Chapter 346 Maple Leaves

Gu Yan pulled Xiaoman to the platform, placed her on the stone bench, and then slumped down, leaning against the cold stone, letting out a long sigh.

Looking at his appearance, Nan Zhiyi couldn't help but shake her head and chuckle.

She opened the cloth package prepared by Sister Zhang, took out a water bottle, and handed it to Gu Yan: "Have a sip of water first, so you can catch your breath."

Gu Yan took it, thanked him, and then tilted his head back and gulped down several large mouthfuls.

Nan Zhiyi then took out the prepared fruit box and said to Xiaoman, "Xiaoman, eat fruit with your uncle."

"Okay, thank you, Mom!"

Finally, she picked up another kettle and handed it to Gu Xiao, who was standing calmly to the side.

Gu Xiao took the water bottle but didn't drink it immediately. While the uncle and nephew were fighting over the apple, he quickly pinched Nan Zhiyi's finger.

"What? It's my turn last?"

Nan Zhiyi was so amused by his sudden childishness that she almost burst out laughing.

"Gu Yan has been carrying and lifting you all the way, he's exhausted, can't he at least have a drink of water and rest?"

Gu Xiao was speechless after being rebuked. He tilted his head back, took two sips of water, shoved the water bottle back into her hand, and turned around to take out his camera from his backpack.

He adjusted the aperture and addressed the group of people who were resting: "Sit down and look this way."

Nan Zhiyi sat down next to Xiaoman, and Gu Yan also sat up straight, put his arm around Xiaoman's shoulder, and grinned at the camera.

Gu Xiao pressed the shutter.

He then had the three of them change their sitting positions a few more times and took several group photos and individual photos.

Gu Yan: "Brother, brother, give it to me, give it to me, I want to take some pictures of you three."

Gu Xiao then gave him the camera.

Gu Yan took it and enthusiastically directed, "Brother, move a little closer to your sister-in-law! Yes! Xiaoman, look over here at your uncle, give him a smile!"

Once the camera was in Gu Yan's hands, he never let go of it, taking on the role of his personal photographer.

Not only on this platform, but even on the way up to the top of the mountain, whenever he came across a viewpoint with a good background of red leaves and a wide view, he would stop, shouting "This is good! Don't move!" and then raise his camera and snap a few shots.

At first, Nan Zhiyi and Gu Xiao cooperated with him by striking a few poses, but seeing his endless attempts, Gu Xiao simply took Nan Zhiyi's hand and walked forward on his own, leaving only his back as they walked side by side.

Gu Yan wasn't annoyed; instead, he turned the camera on his nephew who was still cheering him on.

Xiaoman was very cooperative, or rather, because his uncle secretly gave him two White Rabbit milk candies as "reward".

Gu Yan asked him to stand on a protruding rock and pretend to fly, so he tried his best to spread his little arms; when asked to point to a tree in the distance, he obediently stretched out his little finger.

The little guy let Gu Yan take as many pictures as he wanted, all for the sake of the candy.

The family finally reached the summit of Incense Burner Peak.

The autumn sky is high and the clouds are light, offering excellent visibility.

Standing on a high point and gazing into the distance, the autumn city of Beijing appears and disappears in the light mist, its outline hazy.

But the mountains, both near and far, are distinctly colored and dazzling.

The smoke trees, maple trees, and sumac trees covering the mountains and plains display varying shades of red, orange, and yellow, weaving together to create a magnificent and dazzling tapestry that shimmers in the clear sunlight.

A mountain breeze caresses the face, the forest sways gently, and the pines rustle softly, bringing a sense of tranquility and peace.

Gu Yan hung the camera around his neck and gazed at the magnificent scenery before him, the pent-up frustration that had been building up in his heart for days finally dissipating.

Enough is enough... Life is only a few decades long. If the Ruan family and Wenjing are truly unwilling, then... let them separate.

Gu Yan turned his head and saw his brother whispering something to Nan Zhiyi, who was snuggling beside him. Xiao Man was excitedly clinging to her father's leg, pointing down the mountain with her little finger and chattering away.

He raised his camera and aimed it at them again.

Looking at the close-knit family of three in the viewfinder, Gu Yan couldn't help but feel a faint sense of loneliness creeping into his heart.

......

The family enjoyed the scenery at the top of the mountain, took some photos, and as the sun began to set and the mountain breeze grew cooler, they prepared to descend.

Gu Yan cast aside his worries and called out, "Let's go, let's go down the mountain! Tonight it's my treat, let's go to Donglaishun for hot pot, all you can eat!"

The suggestion was met with a positive response from Comrade Xiaoman. The little guy was already tired, but he immediately perked up when he heard about the delicious food.

Following the route they had come from, the family descended the mountain in the afterglow of the setting sun, enjoyed a hot dinner, and then drove back to the compound.

Xiao Man, who had been playing all day, was young and lacked energy. She fell asleep in Gu Yan's arms not long after getting in the car, her little head drooping on her uncle's shoulder, sleeping soundly.

It was already late at night when I got home.

I thought Sister Zhang would have been home by now, but as soon as I parked the car, I saw her rushing out of the house to greet me.

"Minister Gu, sister-in-law, Comrade Gu! You're finally back! This afternoon, Jian'an called to say... to say that Commander Gu has fallen ill! He's already been sent to Jian'an's military hospital!"

The news came as a bolt from the blue, startling all three of them.

Gu Xiao's expression changed drastically, and he stepped forward, "What else was said on the phone? What are the specifics? How serious is it?"

Sister Zhang became even more nervous under his questioning, and tried hard to recall: "It was Aunt Wu who called. She sounded extremely anxious, saying that the commander was in the hospital and being resuscitated! She hadn't gotten to the hospital yet; she was just following Guard Li's instructions to call and inform him first..."

Nan Zhiyi's eyes were already red, and her voice trembled: "...Dad has always been in good health...No matter what, we have to go back quickly!"

She grabbed Gu Xiao's arm; her fingertips were icy cold.

Gu Xiao was equally anxious, but due to his special status and responsibilities, he couldn't just leave, especially without any preparation.

He pursed his lips, about to speak.

Gu Yan stepped forward, "Brother, if you can't leave, I'll pack my things and go back right now! I'll leave tonight, and I'll definitely be in Jian'an by tomorrow morning!"

Nan Zhiyi also said, "Yes, Gu Yan, I'll go back with you."

Gu Xiao quickly weighed the options and concluded that there was indeed no more suitable arrangement at this moment.

He made a quick decision, "Okay! Go pack your luggage right away, just bring the essentials, especially your documents. I'll call Xiao Liu right now and have him come over to take you back to Jian'an."

He paused, looked at Gu Yan, his eyes heavy, "Be careful on the road, keep in touch. Once you get to the hospital, no matter what, call the department and let me know immediately!"

After he finished speaking, he strode toward the telephone.

"good!"

Gu Yan handed Xiaoman, who was in his arms, to Sister Zhang and turned to go back to his room to pack his luggage.

Nan Zhiyi wiped her eyes, suppressing her panic, and said to Sister Zhang, "Please put Xiaoman back in her room, I'll go pack my things."

Sister Zhang said "Oh," and added, "Sister-in-law, don't worry, I will take good care of Xiaoman."

Nan Zhiyi nodded and hurriedly went back to her room to pack her luggage.