Chapter 372 Crispy Pork
Nan Zhiyi groggily opened one eye and, through the morning light filtering through the curtains, saw Gu Xiao sitting at his desk by the window, looking down at a stack of manuscript papers.
Her throat was a little dry, so she coughed lightly and called out to him, "Fifth Brother..."
Gu Xiao got up and walked to the bedside, pulled her out of the covers, and held her in his arms.
His hand stroked her long, fluffy hair from sleeping. "I told you to go to bed early last night, but you insisted on staying up late to write. You even threw a tantrum when you couldn't finish. Now you know you can't get up?"
Nan Zhiyi was also helpless.
"It's so strange... During the day, when I sit at my desk, my brain feels like it's rusted, and I can't squeeze out a single word. But at night, especially when it's quiet, sentences just spring out on their own, and inspiration flows like a spring, unstoppable..."
She asked him, "Have you just finished reading? How was the new chapter?"
Her new book, which she is currently writing, is a science fiction novel about the future that explores religion and ecology.
"I've finished reading it. The latest chapter, about the power struggles on the desert planet, is written very smoothly, with solid details and a strong sense of imagery."
He pinched her earlobe again, "It's hard on your eyes, don't stay up so late next time."
Having received his affirmation, she suddenly pushed Gu Xiao down onto the bed with all her might, then lay face down on his chest, her cheek pressed against his heartbeat.
The smile faded, replaced by a touch of melancholy.
After a moment of silence, she said in a muffled voice, "Fifth Brother... I dreamt about my parents last night."
She dreamt of her childhood, of the Nan family villa, where the wisteria in the yard was in full bloom, releasing a rich fragrance under the sunlight.
Her father was practicing calligraphy in the study, and her mother was watering the flowers in the garden. As she approached, they both smiled and called her "my dear daughter"...
She didn't know if it was because she was too engrossed in conceiving the plot during the day and depicting the bond between the protagonist and his parents that she had such vivid dreams at night.
When I woke up, the warmth of the dream was gone, leaving only boundless melancholy, unease, and a deep-seated sadness.
Gu Xiao felt that the fabric of her clothes was a little damp, and knew that she had been secretly crying again.
He gently patted her back with his palm and whispered soothing words in her ear.
Nan Zhiyi kept her head down, her voice even lower, "Fifth Brother... those people who killed my parents... how are they now?"
Since her parents were exonerated, their reputations restored, and most of their assets returned, she has deliberately avoided asking about the fate of the perpetrators.
She feared that the outcome would not be satisfactory and she would be unable to comfort her parents' spirits in heaven.
She was also afraid that even if those people received the punishment they deserved, her parents would never come back.
That hatred was buried deep in her heart; she never forgot it, yet she refused to let it consume her.
Gu Xiao did not hide anything.
“The ringleaders were executed by firing squad last fall. Several other key accomplices were sentenced to life imprisonment or more than fifteen years in prison, depending on the severity of their offenses. All their illegal gains have been confiscated.”
The names he gave were those of the people who had led the raid on her home and driven her parents to their deaths.
Nan Zhiyi listened quietly, remaining silent for a long time.
Gu Xiao wiped away her tears with his fingertips. "Zhiyi, from now on, Xiaoman and I will be with you. The Nan family will take root again here with you and Xiaoman, and flourish once more."
She gave a very soft "hmm," grabbed one of his hands, and their fingers intertwined tightly.
Gu Xiao let her hold his hand, and used his other hand to lift her up a little so that she could lean against him more comfortably.
"Honey, are you hungry? I'll go get you breakfast."
Nan Zhiyi shook her head, looking listless: "I have no appetite, I just want to drink some water, I don't want to eat."
"Then I'll go get you some water." Gu Xiao helped her down, then got up and went downstairs.
Not long after, he returned with a tray, on which, in addition to warm honey water, there was a small bowl of sticky millet porridge and a few light side dishes.
"Eat only a few bites, it's more uncomfortable to eat on an empty stomach."
"good."
After finishing the meal.
The two didn't rush downstairs; they stayed in the room, snuggling together and talking.
Gu Xiao picked up the manuscript paper he had read before and discussed the details of the new book with her for a few more minutes. Nan Zhiyi leaned on his shoulder and praised him from time to time.
Around mid-morning, the sound of a truck engine and faint voices could be heard downstairs.
Gu Xiao listened intently and said, "It's Gu Yan and the others who are back."
Nan Zhiyi put down her pen. "You really went to buy a color TV?"
"Known for his personality, he'll do what he says he will. Shall we go downstairs and take a look?"
"Let's go take a look." Nan Zhiyi stood up.
Gu Xiao straightened her slightly wrinkled collar.
The two went downstairs together.
At the entrance of the compound, a van with the words "Jian'an Department Store" printed on the side was parked. Two deliverymen in blue work uniforms were unloading a large, heavy cardboard box from the van, with Gu Yan directing them from the side.
Just then, Fourth Brother Gu Weimin and Fourth Sister-in-law Wang Juan arrived with Nannan.
As soon as Wang Juan got out of the car, she saw the large boxes being unloaded, and then she saw Gu Yan standing to the side. She immediately smiled and said, "Wow! What a sight! Gu Yan really knows how to make a big splash!"
Li Xiuqin stepped forward and chimed in: "Gu Yan is also doing this out of kindness, showing filial piety to his father by letting him watch the news and operas at home. The bright visuals make him feel good."
The group exchanged a few pleasantries at the courtyard gate.
Gu Weimin patted Gu Yan on the shoulder: "Good job, Lao Liu, this stuff is in high demand right now."
Gu Yan was explaining the installation location to the deliveryman, smiled, and didn't say much more.
Gu Weimin and Gu Weiguo walked together to the area where televisions were being installed and watched the deliverymen busy at work.
Although they didn't get involved in the actual operations, they stood there, occasionally asking questions about the antenna placement and signal reception...
Seeing the lively scene, Nan Zhiyi gently tugged at Gu Xiao's sleeve and gestured towards the kitchen with her eyes.
Gu Xiao nodded slightly.
She then smiled at Li Xiuqin and Wang Juan beside her and said, "Sister-in-law, fourth sister-in-law, I'm going to the kitchen..."
Wang Juan took her hand, "Let's go together."
The three sisters-in-law entered the kitchen together, and a strong smell of oil wafted out.
On the stove, Aunt Wu was wearing an apron and busily frying New Year's goods.
The basket was already piled high with golden, glistening crispy pork, fried dough twists, and lotus root, while radish balls sizzled and rolled in the oil pan.
"Oh, it smells so good!"
"Aunt Wu, we're here to help."
Nan Zhiyi smiled and rolled up her sleeves. "Aunt Wu, is there anything else you need?"
Aunt Wu said, "Almost done! The meatballs are all fried, and all that's left is this crispy pork. You've come at the right time. Help me plate up the food that's been drying over there, so it can be served right away for lunch. The vegetables that have been washed over there also need to be chopped... We have a lot of people today, so we need to prepare a few more dishes."
Wu Ma didn't stand on ceremony and immediately arranged for the three sisters-in-law to be together.
Nan Zhiyi picked up a clean plate and arranged the fried meatballs, twisted dough sticks, and other items into categories.
Li Xiuqin and Wang Juan found a cutting board and a knife, and while chopping green peppers and shredded meat, they chatted about their experiences on the road and the situation of their respective children.
The three sisters-in-law were busy in the kitchen, chatting and working together efficiently.
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