Chapter 84 Gift
"Smack!"
Commander Gu slammed down his chopsticks, coldly tossed out "Enjoy your meal," and got up to go straight back to his study, not even sparing Gu Yan a glance.
Gu Yan was used to this, and because of Commander Gu's departure, he became even more talkative.
His observations in Huacheng: the bustling markets, the newly opened Friendship Store, and his next venture into electronic watches and nylon fabrics…
Gu Xiao listened quietly, occasionally interjecting with a question or two about key details, his eyes revealing a hint of approval for his younger brother's adventurous spirit.
Nan Zhiyi rested her chin on her hand, listening with great interest.
Not long after, the orderly, Xiao Li, came in: "Comrade Zhou Zhengping, Comrade Zhou Anping is here."
Nan Zhiyi immediately went to greet Zhou Anping, and Gu Xiao and Gu Yan also got up to greet the guest.
The two siblings were led to the living room. Nan Zhiyi greeted Zhou Anping and went to the kitchen to make tea.
Zhou Anping followed closely into the kitchen.
She leaned close to Nan Zhiyi's ear, her tone a mixture of resentment and helplessness:
"Zhiyi, the Lu family has a lot of demands. The wedding banquet must be grand, invitations have been sent to a bunch of leaders, and they insist on booking the largest hall at the Peace Hotel!"
The wedding procession starts at noon, the ceremony follows in the afternoon, and a huge banquet is held at a restaurant in the evening! This spectacle… my mom is beaming with joy, but my brother…”
She glanced at Zhou Zhengping, who was forcing himself to stay awake, and said in an even lower voice, "My brother is so pitiful. Why does my mother insist on forcing him to get married? I think he's about to collapse. Just dealing with all the demands from the Lu family is enough of a headache..."
Nan Zhiyi brewed tea, offering no comment, but gently patted her arm and soothed her softly, "A wedding is a big event, and it's inevitable that it will be a grand affair. Don't worry too much, just help out."
Zhou Anping pouted, "I just can't stand the way their family behaves..."
She sighed, knowing that complaining was useless.
Nan Zhiyi whispered, "Anping, I won't be going to the wedding banquet tomorrow."
Zhou Anping was taken aback for a moment, then nodded in understanding: "Yes, I understand."
She understood the sensitivity of Nan Zhiyi's identity and knew about her brother's past relationship with Zhiyi. Appearing at the wedding banquet would not be a wise move, whether for Nan Zhiyi herself, the Zhou family, the Gu family, or even for Lu Linlang.
"It's better if you don't go; it'll save you trouble."
Nan Zhiyi was grateful for her understanding and shook her hand.
After brewing the tea, Nan Zhiyi and Zhou Anping brought it out together.
In the living room, Zhou Zhengping was thanking Gu Yan.
"Good brother, you're a true friend, you really made it back."
Gu Yan nudged his shoulder: "Absolutely! We're like brothers! Tomorrow is your big day!"
Nan Zhiyi placed the teacups in front of them and said softly, "Zhengping, Anping, have some tea."
Zhou Zhengping nodded to her, then turned to ask about Gu Yan's affairs in the south.
Zhou Anping and Nan Zhiyi squeezed onto the single sofa next to them and whispered to each other.
After chatting for a while, Gu Yan's gaze swept over Zhou Zhengping's face several times, his brows furrowing more and more: "Zhengping, you don't look well. You're getting married tomorrow, a joyous occasion, why do you look like a wilted eggplant? There's no joy at all?"
Zhou Zhengping's smile was stiff: "Happy...happy. Maybe it's because I've been busy with the wedding these past few days, and I'm a little tired."
He knew Gu Yan well; this kid couldn't control his temper and couldn't keep secrets.
If he knew the truth, Gu Yan would definitely flip the table on the spot at the wedding tomorrow.
He could only suppress the bitterness in his heart and force a smile.
Gu Yan stared at him suspiciously, clearly not quite believing him.
Zhou Anping assumed his brother was being forced into marriage by their mother and felt sorry for his brother, so he quickly interjected, "Gu Yan, Zhiyi said you drove back? Really?"
Mentioning the car, Gu Yan raised his chin: "Of course! I'll drive your brother to pick up the bride tomorrow afternoon, it'll be a real show!"
"Wow! Gu Yan, you're amazing!" Zhou Anping exclaimed, his eyes filled with admiration.
Gu Yan felt embarrassed by her gaze and slapped his forehead: "Oh right! I almost forgot!"
He strode to the entryway and retrieved two boxes. "These are for you!"
"Anping, this is for you. It's a new Pechoin skincare set and a silk scarf, the most fashionable style in Huacheng!"
"Zhengping, I know you love listening to music, so I had someone get you a Sanyo tape recorder. The sound quality is amazing! It's a wedding gift!"
These two items are quite valuable.
Especially tape recorders.
Zhou Anping accepted it without hesitation, saying, "Thank you!"
Zhou Zhengping looked at the brand-new tape recorder, his eyes filled with complex emotions: "Thanks, brother."
Nan Zhiyi had already given Gu Xiao a wink when Gu Yan handed over the gift.
The two walked to the side.
Nan Zhiyi gripped his fingers tightly, "I didn't expect them to get married so soon. I didn't prepare a gift in advance, what am I going to do now..."
Gu Xiao pulled her to the small storage room at home. "Here, there are quite a few gifts from others, all unopened. Let's find a suitable one?"
Nan Zhiyi breathed a sigh of relief and quickly praised him, "Brother, you're so kind."
The two picked out a set of ceramic cups together and returned to the living room hand in hand.
Gu Xiao: "Zhengping, this is just a small token of our appreciation for your marriage. We won't be attending the ceremony tomorrow."
Zhou Zhengping accepted the box with both hands, forcing a polite smile: "Okay... thank you... Fifth Brother, you're so thoughtful. Thank you for your trouble."
Nan Zhiyi saw through his forced facade and gently comforted him, "Everything will be alright, Zhengping."
Zhou Zhengping tightened his grip on the box, lowered his eyes, and responded softly, "...Mm."
The group chatted for a while longer.
As night deepened, the Zhou siblings bid farewell and left.
Gu Yan pulled out several large bags and shoved them at Gu Xiao and Nan Zhiyi: "Brother, sister-in-law, these are for you."
Gu Xiao was given several shirts made of imported fabrics and a high-quality cowhide belt.
The gifts for Nan Zhiyi were dazzling: new skincare products, lipsticks, perfumes, several autumn dresses, shirts, coats, imported chocolates…
Nan Zhiyi was both surprised and delighted.
Gu Xiao met her gaze and naturally understood her concerns.
He nodded gently.
Nan Zhiyi then sincerely thanked Gu Yan, "Gu Yan, this is too much. Don't be so polite next time. Your kind intentions are enough."
Gu Yan: "It's nothing valuable. We're family now...giving a small gift is nothing."
"Xiao Liu, thank you for your trouble."
Gu Xiao took the bag, raised his hand and patted Gu Yan's shoulder hard. The force was so strong that Gu Yan grimaced and almost lost his balance.
"Brother! Be gentle!" Gu Yan complained, rubbing his shoulder, but he was smiling.
Back in her bedroom, Nan Zhiyi couldn't help but take out each gift and examine it closely.
Gu Xiao sat to the side, quietly watching her excited expression.
She picked up the perfume bottle, sprayed a little on her wrist, sniffed it, and smiled.
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