Chapter 492 Tangyuan 2
Nan Zhiyi released her younger sister and gently wiped away her tears with a handkerchief. "Alright, let's not talk about that anymore. I gave you these things to put your mind at ease, not to add to your burden. As long as you're doing well and you and Xingzhi are living happily together, I'll be happy."
Zhang Yueran nodded vigorously, her tears had stopped, but her still watery eyes stared unblinkingly at Nan Zhiyi.
That look was so direct that it made Nan Zhiyi's heart melt.
She reached out and gently shook her sister's shoulder. "Alright, Comrade Zhang Yueran, if you keep staring like that, your sister will be worn through and turn into water. How old are you? Still acting like a child."
Zhang Yueran finally stopped crying and smiled, her voice thick with emotion as she said coquettishly, "I'm so touched... Sister, you're so kind." She spoke the last three words with particular seriousness.
"Okay, okay, it's good that you know I'm okay."
Nan Zhiyi put her arm around her shoulder, "Put aside your gratitude and let's get down to business. When can you find some free time? We'll get the paperwork done as soon as possible and transfer the name to yours completely."
Tomorrow is the sixteenth day of the first lunar month, and they will all officially start school, so they will probably be busy.
Zhang Yueran stopped being coy and, after thinking about her research institute's schedule, quickly replied, "We all have an internal study session on Wednesday afternoon, so I can ask for leave. Is that alright, sis?"
“Okay, then let’s set it for Wednesday afternoon.” Nan Zhiyi readily agreed. She had already seen the class schedule for this semester from Professor Wang, and Wednesday afternoon was free for her.
After the business was finished, the atmosphere in the study relaxed.
Nan Zhiyi inquired about her younger sister's recent situation: "How have you been at the institute lately? You're busy, but you must take care of your health. I see you have dark circles under your eyes."
Zhang Yueran's eyes lit up again when she talked about work: "It's quite busy. There are several projects to follow up on at the beginning of the year. We have a new direction in radio, which may involve some cooperation with the military industry. We are still in the early stages of contact. But it's interesting. I learn things quickly, and the teachers are willing to teach me."
The two sisters snuggled together, chatting quietly about their studies, work, and the little things in their lives.
Night gradually descended outside the window.
Zhang Yueran looked at the dark sky and asked, "Where's my brother-in-law? Will he be home for dinner tonight?"
"I should be home soon."
"All right."
Zhang Yueran felt a little regretful.
When she came to the Gu family in the afternoon, she originally wanted to bring a book for her sister, but Zhou Xingzhi stopped her... He said that if her brother-in-law found out, he would definitely think that she had corrupted her sister... So, she had to give up the idea of giving the book.
Just then, Gu Zhao's loud voice came from downstairs: "Mom! Auntie! Aunt Zhang said the glutinous rice balls are almost cooked, we can come down and eat!"
"Hey! They're here!"
Nan Zhiyi responded loudly, pulling her sister to her feet. "Let's go, try your nephew's masterpiece. He patted his chest and guaranteed that eating his creative glutinous rice balls will make you happy for a whole year."
The two sisters went downstairs hand in hand.
The restaurant was brightly lit, and several steaming dishes were already laid out on the tables.
Gu Zhao was chattering away around Zhou Xingzhi, talking about the progress of the Ludo game.
Zhou Xingzhi listened patiently, occasionally offering a gentle comment, his eyes and brows radiating patience and kindness.
As soon as Zhang Yueran saw Zhou Xingzhi, she flew straight over to him like a bee to a flower, telling him about what happened in the study, completely forgetting about her beloved sister.
Nan Zhiyi didn't disturb them and turned to go into the kitchen on her own.
Sister Zhang was tending to two small pots.
“They were cooked separately,” she said, pointing to the plump white dumplings floating in the pot. “This pot has peanut and sesame filling, and that pot is what Xiaoman made. We’ll put them in separate pots later so we don’t get them mixed up.”
Nan Zhiyi nodded: "Yes, that's good." She glanced down at her watch, calculating the time; Gu Xiao would be home soon...
The thought had barely formed when the familiar sound of the door opening and a slight movement came from the entryway.
Then came the sound of Gu Zhaohuan running over: "Dad! You're back!"
Nan Zhiyi also walked out of the kitchen.
Gu Xiao was taking off his military overcoat when she stepped forward to take his military cap and scarf and hung them up.
Gu Zhao couldn't wait to boast: "Dad, I made tangyuan for you by hand today! There's a secret filling inside!"
Gu Xiao's cold and stern eyes softened when he looked at his wife and children. He reached out and pinched his son's flushed cheeks, "Okay, then Dad will have a good taste later."
Gu Zhao was satisfied with the affirmation and skipped off to the kitchen.
Gu Xiao took Nan Zhiyi's hand, squeezed it gently, and led her to the living room.
Zhang Yueran and Zhou Xingzhi also came over to say hello.
"Brother-in-law."
"Brother-in-law, you're back."
The two greeted each other with smiles.
Gu Xiao nodded slightly to them, "Yueyue, go ahead. Please sit down, don't be shy."
Dinner officially began.
In addition to the sumptuous dishes, each person was also given two small Jingdezhen porcelain bowls, each containing only two round glutinous rice balls, so they wouldn't take up too much space.
Gu Zhao pointed to the bowls and solemnly introduced, "The ones in that small white porcelain bowl are the ones I made. The ones in the bowl with the blue pattern are the ones my mother and Aunt Zhang made."
The adults were very accommodating and tacitly started by scooping the "little chef's" creation first.
Nan Zhiyi carefully bit into one, and the sweet and sour jam flowed out, mixed with the light flavor of the glutinous rice skin. The taste was somewhat unique, but not difficult to swallow.
Zhang Yueran exclaimed "Wow!" in an exaggerated way: "Mine is chocolate! It's melted inside, it smells so good! Gu Zhao is so creative!"
Gu Xiao and Zhou Xingzhi each ate the melted milk candy filling, the cloying sweetness hitting them like a ton of bricks.
The moment they bit into the glutinous rice ball, a complex and indescribable look flashed across the faces of the two men, who were usually quite adept at managing their expressions. Their brows furrowed, but they quickly regained their composure and continued chewing silently.
Zhang Yueran rarely saw her husband and brother-in-law make such "wonderful" expressions, and she couldn't help but burst out laughing. Then, the more she thought about it, the happier she became, laughing so hard that she almost fell over.
Nan Zhiyi looked at Gu Xiao and saw his Adam's apple bobbing as he swallowed the sweet taste. She couldn't help but chuckle, but also felt a little sorry for him. She leaned closer and whispered, "Is it too sweet? Or... shall I eat one for you?"
Gu Xiao turned his head to look at her, a helpless smile on his lips, and said in a low voice, "My son made these himself, they're delicious."
However, his taut jawline and slightly twitching lips were hardly convincing.
Fortunately, there were only two glutinous rice balls in each small bowl, and the group, adhering to the principles of not wasting food and encouraging the children, managed to finish them all.
Seeing this, Gu Zhao was bursting with confidence in his cooking skills and announced, "I'll make them again next year for the Lantern Festival! Then, we'll each have a big bowl!"
Nan Zhiyi smiled and shook her head without saying anything.
Zhang Yueran responded enthusiastically: "Great! Auntie will come and help you wrap them, and we can develop several new fillings!"
The aunt and nephew hit it off immediately, huddled together, and began planning how to make tangyuan (sweet rice balls) for next year's Lantern Festival.
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