Chapter 239 Urging for Manuscript Submission

When Nan Zhiyi received another call from editor Lin Yuan, she could only nod and respond into the microphone.

The two discussed the subsequent plot and the direction of revisions. Finally, Lin Yuan used his trump card: "Comrade Zhiyi, you'd better hurry up! If you don't submit the manuscript soon, the serialization next month will really be canceled! Moreover, the publishing house is already preparing a standalone volume of this book, so you need to keep up with the progress and pay more attention!"

While holding the microphone between her shoulder and fingers, Nan Zhiyi frantically flipped through the calendar, her tone sincere yet pleading: "Editor Lin, I understand, I understand! I'm really trying my best to find time to write... but you know, I also have to go to school, and my schedule is pretty tight..."

Hearing her say that, Lin Yuan's tone softened a bit: "Yes, I know it's not easy for you. But this book is doing very well, and readers have high expectations. We can't let it fall behind, can we? You've finished the manuscripts for this month and next month, but there are still revisions, proofreading, and many other things to do with the standalone edition. If I don't urge you, the progress really won't be fast enough. Anyway, we have a phone at home now, so it's easy to stay in touch. I'll just keep reminding you a bit more."

Nan Zhiyi listened to the "convenience" mentioned on the phone and was speechless.

After finally hanging up the phone, she turned around and vented her anger on Gu Xiao, who was sitting on the sofa reading the newspaper. She pounced on him and punched him twice: "It's all your fault! We shouldn't have installed this phone in the house! Listen to this, eight out of ten calls we've received lately are from Editor Lin urging us to submit our manuscripts!"

Gu Xiao was amused by her sudden "attack," put down his newspaper, pulled her into his arms and hugged her. "Okay, okay, it's all my fault. Well, how about I unplug the phone now? I promise Editor Lin won't be able to call again."

Nan Zhiyi looked up, glared at him, her eyes still a little red: "Do you think I can just say whatever I want? If I said I wanted the stars in the sky, would you pluck them from the sky for me?"

Gu Xiao found her sullen expression incredibly cute and leaned in to kiss her, but Nan Zhiyi angrily dodged him: "You jerk! I'm talking to you seriously! Don't touch me!"

Gu Xiao readily stopped what he was doing, a smile playing in his eyes, and asked seriously, "What did you say? Picking stars?" He leaned close to her ear and whispered, "Also, I didn't touch you, I just used my mouth."

Nan Zhiyi was so angry at his sophistry that she was about to explode again. Just as she was about to speak, the phone that was the culprit rang again.

She walked over and answered the phone irritably. It was Zhou Anping calling, inviting her to go shopping at the department store together on the weekend.

Nan Zhiyi sighed inwardly, reluctantly refusing, "Anping, I'm so sorry, I probably can't make it this weekend. Midterms are coming up soon, and I need to study..."

Zhou Anping was a little disappointed. "Oh, it's alright. Your studies are the most important thing! You go ahead and get busy. We'll get together again when you're done with this."

Nan Zhiyi felt bad and gently comforted her, "Yes, after my exams, I'll definitely take you shopping to your heart's content! How have you been lately?..."

After chatting for a few more minutes, Nan Zhiyi reluctantly hung up the phone.

She put down the receiver and let out a long sigh of relief. When she turned around, she saw Gu Xiao still sitting on the sofa with his legs casually propped up. He looked relaxed yet exuded an indescribable sense of calm and strength, like a painting that made people stop and look.

Nan Zhiyi's heart skipped a beat for no apparent reason.

Seeing her staring blankly at him, Gu Xiao reached out his hand to her, a smile playing on his lips: "Finished with your work? Come here."

Nan Zhiyi hummed, "I still want to go upstairs to read."

She walked straight toward him, placed her hand in his palm, leaned into his embrace, and reached up to touch his chin. "Ah, beauty can be a trap."

Gu Xiao looked down at her, the light falling into his eyes, rippling out layers of tender and affectionate waves.

He mimicked her tone: "Yes, beauty can be deceiving."

Nan Zhiyi felt her ears burning from his gaze, and then pinched his earlobe with her fingertips. "I really have to go upstairs to read. You play with Xiaoman and don't disturb me."

As she spoke, her gaze shifted to Xiaoman, who was intently driving her toy train on the carpet.

Gu Xiao looked over as well and replied, "Okay, go ahead and get busy."

Taking advantage of her son's attention being entirely on the toys, Nan Zhiyi quickly leaned in and planted a kiss on Gu Xiao's lips, saying, "Thank you for your hard work."

Without waiting for his reaction, she turned and ran towards the stairs.

As it turns out, Gu Xiao is extremely "easily charmed".

That night, after Xiaoman fell asleep, he used his tried-and-true trick: he hugged Nan Zhiyi from behind as she was writing furiously at her desk, and whispered pitiful and pleading words of coaxing and cajoling.

Seeing his clingy behavior, so different from his daytime self, Nan Zhiyi knew he was just being coquettish and weak on purpose, but her heart would always melt away against her will, and she would eventually give in half-heartedly.

This time, however, Gu Xiao seemed to be pushing his luck.

Nan Zhiyi couldn't take it anymore and, in a hoarse voice with a sob in her throat, cursed him: "Bastard...you just...clearly said it was the last time..."

In the darkness, Gu Xiao tightened his grip on her waist, his burning kisses landing on her cheeks, his breath ragged as he coaxed her, "Be good...this is really the last time..."

The next morning, Gu Xiao drove Nan Zhiyi to school, feeling refreshed.

For the first time ever, Nan Zhiyi sat in the back seat. As soon as she got in the car, she wrapped herself tightly in a small blanket, closed her eyes to catch up on sleep, and ignored the big jerk in the front seat the whole time.

When they arrived at the school gate, Gu Xiao parked the car, went around to the back seat, gently opened the door, and leaned down to softly call to her, "Wife, we're here."

Nan Zhiyi was gently helped off the car by him. Once she was steady, she raised her hand and punched his chest twice before turning around angrily and walking towards the school gate with her still weak legs.

Gu Xiao stood there, watching her back, touching the spot where he had been punched, and couldn't help but smile.

He's off today. During the day, he takes his son, Xiaoman, to the park or department store and buys the little guy some new toys. In the afternoon, the father and son pick up Nan Zhiyi from school together.

He could imagine the look of surprise and delight on Zhiyi's face when she saw the two of them, one big and one small, waiting by the roadside.

Maybe, if his wife's in a good mood, she'll be able to...

Sure enough, when school let out in the afternoon, Nan Zhiyi walked out of the school gate with the crowd and immediately saw Gu Xiao holding Xiaoman's hand and looking at her.

The little one, with sharp eyes, spotted his mother from afar, broke free from his father's large hand, and ran over, calling out, "Mommy! Mommy!"

Nan Zhiyi hugged her son tightly and kissed his soft cheek: "Xiaoman! Did you miss Mommy?"

Xiaoman hugged her mother's neck tightly, giggling, "I want to!"

Nan Zhiyi then raised her head, giving Gu Xiao a reproachful look with a flicker of her eyes.

Gu Xiao felt a flutter in his heart as she looked at him, and took the opportunity to squeeze her hand, saying gently, "I've already told Sister Zhang that we won't be eating at home tonight. I'll take you and Xiaoman out for a treat."

Nan Zhiyi was in a good mood and didn't want to spoil the mood, so she said, "Great! I'm craving something too. Where should we eat?"

"You'll find out when we get there." Gu Xiao kept them in suspense, considerately opening the car door and helping the mother and child into the car.