Chapter 186 Sorrow
Nan Zhiyi tested her son's forehead temperature with her lips: "It's alright, it's warm in the room, a little pear soup will do the trick."
Sure enough, within two days, Xiaoman's runny nose stopped.
It was a rare sunny day.
As evening approached, Nan Zhiyi was lost in thought while staring at her manuscript when she suddenly heard the sound of a jeep. She assumed it was Gu Xiao returning.
She picked up Xiaoman from the ground and walked to the window, only to see Zhou Anping leaning out of a Beijing-plated jeep in front of the Zhou family's courtyard across the street.
Meng Qingshan also got out of the car and went around to the other side to help Zhou's mother out of the car, while Zhou's father took the luggage from the trunk.
The four of them stood at the door and exchanged a few words. Zhou Anping pointed towards the Gu family's courtyard and then pulled Meng Qingshan toward them.
Nan Zhiyi hurriedly carried Xiaoman downstairs. As soon as they reached the living room, Aunt Wu came in to greet them.
Meng Qingshan handed the two gift boxes to Wu Ma with a smile, saying, "Sister-in-law, I wish you and Fifth Brother a belated Happy New Year."
"This is too much trouble." Nan Zhiyi invited the two to sit down on the sofa.
When Aunt Wu brought over the tea and snacks, Nan Zhiyi said softly, "Aunt Wu, could you please order a couple more dishes? Anping and the others are having dinner here."
Meng Qingshan quickly waved his hand: "I shouldn't have bothered you..."
Zhou Anping gently tugged at his sleeve, then he changed his tune with a laugh and said, "Then I'll shamelessly freeload off you."
Zhou Anping took Xiaoman and teased her. The child was attracted by the brass buttons on her clothes and reached out to grab them while babbling.
Nan Zhiyi carefully observed her friend. She saw that her friend was wearing a brand-new crimson wool coat, her face was rosy, and her eyes and brows held the shyness of a new bride. However, when she smiled, there was a hint of fatigue in the corners of her eyes.
Nan Zhiyi asked softly, "Was the journey smooth? Is the wedding all set?"
"Everything's fine," Zhou Anping said, squeezing Xiaoman's chubby hand. "The wedding went smoothly..."
Meng Qingshan's gaze swept around the room. "Where's Fifth Brother?"
Nan Zhiyi was about to answer.
Just then, the door opened, and Gu Xiao entered, bringing with him a chill.
Meng Qingshan immediately stood up: "Fifth Brother!"
Gu Xiao took off his coat and nodded. "You just came back from the capital?"
"I just arrived a little while ago."
While Gu Xiao and Meng Qingshan were exchanging pleasantries, Nan Zhiyi put her son in Gu Xiao's arms and took Zhou Anping upstairs for a private chat.
As soon as the bedroom door closed, Zhou Anping's smile faded a little.
"Hey, let me tell you, the wedding banquet was held at the Beijing Hotel, and there were twenty tables of people! It was quite a grand affair! But... Aunt Meng was smiling the whole time, but I could tell she wasn't happy inside. My cousin Qingshan whispered that the Meng family originally had their eye on the daughter of a leader from the General Staff Department."
Nan Zhiyi pulled her to sit on the sofa: "Did Aunt Meng give you a hard time?"
“She’s such a decent person, why would she embarrass me in public… Sigh,” she sighed. “Qingshan said that my mother-in-law has a naturally serious face and told me not to take it to heart.”
Nan Zhiyi felt a pang of sympathy and for a moment didn't know how to comfort Anping.
Fortunately, Zhou Anping was easygoing and said with a smile, "Anyway, she won't hit me or scold me, so I'll just pretend I didn't see it. I'll just move out later."
"So, the wedding room will be arranged at the Meng family's house?"
"Yes. The General Staff Department is facing a dormitory shortage this year, and Qingshan, being relatively inexperienced, couldn't get a spot. His dad said to make do for now, and wait until the new buildings near Houhai are completed..."
Nan Zhiyi patted the back of her hand: "That's fine. The Meng family has maids, and the food is good. Especially since it's close to our house, you can come and visit me after get off work."
These are some of the things Nan Zhiyi could think of to comfort her friend.
