Chapter 480 Jade

Nan Zhiyi took off her scarf, hung up her coat, turned around and followed Gu Xiao, walking side by side to the center of the living room.

She first explained gently to Commander Gu and his brothers and sisters-in-law, "I didn't have anything to do this afternoon, and since I hadn't seen Aunt Feng in a long time, I took Gu Zhao over to sit for a while."

Finally, his gaze fell on the newlyweds, and he smiled: "Now you're officially a family."

Chen Anna had already removed her heavy makeup and changed into a casual maroon sweater dress. Her face showed the shyness of a newlywed: "Sister-in-law."

As she spoke, she unconsciously leaned slightly closer to Gu Yan beside her.

Nan Zhiyi smiled and nodded, her gaze sweeping over Gu Yan.

Gu Yan's face showed signs of alcohol and fatigue. When he received Nan Zhiyi's gaze, he tugged at the corner of his mouth and said, "Don't give me any polite words. My throat is sore from talking."

Nan Zhiyi chuckled and then started chatting with Wang Juan and Anna.

Not long after, Zhang Xiufen came out of the kitchen carrying a steaming pot of stew. "Dinner is ready."

Everyone then got up one after another, washed their hands, and set out the tableware.

Since we had just had a lavish banquet at noon, the dinner menu consisted mainly of light, home-style dishes in moderate portions.

Nan Zhiyi and Gu Zhao ate a small bowl of wontons in the afternoon and were not very hungry.

While washing her hands, Nan Zhiyi specifically instructed her son: "When you eat later, try to eat more vegetables and rice, otherwise if you get hungry before going to bed, Mom won't have anything to eat for you."

Gu Zhao rubbed soap bubbles in her hands and protested softly, "I know, Mom. You always treat me like a little baby."

Nan Zhiyi smiled and pinched his little nose. "But no matter how old you get, in Mommy's heart, you will always be Mommy's little baby."

Gu Zhao deliberately pouted, but her eyebrows shot up, clearly liking what her mother said.

Although she had reminded her son, Nan Zhiyi herself had little appetite at dinner.

Perhaps it was because the conversation with Aunt Feng in the afternoon had stirred up memories of my parents, leaving me feeling melancholy.

She barely managed to pick up a few pieces of green vegetables and ate them slowly.

Gu Xiao felt that something was off about his wife all day. She was still gentle and polite on the surface and answered as usual, but he could always detect a well-hidden sadness in her subtle eyes.

He held her hand under the long table, his knees gently touching hers.

Nan Zhiyi glanced at his profile, then gently traced her fingertips across his knee twice, as if caressing it or writing, to indicate that she was alright.

Gu Xiao didn't let go, but instead gripped her hand even tighter.

The Gu family's mahogany dining table was spacious enough to comfortably seat thirteen adults, with the children sitting at a separate small table.

Commander Gu sat in the main seat, looking at his sons, daughters-in-law, sons-in-law, and grandchildren chattering around him.

His brow relaxed, revealing a kind and content expression.

After dinner, Commander Gu did not tell everyone to leave. Instead, everyone gathered in the living room to drink tea, chat, and digest their food.

Commander Gu took a few sips of tea and said to Gu Yan, "Xiao Liu, go to my room and bring me that little red velvet box on the table."

Gu Yan got up as instructed and quickly retrieved a palm-sized red velvet jewelry box from her father's bedroom.

Commander Gu took it, but didn't open it; instead, he handed it directly to Chen Anna.

"Anna, this is for you."

Commander Gu's voice was slower and more solemn than usual: "These are some things left behind by Gu Yan's mother. A pair of bracelets, the quality is decent. One was given to Zhiyi a few years ago. This one is for you today."

Chen Anna took the slightly worn-out little box with both hands and looked at Gu Yan.

Gu Yan nodded to her.

She then carefully opened the box. Under the light, the jade's color was warm and translucent, like a pool of still blue water; it was indeed a fine piece.

Commander Gu looked at the bracelet with a distant gaze and said slowly, "It's nothing much, just a keepsake. Gu Yan's mother passed away early and didn't get to see you get married. I'm giving it to you today so that you'll remember that once you enter the Gu family, husband and wife are the closest of kin. You must support and understand each other, live a good life, and raise your children well. Only with a harmonious family can everything prosper."

Gu Yan straightened up a bit: "Dad, don't worry. I will."

Chen Anna's voice trembled slightly: "Thank you, Dad! I...I will definitely cherish this and live a good life with Gu Yan."

The other brothers and sisters-in-law also smiled and said a few auspicious words such as "Anna looks really good in it" and "Wishing the young couple a happy and harmonious life together."

Li Xiuqin smiled warmly, Wang Juan spoke enthusiastically, and Gu Min also smiled and echoed her.

Zhang Xiufen sat in the shadows a little further away, her face expressionless, just looking at the bracelet before quickly lowering her eyes.

Not long after, Gu Yan returned to the room and brought down several paper bags with the gold-stamped logo of the Southern Department Store.

Chen Anna carefully put away the red velvet box, her voice clear and crisp: "Dad, brother and sister-in-law, sister and brother-in-law, today's visit is a small token of our appreciation from Gu Yan and me, and it's also what my parents told us to do to show our respect."

Anna Chen took out a long, dark purple velvet box and presented it to Commander Gu with both hands: "Dad, this is an old mine jadeite cigarette holder, with some sandalwood from Southeast Asia. Please enjoy it."

Under the light, the jade cigarette holder was a lustrous green, with excellent translucency, fine wood grain, and a subtle fragrance.

Commander Gu took it. "Yes, thank you for taking the trouble out of your parents."

Next, she prepared the exact same gift boxes for Gu Weiguo and his wife, Gu Weimin and his wife, Gu Jianjun and his wife, Gu Min and his wife, and Gu Xiao and his wife: a pair of intricately carved dragon and phoenix gold bracelets and a gold ring inlaid with rubies.

Gifts for children are differentiated according to age.

Gu Zhao, Nannan, and other young children each received a pure gold longevity lock pendant engraved with "Good Fortune and Prosperity".

The older children, including Gu Yong, Gu Gang, and the twin sisters, received a reasonably priced watch.

Children may not understand the value, but adults all understand the significance of this gift.

The brothers and sisters-in-law all expressed their gratitude and offered return gifts, mostly practical clothing, bedding, or blankets, mainly expressing their goodwill.

Nan Zhiyi and Gu Xiao had already given their gifts before, so she just looked at them with a smile.

The exchange of gifts concluded with polite thanks.

Commander Gu stroked the jade cigarette holder, his expression solemn yet revealing a hint of weariness. He waved his hand and said, "Alright, I appreciate the sentiment and have said my piece. Everyone, disperse and get some rest."

The women urged the children to go back to their rooms.

Gu Xiao squeezed Nan Zhiyi's fingertips, and as usual followed his elder brother to serve Commander Gu back to his room to rest.