Chapter 417 Face Masks
Upon arriving at the parking lot, Nan Zhiyi took out two new books she had brought and handed them to Qin Fen: "Minister Qin, the new books I promised you before are both numbered collector's editions with signatures. As for the other one, since you and Director Huang live in the same compound, I'll trouble you to make the trip."
Qin Fen was overjoyed: "Thank you, sister-in-law, I will definitely read it carefully." He flipped through it and repeatedly promised to hand the other copy to Director Huang.
Gu Xiao put his arm around his wife's waist and said, "Old Qin, don't be so polite, let's set off first."
Qin Fen then called his wife to get in the car, saying, "Old Gu, I'll lead the way, you guys follow."
"Um."
Gu Xiao first helped his wife into the passenger seat before sitting in the driver's seat himself, starting the car and following Qin Fen ahead.
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Nan Zhiyi leaning back in her seat, looking dejected.
"Honey, are you tired?"
Nan Zhiyi said, "That's right, I'm mentally and physically exhausted. The food looks fancy, but I didn't enjoy it." She was just being dramatic, pretending to complain.
Gu Xiao took it seriously, "Then you can rest for a while. When we get there, I'll get you something good to eat."
Nan Zhiyi smiled and actually closed her eyes. "Then I'll trouble Minister Gu to drive..."
Cuiwei Mountain Villa in the western suburbs.
The buildings with blue bricks and green tiles are nestled against the mountains and beside the water, with bamboo curtains hanging under the corridors, rustling gently in the wind.
Gu Xiao and Qin Fen fished by the lakeside where weeping willows swayed, while Nan Zhiyi and Li Xiaoxuan experienced traditional Chinese medicine facials and massage services at the newly established Yu Rong Pavilion in the resort…
Li Xiaoxuan said with reluctance, "After using this face mask, the fine lines around my eyes have faded."
"Then you should come every day," Nan Zhiyi chuckled, "and you'll surely turn into one of the Seven Fairies."
"Oh, you dare to make fun of me!"
...
After returning to the capital from the villa, Nan Zhiyi and Gu Xiao both got busy.
Nan Zhiyi's radio program generated an unexpectedly enthusiastic response.
Host Xu Ke called specifically to say, "Comrade Huaiwei, the station has received over 800 letters, all wanting to hear you talk more about your previous science fiction works. Could we record two more special episodes?"
"sure."
So in July and August, Nan Zhiyi went to the radio station several times.
Besides radio programs, she also had magazine interviews, keeping her busy for several days in a row.
However, no matter how busy she was, she wasn't as busy as Gu Xiao.
Gu Xiao was busy preparing for the autumn military exercise and often didn't get home until late at night.
Sometimes, when Nan Zhiyi wakes up in the middle of the night, she can hear the sound of documents being turned over in the study.
Nan Zhiyi felt sorry for him and started asking Sister Zhang to make him nourishing soup again, afraid that he would force himself to do it and his body would not be able to take it.
So every night when Gu Xiao came home, he would see his wife leaning on the sofa waiting for him, with soup warming on the stove.
He was incredibly happy... His understanding would always be a light burning for him.
The couple were both busy and had forgotten about Gu Zhao until Gu Zhao called back to tell her mother that she missed her, "Mom, I miss you so much, I want to go home."
Nan Zhiyi's heart tightened, only then realizing with a start that her son had been staying in Huacheng for a whole month.
She coaxed him softly, "My dear son, Mommy misses you so much too. Shall we have Uncle Liu pick you up tomorrow?"
"No need to trouble Uncle Liu," Gu Zhao sniffed. "He said he's going to the capital on business and will give me a ride home on the way."
"Then you should thank your uncle properly. When exactly are you coming back?"
"My uncle said it would be in the next day or two, and he's already asked Uncle Chen to buy the tickets."
The sound of a door opening came from the other end of the phone. Gu Zhao said, "I'm in my uncle's office now. He's in a meeting..."
Nan Zhiyi imagined her six-year-old child alone in an unfamiliar office, and her heart ached: "Once your uncle books the tickets, have him call home, and Mom will pick you up at the station."
"Okay!" Gu Zhao's voice suddenly brightened. "Mom, I'm hanging up now. My uncle's secretary brought me some snacks!"
Hearing the busy tone on the other end of the phone, Nan Zhiyi stood there blankly for a while.
She misses her son too.
Gu Yan called Gu Xiao directly, saying that he would be flying back and would bring his new girlfriend with him... According to Gu Yan, his girlfriend was too clingy and insisted on coming along.
When Gu Xiao told Nan Zhiyi this when he got home, her eyes widened in surprise.
Surprised as she was, she first brought Gu Xiao a bowl of hot cordyceps chicken soup and had him sit down at the table to drink it.
Only then did she sit down next to him. "Didn't Gu Yan say she'd introduce him to Dad first during the Mid-Autumn Festival? Why did she suddenly change her plans and come to Beijing? I'm already traumatized; I'm afraid this girl will be like last time..."
Gu Xiao chuckled, amused by his wife's unfounded worries. He twirled the spoon in the porcelain bowl. "It doesn't matter who's showing it to," he said. "As the eldest brother, we can take a look first, it won't hurt."
He reached out and smoothed the slight furrow between Nan Zhiyi's brows. "As for whether this girl and Gu Yan can get together, it's ultimately their own fate."
Nan Zhiyi sighed, "If Gu Yan can really settle down this time, it'll save him from always being all alone..."
"Alright, alright," Gu Xiao scooped up a spoonful of soup and brought it to her lips, "We'll discuss this further when they arrive. Help me drink some first, honey, you've given me way too much..."
Nan Zhiyi took a sip from his hand before realizing what he meant: "Gu Xiao! Did you do that on purpose? You could have easily finished it!"
"It's been so hot lately, I really can't drink that much."
As he spoke, he diligently scooped up another spoonful.
Nan Zhiyi glared at him, but finally opened her mouth and answered.
Distracted by Gu Xiao, Nan Zhiyi temporarily put aside her worries about Gu Yanxin's new partner.
The next day, she discussed the reception arrangements in detail with Sister Zhang.
"I'm still a bit uneasy. I don't know what kind of food Gu Yan's new girlfriend likes... I'll have to prepare some pastries from both the north and south."
"Thank you for your hard work, Sister Zhang."
Together, the two cleaned the two guest rooms until they were spotless.
Nan Zhiyi placed a vase on the windowsill and neatly arranged the newly changed soap and towels in the guest bathroom before her anxiety subsided slightly.
Back in her study, Nan Zhiyi stared blankly at the manuscript papers on her desk.
Now that all the interviews have ended and there's nothing else going on for the time being, the main thing is that Editor-in-Chief Lin has started subtly and overtly urging her to prepare for her new book...
She felt a bit overwhelmed by the thought.
What kind of topics should I write about?
"Zhiyi, are you free to come to my office tomorrow or the day after? We can talk about your research plan for this semester."
"Professor, I'll go there tomorrow morning."
She quickly agreed.
After hanging up the phone, Nan Zhiyi went to the warehouse to rummage around, preparing to bring Professor Wang some snacks and tea; she couldn't go empty-handed.
Most importantly, she should bring her own new book and ask Professor Wang for advice.
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