Chapter 433 New Year's Day 2
On the eve of New Year's Day, Gu Xiao became increasingly busy.
The operations department is responsible for developing a new training syllabus for the year and cooperating with the General Staff in border rotation deployment.
He often didn't get home until late at night, and the phone rang much more frequently than usual.
That night, he returned home chilly, and as he took off his coat, he said to Nan Zhiyi:
"I'll be going to inspect the winter training at the troops starting tomorrow, so I probably won't be back before New Year's Day. I'll have to postpone the Central Military Commission's New Year's gathering and the department's party... Are you going to the headquarters' New Year's tea party? The invitation is in the drawer."
Nan Zhiyi had been sitting on the sofa, reading a book while waiting for him. When he came in, she greeted him at the entrance.
"Okay." She got up and helped him hang up his coat. "Take good care of yourself while you're away on business, and make sure you stay warm."
She has to go.
"Sister Zhang made some yam and pork rib soup, and it's been kept warm on the stove. Would you like some?"
Not wanting to disappoint his wife, Gu Xiao put his arm around her and led her to the kitchen, saying, "Okay, let's sit together for a while."
The couple ladled out two bowls of soup and sat down at the table.
Nan Zhiyi started talking about school.
"There's a lot going on at school too. Tomorrow there's the graduate student year-end summary meeting, the day after tomorrow is the department's New Year's tea party, and Professor Wang also asked me to represent my research group at the university's academic committee's New Year's symposium..."
"Editor-in-Chief Lin even called specifically to say that a Spring Festival symposium would be held at the Friendship Hotel... saying that many veteran writers would be attending, and that I absolutely must make an appearance..."
Gu Xiao scooped up the soup with a spoon and blew on it to cool it down.
"My dear wife, you've worked so hard. Things will be better once this busy period is over."
"Um."
"Have some soup first." He pushed the soup bowl toward Nan Zhiyi.
Nan Zhiyi took a sip and then sat down in his lap.
"Gu Xiao, are you leaving first thing tomorrow morning?"
Gu Xiao hugged her tighter. "Okay. I'll tell my wife in advance, Happy New Year."
"Fifth Brother, Happy New Year."
The couple embraced quietly for a while before Gu Xiao carried her upstairs.
The atmosphere at Peking University was festive, with red lanterns hanging along the main road and handwritten Spring Festival couplets pasted in front of the Arts and Humanities Building. These were the work of Professor Chen, who was rehired by Peking University.
Nan Zhiyi, as a graduate student representative, participated in the department's New Year's symposium.
She walked into the large conference room carrying her lecture notes, the warmth mingling with the aroma of tea. Professor Wang was talking to the department head at the door, and waved to her as she approached.
He whispered, "We can put everything else aside for now. This time, let's focus on the integration of science fiction writing and theoretical research."
"Okay, teacher. Please cheer me on from the audience later."
Professor Wang shook his head helplessly, "Do you really need me to encourage you? You alone could convince them completely."
In the conference room, several silver-haired professors from the department sat in the front row, while graduate students and young teachers sat in the back.
After the professors finished speaking, it was Nan Zhiyi's turn.
"Dear teachers and students, some people say that science fiction is a fairy tale for children, but I think it's more like a mirror..."
She cited plot points from the novel, discussing how humanity reconstructs its ethical system during interstellar migration, and then extended this to the "defamiliarization" theory in narratology.
An elderly professor suddenly raised his hand: "Nan, do you think science fiction works need to serve a popular science function?"
“Just like Star Trek not only predicted the mobile phone,” she laughed, pointing to the telephone lines being laid outside the window, “it also sparked philosophical reflections on contact between civilizations…”
The questions gradually became more lively.
A professor wearing tortoiseshell glasses questioned the artistic merit of science fiction literature, responding by citing the newly published "History of Science Fiction in Europe and America".
When she finished speaking, applause rang out in the hall.
Professor Wang nodded slightly from below the stage, took a sip of tea with a happy expression, and his eyes and brows were full of satisfaction.
Nan Zhiyi, holding her lecture notes, sat back down next to Professor Wang.
"How was it? Did I embarrass you?"
Professor Wang put down his teacup and chuckled, "It's alright, I'll try harder next time."
