Chapter 493 Treating Others with Pretense
Seeing that Gu Xiao and Zhou Xingzhi were both overwhelmed by the sweetness of the glutinous rice balls, Nan Zhiyi got up and made two cups of jasmine tea.
One cup was placed next to Gu Xiao, and the other was given to Zhou Xingzhi.
"Thank you, sister," Zhou Xingzhi said.
Nan Zhiyi said gently, "We're family, no need to be so polite..."
She glanced at Zhou Xingzhi, then at her younger sister who was chatting animatedly with Gu Zhao, and ultimately didn't say, "From now on, Yueyue will be in your care..."
Some things are better left unsaid than said aloud.
Zhou Xingzhi's care for Yueran was already evident in every meal, every glance, and every unconscious act of concern, without needing to be spoken.
Just like at the dinner table right now, he always naturally puts Zhang Yueran's favorite dishes on her plate, gently touches the back of her hand when she is excited while talking, and silently moves the teacup that she accidentally knocked away back to her side when she turns her head to talk to Gu Zhao.
Only when Zhang Yueran occasionally realized what was happening would she belatedly put a piece of food on Zhou Xingzhi's plate, and then turn her head to chat with Gu Zhao.
Zhou Xingzhi was not annoyed, his eyes filled with a tolerant smile.
Nan Zhi thought that this young couple probably had their own way of getting along, a subtle and effective approach that was more meaningful than any words.
Just then, my calf was gently touched.
She came to her senses and realized that Gu Xiao had nudged her with his knee under the table. When she looked down at her bowl, she saw that he had piled up a lot of food in it.
She had just eaten four glutinous rice balls, so she was already feeling full.
Nan Zhiyi gently pinched his thigh under the table as a form of protest.
Gu Xiao remained expressionless, only glancing at her once.
She could only eat slowly, taking small bites. In the end, she couldn't finish it all, so while everyone was chatting and laughing, she pushed the remaining half bowl of rice and food in front of Gu Xiao.
Gu Xiao took it and finished it in a few bites.
After the meal, Gu Xiao took Gu Zhao to the kitchen to wash the dishes.
Nan Zhiyi, knowing that Zhang Yueran, herself, and Gu Zhao would all be starting school tomorrow, urged the young couple to go home and rest early.
Nan Zhiyi insisted on seeing them to the gate of the courtyard, watching Zhou Xingzhi help Zhang Yueran adjust her scarf and then open the passenger door.
Zhang Yueran climbed into the car, turned back and hugged Nan Zhiyi tightly: "Sister, I'm leaving! Today was so much fun!"
"Drive carefully."
Nan Zhiyi patted her on the back and nodded to Zhou Xingzhi in the driver's seat.
Zhang Yueran got into the car, started the car, and leaned against the window, waving vigorously at Nan Zhiyi. Even after the car slowly drove out of the yard, she still tried to stick her head out of the window to see if her sister had gone inside.
"Yueyue, sit still, it's dangerous."
Zhou Xingzhi looked straight ahead, offered a reminder, and then gently pressed her back into her seat with his free hand.
Zhang Yueran sat up straight, but immediately became restless again. She turned to the side and stared longingly at Zhou Xingzhi's handsome profile, her fingers secretly reaching out to try and hook his hand on the gear shift lever.
Zhou Xingzhi kept his eyes focused on the road ahead and lowered his voice: "There are a lot of cars on the road, sweetie, I'll let you hold my hand when we get off."
Zhang Yueran: "..."
It's as if she's so lustful!
She raised her chin and muttered softly, "Okay."
She withdrew her hand, crossed her arms, and sat up straight, maintaining a cold expression. But after only two seconds, she couldn't help herself and started chattering about the wedding gift, "This gift is so expensive, I don't even know how I should repay it..."
Zhou Xingzhi listened quietly, and after she paused slightly, he said gently, "Don't worry, there will always be a chance to get it back."
Hearing his certainty, Zhang Yueran relaxed a lot. "Okay! I understand."
After calming down a bit, she said sullenly, "Sigh, speaking of which, I was thinking of giving that book to my sister to read. Maybe if she and her husband read it, they could be more... well, more harmonious and happy! But you wouldn't let me."
Upon hearing this, Zhou Xingzhi finally couldn't help but sigh very softly.
“Yueyue, why would your sister and brother-in-law need to read those kinds of…books to improve their relationship?” He was too embarrassed to say the book's name. “Besides, if your brother-in-law found out where the book came from and what it contained, he might…”
He carefully chose his words, saying, "I'll give you a good talking-to."
Zhang Yueran immediately pictured Gu Xiao's piercing gaze, and a chill ran down her spine as she felt the invisible pressure emanating from him.
She instinctively shrank back, stubbornly saying, "He... he might even thank me..."
But as soon as the words left his mouth, he felt a chill run down his spine and immediately backed down, "Okay, okay, I won't send it."
Fifth Brother Gu Xiao has a great deal of prestige. Even though he has been my brother-in-law for many years now, the respect that has been ingrained in my bones since childhood is still there.
The car was quiet for a few seconds, with only the low hum of the engine.
Zhang Yueran glanced at Zhou Xingzhi again, seeing him focused on driving, his profile particularly handsome in the dim light and shadow. Her heart itched again, so she leaned close to his ear and whispered, "Then... I can read the book myself, okay?"
Zhou Xingzhi's fingers twitched slightly as he gripped the steering wheel, and his Adam's apple bobbed softly.
He didn't answer immediately, but after a long while, he finally hummed in agreement, his voice carrying both indulgence and a hint of aroused hoarseness.
Zhang Yueran stared at his slightly reddened earlobes, then sat back down with satisfaction.
Zhou Xingzhi appeared to be looking straight ahead, but most of his attention was focused on her profile.
With chubby cheeks and bright almond-shaped eyes, she could be indignant one moment, slyly laughing the next, and then adorably timid the next.
In his eyes, his Yueyue was just like that, always having some whimsical and funny ideas and actions, impulsive yet innocent, enthusiastic yet clumsy, but every aspect of her was incredibly adorable to him.
It seems that no matter what she does or says, even if she causes some harmless little trouble, in his eyes, it all becomes her unique and irresistible attraction.
The green light is on.
He restarted the car and coughed lightly: "You can see for yourself... But if you don't understand anything, you can ask me."
Zhang Yueran was taken aback at first, then realized the deeper meaning behind his words. After a long while, she managed to stammer out an accusation: "You...you've gone astray!"
Zhou Xingzhi smiled but said nothing, only turning on the car radio and tuning it to a channel playing soothing music.
The flowing notes slightly dispersed the ambiguous yet sweet atmosphere inside the car.
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