Chapter 448 Gifts

With the gifts prepared, the end of the year drew ever closer.

Nan Zhiyi began to carefully prepare New Year's gifts. She spread out her notebook in the study and wrote down names page by page: Commander Gu, eldest brother and sister-in-law, second brother and sister-in-law, third sister and brother-in-law, fourth brother and sister-in-law, Gu Yan and Chen Anna, Aunt Feng and Uncle Zhang, Aunt Wu... Each name was followed by a list of alternative gifts. She made many revisions and corrections with her pen, and carefully considered each one.

…Her pen paused after the name “Gu Xiao”, and she chewed on the pen for a long time before finally drawing a small heart.

When Gu Xiao returned, she was frowning at the list.

"Fifth Brother, take a look and see if there's anything that's not quite right?"

"I trust my darling wife to handle things perfectly." He wrapped his arms around her from behind, resting his chin on her shoulder. "Why write it down in such detail?"

"I'm always afraid I haven't considered everything." Nan Zhiyi leaned into his arms and sighed, "Forget it, let's leave it at that. Whether everyone likes it or not, it's all from our family's heart."

“That’s exactly right. Just do your best.” Gu Xiao turned around and picked his wife up from the chair, the two of them very close together.

Nan Zhiyi liked the clingy hug and took the initiative to hook her arms around his neck, looking at the framed watercolor painting next to the bookshelf: "Fifth Brother, you haven't properly praised the painting I made of you yet."

Gu Xiao raised an eyebrow: "Didn't you always complain that I praised you with my eyes closed?"

“This is different. This is the first time I’ve drawn you properly.”

Nan Zhiyi pushed him towards the bookshelf. He examined the painting, his gaze shifting from the folds of the military uniform to the eyebrows and eyes, before answering seriously, "The form is accurate, and the spirit is especially good. The use of gray and green tones is skillful..."

Before he could finish speaking, Nan Zhiyi blushed and pinched his lips.

"Never mind, I'm more embarrassed by your praise than by your criticism."

Gu Xiao chuckled softly, took her hand, and pressed it against his cheek.

The night was deep outside the window, and the occasional sound of firecrackers could be heard in the distance. The study became quiet.

"Are you still busy these next few days?"

"Hmm, I need to finish up some work before my vacation. Are you going shopping? Should I have Xiao Liu drive you?"

"No need to trouble yourself." Nan Zhiyi shook her head. "Sister Zhang and I will take a taxi with our son. We'll treat them to a meal at a restaurant for lunch. Humph, we're not taking you!"

Gu Xiao pulled her closer to him and said wistfully, "Yeah, it's been a long time since I've gone shopping with you."

Nan Zhiyi felt embarrassed and cupped his cheeks to coax him, "Fifth Brother, don't we see each other every day?... When we have a holiday, you have to spend 24 hours a day with me."

“Okay,” he replied solemnly.

The next day, light snow began to fall again. Nan Zhiyi and Sister Zhang each led Gu Zhao by the hand and walked out of the courtyard.

A gray-blue jeep turned from the direction of the General's Building. The window rolled down, and Zhou Anping leaned out halfway: "Zhiyi! Where to?"

"Anping, Qingshan".

Nan Zhiyi tightened her grip on Gu Zhao's hand. "We've got nothing else to do, so we're taking Xiaoman for a stroll and buying some things. What are you two doing here?"

Meng Qingshan had already gotten out of the car and opened the back door: "It's on the way, get in." He then waved to Gu Zhao, "Xiaoman, come on, sit with Lele."

Nan Zhiyi couldn't refuse, so she took Gu Zhao to the back seat. Sister Zhang sat in the passenger seat.

The back seat of the jeep was fairly spacious. Lele, a boy with delicate features and an exceptionally quiet demeanor, nestled next to Zhou Anping.

Gu Zhao sat down next to Nan Zhiyi and asked softly, "Mom, is that Lele, my little brother?"

“Yes.” Nan Zhiyi gently nudged his shoulder. “Call someone.”

"Hello, little brother Lele." Gu Zhao's voice was clear and bright.

Under Zhou Anping's encouraging gaze, Lele timidly waved her little hand and said, "Hello, Brother Xiaoman."

Zhou Anping sighed and ruffled his son's hair. "This child is too introverted." He turned to Nan Zhiyi and asked, "Where are you going? Friendship Store or the department store?"

"Department store. It's almost Chinese New Year, and we all have to go back to Jian'an. We can buy some gifts for our families."

“Let’s do it together then,” Zhou Anping said naturally. “I was just wondering what to buy for the Meng family’s nephews and nieces, and also for those relatives in Jian’an…”

She deliberately put on a light tone, "You have a good eye, give me some advice."

Nan Zhiyi smiled and said, "Okay, let's consult each other. I'm also undecided."

Meng Qingshan, in the driver's seat, turned his head: "Anping, sister-in-law, and Gu Yan's congratulatory gift." His brother-in-law had called a while ago to specifically mention this.

Zhou Anping exclaimed "Oh!" as if suddenly realizing something, and gently tapped his temple with his finger: "Right, I almost forgot!"

She turned to Nan Zhiyi, "Zhiyi, what gift have you prepared?"

“A portrait.” Nan Zhiyi didn’t hide it. “As you all know, Gu Yan has everything he needs. I couldn’t think of anything better, so I prepared a portrait of him and Anna, and paired it with a practical gift to make a pair.”

Zhou Anping praised her, "Your thoughtfulness is more important than anything else." Then he frowned, "Oh dear, I'm still struggling with this..."

Meng Qingshan turned the steering wheel onto Chang'an Avenue and continued, "How about we call my older brother tonight? Let him look for some new gadgets in the south and bring them back to Jian'an."

"That's a good idea. I'll call my brother when I get home."

Nan Zhiyi watched the couple's back-and-forth banter, then looked down at the two children sitting in the middle of the back seat. Gu Zhao and Lele were sitting facing each other, their little hands neatly placed on their knees. Due to their age difference and the fact that they hadn't seen each other for a long time, the two children were a little reserved.

Zhou Anping followed her gaze and casually brought up the topic of children: "I didn't intend to bring Lele out today; I wanted him to stay home and play with his sister. But just before we left, he clung to my leg, his face covered in snot and tears. I had no choice but to bring this little rascal along..."

"Yes," Nan Zhiyi said, reaching out to rub the back of her son's head. "Kids all love to join in the fun. Gu Zhao was the same way when he was little. He'd follow adults as soon as they went out, and if he got tired, he'd whine and want to be carried..."

As she spoke, she gently tapped her son's nose with her fingertip, saying, "You've grown up now and become a little man."

Gu Zhao puffed out his chest and secretly glanced at Lele.

Lele was picking at his fingers with his head down when he noticed the gaze and quietly looked up. The two boys' eyes met briefly in the air before quickly looking away.

During the brief, unproductive conversation, the jeep drove to the vicinity of Wangfujing Department Store.

Red banners reading "Welcome the New Year" fluttered in the cold wind on the gray-white Soviet-style buildings.

Two young mannequins dressed in new clothes stood in the glass window, their cheeks painted with exaggerated blush.

The new clothes attracted the attention of passing women, who began to discuss their opinions.

As soon as they got out of the car, Zhou Anping naturally took Nan Zhiyi's arm.

This long-unused gesture made both of them pause, but neither of them let go.