Chapter 172 Fragrance and Stink
Zhou Anping gave a wry smile. "Yes. She said that for in-laws like the Meng family, it's essential to have a grand celebration."
“My fifth brother and I will definitely be back in Jian’an for the New Year, and we’ll be there to celebrate your wedding.” Nan Zhiyi didn’t want Zhou Anping to dwell on his troubles, so she quickly changed the subject. “The big gift I promised you has already been prepared.”
"If the gift isn't generous enough, I won't accept it."
Nan Zhiyi then asked with concern, "What did Meng Qingshan say?"
“Of course he did as I said.” Zhou Anping finally smiled, clearly satisfied with Meng Qingshan’s performance. “But…”
Before he could finish speaking, the iron gate creaked open.
Gu Xiao carried the child in, the little guy babbling away.
The man was tall, the autumn sun shining on his shoulders, his military uniform crisp and clean.
Xiaoman squirmed in his arms, reaching out for Nan Zhiyi to hold her.
"Fifth Brother." Zhou Anping stood up.
Gu Xiao nodded and handed the child to Nan Zhiyi. Xiaoman immediately snuggled into her mother's arms, muttering indistinct syllables.
"Anping is here." Gu Xiao's voice was gentler than usual. "Stay for dinner."
"We were just about to keep her here." Nan Zhiyi coaxed the child and smiled at Gu Xiao. His gaze lingered on her face for a moment before turning to Zhou Anping.
"Qingshan didn't come today?"
"Something came up at the ministry," Zhou Anping replied briefly.
Gu Xiao didn't ask any more questions, and reached out to take the child from Nan Zhiyi's arms: "You two talk, I'll go take him to wash his hands."
Watching the father and son walk into the house, Zhou Anping said softly, "Zhiyi, Fifth Brother treats you so well."
Nan Zhiyi smiled slightly, "Anping, you will be fine too."
At dinner, Sister Zhang cooked several dishes and steamed some egg custard.
Xiaoman sat on a specially made high chair, and Gu Xiao gently fed him steamed egg custard, wiping his face with a handkerchief from time to time.
Anping and Nan Zhiyi chatted about trivial matters of the performing arts troupe. She had been transferred to this performing arts troupe and had moved into a single dormitory.
“Now that you’re done with your work, you must come over often on weekends,” Nan Zhiyi said. “Sister Zhang’s cooking is better than the cafeteria’s.”
"I won't stand on ceremony with you. I'll definitely come every day when I have some free time."
"good!"
After the meal, Zhou Anping took her leave, and Nan Zhiyi saw her to the courtyard gate, hesitating to speak.
Seeing Nan Zhiyi's furrowed brows, she smiled instead, "Zhiyi, don't worry, everything will be alright." Then she hugged Nan Zhiyi tightly, turned around and left quickly.
Nan Zhiyi stood outside the courtyard gate until her figure disappeared at the intersection.
Footsteps sounded behind her, and Gu Xiao draped a coat over her shoulders.
"It's getting chilly."
Nan Zhiyi leaned into his arms, and his arms wrapped tightly around her.
“Anping is unhappy,” she said softly. “Aunt Meng doesn’t seem to like her very much.”
Gu Xiao nodded, "As long as Meng Qingshan makes up his mind."
What can we do to help?
"Wait for her to speak." Gu Xiao gently stroked her back. "Given Anping's personality, forcibly helping her will only hurt her pride."
Nan Zhiyi looked up at him.
Gu Xiao's gaze lingered, his eyes reflecting her image.
He lowered his head and kissed her.
Hearing Xiaoman babbling in the house, Nan Zhiyi immediately tried to push him away, but Gu Xiao caught her in time.
"Sister Zhang is here." He tightened his grip on her arm. "Stay a little longer."
Nan Zhiyi pinched his stiff arm a couple of times, "Sister Zhang is about to leave work..."
He then pulled her into the house.
Xiaoman was playing with a tambourine in his crib, while Sister Zhang was watching him.
Nan Zhiyi: "Sister Zhang, you should go back now. You've worked hard."
Sister Zhang smiled, nodded, and left.
Xiaoman was already getting impatient. When she saw her parents come in, she started howling loudly at Nan Zhiyi.
"Mmm... um..."
"What is your son saying? He's making noises."
Gu Xiao acted as a translator for her son, who said, "Mom, you go and keep Dad company. I can manage on my own."
Nan Zhiyi was amused. "You're talking nonsense. Go give your son a bath."
He picked his son up from the stroller and held him high, saying, "We'll all listen to Mom, let's take off!"
When Nan Zhiyi came out of the bathroom, Gu Xiao had already taken a shower downstairs, changed into his pajamas, and was sitting at his desk reading her manuscript under the lamp.
Xiaoman slept soundly in her crib, breathing evenly.
His gaze was fixed on the page, extremely focused.
When Nan Zhiyi approached, he didn't even look up, but simply reached out and pulled her onto his lap.
She carried the fresh scent of soapberries and the dampness of moisture, which made him lean closer and take a deep breath.
"You changed the parameters of the oxygen circulation system for the lunar base in the manuscript."
She leaned on his shoulder as they looked at the manuscript together: "The old data was too conservative, so Editor Lin helped me get some information from a friend at the Academy of Sciences to verify it."
"Three installments already?"
"Hmm. A reader wrote in saying they like the female captain. Editor Lin said someone even drew an illustration and sent it over."
His thumb stroked her slightly damp hair: "My dear, you'll be a great writer someday."
Nan Zhiyi curled the corners of her mouth, a hint of smugness in her eyes, "Hmph, once I earn my royalties, I'll give them to you to spend."
The manuscript paper turned another page, making a slight rustling sound.
After reading through the entire draft, he asked, "And then what? What happened after the exploration team encountered black hole radiation...?"
She smiled slyly: "I won't tell you." She hooked her arms around his neck, "I'll keep you waiting forever."
"You little rascal, you just wait..."
The lights suddenly went out.
Gu Xiao gazed at her tenderly, even his lowered eyelashes conveying a deep affection.
"I miss you so much..."
Nan Zhiyi pinched his earlobe. "I'm right here. What are you thinking about?"
He smiled and leaned down to place a passionate kiss on the corner of her lips.
Her hand sank into his thick black hair, her fingertips touching the slightly stiff roots of his nape.
The laces of her pajamas had come undone at some point, and the rough calluses on his palm brushed against her waist, sending a shiver down her spine.
The autumn insects outside the window are silent.
Nan Zhiyi bit her lower lip, swallowing a sob, but then she heard him chuckle softly, his warm breath brushing against her collarbone: "What are you holding back for..."
"asshole..."
"Yeah...that bastard's going to be so anxious..."
He wrapped his large arms around her, pulling her even closer into his embrace.
......
As morning light streamed through the gaps in the curtains, Nan Zhiyi opened her eyes to find the bed beside her empty.
She sat up, supporting her aching back, and cursed Gu Xiao in her heart.
A short while later, a rustling sound came from the crib.
Xiaoman sat up, gripping the railing, and grinned at her, revealing two baby teeth.
"Little stinky egg is awake."
Nan Zhiyi went over to change Xiaoman's diaper. He kicked wildly and kicked her sore lower back.
She hissed and slapped his little bottom, but he just laughed even harder.
It was so hard to change the diaper.
"Let's go eat."
She picked up her son and nearly strained her back.
A six-month-old baby is like a solid bag of flour, smelling of milk mixed with the stench of urine.
Nan Zhiyi bit her son's cheek in disgust, "It smells good but stinks too."
This caused Xiaoman to jump up excitedly again.
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