Chapter 190 Learning to Walk
After a short while, he pointed to one or two spots: "...Based on the context, it should be faster than light."
Nan Zhiyi exclaimed, "Go away, I need to make changes."
He didn't move, but put his arm around her waist and rested his chin on her shoulder: "You write yours."
Nan Zhiyi had no choice but to continue working in this embrace.
His body heat wafted through her thin spring dress, and his breath ruffled the stray hairs around her neck.
She kept writing, but her mind was in turmoil.
Gu Xiao's hands, which were originally placed properly on her waist, began to move slowly at some point, with his palms touching her lower abdomen.
Nan Zhiyi paused, and a drop of ink fell onto the manuscript paper, spreading into a small patch of blue.
“Gu Xiao…” she protested softly.
He hummed in response, showing no sign of backing down, and pressed his lips against the sensitive spot behind her ear.
Nan Zhiyi felt a shiver run down her spine, and the pen in her hand almost slipped from her grasp.
"You let me finish writing these few pages..."
His lips traced the line of her neck, leaving a faint, almost imperceptible touch. "Keep writing," he said, his actions contradicting his words.
Nan Zhiyi wanted to say something, but all her words gradually faded away.
The sound of Sister Zhang coaxing Xiaoman came from outside the window, growing louder as she approached, indicating she was about to go upstairs.
The two of them stopped at the same time.
Gu Xiao took a deep breath and slowly released her, but the undercurrent in his eyes did not subside.
Nan Zhiyi hurriedly got up and straightened her clothes, her cheeks flushed.
The footsteps stopped outside the door, and Sister Zhang's voice came: "Sister-in-law, we're going to make dinner later, so I'm bringing Xiaoman over to you first."
Nan Zhiyi cleared her throat: "Okay, come in."
The door opened, and Xiaoman blinked her big eyes, saw her parents, and opened her little arms to hug them.
Gu Xiao took his son, lifted him up and then put him down, and Xiaoman giggled.
"I'm taking my son for a walk, you go ahead with your work."
He leaned down and kissed her cheek.
Nan Zhiyi wasn't used to being affectionate in front of the child, so she quickly pushed him away, saying, "Go on, go on."
After watching the father and son go downstairs, she sat up again and continued weaving her story.
As the handwriting gradually filled the last few blank lines on the manuscript paper, Nan Zhiyi added the final period and let out a soft sigh of relief. She placed the pen beside the ink bottle and stood up to stretch her stiff shoulders and neck.
When she went downstairs, she saw that the gate to the courtyard was open, so she walked out along the cement road.
The main road of the army compound is wide and flat, enough for two jeeps to drive side by side.
The shadows of the sycamore trees along the road were stretched very long.
Not far away, Gu Xiao was squatting by the roadside, waving to Xiao Man a few steps away.
To Nan Zhiyi's surprise, the little guy actually took a step, and although he wobbled, he walked steadily over and rushed into his father's arms.
She found it amusing; this little thing was so good at playing favorites. He would act spoiled in front of her, but he was well-behaved in front of his father.
Gu Xiao was always exceptionally patient with his son, unlike some fathers who were so stern.
He helped his son steady, then stepped back a few paces and called to his son, "Xiaoman, come here."
The sunset shone from behind him, outlining his silhouette.
He looked up and his gaze fell on her. Her light yellow cardigan made her skin appear even whiter, and her skirt swayed gently with her steps, like a petal being caressed by a spring breeze.
As she approached, Gu Xiao took her hand, their palms touching, the warmth seeping through their skin.
As soon as Xiaoman saw her mother, she stood still and refused to move.
Gu Xiao lowered his head and teased him, "Walk over here yourself."
Don't let the little guy's age fool you, he's quite clever. He just stared at Nan Zhiyi, whimpering and pouting, looking like he was about to cry.
She softened and reached out to hug him, but Gu Xiao quickly scooped his son up, saying, "You brat, you can't stand seeing me and your mother being close."
Nan Zhiyi chuckled: "You feel sorry for him too, don't you?"
Dusk was falling.
