Chapter 485 Bu Fan
After Nan Zhiyi finished speaking, Gu Xiao also bowed and said in a deep voice to the tombstone, "Dad, Mom, don't worry."
The offerings slowly burned out, and the flames gradually died down.
Nan Zhiyi wiped the water droplets dripping from the top of the tombstone with a handkerchief and straightened up.
Gu Xiao brushed the thin layer of snow off her body, then held her slightly cool hands in his palms. His palms were dry and warm, and that warmth seeped into her heart little by little through her skin.
"Let's go, the snow is getting heavier."
Nan Zhiyi took his arm, and the two walked through the snow toward the gate.
As the car started, Nan Zhiyi gazed out the window at the snow-covered fields and distant mountains, and asked softly, "Fifth Brother, after the New Year... will we be able to see Uncle?"
"Yes," he replied affirmatively.
Nan Zhiyi felt a genuine sense of joy.
Yesterday, Aunt Feng said that the Nan family's incense offerings had dwindled.
And Li Jingsi's maternal family was also plagued by a lack of male heirs.
The Li family was once a prominent local landlord and gentry family. However, during the years of continuous war, such a family inevitably fell into disarray.
The Li family's old house was destroyed by artillery fire in the middle of the War of Resistance against Japan. Nan Zhiyi's maternal grandfather, Li Hanwen, died of depression not long afterward. Her maternal grandmother, Su, took her young son to seek refuge with relatives, but they were separated along the way and never heard from again.
Other relatives and friends were also scattered.
The only person who knew her whereabouts was her mother's cousin, who was also Nan Zhiyi's maternal uncle, named Su Chongshan.
According to Aunt Feng, Su Chongshan was precocious and decisive. In the 1940s, seeing the country in ruins and the family business in jeopardy, he persuaded his parents to sell their house and land and risked traveling south, eventually settling down in Singapore.
Previously, the mountains and passes blocked communication.
Until recent years, when policies shifted, Su Chongshan, who was getting old, longed for his hometown more and more. After making inquiries from various sources, he learned about the situation of Li Jingsi's family. Through the Overseas Chinese Federation's active contact, he was finally able to return to China to visit his relatives.
Gu Xiao held the steering wheel with one hand, but never let go of her with the other.
"Once we meet, we can ask questions and listen attentively. They plan to stay in China for a while; they have enough time."
Nan Zhiyi snapped out of her thoughts and said, "I know, Fifth Brother."
When spring arrives and the flowers bloom, she will be able to see her mother's relatives.
It was nearly 11 a.m. when we returned to the Gu family compound.
After parking his car, Gu Xiao went to talk to Commander Gu.
As soon as Nan Zhiyi stepped into the main room, she was surrounded by the women.
First, Li Xiuqin and Wang Juan pulled her aside and talked mostly about trivial matters, such as her children's studies and her husband's health, occasionally mentioning a few seemingly casual requests, all of which were minor things.
Nan Zhiyi listened attentively. She readily agreed to what she could, and explained her difficulties tactfully when she couldn't agree immediately.
A short while later, Chen Anna quietly pulled her into the room, asking for her autograph and sharing some private conversations with Gu Yan.
Nan Zhiyi kept talking until lunchtime.
Several women surrounded Nan Zhiyi, as if they had endless things to say to each other.
This parting will take us to all corners of the country; the next time we'll gather like this will be next Spring Festival.
Each of them has their own life, their own troubles and expectations, and they all seem willing to talk a few more words with Nan Zhiyi.
Fortunately, whether it was the straightforward eldest sister-in-law, the shrewd fourth sister-in-law, or Chen Anna who was new to the area, they were all respectable people. Their questions and requests were all reasonable and did not put her in a difficult position.
After the meal, the people from each household packed their belongings and prepared to embark on their journey home.
At the entrance of the courtyard, farewells and words of advice could be heard incessantly.
Gu Zhao leaned against the back window of the jeep, waving vigorously at Gu Yan, her eyes a little red.
Gu Yan approached and ruffled his hair: "Come to the South during your summer vacation to visit your uncle. I'll take you to see the sea."
Gu Zhao nodded vigorously and said loudly, "Definitely!"
Because of the unmelted snow on the way back to Beijing, the jeep drove much slower than usual.
The sky changed from gray to indigo, and finally sank into pitch black.
Gu Zhao was initially excitedly looking at the snow scene outside the window, but later fell asleep with her head on Nan Zhiyi's lap amidst the bumpy ride. By the time the car finally entered the Beijing Army Compound and stopped in front of that familiar little building, it was already late at night.
