Chapter 499 Gift 2
Gu Xiao smiled and said, "Yes, smart."
As he led her home, he explained, “We received official notification today that a group of overseas Chinese are scheduled to return to China for a visit soon. Your cousin, Mr. Su Chongshan, and his family are on the list. Their itinerary will mainly be in Beijing and several coastal cities. We will arrange for family members to meet them then.”
Nan Zhiyi instinctively tightened her grip on his forearm.
"When will you arrive? Where will you stay?" She had many details she wanted to ask.
"Um."
Gu Xiao put his arm around her shoulder. "No rush, let's talk about it when we get home."
Nan Zhiyi took a deep breath and nodded.
The couple walked hand in hand into the courtyard.
That night, she was like a clingy piece of candy, following Gu Xiao from the bathroom to the bedroom, asking one question after another, as if she wanted to break it down and find out the answers.
"The reception was arranged by the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office and the Foreign Affairs Department. We stayed in a hotel for foreigners and were accompanied by staff, but we also had free time."
"I will stay in Beijing for about a week, and the itinerary includes visits, discussions, and time reserved for visiting relatives."
"A small welcome party will be arranged, and we will definitely receive a notification. A private visit to their home is also possible, depending on our uncle's schedule and wishes; we will cooperate."
...
Gu Xiao patiently explained each point one by one.
He finally couldn't hold back any longer and pulled her onto his lap, saying with a mix of helplessness and amusement, "Mrs. Gu, you've already asked this question three times already."
Nan Zhiyi felt a little embarrassed, so she hugged his neck, buried her face in his shoulder, and remained silent.
A few seconds later, her muffled voice came out: "You find me annoying?"
"How could that be? I know you're happy."
He gently coaxed her, "But I've told you everything I can. The rest will be arranged later. I'm here, so you won't miss anything, and I won't leave you unable to handle it. Okay?"
Nan Zhiyi also felt that she was a bit too excited and talkative tonight, probably because she was so happy that she was dizzy.
She gave a soft "hmm," as if accepting his comfort.
But the excitement in my body didn't seem to have completely subsided.
She stopped pressing the matter, but didn't completely stop either. She loosened one arm from his neck, her fingertips lightly brushing against the warm skin beneath his neck, then sliding down to his chin, gently stroking the newly sprouted stubble...
Gu Xiao's heart fluttered slightly at her little gestures, and he lowered his head: "What? After talking so much, you still can't sleep? You're so energetic..."
His gaze lingered on her moist, glistening lips: "How about... we do something else to help you relax, hmm?"
Only one wall lamp was on in the bedroom, casting a dim and ambiguous light.
Nan Zhiyi was slightly burned by the deep meaning in his eyes, but she did not flinch. Instead, she met his burning gaze, tightened her arms around him again, and offered her lips to him.
Springtime deepened overnight.
The next day, after school, Nan Zhiyi called Aunt Feng Xuemei.
"Aunt Feng, my mother's cousin, Mr. Su Chongshan, is returning to China to visit relatives, expected in two weeks..."
Upon hearing her words, Feng Xuemei's voice trembled with excitement: "Really?! That's wonderful! This is truly fantastic news!"
Feng Xuemei was Li Jingsi's close friend. Although she had never met the Su family members in person, she had heard Jingsi mention her cousin who had gone overseas many times.
Now that times have changed, Nan Zhiyi has the opportunity to meet her mother's relatives. In Feng Xuemei's view, this is not only a search for relatives, but also a fulfillment of the long-cherished blood ties that Jing Si had longed for for many years, which is a great comfort.
She was genuinely happy for Nan Zhiyi.
“Zhiyi, this is wonderful news! Your mother will be comforted in heaven if Mr. Su can come back.” Feng Xuemei’s voice was choked with emotion.
Nan Zhiyi held the receiver, her heart aching with mixed feelings: "Yes, Aunt Feng, that's what I was thinking too. It's just... I've never met them before, and the thought of suddenly meeting them makes me both happy and a little nervous."
“I understand, I understand,” Feng Xuemei said repeatedly, trying hard to recall. “I remember your mother mentioned before that your cousin seemed to really like the pickles and walnut pastries from Jian’an Renhezhai. Now that he’s been away for so many years, he probably misses them. I live far away, so how about I ask someone to buy some and send them to you? You can take them with you when you meet him, as a way to remember your hometown.”
Upon hearing this, Nan Zhiyi quickly said, "Aunt Feng, there's no need to trouble you to ask someone! I'll just call and ask Aunt Wu to buy it for me and send it over as quickly as possible. It should arrive before we meet. Don't worry about it!"
Feng Xuemei thought about it and agreed: "That's fine then, Aunt Wu is reliable. When you see Mr. Su, please give my and your Uncle Zhang's greetings. You two should catch up..."
The two chatted about everyday things before hanging up the phone.
Nan Zhiyi hung up the phone and almost immediately dialed the number for the Jian'an Gu Family Compound.
The person who answered the phone was Wu Ma.
Nan Zhiyi told him that she needed to buy local specialties.
Wu Ma listened carefully on the other end of the phone and readily agreed: "Don't worry! I'll go first thing tomorrow morning, buy it, and immediately go to the post office to send it to you via the fastest parcel! It won't delay your business!"
Nan Zhiyi thanked him repeatedly, feeling a weight lifted from her heart.
When Gu Xiao returned in the evening, Nan Zhiyi told him about buying local specialties.
Gu Xiao pondered for a moment, then said slowly, "You've thought of everything. Bringing some local specialties is a thoughtful gesture. However... based on past reception arrangements and the general wishes of overseas Chinese, after Mr. Su and his group arrive, they will likely first go back to their ancestral home in Jian'an with the staff to pay respects at their ancestral graves and visit their former residence, fulfilling a long-cherished wish. Only then will they proceed to Beijing to participate in the activities as planned. Perhaps they can enjoy the freshest of these things back home."
Upon hearing this, Nan Zhiyi exclaimed in annoyance, "Oh dear! I didn't think this through... I was only thinking about meeting in Beijing and didn't consider this aspect. So... so all my efforts were in vain, and it seems like I went to all this trouble for nothing?"
Seeing her somewhat dejected, Gu Xiao put his arm around her shoulder. "Honey, no one can predict the future or be perfect in every way. Your thoughtfulness is just a matter of courtesy. Even if they eat it in their hometown, receiving something you specially prepared for them in Beijing will have a different meaning. It's nothing, don't worry about it."
With a few words, he dispelled Nan Zhiyi's unnecessary frustration.
She grasped his fingers in return. "Yes, you're right. Then I'll wait patiently for Aunt Wu to send it over, and I'll deliver it to my cousins when they arrive in Beijing. It'll be a belated taste of home."
With that matter settled, her mind started working again. "...Should I prepare some other gifts for our meeting?"
Seeing her enthusiasm, Gu Xiao didn't want to dampen her spirits and said, "It would be good to prepare something decent and memorable. Mr. Su is a businessman who has traveled all over the country and has seen a lot. Things that are too expensive or too vulgar would not be nice."
He thought for a moment and offered a suggestion, "You could consider some unique small items. For example, the Four Treasures of the Study from Rongbaozhai, or some handicrafts with Beijing characteristics..."
"Okay...and one more..."
......
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com