Pretty Boy
The moment Gu Xiangyi said those words, Zhan Aiping had a sinking feeling in her gut.
She froze. “…You two wouldn’t happen to be—?”
A certain person popped into her mind, along with an old joke that suddenly didn’t seem so funny anymore.
Gu Xiangyi feigned ignorance. “Sister-in-law, our families are about to become even closer!”
Zhan Aiping: “?!?!!!”
“Sister-in-law, I’m going to be your sister-in-law—” Before she could finish, Gu Xiangyi turned on her heels and ran for it.
Zhan Aiping stood rooted to the spot, completely shell-shocked. This is huge.
She didn’t go after Gu Xiangyi. Instead, she went home and sat down for a serious talk with Gu Sheng. With a heavy sigh, she muttered, “It’s over, Gu Lao Wu. It’s over… Do you know who your little sister is dating?”
She had a feeling this year’s New Year’s gathering was going to be wild.
Gu Sheng, on the other hand, was completely unfazed. “So, my little sister is dating your little brother?”
Zhan Aiping: “…How do you know?”
“I guessed from your reaction.” Gu Sheng didn’t seem particularly surprised. His brother-in-law turning into his brother-in-law-in-law wasn’t something he found hard to accept.
At least they both knew the other’s family well. There was no worry about scams, deception, or trouble.
If the two of them got along, it would actually be a good match.
Zhan Aiping blinked. “You figured it out, and you’re *not* freaking out?”
Gu Sheng chuckled. “Wife, what’s there to freak out about? It just means our families will be even closer.”
Zhan Aiping: “…”
Now that she thought about it, there really wasn’t much to worry about.
She didn’t have to stress about her younger brother being manipulated into a troublesome marriage, and Gu Sheng didn’t have to worry about his sister marrying a man with ulterior motives.
Zhan Aiping shrugged. “If they end up together, it actually saves us a lot of hassle.”
“Exactly. So relax.”
Zhan Aiping sighed. “But if they ever get into an argument, I’ll be stuck in the middle. Do I side with my brother or my sister-in-law?”
Gu Sheng smirked. “Side with whoever’s in the right.”
Zhan Aiping: “…”
“Fine, fine. Their relationship is their business.”
Gu Sheng’s grin widened. “See? That’s less for you to worry about.”
Zhan Aiping: “…”
Then Gu Sheng propped his chin up with his hand, lost in thought. “I really want to see my dad’s reaction to this…”
The more he thought about it, the more eager he became.
Zhan Aiping snorted. “With a son like you, your father really has it rough.”
This upcoming New Year’s reunion was going to be colourful, to say the least.
She was actually looking forward to seeing the expressions on her parents’ faces—especially her father, Zhan Bo, and her mother, Zhu Jiaorong.
She cleared her throat. “Ahem—”
She was a ‘good’ daughter too.
____
The next day, Zhan Aiping called Zhan Mingzhao.
To her surprise, he didn’t try to avoid the call and answered immediately.
“Sis—”
Zhan Aiping cut him off with mock seriousness. “Your little sister-in-law has already confessed everything to me.”
Zhan Mingzhao responded calmly, “Yeah, we’re dating.”
Zhan Aiping: “…Seriously? You’re serious?”
“Yeah, we’re serious.”
Zhan Aiping: “Perfect. Then you two can come home for New Year’s together. If this is serious, it’s time to start planning the wedding and meeting both families properly.”
“…Isn’t that a bit fast?”
Zhan Aiping scoffed. “Fast? I married your brother-in-law even faster.”
Zhan Mingzhao hesitated. “Alright, alright… Oh, by the way, Sis, I want to leave the army before getting married.”
“Go ahead, retire. I’d love to see you doing laundry, cooking, and taking care of kids with my own eyes.”
“That’s no big deal.” Zhan Mingzhao laughed shamelessly. “I’ll just learn from my brother-in-law.”
Zhan Aiping narrowed her eyes. “And after you retire, what’s your plan?”
“I’ll go work at the tea factory and become an honourable worker!”
