Chapter 104 A Perfect Match
"Doctor, can we do an ultrasound?" Gu Xiao asked, recalling that he had seen an introduction to this new technology in the military newspaper.
The doctor shook his head: "We don't have that here. That's rare equipment only found in big hospitals. Right now, we mainly rely on palpation and listening to the fetal heartbeat. Her fetal heartbeat is quite good, thumping like a little train, very strong."
Nan Zhiyi breathed a sigh of relief.
Gu Xiao, however, seemed frozen in place.
It goes "thump-thump-thump," like a little train running...
A vibrant and energetic little life, belonging to him and Zhiyi, is growing up...
His gaze involuntarily fell on her lower abdomen, then moved to her profile.
Nan Zhiyi turned her head and smiled slightly at him.
The doctor prescribed vitamins and glucose powder, and gave some instructions.
As they walked out of the consultation room and down the stairs, Gu Xiao's arms tightened around Nan Zhiyi even more than when they arrived, almost half-embracing her.
He remained silent, seemingly processing everything he had just heard.
He stopped when he reached the bicycle and said solemnly, "Tomorrow, I will take you back to Jian'an."
Nan Zhiyi hummed in response, "Then... how many days can you stay at home?"
Gu Xiao squeezed her hand and comforted her, "The mission report was submitted today. Including New Year's Day, the organization has given us seven days off."
Seven days.
Nan Zhiyi's heart was filled with both bitterness and sorrow.
Three long months of waiting only resulted in a mere seven days.
She knew that the mission he had just completed must have been extremely dangerous, and this seven-day leave was already a rare act of consideration from the organization.
But he can only stay in Jian'an for five days before he has to come back.
Noticing her low spirits, Gu Xiao lowered his voice even further: "Zhiyi, this time... the situation is a bit complicated, and there's a lot of wrap-up work. It could have been shorter."
Upon hearing this, Nan Zhiyi knew that these seven days had already been very difficult, and that her being dramatic would only make him worry.
She smiled and gently shook their clasped hands: "Seven days is fine! You'll definitely have more time off after the New Year, and by then I'll be better recovered and can come back here... There's plenty of time."
Knowing her understanding and sensible nature, Gu Xiao squeezed her hand back even tighter, giving it a reassuring squeeze.
People were coming and going at the hospital entrance, and he restrained the urge to pull her into his arms.
He carefully wrapped her scarf tighter again before pushing the bicycle and gesturing for her to sit on it.
It gets dark early, and dusk is falling.
Nan Zhiyi sat in the back seat, her arms wrapped around his waist, her face pressed against his back, absorbing his warmth.
After riding for a while, she quietly slipped her icy-cold hand through the gap between the hem of his military uniform and his cotton coat, and pressed it directly against the warm skin on his waist.
Gu Xiao was startled by her coldness and chuckled, "You little rascal."
Without turning around, he freed one hand and, through his clothes, shoved her mischievous hand even tighter into his chest, pressing it against his lower abdomen.
Nan Zhiyi chuckled behind his back, occasionally lightly scratching his skin with her fingertips.
When they were almost at the narrow road leading to the family compound, the two got out of the car.
Gu Xiao pushed the cart with one hand and wrapped the other arm around her waist, pulling her half-close to his side and protecting her as they slowly walked forward.
As soon as she turned into the alley, Nan Zhiyi saw two figures walking one after the other not far ahead.
Zhou Zhengping was in front, walking hurriedly. A few steps behind him was Lu Linlang.
Hearing the commotion behind her, Lu Linlang turned around and immediately saw Gu Xiao and Nan Zhiyi approaching hand in hand, especially Gu Xiao's posture of almost protecting her in his arms.
A flash of jealousy crossed her eyes, and she took a few quick steps to grab Zhou Zhengping's arm.
Zhou Zhengping was startled by her sudden movement, his brows furrowed instantly, and he instinctively tried to pull his arm back.
But Lu Linlang held on tightly, her nails almost digging into the fabric of his military uniform sleeve.
She put on an impeccable, gentle smile and greeted them in a clear, melodious voice, "Fifth Brother! Fifth Sister-in-law! What a coincidence!"
That cry of "Fifth Sister-in-law" struck Zhou Zhengping's heart unexpectedly.
His face instantly turned extremely ugly.
The way Lu Linlang called her was a vicious reminder and forced him to respectfully address Nan Zhiyi as "Fifth Sister-in-law".
His throat tightened, his lips pressed into a straight line, and in the end, he couldn't utter a single word.
Nan Zhiyi was startled by the sweet "Fifth Sister-in-law" and couldn't help but sneeze loudly.
She rubbed her nose and, meeting Zhou Zhengping's complex and unpredictable gaze, gave a polite nod as a greeting.
Gu Xiao responded with a deep "hmm" from his nose, without stopping for a second. He put his arm around Nan Zhiyi, pushed the cart, and walked straight past them without even glancing at the two of them for a second.
Zhou Zhengping stood frozen in place until Gu Xiao and Nan Zhiyi had taken several steps before he suddenly pulled his arm out of Lu Linlang's grip. The force was so great that Lu Linlang staggered.
He didn't even look at her, and strode forward, his back view carrying a suppressed anger.
Zhou Zhengping walked very fast.
This wasn't the first time that woman had performed like this.
Since the two returned to the military camp after their marriage, Lu Linlang seemed to have found a new stage to perform on.
Whenever she wasn't busy with work, she would appear downstairs at Zhou Zhengping's office or on his usual route, just as his training staff officer was getting off work. In front of the other staff officers and officers, she would ask him about his well-being, offer him hot tea or snacks, and play the role of a gentle and considerate virtuous wife.
When Zhou Zhengping first encountered her, his face turned ashen, and he immediately lowered his voice and told her, "Don't come again."
Lu Linlang ignored him and instead intensified her actions.
Those outsiders who didn't know the situation couldn't help but praise the two of them as a perfect match, a loving couple, given Lu Linlang's attentiveness and Zhou Zhengping's apparent silence.
This false "harmonious marriage" was like a layer of gorgeous paint applied to a rotten interior, making Zhou Zhengping feel extremely disgusted and suffocated.
He couldn't be bothered to explain, because explaining would only attract more unnecessary attention and lead to Lu Linlang's even more outrageous performance.
Lu Linlang was thrown off by Zhou Zhengping. Looking at his resolute back and then at the couple embracing tightly in front of her, she felt a surge of anger rising to her head.
The streetlights cast distorted shadows on her face.
She clearly saw Nan Zhiyi whispering in Gu Xiao's ear. The intimate gesture and the smiling eyes seemed to her like a deliberate display of arrogance and mockery.
They must be laughing at themselves! Laughing at her for scheming to marry Zhou Zhengping, only to live such a miserable life!
She stared intently at the three people in front of her, her fingers gripping the strap of her purse tightly.
Zhou Zhengping walked extremely fast, almost rushing into the house.
Lu Linlang followed her in and slammed the door shut with a "bang".
The atmosphere in the cramped room instantly plummeted to freezing point.
Zhou Zhengping took off his military overcoat, didn't even look at Lu Linlang, and went straight to the small room where he slept.
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