Chapter 228 Accommodation

After receiving their acceptance letters, a very real question arose for Nan Zhiyi and Gu Xiao: whether or not to live on campus.

Nan Zhiyi didn't hesitate much before deciding to commute to school.

The main reason, of course, is that she can't bear to leave Xiaoman. The thought of missing out on the subtle changes in her son's growth is hard for her to accept.

Similarly, she was even more reluctant to leave Gu Xiao, used to the sense of security that came with him by her side, and living alone at school felt desolate and lonely to her.

Nan Zhiyi then said, "When I register, I'll ask the school if I can apply to be a day student. I remember the admission brochure mentioned that families with special circumstances, such as those with young children or those who live not too far away, can apply to be day students."

Gu Xiao was naturally even more reluctant to part with her.

He pondered for a moment: "If you can apply for permission to commute, that would be best. If I'm free in the morning, I can drive you to school. If not, I'll have Xiao Liu take you. In the afternoon... in the afternoon, depending on when your classes end, if it's early, take the bus back, and I'll try my best to pick you up. If your classes end late, or the weather is bad, just call the department, and I'll have Xiao Liu pick you up."

He has already started planning the details of her commute.

Gu Xiao had always wanted to find a quiet courtyard house near Peking University.

However, firstly, it is not easy to find a suitable courtyard house with clear private property rights; secondly, the Army Compound has complete facilities and strict security, making it extremely convenient and safe for Xiaoman to grow up here and go to school in the future. The cost and uncertainty of moving away are too great.

He frowned slightly: "Peking University isn't close to here. If I have to go on a business trip, I can't pick you up or drop you off. It will take you more than an hour to cycle there. I'm worried about that in the morning and evening."

Especially considering that she might not get home until after dark when he's not home, he has many concerns about her safety.

Nan Zhiyi felt he was worrying too much and took his arm, saying, "What's the big deal? Back in Jian'an, I used to ride my bicycle around all the time. It's only a few tens of minutes' ride. Besides, there are buses, aren't there? There's one that goes to Haidian, so it should be quite convenient."

Gu Xiao was still worried, "Then when I need to go on a business trip..."

She quickly pinched his upper and lower lips, making them into a small duck's beak. "Stop talking about these nonsense. Don't worry unnecessarily. We'll talk about it when the time comes."

Then another question popped into her head, "What about Yue Ran? Is she living at school, or... living with us?"

She naturally hoped that the sisters could live together, but she also had to respect Yue Ran's own wishes and the school's rules.

Gu Xiao was quite open-minded about this: "When she arrives, we'll ask her what she thinks. If the school allows it and she's willing, there's always a guest room at home, so she's welcome to stay. If she wants to experience communal living, or if the school has regulations, then we'll respect her wishes. Anyway, we're both in Beijing, so it'll be convenient to meet."

Gu Xiao specially asked Xiao Liu to pick up Zhang Yueran and Aunt Feng Xuemei at the train station.

When the mother and daughter stepped into the Gu family's courtyard, looking travel-worn, Nan Zhiyi was still thinking about the accommodation issue. As soon as she saw Zhang Yueran, she quickly asked, "Yueyue, are you staying at school or at home?"

Zhang Yueran didn't have time to pay attention to her. She threw down her luggage and went to see Xiaoman.

She circled around Xiaoman a few times, exclaiming, "Oh my god, sis, Xiaoman is so cute! Look, he can walk! Oh my! So adorable! He's so adorable!"

She reached out and gently pinched Xiaoman's cheek, then picked him up and lifted him up. "Wow, so soft and warm. Mmm, so fragrant!"

Nan Zhiyi felt helpless; she felt that Zhang Yueran could no longer hear what she was saying.

Aunt Feng put down her luggage, ignoring Nan Zhiyi, and went straight to look at Xiaoman. "She's so beautiful! She's even prettier than her father was as a child, and more delicate than your sister was. Look at how fair and tender she is, like a doll in a New Year's painting!"

Xiaoman was suddenly surrounded by two such enthusiastic elders, and blinked her big eyes as she looked back.

He wasn't scared or cried; instead, he seemed quite pleased with the attention he received, waving his little hands and babbling, which drew praise from Aunt Feng and Zhang Yueran as their precious darling.

No matter what sound Xiaoman makes or what action she takes, even a slight smile can elicit gasps of amazement from them.

When Zhang Yueran heard Xiaoman say a few words, she became excited again: "Mom, he can talk! Xiaoman, say Auntie, Auntie!"

She couldn't resist touching Xiaoman inappropriately.

Aunt Feng slapped her daughter's hand away, "Don't pinch his face, you've made it red!"

Nan Zhiyi, who was watching from the side, finally couldn't help but speak up: "Aunt Feng, Yueyue, you two are staring at him so intently, it's driving you crazy. Come sit down and rest, have some hot tea, you must be exhausted from the journey."

Zhang Yueran wasn't done enjoying it yet. "Sister, don't worry about me, I just want to see him."

Nan Zhiyi then took Aunt Feng's arm and led her to sit down on the sofa, and brought her some flower tea that had been brewed earlier.

Aunt Feng then snapped out of her initial excitement at seeing Xiaoman and took a couple of sips of tea.

She looked around the neat and cozy living room.

Then, her gaze fell on Nan Zhiyi's rosy and peaceful face, and her eyes involuntarily welled up slightly: "Good, so good, Zhiyi, seeing you living such a good life makes my heart feel as sweet and at ease as if I've eaten honey... sigh..."

As she spoke, her voice choked up, and although she still smiled, tears streamed down her face.

She was genuinely happy, but this happiness was mixed with an indescribable sadness. If her brother and sister-in-law could see that their precious daughter had found such a good home and had such a lovely child, how gratified they would be.

But things in this world are rarely perfect.

When Nan Zhiyi saw Aunt Feng shed tears, her own nose tingled, and her eyes immediately reddened.

Seeing this, Aunt Feng quickly wiped away her tears: "Look at me, I'm so confused. It's such a happy occasion, I'm just too happy. Especially seeing Xiaoman, he's so good, he looks just like his father. He's definitely a blessed child."

Nan Zhiyi wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief and asked, following the topic, "Aunt Feng, does Xiaoman only resemble Gu Xiao? Doesn't she resemble me at all?"

Upon hearing this, Aunt Feng glared at her reproachfully: "Why are you still calling me by my full name? Don't you always call me 'Fifth Brother' like the other six brothers from the Gu family?"

Nan Zhiyi was too embarrassed to admit that she often called Gu Xiao by his full name.

She could only shake Aunt Feng's arm and mumble, "Oh dear, it was a slip of the tongue. I know, I should call him Fifth Brother."

Aunt Feng then smiled and lightly tapped her forehead with her finger, "I think Xiaoman looks just like Minister Gu, except her ears are like yours..."

She suddenly recalled: "Minister Gu was more handsome than other children when he was little, and he was also very calm. He even held you in his arms when you were just a tiny little thing and could barely walk."

She sighed with regret, "It's such a pity your parents were so blind back then. That arranged marriage for you was so unreliable. If only they had arranged it for Minister Gu instead. Look at him, so capable and caring..."