Chapter 34 Going Home
His resentment subsided, leaving him feeling stifled and bitter. He forced a smile and said, "Brother, what are you saying... How could I dare? My sister-in-law is my sister-in-law, I know the rules."
Gu Xiao didn't say anything more, but patted his shoulder with a light touch.
He turned and left the pavilion.
Gu Yan stood in the snow and ice and took a deep drag on his cigarette.
This year, amidst the outward bustle, the undercurrents, and the intimidating barrage of harsh words, passed by in a bumpy and uneven manner.
Throughout the holiday, she was constantly dealing with the anxieties of each family member, her nerves on edge.
My mood has improved slightly.
She counted again and again, a slight smile playing on her lips.
Gu Xiao looked at her and asked, "So happy?"
Nan Zhiyi blushed and put down the red envelope: "No way."
"Little money-grubber, from now on you'll be in charge of all the money in the house."
"Okay." Her eyes lit up even more.
My mother always said that the woman should be in charge of the money in the family, so it was only right that my fifth brother gave her all the money.
Time flies.
On the morning of the fourth day of the Lunar New Year, a military green jeep was parked in front of the Gu family's small building.
The luggage has been put in the trunk.
Commander Gu stood with his hands behind his back and gently instructed Gu Xiao, "Be careful on the road. Call me when you arrive."
"Yes, Dad." Gu Xiao nodded.
Nan Zhiyi wrapped her scarf tighter and stood obediently beside Gu Xiao: "Dad, we're leaving. Take care."
Commander Gu nodded slightly to her: "Mm."
Wang Juan saw her daughter off, waving with a smile and saying, "Come back often!"
Zhang Xiufen stood under the eaves, expressionless.
Gu Yan leaned against the door frame, a cigarette between his fingers, his expression obscured by the swirling smoke, and casually raised his chin.
...These past few days, he and Zhiyi haven't had a single chance to be alone together. His brother really wants to tie her to his waistband.
So annoying!
Gu Xiao waved to the crowd and helped Nan Zhiyi into the car.
The driver in the driver's seat is from the military region.
Gu Xiao sat down beside her, reached out his large hand, and gently took her hand in his.
The military green jeep rolled over the last stretch of rugged mountain road and drove into the familiar camp gate.
As Nan Zhiyi gazed out the window at the gray-yellow barracks, the bare drill ground, and the distant, undulating mountain ranges, the tension that had been building for days finally eased completely, and a long-lost sense of warmth quietly washed over her.
The car came to a stop in front of the row of bungalows in the family compound.
The setting sun cast a warm orange hue on the red brick wall.
Driver Xiao Liu quickly helped unload the luggage.
Gu Xiao thanked the driver and picked up the two largest travel bags.
Pushing open the door, even though I'd only been away for a few days, it felt like a lifetime had passed.
"I'm finally back." Nan Zhiyi said with great relief.
"Okay." Gu Xiao responded and put down his luggage.
He took off his military overcoat and hung it up, then rolled up his shirt sleeves. "I'm going to clean up and light the stove."
Nan Zhiyi nodded, took off her scarf, and began packing her luggage.
Several heavy travel bags, besides containing changes of clothes for the two of them, were almost entirely filled with "New Year's gifts" that the commander had insisted on giving them. The abundance of the gifts left Nan Zhiyi somewhat speechless.
Milk powder, malted milk powder, the "eight essential items" of Beijing-style pastries, White Rabbit milk candy, Moutai liquor, cigarettes, as well as several thick pure wool blankets and two sets of towels and bath towels.
Nan Zhiyi happily sorted and categorized everything.
Gu Xiao lit the stove.
Watching Nan Zhiyi bustling about in front of the dresser with a smile.
He walked over and gently wrapped his arms around her waist from behind.
Nan Zhiyi leaned back into his arms and turned her face to the side: "So many good things, Dad gave me so many."
She counted on her fingers, "The formula and malted milk powder you bought before are almost finished. We'll drink the ones Dad gave us together, they'll be used up faster. Oh, and send two cans to Aunt Feng for Yueyue. They sent a package with quite a few things before the New Year, I'm returning the favor..."
Gu Xiao said he would do whatever she wanted.
He then held her even tighter in his arms, savoring the comforting feeling of returning home.
After a long day of driving, both of them were exhausted.
After quickly tidying up, Gu Xiao went to the cafeteria to get his food and came back.
It was still packed in an aluminum lunchbox, containing a box of rice, a box of cabbage stew with vermicelli mixed with a few slices of fatty meat, and a steamed bun.
Nan Zhiyi clutched the steamed bun, her appetite whetted.
Gu Xiao's gaze turned somber, and he suddenly apologized, "I'm sorry, did you find the food unpalatable?"
My few days at home were filled with sumptuous meals, including delicate pastries and nourishing soups...
Although she still didn't eat much, at least she was using her chopsticks.
Gu Xiao even thought her cheeks were rounder and her complexion was better.
Now that we've returned to the family compound, the conditions are harsh, and the food in the canteen is really mediocre.
She said she wanted to cook before the Lunar New Year. Did she also find the cafeteria food unpalatable?
Nan Zhiyi is a pearl pampered in a world of luxury.
But now...
There was only a rough aluminum lunchbox and oily stewed cabbage.
Is it really good for her to accompany the military?
Gu Xiao's mind was in turmoil.
Nan Zhiyi was still a little dazed and didn't react, but when she saw Gu Xiao's increasingly distressed look, she quickly understood.
"Fifth Brother, why are you thinking so much? I'm just a little tired from the journey and don't have much of an appetite. It has nothing to do with the food. I'm the same as you, I'm fine with anything. That was true before, and it's true now."
She reached out and placed her hand on the back of his hand.
"Fifth Brother, I really think... I think things are pretty good right now. Being with you, Fifth Brother, is fine anywhere."
She chuckled softly, "It's better than me going to the countryside all alone, isn't it? What do you think?"
Gu Xiao grabbed her hand tightly.
"I won't let you go to the countryside."
Even if she doesn't want to marry him, he'll use his connections to arrange things for her...
He was too selfish; he deliberately didn't make things clear, and she paid the price with marriage.
He even brought her along to the army, just to get her...
It was him who, disregarding her feelings, forced her to stay here and suffer.
Nan Zhiyi felt a pang in her heart as she looked at his furrowed brows.
She didn't know why Gu Xiao was suddenly so unhappy.
She asked cautiously, "Fifth Brother... do you think it's tough here? You've been eating in the cafeteria like this for a long time... do you find it hard to endure?"
Gu Xiao shook his head.
“I don’t find it hard. Being a soldier and eating in the mess hall is normal and nothing to be ashamed of. But watching you eat this, watching you force yourself to say ‘it’s all good’ even though you’re not used to it… that feeling is different.”
Nan Zhiyi breathed a sigh of relief: "Fifth Brother, it's definitely much better here than in the countryside, and you're taking care of me. I don't feel bitter at all. Don't think of me as so delicate, okay? Look, I'm already learning to make steamed buns with Sister Wang. I'll make you even tastier ones in the future."
Gu Xiao remained silent.
Perhaps she will never understand how selfish she was to leave her here to suffer.
But he doesn't regret it...
He lifted her from the chair onto his lap and held her in his arms.
Nan Zhiyi was a little breathless from his embrace, but she could feel his deep affection for her.
She reached out her arms and wrapped them tightly around his neck.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com