Chapter 96 Silly Big Sister
Zhang Yueran kept Nan Zhiyi company, chattering about her experiences on the road, the latest happenings in their military region, and her own work...
Nan Zhiyi had received her letter before. After graduating, she was assigned to be a junior staff member in the cultural troupe, a job that was easy and simple.
The two were having a great conversation.
Feng Xuemei brought out two steaming bowls of sour soup noodles and placed them on the square table.
A rich, tangy aroma wafted through the air.
"Try it and see if you can eat some."
Feng Xuemei handed the chopsticks to Nan Zhiyi and Zhang Yueran.
Nan Zhiyi picked up her chopsticks, took a small piece, blew on it, and carefully put it into her mouth.
The sour, salty, and savory flavors melted on the tip of the tongue, surprisingly without causing any nausea.
She took another bite.
Nan Zhiyi ate more than half of the bowl of noodles, the most she had eaten in a while. When she put down her chopsticks, fine beads of sweat appeared on her forehead, and she seemed to come alive.
She smiled and gave a thumbs up: "Aunt Feng, this is the best noodles I've ever eaten!"
Zhang Yueran's eyes widened; her sister was being way too supportive...
However, she was afraid that if she spoke out, her mother would beat her, so she silently lowered her head and ate her noodles.
That night, the three of them squeezed into one bed.
Feng Xuemei slept in the middle, with Nan Zhiyi and Zhang Yueran on either side, just like countless nights in their childhood.
At that time, Nan's parents were busy with work, and Nan Zhiyi spent about half of the year living at Zhang's house.
Feng Xuemei held Nan Zhiyi's slightly cool hand and gently stroked it: "In the blink of an eye, Zhiyi is about to become a mother. Time flies..."
Zhang Yueran rested her face on Feng Xuemei's arm and grinned, "Mom's going to be a grandma, and I'm going to be an aunt!"
Nan Zhiyi smiled too.
After Zhang Yueran fell asleep, Feng Xuemei asked softly, "Gu Xiao, is he good to you?"
Nan Zhiyi patted her arm, "Aunt Feng, he treats me very well. He always thinks of me."
Feng Xuemei was silent for a moment, then patted the back of her hand with her rough hand: "Well, that's good. His kindness to you is more important than anything else."
Nan Zhiyi guessed that Feng Xuemei was worried about her living alone in the family compound. "I can take care of myself. I grow vegetables in the yard and I've even learned how to knead dough..."
She told Aunt Feng in detail about life in the family compound.
Feng Xuemei felt a mix of bitterness and sorrow. Zhiyi had grown up a lot and changed a lot; perhaps these changes were for the better...
People should always look forward and look at the bright side.
"We are relieved that you are doing well."
"Yes! I know."
Outside the window, the moonlight was exceptionally bright.
The next day, as dawn broke, Feng Xuemei quietly got up to make breakfast.
Soon, subtle noises could be heard from the kitchen.
A short while later, Nan Zhiyi was awakened by retching. She rushed to the pond in the yard and retched, her face turning deathly pale.
Hearing the noise, Feng Xuemei brought over a cup of warm water, her brows furrowed with concern: "Zhiyi, why don't you take a few days off?"
"No need, Aunt Feng," Nan Zhiyi rinsed her mouth and shook her head. "It's much better than before. It's just like this every morning and evening. It's nothing."
Seeing her insistence, Feng Xuemei didn't try to persuade her further. Breakfast was a thick millet porridge, served with a side of refreshing pickled cucumbers.
Nan Zhiyi forced down a small portion of the bowl.
Feng Xuemei sighed, thinking about how she only ate biscuits for lunch, "Lunch...I'll bring it to you."
Nan Zhiyi quickly declined, "No, it's too far..."
"Let Yueyue ride her bike to take you to work. She'll ride back at noon and bring you lunch."
Feng Xuemei turned to Zhang Yueran, "Is it okay?"
“Sure! I’ve got nothing else to do at home anyway.” Zhang Yueran readily agreed and went to get her bicycle.
Nan Zhiyi had no choice but to compromise.
Zhang Yueran rode her bicycle to the political department building and reminded her again, "Sister, wait for me at noon."
Nan Zhiyi spent the whole morning transcribing the materials.