Zhan Aiping: “…”
Fine. Go ahead.
As the year came to an end, Zhan Aiping had been working at the military hospital for over a year, and her training was about to finish. After the New Year, she would return to Yanxin Health Clinic.
Director Xu had repeatedly tried to persuade her to stay, but she had made up her mind to leave.
Before her leave, she compiled another set of training materials and sent them to the county’s medical school. The surgical techniques she had written down weren’t formally published, but they were being used as teaching materials at the school.
Over the past couple of years, she had gradually put together several training manuals.
“Xiao Zhan, if you come back, the director’s position is yours.”
Yes, she was going back to become the hospital director. She also needed to oversee the construction of a five or six-story medical staff dormitory.
____
By late January 1975, it still wasn’t Lunar New Year yet—that would be in February. The weather here wasn’t too cold, except for a few days of extreme temperature drops. On sunny afternoons, it was even warm.
Guobaorou and Little Tangyuan were now over three years old. Their little puppy, Zongzi, had grown bigger and sturdier. On a bright morning, Zongzi lay on the front steps of their yard, basking in the sun.
The two siblings sat beside him, mischievously stretching out their tiny hands—one grabbing Zongzi’s front paw, the other grabbing his back paw. The two kids and their dog happily shook hands together.
Gu Sheng stood in the yard, watering the family’s flowers. In addition to red roses, they had planted a variety of roses. The temperature was mild, about the same as spring in other places, and the flowers were in full bloom.
“It’s a good thing Zongzi has such a good temperament. He doesn’t get annoyed with you two,” Gu Sheng chuckled, watching his three little troublemakers.
Their courtyard was always lively.
Meanwhile, next door, Regiment Commander Luo was feeling rather envious. His own child was barely half a year old—constantly crying, constantly fussy, and giving him endless headaches.
His baby’s cries had such penetrating power that the entire house would be filled with wailing. There was nowhere to hide from it.
Yet the moment he stepped outside and listened to the neighbour’s house? Silence.
It was infuriating.
“I’m going to dance for Daddy!”
Little Tangyuan was completely obsessed with dancing. Gu Sheng and Guobaorou plucked two flowers and tucked them into her hair. The little girl, full of herself, twirled around and danced. Gu Sheng held one of her hands and gently spun her in place.
Guobaorou, standing coolly to the side, maintained his distance.
He didn’t like standing too close to his sister.
Because she was taller than him.
If they weren’t side by side, it wasn’t noticeable. But the moment they stood next to each other, it was clear—his younger sister was taller.
Regiment Commander Luo, watching from the side, finally couldn’t hold back. “Your daughter dances beautifully.”
He was so jealous.
When Zhang Lirong was pregnant, he had desperately hoped for a son. Now that he had a son, he found himself envying other people’s daughters.
Gu Sheng smirked. “If you’re jealous, go have another one.”
Luo shook his head. “No, no. I’m afraid she’ll take after her mother.”
Gu Sheng: “…”
“My daughter takes after me.”
Luo muttered, “Even if she took after me, that wouldn’t work either.”
Before he could finish, they saw Zhan Aiping returning home from the distance. She was carrying several bags of ham and canned ham. She had good connections—Zhu Hui had gifted her canned ham, while Doctor Zhou’s wife, Aunt Meng, never forgot to bring her some cured ham from her hometown every year.
“Kids, come help carry the meat!”
Guobaorou and Little Tangyuan cheered and ran out to help.
Zhan Aiping grinned. “We’re having meat tonight! Let’s eat early—we’re going to watch a movie tonight. Your uncle’s in it!”
That evening, the compound was screening an outdoor movie, and it just so happened to be the one starring Zhan Mingzhao. As his older sister, Zhan Aiping was especially excited to see her brother’s film on the big screen.
“Watch Uncle!”
“Watch Uncle eat meat!”
Gu Sheng added, “Before we go, cut Guobaorou’s hair.”
