Chapter 471 Brainwashing

As the group left the courtyard and prepared to get into the car, Gu Zhao deliberately leaned close to Nan Zhiyi to show his loyalty: "Mom, I'm such a good girl, aren't I?"

Nan Zhiyi gently rubbed his cheeks and kissed each one tenderly: "Yes, my son is the most well-behaved and sensible person in the world."

Gu Zhao, who received a sweet kiss and approval from her mother, was radiant with happiness.

He looked triumphantly at Gu Xiao, who was opening the car door. Sure enough, Mom likes me the most.

Gu Xiao looked at his son with amusement. Had this little guy been brainwashed by Gu Yan?

He picked up his son and put him in the back seat of the car, where he sat with his grandfather.

The little guy rolled down the car window and waved vigorously at Nan Zhiyi, "Mom! Wait for me at home! I'll bring you something delicious!"

Gu Yan, who was sitting in the passenger seat, also rolled down the window: "Sister-in-law, it's cold outside, come inside quickly."

Nan Zhiyi nodded: "Okay, be careful on the road."

She looked at Gu Xiao in the driver's seat and whispered, "Drive slowly."

After watching the car leave, Nan Zhiyi turned around and went back into the house.

Several families went out to pay New Year's visits, leaving only her, her eldest brother Gu Weiguo's family, and Wu Ma and He Jie who were helping out at home.

Before long, guests began to come to pay their respects and wish us a Happy New Year.

Most of them were children of Commander Gu's former subordinates, local acquaintances, and some unfamiliar faces who came after hearing the news.

Gu Weiguo received them in the front hall, and Nan Zhiyi also had to make an appearance, exchanging a few pleasantries and serving tea and snacks.

They exchanged nothing more than New Year's greetings, and mostly inquired about Commander Gu's health and Gu Xiao's recent situation, interspersed with some cautious inquiries about the situation in the capital or subtle compliments.

Nan Zhiyi responded appropriately, neither being overly enthusiastic nor lacking in manners.

After dealing with two groups of guests, she found a moment to go to the kitchen and greet Li Xiuqin: "Sister-in-law, thank you for taking care of things here. I have something to do upstairs."

Li Xiuqin nodded: "Go ahead and do your thing, I'll take care of things here."

Nan Zhiyi breathed a sigh of relief and turned to go upstairs.

Throughout the day, aside from necessary entertaining guests, Nan Zhiyi stayed in her bedroom painting the portrait she had promised Gu Yan.

She didn't paint Gu Yan as he is now, but rather depicted him from memory when he was in his early twenties.

The young man in the painting stands in front of his bedroom window, with sunlight streaming unreservedly onto his shoulders.

He tilted his head slightly, a smug smile playing on his lips, his eyes revealing an untamed arrogance.

Nan Zhiyi painted with great focus, her brushstrokes light and quick, her colors bright, attempting to depict the youthful spirit that had long since vanished.

Before Gu Xiao and Gu Zhao returned, she finally finished the last stroke.

After examining it carefully for a moment, I was fairly satisfied.

Just as I put the paintbrush into the bucket, I could faintly hear Gu Zhao's excited voice coming from downstairs.

Nan Zhiyi quickly sped up her work to clean up the mess.

Palettes, brushes, and paints were quickly put away in the paint box, old newspapers splattered with paint were crumpled up and thrown away, and the scattered paint on the table was carefully wiped clean with a rag.

By the time she moved the finished painting to a well-ventilated area, Gu Zhao had already run into the bedroom.

"Mom! Look!"

As soon as the little guy entered the door, he couldn't wait to tear open the pocket on his cotton-padded jacket and show it to his mother. His pocket was stuffed with several red envelopes, some thin and some thick, a bright red stack.

Nan Zhiyi glanced at them, then smiled and asked, "Comrade Gu Zhao has had quite a haul! Do you want to keep these red envelopes yourself, or give them to your mother to keep for you?"

Gu Zhao clutched the pocket tightly and said without hesitation, "I'll keep it myself!"

