Chapter 300 Melancholy
Lunar New Year's Eve arrived in the blink of an eye.
In the morning, Commander Gu took Xiaoman out of the house, saying that he wanted to go to the street to feel the festive atmosphere of the New Year and see if there were any little trinkets that his grandson would like.
As Wu Ma prepared the ingredients for the New Year's Eve dinner, she said to Nan Zhiyi, who was helping her pick vegetables, "Zhiyi, I ran into that girl from the Zhao family on my way home yesterday."
"Is that Sister Yaqin?"
"Of course it's her! She even asked about you. She heard you were back and staying at home. She said she'd come to see you in a couple of days when she had some free time, and wanted to catch up with you properly."
Nan Zhiyi hurriedly asked, "Aunt Wu, how is Sister Yaqin? Does she look well?"
"She's doing well! Her face is rosy and she's full of energy. I heard she came back to spend the New Year with Grandpa Zhao and his wife. Last year I heard from someone that she got married in the military region to a high-ranking officer, and she's living a happy life."
As Nan Zhiyi listened, a sense of melancholy welled up in her heart.
As expected, they were far apart. Ever since she went to the capital with the army, she had lost contact with her old friend Zhao Yaqin. She was even unaware of such a major event as Zhao Yaqin's wedding until much later.
This year, there were few people in my family for the Spring Festival, and the atmosphere was both peaceful and bleak.
On the second day of the Lunar New Year, the second and fourth brothers' families left with bags of gifts.
Before leaving, Wang Juan held Nan Zhiyi's hand and said, "Zhiyi, I'll come and invite you in a couple of days after I'm done with my family's affairs. Let's go for a good stroll!"
Nan Zhiyi smiled and agreed, "Okay, I'll wait for Fourth Sister-in-law."
After seeing off the two brothers and sisters-in-law, the house became quiet again.
Nan Zhiyi spread out her manuscript paper and continued working. Without Xiaoman clinging to her leg and acting coquettishly, she wrote with exceptional ease.
Xiaoman has been much busier than her these past few days, going out with her grandfather to meet friends and stroll in the park. She's having a blast, her little face is rosy from the winter wind, and she's as energetic as a tireless little colt. She can fall asleep as soon as her head hits the pillow at night, which shows how much fun she's had.
On the morning Zhao Yaqin arrived, Nan Zhiyi was writing when Wu Ma called from downstairs: "Zhiyi! Come down quickly, Comrade Zhao is here!"
Nan Zhiyi rushed downstairs.
Zhao Yaqin, wearing a fashionable maroon wool coat and with curly hair, was standing in the living room, smiling at her as she carried some fruit and pastries.
"I understand!"
"Sister Yaqin!"
The two spoke at the same time, then stopped at the same time, looking at each other with a sense of感慨 (gǎnkǎi, a feeling of mixed emotions, often including regret or admiration).
Nan Zhiyi quickly led her to sit down on the sofa: "Sit down, sit down! It's been so many years!"
Aunt Wu quickly served hot tea and several delicate pastries, and said to Zhao Yaqin with a smile, "Comrade Zhao, you've finally arrived. Zhiyi was talking about you yesterday, saying she didn't know when you would have some free time. She knows you have many relatives and are busy during the New Year, so she didn't want to bother you."
Zhao Yaqin took the tea and said with a smile, "Aunt Wu, what are you saying? There's no need for me to be so formal with Zhiyi."
She turned back and looked at Nan Zhiyi carefully. "To be honest, Zhiyi, you don't seem to have changed at all these years. You're still the same as before."
Nan Zhiyi shook her head. "I think you've changed a lot. You're more beautiful and more fashionable. This coat really suits you."
Zhao Yaqin raised her chin with a hint of pride: "That's right!"
She then took the initiative to explain, "My wedding was arranged in a very rushed manner. We just had a meal with both sets of parents and a few close relatives. It wasn't a big event, so I didn't have time to inform you. Please don't mind."
Nan Zhiyi gently patted the back of her hand: "Between us, there's no need for such formalities. As long as you're doing well, that's more important than anything else."
She stood up as she spoke, "Wait for me a moment."
Nan Zhiyi turned and went upstairs, quickly returning with a wrapped gift box. She handed it to Zhao Yaqin, saying, "Take it, don't refuse. Consider it a belated wedding gift. I wish you and your loved one a long and happy marriage."
Zhao Yaqin took the box, her eyes slightly moved, and said with a smile, "Alright, then I won't stand on ceremony with you! It's just a pity that there's no wedding candy for you."
Nan Zhiyi was amused by her words: "Your straightforward personality now is just like it used to be."
The two sat together, drinking tea and chatting about their experiences over the past few years.
When Zhao Yaqin heard that Nan Zhiyi had been admitted to Peking University, her eyes widened: "Zhiyi! You're amazing! I really didn't expect that you could take care of your child while studying and taking the college entrance exam? That's incredible!"
Nan Zhiyi quickly said, "It's not that exaggerated. I can only spare the time because I have someone at home to help take care of the children."
Upon hearing this, a complex emotion flashed across Zhao Yaqin's eyes. "Sigh, speaking of which, when the college entrance examination was reinstated back then, I also considered it... But at that time, I always felt that I was not young anymore, and a stable job would be enough. My family was also urging me to get married and settle down as soon as possible... Later, I got married in a daze."
Nan Zhiyi gently comforted her, "The past, good or bad, is all experience. The important thing is that we have to look forward now. Look, your family is stable, your work is going well, and you're living a harmonious and happy life. Isn't that better than anything else?"
Zhao Yaqin gave a smile tinged with mixed emotions. "You still know how to comfort people. Sometimes I really feel like these past few years have been a dream. Looking back now, all that stubbornness and recklessness when I was young seems like I was possessed... How did I end up like that?"
Nan Zhiyi said softly, "It's clear that everyone learns to grow up through stumbles and falls. Past circumstances and choices weren't necessarily wrong. It's just that when you step onto a new path and look back, you understand better what you truly want. The best answer is that you can live your life well now."
Zhao Yaqin paused for a moment, then slowly nodded.
The two chatted for a while, from funny stories of the past to their current lives. As it was getting close to noon, Nan Zhiyi insisted on having Zhao Yaqin stay for lunch.
Zhao Yaqin quickly declined, "I really can't, Zhiyi! I have to rush to my aunt's house this afternoon. My parents gave me a strict order when I came back this time: I can't miss any of my aunts and uncles, I have to visit them all! I only managed to squeeze in this time to come to your place today."
Nan Zhiyi knew she was telling the truth, so she didn't insist. "Then it's settled. Now that you have my phone number in Beijing, you have to call me often."
Zhao Yaqin turned around, smiling and promising, "Definitely! Definitely! I'll definitely bother you often!"
She waved and hurried away, disappearing into the light outside the courtyard.
Nan Zhiyi stood at the gate of the courtyard until her figure disappeared before turning around and going back into the house.
Aunt Wu was tidying up the teacups. "Sigh, Comrade Zhao is leaving already? I was thinking it would be more lively with more people at lunch, but now it's just the two of us."
Nan Zhiyi helped put away the dessert plates. "Isn't it nice just the two of us? It's quiet and peaceful, and we can talk and eat comfortably."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com