Chapter 313 Passion

On the eve of Labor Day, in the early evening, Zhang Yueran entered the Gu family's courtyard carrying a brown paper bag.

She had beads of sweat on her forehead, and before she even entered the house, her voice preceded her call: "Sister! Xiaoman!"

Nan Zhiyi came out of the study to greet her and saw her waving a paper bag in her hand, "I brought you something good!"

Zhang Yueran handed her a paper bag containing two small cream cakes, one decorated with a few strawberries and the other covered with bright yellow fruit pieces.

"My labmate told me about a newly opened cake shop that's really good! I went out of my way to buy some and even waited in line for a while!"

Nan Zhiyi felt a warmth in her heart, took the paper bag, and seeing that Yueyue was panting from running, she reached out to tidy her slightly messy bangs. "My Yueyue is so considerate, she thinks of me every day."

Zhang Yueran proudly raised her chin and snorted, "Of course! We'll try it together after dinner."

As soon as she finished speaking, Xiaoman ran out, curiously clinging to her mother's leg, and standing on tiptoe to try and see what was in the paper bag.

Zhang Yueran reacted quickly, scooping the little guy into her arms. Ignoring his slight struggles, she buried her face in his soft neck and rubbed against him. She took a deep breath and exclaimed, "Oh, our Xiaoman smells so good, like a puppy!"

Xiaoman felt ticklish from being rubbed and wanted to pull away, but he tightly hugged his aunt's neck. He liked his aunt's warm way of getting close, but he still earnestly corrected her: "I'm not a puppy, I'm a little person."

Zhang Yueran was amused by him and nodded repeatedly, "Yes, yes, you are a little man, a little man!"

The sunlight was just right, and the yard was warm and cozy. She picked up Xiaoman and walked towards the swing set in the yard. "Come on, Auntie will take you to swing!"

Xiaoman refused, saying, "Auntie, let's play later. I'll take you to wash your hands and face; you're all sweaty."

"Wow!" Zhang Yueran exclaimed, wanting to kiss him again. "Our Xiaoman is so wonderful! Auntie really loves my Xiaoman!"

She put Xiaoman on the ground and pulled him towards the bathroom. "Come on, Xiaoman baby, let's go wash our hands."

Xiaoman obediently followed in her footsteps.

Nan Zhiyi listened to the sounds the two made in the bathroom, smiled, and turned to go to the kitchen.

Knowing that Zhang Yueran was coming today, she specially asked Sister Zhang to cook two more of her favorite dishes.

Sister Zhang was busy at the stove. When she saw her come in, she quickly said, "Sister-in-law, it's almost done. You should go and rest."

Nan Zhiyi glanced at the prepared dishes, nodded, and said, "Sister Zhang, we're going out to a wedding banquet tomorrow, so no one will be home. Why don't you take a day off?"

Sister Zhang hesitated for a moment, "Then... what about breakfast and dinner?"

"It's nothing, we'll just have something to eat. Don't worry about it, get some rest tomorrow."

Sister Zhang nodded and agreed.

Nan Zhiyi came out of the kitchen and saw Zhang Yueran and Xiaoman playing happily on the swing.

As the sun sets in the west, it paints the clouds on the horizon red.

She turned and walked out of the courtyard, slowly making her way along the familiar tree-lined path toward Gu Xiao's office building.

Not long after they started walking, they saw Gu Xiao appear in the distance.

Gu Xiao also saw her, his expression softened instantly, and he quickened his pace to greet her.

Nan Zhiyi smiled and jogged over to him, staring intently at him.

Gu Xiao reached out and gently supported her arm to steady her. "My wife is being so nice today, coming to pick me up from get off work?"

Nan Zhiyi felt a little awkward in public, so she took his hand and gently tickled his palm with her fingertips. "I missed you."

Gu Xiao intertwined his fingers with hers, gently stroking the back of her hand with his fingertips.

"I miss my wife too."

The two walked slowly home along the tree-lined path.

Nan Zhiyi had endless things to say to him as soon as she saw him.

"Fifth Brother, Yueyue brought two small cakes today. They look quite exquisite. She said she had to queue up to buy them. We'll share them later, half for you and half for me."

She shook their clasped hands, turned to look at him, and said, "Fifth Brother, I've noticed there are so many more shops, big and small, in the capital these days, selling all sorts of new things. How about we go out for a stroll together when you're on leave?"

Before he could answer, Nan Zhiyi remembered something else. "Fifth Brother, do you think it's possible to buy and sell real estate privately now? I think the capital will definitely become more and more lively in the future. If it's possible, can we consider buying some property? To keep for Xiaoman to use in the future, or... collecting rent would be good too."

She started laughing first, probably thinking of some funny scene.

Her gaze returned to his face, her almond-shaped eyes seemingly filled with tiny starlight, her dependence and love almost overflowing.

Gu Xiao's gaze remained fixed on her bright and lively face.

At this moment, she shed the quiet focus of her writing and the perfectly measured gentleness she displayed in public; she seemed to radiate light, brimming with a vibrant life force that captivated him.

He was absolutely smitten with her appearance, feeling he could never get enough of looking at her, and longed to pull her into his arms and kiss her a few times to silence the words that were making his heart soften.

Nan Zhiyi talked for a long time but didn't hear his response. She only felt his grip on her hand tighten, and his gaze seemed to be warm, imprinted on her face.

Her face flushed slightly, and she secretly pressed her fingernail against the back of his hand, urging him on with a touch of coquettishness.

Gu Xiao felt a slight stinging sensation on the back of his hand, which brought him back to his senses. He then answered her last and most practical question.

"Private property transactions have indeed seen some easing of policies, and some places have started pilot programs. But in Beijing, the procedures are very complicated and there are many restrictions, so it's not an easy thing."

He felt the small hand in his palm pause slightly, and then continued, "It's good that you have this idea, but this can't be rushed. We have to wait and see, and wait until the policy becomes clearer. I'll keep an eye out for you then."

Nan Zhiyi knew he was concerned, so she stopped worrying and started talking about tomorrow with great interest.

"I've given Sister Zhang the day off. I'll make you breakfast tomorrow morning, and after the wedding banquet at noon, we'll take Yueyue and Xiaoman shopping in the afternoon. In the evening, we'll find a restaurant and take them out for a nice meal! What do you think?"

She finished speaking in one breath before looking up at him.

"Okay, okay, okay, I'll do whatever my wife says." Gu Xiao was happy to go along with her, no matter what she did.

As they spoke, the two had already reached the gate of their house.

In the courtyard, Xiaoman and Zhang Yueran were still laughing and playing.

Gu Xiao glanced at the two who were having a great time, and without stopping, he pulled Nan Zhiyi through the living room and into the study, closing the door behind him.

Before Nan Zhiyi could react, he had already pinned her against the door, protecting the back of her head with one hand, and kissed her.

The kiss was long and tender, carefully tracing the shape of her lips and patiently guiding her response.

Nan Zhiyi closed her eyes and wrapped her arms around his waist.