Gu Xiao held her hand with his free hand, and the three of them walked home side by side.
Xiaoman perched on her father's shoulder, curiously looking around.
A couple walked towards us.
The man was wearing a military uniform, and his shoulder insignia indicated that he was of the same rank as Gu Xiao, but slightly older.
The woman was wearing a polyester shirt and trousers, had short hair that reached her ears, and was carrying a cloth bag in her hand.
"Minister Gu, are you taking your wife and children for a walk?" the man asked first, speaking in a thick Beijing accent.
Gu Xiao nodded: "Vice Minister Li, Sister Wan, did you just get off work?"
“That’s right, the ministry has been very busy lately.” Vice Minister Li said, looking at Xiaoman, “This child is really handsome, just like her mother.”
Sister Wan chimed in, "Look how wonderful your family of three is, with such a good relationship and such a well-behaved child. My little rascal is probably causing a ruckus in the yard right now."
Nan Zhiyi smiled slightly: "It's a good thing for the child to be lively."
After exchanging a few pleasantries, the two groups passed each other.
Deputy Minister Li is also in the Operations Department, overseeing different offices. He lives in the building next to the Gu family's; his son is five years old. Sister Wan was originally a worker-peasant-soldier college student, but now she has a sinecure in the archives department.
This army compound is not like the military family quarters of the past, where neighborhood relationships are much more complicated.
The institute has several thousand people of different ranks and positions, with a complex and intertwined network of relationships.
After Nan Zhiyi and Gu Xiao's family of three moved in, she lived a secluded life, spending most of her time at home writing and taking care of her child, except for necessary interactions, and her acquaintances with her neighbors were limited to nodding acquaintances.
Gu Xiao squeezed her palm: "You don't have to force yourself to deal with these things."
"I know. Having you and the children is enough."
When the three returned to the small building, Sister Zhang had just put the last dish on the table.
The stir-fried spinach was tender and glistening, the tofu with scallions was a beautiful mix of white and green, the scrambled eggs with tomatoes were tempting with their red and yellow hues, and there was also a small pot of braised pork with potatoes.
"Sister-in-law, everything is ready."
Sister Zhang came out of the kitchen wiping her hands, her apron already untied and draped over her arm.
Nan Zhiyi smiled and said, "Thank you for your hard work, Sister Zhang. Go back now."
Sister Zhang responded. She was already used to Nan Zhiyi's easygoing nature and often let her finish cooking dinner and then leave work. Gu Xiao or Nan Zhiyi would usually wash the dishes and chopsticks for her.
Therefore, Sister Zhang is even more dedicated to her work at home during the day.
Before leaving, she reminded her again, "Xiaoman's minced meat and steamed egg is keeping warm on the stove."
Gu Xiao carried Xiaoman to the bathroom to wash her hands, and the sound of running water and children's laughter could be heard.
As Nan Zhiyi served the rice and set out Xiaoman's special wooden bowl and spoon, the father and son had already returned to the dining room.
Gu Xiao put his son in the high chair, tied on his bib, and began feeding him steamed eggs.
Nan Zhiyi picked up a piece of potato, blew on it to cool it down, and then held it to Xiaoman's lips.
"Is the manuscript finished?" Gu Xiao asked, steadily bringing the spoon to his son's lips.
"Okay, I'll send it out for Editor Lin to review tomorrow, and I need to hurry up and finish writing the rest."
Nan Zhiyi picked up a piece of tofu and said, "Do you think Editor Lin will like it? I always felt that part was written in a rushed manner."
Gu Xiao raised an eyebrow: "You said last time that the part you wrote was the easiest."
"After finishing writing it, I felt it was too idealistic." Nan Zhiyi sighed softly, "There is no such thing as absolute victory in reality."
Xiaoman suddenly waved her spoon and banged it on the table, expressing her slight resentment at being ignored.
Gu Xiao grabbed his son's little hand and fed him a spoonful of egg custard: "It may not exist in reality, but it can exist in books. Isn't the reason readers read science fiction to see possibilities that can't be seen in reality?"
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