Chapter 342 Loose Allowance

In the bathroom, Nan Zhiyi takes care of Xiaoman while she takes a bath.

The little one was splashing around happily in the bathtub, and when his mother wrapped him in a big towel and carried him out, he was excitedly chattering about his uncle.

"You like your uncle?"

"I love it! My uncle bought me delicious food..."

Nan Zhiyi tucked him into bed, softly told him stories, and patted his little bottom to lull him to sleep.

As Nan Zhiyi patted her, she looked down and saw that Xiaoman had pouted and tears were silently falling from her eyes. She was crying more and more aggrievedly.

Nan Zhiyi quickly hugged her son tightly, asking, "What's wrong? What's wrong? My little darling, why are you crying all of a sudden?"

Xiaoman sobbed, finally letting out the words she had been holding back all night: "Waaah... Uncle... he spent all my money... it's all gone..."

The immense heartache of losing all his assets only belatedly surfaced now, turning into unstoppable tears.

Nan Zhiyi guessed that Gu Yan must have teased him in the afternoon and squandered all his pocket money.

She almost burst out laughing when she saw her son crying so sadly, but she pursed her lips and suppressed the smile.

"Oh, so that's why. Don't cry, don't cry. Your uncle is mean, he spent Xiaoman's money. Mommy will make it up to you tomorrow, ten coins! Okay? Ten shiny coins!"

Xiaoman paused in her sobs, then asked to confirm, "...Really? Ten?"

"Really! Mom promises!" Nan Zhiyi nodded vigorously, wiping away the tears on his face with her fingertips.

Xiaoman stopped crying, nestled in her mother's arms, and slowly fell asleep.

Nan Zhiyi made sure Xiaoman was sound asleep, covered him with a blanket, and then turned around and went back to the master bedroom.

Gu Xiao sat at his desk, his eyelashes lowered, intently looking at the documents in his hands.

The light cast a soft shadow on his face, making his usual aloofness even more captivating.

Nan Zhiyi didn't make a sound to disturb him. She quietly walked to the bedside and sat down, just watching him silently.

Her heart felt filled with something, a warm, slightly tipsy feeling.

After an unknown amount of time, Gu Xiao closed the file and sat down on the edge of the bed.

Nan Zhiyi immediately leaned over and hugged him.

"Gu Yan finally came all this way. I have school tomorrow and a birthday banquet this weekend. Oh, right, we have some free time during the day this weekend. How about we take Gu Yan out for some fun then?"

"Why are you being so polite with him? He's a grown man, he knows his own way around, he can go wherever he wants, he doesn't need us to accompany him."

Nan Zhiyi thought about it and realized that Gu Yan was indeed quick-witted and didn't need them to follow him around.

She stopped dwelling on the topic and instead raised her hand, tracing the rough, slightly prickly stubble on his chin with her fingertips.

She murmured softly, "I like you so much."

This abrupt and unexpected confession touched Gu Xiao's heart deeply.

He pulled her closer and replied, "Yes, me too."

Gu Xiao enjoyed her enthusiastic and sudden declaration of love. Whether it was just a casual remark or came from the bottom of her heart, it made him genuinely happy.

He thought that his wife must be doing well, otherwise she would be becoming more and more like she used to be, warm and carefree.

Inside, tender feelings lingered. Outside the window, the autumn moon hung high.

The next morning, Nan Zhiyi took Xiaoman's hand and went downstairs.

When they arrived at the restaurant entrance, they saw Gu Yan already sitting at the table eating breakfast.

He was casually dressed in pajamas, the top two buttons undone, his hair disheveled, and he was leaning back in his chair in a relaxed posture.

"Zhiyi, Xiaoman, good morning."

Xiaoman obediently replied, "Good morning, Uncle."

Nan Zhiyi lifted Xiaoman onto the high chair and asked Gu Yan, "Why did you get up so early? Why didn't you sleep a little longer?"

"I slept soundly last night. I fell asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow. I didn't even dream. I woke up naturally when I had enough sleep."

Gu Yan took a sip of soy milk and slowly ate the fried dough sticks.

He escaped the hustle and bustle and pressure of the South and returned to his brother and sister-in-law's house. The tension in his heart unconsciously eased, allowing him to sleep so soundly.

Sister Zhang brought over breakfast for Nan Zhiyi and Xiaoman, and Nan Zhiyi thanked her.

She then said to Gu Yan, "I have a full day of classes today and I have to go to school. I won't have a day off until tomorrow. See if there's anywhere you want to go and explore."

Gu Yan shrugged: "We'll see. I'll probably just wander around the neighborhood."

He volunteered, "How about I pick up and drop off the children at school on Xiaoman today?"

Nan Zhiyi smiled and said, "Okay, whatever you say."

She quickly peeled the eggs, crushed the yolks for her son and mixed them into the porridge, told him to eat well, and then quickly finished her own breakfast.

Before leaving, Nan Zhiyi counted out ten coins from her wallet and put them into Xiaoman's wallet.

She peeked out from the entryway. "Xiaoman, Mommy's going to school. Remember to listen to your uncle today!"

With her mouth full of food, Xiaoman mumbled a reply, "Okay, Mom!"

Nan Zhiyi then hurriedly went out.

After class at noon, Nan Zhiyi went to Zhang Yueran's dormitory to find her and told her about Gu Yan's return to Beijing.

“I was thinking you haven’t been home for dinner in a long time. Gu Yan is here too, how about we get together this weekend? It’ll be more fun.”

Zhang Yueran hadn't seen Xiaoman and Gu Yan for a long time, and readily agreed: "Okay! I'll definitely go back this weekend!"

Nan Zhiyi's gaze swept over her sister's desk and bed, and she walked over and reached out to feel the thickness of the quilt.

"Isn't your blanket a bit thin? Aren't you cold at night?...

Zhang Yueran smiled and stepped forward to take her arm, gently shaking it to interrupt her inspection: "Good sister, alright, alright! Everything's fine here, so don't worry about it! I'm going to the library anyway, shall we walk together for a bit?"

"Okay. Just let me know if you need anything, and I'll bring it over to you."

The two sisters went downstairs side by side.

As soon as I stepped out of the dormitory building, I saw Duan Jiaming standing under a locust tree not far away, looking in this direction.

Upon seeing Zhang Yueran, he strode over. "Comrade Yueran! I've finally waited for you. I have some new ideas about the data from the last micro-T-wave experiment, and I'd like to discuss them with you. Is now a convenient time?"

Zhang Yueran glanced at Nan Zhiyi.

"sister..."

Nan Zhiyi smiled and nodded: "You guys should talk about serious business, go ahead."

“Okay, I’ll go then. I’ll go by myself on Saturday morning.” Zhang Yueran waved her hand.

Duan Jiaming nodded politely to Nan Zhiyi.

The two left side by side.

Nan Zhiyi stood there, watching her sister and Duan Jiaming walk away...

Yueyue is growing up, and it's a good thing that she can have normal contact with male classmates and discuss academic matters.

I just don't know... whether Yueyue has feelings for Duan Jiaming that go beyond friendship?