He turned and ran to the corner of the room, found his own small travel bag, unzipped the inner layer, stuffed the red envelopes in one by one, patted them to make sure they were hidden, and then zipped the bag back up.

Nan Zhiyi let him do as he pleased and did not interfere.

She picked up the rag she had used to wipe the table, went into the bathroom, scrubbed it clean, and then carefully washed her hands with soap.

When she came out wiping her hands, she saw Gu Zhao take out another red envelope and hold it in his hand.

Seeing her come out, Gu Zhao took the initiative to explain, "Mom, I want to use the money in this red envelope to buy a gift for my uncle! To wish him a happy childhood!" His little face was full of seriousness.

Nan Zhiyi was a little surprised and walked over to pat his head: "Oh? You also know that you should give your uncle a gift?"

"I know! Grandpa said it in the car today. He said he's preparing some things for Uncle to celebrate him starting a family and becoming an adult."

Gu Zhao was a little confused. He thought that growing taller meant becoming an adult, so why was his uncle only growing up now? He secretly asked his father and uncle this question during the day, but did not get a clear answer.

Dad said to let him figure it out himself... Gu Zhao still hasn't figured it out.

When Nan Zhiyi heard Gu Zhao say this, she asked curiously, "Oh? Did Grandpa say what specific gift he prepared?"

"No. But... after hearing that, my uncle didn't seem very happy. He said he had everything and didn't need that little bit of money. Grandpa even glared at him at the time."

Nan Zhiyi couldn't help but laugh when she heard this; it really did sound like something Gu Yan would say.

The old man meant well, but that kid Gu Yan might not appreciate it.

"Okay, Mom knows." She replied softly, her gaze falling on the red envelope in her son's hand. "Have you decided what gift to buy for your uncle?"

Gu Zhao shook her head honestly: "I haven't thought about it yet. Mom, can you take me shopping tomorrow? I want to pick out a gift for Uncle! But I haven't decided what to buy..."

Nan Zhiyi and Gu Xiao hadn't considered having Gu Zhao prepare a separate gift for Gu Yan, as the child was still young.

But since her son was so proactive in offering his heartfelt wishes, she naturally had to support him unconditionally.

She readily agreed: "Okay. Tomorrow, Mom will take you shopping, and we'll pick out a gift that Uncle likes together. We'll use Comrade Gu Zhao's own money."

Gu Zhao nodded vigorously and stuffed the red envelope he was about to use under his pillow.

Then she said to her mother, "Mom, this is a secret between the two of us! Don't tell Dad, and don't tell Uncle either. I want to give Uncle a surprise!"

Nan Zhiyi cooperated by raising her hand and promising, "Okay, Mom promises, this is our secret, we won't tell anyone."

So, for the rest of the night, little Gu Zhao was acting all mysterious.

He no longer clung to Gu Yan asking questions, nor did he watch cartoons on TV with his older siblings as usual. Instead, he followed closely behind his mother, as if confirming the strength of their alliance.

Gu Xiao and Gu Yan both noticed the little guy's unusual behavior. The two men exchanged a knowing glance, neither of them daring to expose the little guy's seemingly flawless disguise.

I waited until Gu Zhao fell asleep that night.

Gu Xiao leaned close to Nan Zhiyi's ear and asked, "What's wrong with your son tonight? He's been following you around like a little scout, and he keeps giving me those 'I have a secret' looks."

Nan Zhiyi suppressed a laugh, closed her eyes and pretended to be asleep, "Hmm... I don't know. Kids change every day."

Gu Xiao didn't believe her at all, and gently scratched her waist with his fingers: "You're not telling me the truth? Hmm?"

Nan Zhiyi was ticklish and snuggled closer to him, still unwilling to "betray" her son, only saying, "He asked me to keep the secret. As a mother, I must keep my word."

Gu Xiao didn't press the matter further. He had only asked casually and didn't really want to find out what his son was thinking.

"Okay, my darling wife, go to sleep."

Nan Zhiyi, as usual, slipped her hands inside his clothes and played with them before slowly falling asleep.