Chapter 222 Moving
The next morning, we were to visit the Meng family to offer New Year's greetings.
Gu Xiao took out the prepared gifts from the warehouse: two bottles of Moutai liquor tied with a red ribbon; two boxes of top-quality West Lake Longjing tea; and a set of eight-piece Daoxiangcun tea set.
Gu Yan leaned lazily against the sofa, holding Xiao Man who was playing with his buttons, and said to Ruan Wenjing beside him, "Have something to eat at home for lunch, I'll be back this afternoon."
Ruan Wenjing nodded obediently: "Yes, I know, you guys go ahead."
She knew in her heart that she was only Gu Yan's girlfriend, and their relationship was not yet officially established. It was inappropriate and against etiquette for her to go with him to pay New Year's respects to a family like the Meng family, which belonged to a general.
Nan Zhiyi also said gently, "Just tell Sister Zhang what you want for lunch, don't be shy."
"Thank you, sister-in-law. I've got it all. You should go now, don't keep the Meng family waiting." Ruan Wenjing smiled as she saw the three of them off.
Gu Xiao carried the gifts in his hands, and Nan Zhiyi linked arms with him as they walked beside him.
Gu Yan hoisted Xiao Man onto his shoulder and sat her down, making Xiao Man giggle excitedly.
The air after the snow was crisp and clean. Although the snow was still thick, the main roads and paths leading to various places in the army compound had been cleared by the service soldiers, revealing the gray cement ground, with only high snowdrifts piled up on both sides.
The general's building where the Meng family lived was some distance from the small courtyard where the Gu family lived. The three of them walked for about ten minutes on the cleaned road and arrived at the general's building.
As soon as they arrived at the courtyard gate, the green-painted door opened from the inside, clearly indicating that Meng Qingshan and Zhou Anping had been keeping an eye on the commotion outside.
The two men greeted them with smiles.
Meng Qingshan walked up to Gu Xiao first, "Fifth Brother, Sister-in-law, Happy New Year, you've come."
Zhou Anping immediately spotted Gu Yan and Xiaoman on his shoulder. "Gu Yan!! Oh, Xiaoman! Let Auntie hold you!"
As she spoke, she carefully lifted Xiaoman off Gu Yan's shoulder and affectionately nuzzled his little face.
Meng Qingshan warmly extended his hand to Gu Yan: "Brother Gu Yan! Please come in. Today is the perfect day, we must have a good drink together!"
Gu Yan also put on a familiar smile and shook hands firmly with Meng Qingshan: "Brother Meng! I often hear my brother and Anping talk about you. You are truly extraordinary!"
The two exchanged pleasantries, as if they were old friends who had just met.
Zhou Anping, holding Xiaoman, asked Gu Yan, "Why did you come all the way to the capital? It's such a long journey..."
Gu Yan winked at her, "I had to come no matter how far away it was. I haven't seen my Anping sister in so long, I missed her terribly, so I came all this way to see you."
"Get lost! You're so unserious!" Zhou Anping laughed and spat at him, then turned and went into the house first, carrying Xiaoman. He waved enthusiastically to Nan Zhiyi, "Zhiyi, come in quickly!"
Meng Qingshan accepted some of the gifts from Gu Xiao, repeatedly saying, "You're too kind." The three men chatted and laughed as they followed him into the house.
The house was very warm. It seemed that Mr. and Mrs. Meng were not home. Only General Meng, dressed in a loose Zhongshan suit, was sitting on the living room sofa listening to the news on the radio.
Seeing them come in, the old man smiled and turned off the radio.
"Grandpa, Happy New Year!" Gu Xiao and Nan Zhiyi greeted him in unison.
"Happy New Year! Wishing you good health and all the best." Gu Yan changed his casual demeanor and became respectful.
General Meng smiled kindly, his gaze falling on Gu Yan. He looked him over and nodded, "Good, good, Happy New Year. Sit down, don't stand."
He waved to Gu Yan, "You're the sixth son of the Gu family? Gu Yan?"
"Yes, sir, this is Gu Yan." Gu Yan replied.
General Meng chuckled twice: "Hmm, I've heard your father mention you. He said you're a quick-witted fellow who refused to wear a military uniform and insisted on going south to make your way in the world. How's it going? You're more comfortable in the business world than in the army, aren't you?"
The old man's tone was teasing, not blaming, but rather subtly admiring of the young man's drive.
Gu Yan sat up straight: "It is indeed very different. The policies in the south are more flexible, there are more opportunities, and people are more willing to think and act. There are new things everywhere. It's just that the rules are not as strict as here, so you have to be more careful when doing things."
He spoke frankly, "I'm just blindly following along, trying to earn a little money through hard work. It's not as good as my brother and his comrades who are defending the country in the army."
General Meng chuckled upon hearing this: "Everyone has their own path. It's a good thing for young people to go out and explore, to broaden their horizons. As long as they don't go astray and earn money honestly, that's fine."
......
On the other side, Zhou Anping, holding Xiaoman, winked at Nan Zhiyi, signaling her to come into the bedroom with him.
Nan Zhiyi understood and followed her into the inner room.
Zhou Anping put Xiaoman on the ground and let him explore this new environment freely.
Nan Zhiyi looked around. The room was spacious and bright, simple yet cozy. There was a double bed, a wardrobe, a desk, and on the wall hung Anping's performance photos and a wedding photo. Several potted plants on the windowsill added a lot of life to the room.
"It's quite spacious."
Zhou Anping gave Xiaoman a roly-poly toy to play with, and casually said, "It's alright. But you won't be staying for more than a few days."
Nan Zhiyi hurriedly asked, "What's wrong?"
Zhou Anping looked relaxed: "It's good news. Qingshan's housing application at the General Staff has been approved. It's a small two-bedroom apartment. We've agreed to move there after the New Year."
"Meng Qingshan agreed to move out?"
Nan Zhiyi was somewhat surprised, after all, being able to live with elders, especially in a family like General Meng's, is something many people would love to do.
Zhou Anping nodded matter-of-factly: "Why would I disagree? Living there would be much closer to his work; it's only a few minutes' walk. Besides..."
She blushed slightly. "It's always more comfortable for the young couple to live alone."
Nan Zhiyi couldn't help but chuckle mischievously, lowering her voice: "Why are you shy? Is it because you're staying here at night... um... that you two are making too much noise and Aunt Meng and the others hear you?"
Zhou Anping's eyes widened instantly, and he lightly punched Nan Zhiyi: "Hey! Zhiyi! Why are you asking such questions! It's not true! Don't talk nonsense!"
She denied it quickly and urgently, but her eyes darted around. "I just want to move out. I want to live on my own and feel more comfortable, without being so restricted."
Nan Zhiyi stopped teasing her and instead said with some melancholy, "You're already busy with work, with constant rehearsals and performances. If you move to the General Staff Headquarters, won't it be even harder for us to see each other?"
Zhou Anping reassured him, "No, it won't happen! The General Staff compound is also in this district, and it's not particularly far from here. It only takes about half an hour by bicycle. Besides, I'll definitely come back to see Grandpa often on my days off, or you can bring Xiaoman to my place to play!"
She spoke optimistically, full of anticipation for her future independent life.
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