Chapter 502 Bright and Beautiful

The restaurant is clean and bright, and offers a buffet style with a balanced mix of meat and vegetables, making it refreshing and delicious. This is more casual than a formal banquet around a large table, and it also allows friends and family to continue their conversation.

While picking up the food, Aunt Cheng Huixin stayed with Nan Zhiyi, asking her what she liked to eat, and also gave Gu Zhao a few exquisite and cute-looking snacks.

Su Chengye and Gu Xiao walked behind, talking in hushed tones.

They chose a quiet table by the window and sat down to eat.

Mr. Su briefly talked about the customs and culture of Southeast Asia and his experiences over the years. Su Chengye added some details from the side and chatted with Gu Xiao from time to time.

This casual meal took longer than I expected.

Gu Xiao went out briefly and retrieved several heavy paper bags from the car.

"Uncle, Aunt, Cousin," Nan Zhiyi said softly, "It's our first time meeting, and we didn't know what to prepare. These little things have a touch of Beijing's unique characteristics, as well as some old-fashioned flavors we brought from our hometown of Jian'an. They're a small token of our appreciation from Gu Xiao, Gu Zhao, and me. Please don't find them too offensive."

Gu Xiao added from the side, "Zhiyi has been preparing for a long time, carefully selecting each item. They are all everyday items, which her uncle and aunt can look at and use in their spare time, just as a keepsake."

"This child, even his family is being so polite."

Mr. Su remarked with emotion, "We also prepared some small gifts for you. We originally planned to bring them out when we made a special trip to your home in a couple of days."

Nan Zhiyi looked up at Mr. Su with a sincere expression: "Then I won't stand on ceremony with my uncle, aunt and cousin."

"Alright, alright, that's exactly what I wanted to tell you not to stand on ceremony with me," Mr. Su chuckled.

Su Chengye glanced at his watch and gently reminded him, "Dad, it's getting late. You've been sitting for so long, you should go back to your room and rest. Cousin Zhiyi and the others must be tired today too."

Mr. Su suddenly realized, "We lost track of time once we started chatting. Zhiyi, seeing you today has truly made your uncle... truly indescribably happy."

He looked at Gu Xiao and Gu Zhao, who was sitting obediently next to his father, with kind eyes, "Gu Xiao, Zhao Zhao, you are both good children."

Nan Zhiyi quickly stood up: "Uncle, you, Aunt, and Cousin, please go back and get some rest..."

Mr. Su continued, "We have some activities planned for tomorrow. The day after tomorrow, the afternoon of the day after tomorrow, would that be convenient for you? Your aunt, Chengye, and I would like to visit your home and see where you live. Is that alright?"

"Of course!" Nan Zhiyi quickly agreed. "We'll be waiting for you at home the day after tomorrow afternoon."

"Okay, it's settled then. Zhiyi, leave your home address and phone number with Chengye."

The two sides exchanged contact information.

Only then was Mr. Su relieved, and he affectionately patted Gu Zhao's head, saying, "Next time we meet, your great-uncle will have a gift for you."

Gu Zhao smiled, her eyes crinkling: "Thank you, Grandpa."

The family of three escorted Mr. Su and his party to the entrance of the banquet hall, watching them walk towards the hotel's guest room department, accompanied by staff and Su Chengye.

Stepping out of the hotel, the afternoon sun poured down, warm and inviting. A spring breeze carried the sweet fragrance of newly blossoming lilacs from the courtyard.

Standing at the bottom of the steps, bathed in the bright spring sunshine, Nan Zhiyi couldn't help but let out a long sigh of relief.

"Are you tired?" Gu Xiao asked in a low voice.

“A little, but I feel very fulfilled.” Nan Zhiyi met his gaze, her bright eyes shining. “It’s like… accomplishing something very important. Or like starting something new and wonderful.”

"They are all very nice people," Gu Xiao commented briefly, glancing at his son who was standing on tiptoe trying to see the bees in the flower bed: "...Gu Zhao was also very sensible today."

Gu Zhao, who had been listening intently, turned her head and puffed out her chest. "I've always been very sensible!"

Looking at her son's face, a blend of Gu Xiao's heroic spirit and a child's innocence, Nan Zhiyi's heart melted.

Yes, in this unfamiliar setting, surrounded by unfamiliar adults, and with mixed emotions, he, a little boy, remained polite and well-behaved throughout.

When Mr. Su asked him questions, he answered seriously; during meals, he was well-behaved and did not make a fuss; he always stayed close to his father and hardly left his side.

This restraint and thoughtfulness beyond her years made Nan Zhiyi very proud.

Nan Zhiyi cupped her son's face in her hands, gave him a loud kiss on the forehead, and praised him generously: "Mmm! Our Xiaoman was exceptionally good today, the best boy in the world!"

Gu Zhao was caught off guard by her mother's enthusiastic kiss, and her face turned bright red.

He twisted around a little shyly, his eyes sparkling. He first secretly glanced at his father's face, and seeing that Gu Xiao's face was not displeased, he felt relieved, grinned, revealing a row of small white teeth, and looked smug.

Gu Xiao put his arm around Nan Zhiyi's shoulder and led her towards the parking lot: "Going home?"

Nan Zhiyi took two steps following his lead, then turned back to call to her son, "Xiaoman, get in the car quickly!"

After Gu Zhao obediently climbed into the back seat, she sat in the passenger seat herself, closed the door, and said to Gu Xiao, who was about to start the car, "Let's not go home yet."

"Hmm?" Gu Xiao raised an eyebrow at her.

"I'm going to buy my son a transforming toy as a reward for how great he was today."

Gu Zhao was both surprised and delighted: "Really? Mom!"

Nan Zhiyi nodded firmly: "Of course it's true. Mom keeps her word."

Gu Zhao cheered and almost jumped up from his seat. But then he remembered his father's words that he shouldn't move around in the car. He immediately grabbed the seatbelt, fastened it himself, and started swinging his little legs around.

After his wife and children were seated, Gu Xiao shook his head helplessly. "Alright, let's go."

The family of three went to Wangfujing Department Store.

Standing in front of the toy counter, Gu Zhao's eyes were simply not enough to take it all in. In the end, he picked out a brand-new silver-gray alloy transforming robot with flexible joints that could be posed in fighting or walking positions. In the eyes of a child, it was nothing short of a treasure.

Gu Zhao insisted on carrying the heavy toy box herself, puffing out her chest proudly the whole way, looking majestic, which attracted frequent glances from other children along the way.

By the time I got back to my home in the army compound, it was already late afternoon.

The sunlight slanted in, and the warmth had not yet dissipated.

Looking at her son's flushed face, Nan Zhiyi worried that he might be tired from playing and advised, "Gu Zhao, you've been playing all day, why don't you take a nap?"

Gu Zhao shook his head vigorously: "Mom, I'm not sleepy! I want... I want to take it to play with Hu Zi and the others for a while, okay?"

Nan Zhiyi found it amusing; they were still just kids, eager to share their new treasure with their friends.

She nodded and tidied his hair: "Okay, go ahead. Remember not to go too far, just play in the yard, and be sure to come home before dark."

"Got it!" Gu Zhao replied loudly, then turned and flew out of the house.