Chapter 51 The Tailor
His father valued his son's abilities and was well aware of his obsession with Nan Zhiyi. Within his power, he was willing to remove obstacles for his son.
Gu Xiao's own military achievements and abilities are his greatest source of confidence. As long as it doesn't involve any fundamental errors, the military region won't easily take action against someone like him.
What truly kept him awake at night was something else entirely.
He had been secretly investigating the truth behind the deaths of Nam Ji-yi's parents.
Nan Zhiyi never brought it up, keeping her immense grief and questions buried deep in her heart.
But Gu Xiao understood.
She didn't say anything because she was afraid of causing him trouble and implicating him.
But he couldn't let her live her whole life burdened by the shadow of her parents possibly dying unjustly.
He married her to protect her from the wind and rain, and more importantly, to seek justice for her.
The atmosphere is subtly changing, and some subtle signs of loosening are emerging…
Through his father's old connections, Gu Xiao vaguely heard rumors that there seemed to be a renewed review of the situation...
That was a ray of dawn breaking through the darkness.
If he can find conclusive evidence to prove that Nan Mingyuan and his wife were framed, then there is not no hope of overturning the verdict.
Nan Zhiyi snuggled against him.
Gu Xiao tightened his arms, pulling her closer into his embrace, his chin gently resting against her forehead.
In the darkness, his eyes were calm and unfathomable.
He will suppress the controversy surrounding the whistleblower letter.
He will eventually find out the truth about Nan's parents.
He would do everything in his power to protect the person in his arms and ensure her a lifetime of peace and happiness.
Gu Xiao got up very quietly, but Nan Zhiyi still woke up. She opened her eyes groggily and watched him neatly put on his military uniform and button up his top button.
"Sleep a little longer." He leaned down and kissed the corner of her lips.
Nan Zhiyi hooked her arm around his neck, "Let's go home early today."
Gu Xiao knew that what happened yesterday had frightened her, "Okay."
She touched his chin with her fingertips, then closed her eyes contentedly and continued to sleep.
She was thinking about buying meat, so she got up after sleeping for a short time, ate a few bites of the breakfast Gu Xiao had prepared, and then went out with the cloth in her arms.
Just as I locked the gate, I heard a burst of laughter.
Several military dependents had gathered on the cement ground outside, fanning themselves with palm-leaf fans, and were buzzing with discussion.
Nan Zhiyi smiled at her sisters-in-law as a greeting.
The gate to Sister Wang's house was open, and Xiaofang and Xiaoling were keeping her company as she did handicrafts in the shade.
"Hey girl!" Sister Wang, with her sharp eyes and loud voice, exclaimed, "What are you doing carrying that cloth?"
Nan Zhiyi smiled.
"Sister-in-law, I'm thinking of getting two shirts made. I was just about to ask you where I can get them made."
Sister-in-law Wang was exceptionally well-informed; upon hearing Nan Zhiyi's question, she pointed decisively.
"The textile factory's residential compound at the foot of the mountain is where the textile factory moved in last year. There's a woman surnamed Wu who used to be a seamstress in the garment factory. She's very quick and efficient. She has an old-fashioned treadle sewing machine at home and can take on some jobs for a small fee."
Nan Zhiyi: "Thank you, sister-in-law."
"Hurry up, it's not too hot yet, it'll get really hot later!"
"Why!"
Before Nan Zhiyi could turn around.
Li, the woman standing next to him, curled her lip and said, "Is this for Commander Gu? Tsk tsk, soldiers wear their uniforms all year round, what a waste of such good material..."
“Exactly,” another woman chimed in, “It’s so dusty here, even nice clothes get ruined. A simple t-shirt or vest will do!”
Sister-in-law Zhang snorted, "We stay at home taking care of the old and raising the young, mending and patching the same clothes for three years. Some people, on the other hand, have their men served so well that they never lift a finger, and their wallets are always open to spending."
…
The smell was sour.
Nan Zhiyi's smile faded.
She tightened the roll of fabric in her arms and said softly, "It's a coincidence. My husband also said that I can spend the allowance as I please, and that while I don't have to do housework, I should make him some nice clothes to wear. He'll feel more comfortable doing housework when he sees me like that. So, this time when I'm making clothes, I'll just make one for him as a treat."
"Ladies, I still need to go to the service center to buy some meat. You guys chat sometime."
She turned and left, ignoring the embarrassed faces behind her.
The residential area for families of textile factory workers was more chaotic and crowded than the military camp area.
Rows of red brick bungalows stood side by side, with clotheslines strung up in front of and behind them, clothes fluttering in the hot wind.
Children chased and played under the clothesline, while women gathered around the tap, washing clothes and vegetables while chatting loudly.
Nan Zhiyi, dressed in a simple white shirt and blue long skirt, looked somewhat out of place in the noisy scene.
The gate to the house at the far end was open, and a rhythmic "tap tap tap tap" sound could be heard coming from inside.
A woman in her forties, slightly plump, was engrossed in her sewing machine, her feet pressing down on the needle as it flew up and down, pressing down on a piece of dark fabric.
"Sister-in-law Wu?" Nan Zhiyi stood at the door and called out tentatively.
Aunt Wu looked up, saw the young woman standing at the door, and her face lit up with a warm smile: "Oh! Come in, come in! It's so sunny outside!"
She got up, moved a small bamboo stool over, and let Nan Zhiyi sit down to talk. "You're from the military compound up ahead, right? Making clothes?"
"Yes, I'm a military wife. My surname is Nan, the Nan of North and South."
The room wasn't big, but it was fairly tidy. There were some scraps of fabric piled up in the corner, and several finished garment patterns hung on the side.
"Sister-in-law, I'd like to have some clothes made."
Nan Zhiyi carefully placed the roll of cloth on a clean square table next to her and explained her purpose directly.
"Use this piece of polyester to make a dress. Use this piece of cotton to make two men's short-sleeved shirts with stand-up collars."
Sister Wu twirled the fabric between her fingers and exclaimed, "This fabric is wonderful! Smooth and cool! It's perfect for making a dress! Nan, you have a great figure, so why not make a dress with a cinched waist? A wider hem would make it flow beautifully when you walk!"
"I don't understand these things, I just listen to my sister-in-law."
"Alright!" Sister Wu put down the fabric, picked up the measuring tape on the table, and said, "Here, sister, let me take your measurements first. Height, shoulder width..."
As she held it up, she skillfully wrapped the soft measuring tape around Nan Zhiyi's body.
Nan Zhiyi opened her arms and cooperated.
When she measured the bust and waist, Mrs. Wu tightened the measuring tape slightly and exclaimed, "Look at that slim waist... your husband is so lucky!"
These words made Nan Zhiyi blush instantly, and she could only pretend not to care.
After taking the measurements, Sister Wu put away the measuring tape and asked, "Where's your husband's measurement? Do you know it, sister?"
Nan Zhiyi shook her head blankly. She only felt that he had a broad chest and a slender waist, but those were just feelings. How could she know the numbers?
Seeing her embarrassed look, Sister Wu smiled knowingly: "It's alright, it's alright! There's nothing to be embarrassed about! Just go back and use this ruler to compare!"
She shoved the measuring tape into Nan Zhiyi's hand. "Take your measurements when you get back, and just write it down on a note and bring it to me tomorrow! No rush!"
Nan Zhiyi gratefully replied, "Okay, thank you, sister-in-law."
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