Chapter 221 Yellow Wine
This place wasn't as well-organized as the study on the second floor. It only had simple tables and chairs and a few bookshelves filled with old books, most of which were brought from Jian'an. But what she wanted at this moment was to be able to hear any movement at the door as soon as possible.
The pen scratches away, and time slips away quietly.
After an unknown amount of time, some noise finally came from outside the courtyard.
Nan Zhiyi immediately put down her pen, ran out, and called out, "Sister Zhang, I'll open the door!"
She opened the door, and Gu Xiao stood there, exuding a chilling aura. Unmelted snowflakes clung to the brim of his hat, and he carried two heavy net bags and an oil paper package in his hands.
Nan Zhiyi reached out to take it, but Gu Xiao stepped aside, saying, "It's cold and will get on your hands."
He carried the things straight into the kitchen, placed them on the counter, and while rinsing his slightly reddened hands with hot water, said to Nan Zhiyi and Sister Zhang who followed him, "I got a fresh bluefish from the service center, had them fillet it, and also some tripe, sliced mutton, Fujian fish balls, and a bunch of spinach..."
Sister Zhang exclaimed, "Okay, this is even more sumptuous!"
Nan Zhiyi didn't speak, but kept her gaze on him, watching the tiny snowflakes clinging to his eyelashes slowly melt.
Gu Xiao looked up and met her wide, expectant eyes, filled with a mix of tenderness and hope, like a little animal waiting for its owner to come home.
He returned to the entrance hall, took off his heavy coat, walked a few steps to her, looked down at her, and said with a slight smile, "Why are you looking at me like that? You look so pitiful."
“You’re the one who’s pitiful,” Nan Zhiyi said, taking his hand in her hands and breathing on it to warm it, then trying to warm it with her own palms. “You’re covered in snow, and your hands are so cold.”
Gu Xiao enjoyed her tenderness, letting her hold his hands, a slight smile playing on his lips.
Nan Zhiyi pulled him toward the small study: "Stay with me for a while?"
"good."
The study was much warmer than the entryway.
Gu Xiao glanced around the small study he rarely entered; the furnishings were simple. "Why are you writing here? Wouldn't it be more comfortable upstairs?"
"So I could hear you were back as soon as possible," Nan Zhiyi blurted out.
Gu Xiao reached out and gently stroked the tip of her nose: "You have such a sweet mouth."
Nan Zhiyi ignored his teasing and sat down to continue writing.
Gu Xiao didn't sit down, but leaned against the desk and looked at her.
She wore a light-colored wool dress with a brown knitted cardigan over it. The soft, close-fitting fabric accentuated her slender waistline, and her cheeks had a faint pink hue because it was warm inside.
Sunlight streamed through the window, casting a soft glow on her face. He suddenly felt that she was more elegant and charming than the daffodils beside her.
Nan Zhiyi noticed his gaze, looked up, and pushed a stack of manuscripts filled with writing in front of him: "Perfect, take a look at these chapters?"
Gu Xiao composed himself, picked up the manuscript, and began to read it carefully. He had already read the first 25,000 words, and now he could pick up where he left off.
After a long pause, he put down the manuscript, his eyes approving: "Very good. This book thoroughly describes the initial dilemma of Star Torch's energy source, which contrasts with its almost limitless energy in the later part of the previous book, making perfect sense."
He pointed to a name on the manuscript paper, "And the character's early experiences laid the groundwork for his later obsession and spirit of sacrifice in a very natural way, as if all the foreshadowing had been planted at this moment. Your conception is becoming more and more meticulous."
His evaluations are always insightful and he can grasp the key points.
Nan Zhiyi liked sharing these things with him because he understood.
She put down her pen, unable to suppress a smile. "Hmph, Minister Gu only knows how to praise..."
The two snuggled together in the study and talked for a while.
Nan Zhiyi picked up her pen again, and Gu Xiao didn't leave either. He casually picked up a book on military theory from the bookshelf and sat down in the chair next to her, quietly keeping her company.
As lunchtime approached, Nan Zhiyi stretched and said, "Let's go to the warehouse and find that jar of rice wine! We agreed to cook it today."
