Chapter 506 Farewell 2
Mr. Su's gaze fell on Gu Zhao, who was munching on a mung bean cake. The child was trying hard to act like a little master, but his eyes were like they were being drawn to a magnet, constantly glancing at the box of Lego bricks at his feet. His adorable appearance, where he was clearly itching to get the bricks but was trying his best to restrain himself, was truly endearing.
"Gu Zhao, are the snacks delicious?"
Gu Zhao swallowed the small piece of pastry in her mouth and sat up straight: "Delicious! Uncle, this mung bean cake is sweeter and more fragrant than the ones I usually eat. You should try some too."
Mr. Su smiled and said, "Good child, you don't need to stay here and talk to us adults. Go on, go play. You don't need to be shy in your own home."
Gu Zhao's eyes shone like two little stars, but he still looked at his mother first.
When Nan Zhiyi smiled and nodded at him, he jumped off the sofa like a pony who had been granted a pardon.
Not forgetting etiquette, she said crisply to the three guests, "Uncle, Aunt, and Cousin, I'll go over to the dining table and help out for a bit! If you need any more tea or water, just call me! I can hear you very well!"
His childish words, coupled with his earnest little face, made the adults laugh.
Mr. Su laughed especially heartily, but as he laughed, a hint of bitterness crept into his smile.
Gu Zhao is Jing Si's grandson... He has some of the blood of the Li and Su families flowing in his veins.
If there hadn't been war and separation back then, if Jingsi were still alive, how much she would have loved this clever and bright little grandson... What lies between them is an irreparable separation by life and death, and more than half a century of endless regret...
His eyes unconsciously filled with tears. He quickly took out his handkerchief, gently dabbed at the corners of his eyes, and shook his head somewhat embarrassedly.
“...I’m old and useless,” he sighed self-deprecatingly. “When I see children, I’m happy, but when I’m happy, I easily become sentimental.”
"Dad..." Su Chengye comforted him in a low voice.
Nan Zhiyi's eyes also reddened. "Uncle, if my mother knew how much you care about her and how much you like Gu Zhao, she would be... she would be very happy."
Mr. Su calmed himself down, took a deep breath, and suppressed his sadness.
He glanced at his son.
Su Chengye understood and continued, "Cousin, besides the little gift I brought today, my father and I have discussed setting up an education fund for Gu Zhao, or buying him a property in Beijing and registering it in his name as a long-term guarantee for his future. This is not a gift, but rather our support for the child's future as his maternal uncles."
Nan Zhiyi was startled.
This is no longer an ordinary gift, but a gift involving a large sum of assets and long-term planning.
She declined almost without hesitation, offering a sincere and polite refusal:
“Uncle, cousin, I really don’t know how to thank you for your kindness. But the fund and the real estate are just too much for us to accept. Gu Xiao and I both have our own jobs and income. It is our responsibility and ability to raise and educate Gu Zhao and plan for his future.”
She looked at Mr. Su, "Uncle, we are so grateful that your family has come back and acknowledged us as relatives. We will cherish this blood ties. As for anything else, please don't spend any more money on us. Otherwise, Gu Xiao and I will feel uneasy."
Mr. Su was silent for a moment, then sighed: "Alright, alright... Zhiyi, you have your reasons, I understand. I was too impatient, always thinking of making up for what I owed all at once... You're right, family ties are the most important. Then let's... not talk about this for now."
He picked up his teacup again: "Come, have some tea. We'll have a proper family dinner tonight when Gu Xiao comes back."
Before dinner, Gu Xiao stepped into the foyer.
"Uncle, I'm so sorry, something came up at the department and I had to get out of here. Please forgive my rudeness."
Gu Xiao extended his hands and shook hands with Mr. Su.
Mr. Su shook his head repeatedly while holding Gu Xiao's hand and said with a smile, "Don't mention it, business is important! We were the ones who came without permission and interrupted your work."
Gu Xiao then shook hands and exchanged pleasantries with Cheng Huixin and Su Chengye one by one.
Taking a moment to glance at Nan Zhiyi, he smiled back, indicating that everything was arranged.
Dinner was served very quickly.
Because it was a purely family dinner with no outsiders, the atmosphere was much more relaxed and comfortable than the welcome parties of the previous two days.
Gu Xiao was very considerate, personally serving dishes and pouring wine for Mr. Su.