As soon as the door opened, a warm and cozy feeling wafted out. The house had been thoroughly cleaned, the heating was on full blast, and everything was in perfect order.
Gu Zhao's eyes were still blurry. She blinked and looked at the dim light in the living room: "Are we home?"
"Yes, I'm home."
Jian'an's home is a large courtyard that symbolizes family roots, etiquette and responsibility, and the ebb and flow of family gatherings and separations.
This small building, which they both designed and managed, and which holds all their daily joys and sorrows, is their true home.
Gu Zhao was quickly settled into his room and fell asleep.
After a quick wash, Nan Zhiyi and Gu Xiao returned to their bedroom.
She slept in the car for a long time and isn't sleepy now.
I simply walked to the window, lifted a corner of the curtain and looked out. Outside, it was a deep night and the faint light reflected from the snow. The outlines of the swing set and grape trellis in the yard were faintly discernible, all quietly covered with a snow-white blanket.
Gu Xiao walked over and hugged her from behind. "Are you tired?"
Nan Zhiyi shook her head: "I didn't drive, so I'm not tired. It's just that you drove for a long time, and the road was slippery with snow, which was the most tiring."
With that, she turned around, pushed against his chest, and led him to the bedside, saying, "Let's go to sleep. You have to go to work tomorrow."
Gu Xiao didn't move, continuing to hold her close.
"No rush. I'll watch the snow with you for a while."
Nan Zhiyi hooked her arm around his neck, stood on tiptoe, and kissed his chin. There were fresh, short, stiff stubbles there, brushing against her lips, causing a slight tickle.
"Alright then, I'll keep you company."
She rested her face on his shoulder, stopped talking, and just quietly looked out the window.
His body temperature emanated through his thin pajamas, and his heartbeat was steady and strong.
The snow fell silently, and time seemed to slow down.
I have to go to work tomorrow, and there are still many things to do after the New Year, but for now, just snuggling together like this and watching a quiet snowfall that belongs to a winter night is enough.
Upon returning to Beijing, Nan Zhiyi's first action was to visit Lin Yuan at the publishing house.
As soon as Nan Zhiyi entered, Lin Yuan smiled and took the things from her: "Oh, Comrade Zhiyi, you're too kind! You always think of me."
He turned around and found two brown paper packages, but they were tied neatly. "I've also prepared a little something for you: homemade cured meat, two packets of good tea, and some for Gu Zhao. Please take them with you when you leave."
Pointing to another one, he said, "That's what the publisher gives to authors. Everyone gets one, and you need to take one too."
Nan Zhiyi smiled helplessly: "I was thinking that I could leave easily after delivering the things, but you've added to my burden."
Lin Yuan chuckled: "I'll call you a taxi then, so you won't get tired. You must accept this gift."
Nan Zhiyi couldn't refuse, so she stopped being polite and sat down in the chair opposite her: "Alright, Editor-in-Chief Lin, why did you call me here in such a hurry? Is there something you want to say about the book?"
She was referring to the single-volume edition that had just been released before the Lunar New Year.
Lin Yuan rubbed his hands together, his expression turning serious: "Great news! We're going to reprint! It's only been a little over a month, and the feedback from bookstores and subscriptions across the country has been excellent. The publishing house has decided to reprint another 100,000 copies. The royalties will remain the same as always, 12%, and this time the settlement will be faster."
He observed Nan Zhiyi's expression and saw that she simply nodded calmly, without much elation.
She continued, "Also, two literary magazines want to reprint the first two chapters of the novel you're currently writing, and they're urging us to submit the manuscript. The radio station is also interested in broadcasting the novel serially. This is a great opportunity to expand your influence!"
Nan Zhiyi gave a wry smile when she heard "urging me to finish the manuscript".
She was busy celebrating the Chinese New Year and returning to Jian'an during her winter break, which depleted her manuscript reserves.
"Editor-in-Chief Lin, your good news always comes with a tight rein. I understand. I'll try my best to finish a few more chapters before the start of the semester, so we can't really leave the page blank."
Lin Yuan then smiled with satisfaction: "I'm relieved to hear you say that! You're now one of the pillars of our publishing house; readers recognize you, and the media is paying attention. However, I must remind you that while the wind is loosening, some content still needs to be handled with care. Recently, themes like reflecting on history and embracing a new life are popular. Your novel has a good tone, but its depiction of old-style families and individual fates under the torrent of the times is profound and easily sparks discussion. It's a double-edged sword."
Nan Zhiyi understood Lin Yuan's unspoken meaning. Her novels did indeed incorporate elements of her own family.
She nodded: "Thank you for the advice, Editor-in-Chief Lin."
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