Gu Xiao closed the book and put it away. He reached out his hand to her, and Nan Zhiyi put her hand in his palm. He then pulled her to her feet.
"I remember Old Zhao brought it back from Shaoxing the year before last. It's never been opened, so it should still be here."
As Gu Xiao spoke, he walked with her toward the storage room.
The items in the storage room were neatly stacked.
He searched for a moment and then moved a clay jar from the corner. The mouth of the jar was sealed tightly with mud wrapped in red cloth, and there was a red paper pasted on the jar with the words "Huadiao" written on it.
"This is it."
Nan Zhiyi exclaimed happily, "Great! We'll use that little charcoal stove to cook later. I remember it's on top of the kitchen cabinet."
Back in the living room, Nan Zhiyi busied herself preparing wine.
Sister Zhang had already brought the copper hot pot to the table. The charcoal fire was lit, and the clear ham broth was bubbling and steaming in the pot, filling the air with a delicious aroma. She was busy arranging plates of thinly sliced mutton, fish, tripe, vegetables, vermicelli, tofu, and other ingredients onto the table.
She even prepared several small dishes of sesame paste.
Nan Zhiyi held the jar of yellow wine, while Gu Xiao found the gleaming small copper charcoal stove and a set of tin pots for warming wine.
Seeing this, Sister Zhang quickly said, "You want warm wine? It's so cold, drinking some hot wine is really comforting. I'll go get some shredded ginger and preserved plums, and boiling them in will make it even more fragrant and warming, and it can also dispel the cold."
Soon, a small charcoal stove was set up by the table, with a few pieces of red-hot charcoal burning. A small pot of Shaoxing wine sat on top, with shredded ginger and a few preserved plums added. The faint, sweet aroma of the wine slowly spread, mixing with the rich fragrance of the hot pot and filling the entire restaurant.
Nan Zhiyi stood at the top of the stairs and called out, "Gu Yan, take Wenjing and Xiaoman downstairs for dinner."
Gu Yan went downstairs and saw the yellow wine on the table. "But it's been years since I've had yellow wine."
After settling his son in, Gu Xiao invited Gu Yan and Ruan Wenjing to sit down. He said to Ruan Wenjing, "We're family. Drink if you want, or we have soda if you don't."
"Come on, Sister Zhang, sit down and eat with us. It's more fun with more people."
Nan Zhiyi greeted everyone, pouring warm yellow wine into the small porcelain cups in front of each person.
Sister Zhang was still a little reserved, but at Nan Zhiyi's insistence, she sat down with a smile and took the initiative to take care of Xiaoman's meals.
Gu Yan picked up his wine glass, sniffed, and exclaimed, "Delicious! It's been so long since I've smelled this! My sister-in-law is so particular."
He raised his glass, "Come on, Fifth Brother, Sister-in-law, Wenjing, Sister Zhang, Happy New Year! May the new year bring us all good fortune!"
Everyone smiled and raised their glasses.
Gu Xiao put a plate of mutton into the pot, saying, "Cook whatever you want to eat, don't be shy."
Gu Yan naturally didn't stand on ceremony. He got up and added whatever he wanted to eat to the pot, and even asked Ruan Wenjing what she wanted to eat, adding a few bites himself.
Nan Zhiyi has a low alcohol tolerance; after only a small cup, two blushes appeared on her face, and her eyes became watery.
She leaned back in her chair, watching Gu Xiao skillfully cook the meat in the hot pot, then place the first slice into her bowl, feeling a warm and cozy feeling in her heart.
Gu Xiao turned his head and asked in a low voice, "Are you alright? Are you dizzy?"
Nan Zhiyi shook her head, a smile playing on her lips. "No, it's just warm and comfortable." She gently took his hand, which was resting on his lap, under the cover of the tablecloth.
After drinking, Gu Yan became very enthusiastic and kept talking about his experiences in the South and interesting things that happened in the business world, which made everyone laugh.
Ruan Wenjing didn't talk much, but she always served Gu Yan wine and food at the right time, and her eyes were mostly on him.
Xiaoman ate until her mouth was glistening with oil, and was well taken care of by Sister Zhang.
I spent the second day of the Lunar New Year surrounded by the steam of hot pot.
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