Chapter 281 Planning
Nan Zhiyi was stunned. She hadn't expected Zhang Yueran to have such a clear and firm plan for her studies.
She gripped her younger sister's hand tightly, "Yueyue! I'm so proud of you!"
She also shared her plans, "I'm also planning to take the postgraduate entrance exam, and I've already thought about which supervisor to choose."
Zhang Yueran proudly raised her chin: "Now, you should be completely relieved, right?"
Looking at her radiant face, Nan Zhiyi said in a tone that was half joking and half serious, "I wasn't relieved. Now I'm a little worried that you'll be so focused on studying that you'll forget everything else..."
The words "life's most important event" rolled on her tongue, but she ultimately didn't dare to say them, fearing that her words might become a self-fulfilling prophecy.
After Zhang Yueran finished eating, Nan Zhiyi noticed that the hands of her watch were almost pointing to two o'clock, and then she remembered her important business.
She took out the oil paper package, which was noticeably larger, and handed it to Zhang Yueran: "These are some pastries and dried fruits I bought at the temple fair yesterday. Try them. You didn't have time to come home for dinner last month, and you have final exams this month, so you probably won't be able to go again, right?"
Zhang Yueran took the oil paper package and stuffed it into her schoolbag, comforting her, "Sister, after I finish my exams, I'll definitely come and stay for a couple of days to spend some quality time with Xiaoman."
Nan Zhiyi was slightly relieved and then carefully reminded her to take good care of herself, to remember to eat no matter how busy she was with experiments, and so on.
Zhang Yueran took her arm and walked towards the teaching building. "I know, Mom's not here, so you're my second mom! Don't worry, I'll take good care of myself."
The two sisters parted ways at the fork in the path leading to different school buildings.
Nan Zhiyi took a few steps and couldn't help but look back. Zhang Yueran was also turning around and waving vigorously at her.
When Nan Zhiyi got home from school in the afternoon, she had just taken off her scarf and hadn't even taken off her coat properly when Xiaoman rushed over and hugged her leg.
"Mother!"
Xiaoman immediately released her, puffed out her small chest, and imitated the soldiers in the compound, clumsily raising her right hand to her temple, and clearly saying, "Received!"
He solemnly took one of Nan Zhiyi's fingers and led her to the bathroom.
Then, he skillfully stepped onto his special little stool, tiptoed to reach the soap dish, and the soft flesh on his cheeks jiggled with the movement.
Looking at that chubby, adorable profile, Nan Zhiyi felt a surge of affection and couldn't resist leaning over to take a gentle bite.
Xiaoman was caught off guard. Her little body stiffened, but she tried her best to remain serious. She handed over the soap and said in a childish but earnest voice, "Comrade Zhiyi, concentrate on washing your hands!"
Nan Zhiyi stood at attention obediently: "Received, Comrade Xiaoman!"
The mother and son rubbed their hands together in warm water until fine white foam appeared.
After washing her hands, Nan Zhiyi bent down and asked, "Little Man, can Mommy hug and kiss you now?"
Xiaoman couldn't hold back any longer and burst out laughing, nodding vigorously: "Yes!"
Nan Zhiyi pulled her sweet and soft son into her arms and kissed him loudly on both cheeks several times. Then she quickly used a towel to wipe away the drool that had accidentally gotten on him.
The little one squirmed and laughed in her arms.
The two were playing with toys on the living room carpet when the phone rang.
Nan Zhiyi then suddenly realized that she had completely forgotten to call Editor Lin back.
She quickly got up to answer it.
"Comrade Zhiyi, it's me, Lin Yuan."
The gentle voice of Editor Lin came from the other end of the phone, "The layout and cover design drafts for the new book are finished. I've seen them, and they look great. The publishing house has tentatively decided on an initial print run of 80,000 copies..."
Nan Zhiyi felt a little more at ease; the print run showed how much importance the publisher attached to it.
"Thank you for your and the magazine's appreciation."
Lin Yuan continued, "Comrade Zhiyi, the publishing house prepared a New Year's gift for all the writers. I originally wanted to deliver it to you yesterday, but you weren't home."
I'll come over this weekend to bring you sample copies of the book and a holiday gift. We can also discuss the direction of your upcoming book. Would that be convenient for you?
"It's convenient, Editor Lin. I'll be waiting for you at home this weekend."
Nan Zhiyi agreed.
After hanging up the phone, she pondered the idea for her new book.
It was late at night, and Xiaoman was already fast asleep.
Nan Zhiyi sat in the study, with manuscript paper spread on the table, but her pen remained untouched.
Hearing the faint sound of a key turning in a lock downstairs, she immediately put down her pen and hurried down the stairs.
Gu Xiao was taking off his chilly military overcoat when he saw her running down in her thin pajamas. He paused, reached out to support her arm, and frowned slightly: "Running so fast, aren't you afraid of falling?"
"Have you had dinner?" Nan Zhiyi asked, looking up.
"I've eaten," Gu Xiao replied curtly, loosening his collar as he raised his hand. He carried a faint scent of tobacco mixed with the chill of the outdoor air.
"I smell strongly of smoke, you go ahead and do your work, I'll come back to you after I've washed up."
Nan Zhiyi nodded, and the two went upstairs together.
After she heard the sound of water in the bathroom stop, the study door was gently pushed open not long after.
Gu Xiao was only wearing a dark gray cotton loungewear set, his hair was half wet. He walked to the desk, picked her up from the chair, and pulled her into his arms.
"Is there something you want to tell me?"
Nan Zhiyi turned her head to the side: "How did you know?"
Gu Xiao chuckled: "Your expression never hides what's on your mind."
Nan Zhiyi turned around, hugged his neck, and lightly pecked his lips a few times before saying, "Let me tell you, this is terrible! I went to see Yueyue today and almost thought she was in a relationship. It scared me to death!"
Gu Xiao was clearly pleased with her initiative. He tightened his arms and tried to deepen the kiss, but she deliberately dodged him.
"I haven't finished speaking yet!"
Gu Xiao traced the corner of her lips with his fingertip and asked absentmindedly, "And then?"
Nan Zhiyi continued, "She said she doesn't want to talk about it now, she wants to focus on her studies, and she also wants to pursue further education and join a research group to do scientific research."
"Further studies are a good thing. She's quick-witted, has a solid foundation in science, and is well-suited for scientific research. It's better for her to focus on practical matters than to get bogged down in romantic relationships too early."
His few words were a definitive assessment.
"What love and affection..."
Nan Zhiyi wanted to say something more, but Gu Xiao used a little force to lift her up in his arms.
Gu Xiao carried her straight to the second bedroom and pinned her to the bed.
"Now, focus on spending time with me."
"You bad guy!!!"
Her protest was met with a soft chuckle, "Of course, a bad guy can't do good things..."
He turned off the light with his hand.
Nan Zhiyi used her spare time this week to write two story outlines.
One approach continues her familiar science fiction style; the other shifts to a more realistic theme, conceiving a story about family ethics.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com