Chapter 390 Moonlight

Nan Zhiyi got up and went to greet them under the eaves, where several birdcages hanging under the eaves swayed gently.

One of the grayish-brown mynas tilted its head, spotted Nan Zhiyi, and shouted at the top of its lungs, "Hello! Congratulations on your fortune!"

This made Nan Zhiyi smile.

Gu Xiao also took three steps at a time and stepped onto the stairs, rolling up the sleeves of his military uniform to his elbows, revealing his tanned forearms.

"Are you happy today?" He held Nan Zhiyi's hand and rubbed it.

Nan Zhiyi took out a handkerchief from her pocket and gently wiped the sweat from his temples: "I heard so many strange and wonderful things; it was more exciting than watching TV."

Her eyes sparkled with a playful glint, "I even won three yuan and fifty cents from Sister Sun."

Gu Xiao's eyes crinkled with a smile: "As long as you're happy. Shall we go back now? I'll take you to that newly opened Cantonese restaurant; I heard the chef was brought in from Guangzhou."

"Minister Qin invited you to stay for dinner," Nan Zhiyi gestured towards the house, "He specifically asked me to wait for you."

Before he could reply, Qin Fen's booming voice came from the living room: "Old Gu, come in and enjoy the fan! It's as hot as a sauna outside."

Gu Xiao led Nan Zhiyi into the house. The ceiling fan was whirring overhead, sending in a cool breeze.

Gu Zhao and Yao Yao sat side by side on small stools watching TV, where an animated film was playing.

Qin Fen patted the sofa next to him, and the two men quickly began to talk about the recent situation on the southern border and the new policy for military academy admissions.

Nan Zhiyi wasn't interested in any of this. She handed Gu Xiao a cup of warm tea and went to the kitchen to talk to Li Xiaoxuan.

During dinner, Li Xiaoxuan enthusiastically brought up the plan for the two families to travel to Chengde together next weekend. "I heard it's cool there now, like early autumn..."

Nan Zhiyi looked at Gu Xiao with a questioning gaze.

Gu Xiao placed a piece of sweet and sour pork ribs on her plate, then shook his head, saying, "The department is busy preparing for the autumn exercises right now, and I really can't spare the time." He turned to Qin Fen and said, "Please take care of her."

Qin Fen patted his chest and assured them, "Don't worry, I'll take excellent care of your wife and Gu Zhao. I know the Chengde Hotel well; I'll have them reserve the best room with the best view."

A small incident occurred just before parting.

Yao Yao clung to Gu Zhao's leg, refusing to let go. She buried her face in his trouser leg and rubbed against him, muttering in a childish voice, "Brother...don't go..." She was only a little over a year old and rarely had playmates in the yard. Now, relying on her childlike instincts, she clung tightly to this brother who would play with seashells with her and patiently tell her stories.

The adults watching from the sidelines couldn't help but chuckle.

Gu Zhao squatted down, stroked her little head, and gently coaxed her.

Qin Fen felt a pang of envy and simply scooped his daughter up and lifted her high in the air: "Sweetie, Daddy's taking you on an airplane ride!"

Yao Yao's attention was diverted by her father.

Taking advantage of the moment, Qin Fen quickly winked at Gu Xiao, signaling them to leave quickly.

The family of three finally said goodbye and left.

Li Xiaoxuan and Qin Fen stood under the camphor tree outside the courtyard, holding their daughter, watching the taillights of the jeep disappear into the alleyway.

A night breeze carries the sweet fragrance of locust blossoms.

Qin Fen pressed his face against his daughter's soft cheek and said in a low voice, "Sweetie, let me tell you, there are no good men in this world, only Daddy is the best. You can't leave Daddy in the future."

Yao Yao didn't understand his sarcastic words, and just snuggled into his arms, calling out, "Daddy!"

"My good daughter..." Qin Fen lifted his daughter up high and hugged her tightly, "Daddy loves you to death."

Li Xiaoxuan shook her head, saying, "So, according to you, our daughter will never get married?"

"Perfect!" Qin Fen exclaimed indignantly. "The dowry our two families have saved for her is enough for her to live comfortably for the rest of her life."

He suddenly frowned as he spoke, as if he could already see a brat coming to steal his precious daughter twenty years from now... The thought of that scene made him feel uncomfortable.

Li Xiaoxuan teased him, saying, "Actually, marrying Xiaoman would be great. Look at that child, so young and already..."