Nan Zhiyi smiled slightly and said, "I understand, teacher."
The subsequent speeches by the graduate students all revolved around classical literature, but they all unconsciously referenced the concept of future narrative that Nan Zhiyi had just proposed.
In the afternoon after the meeting, Nan Zhiyi rushed to the auditorium to attend a joint event for teachers and students.
She stood on the left side of the stage with the faculty choir, which consisted of several teaching assistants.
As the accordion played the melody of "Ode to the Red Plum Blossom," she gazed at the swaying lights and shadows below the stage, her clear voice blending into the chorus.
As the song ended and applause filled the air, she followed the group off the stage. She had no interest in watching the rest of the performances and went straight to the dressing room to change back into her everyday clothes.
"Nan, are you leaving already?"
Yao Peili, who plays the accordion, walks over carrying her instrument case. She is a graduate student under another professor in the same year as Nan Zhiyi, and the two have always only had a superficial relationship.
Nan Zhiyi tied her scarf: "Well, there's nothing much going on downstairs, so I'll just go pick up my son from school."
Yao Peili raised an eyebrow in feigned surprise: "Oh my, Nan really has a child? When Wang mentioned it before, I thought it was a joke."
She lowered her voice, "But that makes sense. Professor Wang always thinks of you when there are good things, so you naturally don't have time to take care of things at home."
Nan Zhiyi paused as she straightened her backpack straps: "If Yao could use the time she spends on gossiping on her thesis, she probably wouldn't have to worry about graduating in the future."
She smiled faintly: "Even if Yao and I were to be admitted to the same professor's program, the important tasks would not fall into your hands. After all, real skills cannot be faked."
Yao Peili's smile froze. Just then, the sounds of other students laughing and talking came from outside the door. Nan Zhiyi took the opportunity to turn around and lift the cotton curtain.
"I'm off now, see you in theory class next week."
As she walked out of the auditorium, recalling Yao Peili's words, Nan Zhiyi smiled slightly. She had seen too many open and covert attacks over the years, and these young girls' methods were really no match for her.
Nan Zhiyi worked non-stop for several days until after New Year's Day, when Professor Wang finally took pity on her and gave her two days off.
When they got home, Sister Zhang poked her head out from the kitchen and said, "Sister-in-law, I just made some jujube tea. Have a cup to warm yourself up."
"Okay, thank you, Sister Zhang."
She glanced at her watch; there was still half an hour before Gu Zhao got out of school.
Sister Zhang brought over a cup of hot tea. Nan Zhiyi took the white porcelain cup and slowly sipped it, the aroma of dates spreading between her teeth.
After finishing her tea, Nan Zhiyi retied her scarf and said, "Sister Zhang, I'm going to pick up Gu Zhao from school."
To enjoy this rare moment of leisure, she deliberately took a longer route through the garden, listening to the soft crunch of the snow under her feet.
The winter sunset, like melting persimmons, bathed the surrounding buildings in a warm orange hue.
A number of parents had already gathered at the entrance of the primary school.
A crisp whistle sounded from inside the iron gate, and the children walked out in columns according to their grades. The little ones wobbled along like a group of adorable little penguins.
Gu Zhao walked in the first-grade class, wearing a blue cotton-padded jacket with a red scarf and a green canvas schoolbag slung over her shoulder.
He stood on tiptoe to look around, his eyes lit up, and his little mouth opened and closed silently.
Nan Zhiyi read the word "Mom" from his lips and waved to him with a smile.
"Mom!" Gu Zhao rushed out of the line and ran over. "I'm so happy that you came to pick me up today."
Nan Zhiyi held his small hand. "Let's go home."
"Gu Zhao, is this your mother?"
Several classmates gathered around, calling out "Gu Zhao, Gu Zhao!" like little ducks chattering away.
"Is this your mother?"
Wow, your mom is so beautiful!
Gu Zhao immediately puffed out her chest and boasted loudly, "Yes, this is my mom! My mom is gentle and beautiful!"
Nan Zhiyi's light makeup from today's performance was still on, making her look especially radiant in the sunset. She smiled gently at the children, and the little ones immediately blushed and called out, "Hello, Auntie!"
Nan Zhiyi nodded to the children: "Hello."
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