Chapter 320 Fabric

Li Xiaoxuan had mentioned wanting to ask Nan Zhiyi out for a stroll, and after making two or three phone calls, Nan Zhiyi, busy with school, had no choice but to politely decline.

On Saturday, Li Xiaoxuan called again.

"Zhiyi, tomorrow's Sunday, are you free? Let's go shopping together!"

Nan Zhiyi pondered how to decorate Xiaoman's room and smiled as she agreed, "Yes. I was just thinking of finding some brightly colored and soft fabrics to make new bed sheets and curtains for Xiaoman."

Li Xiaoxuan, well-informed, said, "What a coincidence! I know there's a textile service shop in Xisi that has a wider selection of fabrics than regular department stores, including those soft, velvety materials. Some of their fabrics don't even require ration coupons. Shall we go check it out tomorrow?"

"That's great! I was just wondering where to find these," Nan Zhiyi said sincerely. "Shall we meet at the service department entrance tomorrow?"

Li Xiaoxuan was worried that Nan Zhiyi wouldn't be able to find her, so she gave him the address and meeting time in detail before hanging up.

"Okay! It's settled then, Zhiyi, see you tomorrow!"

Okay, see you tomorrow.

After hanging up the phone, Nan Zhiyi glanced at her watch. Knowing that Gu Xiao would be working overtime that night, she took her son out for a long walk to burn off Xiaoman's boundless energy.

That evening, Gu Xiao returned home and saw Nan Zhiyi hunched over the coffee table in the living room, writing a manuscript.

Hearing the noise, Nan Zhiyi put down her pen and reached out her hand to him: "Gu Xiao."

Gu Xiao walked over and took her hand.

Nan Zhiyi took the opportunity to push him onto the sofa and sit down, then straddled him.

Gu Xiao then tried to hug his wife and kiss her.

She gave him a perfunctory kiss.

"I'm talking to you."

Gu Xiao could only pause for a moment, pretending to listen attentively, "Hmm, wife, what is it?"

"Xiaoxuan called again today, asking me to go shopping together tomorrow, Sunday. I declined a few times, but this time I agreed."

“Then go. You spend all day either working on your manuscript or hanging around me and Xiaoman. You should go out for a walk and clear your head. I’ll stay home with Xiaoman tomorrow. You just go and don’t need to rush back.”

Gu Xiao reached out and stroked her cheek and chin, finally pinching and caressing her earlobe.

Nan Zhiyi felt hot all over from his grip, and she held his hands tightly, refusing to let go.

After a long pause, she softly voiced her concerns.

"I know I should socialize more, but Xiaoxuan's enthusiasm is making me a little unsure of what to do. We've only met three times, and she's invited me out repeatedly. I declined a few times before, but she didn't seem to mind. I... I don't understand why she's so enthusiastic towards me alone. Could there be some other reason?"

As she spoke, a thought flashed through her mind, and she hesitated before saying, "Is it because Fifth Brother got a promotion? So..."

Gu Xiao laughed and kissed her lips. "In your heart, is your husband about to become a high-ranking official?"

He completely enveloped her hand in his palm and continued, "Don't think too much about it. I've been promoted, but in the capital, the Gu family's foundation is still weaker than that of the Qin and Meng families."

Seeing that she was listening attentively, he explained a few more words.

"You know Qin Fen's position. His father hasn't retired yet, and he has students all over the place. They are a true scholarly family with a deep cultural heritage. Li Xiaoxuan's family is also well-known. Her father is a veteran in the cultural system, and her brother works in the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. They have a clean family background and are very influential in that field. Families like theirs have their own rules and regulations, and they don't just associate with people based on their current position."

Gu Xiao's gaze gently enveloped her. "Perhaps she simply feels a connection with you and likes you as a person. My wife, Gu Xiao's wife, is intelligent, reasonable, gentle, and generous, worthy of genuine friendship. So, don't overthink it. If she's sincere, then go ahead and befriend her; having more friends to talk to and relieve boredom is a good thing, isn't it? If you feel uncomfortable, just find an excuse to decline. It's up to you; don't feel burdened."

After listening to his analysis and his earnest conversation with her, Nan Zhiyi's inner turmoil and doubts were soothed.

She rested her cheek against his palm and rubbed it against him. "Okay, I understand. Then I'll go shopping with her tomorrow and pick out some nice things for Xiaoman's room."

