Chapter 136 Memorial
It was dusk, and the sky was about to darken.
A slightly noisy car engine sound came from downstairs, followed by the sounds of brakes and doors closing.
Nan Zhiyi was writing a manuscript when she heard the sound. She looked at Gu Xiao, and the two exchanged a glance, both somewhat puzzled.
Soon, there was a knock on the door downstairs and the sound of Xiao Li running to open the courtyard gate. Then came Xiao Li's loud voice, filled with surprise: "Commander, Comrade Gu Yan is back!"
Gu Xiao helped Nan Zhiyi to her feet: "It's Xiao Liu."
The two went downstairs together.
Gu Yan strode into the living room, carrying many bags and packages. He immediately spotted Gu Xiao and Nan Zhiyi coming down from upstairs, as well as Commander Gu by the sofa.
"Dad! Brother! Zhiyi! I'm back!" His voice was loud and clear, with a smile on his face.
Xiao Li took the packaging boxes and paper bags from his hands.
Commander Gu lifted his eyelids from the newspaper, glanced at his youngest son a few times, and hummed in agreement: "It's good that you're back. Sit down and rest."
This rare show of concern flattered Gu Yan, who laughed exaggeratedly, "Oh my! Dad, you're actually concerned about me now? The sun must have risen in the west, haha!"
Gu Xiao helped Nan Zhiyi sit down at the other end of the sofa, and glanced at his younger brother upon hearing this: "Stop being cheeky. You're already acting so unserious as soon as you get home. Sit down."
Nan Zhiyi smiled at Gu Yan: "Gu Yan, please sit down." With that, she stood up, "You two chat, I'll go make some tea."
Aunt Wu was busy preparing dinner in the kitchen.
Gu Xiao wanted to tell her not to move, but Nan Zhiyi gently pressed his arm to indicate that it was okay, and then walked towards the kitchen.
Gu Yan plopped down on the single sofa next to Commander Gu, his gaze falling on her protruding belly.
He suppressed the complex emotions welling up inside him.
He now considers her family, his brother's wife, and the mother of his unborn nephew or niece.
"Zhiyi, you're almost a mother."
He turned to Gu Xiao, slightly reproachfully, "Brother, why didn't you... give me a heads-up beforehand? I could have brought back some new and interesting things for the kids from the south! There are so many nice things over there now, the bottles and clothes are softer than the ones here."
At this moment, Nan Zhiyi came out with a tea tray and placed the teacups in front of Gu Yan and Commander Gu.
Gu Yan quickly thanked him.
Nan Zhiyi said gently, "Thank you for thinking of me. It's still early, no rush."
Gu Yan asked Gu Xiao curiously, "Brother, is it a boy or a girl? If I know, I'll know whether to bring a dress or a little military uniform next time I come back!"
Gu Xiao picked up the cup of tea that Nan Zhiyi had given him and blew on it to cool it down: "Men and women are the same."
Gu Yan scratched his head and chuckled, "That's true, all good! They're all our family's treasures anyway."
At this moment, Commander Gu put down his newspaper, looked at his youngest son, and asked, "How many days will you stay this time? Is everything going smoothly in the south?"
His tone remained serious, but the fact that he took the initiative to ask about his youngest son's career was a huge change.
Upon hearing his father inquire about his affairs, Gu Yan straightened his back and began to speak at length: "Successfully! Dad, let me tell you, the south is a completely different world now! The policies are much more flexible. As long as you seize the opportunity and are bold, there are plenty of connections! I... although I've run into some obstacles, overall it's been alright, and I've slowly paved the way..."
He spoke with great enthusiasm, his eyes sparkling, clearly finding immense enjoyment and a sense of accomplishment in the business world, a stark contrast to the impetuous young man he was in the compound a few years ago.
Commander Gu listened quietly, nodding occasionally.
Gu Xiao also drank his tea and listened to his younger brother's story.
Gu Yan, his throat dry from talking, picked up his teacup and drank some tea.
Commander Gu suddenly spoke up: "I have to go to the capital tomorrow and won't be back for a few days."
The living room fell silent for a moment.
Gu Xiao and Gu Yan both looked at their father.
Gu Xiao asked, "Dad, are there any arrangements in Beijing?"
"Yes, there are some events I need to attend." Commander Gu didn't elaborate, but Gu Xiao and Gu Yan both understood that these must be formal events related to commemorating a deceased leader.
"Be careful on the road," Gu Xiao said.
Gu Yan also stopped joking and nodded in agreement: "Yes, Dad, be careful."
Commander Gu waved his hand: "Xiao Li and the others are here, no need to worry."
At this moment, Aunt Wu poked her head out from the kitchen and called for dinner, thus ending the conversation.
The atmosphere at the dinner table was fairly harmonious.
Gu Yan continued to recount interesting anecdotes from the South, occasionally eliciting a slight smile from Nan Zhiyi. Although Gu Xiao didn't talk much, he would occasionally ask a question or two about the details.
Commander Gu ate quickly, and after finishing, he went upstairs to his study.
After dinner, Nan Zhiyi wrote a manuscript at her desk for a while, while Gu Xiao sat on the single sofa next to her, flipping through several documents brought back from the army by the light of the desk lamp.
The room was quiet, with only the scratching of a pen on paper and the occasional soft rustling of turning the pages of a document.
Nan Zhiyi put down her pen and rubbed her slightly sore wrist: "Wu Ma and I have prepared everything we need for Qingming Festival."
Gu Xiao put down what he was holding, took her wrist, and gently massaged it, replying, "Okay. I'll go with you tomorrow."
His palm was warm, and his pressure was just right. Nan Zhiyi nodded slightly, "Okay."
The next morning, the two went downstairs for breakfast.
When Wu Ma saw them, she said, "The commander left before dawn."
Gu Xiao nodded and gestured for Nan Zhiyi to sit down: "Let's eat first, and then we'll go."
He said to Aunt Wu, "Aunt Wu, could you please wake Gu Yan up and have him drive us around in a bit?"
Wu Ma responded and went upstairs.
Before long, Gu Yan, with messy hair and sleepy eyes, was pulled down. His hair was sticking up and he looked unwilling.
"Brother, what time is it..." he muttered, walking towards the door, "I'm going to start the car."
Aunt Wu disagreed and pushed Gu Yan toward the dining table, saying, "What's the rush? Driving on an empty stomach? Eat breakfast before you leave."
Nan Zhiyi also advised, "Gu Yan, it won't make a difference if you eat something first."
Gu Yan rubbed his eyes and smiled slightly: "It's Zhiyi... oh no, Fifth Sister-in-law who cares about me, unlike Fifth Brother, who only knows how to exploit labor."
He caught a glimpse of Gu Xiao's gaze, immediately swallowed his complaints, and obediently sat down to eat his breakfast.
After quickly finishing their meal, Gu Yan started his secondhand Toyota and drove Gu Xiao and Nan Zhiyi out of the compound.
The car was a bit bumpier than a military jeep, and Gu Xiao carefully protected Nan Zhiyi's waist and abdomen the whole way.
Upon arriving at the entrance of the suburban cemetery, Nan Zhiyi said to Gu Yan, who was about to get out of the car, "Just wait in the car; it's sunny outside."
Gu Yan paused for a moment, scratched his head, and looked at Gu Xiao with a questioning look in his eyes.
Only after Gu Xiao nodded slightly did he nod in agreement: "Alright, you guys go ahead, I'll wait here."
Gu Xiao carried the tightly wrapped package, and with his other hand he held Nan Zhiyi's arm as the two slowly walked towards the cemetery.
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