Chapter 217 First Year of Junior High

He also took out a red envelope, stuffed it into Xiaoman's coat pocket, and rubbed his little head: "This is for our Xiaoman, grow up quickly."

Xiaoman grinned sleepily.

They said goodnight to each other and then went back to their rooms to rest.

After taking a shower, Nan Zhiyi, wearing a soft cotton nightgown, leaned against the headboard and read a book.

Gu Xiao coaxed Xiaoman to sleep, then took a change of clothes and went into the bathroom.

The sound of water pattering.

When he came out again, Nan Zhiyi put down the book in her hand and followed him with her eyes.

He was only wearing a military vest and loose pajama pants, his short hair was still dripping wet, and the muscles in his shoulders, back and arms were smooth and strong.

He grabbed a towel and haphazardly dried his hair.

As he approached, Nan Zhiyi reached out and gently took his wrist: "Gu Xiao..."

Gu Xiao looked down at her.

Under the light, she tilted her head back, her eyes glistening with tears, and said in a soft, sweet voice, "I want a hug."

Gu Xiao draped the towel over the back of the chair, obediently sat down on the edge of the bed, and pulled her into his arms.

Like a small animal finding warmth, she snuggled up to him, her cheek pressed against his neck, which was damp and smelled of soap, and her arms wrapped around his waist.

His broad palm stroked her back, slowly and firmly.

After a quiet hug, Nan Zhiyi suddenly whispered, "I'm sorry."

Gu Xiao didn't stop what he was doing: "What's wrong?"

"It's just... I remember when I first arrived at the family compound, there was that TV set. I was so panicked back then, I was only thinking about distancing myself from it, so I just donated it... Now that I think about it, it was such a waste, and I let you down."

That was a brand new television set that he bought especially to entertain her.

Gu Xiao nuzzled her cheek with his chin: "It's not your fault. We had just gotten married then, and things were tough. I was only thinking about making your life more comfortable, and I didn't think things through. Instead, I caused trouble."

He said softly, "If I could do it all over again, back when we first got married, I would probably still buy it for you."

Nan Zhiyi looked up, her eyes a little wet: "Why? If I could do it all over again... I probably still wouldn't be able to handle it well..."

Gu Xiao looked at her with a deep gaze: "Back then, I just wanted to give you the best I could get, so you would feel that life wouldn't be so hard with me. I wanted you to have a better life and be happier. It's just a little something, nothing."

Nan Zhiyi felt a mix of sadness and tenderness in her heart, and buried herself in his arms again: "You've made me feel so good, Gu Xiao, really so good."

It was better than she could have imagined when she lost her parents and felt utterly helpless.

Gu Xiao hugged her tightly without saying a word.

After a while, he asked, "So, should we buy another one now? I've heard that they have color ones now. Although they're hard to buy, I think I can figure out a way to get one."

Nan Zhiyi shook her head in his arms, her hair brushing against his chin: "No... Xiaoman is still young, it's bad for her eyes to look at too much. I'm usually busy writing, I'd rather read more books when I have time, or..." She raised her head, her eyes slightly red, but with a hint of coquettishness, "...look at you."

He didn't insist any further, and lowered his head to kiss her: "Whatever you want. Just say so whenever you want."

Nan Zhiyi snuggled in Gu Xiao's arms for a while, then pulled a thick red envelope from under her pillow and stuffed it into his hand: "Happy New Year, Comrade Gu Xiao, here's a big red envelope for you."

Gu Xiao took it, felt its thickness, a smile in his eyes, and lowered his head to kiss her forehead: "Thank you, wife."

"You have to work tomorrow, go to sleep."

Nan Zhiyi found a comfortable position in his arms.

"Okay, go to sleep."

Gu Xiao pulled the blanket up, his arm still around her.

The two exchanged a few quiet words about tomorrow's plans, and their breathing gradually calmed down.

The next morning, when Nan Zhiyi woke up, Gu Xiao had already gone to his shift, leaving only a faint, cool scent.

Xiaoman lay beside her, her little face flushed from sleep.

It's likely that Gu Xiao brought his son to her side after he got up.

She tiptoed out of bed, preparing to go downstairs to make breakfast.

As soon as I went downstairs, I smelled the aroma of food.

Sister Zhang was already busy in the kitchen. Hearing the noise, she turned around and smiled, "Sister-in-law, you're awake? Happy New Year."

"Happy New Year, Sister Zhang. Why are you here so early? Didn't we agree to come later today?"

Nan Zhiyi felt a little guilty.

Sister Zhang plated the fried eggs: "There's nothing much going on at home. The kids are being looked after by their dad. I bought some small firecrackers, and they're having a great time playing in the yard. I don't need to do anything."

What she didn't say was that the Gu family paid more generously than the others in the compound, handled things efficiently, had a good-tempered mistress who never complained, and last night's red envelope was worth a month's salary for her.

She would naturally be more attentive to such a host family and do her job well.

She served breakfast: a small plate of boiled dumplings, a golden fried egg, and a large half cup of warm milk from a thermos, all in the exact amounts that Nan Zhiyi usually ate, no more and no less.

"Please continue eating, I'll go tidy up."

"Thank you for your hard work, Sister Zhang."

Nan Zhiyi thanked him and sat down to quietly finish her breakfast.

It was quiet upstairs and downstairs; Gu Yan and Ruan Wenjing were clearly still asleep.

She didn't disturb him, tiptoed back to her room, spread out her manuscript paper, and wrote while watching over her sleeping son.

Not long after, Xiaoman woke up whimpering, rubbed her eyes, sat up, and called out in her childish voice, "Mama..."

Nan Zhiyi put down her pen, went over, picked him up, and affectionately rubbed his little face against hers: "Xiaoman, you're awake? Happy New Year, Mommy's little baby."

Xiaoman giggled, trying to avoid her mother's kiss.

"Are you hungry? Mommy will get you dressed and we'll go downstairs for something delicious, okay?"

Xiaoman smiled and said, "Okay!"

Nan Zhiyi dressed Xiaoman in a thin red sweater and carried him downstairs, where they ran into Ruan Wenjing in the corridor.

"Wenjing, Happy New Year."

Ruan Wenjing smiled, still a little reserved from her new arrival: "Happy New Year, sister-in-law. I... I'll go see if Gu Yan is awake yet."

"Okay, go ahead. If he still wants to sleep, let him sleep; there's no need to wake him up."

Ruan Wenjing nodded in agreement and gently pushed open the door to the first-floor guest room before entering.

Nan Zhiyi carried Xiaoman to the dining room, put him in his high chair, and instructed him, "Sit still and don't move around. Mommy will get you breakfast."

Sister Zhang is washing clothes in the bathroom.

Nan Zhiyi went into the kitchen and took out a meat and egg custard that she had prepared especially for Xiaoman from a pot that was keeping warm.

Just as she put her son's breakfast on the table, Ruan Wenjing quietly walked over.

"Wenjing, let's eat breakfast."

Nan Zhiyi also brought her a serving of dumplings, fried eggs, and millet porridge. "Gu Yan hasn't gotten up yet?"

Ruan Wenjing forced a smile, hummed in agreement, and said nothing more.

Nan Zhiyi didn't ask any more questions and focused on feeding Xiaoman.

Not long after, Gu Yan came out yawning, his hair sticking up in the air from sleeping. He was wearing a stylish plaid shirt with the collar casually open.