Chapter 22 Trouble
Sister-in-law Wang glanced at the wall clock, which was almost pointing to nine o'clock, and stood up to say, "Let's go, it's too late, let's go home and sleep!"
"Just a moment! We're about to reach a beautiful spot!"
"Auntie, please!"
Several children clung to the screen like candy twisters, pleading and begging, but their eyes were glued to the screen, unwilling to look away for even a second.
Looking at the children's longing faces, Nan Zhiyi's heart softened again. She gently advised, "Sister-in-law, let them finish watching this part. Otherwise, they'll keep thinking about it when they get back and won't be able to sleep peacefully."
Sister-in-law Wang sighed and glared at her mischievous kids: "Just this one part! Watch it and then leave!"
The children cheered and immediately sat up straight, immersing themselves back in that small world of light and shadow.
When the model opera ended and the children left with Sister Wang, turning back every few steps, the clock hands were just pointing to ten o'clock.
Unexpectedly, this "hospitality" that night caused an even bigger uproar.
The next day, Wang's children became the most dazzling stars in the family compound.
They excitedly described the magical black and white box at Commander Gu's house to everyone they met: "It moves! It makes sounds! It's so beautiful!"
"The regimental commander's wife is so gentle, and she looks like a fairy in a magazine!"
Snacks! Candy! Eat as much as you want! All you can eat!
The children's exaggerated boasting caused a huge ripple among the children in the residential compound.
The group leader's house has delicious snacks and candies, as well as a magical TV that can move!
Which child could resist such temptation?
So, that evening, just as Nan Zhiyi placed the kettle on the coal stove...
There was a knock on the courtyard gate.
The four children from Sister Wang's family stood in the doorway in a row: "Auntie, can we...can we watch TV a little longer?"
Nan Zhiyi was taken aback.
The words of refusal lingered on the tip of her tongue, but seeing the children's innocent and longing eyes, she swallowed them back.
She stepped aside and said, "Come in."
The children cheered and rushed into the living room, heading straight for the sofa.
Nan Zhiyi had just closed the door and hadn't even turned around when there was another knock.
This time it's the twin boys from the neighboring Deputy Battalion Commander Li's family.
Immediately afterwards, knocking on the door began incessantly.
Kids from this battalion and that company, some familiar, some not, all peeked in from outside the Gu family's door, or were called in by the older kids, and poured in all at once.
The small living room has been transformed into a noisy children's playground.
The candies and pastries on the dessert plate disappeared visibly, and the melon seed shells fell to the ground like snowflakes.
The sofa, chairs, and even the floor were filled with children, chattering away, their eyes glued to the newly turned-on television screen.
Nan Zhiyi was squeezed so tightly that she had nowhere to stand and could only awkwardly retreat to the bedroom doorway.
Gu Xiao was sitting in a chair in front of his bedroom desk, holding a document in his hand, but he wasn't looking at it.
Nan Zhiyi sensed that he seemed somewhat unhappy.
I've gotten myself into trouble again.
The situation is completely out of control.
She walked hesitantly to Gu Xiao and said, "Fifth Brother... I... I was wrong."
Gu Xiao raised his eyes: "What's wrong?"
Nan Zhiyi bit her lower lip, thinking quickly. Was she soft-hearted? Did she not know how to refuse? Had she not anticipated the consequences?
She lamented, "I...I shouldn't have been so soft-hearted as to let them in...and even more so...I shouldn't have kept them so late yesterday..."
She paused, then mustered her courage to look up at him. "I know this can't go on... It's so noisy at home every day, nobody can stand it. But... but if we kick them out now, or don't let them come tomorrow... I wonder what those women will say behind our backs, calling us stingy and pretentious..."
This is what she fears most.
She didn't want to be the center of attention anymore, and she didn't want to tarnish his reputation.
Gu Xiao grabbed her wrist, and with a slight exertion of his arm, she fell onto his lap.
He then wrapped his arms around her waist, holding her tightly in his embrace, the two almost face to face.
The position was too intimate; Nan Zhiyi's body stiffened and her cheeks flushed.
She tried to stand up, but he firmly held her down.
"Want Fifth Brother to help you clear the area?"
Nan Zhiyi was startled. Forgetting her embarrassment, she quickly shook her head: "No, Fifth Brother... absolutely not! If you go out and kick people out, who knows what those wives will say about us behind our backs... saying we're arrogant, stingy, and won't even let the children watch TV..."
She could almost imagine the exaggerated gossip, and she didn't want herself and her fifth brother to become targets again.
Gu Xiao didn't say anything, but simply let her press closer to his chest.
The children's cheers from the living room came through the door panel with a muffled sound.
He gently rested his chin on the crook of her neck and sighed silently.
The trouble has already been sown, and kicking them out is indeed the worst solution.
The next few days became a nightmare for Nan Zhiyi.
Just after dinner, the knocking on the door rang precisely on time.
The children, calling to their friends, flocked to the Gu family's house.
The living room was packed with people, and the noise was deafening.
The snacks and candies were being consumed at an alarming rate, and Nan Zhiyi even went to the military service center twice to replenish them.
The floor was covered with a thick layer of sunflower seed shells, fruit peels, and candy wrappers.
Nan Zhiyi stood at the edge of the crowded living room, looking at the excited little faces, and couldn't even muster the courage to refuse.
She could only force a smile and greet them time and time again.
By the time the children are seen off, it is usually close to ten o'clock.
Gu Xiao silently picked up a broom and rag and began cleaning up the mess in the living room.
Nan Zhiyi wipes the tables and chairs.
That night, after washing up and getting into bed, it was already late at night.
Nan Zhiyi lay with her back to Gu Xiao for a long time, listening to his steady breathing, but she couldn't fall asleep no matter what.
She couldn't resist turning over and getting closer to him.
Fifth Brother, are you asleep?
Gu Xiao was naturally awake; he could only fall asleep after she had fallen asleep each night.
He tentatively pulled her into his arms, and she didn't refuse.
Her nose touched his warm collarbone, inhaling his unique scent.
"Fifth Brother... shall we... donate the TV?"
"Oh? Why are you suddenly saying that?"
"The show isn't good anyway... Having this thing at home is a recipe for disaster... The kids will always come... I... I just can't take it anymore..."
Nan Zhiyi couldn't continue, choking back tears, "It's all my fault... I caused such a big trouble... Fifth Brother, please don't blame me..."
She waited for Gu Xiao's reaction—blame or helplessness?
Gu Xiaohuan tightened his arms around her waist, and the two bodies pressed tightly together.
He lowered his head, his lips brushing against her forehead.
"It's not your fault. It's nothing. I was the one who wanted to buy the TV, would you blame me?"
Nan Zhiyi shook her head: "Fifth Brother bought the TV for me... How about donating it to the regimental club...? It's a big place, the soldiers can watch it too..."
Gu Xiao didn't care about the TV at all; he just wanted to make her happy.
"I'll listen to you. I'll have Xiao Chen and the club people come and move it tomorrow."
Nan Zhiyi breathed a sigh of relief: "Okay."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com