Zhou Anping also thought it was a good idea. If he couldn't afford to offend her, he could simply avoid her. He could just go to Zhiyi's place after get off work to hide out. Anyway, Qingshan was on her side...
The sound of Commander Gu, Gu Xiao, and Meng Qingshan chatting and laughing could be heard downstairs. It seemed that Commander Gu had also finished get off work and arrived home.
Nan Zhiyi then asked, "How should we arrange the Jian'an performance?"
“This one will be much simpler. We’ll have six tables at the Peace Hotel on the tenth of the month, and invite some relatives and friends.” She turned and took Nan Zhiyi’s hand. “You and Fifth Brother must come.”
Nan Zhiyi grasped her slightly cool fingers in return: "Don't worry, we've prepared the gifts."
"Look."
She took out the couple's watches she had prepared, as well as a camera wrapped in velvet. "The watches are a gift from Fifth Brother and me. The camera was given to you by Gu Yan. He asked me to tell you that he's sorry."
Zhou Anping lifted the velvet cloth, her eyes suddenly reddening: "Gu Yan...do you still remember that I love taking pictures? Actually, I..." She wanted to say something, but there was no point in saying anything now.
She turned her face away and quickly wiped her eyes. "I'm going to buy some film. On the tenth of the month, can you take a few more pictures for me?"
Nan Zhiyi didn't ask any further questions and nodded earnestly in agreement.
Zhou Anping carefully put away the two gifts, leaned on Nan Zhiyi's shoulder, and said, "Thank you, Zhiyi."
"Between the two of us, is there any need to say these things?"
“That’s true…” Zhou Anping paused, then became worried, “I’m married, but I don’t know where my brother is… and my dad even said he doesn’t want his son anymore, sigh…”
Nan Zhiyi sighed as well, "Qingshan, do you know about Zhengping's matter?"
"I know, I briefly mentioned it to him, and he didn't seem to care..."
......
The sound of Aunt Wu calling for dinner came from downstairs.
The two sisters composed themselves and went downstairs hand in hand.
Commander Gu was sitting at the head of the dining table, holding Xiaoman, and occasionally asking Meng Qingshan a few questions about General Meng and his parents.
The table was laden with dishes, and Gu Xiao was pouring wine.
The meal was a pleasure for both the host and guests.
After the meal, Zhou Anping and Meng Qingshan sat for a while before saying goodbye.
Before leaving, Commander Gu stuffed a prepared red envelope into Meng Qingshan's hand, saying, "I wish you two a happy and harmonious life together from now on."
The Gu family and the Meng family have a long-standing friendship, and Meng Qingshan and Gu Xiao have a close relationship, so he naturally wouldn't refuse.
He accepted it solemnly, saying, "Thank you, Uncle Gu."
Zhou Anping also expressed his gratitude.
After seeing Zhou Anping and his companion off, the family of three returned to their bedroom, where Xiaoman was already so sleepy that her eyelids were drooping.
Gu Xiao skillfully gave his son a hot bath, and after feeding him half of the formula, the little guy fell asleep with the bottle in his mouth.
He settled his son in a cot in the corner, surrounded by quilts, right next to the big bed so he could keep an eye on him at any time.
After washing up, Nan Zhiyi was leaning against the headboard reading her manuscript.
Gu Xiao leaned in to tentatively kiss her, but she wrinkled her nose and gently pushed him away: "You reek of alcohol..."
He pinched her chin, then turned and went into the bathroom.
In just five minutes, he emerged, his bare upper body still glistening with water droplets, his abdominal muscles slightly tense with each movement.
Nan Zhiyi was somewhat afraid to look directly at him.
When he looked at her, the obvious aggression in his eyes made her heart flutter.
She huddled under the covers, pulling herself up tightly: "Xiaoman's here..."
"I went to bed early." He knelt on one knee on the mattress, pulling at the blanket with a pitiful expression. "Even in Beijing, we can go to the guest room..."
Nan Zhiyi gripped the blanket tightly, her ears turning bright red, "The soundproofing isn't good..."
Before she could finish speaking, she suddenly felt light as Gu Xiao scooped her up and carried her into the bathroom.
As the door lock clicked shut, he couldn't resist pinning her against the wall.
"You..." Nan Zhiyi was about to protest when her lips were sealed.
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