Chapter 361 Pen Names

She teased, "I just didn't expect you two to be so sweet together after all these years of marriage! It's only been a short while, and you had to make a special trip to see me..."

Nan Zhiyi had talked about it while playing cards before, and Sister Sun also knew that the two had been married for many years and their child was in kindergarten.

At this moment, Nan Zhiyi deliberately raised her chin and said, "That's right, when you're living life, you have to enjoy some sweetness."

Li Xiaoxuan chimed in, "Sister Sun, stop talking about Zhiyi. Who doesn't know you're the one who's good at managing your husband? Our Chief Editor Deng is known for his elegance and thoughtfulness. Back then, who didn't envy how he doted on you? Now you're criticizing others."

Instead of being annoyed by Li Xiaoxuan's teasing, Sister Sun waved her hand with a touch of nostalgia.

"Pshaw! That's all ancient history from when we were young! Now, we're an old married couple, holding hands. He stays home in a tank top and shorts reading the newspaper, socks strewn everywhere. I can't even stand the sight of him; I don't have those feelings I had back then..."

As they were talking and laughing, the sound of women chatting and laughing came from outside the side hall. It was clear that the other women Qin Fen had invited had arrived.

The conversation at the card table was interrupted, and the game naturally ended.

The three new women were all around the same age, roughly thirty.

A woman wearing black-rimmed glasses, with a refined demeanor, is the wife of Wang Zhiyuan, Qin Fenfa's childhood friend and now the deputy director of a department in the Ministry of Education. She works at the Capital Library.

The other woman, with a gentle smile and simple attire, is the wife of a section chief from the Municipal Finance Bureau.

Another capable and composed woman is the wife of the deputy director of the Air Force Logistics Department, and she herself works in the district cultural bureau.

Nan Zhiyi, accompanied by Zhang Yueran, exchanged pleasantries with the newly arrived female relatives, introduced themselves, and exchanged polite greetings such as "Hello" and "I've often heard Xiaoxuan mention you."

Sister Sun has always loved lively gatherings. Once everyone was gathered, she took the initiative to invite them to sit on the sofa and instructed the maids to bring out hot tea, snacks, and fruit platters again.

"Xiaoxuan, I'm making arrangements for you, so you can't think I'm overstepping my bounds."

Li Xiaoxuan was delighted to have some free time. "I couldn't be happier, Sister Sun. Please have a seat. With you here, I can relax a lot."

Amidst the harmonious atmosphere, Lin Weila stood out as somewhat out of place.

She sat alone on a single sofa a little further away, her back ramrod straight, holding a cup of tea in her hand, maintaining a smile on her face, but not actively joining the lively discussion of the women next to her.

Li Xiaoxuan glanced at her. Ever since Lin Weila married Director Huang, who had a promising future in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, she had become arrogant and looked down on everyone. Her affected manner was really annoying.

Li Xiaoxuan was furious. She secretly decided that she would beat Qin Fen a few times that night to vent her anger and then order him to have less contact with that Director Huang in the future.

Just then, Qin Fen accompanied Gu Xiao as two unfamiliar male guests walked out of the side hall, chatting and laughing.

Li Xiaoxuan immediately glared at Qin Fen.

Qin Fen was bewildered by the glare, scratched his head, and grinned as he approached his wife, "What's wrong? Who upset our boss?"

Li Xiaoxuan pushed his face away impatiently: "Go away, go away, just looking at you annoys me."

Her girlish mannerisms caused several women nearby to cover their mouths and laugh.

Li Xiaoxuan greeted everyone and then went to the kitchen and dining room to get busy.

Gu Xiao then walked straight to the back of the sofa where Nan Zhiyi was sitting.

Nan Zhiyi turned to look at him and saw some fine beads of sweat on his temples. Remembering that the Qin family's heating was on full blast, she tilted her head slightly and quietly asked him, "Aren't you hot wearing that sweater? Do you want to take it off?"

Using the sofa back as cover, out of everyone's sight, Gu Xiao gently pinched her fingertips resting on the armrest. "It's alright, I was just playing with them and got a little agitated, I'll be fine in a bit."

Nan Zhiyi felt the warmth of his fingertips and tried to pull her hand away, "I just played mahjong and haven't washed my hands yet..."

Gu Xiao hooked her finger, preventing her from backing down.

Nan Zhiyi asked him if he had seen Xiaoman when he got home, and Gu Xiao whispered some casual conversation with her.

This brief and secretive interaction between the two did not escape the notice of Lin Weila, who had been observing from the sidelines.

She lifted her eyelids and pursed her lips downwards.

In her eyes, Nan Zhiyi was nothing more than a girl from the countryside who married into the Gu family by virtue of her looks and luck... Did she think that getting into Peking University would lead her to instant success?

ridiculous.

Their workplace, and Lao Huang's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, are overflowing with top graduates from Peking University; even those who have studied abroad are not uncommon.

I just don't know why Li Xiaoxuan wanted to befriend her...

As they were chatting and laughing, the maid opened the door again, and two men walked in one after the other.

Walking in front was Sister Sun's husband, Deng, the deputy editor-in-chief of the People's Daily. He wore glasses, was slightly overweight, had a warm smile, and exuded a scholarly air.

Half a step behind was Lin Weila's husband, Huang Mingzhe, Director Huang of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He was a little younger, about thirty-five or thirty-six years old, wearing a crisp Zhongshan suit and with his hair neatly styled.

The two took off their coats at the door and handed them to the maid.

Qin Fen greeted them with a smile: "Old Deng, Mingzhe, you've finally arrived! We've been waiting for you to start the feast!"

After another round of pleasantries and introductions, everyone exchanged pleasantries and introduced themselves.

Deputy Editor-in-Chief Deng shook hands with Gu Xiao, his gaze falling on Nan Zhiyi beside him. Suddenly, he feigned realization, his face showing a mixture of surprise and delight, and his voice rose a few decibels: "Chinese Department of Peking University, and Minister Gu's wife... You, you must be Comrade 'Huaiwei'?!"

Nan Zhiyi was caught off guard when her pen name was revealed to her face. She was slightly taken aback and a little surprised, but she quickly adjusted her expression and gracefully extended her hand to shake hands with the person.

"Yes, Editor-in-Chief Deng, hello, it's an honor to meet you."

Deng Kai grasped her hands with both of his and shook them vigorously. "Comrade Huaiwei, I've heard Editor-in-Chief Lin mention you before, but this is the first time I've met you in person. It's truly a pleasure to meet you!"

He patted his pockets with a hint of regret. "Oh dear, I didn't bring your book with me today, otherwise I would have really had to shamelessly ask you to sign it!"

Nan Zhiyi felt a little embarrassed by his undisguised praise and subconsciously reached out to hold Gu Xiao's arm for support.

"Editor-in-Chief Deng, if you keep saying that, I'll really feel ashamed. If you don't mind, I'll definitely deliver a new book to you in person next time."

Those nearby who heard this conversation looked over curiously.

Qin Fen, with his loudest voice, exclaimed, "Good heavens! Old Gu, Old Gu! After all these years of friendship, it turns out your wife is Comrade 'Huaiwei'? You've kept it a secret for a long time! I went to great lengths to get that signed copy of your book back then! Wait a minute, I'm going upstairs to find the book right now, I absolutely have to get that signature today!"

He then rushed upstairs.