Chapter 335 Leg Pain
The next day, Nan Zhiyi woke up.
She immediately reached to her side and touched Gu Xiao's body. As if finding a support, she clung to him and whimpered, "Gu Xiao... my legs hurt... they're so sore..."
Gu Xiao had already woken up and was reading documents in the morning light. Hearing the sound, he put down the paper in his hand, reached his large hand under the thin blanket, grasped her calf, and began to massage it.
"Let you show off."
His tone was reproachful, but his actions were gentle and patient: "If you continue to be so unrestrained next time, I won't take care of you anymore."
Nan Zhiyi muttered defiantly, "Next time... next time, let Minister Gu go shopping with me personally... I'm not going..."
Gu Xiao chuckled and reluctantly agreed, "Okay, okay, I'll arrange it next time. I would never dare to trouble you again, Chief."
After the initial soreness subsided, Nan Zhiyi looked up and asked, "Where's my son? Is he up yet?"
"He got up early and is playing with Gu Yong and Gu Meng in the yard."
Hearing that her son had someone to keep him company, Nan Zhiyi felt even more justified in staying in bed and not wanting to move.
Gu Xiao massaged her left leg, and she lifted her right leg, rubbing her toes against Gu Xiao's chest, which was only covered by a vest.
Gu Xiao's movements suddenly paused, the pressing changing to a suggestive kneading, his gaze darkening as he looked at the person in his arms, "What? Your legs don't hurt anymore? Or... don't you want to go out today?"
Nan Zhiyi immediately cowered and obediently admitted defeat: "Fifth Brother... I was wrong. We need to go out, we need to go out."
Gu Xiao was finally satisfied. He gave his son a light pinch and stood up first: "Let's go downstairs for breakfast, and then I'll take our son to register."
"good…"
Nan Zhiyi reached out her hand, "Help me up, my legs are still weak."
He bent down and scooped her up in his arms.
"Okay, I'll help the chief wash up."
Nan Zhiyi wrapped her arms around his neck and smiled, "Granted."
After breakfast, Gu Xiao took Nan Zhiyi and Xiaoman to June 1st Kindergarten.
Because the kindergarten wasn't far from home, Nan Zhiyi insisted on walking there.
Gu Xiao looked at her calves, "Can you really walk?"
"Of course! I'm not made of clay."
Gu Xiao sighed, "Alright, let's walk there."
Soon, the three of them arrived at the entrance of the June 1st Kindergarten.
Today is registration day. There are a few bicycles parked at the entrance, and a few parents are coming and going with their children.
Nan Zhiyi held Xiaoman's hand, while Gu Xiao carried a cloth bag containing the materials needed for registration.
He stood out from the crowd in his crisp military uniform, his posture upright and his demeanor aloof, attracting several subtle glances.
The family of three entered the yard, and Xiaoman pointed to the big red slide.
"Mom, we've been here before. Um, can I play here?"
“Once Xiaoman starts kindergarten, he can play every day,” Nan Zhiyi said softly as she bent down to straighten his collar.
Gu Xiao picked up Xiao Man, who was looking around anxiously, and said, "Come on, let's go register first."
The family of three waited at the registration desk for a while, and only went into the office after the other people who had registered came out.
A capable female teacher is sitting behind her desk organizing documents.
Upon seeing them enter, the teacher looked up, her gaze lingering briefly on Gu Xiao's military uniform before falling on the adorable little girl in his arms. "Comrade, are you here to register?"
“Yes, hello teacher.” Nan Zhiyi stepped forward, took out the materials from the cloth bag and handed them over.
The teacher took the materials and carefully reviewed and checked them.
Gu Xiao put Xiaoman down, and the little guy was attracted by a pot of green ivy on the windowsill, and stood on tiptoe to touch it.
"Gu Zhao is three years old. Hmm, the age is correct." The teacher registered the child while glancing at the parents' names and workplaces on the household registration book. She understood the situation and became even more polite.
"Our kindergarten is recruiting two classes for the junior class this year, and there are still quite a few places available. Here are the admission instructions, please take a look."
Nan Zhiyi took the few mimeographed materials from the teacher and carefully put them away. "Thank you, teacher."
"You're too kind."
At that moment, another couple came in with their child to register. The teacher took the materials in a businesslike manner and replied simply, "We will consider the registration order and eligibility comprehensively, and we will issue a notification later."
The parents left with their child, glancing back at Gu Xiao and his group with a hint of speculation in their eyes.
After reading the kindergarten admission instructions, Nan Zhiyi politely thanked the teacher again: "Thank you, teacher, we understand."
The teacher smiled and said gently to Xiaoman, "Gu Zhao, welcome to our June 1st Kindergarten! Remember to come and register on September 1st."
Xiaoman didn't quite understand what "reporting for duty" meant, but he imitated the adults and nodded his little head vigorously, "Okay!"
Gu Xiao didn't say much throughout, only calling out "Xiao Man" when Xiao Man tried to grab the pen on the teacher's desk.
The little guy immediately withdrew his hand and stood obediently.
With the matter settled, Nan Zhiyi felt a great weight lifted from her shoulders, yet also a strange sense of melancholy.
She gently patted her son's head.
My son is really leaving home to begin a new phase of his life.
With just one glance, Gu Xiao saw through her complex and conflicting thoughts.
He reached out and put his arm around her shoulder. "Alright, honey, don't frown. It's a good thing."
He gently touched her slightly furrowed brow with his fingertip.
Nan Zhiyi felt shy about getting close to him outside, so she reached out and squeezed his forearm. "Okay. Let's go back first, it's too sunny outside."
The three walked home along the tree-lined path.
Cicadas chirped tirelessly on the branches overhead.
Even with her father holding her hand, Xiaoman was restless, her short legs occasionally hopping to step on the dappled sunlight on the ground, thoroughly enjoying herself.
The day after registering Xiaoman, Nan Zhiyi was busy all day again.
I took Gu Yong to the Industrial University early in the morning to complete his registration.
In the afternoon, I will take my sister-in-law and Gu Meng to the train station.
Nan Zhiyi had Sister Zhang pack a lot of Beijing specialties in advance and put them in her sister-in-law's luggage. "Sister-in-law, take these with you. Let your brother try them when you get back. It's a token of our appreciation."
Li Xiuqin held Nan Zhiyi's hand and thanked her again and again, "Fifth sister-in-law, you are really...so good! You are so thoughtful and considerate. You have been so troubled these past few days, taking care of everything inside and outside."
Nan Zhiyi grasped her sister-in-law's hand in return, "Sister-in-law, please don't say that. If I go to the Northwest someday, you will definitely treat me the same way, maybe even more thoughtfully! We are family, so please don't worry."
Hearing this, Li Xiuqin was still touched and felt guilty. "Well, that's true, but... this time we really owe you a lot."
"Alright, sister-in-law, let's check again to make sure there's anything we haven't packed up yet, so we don't forget anything." Nan Zhiyi patted her hand.
"Yes, yes, yes."
Li Xiuqin went into the guest room again.
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