Gu Xiao kissed her lightly: "Buy whatever you like. You've saved up a lot of tickets. If you don't spend them soon, they'll expire."

Nan Zhiyi hooked her arm around his neck. "Okay, I'll see if I have any scraps, and I'll add some for Minister Gu too."

Gu Xiao scooped her up in his arms and said, "Come on, come with me..."

On Sunday morning, Nan Zhiyi woke up and removed Gu Xiao's hand from her body, saying, "You bad guy!"

Gu Xiao rubbed his fingertips in the blanket, savoring the memory of her soft touch.

"My dear wife, I just wanted to wake you up..."

Nan Zhiyi snorted and ignored the big hooligan.

He refused to let his wife leave easily, and after cuddling with her for a while, he took her to wash and change her clothes.

Nan Zhiyi ate breakfast downstairs and then told Xiaoman that she was going out to buy him something and would be back soon.

She changed her shoes and walked outside. The father and son held hands and escorted her to the gate of the courtyard.

The early summer morning breeze was refreshing and pleasant. Following the address given by Li Xiaoxuan, she found the textile service department.

As soon as Nan Zhiyi arrived at the door, Li Xiaoxuan jogged over, wearing a light blue shirt that looked exceptionally refreshing.

"Zhiyi, have you been waiting long? I'm sorry..."

Nan Zhiyi quickly said, "No, I've only been here for a minute."

Hearing her speak so earnestly, Li Xiaoxuan laughed and took her arm, saying, "Come on, let's go inside and take a look."

As the two entered the store, Nan Zhiyi noticed that the fabrics here were indeed much more varied in color and pattern.

Besides common cotton and polyester fabrics, there are many fabrics printed with small animals, cartoon patterns, or bright geometric shapes, as well as a kind of off-white, fluffy short-pile fabric that feels exceptionally soft to the touch.

"Zhiyi, look at this. This can be used to make curtains or bed sheets for Xiaoman. Boys will definitely like it. The one with yellow background and little white stars will also make a bright duvet cover."

Li Xiaoxuan pointed to a roll of cotton cloth.

"Xiaoxuan, you have such good taste. These colors are really bright." She touched the roll of velvet. "This one is good too. It's soft. We can make two small cushions for him."

Nan Zhiyi's shopping desires exploded, and she decided to do a big shopping spree for the whole family, buying a lot of fabric, not only for Xiaoman, but also for herself and Gu Xiao.

Li Xiaoxuan also chose a simple floral fabric, saying she wanted to make a short-sleeved shirt for summer.

After paying, the salesperson helped pack the items into two neat bags, which were quite heavy.

Li Xiaoxuan picked up a bag. "Zhiyi, let me carry it for you."

Nan Zhiyi thanked them, and the two of them left the service center with their bags.

Seeing that it was almost noon, Li Xiaoxuan suggested, "Zhiyi, there's a newly opened wonton shop nearby, and the taste is quite authentic. Shall we go grab a bite? It's on me."

Nan Zhiyi nodded in agreement: "How could I let you treat me? I'll pay for this meal."

"Okay, I won't stand on ceremony."

The two ate simple yet delicious wontons.

After the meal, Li Xiaoxuan wiped her mouth with a tissue. "Zhiyi, I invited some friends over to play mahjong this afternoon. They're all close girlfriends. If you're free, come join us and relax a bit?"

This invitation surprised Nan Zhiyi. She didn't expect that mahjong, as a form of entertainment, would be revived so quickly in private.

Aside from writing, taking care of her family, and occasionally going out with Gu Xiao, she rarely participated in these purely recreational gatherings.

Nan Zhiyi wasn't particularly enthusiastic about playing mahjong. But looking at Li Xiaoxuan's eager and expectant eyes, and considering that the other party had repeatedly taken the initiative to befriend her, and moreover, Gu Xiao and Qin Fen had a good relationship, it wouldn't be a bad thing for her to spend more time with Li Xiaoxuan.

She nodded: "Okay, Xiaoman and her dad are here this afternoon, I'll take a break and go with you guys to see what it's like. But I'm not very good at mahjong, so don't complain if I'm slow."

"Oh, it's just for fun, a bit of entertainment, it's fine!" Li Xiaoxuan was even happier to see her agree, and took her hand as they walked out.