“Yeah, his hair’s getting a bit long,” Zhan Aiping agreed. “Better to trim it before the New Year instead of cutting it during the first month.”
_____
That night, in the family compound, they gathered outdoors to watch Zhan Mingzhao’s movie. Meanwhile, at the military hospital, Gu Xiangyi was watching the same film with her fellow nurses.
Back then, there weren’t many movies available nationwide. Any new film was a big deal and screened everywhere.
If you counted the number of viewers, films from the ‘60s and ‘70s had the highest audience numbers.
At the military hospital, all the nurses were watching intently—until Zhan Mingzhao’s character, a farmer, appeared on screen.
At that moment, every young woman in the hospital exploded with excitement.
“That’s Doctor Zhan’s younger brother?!”
“Dr. Zhan’s younger brother… I heard he’s single and hasn’t married yet. He visited our hospital once—last year during New Year’s.”
“He’s so handsome!”
…
Gu Xiangyi watched the handsome man on screen, her heart racing.
But she didn’t show any emotion.
She didn’t join in the conversation or react to the excitement around her.
She sat there quietly, keeping her secret to herself.
“He’s somewhat related to Xiangyi, isn’t he?”
Gu Xiangyi replied, “We grew up in the same courtyard. You could say we’re childhood sweethearts.”
As she said this, she felt a surge of joy—look, she had found herself a childhood sweetheart too.
“Childhood sweethearts, huh?”
“Too bad you two don’t seem to have much fate.”
Gu Xiangyi: “?!?!”
“Xiangyi definitely wouldn’t like someone like that. The little Zhan brother is dark-skinned and skinny.”
“Xiangyi likes fair-skinned guys!”
In her heart, Gu Xiangyi protested: Who said I only like fair-skinned guys? This kind of sun-kissed skin actually looked pretty good.
What’s wrong with liking a tan?
She had changed her taste. She was done with pale pretty boys!
_____
When Zhan Mingzhao returned, he first went to his sister and brother-in-law’s house. Since he was heading home for the New Year, he had prepared plenty of gifts.
This time, he was finally going back to the Zhan family home. It had been years since he last visited. Ever since he became a sent-down youth, he hadn’t returned.
“Sis,” Zhan Mingzhao called out as he spotted Zhan Aiping in the courtyard.
When Zhan Aiping saw him, she was shocked.
Under the soft winter sunlight, her younger brother’s skin was practically glowing.
He had transformed into a fresh-faced young man, with fair skin, delicate features, and bright eyes. He was dressed in a crisp white shirt, army-green trousers, and had a jacket casually draped over his arm.
Zhan Aiping thought to herself: What a classic little pretty boy.
She and her brother had the same skin type—prone to tanning but also easy to lighten. With proper care, they could achieve a smooth, radiant, creamy-white complexion.
As a woman, Zhan Aiping was fine with it. But seeing her brother standing in front of her with such soft, dewy skin?
She was stunned!
“Sis? What’s wrong? Do I look weird to you?”
Over the past six months, Zhan Mingzhao had meticulously taken care of his skin. As a long-time friend of women, he had learned plenty of skincare tips from the ladies.
Since Gu Xiangyi liked fair-skinned men, he had patiently brightened his complexion, planning to surprise her by the end of the year.
His skin was now milky white, as fresh as coconut milk.
Even he wasn’t used to it yet.
But it was a blessing in disguise. Ever since his movie was released, he had become somewhat of a celebrity. Of course, it was only his name that was famous. Now that he had become so fair, no one could recognize him as the once dark and skinny youth.
Zhan Aiping muttered, “You look like a completely different person.”
Now that he had turned pale, their complexions matched more closely. But strangely, this only made it more obvious that while they had some similar features, their overall appearances were quite different.
Zhan Aiping’s facial features were striking and bold—radiating confidence and strength. In contrast, Zhan Mingzhao’s features were softer and more reserved.
Little Guobaorou clearly took after his uncle!
Then it hit her.
“?!?!!!”
Would her little Guobaorou also grow up to be a universally admired pretty boy?!
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