Chapter 460 Swimming
The couple embraced silently for a while in the entryway before going to the kitchen for a simple meal.
After washing up and lying back in bed, Nan Zhiyi habitually wrapped her arms around Gu Xiao's waist and gently rubbed her face against his shoulder.
She actually had a lot to say in her heart, about what the old man hadn't said on the phone, about an interesting segment from the Spring Festival Gala... but she swallowed the words back before she could say them.
He has to go to work tomorrow.
She raised her hand and stroked his chest twice. "Go to sleep."
Gu Xiao didn't speak, but simply raised his hand to stroke her long hair that was scattered on the pillow, and adjusted his position to avoid pressing on her hair.
He hummed in response, his voice slightly nasal.
In the darkness,
Nan Zhiyi listened to his breathing gradually become even and long, and thought he had fallen asleep.
A slight smile curved her lips, and her hand, which had been neatly placed on his chest, secretly slipped into the gap of his pajamas and began to wander gently and slowly.
Gu Xiao sighed silently in his heart.
After all these years, he's still the same; he always has to wait for her to fall asleep before he can truly fall asleep himself.
But this daughter-in-law is becoming increasingly audacious, even learning to harass people in this way.
He didn't move or stop her, but simply let her soft hand linger on his body, feeling her fingertips unconsciously tracing patterns.
Only then did he truly close his eyes and drift into sleep.
Gu Xiao finally relaxed completely, adjusted to a more comfortable position, pulled her completely into his arms, and closed his eyes.
On the first day of the new year, just as dawn was breaking, Gu Xiao's biological clock woke him up precisely on time.
As soon as he moved, Nan Zhiyi in his arms also opened her eyes groggily.
"Sleep a little longer," he whispered, trying to press her back onto the pillow.
Nan Zhiyi struggled to sit up, declaring, "It's bad luck to stay in bed on the first day of the new year." As she spoke, she let out a big yawn, and a few tears welled up in the corners of her eyes.
She slipped off the bed in her slippers and followed him around. Seeing him put on his crisp, grass-green military uniform, she went over and diligently helped him straighten his collar and button his shirt.
Gu Xiao tilted his head slightly to match her movement, his Adam's apple bobbing.
Seeing her struggling to stay awake out of the corner of his eye, he said, "Then after I leave, you can take another nap."
"Uh-huh."
The two washed up together and went downstairs.
It was still early, but Gu Xiao was in a hurry to leave.
Nan Zhiyi escorted him to the entrance and watched him put on his military overcoat. She couldn't help but say, "No matter how busy you are, remember to eat breakfast... How about I cook you some dumplings? It'll be quick."
"No need, Xiao Liu will prepare it." Gu Xiao buttoned up his coat, grasped her hand that was tugging at his sleeve, and squeezed it hard. "Call me if anything happens."
Nan Zhiyi hummed in agreement. She watched as he opened the door and strode towards the courtyard gate.
The snow in the yard was thick; the fresh snow from last night had covered everything. The grape trellis and swing set had become bulky white outlines, and the branches of the old locust tree outside the yard were drooping low under the weight of the snow.
Gu Xiao turned around at the door and waved to her.
Nan Zhiyi waved and watched his figure disappear outside the courtyard gate before closing the gate herself.
She turned and went to the kitchen.
They relit the fire and boiled water to cook dumplings.
I fried two golden-brown poached eggs and made my son a cup of formula.
I had just finished my work when I heard heavy footsteps on the stairs.
Gu Zhao ran downstairs with her hair sticking up from sleep, her eyes not even fully open, and asked repeatedly, "Mom, has Brother Huzi come?"
"Not yet," Nan Zhiyi placed the porcelain plate on the dining table. "You can go find him yourself after you finish breakfast."
Gu Zhao breathed a sigh of relief and sat down in a chair: "Brother Hu Zi keeps his word. He said he would come to see me on the morning of the first day of the new year, and he definitely will."
He reached into his pajama pocket and took out his small wallet. "Mom, if Tiger takes us to the convenience store later, can I use my allowance to buy things?"
Gu Zhao is a little penny-pincher. He hid his New Year's money as soon as he received it last night, and now his little wallet is empty, probably containing only a little pocket money.
Nan Zhiyi felt at ease with Gu Zhao managing her allowance.
She sat down opposite him, picked up her chopsticks, and said, "Comrade Gu Zhao has his own pocket money to spend as he sees fit; Mom won't interfere."
Gu Zhao beamed, "Thank you, Mom!"
He buried his head in his food, but was distracted, his ears perked up, listening for any sounds outside the door, and occasionally glancing at the wall clock.
After quickly finishing his meal, he ran to the bathroom to rinse his mouth and wash his face hastily.
Nan Zhiyi followed and handed over the box of "Yu Meijing" children's cream with a pink metal lid: "Apply it, it's windy outside."
Gu Zhao's little face scrunched up, a little unwilling: "This smells too good, Mom. I don't want to wipe it."
"You have to apply it," Nan Zhiyi said firmly, scooping out a dollop and smearing it on his face without further ado. "Your face is chapped from the wind, it must hurt. Rub it off yourself."
Gu Zhao hastily wiped her face a few times, leaving a sweet, milky scent, before rushing towards the door.
Nan Zhiyi chased after him again, caught him, wrapped him in a thick scarf, gloves, and hat, and put on waterproof cotton boots, fully armed, before opening the door.
“Remember! You must not…” She hadn’t finished speaking.
Gu Zhao had already stepped out the door, her clear voice drifting back with her breath: "Remember, Mom! Don't leave the compound! Come home when you're done playing! Be careful!"
As soon as she finished speaking, the small figure shot out of the yard like a colorful cannonball.
Nan Zhiyi stood inside the door, watching her son run away, and gently closed the door.
She returned to the table, sat down, picked up her chopsticks, took a slightly cooled dumpling, and ate it slowly.
I ate a few bites and then washed the dishes.
The kitchen window was covered with a layer of condensation, and the bright white snow outside could be vaguely seen.
She wiped her hands, turned on the TV, and wrapped herself in the thick blanket on the sofa.
The screen lit up, showing a replay of last night's Spring Festival Gala.
CCTV-1 scheduled a rebroadcast of the program on the morning of the first day of the Lunar New Year. Li Guyi sang "Hometown Love" again, and the crosstalk performers delivered their punchlines, with the audience's laughter coming through the loudspeakers.
Nan Zhiyi curled up in the corner of the sofa, her eyelids gradually becoming heavy.
The phone rang sharply.
She sighed, threw back the blanket, and went to answer the call.
Hello.
It was a deep male voice, brimming with exaggerated enthusiasm: "Hello? Is this Minister Gu's house? Oh, Happy New Year, sister-in-law! Wishing you prosperity! This is Lao Xie, I used to work with Minister Gu..."
Nan Zhiyi quickly searched her memory but couldn't recall anything. Nevertheless, she politely replied, "Happy New Year, Comrade Xie. Thank you. Gu Xiao went to the ministry early this morning. Is there anything you need me to pass on?"
"It's nothing, it's nothing! Just wishing you a Happy New Year! I wish you and your family a joyous occasion, and Minister Gu a successful promotion! Haha..."
After exchanging a few more pleasantries, the other party hung up the phone, seemingly still wanting to continue the conversation.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com