Chapter 12 Possessions
When she was jolted awake, the car had already stopped.
Outside the window are rolling hills with rows of neat barracks. There are few people around, only the sound of the wind blowing through the forest.
"arrive?"
She was still a little dazed, not expecting that she had slept so soundly.
"Um."
Gu Xiao had already gotten out of the car. He walked around to her side, opened the car door, bent down, picked her up, and gently placed her on the ground.
Nan Zhiyi steadied herself, her face slightly flushed. She secretly glanced at him, but Gu Xiao's expression remained unchanged, as if he had only moved a piece of luggage.
He led her around several rows of barracks and to the entrance of the family compound.
The courtyard was small and empty, with only a rammed earth surface.
“We’ll live here from now on,” Gu Xiao said.
Standing at the gate of the courtyard, looking at the empty yard, Nan Zhiyi suddenly said, "Aunt Feng's yard is full of vegetables, so green and lush. I... I'd like to learn how to grow some things too?"
Gu Xiao nodded without saying anything, and let her come inside while he went to move his luggage.
The house was newly painted, and the white walls were very clean.
The layout of the three tiled houses is immediately apparent: the main entrance leads to the living room, furnished with a square table and several chairs; to the right is the kitchen and storage room, complete with an earthen stove and a new iron pot; to the left are the bedroom and the bathroom.
The bedroom contains a sturdy-looking large wooden bed, a wardrobe, a desk, and a chair. The bathroom has a cement squat toilet and shower area, and new water pipes have been installed.
"We're still missing a few things, we'll add them slowly." Gu Xiao put down his luggage. "Do you think it's too basic?"
Nan Zhiyi shook her head: "No, it's fine."
This made her feel at ease.
Gu Xiao said, "I'll go to logistics and have someone bring bedding and other things. Are you hungry?"
Nan Zhiyi glanced at her watch; it was 5:30 PM.
"I am indeed a little hungry."
"Wait for me at home, I'll go to the cafeteria to get food and I'll be right back."
As soon as Gu Xiao left, the room became so quiet that only her breathing could be heard.
She wasn't idle either; she put clothes into the wardrobe, tidied up other odds and ends, and put toiletries into the bathroom.
As the habit became second nature, she worked much faster and quickly finished tidying up. She then sat in the living room, staring blankly at the dirt road leading to the courtyard gate.
After waiting for a while, no one appeared.
She felt a little empty inside, and then suddenly realized that she had been waiting for her fifth brother to come back.
The thought made her heart skip a beat.
Has she started to rely on him? Will he become her support from now on?
What about Zhou Zhengping?
When he and his family pushed her away, it was clean and decisive, without any hesitation.
He's not worth her time and effort.
Nan Zhiyi shook her head vigorously, her gaze returning to the empty courtyard.
The ground in the yard was bare; waiting for spring...
What should she plant? A row of roses against the wall? A small plot in the corner to try and grow some vegetables? Onions and garlic seem pretty easy to grow too...
Gu Xiao was spotted by sharp-eyed people as soon as he stepped into the entrance of the regimental canteen.
"Hey! The groom's back!" A loud shout rang out; it was Zhao Dayong, the deputy regimental commander.
It was dinnertime in the cafeteria, and there were quite a few people there.
His shout caused many heads to turn, their gazes all falling on Gu Xiao with undisguised curiosity and mischief.
"Commander, is your wife settled in? How is she? Is she satisfied with her new home?"
"You look so radiant, you seem even happier than if you'd won a battle!"
"Exactly! It's so different right after getting married! She walks with a swagger now!"
Several battalion and company-level officers who were familiar with Gu Xiao gathered around and started teasing him.
Normally, Gu Xiao's cold face would be enough to freeze everyone away, but today was a special occasion, and everyone was bolder.
Gu Xiao didn't show any particular expression on his face, but those who knew him well, such as Zhao Dayong, noticed that his expression was unusually gentle.
"Enough with the nonsense." Gu Xiao handed the lunchbox to the cook at the window. "Give me two portions, and make sure each one has extra filling."
He paused, his gaze sweeping over the onlookers. "Tomorrow night, the cafeteria will have a special meal. Bring your families; it's on me."
"good!"
"The commander is so magnanimous!"
"We absolutely have to have two drinks!"
Cheers erupted.
Gu Xiao ignored their jeers, waited for the cook to pack the food, picked up the lunchbox and left.
Behind them, they could still hear Zhao Dayong's loud voice yelling, "Did you all hear that? Be more alert tomorrow! Don't force our regimental commander to drink, his wife will be worried..."
Gu Xiao didn't stop walking, a slight smile playing on his lips.
When he entered carrying a lunchbox, Nan Zhiyi looked up with a smile.
Seeing the ease and joy on her face, Gu Xiao's tense mind also relaxed a little.
"Let's eat." He placed the lunchbox on the square table in the living room.
Nan Zhiyi followed her in.
Dinner was a simple stew and rice.
She sat down, picked up her chopsticks, and then remembered to ask, "There's nothing in the kitchen... From now on, will we be eating in the cafeteria? I'm fine with anything, as long as there's something to eat."
Gu Xiao looked up at her.
She lowered her head, shoveling rice into her mouth with small bites, her long eyelashes drooping, making her appear exceptionally obedient.
His heart softened.
"Let's get started. We have a three-day honeymoon. I'll buy everything we need tomorrow. Don't worry."
Nan Zhiyi looked up, "I'm not worried at all..."
She didn't say anything more and continued to eat her meal in small bites.
Gu Xiao's heart stirred as he looked at her obedient and quiet demeanor...
He gripped his chopsticks tightly and said nothing more.
Before we had finished eating, we could hear voices and the sound of wheels rolling on the dirt road outside the courtyard.
"Reporting, Commander!" a young soldier's voice rang out at the gate. "The logistics department has delivered supplies!"
Gu Xiao got up and went out.
Nan Zhiyi followed curiously to the door.
There was a cart parked at the entrance, and two soldiers were unloading things from it.
The items were moved into the living room one by one, and soon a small pile was formed.
Thick, brand-new quilts, sheets and duvet covers, curtains, enamel washbasin and bucket... brand-new towels, soap, toothbrush, toothpaste... and two enamel mugs with the double happiness symbol printed on them and a thermos liner.
The last thing brought in was a bath tub that looked quite sturdy.
Nan Zhiyi stared blankly at the household items.
She was worried about having nothing, but now, all the most basic household items are readily available.
She stared blankly at Gu Xiao, but she understood.
These items are definitely not the kind of supplies that the military logistics department distributes on a regular basis.
Perhaps it was he who had people prepare it even earlier.
After Gu Xiao finished checking the items, he said to the two soldiers, "Thank you for your hard work. Just leave them here."
The soldier put down his last possession, glanced curiously at Nan Zhiyi beside him, saluted, and quickly walked away.
Nan Zhiyi didn't even have a chance to say hello...
Only the two of them remained in the living room, which was filled with new things.
The two sat down again to eat dinner.
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