Chapter 404 Flavor
Before they knew it, the day of the engagement banquet arrived.
In the late afternoon, Gu Xiao deliberately went home early.
As soon as I stepped into the living room, I saw Zhou Xingzhi talking to Zhang Jianguo.
Upon seeing him enter, Zhou Xingzhi stood up to greet him: "Minister Gu."
Gu Xiao patted his shoulder with a smile: "You should start calling me brother-in-law now."
Zhou Xingzhi readily called him "brother-in-law," and Zhang Yueran blushed instantly.
Feng Xuemei and Zhang Jianguo looked at each other and smiled, saying "Good" repeatedly.
Looking at the brothers-in-law, she suddenly thought of her deceased brother and sister-in-law, and her nose tingled slightly. She quickly covered her emotions by tidying up the fruit plate.
"You guys talk first."
After exchanging a few pleasantries, Gu Xiao turned and went upstairs to find his wife.
In the master bedroom, Nan Zhiyi was bending down to adjust Gu Zhao's suit and bow tie.
"Look at our son," Nan Zhiyi said with a smile, looking up. "He's sure to be the most handsome little gentleman in the whole place tonight."
Gu Xiao's gaze was fixed on her. Her dark hair was loosely tied up, her pearl earrings swayed gently, and her lotus-pink cheongsam outlined her slender waistline. She looked like a lotus flower just beginning to bloom in summer.
Nan Zhiyi let the neatly dressed Gu Zhao come downstairs first, pointing to the clothes rack: "Minister Gu, your attire is ready."
"Comrade Zhiyi," Gu Xiao said, opening his arms, "please."
"snort."
Nan Zhiyi walked up to him and reached out to help him unbutton his shirt.
Gu Xiao looked down at her as she helped him change, his gaze lingering on her slightly parted lips, which were as alluring as dew-kissed roses.
He suddenly felt very thirsty.
Nan Zhiyi continued working, still rambling on, "I told you last night that Gu Yan invited Xiaoman to Huacheng for summer vacation. I didn't want to go, but Xiaoman was really interested... She was even asking me today when we're leaving."
Gu Xiao let her straighten her collar, and said in a low voice, "Let Xiao Liu take him. Perfect timing..." He then put his arm around her waist, "Let's... have some alone time..."
Unspoken words melted between their pressed lips.
Gu Xiao only rubbed her very lightly before letting go, but she still glared at him with a mixture of shyness and annoyance.
She walked to the vanity mirror to touch up her makeup, picked up a lipstick, and asked him, "Does this shade suit this outfit?"
Gu Xiao bent down to examine it closely. "The coral pink is too pale. Change it to that rouge red."
He picked that one out of his makeup box. "You always wear this with light-colored clothes."
Nan Zhiyi was surprised that he actually recognized these color codes.
Gu Xiao smiled and said, "I'll help you apply it."
Nan Zhiyi let him lift her chin and carefully trace the outline of her lips.
"alright."
Nan Zhiyi looked closely at herself in the mirror, about to praise his good taste, when she suddenly noticed a little lipstick on his lips. She quickly took out a handkerchief to wipe it clean for him: "Minister Gu, you'll make a fool of yourself if you go out like this."
"I don't care." Gu Xiao raised an eyebrow nonchalantly, not flinching when she pinched his waist, but instead pulling her towards the door, "Good wife, it's time to go."
The group split into two cars and headed to the Peace Hotel.
A red ribbon tied in a double knot hangs at the entrance of the private room, with gold-stamped "double happiness" characters pasted on both sides.
Mr. and Mrs. Feng Xuemei stood in front of the silk screen at the entrance of the private room to greet the guests.
Zhang Yueran wore a red dress, while Zhou Xingzhi wore a light gray suit jacket. The two occasionally exchanged smiles.
Nan Zhiyi and Gu Xiaoxian entered the private room and sat down. A short while later, Li Xiaoxuan burst in and went straight to the round table where Nan Zhiyi was.
"I understand, Minister Gu."
"Xiaoxuan!"
Gu Xiao stood up, leaving space for the two of them. "I'll take Xiaoman to talk to Lao Qin."
Nan Zhiyi nodded and watched the father and son leave.
Li Xiaoxuan then plopped down on the chair on the other side of Nan Zhiyi.
"Yueyue and Zhou Xingzhi really kept it a secret! When I heard Lao Qin tell me, I was shocked. How could these two suddenly get engaged and get married so soon? It's amazing!"
Nan Zhiyi also whispered, "I only found out a few days ago. They've done a good job keeping it a secret."
"Look at Zhou Xingzhi's eyes," Li Xiaoxuan whispered to Nan Zhiyi, "like he's glued to Yueyue. Looks like we're getting another henpecked husband!"
Nan Zhiyi laughed at her, "Your husband, Lao Qin, is not only henpecked, but also a doting father to his daughter."
Li Xiaoxuan scoffed, "It's only because I had Yaoyao that I didn't kick him out long ago..."
Nan Zhiyi looked at her with some surprise, "Why are you suddenly bringing this up?"
"It's just that life was so boring back then. Married life, isn't it just like that... Never mind, let's not talk about it..."
"Okay, let's not talk about this."
Nan Zhiyi patted her on the shoulder to comfort her.
Li Xiaoxuan leaned closer and asked, "Did your family also receive a wedding invitation from the Luo family?"
"Yes, we're all from the same system, plus my grandfather is an old acquaintance. However, Gu Xiao and I have agreed that we won't go; we'll just give a small gift..."
"What a coincidence, my family received it too. My sister-in-law should be going... Let me tell you, several families I know said they could send gifts even if they couldn't be there in person..."
Nan Zhiyi thought to herself, "It seems that the Luo family's wedding banquet... isn't very popular."
Li Xiaoxuan then started telling Nan Zhiyi interesting stories she had heard from others, making her laugh continuously.
"You'll be the next 'know-it-all' from now on."
Before long, Zhou Anping and his family arrived.
She walked into the private room carrying her two-year-old daughter and saw Nan Zhiyi and Li Xiaoxuan whispering to each other, so she paused.
After composing herself, she approached, holding the child: "Zhiyi, Comrade Li."
Nan Zhiyi stood up to greet him, "Anping, you're here. Please sit down."
Li Xiaoxuan also stood up with a smile: "Comrade Anping, your daughter is really pretty. She looks a bit older than my Yaoyao?"
The three women sat down again, and the conversation naturally turned to parenting tips, chatting casually.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com