Chapter 430 Surface
Zhou Anping remained unmoved by Lu Linlang's arrival.
Being in the same army system, this kind of encounter is not the first time.
Since Lu Linlang married into the Luo family, Zhou Anping had heard many rumors about the Luo family. On the surface, they were glamorous, but inside they were bitter. Only the people involved knew the true taste of their lives.
But whether Lu Linlang is doing well or not is none of her business.
As Zhiyi once said, everyone should just live their own lives well.
Even her brother has let go of the past, so why should she hold a grudge?
At that moment, she noticed the concerned look in Nan Zhiyi's eyes, and her heart warmed slightly. At least this sisterly bond that had lasted for so many years still retained some of its sincerity.
She quietly took half a step closer to Nan Zhiyi, "Zhiyi, that's all in the past."
These words came out of nowhere, but Nan Zhiyi understood them nonetheless.
She gently clinked her juice glass against Zhou Anping's champagne glass, the glasses making a crisp sound. They smiled at each other, many unspoken words conveyed in their tacit understanding.
As the pleasantries subsided, the waiters began to guide the guests to their seats.
Gu Xiao walked through the crowd back to Nan Zhiyi's side. "It's time to take a seat."
"Um."
Nan Zhiyi followed him toward the middle.
The main table was set in the center of the banquet hall and covered with dark red velvet.
Gu Xiao's seat was right next to the political commissar of a certain army group, and a place for Nan Zhiyi was specially reserved next to his nameplate. Zhou Anping and Meng Qingshan were seated at the next table, which was just across the aisle from Nan Zhiyi.
After the two sat down...
"Drink some warm water. Was the juice cold?"
Gu Xiao pushed the warm teacup in front of Nan Zhiyi and tapped the table lightly twice with his fingers.
This was their little code, indicating that she could leave at any time if she felt unwell.
Nan Zhiyi shook her head slightly and gently touched his knee under the table.
Gu Xiao moved his knees closer to hers and clasped her hands under the table.
The secret hand-holding lasted for a few moments, until the guest of honor began to give his speech, at which point he casually let go.
These subtle movements were noticed by Lu Linlang, who was sitting in a seat at the back with Luo Jianming. The perfect smile on her lips froze for a moment.
The guest of honor finished his speech, and thunderous applause followed.
The banquet officially began, and waiters filed in carrying exquisite cold dishes.
Gu Xiao continued to take meticulous care of his wife, his movements fluid and natural, as if it had become second nature.
More than halfway through the banquet, several officers and their wives came to offer toasts.
The wife of a political commissar of a certain division, holding a wine glass, said meaningfully, "Minister Gu is young and promising. I heard that the Operations Department has some big moves going on recently?" She gave Nan Zhiyi a meaningful look, "Maybe in a while, we'll all have to start calling her Commander Gu's wife."
Nan Zhiyi smiled slightly, holding her juice glass: "You flatter me." She hadn't asked Gu Xiao about his work, and she truly didn't know if he had been promoted.
She glanced at Gu Xiao, who was clinking glasses with his superior officer, looking perfectly normal.
When her juice was almost gone, he specially replaced it with a cup of hot tea, saying, "Drink less cold stuff, or you'll get a stomachache."
Several groups of people came and went, with flattery hinting at promotions rising and falling.
As Luo Jianming approached with his wine glass, Lu Linlang followed behind him, her face bearing an impeccable smile, but her eyes held a thin layer of ice.
"Minister Gu, Mrs. Gu." Luo Jianming raised his glass enthusiastically. He knew about Gu Xiao's promotion and naturally wanted to offer his congratulations.
Lu Linlang's fingertips, which were holding the wine glass, turned slightly white. She looked at Nan Zhiyi's composed demeanor and at Gu Xiao's hand that was always protecting her, and felt a pang in her heart.
The Luo family she had climbed into had a complex web of interpersonal relationships, and a husband obsessed with his career. Comparing this to the tacit understanding between the couple in front of her, she felt a tightness in her chest.
Why is it that this capitalist's daughter has such a smooth life? And how did she manage to get a husband like Gu Xiao? If it were her back then... This thought had barely crossed her mind before she ruthlessly suppressed it.
"Congratulations to Author Nan on the great success of your new book." Lu Linlang's voice was sickeningly sweet. "I heard they printed another 100,000 copies?"
Nan Zhiyi nodded lightly: "Thank you."...These people are really well-informed.
Gu Xiao touched his wine glass lightly and then withdrew it, his gaze never lingering on Lu Linlang, and he exchanged a few words with Luo Jianming.
People kept coming to offer toasts.
A commander's wife pulled Nan Zhiyi aside to chat about children's education, while Gu Xiao patiently waited beside her and casually put her shawl back on after it slipped down.
The banquet was finally drawing to a close.
After the main leaders left, Gu Xiao said a brief goodbye to his colleagues and then put his arm around Nan Zhiyi as they walked toward the exit.
Nan Zhiyi greeted the ladies she knew with smiles, saying, "We're leaving now, see you later."
As she passed Zhou Anping, she stopped and said, "Qingshan, Anping, let's go back first."
Meng Qingshan was helping Zhou Anping with his coat when he heard the voice and looked up: "We'll be going right away. Fifth Brother, drive carefully." Gu Xiao patted him lightly on the shoulder in response.
Zhou Anping held Nan Zhiyi's hand: "Zhiyi, I'll call you in a couple of days."
"Okay, see you later." Nan Zhiyi smiled faintly.
As soon as I stepped out of the banquet hall, the night breeze hit me.
Ignoring the fact that she was wearing high heels, Nan Zhiyi grabbed Gu Xiao's hand and jumped down the steps, walking briskly towards the parking area.
"It's over, are you so happy?" Gu Xiao let her pull him along, but didn't forget to steady her.
Nan Zhiyi skipped over to his ear, "Fifth Brother, now I finally understand. It turns out it's a husband's medal and a wife's glory."
She slightly raised her chin. "To my face... they can only greet me with smiles, what is there for me to be unhappy about?"
She then dropped her joking expression and tugged at his sleeve: "Don't you think I'm a little vain?"
Gu Xiao reached out to tidy her wind-blown hair: "Then I have to work harder... so that my wife will be pampered wherever she goes."
Nan Zhiyi chuckled and tugged at his sleeve as they walked toward the parking lot: "That's enough! This is just right."
The parking lot was not far away, and Xiao Liu was already waiting by the car.
As they approached the car, Nan Zhiyi deliberately slowed her pace, her fingers secretly hooking around his belt buckle: "Then... Minister Gu, would you like to come home with me for a hot bath first?"
Gu Xiao looked down at her sly eyes, his Adam's apple bobbing slightly: "Yes, Mrs. Gu."
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