Chapter 297 Departure
Downstairs, Wang Juan was setting out the dishes, and Nan Zhiyi went to help.
Commander Gu had already taken a seat in the main seat while holding Xiaoman.
Seeing this, Gu Xiao said, "Dad, Xiaoman can eat by himself now. Just give him a chair to sit next to you."
After Commander Gu nodded, Gu Xiao went to fetch a chair with a backrest and placed it next to his father's seat.
Everyone took their seats in turn, and dinner began.
The atmosphere at the table was harmonious, and everyone tacitly talked about work experiences, children's funny stories, or some interesting news from Beijing and Jian'an.
Nan Zhiyi quickly noticed that there was no alcohol on the table that evening.
Even Gu Jianjun, the second brother who usually loves to have a couple of drinks at the dinner table to liven things up, just ate quietly and didn't mention drinking at all.
This is somewhat unusual.
As is customary, when they return from a long journey, they will have a little wine at the welcome banquet.
Nan Zhiyi couldn't help but glance at Gu Xiao beside her, her eyes filled with inquiry.
Gu Xiao gently patted her leg under the table, a gesture meant to comfort her, but without offering any explanation.
Nan Zhiyi understood and stopped thinking about it, turning her attention to her son.
Xiaoman held her little spoon tightly in her hand, focusing intently on scooping rice and minced meat from the bowl, her cheeks bulging as she ate.
He seemed to notice his mother's gaze, looked up, and gave Nan Zhiyi a bright smile.
Commander Gu had been watching his grandson closely. Seeing his adorable and well-behaved appearance, he couldn't help but feel fond of him. "This little guy is much better behaved than his father was when he was a child, and he's much less of a worry to deal with."
This remark made everyone laugh, and all eyes turned to Xiaoman.
Although Xiaoman didn't quite understand why the adults were laughing, seeing everyone looking at him, he grinned and laughed along.
Commander Gu looked at Xiaoman, whose appearance was remarkably similar to that of Gu Xiao when he was young, and was filled with emotion.
This child bears the resemblance of Gu Xiao as a child, and also subtly carries the charm of his wife, Wanru.
When he saw Xiaoman, it was as if he saw his son as a child. Time had passed, and the little boy who needed him to bend down to hold his hand was now the father of the little person in front of him.
Throughout his life, he was constantly on the move, and his memories of his children's childhoods were almost vague, as he was mostly not by their side when they were born and grew up.
Even the grandchildren born after their sons got married, due to various reasons, saw each other very rarely, and their relationship naturally became distant.
Only Gu Xiao, from the moment he was born to the moment he took his first steps, and then to the moment he put on his military uniform, grew up almost right under his nose.
Watching his son inherit his mantle and take on an important position at a young age, he felt an indescribable pride.
It can be said that with Gu Xiao as his son, he has no regrets in this life.
The arrival of Xiaoman was the icing on the cake. He was not only Gu Xiao's bloodline, but also the continuation of his and his wife's lives... Bearing double the expectations and love, how could he not love Xiaoman to the bone?
However... I haven't been able to take off my responsibilities yet, and I can't enjoy the happiness of family life like an ordinary grandfather. It's a real pity.
The others at the table were unaware of the turmoil in Commander Gu's heart, and the meal ended in a harmonious atmosphere.
The men and children moved to the sofa in the living room.
The television is playing a program.
This was the first time Xiaoman had ever seen this square box that could make sounds. Her eyes widened, and she pointed her little finger at the screen, exclaiming to Commander Gu, "Grandpa! There's someone inside! There's someone inside!"
He was extremely curious and struggled to get off his grandfather's lap so he could get closer to the television to see what was going on.
Commander Gu quickly tightened his arms around him, securing him to his knees, and patiently explained, "We can't get too close, Xiaoman, it'll hurt your eyes. How about we sit here and watch?"
Xiaoman listened to her grandfather and nodded obediently, her eyes still fixed on the screen.
Commander Gu instructed Gu Weimin: "Fourth brother, find a program that the children like to watch."
Gu Weimin agreed and began turning the knob to search.
Commander Gu then turned to Gu Xiao and said, "Gu Xiao, why don't you buy Xiaoman a TV? Look how much the child loves it; she's never actually watched one before."
Gu Xiao explained, "Dad, the child is still too young, and his eyes are not fully developed. Watching TV can easily damage his eyesight. Besides, at this age, it's better for him to run and jump around and see the outside world than to stare at a screen."
His words made sense, and Commander Gu couldn't refute them for the time being. But looking at his grandson's focused little face in his arms, he secretly decided that next time he went to the capital, he would bring his grandson some rarer things.
Nan Zhiyi helped Wu Ma and her two sisters-in-law clear the table and chatted with them for a while. Seeing that it was getting late, she said goodbye to Commander Gu and her brother and sister-in-law in the living room and went upstairs to wash up.
She took a relaxing hot bath in the bathroom, changed into her pajamas, and read a book for a while by the bedside lamp.
It wasn't until the hands of his watch were almost pointing to ten o'clock that Gu Xiao took his son back to the bedroom.
Gu Xiao washed his son, changed him into his autumn clothes, and tucked the little guy into the warm quilt before he went to wash up himself.
Xiaoman knew she could sleep with her mother tonight, and she excitedly twisted and turned in the blankets. Gu Xiao patted her little bottom twice, and she finally calmed down with a few whimpers and fell asleep soon after.
Gu Xiao frowned in dissatisfaction, took Nan Zhiyi's hand through the child, and complained in a low voice, "We'll have to set up a small bed for him tomorrow so he can sleep by himself."
Nan Zhiyi suppressed a laugh and coaxed him, "Okay, okay, I'll find some blankets and quilts tomorrow. Go to sleep, you must be exhausted after driving all day."
Gu Xiao then turned off the light and held Nan Zhiyi's hand tightly in the darkness.
Nan Zhiyi gently scratched his palm with her fingertips.
After a long and tiring day, the two of them, holding hands across their son, quickly drifted off to sleep.
After an unknown amount of time, Nan Zhiyi was sleeping soundly when she was suddenly gently shaken awake by Gu Xiao.
She opened her eyes groggily. In the darkness, she saw Gu Xiao already dressed and half-squatting by the bed, his expression solemn.
"Zhiyi, wife, I just received orders for an urgent mission. I must leave immediately and my return date is uncertain."
Nan Zhiyi was wide awake. She sat up from the covers and stretched out her arms to hug his neck tightly.
"I understand. Xiaoman and I are waiting for you at home. You... please be careful."
Gu Xiao hugged her back tightly, his arms holding her close.
He lowered his head and kissed her forehead, then released her, stood up, and took one last look at his son, who was still fast asleep on the bed, and his wife, whose eyes were slightly red.
"Wait for me to come back."
"Yes!" Nan Zhiyi nodded seriously.
Gu Xiao quickly disappeared into the darkness outside the door.
Nan Zhiyi sat stiffly on the bed, listening to the sound of a jeep starting up and then driving away downstairs.
She pulled the blanket up high, wrapping herself and the sleeping Xiaoman tightly together, and kept her eyes open until dawn.
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