Chapter 403 Invitation

The hotel for the engagement has been booked, and the manager specially reserved a private room that can accommodate three tables, saying that the seating can be adjusted at any time depending on the final number of attendees.

After breakfast, Nan Zhiyi asked Zhang Yueran to contact the relatives and friends she wanted to invite.

"I don't have anyone in particular I want to invite," Zhang Yueran said, biting the tip of her chopsticks. "My classmates from school have all gone to work in different places, and we're not really that close anyway. As for my lab colleagues, graduate students, and professors... I'll just give them some wedding candy when I get married... I hate all that superficial social niceties."

Nan Zhiyi didn't press the matter, only reminding him, "Shouldn't you at least call Anping?"

"Oh dear!" Zhang Yueran slapped her forehead, "I almost forgot about Sister Anping!"

"And Gu Yan," Nan Zhiyi continued, "even if he can't make it back, you should at least let him know."

"Exactly!" Zhang Yueran jumped up and rushed to the telephone. "I can't forget my Sixth Brother, I'm still counting on him to give me a big red envelope!"

Nan Zhiyi glanced at the wall clock: "It's only a little past eight. I wonder if Gu Yan has arrived at the office yet..."

"Let me try first!" Zhang Yueran had already pulled out the phone book on the table and quickly dialed a number.

After finishing breakfast, Gu Zhao went to the bathroom to rinse her mouth.

Zhang Jianguo followed closely behind: "Xiaoman, how about Grandpa and Grandma take you to Zhongshan Park to see the monkeys?"

Feng Xuemei chimed in, "Old Zhang's idea is great! Let's take the kids for a walk around the neighborhood and let Zhiyi and the others take care of their business."

Nan Zhiyi offered to go with them, but the elderly couple waved their hands repeatedly, saying, "You're busy with your business! We'll just wander around the neighborhood; we won't get lost."

Sister Zhang, wearing an apron, came out of the kitchen: "I was just about to buy some seasonings. I'll drop you off at the bus stop on the way. There's a new children's bookstore that just opened over there; Xiaoman will definitely love it."

Feng Xuemei excitedly rummaged through the drawer in the entryway and pulled out Gu Zhao's white sun hat, then took the two water bottles and a bag of washed apricots handed to her by Sister Zhang.

"Now everything is complete."

She laughed as she stuffed the fruit into the cloth bag, "It's like a spring outing!"

After watching the three generations of the family leave with Sister Zhang, Nan Zhiyi returned to the living room.

Zhang Yueran pouted into the phone: "No one's answering in Brother Liu's office..."

"Perhaps he hasn't arrived at his office yet?" Nan Zhiyi comforted him.

Before he could finish speaking, the phone rang suddenly.

Zhang Yueran answered the phone in a second, her eyes lighting up instantly: "Sixth Brother! I was just looking for you!"

She winked at Nan Zhiyi, "Guess what? I'm getting engaged!"

Gu Yan's hearty laughter came through the receiver, and the background sound of Cantonese with a southern accent could be faintly heard.

Zhang Yueran chattered on for a while, then suddenly covered the microphone and whispered to Nan Zhiyi, "Sixth Brother asked if we should send him back to save face..."

Nan Zhiyi answered the phone and heard Gu Yan chuckle on the other end: "Zhiyi, Yueyue's actions were quite sudden. I'm currently working on a project, so if you need anything..."

"You go about your business," Nan Zhiyi said gently. "Keep the engagement banquet simple... just two tables at the Peace Hotel..."

She briefly mentioned the engagement party, then asked him, "How have you been lately? The weather in the south is hot and humid, take care of yourself... please don't..."

After she finished speaking, Gu Yan laughed loudly on the other end of the phone: "You still don't trust me? Even if you threw me into the Sahara Desert, I could still be brothers with camels."

"You're being cheeky again." Nan Zhiyi chuckled. "Yueyue's getting married soon, and you..."

A slight knocking sound came from the receiver. Gu Yanqing cleared his throat: "Actually... I've started dating someone. I'm planning to bring her home for Dad to meet during the Mid-Autumn Festival. Can you and my brother come back?"

"We weren't planning on going back, but since you're bringing people back, we'll definitely be there."

She remembered that Gu Yan had been single since breaking up with Ruan Wenjing, and she didn't expect him to bring up a new relationship. She just didn't know what kind of girl it was.

For some reason, perhaps because of her own happy marriage, Nan Zhiyi hopes that everyone around her can live well.

Gu Yan asked about Gu Zhao on the phone. Hearing that the little guy was now obsessed with model airplanes, he enthusiastically invited, "Bring Xiaoman to Huacheng this summer vacation? My new villa has a swimming pool; I guarantee he'll never want to leave."

“Great, he’ll definitely be willing to go. I’ll ask your brother first and see what he says.”

Nan Zhiyi agreed and then handed the phone to Zhang Yueran.

Zhang Yueran answered the phone and exclaimed, "Sixth Brother! I need to pick a good holiday for my wedding, so you absolutely have to bring a big red envelope!"

Gu Yan said something witty that made her laugh so hard she almost fell over.

After hanging up the phone, Zhang Yueran went to look through her phone book again.

Nan Zhiyi pointed to Zhou Anping's office number and reminded him, "Anping should be rehearsing with the cultural troupe right now. Try calling this number."

Seeing Zhang Yueran start dialing, she turned and went upstairs.

In the study, the materials prepared by Editor-in-Chief Lin were neatly laid out on the desk. Several key points from the interview outline of "Story" magazine were circled in red pen, and the writing requirements of "Reading" magazine were marked with notes. A small note was also attached to the radio station's program schedule: "Comrade Zhiyi, you can talk more about the connection between writing and life."

It must be said that Editor-in-Chief Lin was truly thoughtful.

Nan Zhiyi picked up her pen and wrote down the answer to the first question on the manuscript paper. The pen nib paused on the words "science fiction and reality" as she pondered. Just then, the door was gently pushed open, and Zhang Yueran slipped in, holding two steaming red bean popsicles.

"Sis, eat up, while Mom's not around." She handed me one, taking a big bite of her own. "On such a hot day, I really want to eat eight of these a day."

Nan Zhiyi took the popsicle and slowly peeled off the wrapper.

Before she could ask, Zhang Yueran recounted the outcome of her phone call with Zhou Anping.

"Sister Anping said she'll definitely come, and she'll bring Comrade Meng and her two children with her."

Nan Zhiyi let out a soft "Ah," she hadn't seen Zhou Anping's family in a long time.

"You haven't met Anping's daughter yet. Her youngest daughter is almost two years old... Lele should be four years old..."

"I never imagined Anping could have two children," Zhang Yueran mumbled, chewing on an ice cube. "She's amazing."

Nan Zhiyi's expression turned serious: "Yueyue, having many children is nothing to boast about. Remember, no matter what the future holds, you must put yourself first. No matter how important your children are, they are not as important as you."

She figured Zhang Yueran was getting married, and she needed to know some of the truth about marriage.

Zhang Yueran's ears turned slightly red as she awkwardly twirled her popsicle: "Sis, isn't it a bit early to be talking about this now..."

Seeing her younger sister's shyness, Nan Zhiyi said no more, and instead instructed, "Go wipe down the bamboo mat downstairs and change Aunt Feng's sheets. She's very clean, and with the hot weather, please help her tidy up."

Zhang Yueran finished the rest of her popsicle in a few bites, puffed out her cheeks, and replied, "I'm going right now!"

Watching her younger sister skip away, Nan Zhiyi picked up her pen again.