Chapter 462 Lukewarm

As evening approached, the jeep finally drove into the Jian'an Military Region compound.

Nan Zhiyi gazed at the familiar yet slightly altered scenery outside the window and let out a soft sigh of relief.

Gu Zhao, who had been listless in the back seat, perked up. "Mom, we're here?!"

“Hmm,” Nan Zhiyi patted the back of his head, “You’ll be able to see Grandpa and Uncle soon.”

Gu Zhao leaned over the car window, and as soon as the car came to a stop in front of the Gu family's small building, he was the first to jump out.

Almost simultaneously, Gu Yan came out to greet them, wearing only a gray sweater. He seemed a bit thinner than the last time I saw him.

"Uncle!!" Gu Zhao rushed over and buried her face in Gu Yan's arms. "I missed you so, so, so much!"

Gu Yan laughed and picked him up, even lifting him up a little: "Xue, you're heavy! Your uncle missed you too. I brought you some nice things. They're in your parents' room. Go see them later."

Gu Zhao immediately hugged his neck tightly, "Okay!"

Nan Zhiyi got out of the car and saw that Gu Yan was dressed so thinly. She couldn't help but say, "You're dressed so lightly. Quickly take Zhaozhao inside. Don't let her stand in the wind."

Gu Xiao, who was standing by the trunk, didn't say anything, but glanced at his younger brother, his disapproval in his eyes was obvious.

Gu Yan smiled and put Gu Zhao down: "Okay, I'll listen to my sister-in-law." He turned around and helped take a travel bag out of the trunk. "I'll take some things with me, let's go in together."

"I'll help too!" Gu Zhao followed suit, wanting to go and move things.

Hearing the commotion, the people inside came out to greet them.

The eldest brother, Gu Weiguo, and his wife, Li Xiuqin, the fourth brother, Gu Weimin, and his wife, Wang Juan, along with Gu Yong and Gu Meng, all walked out of the courtyard.

Gu Weiguo's voice boomed: "We've finally arrived! Come on, let's move the stuff."

Nan Zhiyi gently nudged Gu Zhao: "Gu Zhao, come inside with your uncle first."

Gu Zhao understood and pulled Gu Yan's hand to go inside. Gu Yan was pulled into the house as well.

Nan Zhiyi and Gu Xiao stayed at the door, exchanging a few brief pleasantries with their brother and sister-in-law. Many hands make light work, and all the luggage and gifts, big and small, were carried inside in one trip.

In the living room, Commander Gu sat on the sofa. Nannan, his third sister's twin daughters and youngest son, and his second brother's slightly reserved Gu Gang and Gu Qiang were all staring at the lively program on TV.

Gu Zhao was already standing in front of his grandfather, earnestly telling him about his travel experiences. Gu Yansong leaned back loosely on the sofa, a smile playing on his lips, watching the old man and the young boy.

Nan Zhiyi and Gu Xiao walked to the sofa: "Dad, we're back."

Commander Gu said repeatedly, "Good, good, you must have had a long journey."

Nan Zhiyi and Gu Xiao exchanged a few more pleasantries with their brothers and sisters-in-law.

Zhang Xiufen in the kitchen and Gu Jianjun in the bedroom listened to the commotion for a while before finally coming to the living room.

The second son and his wife smirked, "Fifth brother, fifth sister-in-law."

Nan Zhiyi and Gu Xiao politely replied, "Second Brother and Second Sister-in-law."

After a perfunctory exchange of pleasantries, Nan Zhiyi and Gu Xiao took out the gifts they had brought back and distributed them. Gu Zhao also actively helped, handing out the gifts for the older brothers, sisters, and younger brothers.

"This is just a small token of my appreciation, brothers and sisters-in-law, please don't find it offensive."

Gu Xiao then took out the red envelopes he had prepared beforehand and gave each of the children present a New Year's gift.

The living room was filled with the sounds of children unwrapping their gifts and expressing their gratitude, along with the adults' chatter and laughter. The sound of the television program became the background noise.

Nan Zhiyi seized an opportunity and turned to go into the kitchen.

Aunt Wu and her helper, Sister He, were busy at the stove, surrounded by steam and a fragrant aroma.

Nan Zhiyi moved closer to Aunt Wu and said, "Aunt Wu, I brought you something. I'll bring it to you before you leave work."

Aunt Wu smiled kindly: "You always think of me."

"I thought it was only right for you to do this?" Nan Zhiyi's eyes curved into a smile, and she turned to Sister He beside her. "Sister He, I also brought you a little something."

Sister He was somewhat flattered. "Thank you, Fifth Madam. You're too kind."

Nan Zhiyi looked around: "Is there anything I can help with? Please tell me, Aunt Wu."

Wu Ma then looked up and gently nudged her with the back of her wet hand: "Go and rest, everything is almost ready, you don't need to do this."

As he spoke, he picked up two pieces of sliced, translucent pork skin jelly from the plate next to him and stuffed them into her hand, saying, "Here, have a taste."

Nan Zhiyi couldn't refuse, so she had to take it. She ate it in small bites while looking around the kitchen. It was indeed well-organized, so she didn't make any more trouble.

Back in the living room, there was laughter and chatter around the sofa and dining table.

Gu Xiao and Gu Yan stood by the window near the balcony, talking in hushed tones. Their expressions were calm and their posture relaxed.

Nan Zhiyi didn't disturb them. She picked up her luggage and prepared to go upstairs to put it away.

Li Xiuqin and Wang Juan saw this and came over to help.

Nan Zhiyi did not refuse.

As she passed through the living room, she noticed her second sister-in-law, Zhang Xiufen, sitting on a single sofa, looking at the three of them with a blank expression and a somewhat empty gaze.

Nan Zhiyi nodded to her, and Zhang Xiufen also nodded slightly before lowering her eyes.

The three sisters-in-law went upstairs and returned to Gu Xiao's room. The room had been cleaned in advance and was spotless; the bedding on both the large and small beds had been newly changed.

After putting down their luggage, Li Xiuqin and Wang Juan did not leave immediately.

Wang Juan, with her straightforward personality, said directly, "See that guy downstairs? He acts like his whole family owes them something, always wearing a long face. It's the New Year, and just looking at him makes me feel sullen."

Nan Zhiyi could imagine that, given the personalities of her second brother, Gu Jianjun, and second sister-in-law, Zhang Xiufen, after experiencing what had happened in previous years, their return now must have been filled with mixed feelings, making it difficult for them to show any joy. Silence and a heavy atmosphere were almost inevitable.

Li Xiuqin tugged at Wang Juan's sleeve, "It's the New Year, let's not talk about this. They...it's not easy for them either. We're all family, don't be so petty, okay?"

Wang Juan curled her lip in disapproval, even rolling her eyes in a rather unladylike manner: "They really treat themselves like family, the kind of 'family' where you don't have to pay back the money they owe!"

Her chest rose and fell slightly.

Her husband, Gu Weimin, has never mentioned the money he lent to their second son. Later, seeing their difficulties, he sent money a few more times, but it just disappeared again. Every time she asks Gu Weimin, he hesitates and doesn't dare to answer.

Wang Juan felt a pang of heartache every time she thought about it. She pressed her hand to her chest, her face pale. "They've all been transferred back, jobs have been arranged, and they've moved into houses, but this debt... humph."

Li Xiuqin sighed and patted Wang Juan on the back. She and Gu Weiguo had argued several times about borrowing money.

However, the financial accounts between the brothers, mixed with past grievances and their current situation, have become a tangled mess that is difficult to unravel.

Nan Zhiyi could not say much about this and could only listen.