Chapter 44 Eating Meat

Sister-in-law Wang helped kill the chicken, saying, "It's the best for replenishing blood and energy. Your Commander Gu will be extremely well-rested after drinking this!"

Thinking of the scar on Gu Xiao's ribs, Nan Zhiyi added a few more dates to the soup.

She tended to the bubbling earthenware pot, stirring it occasionally.

My gaze involuntarily drifted to the yard, where the sun shone brightly outside the window, and the tips of the chili seedlings were wilting.

How about some cucumber salad for lunch? Or some scrambled eggs?

The division's operations room was filled with the stale smell of tobacco from the previous night.

Commander Li stubbed out his cigarette and pushed Gu Xiao's report back onto the edge of the table: "Have those rats in Yunnan finally been wiped out?"

"Seven people were killed and two radios were seized." Gu Xiao stood ramrod straight. "The remaining members have been handed over to the border defense regiment."

...

The instructor tapped the interrogation record on the table with his knuckles: "I'll give you five days off."

She lifted his eyelids to look at him again, "How's your injury?"

"External injury".

"Bullshit! If the shrapnel had been two inches off, it would have hit your lung!" The division commander waved his hand. "Go back and be with your wife. Even after the bandages are removed, you still have to watch what you eat. Don't take advantage of your youth to overeat."

The midday sun was scorching.

As Gu Xiao stepped into the courtyard, he unbuttoned the two brass buttons on his collar, revealing a new scar on his ribs that tingled faintly under his sweat-dampened shirt.

He immediately spotted the light blue figure peeking through the kitchen window screen.

His throat tightened.

When she turned her head, she saw Gu Xiao leaning against the kitchen door frame, looking at her.

She smiled at him, "Fifth Brother."

He didn't speak, his gaze focused and slow, as if he were peeling away layers of something with his eyes.

Nan Zhiyi felt a chill run down her spine from his gaze, and her heart inexplicably quickened. She quickly scooped up a spoonful of soup to cover it up, saying, "Fifth Brother, I made you some soup..."

Gu Xiao then moved, taking a few steps to the stove: "Yes, the division commander gave us five days off."

"Really?" Nan Zhiyi's eyes lit up. Five days! That meant he didn't have to return to the team immediately.

The joy overcame the discomfort of being stared at by him, and she held the soup spoon to his lips, "Try it quickly, I've been stewing it all morning."

Gu Xiao lowered his head and took a small sip from Nan Zhiyi's hand.

His Adam's apple bobbed, but his gaze remained fixed on her.

"It tastes just right."

Lunch was quite substantial.

Chicken soup, cucumber salad, stir-fried eggs with chili peppers, stir-fried green vegetables.

"Fifth Brother, try my cooking."

Gu Xiao took a few bites and praised, "Very good."

Nan Zhiyi smiled proudly: "I've improved a lot, haven't I!"

She got up and served Gu Xiao a large bowl of chicken soup, and ladled a small bowl for herself as well.

Having not eaten meat for more than half a year, the aroma of chicken soup was especially tempting at this moment.

She was so focused on eating that she didn't notice Gu Xiao's gaze suddenly turn deep and sharp as he stared intently at her chewing.

Nan Zhiyi looked up and met his gaze. "What's wrong?"

"You..." Gu Xiao began, his voice even hoarser than before, "You ate meat?"

Nan Zhiyi paused for a moment, then understood. Her face flushed slightly, and she nodded, "Mm..."

She lowered her head again and sipped her soup slowly.

Gu Xiao didn't say anything more, but just held the bowl and watched her drink the soup with a deep gaze.

He drank very slowly, savoring each sip as if he were tasting it.

Wait until he finishes drinking.

He reached out his finger and gently brushed it against the corner of her rosy lips.

"The soup is very good. There's meat in it."

Nan Zhiyi felt that Gu Xiao's gaze towards her had deepened, carrying a burning scrutiny that made her heart skip a beat, yet she dared not delve into it further.

After lunch, Gu Xiao got up to clear the dishes.

"Fifth Brother, let me handle this," Nan Zhiyi hurriedly stopped him, "Your injuries haven't fully healed yet, you should rest more."

"It's nothing." Gu Xiao turned away from her hand. "It's nothing, it's just a small thing. You rest."

Nan Zhiyi knew she couldn't persuade him otherwise, so she could only watch him busy himself.

He not only washed the dishes, but also swept the main room and kitchen thoroughly, leaving no corner untouched.

He even found a hammer and nails and reinforced the slightly loose wooden door frame in the kitchen.

As the heat subsided slightly in the evening, Gu Xiao went to the edge of the vegetable garden to water the plants.

His gaze swept over the neat vegetable plots and vibrant flowers and plants, finally settling on Nan Zhiyi. There was admiration, pride, and even more heartache in his eyes.

After a long pause, he finally spoke: "It's very well taken care of. You've made this place feel like home..."

He never expected that this pampered young lady, who had never lifted a finger before, could now live such a well-off life in this small space.

It was him who failed to take good care of her.

Gu Xiao went to the cafeteria to get dinner.

He just didn't want her to get involved in cooking fumes, and he didn't want her to be bothered by these trivial matters anymore.

She can be tired in other areas, but she absolutely cannot be tired from these mundane chores.

When he returned with two enamel rice bowls, Nan Zhiyi had already set out the bowls and chopsticks.

"Wow, braised ribbonfish and stir-fried shredded potatoes." She was very supportive, not wanting her fifth brother to think she was a picky eater.

Gu Xiao ruffled her hair and pulled her to sit down.

Night had fallen, but the summer heat had not yet dissipated.

Nan Zhiyi took a shower, changed into an old cotton nightgown, and walked into the bedroom with her wet hair down.

Gu Xiao put down the documents and helped her dry her hair, casually saying, "The wound is in an awkward position, and I can't exert any strength on my own. Could you help me rub my back later?"

Nan Zhiyi's face flushed. She wanted to refuse, but when she thought of his injury, the words of refusal stuck in her throat.

"good…"

bathroom.

She soaked a towel in cold water and gently wiped the back of his neck, which caused his muscles to tense up instantly, making his lines even more taut.

Nan Zhiyi's gaze darted around, but she dared not look at his body.

He rubbed her from the back of his neck down his back; his skin was burning hot, and even with cold water, the heat continued to transfer to her fingertips.

As her fingertips brushed against his side, she felt his body shudder.

A certain place is bulging and rising in a way that cannot be ignored.

Nan Zhiyi reacted as if she had been burned by fire, abruptly shoving the towel into his hand:

"Your back is all wiped! The rest... you can do it yourself!"

Before the words were even finished, the person had already fled back to the bedroom.

Nan Zhiyi first turned on the floor fan in the corner.

Knowing that Gu Xiao was afraid of the heat, she gritted her teeth and spent 160 yuan a couple of days ago to ask a young soldier from the logistics department to bring it back from the supply and marketing cooperative in the city.

He pounced back onto the bed, pulled the thin blanket over her from head to toe, and covered her completely.

My face was burning hot, and my heart was pounding so hard it felt like it was going to burst out of my chest.

Was she afraid? It seemed a little.

But more than anything, there was shyness and a strange, fluttering feeling.

Not long after, Gu Xiao pulled her out of her "cocoon".

"What are you hiding from?" He was only wearing trousers, and water droplets dripped down his neat hair, sliding down his chest and abdominal muscles.

"I'm injured, what can I do to you?" He gently stroked her burning cheek.