Extra - Gu Xiao 2

As Gu Xiao grew older and his position rose through the ranks, his personal life became a significant concern for his father, Commander Gu.

Openly or secretly, my father would always mention which family's daughter was well-educated and sensible, and which old comrade's granddaughter had just come down from the cultural troupe, and that she was good-looking and had a good temperament.

Gu Xiao politely declined all of them, giving the same reason every time: "I don't have that idea for the time being, I'm too busy with work."

Sometimes his father would sigh, looking at him with a complicated expression, and eventually he would stop pressuring him.

Only Gu Xiao himself knew that behind that rejection lay an unspeakable hope.

He kept a close eye on Jian'an's movements, especially those of the Nan and Zhou families.

He knew a little about what kind of people Zhou's parents were: they admired power and status, and their feelings often had to give way to practical considerations.

As the situation grew increasingly tense, the impending storm was palpable even to him, far away in the military camp. The Nan family was already on edge; Uncle Nan and Aunt Nan were doing everything they could to keep a low profile, rarely leaving their home, and they had long since handed over their cotton mill to the public, hoping only for peace. In many people's eyes, the once wealthy family was now in decline, showing signs of decay.

If the Nan family truly suffers misfortune, given the temperament of Zhou's parents, that marriage will likely... be difficult to continue.

Gu Xiao returned to Jian'an very rarely, and occasionally he would talk to Gu Yan on the phone and hear his younger brother complaining.

"Zhengping was taken to the army by his father for training, Anping went to perform in the countryside, and Zhiyi is even less seen. She goes to work every day, and after get off work, her parents lock her at home like she's in prison... It's so boring."

Gu Xiao's heart would jump slightly on the other end of the phone, then slowly settle down.

He warned Gu Yan, "You should also stay put and stop thinking about running away. Things are getting tense lately, so don't get involved in those shady dealings. Behave yourself."

Gu Yan replied dismissively, "I know. I was just really feeling that way..."

Gu Xiao was too lazy to argue with him and hung up the phone.

My heart, however, drifted away involuntarily.

She's been locked up at home... Is it to avoid attracting attention, or has something happened?

He forced himself to focus his attention back on the battle map in front of him.

A few days later, in the evening, Gu Yan called again: "Brother! Something terrible has happened! Uncle Nan and Aunt Nan... are gone!"

The first thought that rushed into Gu Xiao's mind was, "How is she?"

How could she bear the sudden and tragic loss of her parents all by herself?

What will happen next?

Once the label of "capitalist" is firmly attached to her, she will inevitably lose her job.

In the best-case scenario, the Zhou family would remember their past relationship and lend a helping hand, perhaps saving her from being directly exiled.

Otherwise... what awaits her is likely to be being sent to the countryside, to the most remote and difficult places, and facing an even more unbearable situation.

Gu Xiao returned to Jian'an overnight and went directly to the Zhou family to find Zhou Zhengping.

In just a couple of sentences, he saw through Zhou Zhengping's panic and helplessness hidden beneath his handsome exterior. Foolish, and naive.

This is not someone who can handle things, much less someone who can protect Nan Zhiyi in the face of turbulent times.

He gave Zhou Zhengping one last look, and the weight and chill in that look made Zhou Zhengping subconsciously take a half step back.

When he got home, his father saw him with a complicated look in his eyes: "Why did you suddenly come back?"

Gu Xiao lowered his eyes: "I have something to take care of."

Commander Gu didn't press for details, silently looked at him for a moment, and waved his hand: "Go. Take care of your business."

After leaving home, Gu Xiao went straight to the cemetery on the outskirts of the city.

We arrived too late.

Two new graves have been erected side by side, the soil still fresh, the tombstones simple, with only a lonely name on them.

He stood behind a cypress tree not far away, watching Nan Zhiyi kneeling motionless in front of the grave, looking as frail as a leaf that could be blown away by the wind at any moment in the gray sky.

She didn't cry, at least Gu Xiao didn't hear her crying.

She knelt there quietly, her back straight, her head slightly lowered, her black hair disheveled by the wind, obscuring most of her face.

Gu Xiao watched from afar.

He wanted to go over, to say something, to do something, even if it was just to hand over a handkerchief.

But my feet felt like they were nailed to the ground.

Who does he think he is?

A neighbor who is away from home most of the year and whose life has almost no interaction with her?

Is he someone she respects more than she feels close to?

Is their appearance at this moment a comfort, or just another form of disturbance?

Moreover, his hidden thoughts appear even more despicable in the face of such a tragic reality.

He stood there, watching her kneel from the darkness before dawn until the sky gradually brightened, the frost and dew wetting her shoulders and hair.

She finally couldn't hold on any longer, her body swayed, she slowly stood up, holding the memorial tablet, and left step by step.

Gu Xiao watched her figure disappear before slowly exhaling, his chest feeling tight and constricted.

How did she manage to do all of this all by herself?

Contacting cemeteries, handling various procedures, facing those indifferent or inquisitive gazes... he couldn't imagine it.

That little girl I remembered as always smiling and needing to be cared for was forced to grow up overnight.

He felt helpless. He wanted to help her, but he didn't know how to approach her or how to start a conversation.

Gu Xiao left the cemetery and drove towards the east of the city.

He needs to find out the truth.

Why would someone as cautious and low-key as Uncle Nan and Aunt Nan suddenly suffer such a devastating disaster? Was someone pulling the strings behind the scenes?

