Chapter 231 Radio
Nan Zhiyi tiptoed up to the study on the second floor.
Pushing open the door, one sees Zhang Yueran and Xiaoman lying side by side on the carpet, with toys scattered around them.
Xiaoman was clearly napping; her little head was nodding, her eyelids drooping, and she was nestled against Zhang Yueran's legs.
Zhang Yueran lay on her side, gently patting his back with one hand, while she herself was full of energy, looking at the little guy with bright eyes.
Seeing Nan Zhiyi enter, Zhang Yueran raised her finger to shush and whispered, "Sister, Xiaoman seems sleepy."
Nan Zhiyi nodded and carefully took the half-asleep Xiaoman into her arms.
The little one smelled his mother's familiar scent, shifted his body, found a comfortable position, and quickly closed his eyes peacefully.
"I'll put him to sleep, Yueyue, you should rest for a while too."
Zhang Yueran quietly turned over and lay face down on the carpet, resting her chin on her hands, watching Nan Zhiyi gently rock Xiaoman and sighing softly.
"Sister, Xiaoman is so well-behaved, he's so adorable. I have to come see him every day from now on, otherwise I'll miss him terribly."
Nan Zhiyi couldn't help but laugh when she heard her childish words: "Then when you start school, apply to be a day student and live at home, so you can see him every day and help me take care of him."
Zhang Yueran chuckled, then hesitated a bit: "Well, I'll check the school's regulations later, and if I can apply, I'll be a day student!"
She was filled with curiosity about university life and thought she might experience dormitory life first, but the temptation of seeing Xiaoman and her sister every day was too great.
Nan Zhiyi held Xiaoman and sat down on the sofa next to him to make him more comfortable before asking, "Yueyue, I was so happy that I didn't ask you yet. What major did you apply for? You didn't mention it in detail in your letter."
"I applied for radio engineering! But I heard that Kyoto University seems to focus more on theory, and you might be assigned a specific specialization after you get in. I'm thinking, maybe I can build the precision instruments used in airplanes and satellites in the future! How exciting!"
Zhang Yueran added somewhat shyly, "Actually, I don't know exactly what I can learn. I just think these things are quite amazing and I want to give it a try."
Nan Zhiyi praised her, "Radio engineering? That's great! This major has a promising future and suits your intelligence perfectly. You're sure to have a bright future."
Zhang Yueran chuckled: "Yeah! I'll study hard! When Xiaoman grows up, I can even teach him to recognize T parts!"
After Xiaoman fell asleep, Nan Zhiyi put Xiaoman in the bedroom and then she and Zhang Yueran talked about the years they had been apart in the study.
In the afternoon, after resting for a while, Aunt Feng couldn't stay idle and insisted on cooking two of Nan Zhiyi's favorite dishes herself.
Nan Zhiyi couldn't persuade her otherwise, so she had no choice but to go along with it.
Aunt Feng tied on her apron and went to the kitchen to get busy.
To make a braised pork belly with eggs, the pork belly with alternating layers of fat and lean meat is stewed until tender and flavorful, and the eggs are soaked in the rich broth.
The other dish was stir-fried shrimp, made with fresh shrimp that Sister Zhang bought in the morning. The shrimp were peeled by hand to remove the plump shrimp meat, and served with tender cucumber and carrot slices. It was sweet and refreshing.
Sister Zhang helped out, washing and chopping the vegetables, while constantly praising Aunt Feng's authentic cooking skills.
After finishing cooking, Nan Zhiyi told Sister Zhang to go home first.
She, Aunt Feng, and Yue Ran were sitting in the living room chatting and waiting for Gu Xiao to get off work.
When it was completely dark, Gu Xiao entered the room, emanating a chill from his body.
He took off his military overcoat and hung it up, then looked at Aunt Feng and Zhang Yueran, saying apologetically, "Aunt Feng, Yueran, you've arrived. I'm so sorry, the army was busy today, and I couldn't pick you up in person."
Aunt Feng quickly stood up, waving her hand with a smile: "Oh dear, Minister Gu, what are you saying! You're being too polite! There's no need for you to personally receive me. I'm happy that you've shown me this thoughtfulness!"
Gu Xiao walked to Nan Zhiyi's side and said softly, "Aunt Feng, you can just call me by my name. We're all family."
Upon hearing this, Aunt Feng readily changed her tune: "Oh, yes, yes, you see, I just can't seem to get it right. We're family, no need for formalities!"
Zhang Yueran walked over from the sofa.
She was stunned the moment Gu Xiao walked in.
After not seeing him for several years, Fifth Brother's aura has become even more intimidating.
His military uniform was impeccably tailored, his shoulders and back were broad, and his eyes held the coldness and authority of someone who had long held a high position. Even when he softened his tone, his imposing presence made her subconsciously hold her breath.
She called out somewhat hesitantly, "Fifth Brother."
But she couldn't help but wonder to herself, how could her sister stand being around Fifth Brother every day? He looks so serious... would he yell at her?
If she really stayed at her sister's house, seeing her fifth brother every day...it seemed...a little scary...she started to back out of the plan to stay at her sister's house.
Gu Xiao nodded to Zhang Yueran, his tone softening: "Yueran has grown up now, so just treat this place like your own home from now on."
After exchanging a few pleasantries, Gu Xiao looked at Nan Zhiyi and asked, "Didn't you say you didn't need to wait for me? Why didn't you let Aunt Feng and Yue Ran eat first?"
Before Nan Zhiyi could speak, Aunt Feng interrupted, "No, no, it didn't take long. A family meal is only truly enjoyable when everyone is together!"
Nan Zhiyi smiled and pushed Gu Xiao toward the bathroom. "Alright, alright, let's go, let's take Xiaoman to wash her hands."
Aunt Feng hurriedly said, "Yes, yes, Gu Xiao, wash your hands quickly, we're waiting for you to start the meal! Yue Ran, come help me bring the dishes!"
At the dinner table, Gu Xiao didn't say much, but he was thoughtful and considerate. He put shrimp on Nan Zhiyi's plate, which she liked to eat, and kept an eye on Xiaoman's movements, feeding her a few bites every now and then.
Aunt Feng was satisfied with what she saw.
Then he looked at his silly daughter, who was engrossed in eating, her cheeks bulging and her mouth greasy, looking completely carefree.
Aunt Feng picked up a few pieces of braised pork for her and then said to Gu Xiao, "Gu Xiao, Yue Ran will be studying in the capital from now on. She'll be unfamiliar with the place, so I'll have to trouble you and Zhiyi to take care of her."
Gu Xiao put down his chopsticks and said sincerely, "Aunt Feng, please don't say that. This is what we should do. Yue Ran is Zhi Yi's younger sister, which means she is my sister too. You can rest assured that we are here in the capital."
Aunt Feng's smile became even more genuine. "Good, good! With you saying that, I'm completely relieved! Family is always the most reliable!"
Nan Zhiyi, watching from the side, said to Aunt Feng, "Aunt Feng, you're talking nonsense. How could I not take good care of Yueyue? It would be better if she stayed at home permanently after school starts."
Zhang Yueran, whose mouth was stuffed full, quickly swallowed it down. "Sis, I... I'm still thinking about it! Don't make such a promise so easily!"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com