He chatted with Mr. Su about the new atmosphere of domestic construction and with Su Chengye about some trends in international trade and economy, showing a great sense of propriety.
When Su Chengye heard Gu Xiao mention that his younger brother Gu Yan was doing business in the south and that his business was quite successful, a hint of interest appeared in his eyes.
As a businessman from Southeast Asia, he had a natural keen sense of emerging domestic markets and potential business partners.
Gu Yan is Gu Xiao's younger brother, and this relationship is worth noting.
On the other side, Nan Zhiyi accompanied Cheng Huixin and Gu Zhao, and their conversation was much more relaxed and casual.
Cheng Huixin inquired about Nan Zhiyi's daily life with concern, and Nan Zhiyi also carefully asked about her aunt's living habits in Singapore and the differences in climate between the north and south.
When Gu Zhao occasionally heard something she was curious about, such as "durian," she would ask, "Is durian really that smelly yet so delicious?"
...
Shortly after dinner, staff from the Overseas Chinese Federation drove over to pick up Mr. Su and his family and take them back to the hotel.
Tomorrow morning, they will depart for a coastal city to continue their planned visit before returning to Singapore.
This parting is now a long and arduous journey, and who knows when we will meet again.
Nan Zhiyi and Gu Xiao, along with Gu Zhao, escorted their three cousins to the courtyard gate.
The spring night breeze was cool, and the streetlights cast long, thin shadows of several people.
Mr. Su held Nan Zhiyi's hand for a long time without letting go.
The old man's eyes were a little red: "Zhiyi, seeing you and your family is so good, I finally feel at ease. It's just... I feel that the time was too short, and I had to leave before I could say enough."
Nan Zhiyi felt the same reluctance, but she still smiled and said, "Uncle, don't be sad. The country is becoming more and more open every day, and the policies are getting better and better. It will definitely be more and more convenient to travel together. We will definitely be able to see each other more often in the future."
Gu Zhao also said, "Uncle, next time you come, I'm sure I can assemble that big ship! Once I've assembled it, I'll take a picture and send it to you!"
The child's innocent promise dispelled some of the sadness of parting.
Old Mr. Su patted Gu Zhao's head and said repeatedly, "Good, good, great-uncle is waiting to see our Gu Zhao's big ship!"
Su Chengye, who had been standing quietly beside his father, stepped forward.
“Cousin, Father, things are indeed different now than before. Communication and interaction are so much more convenient. After we go back, we can write letters and make phone calls frequently. In addition, China now welcomes overseas Chinese to invest and visit relatives, and the procedures are gradually being simplified. My father and I have discussed applying to return again under the guise of business visits.”
Gu Xiao stood beside Nan Zhiyi and nodded steadily: "Cousin is right, travel will become more and more convenient. We can discuss the specifics later. In the meantime, please take good care of yourselves, Uncle, Aunt, and Cousin. If you need anything in the South, please contact us anytime."
As night deepened, the staff politely reminded everyone of the time.
The moment of final farewell has arrived.
Cheng Huixin stepped forward and hugged Nan Zhiyi, gently telling her, "Child, take good care of yourself and the family. Keep in touch."
Nan Zhiyi hugged her aunt back: "Aunt, you too, have a safe journey."
Mr. Su took one last deep look at Nan Zhiyi and Gu Zhao before turning around and getting into the car with his son's help.
Su Chengye nodded to Gu Xiao and Nan Zhiyi, and then sat down.
The black sedan slowly started, drove out of the hazy yellow light of the streetlights, and disappeared into the night.
Nan Zhiyi nestled against Gu Xiao, and Gu Xiao put his arm around her shoulder.
"Let's go back inside, it's chilly at night," Gu Xiao said softly.
"Um."
Nan Zhiyi withdrew her gaze and looked down at her son's forlorn face: "You can't bear to part with your great-uncle?"
Gu Zhao nodded, then shook her head: "I'm a little reluctant to part... but Mom said we can see each other again in the future! And my great-uncle said he'll bring me something even more fun next time!"
A child's world is easily illuminated by specific expectations.
Nan Zhiyi and Gu Xiao exchanged a smile.
Parting is for a better reunion next time.
Blood ties have been reconnected, and kinship has taken root. So no matter how far apart we are, we will meet again someday.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com