“Sister-in-law, don’t worry. What exactly happened?” Gu Jianing asked.
Jiang Baihe panted, “Do you know Qi Yuancheng, Battalion Commander Qi?”
Gu Jianing was puzzled. “Yes, he’s my patient.”
“That’s it! Sister Jianing, you have no idea—someone in the residential compound is spreading rumors about you and Battalion Commander Qi, saying that you and he…”
“Ugh, it’s just too vile to repeat.”
Though Jiang Baihe didn’t finish her sentence, Gu Jianing could guess the rest.
There were actually rumors about her and Battalion Commander Qi?
Was this the reason Qi Yuancheng had stopped coming to her for treatment?
Qi Yuancheng didn’t seem like that kind of person.
And who had started these rumors? What was their purpose? Gu Jianing frowned in thought.
“Sister-in-law, tell me exactly what’s going on. Explain it to me in detail.”
Soon, Jiang Baihe recounted the situation to Gu Jianing.
Here’s what had happened: Earlier, Jiang Baihe had left home intending to buy something at the supply and marketing cooperative. But before she even stepped out of the residential compound, she overheard some women chatting while doing laundry near the courtyard well.
That in itself was nothing unusual.
Jiang Baihe hadn’t planned to eavesdrop—she was in a hurry to get to the military district’s cooperative.
But as she passed by, she caught Gu Jianing’s name.
Since it involved Gu Jianing, Jiang Baihe naturally stopped to listen.
And what she heard shocked her.
These women were spreading vile gossip about Sister Jianing and Battalion Commander Qi Yuancheng from the compound.
They claimed that Gu Jianing and Qi Yuancheng were having an affair—that Qi Yuancheng was using medical treatment as an excuse to secretly meet Gu Jianing at the hospital.
They even said the child in Gu Jianing’s belly actually belonged to Qi Yuancheng.
In short, they were accusing the two of illicit relations.
They also sneered that Gu Jianing looked “seductive and flirtatious,” the type who would easily lure men.
Jiang Baihe was furious the moment she heard this.
Though she hadn’t known Gu Jianing for long, Jiang Baihe trusted her judgment of character.
Yes, Sister Jianing was beautiful—but since when was beauty a crime? Just because someone was pretty, did that automatically mean she was a temptress?
She knew Gu Jianing’s personality—pure and kind-hearted.
Moreover, her relationship with Deputy Regiment Commander Sheng was rock-solid—the two were deeply in love.
Jiang Baihe had long considered Gu Jianing a close friend, not to mention that Sister Jianing had treated her illness, allowing her to conceive and finally have a child.
Beyond being a friend, Gu Jianing was her benefactor.
She absolutely refused to let anyone slander Gu Jianing like this. So, without another thought for her errand, Jiang Baihe confronted them head-on.
“How dare you spout such nonsense? Watch me tear your mouths apart!”
“Come with me—let’s go see the superiors, let’s go see Deputy Regiment Commander Sheng! I want to see how you’ll keep lying then!”
The moment those women saw Jiang Baihe, heavily pregnant yet dragging them to face the leadership and Sheng Zexi, they panicked.
They claimed they had only heard it from others—though who those “others” were, they couldn’t say.
“Sister Jianing, by now, this rumor has probably spread throughout the entire residential compound.”
“I believe in you, but this concerns your reputation. You need to find a way to handle it.”
Gu Jianing nodded. “Sister-in-law, I understand. Thank you for looking out for me.”
Just then, a man’s voice called from outside—”Dr. Gu! Dr. Gu!”
Gu Jianing looked up to see Qi Yuancheng and Qin Rou, both wearing urgent expressions. It had been days since she last saw them.
Qi Yuancheng stepped forward and saluted. “Dr. Gu, A-Rou and I came about the rumors.”
Qin Rou quickly added, “Yes, Dr. Gu! I trust both you and A-Cheng completely. Someone must be framing you.”
Gu Jianing wasn’t overly concerned about the gossip.
She asked, “Battalion Commander Qi, is this why you haven’t come for treatment these past few days? Or…?”
As a doctor, she disliked patients skipping appointments without notice.
Qi Yuancheng hurriedly apologized. “No, it’s because my mother brought my nephew for a visit…”
He explained that his mother’s arrival had kept him busy at home, leaving no time for treatment. The rumors, however, had only started circulating today and were unrelated.
Gu Jianing noticed Jiang Baihe making subtle faces at her after Qi Yuancheng finished speaking.
She frowned slightly—was there something else going on? But she didn’t press further. Instead, she asked, “So, will you continue treatment?”
“Yes, yes! Dr. Gu, we absolutely will,” Qin Rou answered before Qi Yuancheng could.
“Good. If anything comes up in the future that prevents you from attending sessions, you must inform me in advance. Medical treatment follows a specific course—interruptions make recovery much harder.”
“Of course, Dr. Gu. We’ll remember.”
Gu Jianing turned to Qi Yuancheng. “Battalion Commander Qi, what are your thoughts on the rumors?”
Though she wasn’t overly concerned, Gu Jianing wasn’t one to tolerate being wronged without consequence.
Who was behind these rumors?
Qi Yuancheng met her gaze but didn’t answer directly. Instead, he asked, “Does Dr. Gu have any suggestions?”
Gu Jianing replied, “Neither you nor I should handle this directly. The best course is to report it to the leadership and let them investigate.”
Qi Yuancheng nodded. “Agreed. That was my thought as well.”
“Then let’s not delay. We’ll report it to the leadership now.”
Soon, the group arrived at the office of the Political Department’s director and explained the situation.
“Such a thing actually happened? This cannot be ignored,” the director said sternly.
“Rest assured, I’ll have this investigated immediately. We’ll clear your names.”
Had this involved only Qi Yuancheng, the matter might have been simpler. But with Gu Jianing implicated, the leadership had no choice but to take it seriously.
Not only was Gu Jianing’s medical expertise invaluable to the Northwestern Military District, but she was also the beloved wife of Sheng Zexi. The leadership couldn’t afford to dismiss this lightly.
If Sheng Zexi were to lose his temper over this, not only would the rumor-monger suffer—even the leadership wouldn’t escape unscathed.
After Gu Jianing and the others left, the director wasted no time. He immediately ordered an investigation.
He wanted to see who had the audacity to provoke someone under Sheng Zexi’s protection—did they have a death wish?
Back at the Traditional Medicine Department, Gu Jianing decided to proceed with Qi Yuancheng’s treatment since he was already there.
That afternoon, while seeing patients, Gu Jianing did notice some peculiar glances directed her way, but she paid them no mind.
By evening, when Sheng Zexi returned from training, his sharp instincts immediately picked up on the unusual atmosphere in the residential compound.
But whenever he turned to look, those gazes quickly shifted away.
It wasn’t until he got home and heard about the rumors from Gu Jianing that his expression darkened completely…
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