Chapter 378 Fleeting

Nan Zhiyi turned her gaze back to the children.

Gu Yan handed Xiao Man over to Nannan to take care of.

Nannan was very considerate, holding Xiaoman's hand tightly with one hand and carefully covering her little brother's ears with the other.

The two children looked up, their little faces drawn to the dazzling fireworks bursting in the sky, their eyes wide open, reflecting the colorful light.

After settling the child in, Gu Yan walked over to Zhou Zhengping, Meng Qingshan, and their group, clearly intending to greet them.

Nan Zhiyi stopped looking in that direction, instead gripping Gu Xiao's fingers tighter in her pocket, and continued watching the ever-changing night sky.

Brilliant fireworks bloomed one after another, only to vanish quickly, leaving behind faint trails of smoke.

A sudden feeling of emotion welled up in her heart: fireworks fade quickly, but human kindness endures.

Regardless of what these people who grew up together have experienced or where they will go in the future, the friendship that has been intertwined over the past twenty-odd years is like the smoke dissipating in the night sky—invisible, yet truly existing, clinging to each other's life trajectories, impossible to completely sever.

Looking at the dazzling yet fleeting brilliance, she couldn't help but think of Gu Xiao beside her, and the days they spent together. While feeling happy and content, she also felt a sense of unease, fearing that time was passing too quickly.

Gu Xiao noticed the inexplicable sadness emanating from his wife.

Taking advantage of her momentary lapse in attention, he pulled his free hand out of his pocket, gently pinched her cool, soft cheek, and leaned closer: "My wife is watching the fireworks, what are you thinking about? Hmm?"

Nan Zhiyi had always been completely open with Gu Xiao. She tilted her head slightly, leaning closer to him, her voice soft amidst the explosions of fireworks, "I was thinking... I really want to see more beautiful scenery with you, and experience more interesting things. But Fifth Brother, time flies by too fast, so fast it makes my heart race... Just like these fireworks, we're so happy right now, but it feels like they'll disappear in the blink of an eye, like we can't hold onto them no matter what..."

As Gu Xiao listened to her slightly melancholy murmur, he tightened his arm around her shoulder, his gaze remaining fixed on her face.

"Nonsense. Look at the sky. When this one fades, there's another one, and the one after that. When this happiness disappears, there will always be another happiness to take its place. Life is long, and I will keep you happy like this forever, endlessly."

His comfort was direct and simple, and Nan Zhiyi felt a warmth in her heart from his words, and her unfounded sadness dissipated like fireworks.

She nestled against him, speaking in a sweet, coquettish voice, "It has to be my fifth brother, he can coax me with one trick after another."

Gu Xiao chuckled, "Then when will my wife... learn to coax me too?"

Nan Zhiyi's face flushed slightly. She tiptoed, leaned close to his ear, and whispered something very quickly and softly.

Gu Xiao's eyes suddenly darkened, and the hand around her waist tightened instantly, his mind wandering because of her bold whisper.

Not far away, Gu Yan was talking to Meng Qingshan and Zhou Zhengping about getting together in a couple of days...

Meng Qingshan was very interested in Gu Yan and Zhou Zhengping's business dealings in the south and readily agreed: "Sure! I'll treat you to a meal then, and we can have a good chat!"

His tone was enthusiastic, and he was indeed itching to try.

Looking at Gu Yan and Zhou Zhengping's current success, and comparing it with his own fixed salary, the gap is too big. These days, with the relaxation of policies, people with connections can go into business and earn more in a day than he does in a year. How can this not be tempting?

Gu Yan casually agreed, but his gaze turned to Zhou Zhengping, who hadn't said much, wanting to hear what he had to say.

But Zhou Zhengping's gaze seemed to pass over him and land on a couple watching the fireworks not far away.

Gu Yan couldn't help but scoff inwardly: What's the point of looking at this now? Where were you before?

That's boring!

He immediately lost interest in talking and casually waved his hand at Meng Qingshan: "Okay, let's make another appointment in a couple of days."

After saying that, he ignored Zhou Zhengping and turned back to call the children to continue setting off the remaining fireworks.

Zhou Anping nudged his brother's arm and said, "Brother, Gu Yan is gone."

In fact, Zhou Zhengping had already looked away the moment Gu Yan looked at him.

He gazed at the intimate couple, so harmonious and perfect against the backdrop of the dazzling lights.

Zhiyi is doing so well, and that's... really good.

A complex mix of emotions welled up inside him—a sense of relief, a blessing, and perhaps some useless regrets and remorse.

If time could turn back, back to the beginning before everything happened... but that thought is just like a night breeze, leaving behind only a desolate chill.

He nodded to his sister: "Yes, let's go back too. It's cold outside, and you're carrying a lot of weight."

Zhou Anping looked in the direction of Gu Yan and Xiaoman and said softly, "They haven't finished yet."

Her gaze fell on Gu Yan, who was holding Xiao Man, half-squatting, his large hand enveloping the little one's small hand, as they lit the fuse of a firework tube on the ground together.

Xiaoman was so excited that she bounced around in Gu Yan's arms, but she was also afraid of the sudden loud noise. She grabbed Gu Yan's fingers and covered her ears tightly, burying her face in Gu Yan's palm.

Gu Yan laughed, lowered his head, and gently bit Xiaoman's cheek, which was slightly chilled by the cold wind. He chuckled, "Little coward, watch closely!"

Xiaoman wasn't annoyed by being bitten; she just giggled and her big eyes were drawn to the fireworks going off into the sky.

Looking at this scene, Zhou Anping was somewhat moved and said to Zhou Zhengping beside him, "Brother, look at Gu Yan, he doesn't seem to have changed at all."

Zhou Zhengping remained noncommittal: "In this world... there is no one who truly remains unchanged."

His voice was very soft, almost carried away by the wind.

Zhou Anping fell silent.

She looked at Gu Yan, then at Nan Zhiyi not far away, and thought to herself: Zhiyi may still be the same Zhiyi, but what has changed is herself.

Having gone through marriage, childbirth, and all the troubles at home, she is no longer the carefree Zhou Anping she once was.

Nan Zhiyi noticed Zhou Anping's gaze, pulled a hand out of Gu Xiao's warm pocket, and waved with a smile towards Zhou Anping against the backdrop of the dazzling sky.

Zhou Anping also raised his hand and waved gently in response.

Nan Zhiyi then put her hand back into Gu Xiao's pocket with peace of mind, and hooked her fingertips into his palm.

Behind them came Wang Juan's teasing laughter: "Oh my, look at our fifth sister-in-law, she's so lucky, she even has her own hand warmer!"

Nan Zhiyi turned around and saw Li Xiuqin, Gu Min, and Wang Juan walking out of the house hand in hand.

She smiled generously, her eyes crinkling.

"Yes, it's very warm."

Seeing her composed demeanor, the other women laughed and stopped teasing her. They turned their attention to the sky, watching the last few scattered fireworks trails, and exclaimed in admiration:

"This one is really beautiful!"

"Gu Yan will buy it, so this money wasn't wasted."

"Yes, these are really good purchases this year!"