Chapter 56 Reunion
The sun was warm, and the two naturally drifted back to the people and events from their old compound.
"Oh, right," Zhao Yaqin took a bite of rice cake, then remembered something, "Do you remember Wang Lili? The one from the family of Vice Director Wang of the Revolutionary Committee?"
Nan Zhiyi nodded; she naturally had a deep impression of Wang Lili.
“Her,” Zhao Yaqin said, pursing her lips, “was arranged by her family to meet Zhou Zhengping during the Spring Festival, and the two families formally met once.”
Nan Zhiyi paused slightly, then relaxed and listened quietly.
"It didn't work out!" Zhao Yaqin gloated. "I heard Zhou Zhengping didn't give him a friendly look at all. He left before he even finished his meal, which infuriated Deputy Director Wang. Wang Lili is still making a scene at home, and she's still keeping an eye on Zhou Zhengping."
Nan Zhiyi gave a soft "oh," her heart unmoved.
What happens to Zhou Zhengping is no longer her concern.
Zhao Yaqin suddenly realized her slip of the tongue and abruptly stopped talking, a hint of annoyance flashing across her face: "Oh dear! Look at my loose tongue! Zhiyi, I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to mention him... I just... I just blurted it out..."
Seeing her at a loss, Nan Zhiyi gently shook her head: "Sister Yaqin, it's okay. It's all in the past, I've already let it go."
She said it from the bottom of her heart.
The stability and appreciation that Gu Xiao gave her were something Zhou Zhengping could never provide.
He is truly just an old friend and a thing of the past.
Zhao Yaqin carefully examined her expression, and only after confirming that she was not really forcing it did she breathe a sigh of relief and pat her chest: "That's good. Marrying Fifth Brother is definitely better than marrying Zhou Zhengping. Fifth Brother is capable and loves you. Zhou Zhengping was transferred here, but he's only a battalion-level staff officer. Besides, with his personality, he can't protect you. He can't compare to our Fifth Brother in any way."
Nan Zhiyi was amused.
She always knew that Gu Xiao was an idol to many young people in the compound; regardless of gender, everyone praised him.
Even when she talked about Gu Xiao with Zhou Anping and Zhang Yueran, she showed more respect than fear.
“And Anping,” Zhao Yaqin added, “she’s doing quite well, doing a good job in the cultural troupe. It’s just… I’m quite worried about you. I even asked around about your whereabouts, but I couldn’t find out.”
She glanced at Nan Zhiyi, her meaning clear.
Nan Zhiyi's eyes dimmed slightly: "Yes, I know. I've already written her a letter."
"That's good."
Where is Gu Yan?
“Him?” Zhao Yaqin laughed, “He’s incredibly bold! I heard he secretly followed the transport team a few times to the south, dabbling in small things and making some money. Commander Gu was furious and wanted to break his legs! But he just hid and didn’t go home…”
Nan Zhiyi imagined Gu Yan being chased and beaten by the commander, and decided to wait for Gu Xiao to come back and tell him about it, so as not to anger the commander.
"By the way, do you know Fatty Zhang? The one who used to hang out with Gu Yan all the time? He..."
The two chatted about other interesting stories or recent events involving old acquaintances, and the atmosphere relaxed again.
After chatting for a while, Zhao Yaqin looked at the sun outside the window, stood up, and said, "Oh dear, I've been so busy talking to you, I have to go now."
"Sister Yaqin, why don't you stay for lunch? I'll just make something simple," Nan Zhiyi said, trying to persuade her to stay.
"No, no!" Zhao Yaqin waved her hand repeatedly and laughed heartily, "I have to submit a manuscript tomorrow, and I have to rush to finish it this afternoon."
She winked mischievously at Nan Zhiyi, "Let's have a good chat another day!"
Nan Zhiyi, teased by her, didn't insist on keeping her: "Alright, Yaqin, take care, let's meet again next time."
"Don't mention it, I'm off!" Zhao Yaqin rushed out the door, not forgetting to turn back and remind her, "I'll keep an eye on things at work for you, wait for my news!"
Gu Xiao didn't come back at noon.
In the late afternoon, the sky darkened, and a rare cool breeze swept across the vegetable patch.
Nan Zhiyi, wearing a straw hat, went to the vegetable garden to pick green beans.
The green beans grew so fast that she and Gu Xiao couldn't possibly finish them all.
Sister Wang taught her a method: blanch the meat, dry it in the sun, and stew it with meat in winter; it's a delicious dish.
She was calculating how much hot water she needed to boil when there was a gentle knock on the courtyard gate.
Who is it?
Nan Zhiyi raised her voice, wiped her hands on her apron, and went to open the door.
As the door opened, a travel-worn figure stood before me, a travel bag at his feet, his familiar face showing both exhaustion and excitement.
"I understand!" Zhou Anping's eyes instantly reddened when he saw her.
Nan Zhiyi was stunned, and her eyes welled up with tears.
"Anping?!"
They both reached out and grasped each other's hands tightly.
A thousand words stuck in my throat, turning into a torrent of tears.
Zhou Anping's gaze swept over Nan Zhiyi's apron and the vegetable basket in the yard. His lips were pressed tightly together, and he was trying hard not to let his tears fall.
After a long pause, Nan Zhiyi sniffed, wiped her face haphazardly with the back of her hand, and smiled, "Come in quickly! Look at all this dust!"
She bent down to pick up the travel bag at Zhou Anping's feet, and pulled her into the house with her other hand.
In the living room, the fan was whirring, bringing coolness.
Nan Zhiyi poured a large glass of ice-cold brown sugar water and handed it to Zhou Anping: "Drink some quickly, your lips are so dry! You must be exhausted from the journey, have you had lunch?"
Zhou Anping held the cup, shook his head, and said in a slightly choked voice, "I didn't have time to... I asked around as soon as I got off the bus, just wanting to see you as soon as possible."
"Hey, wait here, I'll go make you a bowl of noodles, it'll be ready soon!"
Nan Zhiyi turned and went into the kitchen.
Zhou Anping followed closely behind, standing at the kitchen doorway, watching quietly.
Nan Zhiyi deftly turned on the stove's air damper, placed the small iron pot on it, and while waiting for the water to boil, took out noodles from the cupboard, along with two eggs and a small handful of tender scallions she had bought at the market that morning.
Heat oil in a pan, pour in the egg mixture, and with a sizzle, the golden egg mixture quickly solidifies. She deftly uses a spatula to break it up into a fluffy sauce, sprinkles it with bright green scallions, and the aroma fills the air.
Watching Nan Zhiyi's fluid and graceful movements, Zhou Anping felt a pang of unease, and even his hunger vanished.
She bit her lower lip to stop the tears from falling, but her eyes were terribly red.
The delicate young lady I remember who would burn the pot even when boiling milk is now so composed in the kitchen.
The noodles were served quickly.
Clear broth noodles, topped with golden egg sauce and garnished with bright green scallions.
Zhou Anping picked up a piece of food with his chopsticks, the steam obscuring her vision.
She tried to smile. "I've known you for twenty years, and I never imagined that one day I would be able to eat a meal cooked by you."
She took a bite and pursed her lips.
"Hmm, not bad! Much better than I expected!"
Nan Zhiyi sat opposite her, resting her chin on her hand as she watched her eat, her eyes filled with warmth.
"You've come at the perfect time! This morning I went to the market with my sisters-in-law and bought some fresh meat and vegetables. I'll show you my skills tonight and let you taste my true talent! A bowl of noodles is nothing."
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