Chapter 77 Considerate
When Nan Zhiyi got home, it was past eight o'clock in the evening, and Gu Xiao had not yet returned.
After she finished washing up, she sat on the bed, reading a book while waiting for him.
Upon hearing the commotion in the courtyard, Nan Zhiyi rushed out to greet him, wanting to throw herself into his arms.
She had just approached Gu Xiao when she paused, wrinkling her nose. "It stinks!"
Gu Xiao must have just finished a meeting; he was covered in the pungent smell of smoke.
He was opening his arms to catch her, but upon hearing this, he didn't approach. "Go inside and wait for me. I'll wash up right away."
Nan Zhiyi was somewhat annoyed.
She wasn't disgusted by him; she was just sensitive to the smell of smoke.
After he finished washing up and went into the bedroom, Nan Zhiyi leaned over and whispered, "...I didn't dislike you."
"I know." Gu Xiao sat down on the edge of the bed and pulled her into his arms. "You just don't like the smell of smoke."
She looked up at him.
Water droplets dripped down his sharp eyebrows, slid down his neck and the lines of his bulging shoulders and arms, and he exuded a vibrant heat and a unique scent of soap that was his own.
Nan Zhiyi's heart skipped a beat for no apparent reason. She wrapped her arms around his neck, buried her face in the crook of his neck, and took a deep breath: "Mmm...it smells so good now, I love the smell..."
Her voice was extremely soft, "Gu Xiao, I've been thinking about you all day."
A smile appeared in Gu Xiao's eyes and brows as he pressed his chin against her cheek and rubbed it against hers.
She may never know the smugness and satisfaction surging in his heart.
His love for her was as deep as a volcano submerged at the bottom of the sea, fiery yet suppressed.
Her increasingly explicit dependence and longing, however, were like sunlight dancing on the sea, growing more and more numerous and brighter, making his heart burn.
His Adam's apple bobbed as he pulled the person closer to him. "I miss you too."
His lips brushed against her earlobe, his voice low and menacing, "It's a real desire... a desire to pin you down..."
Nan Zhiyi's face instantly turned bright red, and even her neck turned pink.
"Gu Xiao! You..."
She was too embarrassed to continue speaking, and dared not look up at him.
Gu Xiao chuckled softly, his chest heaving. He leaned down, caressing her neck...
"Turn off...the lights!"
“I won’t turn it off.” He looked down at her, his eyes burning like a dark fire in the lamplight. “I want to watch over you.”
The next day, Nan Zhiyi was almost late for work.
In the propaganda department, without the meddling of certain individuals, the atmosphere was exceptionally harmonious.
Nan Zhiyi focused on her work and her efficiency improved significantly, which Section Chief Li noticed and secretly praised.
Two weeks before the Mid-Autumn Festival, Section Chief Li convened a meeting of all members of the Publicity Department. "This year's Mid-Autumn Festival activities will be led by the Political Department, with the cooperation of the Art Troupe, the Logistics Department, and other departments. It will be quite large in scale."
"Officer Sun, Zhiyi, the themed bulletin boards and publicity columns for this year's Mid-Autumn Festival are the main focus. They need to be of high quality, have a revolutionary spirit, and also reflect the close relationship between the military and the people and the festive atmosphere. You two are responsible for the design and production."
The theme revolves around the core slogans "Stay vigilant, defend the motherland, and celebrate a revolutionary Mid-Autumn Festival" and "When the military and the people are united as one, who in the world can defeat us?"
She looked at Nan Zhiyi and said, "Zhiyi is in charge of the design and drawing, with Officer Sun assisting. Any materials needed should be submitted in advance."
Nan Zhiyi and Sun Xiaobing immediately replied, "Yes, Section Chief!"
"In addition, the design and hanging of holiday slogans and banners are also entrusted to you. They need to be impressive and the locations need to be well chosen. Time is tight, and they must all be in place before the Mid-Autumn Festival."
"Understood!" The two nodded again.
