Chapter 371 Thinking of
Nan Zhiyi was also carefully observing Gu Yan from the side. He had not only lost weight, but also looked quite haggard.
Therefore, Gu Xiao's guess is very likely true...
Before Gu Yan could refuse again, Aunt Wu went into the kitchen and soon brought out a large bowl of steaming, milky-white pork rib soup with several firm pieces of ribs piled up inside: "Quick, if you can't eat anything else, drink this soup and eat a few pieces of meat to warm your stomach!"
Gu Yan looked at the large bowl full, a bitter expression on his face, but he couldn't resist Wu Ma's enthusiasm and had no choice but to accept it.
He looked up and saw Nan Zhiyi standing to the side. A mischievous thought arose in his mind, and he said to Aunt Wu, "Aunt Wu, you can't be biased. Give Zhiyi a bowl too, and let her drink with me."
Aunt Wu wasn't buying it. She scolded him, "Go away! Zhiyi has a small appetite. She just ate lunch not long ago. If she drinks another bowl of soup, she won't be able to eat dinner. Hurry up and focus on your soup. Don't interrupt!"
Gu Yan's plan failed, so he had no choice but to resign himself to picking up his chopsticks and starting to gnaw on the ribs.
As he ate, he pointed to the blue canvas bag on the ground and said to Nan Zhiyi, "Zhiyi, that blue bag contains things I bought for the three of you. Go and take a look."
Nan Zhiyi looked at the bulging bag with a helpless expression.
"Didn't I tell you not to waste money? Why did you buy so much again?"
Gu Yan chuckled, offering no explanation. He quickly finished a piece of pork rib, put down his chopsticks, got up, and retrieved a box, handing it to Aunt Wu.
"Aunt Wu, this is for you. It's a wool knee brace brought back from Hong Kong. I heard that wearing it in winter keeps your knees warm and prevents joint pain."
Aunt Wu took the box, both surprised and delighted.
"Oh dear! Oh dear, you child! Why are you spending this money..."
"What's the big deal? As long as you like it."
Wu Ma's gaze softened as she looked at Gu Yan.
This child, we really did love him for nothing.
Ever since Gu Yannan went south to do business and made money, he's showered her with all sorts of nice things, from radios and digital watches to scarves, clothes, and trendy snacks, always saying they weren't worth much...
And then there's Zhiyi... She never misses a package or New Year's gift that I send back every year.
Wu Ma truly remembered their kindness and could only show more concern for their needs in terms of food, clothing, and shelter.
Before Gu Yan had even finished his bowl of soup, Commander Gu and Gu Xiao returned with Xiao Man.
Just as the grandfather, grandmother, and grandson settled down on the sofa, Wu Ma heard the sound of a car again. She quickly ran to open the courtyard gate, and sure enough, it was her eldest brother and sister-in-law who had arrived with Gu Yong and Gu Meng.
The family bustled into the living room, making the originally spacious room feel crowded.
Seeing this, Nan Zhiyi quickly got up to make tea.
Li Xiuqin put down her luggage and followed into the kitchen to help.
Nan Zhiyi quickly said, "Hey, sister-in-law, you've just come back and must be tired from your journey. Please sit down and rest. Why are you being so polite with your own family?"
Li Xiuqin helped wash the teacups and said with a smile, "Not tired at all, what's so tiring about traveling? It's perfect, I can chat with you while I'm at it."
She asked, "Dad seems to be in good health, but he scared me to death before."
"He's recovering quite well and is in good spirits, but he's a bit thinner than before and needs to be recuperated slowly."
The two sisters-in-law chatted as they washed up, and soon came out carrying the brewed tea.
In the living room.
Gu Yan sat up straight and properly, while Xiao Man nestled affectionately beside his legs. The uncle and nephew were whispering to each other, their heads touching.
Gu Xiao sat alone on the single sofa, listening to Commander Gu and Gu Weiguo talk about work, occasionally interjecting a word or two.
Meanwhile, Gu Yong and Gu Meng, two teenagers, squeezed in front of the television, randomly turning the knobs. The static on the screen flickered and changed, occasionally flashing blurry figures, but they could never find a clear channel.
Gu Meng muttered irritably, "This damn TV, why can't I watch anything? The signal is so bad!"
Gu Yanzheng had just finished whispering with Xiaoman when he heard the commotion. He looked up and gestured with his chin toward his two nephews, "Alright, stop messing with that old relic. Tomorrow, your uncle will take you to the department store and bring back a color TV. I guarantee you'll see everything clearly!"
Upon hearing this, Gu Yong and Gu Meng jumped up excitedly.
"Really, Uncle?!"
Wow! It's colorful!
Commander Gu raised his eyelids, glanced at his youngest son, said nothing, but there was a smile in his eyes.
Gu Xiao shook his head, already used to his younger brother's extravagant spending, and remained silent.
Surrounded by his nephews, Gu Yan said smugly, "Of course it's true! When has your uncle ever lied to you? Let's go tomorrow!"
On the morning of the 29th of the twelfth lunar month, Gu Yan woke up naturally and slowly strolled downstairs.
In the living room, the two brothers, Gu Yong and Gu Meng, had been waiting anxiously for quite some time.
As soon as they saw their uncle appear at the bottom of the stairs, the two of them immediately jumped up, one going to pour tea and the other to the kitchen to get breakfast.
The two brothers wore ingratiating smiles, but stubbornly refused to mention anything about the television.
Last night, the two brothers were excitedly discussing color TVs when Li Xiuqin gave them a stern scolding: "Why are you buying a color TV? How many days will you two stay at home? You have to go back after the New Year! You're both so old, yet you're still acting like children, so willful? You're just thinking about letting your uncle waste money!"
Gu Weiguo quietly tried to smooth things over, saying, "Gu Yan bought it for Dad to watch, to keep the old man entertained, not just for the kids..."
Li Xiuqin then reluctantly shut up, but sternly instructed the two brothers not to mention the color TV to Gu Yan.
The two brothers dared not say it, but they kept it in mind.
At this moment, she was naturally exceptionally attentive to her uncle, eagerly anticipating the chance to witness the excitement of a color television set firsthand.
Gu Yan lazily sat down at the dining table, picked up a steamed bun, took a bite, and asked, "Where's Xiaoman?"
"Grandpa took Xiaoman out for a walk early this morning..."
"Okay, I'll leave after I finish eating."
He called out towards the kitchen, "Aunt Wu, is there anything else we need for the New Year? Tomorrow is New Year's Eve, I'll buy some on my way back."
Aunt Wu deliberately came out to answer him: "We don't lack anything, we lack nothing! The commander instructed Xiao Li and me to prepare everything before the New Year, chicken, duck, fish, meat, candy, melon seeds, nothing is missing! You must not..."
She wanted to say "Don't waste money," but seeing Gu Yan's nonchalant attitude, she swallowed the words back.
Gu Yan nodded casually and waved his hand: "Let's go!"
Upon hearing this, Gu Yong and Gu Meng acted as if they had received a royal decree. One of them quickly picked up the cashmere coat hanging in the entryway and helped Gu Yan put it on, while the other placed the boots at his feet.
Gu Yan calmly enjoyed the service from his two nephews, buttoned up his coat, and walked out the door first.
The two brothers exchanged an excited look and followed him eagerly.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com