Chapter 219 Bachelor

Dinner was very plentiful.

After everyone finished eating, Nan Zhiyi handed her son over to Gu Xiao and asked him to sit on the sofa with Gu Yan and Ruan Wenjing for tea, while she took care of cleaning up the dining table and kitchen.

Ruan Wenjing got up to help clear the dishes.

"Wenjing, sit down and rest. How can I let you do it?"

Nan Zhiyi quickly stopped her.

Ruan Wenjing insisted on picking up the rag: "Sister-in-law, it's okay, it's just carrying a plate and wiping the table, it's not tiring at all. Let me do something, otherwise I'll feel bad."

Seeing that she was truly sincere, Nan Zhiyi didn't press the matter further and smiled, "Then thank you for your trouble."

In the living room, Gu Xiao pulled Xiao Man, who was playing a bit wildly, to his side and used a handkerchief to wipe the sweat from his forehead.

Gu Yan leaned back lazily on the sofa, watching the father and son.

Gu Xiao glanced at the two busy figures in the kitchen, then looked at his younger brother and asked, "What are your plans with Wenjing? You're not getting any younger, when are you going to settle things?"

Gu Yan chuckled upon hearing this, "Brother, I'm only twenty-seven, what's the rush? When you were my age, weren't you also a bachelor?"

He hit Gu Xiao where it hurt.

Gu Xiao married Nan Zhiyi at the end of the year he was twenty-eight. Now he will be thirty-two after the New Year, so he really has no right to say that his younger brother is getting old.

Gu Xiao was momentarily speechless, but his expression remained unchanged. He simply said, "Whatever you say."

Gu Yan shrugged, completely unconcerned: "I'm young, in the prime of my life, shouldn't I have more fun?" He said this half-truthfully.

Gu Xiao was too lazy to argue with his argumentative younger brother anymore, so he changed the subject: "When are you guys going back to the south?"

Gu Yan exclaimed exaggeratedly.

"Wow, bro, I've only been back for two days and you're already kicking me out? That's so hurtful!"

Gu Xiao glanced at him and said, "You'd better stay here forever."

Gu Yan then said with a grin, "Let's wait a couple more days. I have to see Anping, at least to let Zhengping see his sister. It's been two years since we last met."

His tone was casual, yet there was a hint of seriousness in it.

Upon hearing Zhou Zhengping's name, Gu Xiao frowned slightly: "Zhou Zhengping... is he still in the south? How is he?"

Gu Yan sat up straighter, his expression becoming much more serious: "Yeah, he's still over there. He runs a small business, affiliated with a small factory on the street, dealing in things like electronic watches and calculators, some of which are smuggled goods from Hong Kong."

He lowered his voice a little, "I occasionally ask him to lend a hand on some small projects. He's quick-witted and hardworking, and he's doing alright now, making some money."

Gu Yan's voice trailed off, almost as a sigh, "He's just holding onto his pride, refusing to go home. He feels like he hasn't made something of himself, he's too ashamed to go back and face people, especially..."

He didn't say anything, but lay back on the sofa and sighed. Sometimes he thought about how great childhood was, playing and fooling around all day... How come everything changed when we grew up...

He didn't know how to describe this sense of loss and change.

After a while, he regained some of his energy: "Zhiyi said that Anping will be able to take a break after the second year of junior high school, and I'll see her then."

Gu Xiao nodded: "Yes, your sister-in-law and I plan to visit the Meng family on the third day of the Lunar New Year. You can come with us then."

His gaze swept across the kitchen, where Nan Zhiyi and Ruan Wenjing were tidying up while talking in hushed tones, and the atmosphere seemed quite harmonious.

In the kitchen.

Nan Zhiyi was washing the dishes, while Ruan Wenjing was drying them with a cloth.

After a moment, Ruan Wenjing asked tentatively, "Sister-in-law, is Gu Yan... usually this joking around at home?"

Nan Zhiyi smiled and rinsed the foam off the bowl: "He's always been like this since he was little, always talking nonsense and seemingly unserious, but he's not a bad person at heart. It's just that sometimes he doesn't know his own words, so don't take it to heart."

Ruan Wenjing shook her head, a slight smile curving her lips: "No, I think... it's great, it's lively."

She turned her face to the side, her ears slightly flushed.

Nan Zhiyi looked at her, feeling a mix of emotions.

Those carefree childhood days were suddenly shattered, and the torrent of reality pushed everyone onto different paths in life.

Gu Yan may still seem like that carefree, immature child, but only he knows the hardships and joys he has experienced navigating the business world alone in the south.

If you could have a caring and understanding person by your side to support you, perhaps the loneliness of being away from home could be lessened a bit.

She said gently, "It's not easy for Gu Yan to make his way in the world. We feel more at ease knowing that someone who cares about us is by his side."

Upon hearing this, Ruan Wenjing lowered her head and softly hummed in agreement, appearing very obedient and compliant.

Seeing her like this, Nan Zhiyi felt even more fond of her, and asked softly, "If there's anything you want to eat or drink, or anything you need, don't be shy, just tell me. Make yourself at home."

Ruan Wenjing quickly looked up, her eyes sincere: "Everything is fine, sister-in-law. You've prepared so much, and the food is just what I like."

She was telling the truth.

The sheets and blankets in the upstairs guest rooms were brand new, seemingly dried on the radiator, making them dry and warm. Toiletries were fully provided, and even a box of facial skincare products was thoughtfully included.

This thoughtfulness and consideration was something she hadn't expected before she came.

However… she still had a small question in her mind: there were clearly empty bedrooms upstairs, so why was Gu Yan sleeping next to the living room downstairs? But she was too embarrassed to ask.

Nan Zhiyi smiled and said, "That's good. In any case, please don't be shy and just tell me if you need anything."

After getting ready, the two walked out of the kitchen.

In the living room, Gu Yan lay sprawled on the carpet, completely unladylike, while Xiao Man sat excitedly on his uncle's stomach, waving a cloth tiger and shouting "Giddy up! Giddy up!"

Gu Yan made a grinning face, which made Xiao Man giggle, and the two of them played around.

Gu Xiao sat on the single sofa next to him, looking at the uncle and nephew playing on the ground with a mixture of helplessness and indulgence.

Hearing footsteps, he looked up at Nan Zhiyi.

Nan Zhiyi walked over, bent down to pick up Xiaoman: "Xiaoman, stop messing around with Uncle. You can't be so crazy right after eating."

Xiaoman was having a great time playing and twisted her body, refusing to move.

Gu Yan also put his arm around Xiaoman and said to Nan Zhiyi with a grin, "It's okay, Zhiyi, let him play. I'm strong enough to handle it."

As he spoke, his gaze swept over Ruan Wenjing, who was standing behind Nan Zhiyi. Seeing her quietly smiling and looking in their direction, he winked at her.

When Ruan Wenjing met his gaze, her face flushed slightly, and she shyly looked away.