Chapter 325 Bringing Good News

"Sister-in-law, it's me."

"Zhiyi, I have great news for you! Our Xiaoyong has received his university acceptance letter! Beijing University of Technology! Mechanical Manufacturing!"

Nan Zhiyi hurriedly offered her congratulations: "Sister-in-law, congratulations! That's wonderful, Xiaoyong is really promising!"

Li Xiuqin laughed heartily on the other end of the phone.

"That's right! This child is promising! When school is about to start, I plan to send him to the capital and come back after he's settled in. It's his first time traveling so far, to such a big place, and I'm really worried about him."

“That’s only right,” Nan Zhiyi said knowingly. “Sister-in-law, don’t worry. Once you and Xiaoyong have decided on a specific date to arrive, just let us know in advance, and I’ll pick you up from the train station. There’s room at home, so please feel free to stay. Don’t be shy.”

Upon hearing this, Li Xiuqin exclaimed repeatedly, "Oh, that's wonderful! I'll have to trouble you and Fifth Brother! See you then, see you then!"

After hanging up the phone, Nan Zhiyi first went to check out the small bedroom on the first floor. This was the usual guest room, where Zhang Yueran always stayed whenever she came. It was always kept very clean.

But since my sister-in-law and her family are coming to Beijing, we need to prepare at least two guest rooms.

Upstairs there are three bedrooms. The master bedroom and the second bedroom cannot be used by outsiders, and the third bedroom is for Xiaoman as a children's room...

The best solution is to clean up the study on the first floor.

She immediately called to Sister Zhang and they got to work.

Hu San and his men had already moved the old wooden bed downstairs and placed it against the warehouse wall.

The bed has a traditional mortise and tenon structure, and the bed board and frame can be separated, so it's not too difficult to move.

Nan Zhiyi and Sister Zhang moved the desk and bookshelves in the study to a suitable side to make room.

Then they moved the bed board and the unused cabinet over.

With this arrangement, it looks more like a compact bedroom.

Nan Zhiyi clapped her hands, very satisfied.

Knowing that guests were coming to the house, Sister Zhang said, "Sister-in-law, before the guests arrive, I'll take all the bedding out to air it out and get rid of the dampness. We have two spare sets of sheets, duvet covers, and blankets at home."

Nan Zhiyi, however, felt it wasn't quite right. Her sister-in-law and nephew had come from afar, and it was a joyous occasion, so using old things wouldn't be appropriate.

We previously provided some bedding for the courtyard house and also made some for Xiaoman's kindergarten. We definitely need to prepare more bedding and linens for the house.

"The spare is for emergencies, but we still need to make two new sets so we can change and wash them."

Sister Zhang: "Bedding is easy to get. We can buy freshly fluffed cotton at the community service center. Although we need coupons, our quota should be enough. If not, I'll try to find a way to exchange some with the neighbors."

Nan Zhiyi nodded: "Okay, then I'll trouble you to take a look when you have some free time."

As for fabrics... she remembered the textile service department that Li Xiaoxuan had gone to. She would go to Xisi another day to take a look and buy some fabrics that didn't require cloth coupons. Although they were more expensive, there were more patterns to choose from, and they felt comfortable to the touch.

After the two finished their work, Xiaoman woke up and ran downstairs by herself.

Sister Zhang started busying herself with preparing extra food for him, while Nan Zhiyi coaxed Xiaoman and they went to the dining table to wait together.

After Xiaoman finished eating, she insisted on going out to play, so Sister Zhang took her out and browsed the service center.

Nan Zhiyi then went to her study to write her manuscript.

Gu Xiao returned home much earlier than usual today. As soon as he entered, he noticed that the door to the study on the first floor was open and the layout inside had changed.

He quickly went upstairs, first looking Nan Zhiyi up and down at the desk. Seeing that she was alright, he asked, "Why didn't you wait for me to come back before moving your things?"

Nan Zhiyi put down her pen, looked up and smiled: "Oh dear, there wasn't much heavy stuff. We just moved the desk a bit and helped Sister Zhang set up the bed. It's alright."

Gu Xiao didn't say anything more and turned to go to the bathroom outside to wash his hands.

Nan Zhiyi followed closely behind him, watching him turn on the tap and the water flow wash over his large hands.

Why are you home so early today?

Gu Xiao washed his hands and face, dried them with a towel, and then turned to look at her.

"I've finished dealing with the important matters for now. I'll rest tomorrow and spend some quality time with you and Xiaoman."

He grabbed her wrist and led her back to the study.

In the study, the fan oscillated, sending out gusts of cool air.

Gu Xiao pulled her to sit on the rattan chair and let her sit on his lap.

"Is the reason you suddenly cleaned the room today because your sister-in-law is sending Gu Yong to study in Beijing?"

Nan Zhiyi's eyes widened slightly. "Wow, you're so well-informed!" She tilted her head and guessed, "It must have been your older brother who called you?"

“Hmm,” Gu Xiao lowered his head to rub against her, “My older brother called specifically to share the good news and also mentioned that my sister-in-law would bring him over.”

Nan Zhiyi then explained how she answered the phone and what the subsequent arrangements were.

“I was thinking that since my sister-in-law and Gu Yong are coming, we should prepare two rooms. We don’t use this study downstairs very often, so putting a bed in it won’t be a problem normally, but it’ll be convenient for guests. Besides…”

She looked up at him, her voice lower, "Didn't you say that you... didn't want outsiders living upstairs?"

Gu Xiao affectionately squeezed her shoulder. "You've worked hard. Next time, save the heavy lifting for when I get back."

"I do have a task for you, Fifth Brother. You're off tomorrow, how about you come shopping with me? I'm thinking of buying some fabric to make two new sets of bed sheets and duvet covers; the ones we usually use at home are getting a bit old."

Gu Xiao wouldn't say no, so he pretended to be serious and said, "This task is very difficult... It seems I have to spend more time with my wife and be her advisor and helper."

Nan Zhiyi was amused by him and gently pushed him away, but he held her in his arms and she couldn't move.

Taking advantage of the situation, he kissed you a few times before saying, "I'll take you and your son for a walk around the courtyard house. The flowers and plants in the front and back yards have all been planted, but you haven't had a chance to go and see them yet."

Nan Zhiyi looked expectant; she had been thinking about it all along.

"OK!"

The next day, the weather was fine, and Gu Xiao drove his wife and children to the textile service department.

The store was crowded, and he was worried that Xiaoman would be jostled, so as soon as he entered, he held his son steadily in his arms with one hand, while using his other hand to protect Nan Zhiyi.

Nan Zhiyi carefully selected fabrics in front of the rack, her fingers brushing over the various textures of the fabrics. Every now and then, she would pick up a piece and turn her head to ask Gu Xiao for his opinion.

After discussing and agreeing on a few pieces of fabric, Gu Xiao picked out a few pieces and paid the bill. He then carried Xiao Man in one arm and easily lifted the large bundle of fabric with the other, putting it back in the car. He planned to return to the army compound and find a familiar tailor to make bedding.

Then, the family of three drove to the courtyard house.

The door was pushed open.

"Wow!"

Xiaoman was the first to rush in, letting out a gasp of surprise, and like a playful puppy, she spontaneously began to explore along the covered walkway.

Nan Zhiyi's eyes were filled with surprise and delight.