my duty. You go and rest and take care of Xiaoman, we really don't need you here."

Nan Zhiyi didn't stop. "I'll help as much as I can. You should go home early tonight for a family reunion. Tomorrow is the first day of the Lunar New Year, so you can come later. The dumplings you've made can be frozen outside, and we can cook them ourselves in the morning."

Sister Zhang said "okay" and didn't refuse anymore.

Nan Zhiyi was making dumplings in her hands, but she was keeping an eye on the sounds outside the courtyard gate.

Her mind wandered, thinking about Gu Yan's boyfriend from the south, wondering what his personality was like and whether he would be easy to get along with.

Gu Xiao went to pick them up, and it's unclear whether they talked on the way; he's such a quiet person.

Finally, the sound of a jeep came from outside the window, its headlights flashing across the window.

Nan Zhiyi put down the dumplings and wiped her hands: "It seems like they've come back. I'll go see them."

She quickly went to greet him outside the courtyard. Gu Xiao got out of the car first, his military overcoat collar turned up, which made his face look cold and stern.

Upon seeing her emerge in such thin clothing, he frowned slightly. "It's cold outside. What are you doing out here?"

Before he finished speaking, the passenger door opened and Gu Yan jumped out. He was wearing a well-tailored dark wool coat over a turtleneck sweater, his hair was slicked back, and he was wearing sunglasses. Even on the evening of New Year's Eve, he exuded a trendy and sophisticated vibe.

He laughed and shouted, "Zhiyi!"

Nan Zhiyi smiled and said, "Gu Yan, you're back."

A young woman got out of the back seat.

She was wearing a crisp, cream-colored long down jacket, shiny leather boots, and carrying a small, exquisite brown leather bag that looked quite expensive.

As she approached, Nan Zhiyi could see clearly that the girl was really beautiful, tall, with fair skin and big, bright eyes.

"Come inside quickly, you must be freezing."

The girl's eyes seemed to speak volumes. She smiled gracefully, her accent a soft southern tone: "Hello, sister-in-law, my name is Ruan Wenjing. I'm sorry to disturb your New Year celebrations."

Gu Yan chimed in, "Don't bother us, my brother and sister-in-law are family." He went around to the trunk and, together with Gu Xiao, pulled out several bulging travel bags and nets, which looked like luggage and New Year's goods.

Nan Zhiyi led Ruan Wenjing into the house, saying, "Don't mention it, we're family, please come in."

She took out two new pairs of slippers from the entryway. "Here, you wear the red ones, and Gu Yan will wear the black ones later."

Ruan Wenjing followed beside her, curiously looking around the courtyard and buildings, her eyes showing no fear, only novelty.

The living room was well-heated, and the windows were covered with condensation.

Nan Zhiyi asked Ruan Wenjing to sit down on the cushioned sofa and went to make tea.

She brought out a prepared Longjing tea, at the perfect temperature, accompanied by a plate of walnut shortbread, a plate of Beijing-style snacks, and apples and oranges that were washed until shiny.

"Have some hot tea to warm yourself up. You must be tired from the journey."

Nan Zhiyi pushed the teacup over.

Ruan Wenjing took it, thanked her, blew on it, took a small sip, and her eyes crinkled into a smile: "It smells so good. The road was fine, Fifth Brother drove steadily." She would look people in the eye when she spoke.

Since her mother came in, Xiaoman has been nestled obediently beside her legs, looking at her mother longingly when she sees snacks.

Nan Zhiyi's heart softened at his sight, so she took a small piece and put it in her son's hand, replacing the hard dough in his hand.

"Eat up, you little glutton."

At this moment, Gu Xiao and Gu Yan also entered the entrance hall.

Gu Yan took off his coat, put on slippers, rushed over, picked up Xiao Man, lifted him high, and spun him around: "Xiao Man, you little rascal, do you still recognize your sixth uncle?"

Xiaoman wasn't afraid at all, giggling and kicking her little legs.

Gu Xiao changed into his casual clothes, walked over and sat down next to Nan Zhiyi, his arm naturally resting on her lower back.

His presence was strong; his body heat emanated through his sweater.

Nan Zhiyi leaned back slightly, using his strength.

He looked down at her slightly red fingertips as she made dumplings, and gently pinched them with his hand, as if he was displeased that she was tired and cold, or perhaps it was an unconscious gesture of closeness.

Ruan Wenjing held her teacup, smiling as she watched Gu Yan and Xiao Man playing, then looked at Nan Zhiyi and Gu Xiao: "Sister-in-law, your home is so warm."

It's not just the temperature, but also the things that flow silently and tightly wrap around your family.

Her gaze subtly swept over the couple, and she felt that the cold-faced military officer looked at his wife with eyes as deep as a still pond, calm on the surface but hiding a turbulent undercurrent.

Nan Zhiyi smiled slightly and said gently, "If you like it here, stay a few more days and let Gu Yan show you around."

She thought to herself that this girl had clear eyes and didn't seem to have too many schemes. It wouldn't be bad if she could end up with Gu Yanxiu.

Ruan Wenjing put down her teacup, went to the luggage piled up in the entryway, and retrieved two velvet boxes.

"Sister-in-law, it's nice to meet you. This is a small token of my appreciation, brought from the south."

Gu Yan put Xiaoman down and walked over, casually placing one hand on the back of the sofa behind Ruan Wenjing in an intimate manner: "Zhiyi, she spent a long time choosing, insisting that this scarf's color best matches you."

Nan Zhiyi took the handkerchiefs and opened them to find two silk handkerchiefs. One was a light purple shade, and the other was a bright green with delicate floral prints. They were soft and had an elegant sheen, and were indeed a fresh style from the south.

"It's too expensive, but it's so beautiful." She genuinely liked it.

Seeing that she liked it, Ruan Wenjing was also happy: "It's nothing, as long as you don't mind, sister-in-law."

Xiaoman leaned over to look curiously. Nan Zhiyi picked up the emerald green one, held it up against his little bib, and laughed, "It's perfect as a cape for our Xiaoman."

Everyone laughed.