Chapter 24 Chinese New Year
The end of the year is approaching.
Gu Xiao has five days off.
In the evening, Nan Zhiyi nestled on the sofa and read a book.
Gu Xiao leaned closer to her on the sofa and hugged her. "Let's go home for the New Year in a couple of days."
Nan Zhiyi paused in her flipping through the book.
Jian'an City.
That place that held all her joy and sorrow.
She wanted to escape.
But eventually, we will have to go back.
Nan Zhiyi nodded: "Do you want to buy a gift?"
Gu Xiao: "I'll buy it when we get back."
Nan Zhiyi was absent-minded all night, and even almost scalded herself with hot water while washing up.
The lights were turned off at night.
Nan Zhiyi couldn't fall asleep no matter what she did.
"Are you scared?" Gu Xiao's voice rang out in the darkness. He turned to the side and wrapped his arm around her waist.
She didn't deny it and nuzzled against his shoulder.
“…Commander Gu,” her throat went dry, “would he…”
The rest of the question stuck in my throat; I couldn't bring myself to ask it.
Commander Gu holds a high position and wields great power. How would he view a daughter-in-law of such status who was once engaged to the Zhou family?
And what kind of eyes will those old friends who have known her for more than a decade and watched her fall from grace look at her?
The cold shoulder from the Zhou family when they broke off the engagement, Wang Lili's resounding slap, the pointing fingers of the onlookers...
She was like someone who had been stripped naked and thrown into the freezing cold.
Is returning now as "Gu Xiao's wife" an honor or an even greater embarrassment?
Gu Xiao tightened his grip on her waist. "Dad, you've met him. He doesn't talk much, has a stubborn temper, but he's reasonable."
Nan Zhiyi's heart sank even further as she recalled Commander Gu's imposing face.
“My mother passed away early,” Gu Xiao continued, his tone flat. “You didn’t meet my four half-siblings much. My eldest brother…”
Gu Weiguo, 43, Deputy Army Commander, stationed in the Northwest. His eldest sister-in-law, Li Xiuqin, accompanied him to the army. His second brother, Gu Jianjun, 40, works locally as the secretary of the Agricultural Machinery Bureau. His second sister-in-law, Zhang Xiufen, is a worker. His third sister, Gu Min, 38, is a military doctor married to a division commander in the neighboring military region. His fourth brother, Gu Weimin, 35, works in the General Logistics Department. His sister-in-law, Wang Juan, is in the cultural troupe.
Each name and position is impeccably chosen and recognized.
Nan Zhiyi felt even more confused after hearing this.
What is she? An orphan girl whose family was destroyed and whose social class was deemed undesirable.
"You know Gu Yan, he's twenty-three and always thinking about dabbling in things. Don't worry, he won't dare mention Zhou Zhengping in front of you."
Gu Xiao's lips touched her forehead, and Nan Zhiyi trembled slightly.
He noticed, and tightened his grip, almost embedding her in his arms.
In the darkness, his lips found hers precisely, his fingertips caressing the soft flesh of her chin, his movements forceful, his breath hot.
Nan Zhiyi closed her eyes, accepting the deep kiss that carried a comforting meaning.
When the kiss ended, both of them were a little unsteady on their feet.
Gu Xiao rested his chin on her forehead: "Remember, you belong to me, Gu Xiao. No one in the Gu family dares to give you a hard time."
Nan Zhiyi buried her head in the crook of his neck, inhaling his reassuring breath.
"Go to sleep." He patted her back.
Nan Zhiyi found a comfortable position in his arms, and her tense nerves relaxed a little.
A few days later, in the morning, the military region's driver took them back to Jian'an City in a jeep.
It's about half a day's drive from Jian'an City.
The two sat in the back seat, with Gu Xiao beside Nan Zhiyi, playing with her hand.
She watched the bleak winter scenery rush past, and the closer she got to Jian'an, the faster her heart pounded.
The jeep drove into Jian'an city.
Familiar street scenes come to mind.
