Chapter 262 Helper

Nan Zhiyi and Gu Xiao had already reached an understanding that neither of them would have any more children.

"Don't talk nonsense, we have no such plans." She pulled Zhou Anping up. "Let's go look at baby supplies."

The two asked the waiter to pack up the leftover snacks. As they walked forward, Zhou Anping, arm in arm with Nan Zhiyi, kept muttering to himself, "Why don't you have another one? Look how cute Xiaoman is. If you two had a daughter, she would be so beautiful and adorable..."

Nan Zhiyi didn't want to tell Zhou Anping about her terrible experience during childbirth for the time being, fearing it would add unnecessary psychological burden to her pregnant friend.

She glared at Anping helplessly, "Your most important thing right now is to take care of yourself and the baby in your belly, don't worry about me."

As they spoke, the two walked to the baby products counter.

A variety of cute little clothes, soft diapers, exquisite baby bottles...

Zhou Anping was dazzled by the selection and felt that everything was wonderful, so he wanted to buy them all.

As someone who's been through it all, Nan Zhiyi gently advised, "You like these things, but you won't need too many, and they'll just take up space. Why don't you take a look first, write down what they look like, and then buy more when you're closer to giving birth? I'll go back today and find all the things Xiaoman used before, clean and organize them, so you can use them first, and we'll gradually replace them if you need anything else."

Zhou Anping thought it made sense, so he suppressed his urge to buy and finally chose two sets of soft, finely made clothes, one light yellow and one light blue, which could be worn by both men and women.

After leaving the department store, Nan Zhiyi was worried about Zhou Anping going back alone, so she insisted on taking her to the dormitory building of the General Staff compound.

She handed Zhou Anping the bag of fabric and the two sets of small clothes. "Here you go. Anping, remember what I said. Your own health and your own mood are the most important things right now. Don't let irrelevant people and unworthy things affect you, understand?"

Zhou Anping took the things and nodded vigorously: "I know, you're even more long-winded than Qingshan."

Before leaving, Nan Zhiyi added, "I'll talk to Sister Zhang about the maid when I get back. I expect to hear back in the next day or two. Wait for my news."

Zhou Anping nodded and waved to her, "You should go back now, Xiaoman must be getting impatient. Be careful on the road."

Watching Nan Zhiyi turn and walk away, Zhou Anping's smile slowly faded, and his gaze became somewhat deep and unfathomable, as if he were thinking about something.

Under the setting sun, Nan Zhiyi walked briskly home. When she passed the entrance of the convenience store, she turned and went inside. She was still thinking about her promise to Xiaoman to bring him some delicious food home.

She bought three creamy ice creams and, not daring to delay, quickened her pace to run home, afraid they would melt in her hands.

As she ran, she wondered if she should discuss with Gu Xiao about getting a refrigerator for the house. It would be convenient to store food and chill watermelon or ice cream in the summer.

Panting, I ran back to my own little courtyard and saw Xiaoman and Sister Zhang sitting in the shade under the grape trellis. Sister Zhang was fanning herself with a palm leaf fan, while Xiaoman was playing with his little wooden gun.

Nan Zhiyi waved the ice cream in her hand and called out with a smile, "Xiaoman, Sister Zhang, come on! Have some ice cream!"

Since the beginning of summer, Xiaoman had only tasted ice cream once or twice when Gu Xiao took him for a walk. The cool and sweet taste left a lasting impression on the little guy.

Upon hearing the word "ice cream," he immediately dropped his toys, ran over eagerly, hugged his mother's leg, and looked up at her.

Nan Zhiyi quickly tore open the wrapper of an ice cream and handed it to her son's eagerly outstretched little hand.

She took one apart herself and pulled Xiaoman to sit on the swing next to her.

The mother and son sat side by side, eating ice cream in unison, taking small bites and enjoying the rare cool sweetness of summer.

The swing swayed gently, bringing a light breeze.

Seeing that the mother and son had started eating, Sister Zhang smiled and reached to unwrap the ice cream in her hand.

In just a short while, the edges of the ice cream had melted a little, and some milk stains had seeped onto the parchment paper.

She carefully unwrapped the packaging and looked at the ice cream in her hand. Mrs. Gu was kind-hearted and gentle. Whenever she went out to buy some snacks, she would never forget to give her a share.

Although Sister Zhang's monthly salary has increased significantly, she is used to being frugal and always wants to save more money to support her children. She hasn't been able to afford an ice cream for herself all summer.

If the ice cream hadn't already started to melt, she would have loved to run home with it in her hand and leave some for the children to have a taste.

She hesitated for a moment, knowing that the idea was unrealistic, then lowered her head, took a small bite, and felt the sweetness go straight to her heart.

"It's so sweet and refreshing! Thank you, sister-in-law!"

Nan Zhiyi laughed too: "No need to thank me, it's hot, everyone's just trying to cool off."

As she ate her ice cream, she occasionally wiped the cream stains dripping from the corner of his mouth with her handkerchief. Remembering her business, she said to Sister Zhang, "Sister Zhang, there's something I'd like to ask you about."

Sister Zhang was sipping her ice cream when she heard this and quickly looked at her: "Sister-in-law, what is it?"

"It's Comrade Anping, Zhou Anping, you've met her before. She's looking for a helper, mainly during the day, to help with cooking and cleaning. It's just her and her husband, and they're both very easy to get along with. It's just that they live in the General Staff compound, which is a bit far from here, about a half-hour bus ride. Do you know any hardworking, honest aunties or older women around you who are looking for work?"

Sister Zhang listened attentively, quickly making plans in her mind.

She has lived in this area for decades and knows a lot about the situation of each family in the neighborhood.

She nodded and replied, "Sister-in-law, I know a few people. I'll stop by their house tonight and ask them about Comrade Anping's situation and the distance, and see if they're willing to help."

Nan Zhiyi felt much more at ease after hearing this: "Alright, then I'll trouble you to do your best to ask around. The most important thing is that the person is reliable. As for the wages, let Anping negotiate with them himself."

"Okay, I understand, don't worry," Sister Zhang readily agreed.

By this time, the three of them had almost finished their ice cream.

Sister Zhang stood up, tidying up the ice cream wrappers, and asked, "Sister-in-law, it's so hot today, how about cold noodles for dinner? I'll make a sauce with sesame paste, some shredded cucumber, and an egg crepe—it'll be refreshing and appetizing. I'll also make you a cold dish?"

“Okay, let’s have cold noodles, that’s perfect.” Nan Zhiyi nodded with a smile; this suggestion couldn’t be more appropriate.

After quickly tidying up, Sister Zhang went into the kitchen to start preparing dinner.

Nan Zhiyi then took Xiaoman's hand and led him to wash his sticky little face and hands.