During this period, both Yang Manman and Gu Yunting had been waiting in anticipation.
However, they both understood that conceiving a child, even when in good health with no issues, was not an easy matter. It still depended on fate.
So, although they were anxious and hopeful, they reminded themselves to be patient.
But now…
“Mother, are you… are you serious?”
“Tell me, eldest daughter-in-law, did you feel nauseous after eating the roast duck just now because it was too greasy? Have you been feeling unusually drowsy and wanting to sleep more lately?”
Yang Manman was stunned for a moment before nodding blankly. “Yes.”
“Then that’s it! You must be pregnant. Come on, let’s go find Old Zhang to check your pulse and confirm it.”
Without wasting any time, Yao Chunhua took Yang Manman straight to Old Zhang’s clinic. As her husband, Gu Yunting naturally followed along, his heart filled with anticipation.
“Old Zhang, check my eldest daughter-in-law! Is she pregnant?” The moment they entered, Yao Chunhua urgently asked, forgetting to notice that there were others in the clinic.
That “other person” was Wu Meili, who had come to see Old Zhang for stomach pain after eating leftover food from the night before.
Hearing Yao Chunhua’s words, Wu Meili immediately sneered and said mockingly, “Sister Yao, hasn’t your eldest daughter-in-law been married for years without getting pregnant? How could she possibly be pregnant now?”
If it weren’t for the fact that she feared Old Gu, the village chief, and didn’t want to get on his bad side, Wu Meili would have outright called Yang Manman a hen that couldn’t lay eggs. After all, that was how she usually ridiculed her.
Yao Chunhua’s gaze darkened as she glared at Wu Meili. “Wu Meili, if you have nothing good to say, then shut your mouth, or I’ll tear it apart!”
“You—” Wu Meili wanted to argue back but held herself back.
Fine, she wouldn’t say anything. She would just wait and see if Yang Manman was actually pregnant.
If she wasn’t, then the moment she stepped out of the clinic, she’d spread the news that Yao Chunhua had lost her mind, deluding herself into thinking her daughter-in-law was pregnant.
Meanwhile, Old Zhang had already placed his fingers on Yang Manman’s wrist, carefully checking her pulse while also asking about her recent symptoms.
He was somewhat familiar with Yang Manman’s health condition, as Yao Chunhua had previously sought his help. However, his medical skills were average, and he had been unable to diagnose or treat her infertility.
But when it came to checking for pregnancy, he was certainly capable.
As Old Zhang took her pulse, the clinic fell silent. Yao Chunhua and her husband, as well as Yang Manman and Gu Yunting, all waited anxiously.
Before long, Old Zhang looked up with a smile and said, “Congratulations, it’s a joyous pulse. She’s indeed pregnant—already over a month along.”
“She’s pregnant! This is wonderful!” Yao Chunhua exclaimed in joy.
Yang Manman turned to her husband, her eyes brimming with tears. “Yunting, did you hear that? I… I’m pregnant. We have a child!”
Gu Yunting grasped her hand, his own eyes turning red with emotion. “Yes, I heard it, Manman. We finally have a child.”
Finally, Heaven does not disappoint those who persevere.
“How is this possible? Didn’t they say Yang Manman couldn’t—” Wu Meili’s eyes widened in disbelief, muttering to herself.
Yao Chunhua and the others were immersed in joy and had no time to pay attention to Wu Meili. However, before leaving, Yao Chunhua shot her a sharp glare, making Wu Meili shrink her neck involuntarily.
After asking Old Zhang about the necessary precautions, they hurried home to share the good news with the rest of the family.
“We have to write to Ningning—no, let’s call her. Let’s call and tell her the good news.” After all, the reason Yang Manman could conceive was because their daughter had helped treat her.
…
The mountains were sealed by heavy snow, and the entire northwest region was covered in a vast expanse of white.
The temperature had dropped even lower.
Nowadays, Sheng Zexi only needed to train for half a day before returning home. This routine had been ongoing for half a month.
During this time, what was once a lively military district had quieted down completely. Unless necessary, no one ventured outside.
Even the cafeteria’s food supply had become scarcer.
Gu Jianing no longer asked Sheng Zexi to fetch meals from the cafeteria. After all, she had stored plenty of food and supplies at home, more than enough to last through the winter.
“I wonder if my last letter and package reached my parents.” Sitting on the warm kang bed, Gu Jianing leaned against Sheng Zexi’s shoulder, gazing at the snowfall outside as she murmured.
“Judging by the time, they should have received it by now,” Sheng Zexi replied.
On the other hand, the package to his grandparents had arrived first since they lived closer.
A couple of days ago, Sheng Zexi had received a call from his grandparents, who expressed their deep love and concern for Ningning.
Just as they were thinking about it, there was a sudden knock at the door.
“At this hour, who could it be?”
Sheng Zexi got up to open the door. A moment later, he returned and said to Gu Jianing, “It’s a call from your parents. Do you want to go?”
If she didn’t want to, he would go instead, considering how cold it was outside.
“A call from my parents? Yes! Of course, I want to go.” Since phone calls were expensive, her parents rarely called. No matter how cold it was, Gu Jianing was determined to answer.
It had been so long since she had heard her parents’ voices. She missed them dearly.
“Alright, let’s go together.” Sheng Zexi immediately brought over a military coat, scarf, hat, and boots, dressing her layer by layer until she was wrapped up snugly. He also grabbed an umbrella to shield them from the snow.
Once she was bundled up, Sheng Zexi held the umbrella and kept the petite, well-wrapped Gu Jianing close to his side as they headed to the communication office together.
As soon as they arrived, the phone rang again.
Gu Jianing quickly picked it up.
“Hello, is this Ningning?” On the other end of the line, her mother Yao Chunhua’s familiar voice came through, nearly bringing Gu Jianing to tears.
Perhaps only when one is far away from their parents does the depth of longing for them truly become clear.
Over the past few days, Gu Jianing had suppressed her homesickness. But now, hearing her mother’s familiar voice, she couldn’t hold it in any longer.
“Mom~” Gu Jianing called out, her voice trembling with sobs. “It’s me, Ningning.”
“Oh, my girl, are you crying? Did that brat Zexi bully you?” On the other end, even through the phone, Yao Chunhua immediately noticed the slight change in her daughter’s tone.
Thinking that her daughter might have been mistreated by Sheng Zexi, she became furious.
“No, no, Brother Xi didn’t bully me. He treats me very well. I just…I just miss you all so much.” Afraid of any misunderstanding, Gu Jianing hurriedly explained.
Hearing this, Yao Chunhua sighed in relief. As long as she wasn’t being bullied, that was all that mattered. She trusted Sheng Zexi’s character—he was a good man.
But when she heard her daughter say she missed them, Yao Chunhua’s heart softened instantly, and her eyes turned red. She… she was about to cry too.
She missed her daughter as well—her one and only daughter.
But in the end, Yao Chunhua held back her tears.
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