As they passed the department store, Gu Xiao signaled the driver to pull over.
"Let's go buy something." He took Nan Zhiyi's hand, ready to go together.
Nan Zhiyi whispered, "I'm not going. There are too many people around. What if... I get recognized and word gets out? You go alone, and hurry. I'll wait in the car."
She didn't want to cause any unnecessary trouble, and she didn't want to be exposed to old acquaintances as "Gu Xiao's wife," attracting unnecessary attention or even criticism.
The label of "capitalist's daughter" is a thorn that must be hidden, and it should not become a weapon to attack Gu Xiao.
Her only thought at this moment was to have a peaceful New Year and avoid causing trouble.
Gu Xiao glanced at her, and the worry in her eyes was clearly visible.
He nodded: "Okay."
Nan Zhiyi huddled in the back seat, the bustling city center of Jian'an City visible through the car window.
Gu Xiao moved extremely quickly.
Before long, he returned carrying several net bags filled with boxes of cigarettes, alcohol, candy, tea, and snacks.
He opened the car door, letting in a blast of cold air, and stuffed a brand-new bag into Nan Zhiyi's arms.
"For you."
Inside was a thick woolen coat and a wool scarf, both in elegant colors.
"Thank you, Fifth Brother."
Nan Zhiyi felt a slight warmth in her heart, but a heavy sense of unease still lingered within her.
As dusk approached, the jeep drove into the heavily guarded compound and stopped in front of the Gu family's small building.
Before getting out of the car, Nan Zhiyi took a deep breath, wrapped herself up tightly with the scarf Gu Xiao had just bought, leaving only her eyes showing, and then followed Gu Xiao into the long-awaited door.
The person who opened the door was a simple-looking orderly.
Upon seeing Gu Xiao, he straightened his back and saluted: "Commander Gu!" His gaze swept curiously over Nan Zhiyi, who was bundled up tightly.
"Okay." Gu Xiao responded and handed the bags in his hands to the orderly. "Put them by the door first."
The orderly took it deftly and placed it next to the low cabinet in the corner of the entrance hall.
In the living room, Commander Gu was reading a newspaper.
Hearing the noise, he raised his head, his gaze sweeping over like a hawk, lingering for a moment on Nan Zhiyi's tightly wrapped face, before finally landing on Gu Xiao's hand that was tightly holding hers.
“Dad,” Gu Xiao said.
Nan Zhiyi's heart leaped into her throat, and she called out softly, "Dad."
Commander Gu put down the newspaper, his face expressionless, and simply hummed in agreement.
His gaze lingered on Nan Zhiyi for a moment, seemingly penetrating the thick scarf.
Nan Zhiyi's fingertips trembled slightly.
Gu Xiao held her hand reassuringly.
The expected criticism did not come.
Commander Gu took a thick red envelope from the coffee table drawer and handed it over.
"Take it." The tone was very flat.
Nan Zhiyi was stunned and subconsciously looked at Gu Xiao.
Gu Xiao gently patted her back: "It's from Dad, keep it."
She hesitated before accepting the red envelope; it was heavy.
Then, Commander Gu took out a small red velvet box, opened it, and inside was a jade bracelet with excellent clarity.
"It was left by his mother for his daughter-in-law."
His voice remained flat.
The die is cast, and he knows how stubborn his son is.
Instead of spouting useless nonsense, let's get straight to the point.
The Nan family's situation is already settled; the girl in front of them is the wife chosen by their son.
Maybe she'll give him a grandson someday, so why make things difficult for her?
Nan Zhiyi held the bracelet and the red envelope, speechless with shock.
That's it? You passed the test? No questions asked, no cold stares?
The overwhelming sense of unreality brought tears to her eyes.
She subconsciously looked at Gu Xiao, asking him with a helpless expression.
Gu Xiao squeezed her hand and gave a look to Commander Gu.
Nan Zhiyi steadied herself.
She raised her head, met Commander Gu's gaze, and said sincerely, "Thank you, Dad."
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