Chapter 108 Bird's Nest
Aunt Wu tiptoed in, carrying a small white porcelain bowl.
"Zhiyi, Commander Gu specifically instructed that the bird's nest stew is ready, please eat some while it's hot."
Nan Zhiyi was a little embarrassed: "Aunt Wu, you've gone to so much trouble. It really didn't have to be like this..."
"It's no trouble at all. The Commander's family eats simply, and I'm quite old and have nothing to do. Commander Gu cares about you; getting better is the most important thing."
Nan Zhiyi smiled and ate in small bites.
Bird's nest is warm and smooth, with a hint of sweetness, which soothes the stomach that has been tormented by morning sickness for days.
After watching her finish eating, Aunt Wu carefully cleaned up the dishes before gently closing the door and leaving.
Time flowed slowly, and as evening approached, the sky began to turn gray.
Nan Zhiyi immediately went downstairs and was about to push open the door to leave.
"Do you understand? It's cold outside!" Seeing this, Aunt Wu chased after her and draped a thick coat over her shoulders.
Nan Zhiyi smiled at Wu Ma, walked to the courtyard gate, and waved vigorously towards the opposite side.
In the wind and snow, Zhou Anping seemed to sense something and turned around to see Nan Zhiyi, who was wrapped up in a thick blanket under the lamp, with only her fair face showing.
A delighted smile spread across her face as she jogged over.
"Zhiyi! You're back!" She grasped Nan Zhiyi's hand and looked her up and down. "You look alright."
"Okay, let's talk inside!"
The living room was warm and cozy.
Aunt Wu served hot tea.
The two sat down on the sofa.
"Anping, how have you been lately?"
Zhou Anping picked up his teacup to warm his hands, sighed, and looked irritated.
"Don't even mention it. My brother's mess just calmed down, and now my mom's started again. She's arranged two more blind dates for me these past few days."
Upon hearing this, Nan Zhiyi felt a pang of sadness.
Zhou Anping is a year older than her; he will be twenty-five after the New Year.
In this era, especially in this family background, not being engaged at this age is indeed likely to attract gossip.
She knew Aunt Song's personality well; she was ambitious, discerning, and single-mindedly focused on marrying into a higher social class.
She thought of the widower with two children that Song Lanxin had introduced to Anping, and felt a lump in her throat.
"So...did you go? How was it?"
Zhou Anping looked utterly hopeless: "I went... The one I met a few days ago was the son of some director of the Revolutionary Committee. He's so arrogant, and he kept implying that I was showing my face in public! Yesterday, supposedly the nephew of some factory director, the first thing he said was, 'Women should go home and have children and live a peaceful life...' Zhiyi, tell me, how am I supposed to live like this?"
"Aunt Song is also... her concern makes her confused."
Nan Zhiyi carefully considered her words, then placed her hand on Zhou Anping's hand. "Don't be too anxious. Aunt Song has high standards, which might be a good thing, as it can help you filter out some unsuitable ones."
Zhou Anping pursed his lips. "Good thing? My mom always says that other people have good prospects and strong family backgrounds, and tells me not to be picky. But I really..."
Her eyes darted around for a moment, and she asked in confusion, "Zhiyi, do you think I should really just find a 'suitable' person and get married?"
Nan Zhiyi felt a pang of guilt as she looked at the struggle in her eyes.
She couldn't make decisions for Anping, but she couldn't bear to see her suffer.
“Anping, marriage is a big deal. Even if you're going to marry, you should marry someone you feel comfortable with. Aunt Song… it’s natural that you have high standards, but your feelings are the most important. Don’t you have someone you like?”
Zhou Anping gripped the teacup tightly with both hands.
She lowered her eyes, staring at the tea leaves floating in the cup: "So what if they do? They might not even mean it, and their families might not either..."
She didn't continue, quickly changing the subject, "Let's not talk about me. What about you? Why did you suddenly come back? You seem to have lost some weight."
The topic shifted abruptly, and Nan Zhiyi understood that she didn't want to discuss it further.
She understandingly stopped asking, a hint of shyness appearing on her face, her voice softer: "Fifth Brother sent me back to recuperate... Actually, Anping, I... I'm pregnant."
Zhou Anping looked up abruptly, first in surprise, then with joy.
"Really? That's wonderful, Zhiyi!" She grasped Nan Zhiyi's hand and shook it excitedly. "How many months? Is the reaction strong? Are you feeling unwell? What did Fifth Brother say? He must be overjoyed!"
"It's been more than three months. I was vomiting a lot before, couldn't eat anything, and lost a lot of weight. After coming back, it's warmer here, and I seem to be feeling a bit better. Fifth Brother, I'm quite... happy."
Nan Zhiyi was infected by her smile and also smiled.
Looking at the tenderness and shyness of an expectant mother in her eyes, Zhou Anping was genuinely happy for his friend, and his eyes welled up with tears.
She watched as her friend, who had gone through such a tumultuous ordeal, finally settled down, with Gu Xiao's care and a child, as if she had finally seen the dark clouds disperse and the light shine through.
"That's wonderful, that's wonderful. Fifth Brother is taking very good care of you."
Just then, the sound of the door opening came from the entryway, bringing in a blast of cold air from outside.
It was Gu Xiao who had returned. Unmelted snowflakes clung to his shoulders, and his gaze immediately fell on Nan Zhiyi on the sofa.
"You're back?" Nan Zhiyi immediately got up to greet her.
Gu Xiao stopped him, saying, "I'm cold. You should stay seated."
He took off his military overcoat, hung it up, walked to the radiator to warm his hands, and nodded slightly to Zhou Anping: "Anping is here."
"Fifth Brother," Zhou Anping said with a smile.
Gu Xiao warmed her up for a moment, then walked over to Nan Zhiyi, reached out to check the temperature of her cheek, and took her hand in his. "Why are your hands a little cold?"
Nan Zhiyi felt embarrassed to be so intimate in front of Zhou Anping, so she pushed him away, saying, "I'm not cold."
When Zhou Anping saw the spoiled and dependent look on Nan Zhiyi's face, her heart warmed, and she didn't want to disturb this tender moment that no one else could interfere with.
She picked up her scarf: "Fifth Brother, Zhiyi, I won't bother you any longer. Zhiyi, you should rest well. I'll come to talk to you again tomorrow."
"Okay, you must come tomorrow."
Nan Zhiyi escorted her to the door.
Gu Xiao followed her out and stood beside Nan Zhiyi, shielding her from the cold wind outside the door.
"The snow is falling heavily, be careful when you walk," he said to Zhou Anping.
"Understood, Fifth Brother." Zhou Anping waved his hand, wrapped his coat tighter, and strode across the snow-covered courtyard.
Nan Zhiyi watched her figure disappear before letting out a soft breath.
Gu Xiao put his arm around her shoulder, led her back to the sofa, and held her in his arms.
Nan Zhiyi was still thinking about her friend's situation, and sighed, "Anping said that Aunt Song is arranging blind dates for her again. Do you think Anping will listen to Aunt Song?"
“She’s more decisive than you think, she just needs time.” Gu Xiao always answered every question.
Nan Zhiyi didn't say anything more, but just pressed herself even closer to him.
He looked down at her. "How were you feeling this afternoon? Still feeling unwell?"
"I feel much better," Nan Zhiyi leaned against him and nestled into his arm. "I drank all the bird's nest soup that Aunt Wu made. It's just that my back is a little sore from reading for so long."
"Let me massage it for you." Gu Xiao placed his palm on her lower back and massaged it with moderate pressure.
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