He used his connections in the Jian'an Military Region and also sought out several of his father's former subordinates who still held influence in the local system. However, the responses he received were mostly vague excuses or awkward silences.

After going around the circle, Gu Xiao's heart sank inch by inch. Although he was the regimental commander, he had no jurisdiction over local affairs, especially when it came to the most sensitive issue of class composition.

The Revolutionary Committee is now at its peak, forming its own system. Even an old soldier like my father, unless absolutely necessary, is unwilling to have a direct confrontation with it.

All he could obtain through his father's influence were a few brief and vague notes.

He had no choice but to go home and try to figure out what to do next.

Nan Zhiyi also appeared downstairs, and Gu Xiao couldn't control himself and went downstairs to see her.

She saw him too.

As he approached, she called out softly, "Fifth Brother."

That look in his eyes was still familiar, filled with distant admiration, or rather, a habitual estrangement from "Fifth Brother".

Gu Xiao sighed deeply.

One of her cheeks was so pale it was almost transparent, while the other side bore a clear, red, swollen handprint.

Who hit him?

His chest ached terribly.

Nan Zhiyi gave a name that was somewhat unfamiliar.

Gu Xiao remembered the name.

He wanted to ask more questions, he wanted to say more things, but all his words seemed pale and powerless in the face of her slightly trembling eyelashes and tightly pursed, bloodless lips.

Just then, Zhou Zhengping hurried over.

Gu Xiao looked at the two of them.

Perhaps... the Zhou family will still offer her some protection? Even if it's only temporary, even if it's just for the sake of saving face.

What can my anger and heartache change right now?

He didn't say another word and left directly.

He continued to investigate the hidden circumstances surrounding his parents' deaths, while also secretly keeping an eye on Nan Zhiyi's movements.

The next day, he learned that Aunt Feng had taken Nan Zhiyi to the neighboring military camp. Aunt Feng... was Zhang Yueran's mother, and Gu Xiao almost immediately guessed the purpose of their trip.

The Zhou family is indeed unreliable.

Gu Xiao used the excuse that his father had asked him to deliver some documents to drive to the military camp.

I met her under an old sycamore tree. I also learned that she really was on a blind date.

She was like a commodity up for sale, open to any choice, just to be exchanged for a potentially safe place.

Gu Xiao loathed the Zhou family's pragmatism and cold-heartedness, and he loathed himself even more at this moment.

He claimed to have cared for her for years, but when she truly fell on hard times and needed help, he couldn't offer her any real assistance.

He couldn't even promise a stable place to stay, or a future where he wouldn't have to be scrutinized like this.

He hated this sense of powerlessness more than he hated the absurdity of the world.

He delivered the document to the old political commissar and found Zhang Jianguo, who was deep in thought.

"...My wife is determined to find me a husband this time. She has very strict requirements: he must be able to accompany her to the military, be a reliable and honest person, and preferably be able to get married immediately...Where am I supposed to find someone like that? I'm so worried."

The political commissar also looked helpless: "Old Zhang, you're...too hasty. Let's meet them first, and look for someone as we go. We'll find someone suitable eventually."

"Suitable whatsoever," Zhang Jianguo sighed. "You know my wife's temper..."

This may be the only chance.

An opportunity to legitimately bring her out of the abyss, under his wing, and from then on, to shield her from all storms.

Although this was taking advantage of her desperate situation, it was also driven by selfish motives that he himself despised.

Taking advantage of someone's misfortune is despicable.

But so what? If his despicable act could bring her safety, he would gladly accept it.

He looked at Zhang Jianguo:

"Uncle Zhang, what do you think of me?"

Zhang Jianguo was stunned at first, then overjoyed: "Commander Gu? You...you really mean it? Great! Of course it's great! You've known each other since childhood, you know each other inside and out, and you have such qualifications..."

Zhang Jianguo said a lot more after that, but Gu Xiao couldn't hear it clearly.

Did you get what you wanted?

But what welled up in my heart was not pure joy, but a deeper heartache.

Everything that followed happened faster than anyone could have imagined.

Zhang Jianguo and Aunt Feng quickly brought them together, and most importantly, Nan Zhiyi nodded in agreement.

The moonlight was beautiful, its clear glow spilling across the ground.

She stood before him, her face upturned, her clear, bright eyes gazing at him. "Fifth Brother, I do."

Gu Xiao looked at her face, bathed in the soft glow of the moonlight, and at his reflection in her eyes. His heart felt as if it were being soaked in the moonlight, both cold and swollen, a silent roar of bitterness and throbbing intertwined.

He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but found his throat choked with emotion.

He won her over.

In a way that he never expected and never wanted to see.

Regardless, from this moment on, Nan Zhiyi belongs to him.

The glimmer of starlight he dared not hope for in the long, dark night finally fell into his palm.

He will dedicate his entire life to protecting this glimmer of light, until eternity.

After getting their marriage certificate, Nan Zhiyi was as adorably honest with him as ever, even entrusting him with all her savings.

This unguarded trust is heavier and more passionate than any vow of eternal love.

An idea popped into his head uncontrollably: perhaps she wasn't entirely without feelings for him, and that she didn't choose to marry him simply because she had no other choice.

At least, there is this unreserved trust, this resolute willingness to entrust one's life and fortune.

Even if it was mixed with gratitude, dependence, or fear of the future, at least she was willing to give him everything.

There will inevitably be storms ahead, but from now on, he will be her husband, her shield, and her home.