Chapter 364 Finding a Way Out

In the jeep on the way home, Zhang Yueran couldn't hide her joy.

Nan Zhiyi glanced at her several times, and finally couldn't help but ask, "What's wrong? You've been secretly happy ever since you left the Qin family, like you've found a treasure. What's making you so happy?"

Zhang Yueran realized she had been too obvious, so she coughed lightly and pursed her lips.

"N-nothing! It's just... I just felt really happy today. Sis, I'll tell you next time... next time!"

She took Nan Zhiyi's arm and giggled twice.

Nan Zhiyi shook her head helplessly. As expected of a young lady, she was hiding her little secret.

She didn't press further, her gaze fixed on the snowflakes pattering against the car window.

Back home, Nan Zhiyi saw Sister Zhang off and then went to check on her son in the children's room.

Xiaoman was wrapped in her blanket and fast asleep.

Nan Zhiyi was charmed by her son's sleeping face, so she leaned down and gently kissed his rosy cheek.

Gu Xiao also walked in and gently put his arm around her shoulder from behind.

The couple quietly watched their sleeping son.

Nan Zhi felt a pang of regret: "In the blink of an eye, my son is already so grown up... I'm so busy with school and writing all day that I haven't been able to spend much time with him or watch him grow up..."

Gu Xiao tightened his grip on her arm, wanting to say, "When the child grows up, they'll have their own world, and they probably won't stay with their parents then..."

But he swallowed those words back down.

If I were to say it out loud, it wouldn't comfort my wife; instead, it would likely stir up more sadness in her, and I might even get a few beatings.

He consciously chose to remain silent and hugged her even tighter.

Fortunately, Nan Zhiyi herself is not the type to get stuck on things.

She consoled herself, "But seeing him healthy and happy now, I'm content. When he's older, we'll take him to the park and the playground. There's still a long way to go."

Then he looked up at Gu Xiao and said, "Or you, as his father, could take him out more often, go hiking, practice boxing. You can't always keep him at home reading like I do."

After hearing the task assigned to him, Gu Xiao responded with an "Mmm," and said, "Okay, I'll follow your instructions."

He put his arm around his wife's waist, and the two left the children's room, gently closing the door behind them.

“Let’s go,” Gu Xiao said, putting his arm around her and leading her to the bathroom. “Let’s take a shower together so we can…get some rest.”

Nan Zhiyi, without suspecting anything, nodded and let him lead her to the bathroom.

As the saying goes, a man's words are a liar's tongue.

The result of showering together was that he lingered in the steamy water for a long time, from the bathroom to the bedroom, until the early hours of the morning.

Sweat and tears mingled, soaking the sheets beneath him.

Nan Zhiyi was so tired that she could barely keep her eyes open. In her blurry vision, she felt the ground beneath her go empty as he picked her up and placed her on the sofa by the window.

She curled up on the sofa, squinting as she watched Gu Xiao change into a clean new bed.

When he carried her back to bed, she was so weak she could barely lift a finger. She could only angrily make a mental note of it and decide to settle the score with him tomorrow.

Gu Xiao saw his wife's resentful little eyes drift over.

He chuckled softly, pulling her into a tight embrace, his burning lips brushing against her earlobe, his voice filled with tenderness, "My good wife, my darling... I love you so much..."

When he was in the mood, he used even more explicit words. Although he was more restrained now, those words still made Nan Zhiyi's ears burn.

She finally couldn't hold back any longer. She raised her weak hand, pinched his mouth shut, and said fiercely, "Next time, next time I will definitely... get my revenge..."

These words were less a declaration of war and more a coquettish remark, which sounded like an invitation to Gu Xiao.

His eyes darkened, wishing that 'next time' would be right now.

Sensing danger, Nan Zhiyi quickly turned her back to him and muttered two words: "Sleep!"

Her movements were swift and her tone resolute, comparable to that of a female warrior.

Gu Xiao chuckled, hugged her from behind, and kissed the back of her neck a few times. "Okay...sleep..."

The person in his arms stiffened for a moment, then slowly relaxed.

Not long after, Gu Xiao heard her breathing become even and long, indicating that she was exhausted and had fallen into a deep sleep.

Nan Zhiyi awoke in a hazy warmth, her consciousness not yet fully returned, and she moved her body slightly.

The large hand that was resting on her waist slid in from under the hem of her cotton pajamas and moved upwards. The calluses on his palm caused a slight tremor on her skin before finally stopping at a spot and giving it a very light squeeze.

His chest pressed tightly against her back, and his voice, warm and gentle, sounded behind her ear: "Awake?"

Nan Zhiyi let out a soft hum in response.

She turned around in his arms, pressing her cheek against his chest.

Where is my son?

"He's playing with Yueyue downstairs. It sounds pretty loud. He's probably messing with his toy soldiers again."

Hearing Zhang Yueran's name, Nan Zhiyi became a little more sober.

My younger sister is going home for winter break this afternoon, so I need to think about what to bring her back—food, necessities, and something for Aunt Feng…

Seeing that she remained silent for a while, Gu Xiao assumed that she hadn't recovered from her fatigue. He gently massaged her sore muscles with his hand on her waist, saying, "Still tired? Do you want to sleep a little longer? I'll stay with you."

Nan Zhiyi didn't say anything, but hugged his waist, found a more comfortable position, and stopped moving.

Gu Xiao said no more, gently stroking her long hair, his fingertips running through the soft strands, bringing a comforting warmth.

It wasn't until mid-morning that Nan Zhiyi finally got up and carefully packed Zhang Yueran's luggage.

She was grateful to Aunt Feng, and packed up a whole bunch of things, including food, daily necessities, and gifts for Aunt Feng and Uncle Zhang.

Zhang Yueran looked at the things that filled half the living room and exclaimed dramatically, "Sis! So much! I'm not a mule, are you trying to exhaust me on the road like Mom?"

Nan Zhiyi wasn't going to take the blame. She patted her and said, "Who told you to take it all at once? Just pick out the light and essential items. As for the rest, there are the New Year's gifts for Aunt Feng and the others. I'll pack them up in a couple of days and we'll go to the post office to mail them. I guarantee they'll arrive before the New Year."

Zhang Yueran's anger turned to joy, "That's more like it!"

After seeing Zhang Yueran off, time flew by.

Xiaoman started his winter vacation and became his mother's little shadow. Wherever Nan Zhiyi went, he followed her with his short legs. Only when he saw his mother sitting at her desk and picking up a pen would he sensibly refrain from disturbing her and quietly play with his toys on the carpet next to her.

Nan Zhiyi felt sorry for her son and wanted to take him out to play.

But it was freezing cold outside, and I was afraid my child would catch a cold, so I had to patiently stay home and play with him, building blocks and telling him stories.

That evening, Nan Zhiyi sat in Gu Xiao's lap and discussed with him, "The New Year is just around the corner, and when we go home, we need to bring some gifts for Dad, Gu Yan, my brother and sister-in-law, and my third sister. When are you free to take us out for a stroll? I heard..."

"A large new free market has opened in the west of the city. It has a wide variety of goods, and some items that used to require coupons can now be bought directly..."