Chapter 163 Visit
Nan Zhiyi felt similarly to him.
The food wasn't particularly outstanding, but it was clean and home-style.
She thought to herself that the next step was to see if Sister Zhang was observant and quick-witted.
Compared to a meticulous and thoughtful maid like Wu Ma, who could almost read her mind, ordinary maids rarely caught her eye. She only hoped that they could provide genuine assistance and not cause her any trouble.
After lunch, Gu Xiao watched Nan Zhiyi lie down, gently patted her until she fell asleep with even breathing, and then got up and left.
When Nan Zhiyi woke up in the late afternoon, it was quiet both upstairs and downstairs.
She carried Xiaoman downstairs and found that the tables and chairs in the living room were polished to a shine, the terrazzo floor was so shiny it could reflect a mirror, and the wooden handrails of the stairs gleamed with a warm, freshly wiped luster.
Washed adult clothes hung on the clothesline in the yard, swaying gently in the afternoon breeze.
Sister Zhang was standing by the pond in the corner of the yard, washing Xiaoman's diapers. Next to her were two different basins, with a yellow soap and a white soap with a milder scent placed separately.
Seeing Nan Zhiyi come down, Sister Zhang smiled and said, "Sister-in-law, you're awake? Deputy Division Commander Gu instructed that the baby's clothes and diapers should be washed separately with this white soap, and rinsed several times to avoid irritating the skin."
Nan Zhiyi nodded, somewhat satisfied. At least Sister Zhang was willing to work and obeyed orders.
"Thank you for your hard work, Sister Zhang."
"Of course, of course," Sister Zhang said repeatedly, and continued scrubbing.
Nan Zhiyi secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, Gu Xiao was thoughtful and had given her prior instructions, otherwise she would have forgotten about it herself.
She carried Xiaoman and slowly walked around the yard twice. Looking at the empty yard, she had another idea.
"Sister Zhang, if we want to build a grape trellis in this yard, put a stone table and benches underneath, and also install a swing, where can we find someone to do it? And where can we buy the materials?"
Sister Zhang kept working: "Sister-in-law, the repair team at the service center can do this carpentry work. They usually help people with repairs and make furniture, and their skills are pretty good. The materials are easy to find; the service center's building materials store has ready-made wood and precast cement slabs. Stone tables and chairs are a bit more troublesome; we'll have to find a stonemason outside."
"How about I go and inquire about the swing and grape trellis for you first? I'll look into the stone thing later."
Nan Zhiyi thought the idea was sound: "Okay, then I'll trouble you to ask first."
In the evening, after Sister Zhang finished cooking dinner.
Nan Zhiyi then said, "Sister Zhang, you should go back first."
Sister Zhang was a little embarrassed. "Oh, I've already cleaned up the kitchen and left the dishes and chopsticks. I'll wash them tomorrow morning."
"Okay, thank you for your hard work, drive carefully."
Only then did Sister Zhang leave, relieved.
Not long after, the sound of a jeep could be heard outside the courtyard.
As Gu Xiao stepped into the courtyard, he saw Nan Zhiyi carrying the child and came to greet him. The weariness in his eyes disappeared.
He washed his hands, walked over, stretched out his long arm, and pulled the mother and child into his arms. He turned his face and kissed Nan Zhiyi's forehead.
"Was this kid well-behaved today?"
“She’s very well-behaved,” Nan Zhiyi said, leaning against him. “She just whimpers when she’s hungry or needs to pee, and she doesn’t make a fuss at all. She’s so easy to take care of.”
Upon hearing this, Gu Xiao's eyes lit up with a smile. He reached out and took Xiaoman in his arms, lifting her up slightly. The little one looked at him with her big, dark eyes.
After playing with his son for a while, Gu Xiao put him in the stroller and led Nan Zhiyi to the dining table: "Let's eat first."
At the large dining table, he habitually sat right next to her, his shoulder touching hers.
He first served her a bowl of soup, then put a piece of meat in her bowl: "Tomorrow night we'll go to the Meng family for a casual meal. Since you and Xiaoman are coming to the capital, you should pay a formal visit to the Meng family."
Nan Zhiyi: "Do the Meng family also live in this compound?"
"Yes, General Meng lives in the generals' buildings in the back. Qingshan's father is the eldest son and lives with the old man. Qingshan is the youngest grandson and usually lives at home. His older brother is married and lives in the Air Force compound."
Nan Zhiyi slowly sipped her soup, having roughly figured out what was going on.
The Meng family has a deeper foundation in the capital's social circles than the Gu family.
The next morning, when Sister Zhang returned from grocery shopping, she said to Nan Zhiyi, "Sister-in-law, I went to ask the repair shop. To make a sturdier swing frame and build a grape trellis with better wood, the total cost, including labor and materials, will be around this amount."
She gestured with her fingers to indicate a number, and then said, "They said they're using Northeast pine wood stored in the barracks warehouse, which is durable. They said they can come and measure the area after they finish their current work in a couple of days. I've also asked my husband to inquire at the logistics department about stone tables and chairs, to see where we can order some at a good price."
Nan Zhiyi thought the price was reasonable, so she nodded: "Okay, thank you, Sister Zhang."
"No trouble at all, just a word."
As she spoke, Sister Zhang took out the apples, peaches, and several kinds of Beijing-style pastries she had bought and placed them in the sideboard in the living room.
"Here are the fruits and snacks; you can grab them whenever you're hungry."
"good."
Because they were going to the Meng family's house that evening, Nan Zhiyi told Zhang Jie to go home first after she finished cleaning in the afternoon.
Nan Zhiyi's good mood lasted until evening.
Gu Xiao returned a little earlier than usual, having changed into a more formal summer outfit.
Nan Zhiyi also changed into a light-colored dress and loosely tied her hair up in front of the dressing mirror.
Gu Xiao moved closer to her from behind and put his arm around her. Their figures were reflected in the mirror, and she blushed for no apparent reason.
He reached out and pinched her rosy cheek. "What are you thinking about?"
She wouldn't say anything, but just pushed him to hug their son.
The summer night breeze blows by, dispelling the daytime heat and bringing the rustling of leaves and the faint fragrance of flowers.
Nan Zhiyi took his arm, and the two walked slowly along the tree-lined path in the courtyard toward the General's Building.
"Is General Meng strict?" Nan Zhiyi was a little unsure.
"I've become much gentler since retiring, and I especially like the younger generation. Don't be nervous, it's just a regular family meal."
Where are Uncle Meng and Aunt Meng?
"Yes, Uncle Meng is a very upright man, and he doesn't talk much. Aunt Meng is kind-hearted..."
"Then... how are Meng Qingshan and Zhou Anping?" This was what she was most curious about.
Gu Xiao's lips curled slightly: "You'll find out when you get there."
Nan Zhiyi gently pinched the soft flesh on his arm: "Tell me!"
"Good wife, it hurts! We're here!"
As they spoke, the two arrived in front of the Meng family's small building.
Nan Zhiyi quickly smoothed his collar and patted the hem of her skirt.
Gu Xiao rang the doorbell, and the door opened quickly, with Meng Qingshan appearing at the door with a big smile.
"Fifth Brother, Sister-in-law, please come in! We've been waiting for you!"
"Comrade Qingshan, I apologize for disturbing you."
Nan Zhiyi stood behind Gu Xiao, offering a polite smile.
Meng Qingshan quickly said, "Don't bother me, sister-in-law, you're being too polite." His gaze fell on the stroller, and he bent down to help, "This must be Xiaoman, right? I'll help you carry this stroller!"
He gently lifted the child and the stroller over the threshold.
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