Chapter 465 Displeasure
It was already late at night when Gu Xiao came upstairs.
He pushed open the bedroom door, his body carrying the mixed smells of tea smoke from downstairs.
Nan Zhiyi pinched her nose and rolled her eyes at him: "Go take a shower, you smell like smoke."
Gu Xiao smiled but didn't get closer. "Okay."
Nan Zhiyi covered her mouth and yawned slightly. "I'm sleepy, Fifth Brother. Go take a shower, I've put your change of clothes on the chair by the door."
Gu Xiao nodded and was about to turn and go into the bathroom when a soft knock sounded on the door.
He went over and opened the door.
Gu Min and Zhao Zhigang were standing outside the door.
Zhao Zhigang was all smiles, his enthusiasm bordering on obsequiousness. He was carrying two bulging net bags, from which boxes of cigarettes and alcohol could be vaguely seen.
Gu Min's smile was somewhat forced, and her eyes looked awkward.
"Third sister, third brother-in-law," Gu Xiao stood at the door, "Aren't you resting yet?"
Nan Zhiyi, hearing from the inner room that it was her third sister and her husband, remained silent and listened quietly. She was wearing pajamas and it wasn't convenient for her to receive guests, and besides, Gu Xiao was there; he would handle it.
Gu Xiao's gaze swept over the two nets, a flicker of displeasure crossing his mind. On New Year's Day, and so late at night, to pull this stunt in front of the whole family—Zhao Zhigang was really… getting more and more regressive with age.
"Fifth Brother," Zhao Zhigang spoke first, "there were so many people today, I didn't have a chance to talk to anyone alone. So, here's a little something for you, Zhiyi, and Zhaozhao..."
Gu Xiao interrupted him, "Third sister, third brother-in-law, thank you. We're all family, no need to be so polite. Take the things back; we don't need anything at home."
Zhao Zhigang's smile froze for a moment, but then it spread even wider: "These are just some cheap local specialties, just a small token of my appreciation, please don't refuse..."
“Really, there’s no need.” Gu Xiao’s voice deepened. “If it’s like my eldest sister, who thinks of Gu Zhao and knits her a sweater or cooks her something to eat, that’s the thought that elders have in mind, and we’ll naturally accept it happily. We don’t need these things. Take them back.”
Having said all that, Gu Min's face turned red, her lips moved but she ultimately didn't say anything, only pursing her lips tightly.
Zhao Zhigang's smile completely vanished, his face turning red and then pale.
Gu Xiao said calmly, "It's getting late, we should rest. We can talk about it tomorrow."
After saying that, he gently closed the door.
The footsteps outside faded into the distance.
Gu Xiao stood there for two seconds before turning and walking towards the bathroom.
Nan Zhiyi, lying in bed, could hear the conversation outside clearly, as well as the sound of running water from the bathroom.
She knew it perfectly well.
Zhao Zhigang, the third sister's husband, has always been ambitious but incompetent. In his early years, he relied entirely on his father-in-law, Commander Gu's, connections to gain a foothold in the system. In recent years, he has had many disagreements with his third sister, Gu Min, because of his difficulties in getting promoted.
Now that the old man has retired, and Gu Xiao is about to be promoted, it's timely for him to step up.
However, it's unclear what position he's specifically seeking this time. Could it be that he also intends to make moves to the capital?
Nan Zhiyi was too lazy to delve into it; Gu Xiao knew what he was doing.
Sleepiness crept in, and her eyelids grew heavy, but she forced herself to stay awake, listening intently to the sounds coming from the bathroom.
The sound of water stopped, and after a while, Gu Xiao, still smelling of fresh water and soap, lay down in bed. Nan Zhiyi immediately snuggled into his arms, her cheek pressed against his pajamas.
He reached out and touched his still slightly damp hair. "Your hair isn't dry yet. Be careful, you might have a headache tomorrow."
"The room is warm, so it dries quickly." Gu Xiao let her touch him, wrapped his arm around her waist, and pulled her closer to him.
Nan Zhiyi adjusted to a more comfortable position in his arms, closing her eyes. "I told you before that we should go to the General Logistics Department's vault and pick out a few decent ornaments or old items as a congratulatory gift for Gu Yan. I mentioned it to him tonight, and he said he doesn't need anything and told us not to spend money."
She yawned. "I know you brothers have a good relationship and don't care about these things. But I still feel that this is a big event for him to start a family, and we, as his older brother and sister-in-law, shouldn't be too stingy."
Gu Xiao knew Nan Zhiyi's personality; she appeared gentle, but had her own principles.
He had previously felt that there was no need to be too extravagant, and that it was enough for brothers to be sincere with each other. But seeing how much she cared, he didn't want to go against her wishes.
He stroked her long hair, which was spread out on the pillow. "Okay, I'll listen to you. If you think we should prepare it, then we'll prepare it."
Nan Zhiyi murmured softly in his arms, her drowsiness deepening, her voice becoming muffled: "Hmm... So tomorrow morning, shall we go to the warehouse first? After we've picked something out, we can go to the temple fair. I heard there's something at the Cultural Palace this year..."
She was too tired to speak, her body went completely limp, and she sank into his arms.
"Okay, whatever you say."
Gu Xiao responded in a low voice, as if speaking to her while she was asleep, or perhaps talking to himself.
He looked down at her sleeping face in the dim light of the wall lamp. The lines of her cheeks were completely relaxed, revealing a kind of defenseless childishness, like a bamboo shoot that had just shed its husk, tender and fresh, as if a poke would leave a mark.
He looked at her for a long time before reaching out and gently stroking her warm skin with his fingertips, his gaze lingering on her skin.
Finally, he gently kissed her forehead and closed his eyes.
The following morning, the couple, carrying the necessary documents, went to the vault set up within the military region.
The two had all the necessary paperwork, and after the staff verified it, they were led through several heavy iron gates into the warehouse and into a cabinet.
Nan Zhiyi didn't touch the gold bars or silver coins as usual, but instead turned her gaze to the jewelry boxes next to her.
It used to be taboo, but now that social attitudes are becoming more open, more and more girls on the street are wearing red and green. She thought that it wouldn't matter if she wore them occasionally. She bent down and carefully selected some of her favorite, simple and elegant styles, and placed them aside.
Then I opened another larger wooden box, which contained some scholar's objects and small antiques that my father had collected in his early years.
"Gu Xiao, look, which of these items is the most suitable to give to Gu Yan?" she asked, turning her head.
Gu Xiao walked over, his gaze sweeping over the box. After a moment's hesitation, he picked out a pair of Hetian jade pendants carved in a simple yet elegant style, depicting two hearts united.
"This one will do."
Nan Zhiyi nodded, indicating she had no objection.
The two wrapped the jewelry in the silk cloth they had brought, completed the formalities, and left.
Back at the Gu family home, it was quiet. Only Commander Gu and his third sister's family were chatting in the living room. Commander Gu said that his eldest, second, and fourth brothers' families had all gone out to pay New Year's visits.
Gu Zhao was nowhere to be found.
Aunt Wu said, "You just left? Xiaoman was taken out by his uncle and went crazy. He said he wanted to go ice skating in the park and wouldn't be back for lunch."
Nan Zhiyi quietly squeezed Gu Xiao's hand and whispered, "Perfect, we can go out and play this afternoon without bringing the little follower."
"Um."
Gu Xiao squeezed her hand back, a hint of relief and pleasure appearing in his eyes. A time for just the two of them was indeed perfect.
In the afternoon, the couple strolled out to visit the Lotus Pond Temple Fair, the most bustling place in western Jian'an City.
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