"I won't listen! I won't listen!" Qin Fen covered his daughter's ears and ran into the yard. "Our daughter's still so young!" After a few steps, he turned back and glared at his wife. "I'm telling you, no matter how good someone is, it's not okay! Nobody is okay!"

Li Xiaoxuan followed slowly behind, watching her husband hold their daughter like a mother hen protecting her chicks, and couldn't help but laugh.

On the way back in the jeep, Nan Zhiyi held her son in her arms and said to Gu Xiao, "Our son was amazing today. Not only did he study by himself, but he also took excellent care of Yao Yao..."

She kissed her son's forehead several times, exclaiming, "He's such an incredibly well-behaved baby!"

Gu Zhao felt a little embarrassed, but he still liked the feeling of being so close to his mother, so he leaned closer to Nan Zhiyi.

"Mom, you're exaggerating."

"Where's the exaggeration?" Nan Zhiyi said confidently. "My son is the best in the world."

She hugged her son tightly, and when she looked up, she met Gu Xiao's smiling eyes in the rearview mirror.

She secretly winked at her reflection in the mirror, her eyes sparkling and sending ripples through Gu Xiao's heart.

When I got home, the lights in the yard were on.

Nan Zhiyi was wondering why Sister Zhang hadn't gotten off work yet when she saw Zhang Yueran fly out of the house, pick up Gu Zhao, and spin her around.

She hugged Gu Zhao and kissed him for a long time.

"You're finally back!"

Gu Zhao called out repeatedly, "Auntie! Auntie!"

Nan Zhiyi smiled and patted Zhang Yueran on the shoulder: "Have you finished this round of experiments? How many days can you stay?"

"That's all for now. The institute gave us a week off. I'll be here as an assistant researcher before the semester starts, mainly helping Professor Chen organize data."

"That's perfect! We're planning to go to Chengde next weekend for a summer getaway. Would you like to come along?"

Zhang Yueran stammered, "Well... let's talk about it later, I might have something else to do..."

Nan Zhiyi understood and didn't press further. "Okay, let me know if you change your mind."

Zhang Yueran visibly breathed a sigh of relief and pulled Gu Zhao into the house: "Come on, Auntie brought you some fun things!"

Nan Zhiyi watched them enter the house, then stood in the courtyard waiting for Gu Xiao.

Gu Xiao parked the car and walked into the yard. He locked the gate first, then took Nan Zhiyi's hand and led her to sit on the swing.

Tonight is July 5, 1982, the fifteenth day of the lunar calendar. The full moon hangs like a white jade plate in the azure night sky.

Nan Zhiyi leaned on Gu Xiao's shoulder, her fingers holding one of his hands, playing with it casually.

His palms had held guns, approved documents, and brushed against her cheeks; they were dry yet warm.

Fifth Brother.

"Um?"

"Gu Xiao?"

"Um?"

She nuzzled against his shoulder, her hair brushing against his chin: "I just wanted to call your name."

Gu Xiao chuckled softly, putting his arm around her shoulder. "My dear wife, I missed you too." His voice was particularly deep and resonant in the night. "It's a pity I can't go out with you..."

"Ah, it's my turn to say that." Nan Zhiyi looked up, her fingers playfully pinching his chin: "We're going to play, we're not taking you."

Gu Xiao raised an eyebrow at her, the moonlight flowing between his deep brows and eyes.

Nan Zhiyi suddenly noticed that Gu Xiao's epaulets had gained more stars over the years, and he had gained an even more imposing aura than when he was young.

Time has etched fine lines around his eyes, but it has only made his calm and reserved demeanor more captivating.

He didn't need to say a word; a single glance was enough to make her heart tremble.

Nan Zhiyi was mesmerized, her almond-shaped eyes, always filled with a smile, reflecting only the moon and his shadow.

Seeing his wife like this, Gu Xiao's Adam's apple bobbed slightly, and a secret sense of pride welled up inside him.

He leaned forward, wrapped his arm around the person, and pulled them onto his lap.

"Looks like... I'll have to get my wife to comfort this 'poor little thing' tonight."

Nan Zhiyi wrapped her arms around his neck and whispered, "Gu Xiao, the moonlight is beautiful tonight."

Gu Xiao paused for a moment, then chuckled softly, his warm palm caressing the back of her neck, his thumb gently stroking her delicate skin.

He whispered in her ear, "Even the wind is gentle."