Chapter 306 Greetings

Nan Zhiyi sat down, picked up Xiaoman who was trying to run away, put him on her lap, took a candy from the table, peeled it open and gave it to him, which finally calmed him down.

Zhang Yueran suddenly nudged Nan Zhiyi's arm, "Sister, look over there, that's Minister Qin."

Nan Zhiyi looked up and, sure enough, saw Qin Fen, who was shaking hands with Meng Qingshan with a big smile.

Standing next to him was a young woman with short hair, who had a gentle and elegant demeanor.

Qin Fen noticed them too, exchanged a few more words with Meng Qingshan, and then led the lady over.

"Hello, sister-in-law."

Qin Fen walked closer, smiled and gestured to Nan Zhiyi, then nodded to Zhang Yueran, "Zhang, you're here too."

Nan Zhiyi and Zhang Yueran both stood up.

"Minister Qin, it's been a long time."

"Minister Qin, hello."

Qin Fen stepped aside and introduced the lady next to him to them, "Sister-in-law, Zhang, this is my fiancée, Comrade Li Xiaoxuan, who works at the district cultural center."

He then said to Li Xiaoxuan, "Xiaoxuan, this is Minister Gu's wife, Comrade Nan Zhiyi. This is Comrade Zhang Yueran, a top student from Peking University."

The three ladies shook hands and greeted each other.

Nan Zhiyi smiled and praised, "You two are a perfect match, a handsome man and a beautiful woman."

"Sister-in-law, you flatter me. We've decided to hold our wedding on Labor Day, May Day. You and Lao Gu absolutely must come and have a drink at our wedding!"

"Congratulations! That's wonderful news. But Gu Xiao has gone on a mission and his return date is still uncertain. I don't know if he'll be able to make it back in time."

"Work is important! I will definitely deliver the invitations to your home. Even if Old Gu can't make it back, you must come, sister-in-law, to add to our joy! If Zhang has time, he should also come and join in the fun."

Qin Fen was very enthusiastic.

Nan Zhiyi smiled and agreed, "Definitely. Even if Gu Xiao can't come back, I will definitely be there. I wish you both a happy marriage and a long and happy life together."

Zhang Yueran obediently offered her blessings from the side: "Minister Qin, Comrade Li, congratulations! Happy marriage and may you have a baby soon."

Li Xiaoxuan smiled and thanked the two of them, saying, "Thank you. Please be sure to come and have a drink at our wedding."

"Definitely, definitely!" Nan Zhiyi and the other person replied hurriedly.

At this moment, other guests came over to greet Qin Fen, and Qin Fen said, "Sister-in-law, Zhang, please sit down first, we'll go over there and say hello."

“Okay, you guys get back to work.” Nan Zhiyi nodded.

Watching Qin Fen and Li Xiaoxuan walk away hand in hand, Zhang Yueran whispered, "This Comrade Li seems like a nice person, and she speaks very gently."

Before she finished speaking, several familiar military dependents gathered around with smiles to greet Nan Zhiyi.

Some of them were people Nan Zhiyi had met at the New Year's Eve party, some were people she had bumped into in the compound on weekdays, and there were even a few she didn't know very well, but the other party warmly called her "Minister Gu's wife".

For a time, Nan Zhiyi was surrounded by people exchanging pleasantries and responding to various concerns and casual conversations, until the announcement that the banquet was about to begin rang out, and everyone smiled and returned to their seats.

Nan Zhiyi finally had a moment to herself and returned to her seat, feeling her face stiff from smiling.

Zhang Yueran handed her a cup of warm tea: "Sister, have some tea to soothe your throat. You've been talking for so long."

The little girl in her arms was so bored that she kept shaking her head and playing with the tablecloth tassels.

Nan Zhiyi took the teacup, took a sip, and said softly to her son, "Xiaoman, please wait patiently, dinner will be ready soon."

Seeing that her son was getting impatient, she disregarded her usual strict rule of controlling his sugar intake and gave him another piece of candy.

Xiaoman tasted the sweetness, smiled, and puffed out her cheeks as she intently sucked on the candy.

Before long, Uncle Meng got up and went on stage to speak on behalf of the whole family, thanking the guests for coming.

Finally, he raised a glass of wine in front of him, "Without further ado, here's a glass of wine and some dishes. I hope you all enjoy yourselves! On behalf of my whole family, I'd like to propose a toast to everyone!"

A burst of enthusiastic applause and cheers immediately erupted from the audience.

As soon as Mencius' father called out "Let's begin the feast," the canteen staff began serving the dishes in an orderly manner.

The dishes were plentiful and affordable, steaming hot and piled high on the table.

The guests started eating, laughing and chatting, creating a lively atmosphere.

Nan Zhiyi also started eating while taking care of Xiaoman, chatting with acquaintances at the table from time to time.

Halfway through the banquet, the Meng family began to toast each table.

When it was Nan Zhiyi's turn to sit at the table, Zhou Anping finally found a chance to say a few more words to her.

Her cheeks were flushed from drinking, and she said apologetically, "Zhiyi, I've been so busy today that I haven't had a moment to breathe. I only just had time to talk to you now. Please don't blame me for being so neglectful!"

Nan Zhiyi picked up her teacup and clinked it against hers, then smiled and said, "Do we need to stand on ceremony like this? You're overthinking it. We have plenty of time. If you want to chat anytime, just give me a call and I'll come over, or you can come to my place."

Zhou Anping then smiled and nodded vigorously: "That's true!"

She then turned to Zhang Yueran and patted her on the shoulder, "Yueyue, thank you for making this special trip! I know you're busy with your studies, but you still managed to find time to come see me and Lele. I appreciate it!"

Zhang Yueran: "Sister Anping, you're too kind. It's all my pleasure! I wish little Lele a healthy and happy life!"

The group stood there and exchanged a few words before someone urged Zhou Anping to go to the next table.

Zhou Anping could only hurriedly say to Nan Zhiyi, "After I'm done here, I'll come to your house to find you, and we'll have a good talk!"

"Okay, I'll come anytime," Nan Zhiyi replied with a smile. She watched as Zhou Anping followed the Meng family to the next table.

After lunch, she left the cafeteria with her son and Zhang Yueran.

Stepping outside, the afternoon sun was warm and the air was much fresher.

Zhang Yueran let out a long sigh of relief: "Sister, we're finally out! I always thought I enjoyed being in a lively atmosphere, but I didn't expect that in such a formal setting, with all the small talk and greetings, I'd actually feel a little apprehensive. If it weren't for Sister Anping, I probably wouldn't have wanted to come..."

Seeing her relieved, Nan Zhiyi couldn't help but smile. "You'll get used to it eventually. In the adult world, there are always some social interactions that can't be avoided."

Zhang Yueran shook her head vigorously: "Then I shouldn't get used to it! Sis, just let me stay a kid who doesn't have to socialize like this, it's so much more comfortable!"

"Okay, here you can always be a carefree kid."

As they were talking, Xiaoman started hugging her mother's leg and whimpering, refusing to walk on her own.

Nan Zhiyi bent down and picked him up. "Son, are you sleepy?"

As soon as Xiaoman was held in her mother's arms, she hugged her neck and lay still on her shoulder.

He was fast asleep before he even got home.

Nan Zhiyi adjusted her position to make her son more comfortable, and together with Zhang Yueran, they walked along the sun-drenched tree-lined path towards home.