At noon, Xu Nannan came to the entrance of the publicity department and called Zhao Yaqin to go to the cafeteria.
Nan Zhiyi stood up and said, "Officer Xu, thank you for that jar of plums."
Xu Nannan waved her hand, smiling broadly: "Don't mention it, it's nothing."
Zhao Yaqin chimed in, "That's right, don't be shy, Nannan is such a nice person!"
Xu Nannan smiled at Zhao Yaqin, and the two walked away hand in hand.
Not long after, Zhang Yueran arrived downstairs carrying a thermos lunchbox.
Nan Zhiyi led her into the office.
The lunchbox contained stir-fried lotus root slices and a soft, tender vegetable and minced meat porridge, which was warm and palatable.
Perhaps it was Aunt Feng's excellent cooking skills, or perhaps it was because she was in a good mood, but Nan Zhiyi ate quite a lot.
Zhang Yueran looked around the office for a while, then rested her chin on her hand and watched her eat. "Eat more, sis, otherwise Mom will definitely scold me."
Nan Zhiyi also joined in and ate a few more bites.
After she finished eating, she urged Zhang Yueran to go back. "After work, I'll go to the club with you to see a movie."
"Okay!"
Zhang Yueran's eyes lit up, and she packed up her lunchbox and left.
When she got off work, she waited downstairs with her bicycle.
Nan Zhiyi went downstairs with Zhao Yaqin and Xu Nannan.
"Sister Yaqin!" Zhang Yueran greeted with a smile, "Long time no see!"
Zhao Yaqin was pleasantly surprised.
She also heard what Section Chief Li said yesterday afternoon and guessed that Aunt Feng brought Zhang Yueran to see Nan Zhiyi.
"Yueyue! It's been so many years since I last saw you. You've grown into a beautiful young woman. Have you come to pick Zhiyi up from home?"
"Hehe, my sister is taking me to the movies!"
Zhang Yueran patted the back seat of the bicycle.
"The club's showing 'The Scout'," Xu Nannan interjected. "I heard it's pretty good. Do you want to watch it? I'll go with you."
Zhao Yaqin nodded: "Okay."
So Zhang Yueran stopped riding her bike, and the four girls walked and chatted until they arrived at the club.
The club's small screening room was packed with people, and the air was stuffy.
On the screen, the sounds of gunfire and explosions seemed to emanate from the screen, and the smell of gunpowder could almost be smelled through it.
Nan Zhiyi felt chest tightness and shortness of breath. She endured it for half the game, but couldn't hold on any longer.
"I'm going out for some fresh air."
She whispered something to Zhang Yueran, then got up and squeezed out of the crowd.
Zhang Yueran was reading intently when she said, "Okay."
It was already dark outside, and the evening breeze carried a chill.
She walked to the open space outside the side door of the auditorium, took a few deep breaths, and the nausea in her chest subsided a little.
She leaned against the wall in the shadows, trying to recover.
The side door was ajar, and voices could be heard coming from inside. It was Xu Nannan's voice, tinged with a slightly mocking laugh:
"...Zhao Yaqin? She's just a naive girl. Give her a little something sweet... and she'll get completely carried away... She actually considers me a good friend, she believes everything I say..."
Nan Zhiyi's breath hitched, and her body tensed.
The voices behind them lowered, and footsteps moved toward the door.
Nan Zhiyi immediately turned around and disappeared into the shadows on the other side, her heart pounding.
Afterwards, Xu Nannan followed the unfamiliar girl into the screening room.
The auditorium resounded with rousing music and the sound of gunfire.
Nan Zhiyi stood there, the night wind making her hands and feet icy cold.
She slowly walked back to the screening room.
Inside, the light and shadow flickered, and the figures of Zhao Yaqin and Xu Nannan sitting together were indistinct.
When Zhang Yueran saw her return, she said, "Sis, your face looks terrible. Are you still feeling unwell? Shall we go back first?"
"I feel much better. Let's finish watching before you leave." Nan Zhiyi didn't want to spoil her enjoyment.
The screening has ended.
On the way back, Zhang Yueran chattered on and on about how amazing the scouts in the movie were.
Nan Zhiyi leaned against her thin back without saying a word.
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