Since Gu Jianing was part of their Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) department, her recognition also brought collective honor to the entire team.
Thus, Dr. Zhou was also very pleased.
“So that’s how it is,” Gu Jianing suddenly understood.
In that case, this honor wasn’t bad at all.
Gu Jianing was still very happy about it. After all, it proved that she, Gu Jianing, wasn’t just a pretty face—she also had talent worthy of recognition and praise.
As a woman, of course, she wanted to be both talented *and* beautiful.
But still…
“Sheng Zexi, when are you coming back?” After Dr. Zhou left, Gu Jianing rested her chin in her hands and murmured.
How she wished Sheng Zexi could see her being honored. She wanted him to feel proud and happy for her.
That day, apart from Qin Rou’s visit, only one elderly patient came for a consultation. After that, no one else showed up.
Once again, Gu Jianing experienced the quiet loneliness of the TCM department.
…
The next day, Gu Jianing went to work as usual. Before she even reached her office, she spotted two figures waiting at the door.
One of them was none other than Qin Rou from the day before.
Standing beside her was a young man in a military uniform. Gu Jianing had a vague guess about who he might be.
Qin Rou was delighted to see Gu Jianing.
As soon as Gu Jianing approached the office door, Qin Rou immediately said, “Dr. Gu, this is my husband, Ah Cheng.”
Qi Yuancheng stepped forward and nodded at Gu Jianing, his expression gentle. “Hello, Dr. Gu. I’m Qi Yuancheng.”
“Mm, come in with me.”
She unlocked the office door, and the two followed her inside.
After Gu Jianing put on her white coat and sat down, Qi Yuancheng approached and said, “Dr. Gu, my wife told me about your suggestion yesterday.”
“I took time off this morning specifically to come and see you.”
Hearing his words, Gu Jianing’s impression of him improved.
The fact that Qi Yuancheng had taken the initiative to come with Qin Rou for a consultation showed that he wasn’t the selfish, chauvinistic type.
Like Qin Rou, he genuinely wanted to identify the problem and have a child together.
“Battalion Commander Qi, please sit. Let me check your pulse.”
As she placed her fingers on his wrist, Gu Jianing also had the system scan him, using the diagnostic scanner in her eyes.
A few seconds later, the results came in.
Gu Jianing understood the situation and asked, “Battalion Commander Qi, if I told you that the reason you and your wife haven’t had a child is because of *your* condition, how would you feel?”
Qi Yuancheng froze for a moment before answering frankly, “So… it really is my problem?”
“How do I feel? A little regretful, I suppose.” He responded almost without hesitation.
“I regret not going to the hospital sooner. If we had found out earlier that it was my issue, Ah Rou wouldn’t have had to endure so much.”
Thinking of all the ridicule and suffering Qin Rou had endured over the years, Qi Yuancheng felt deeply guilty.
It had been his problem all along.
“Ah Cheng, we’re husband and wife—we share everything. Don’t say such things.” Qin Rou took Qi Yuancheng’s hand.
Though they still didn’t have a child, their relationship had always been strong, and Qi Yuancheng had always treated her well.
Qi Yuancheng looked at Qin Rou with such tenderness in his eyes that it seemed to melt into warmth.
Gu Jianing: *Ugh, bro, we’re in the middle of a consultation—why the sudden PDA (Public Display of Affection)? My husband isn’t here, and you two flaunting your love like this is making me jealous.*
After clearing her throat twice, Gu Jianing snapped Qi Yuancheng back to reality.
“Dr. Gu, please speak frankly,” he said.
“Ah Rou and I truly want a child.”
“If it really is my problem, I’m willing to undergo treatment.”
Satisfied with his attitude, Gu Jianing cut to the chase.
“Yes, the issue lies with you—you have **oligospermia** (low sperm count).”
Both Qi Yuancheng and Qin Rou were stunned.
Frowning, Qi Yuancheng asked, “Dr. Gu, could you explain in more detail?”
Gu Jianing nodded. “A child is formed from an embryo, which requires the combination of a man’s sperm and a woman’s egg to create a fertilized zygote.”
“But in your case, the number of sperm in your body is too low.”
“That’s why Qin Rou has been unable to conceive.”
The couple finally understood.
“So that’s the reason…”
Qi Yuancheng clenched his fists. This man, who had seemed gentle and composed at first glance, now had a barely detectable sorrow in his eyes.
“Dr. Gu, are you saying… Ah Rou and I can never have a child in this lifetime?”
After a painful internal struggle, he forced out a decision.
“Ah Rou… maybe we should get a divorce.” His voice was strained. “I can’t hold you back. I’ll tell everyone it’s my fault. If you meet someone better… remarry. Then you can have a child.”
The thought of divorcing Qin Rou, of her marrying another man and having his child—it felt like a knife twisting in his heart.
But he couldn’t be selfish. She had already endured years of ridicule because of him.
He couldn’t deny her the right to be a mother.
Qin Rou’s eyes widened in disbelief. Never had she imagined Qi Yuancheng would suggest divorce.
Normally mild-tempered, she now smacked his arm in frustration.
“Qi Yuancheng! What kind of nonsense are you spouting?!”
“You actually want a divorce?!”
“Are you abandoning me?!”
Qi Yuancheng let her hit him, his heart aching. “No, Ah Rou… I could never abandon you.”
“But you heard the doctor. I have oligospermia. I can’t give you a child.”
“I can’t take away your chance to be a mother. The problem is mine—I should bear the consequences, not let you suffer more misunderstandings.”
“I don’t need you to do this!” Qin Rou snapped. “Qi Yuancheng, listen to me—the only reason I want a child is because *you* would be the father! If it’s not with you, then I don’t want one at all!”
“So even if you can’t father a child, I won’t divorce you. Now tell me—if the test had shown *I* was the problem, would *you* divorce *me*?”
“Of course not!” Qi Yuancheng answered without hesitation.
“Exactly! So—”
“Wait.” Gu Jianing interrupted before their emotional debate could escalate.
“You two don’t actually need to discuss this.”
She looked at them meaningfully.
“I never said Battalion Commander Qi’s condition was untreatable.”
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