Section Chief Li turned his gaze to the young man who had just reported for duty that morning in the corner: "We have a new staff member in our section, Lin Xiangyang, a college graduate from Gongnong Village, with impeccable political background and reliable political connections."
She instructed the fair-skinned, refined young man, "Officer Lin, you will first learn from Comrade Nan Zhiyi and Office Manager Sun, and assist them in completing the publicity tasks for the Mid-Autumn Festival and the upcoming National Day. They are experienced, so you should listen, learn, and do more!"
"Yes, Section Chief Li!" Lin Xiangyang stood up and nodded politely to Nan Zhiyi and Sun Xiaobing.
Nan Zhiyi smiled in response: "Welcome, Comrade Lin Xiangyang."
Section Chief Li finally looked at Zhao Yaqin: "Yaqin, the cultural troupe is preparing for the Mid-Autumn Festival Gala and needs a female host who is familiar with the process and speaks fluently."
I've discussed it with Commander Wang, and we think you're suitable. You should prepare yourself; spend the next few days at the performing arts troupe familiarizing yourself with the programs and rehearsing the lines.
Zhao Yaqin is a tenured employee with a generous personality and a clear voice. She used to work as an announcer at the government broadcasting station and could easily host a gala.
"No problem, Section Chief! I guarantee I'll complete the task!" Zhao Yaqin readily agreed.
She is indeed not stage-frightened and enjoys opportunities to showcase herself.
With the tasks assigned, everyone in the publicity department got busy.
Zhao Yaqin greeted everyone and hurried off to the art troupe's rehearsal hall with her notebook.
Nan Zhiyi spread out a sheet of white paper and began to sketch out a draft for the bulletin board, her pencil scratching on the paper.
She thought about how to integrate revolutionary slogans with festival elements and the relationship between the military and civilians, so as to make it solemn and serious, but not lose the warmth of the festival.
Sun Xiaobing flipped through the documents and sample photos from previous years.
Lin Xiangyang took the initiative to go to the warehouse and get large rolls of colored paper, paints, brushes and ink, and also helped to clear out a space specifically for a "studio".
Nan Zhiyi quickly conceived the structure and immersed herself in the painting. She only occasionally discussed the placement of the slogan with Sun Xiaobing or gave Lin Xiangyang guidance on mixing colors.
Lin Xiangyang is willing to learn and quick-witted, which makes things much easier for Nan Zhiyi.
After a few days, the bulletin board was replaced with posters related to the Mid-Autumn Festival.
The largest bulletin board at the entrance of the Youth League office was drawn by Nan Zhiyi with the most care.
The slogan, with its red background and yellow lettering, is particularly eye-catching. Next to it are pictures of heroic soldiers standing guard with guns, bountiful fields, silhouettes of soldiers and civilians working together, and a bright moon symbolizing reunion.
"Sister Zhiyi, your drawing is really good!"
Lin Xiangyang became well-liked in the department; he was sweet-talking and hardworking.
As he helped mix the paints, he exclaimed sincerely, "This is much more interesting than what I see on the school bulletin board!"
"Yes, this layout design is amazing!" Sun Xiaobing chimed in, praising it as well.
Nan Zhiyi smiled, said nothing more, and continued to stand on the ladder, focusing on sketching the details.
Around noon, Sun Xiaobing said, "Let's stop here for the morning and come back for the rest this afternoon. Let's go eat first."
Nan Zhiyi put down her paintbrush and rubbed her slightly sore wrist: "Okay."
Lin Xiangyang hurriedly packed up his tools, waved to Nan Zhiyi, and got on Sun Xiaobing's bicycle.
Nan Zhiyi didn't go to the canteen, but went straight to the regimental headquarters office building behind her.
She arrived at Gu Xiao's office door, which was ajar.
Before Nan Zhiyi could knock, Gu Xiao opened the door.
He reached out and took off her sun hat, then habitually wiped her face with a damp towel.
Nan Zhiyi enjoyed his thoughtfulness. "How did you know I was at the door?"
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