Chapter 459, the first one
Gu Xiao lowered the curtain and returned to his desk to sit down.
He picked up his pen, unscrewed the cap, and stared at the document in front of him, but didn't write anything for a long time.
There was still a very faint trace of her scent in the room.
He took a slight breath, focused again, and finally the pen tip touched the paper.
After finishing two documents, I picked up the third one when the phone rang abruptly.
Gu Xiao answered: "Hello. This is Gu Xiao."
"Brother, Happy New Year." It was Gu Yan. The background noise was a bit noisy, and you could vaguely hear the child shouting.
"Hmm," Gu Xiao responded, leaning back in his chair. "Why didn't you watch TV? They said it was the first time the Spring Festival Gala was broadcast live."
A short, mocking laugh came through the receiver from Gu Yan: "Look at their whole family gathered around the TV, all happy and harmonious, how boring."
Gu Xiao could hear the hint of loneliness in his younger brother's tone.
Gu Yan returned to Jian'an with his newlywed wife, seemingly integrating into the family reunion. However, the sense of estrangement that always existed between him and this family was probably more pronounced in the contrast of this lively gathering.
The conversations with his older brothers and sisters-in-law inevitably revolved around their children, workplaces, and trivial matters within the compound. Having grown accustomed to the business world of the South, Gu Yan probably found it both tedious and out of place...
"Alright," Gu Xiao said, softening his tone. "Then you should spend more time with your wife. I'm on duty, we'll talk when I get back."
Gu Yan responded with an "Oh," and readily agreed, "Okay, you're busy now, I'm hanging up."
The receiver was busy.
Gu Xiao stared at the phone for a second before gently putting it back. Gu Yan's personality had been tempered over the years, but some things in his bones were ultimately hard to change.
He didn't think any further and went back to his desk.
About fifteen minutes later, the phone rang again.
Gu Xiao's expression hardened, and he quickly answered, "This is Gu Xiao."
A steady, slightly hoarse voice came from the other end of the phone; it was his direct supervisor: "Little Gu, still at your post? You've been working hard."
"Of course, sir."
"Hmm," the leader pondered for a moment, "over the past year, your department has done a very solid and effective job. In particular, the planning of several major exercises and training exercises has been well received from higher authorities."
Gu Xiao listened quietly without interrupting, a vague premonition forming in his heart.
"After the New Year, there may be some adjustments. Your operations department has a heavy burden and needs younger, more energetic, and pioneering comrades to take the lead."
The leader's words were subtle, but the meaning was already quite clear. Leading the operations department... given his age and experience, if he were to be promoted, it would be a significant step forward.
"I will obey the organization's arrangements and will do my best in whatever position I am in." Gu Xiao held the receiver, his knuckles slightly tightening, but his voice remained as steady as ever.
The leader continued, "Good, that's the attitude we need. The organization is aware of your abilities, awareness, and even your family background. You're on the list of those receiving awards and commendations this time. Cherish the honor of the First-Class Merit Citation; it's also an encouragement."
"Yes, thank you for the organization's training and the leader's trust. I will definitely do my duty and live up to expectations," Gu Xiao replied meticulously.
The leader briefly inquired about her family situation and reminded her to take care of her health. "...Please also give my regards to Commander Gu and wish him good health. That's all, you can go on duty now."
"Thank you, sir."
The call ended.
Silence fell over the office and its surroundings.
The snow outside the window seemed to be falling more heavily, pattering against the glass. Inside, it was even quieter, with only the continuous hum of the radiator.
Gu Xiao slowly put down the receiver, his palms damp with sweat.
He leaned back in his chair, gazing at the simple incandescent light on the ceiling, the light somewhat glaring.
Rumors of his promotion had been circulating for some time, but it felt different when they were suddenly made public now.
From the Chief of Operations upwards...
This means greater responsibility, less personal time, and... a more complicated situation.
He closed his eyes, rubbed his temples, and suppressed all his turbulent thoughts.
Now is not the time to think about these things.
Let's talk about it after the New Year.
He picked up his pen again and signed his name at the end of the document. His handwriting was strong and steady, penetrating the paper as always.
In the following time, Gu Xiao received several more phone calls.
There were colleagues from Beijing offering New Year's greetings, old classmates and former colleagues, and well-informed individuals who subtly probed for information, all trying to establish a connection...
Gu Xiao handled the situation with ease, answering concisely and politely, yet with a cold, businesslike demeanor. He said what needed to be said, and uttered not a single word more than necessary.
After several rounds, everything that needed to be conveyed was conveyed, and everything that needed to be blocked was blocked without any leaks.
It was already 2 a.m. when I finished processing the last document.
He stood up and stretched his stiff neck.
Vice Minister Qian, who was handing over the shift to him, knocked on the door right on time: "Old Gu, you've worked hard! Go home and rest, your family must be waiting for you."
"Hmm." Gu Xiao handed the documents in his hand to Deputy Minister Qian. "Nothing special tonight, the duty log is here."
After efficiently handing over his work and locking up the confidential documents, Gu Xiao put on his military overcoat.
Stepping out of the office building, a chill hit me, carrying the crispness unique to snow.
The world was a vast expanse of white, utterly silent.
He walked home through the thick snow, the only sound being the crunching of his military boots.
There was no one around, only his own shadow being stretched, shortened, and stretched again by the streetlights.
The considerations of promotion, the responsibilities on my shoulders, the entrustment of my father—all these thoughts floated in the cold air, only to be quietly carried away by the white breath I exhaled.
From the day he joined the army, he knew that this road had no end, only one mountain after another that needed to be climbed.
He was prepared and confident about this. He just couldn't help but think that he'd be even busier in the future, and would have even less time to spend with Zhiyi and Gu Zhao...
Zhiyi… Thinking of his wife, his heart softened; perhaps, she was also the driving force behind his continued journey over the mountains.
Knowing that Nan Zhiyi was waiting for him, he quickened his pace.
Gu Xiao pushed open the door, and the warm light from the radiator enveloped him.
Nan Zhiyi curled up on the sofa, covered with a thin blanket. The TV screen was filled with static, emitting monotonous white noise in the quiet night.
She was clearly exhausted, nodding her head slightly, but the moment he entered, her hazy eyes immediately looked over.
Upon seeing him, she immediately slipped on her slippers and walked over, a smug smile on her face.
"Gu Xiao, I successfully stayed up all night this year!"
According to old custom, staying up all night to welcome the New Year means staying until midnight; once that's done, the New Year's Eve vigil is considered complete.
Gu Xiao chuckled, his heart filled with the chill and contemplation of walking alone on a snowy night, which was warmed by her smile.
He put his arm around her waist, leaned down and placed a kiss on her lips, the kiss carrying the chill of the outside air, but quickly melting away with her warmth.
Nan Zhiyi laughed, reached out and hugged his neck, nuzzling her nose against his: "Yay! The first kiss of the new year!"
Gu Xiao chuckled softly again, his chest trembling slightly.
The weight of her future, responsibilities, and family was diluted by her childlike joy, making it bearable.
He nuzzled her nose and said, "Yeah, the first one."
"The soup is still warm in the pot," she said, stepping back slightly. "I figured you'd be back soon, so I just reheated it. You've been busy all night, shall we eat something together?"
Gu Xiao: "Okay."
Instead of heading to the kitchen immediately, he bent down again, cupped her face in his hands, and kissed her earnestly and deeply.
This kiss was longer than the last one, filled with an unyielding longing.
After a long while, he finally let go: "The second kiss of the New Year."
Nan Zhiyi's eyes sparkled with laughter as she tiptoed and lightly pecked his lips, not to be outdone: "The third one!"
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