Of course, this was also because high-speed rail didn’t exist in this era.
As for airplanes—flying was not something ordinary people could afford in these times.
So, when people traveled long distances nowadays, most chose to take the slow green-skinned trains.
Since Gu Jianing was pregnant, Sheng Zexi took even more meticulous care of her this time compared to their last trip.
This journey passed without incident.
Well, except for one moment when an elderly passenger suffered a heart attack mid-trip.
The train staff urgently called for a doctor. Guided by the belief that “saving a life is more meritorious than building a seven-story pagoda,” Gu Jianing used her silver needles to revive the person.
Other than that, nothing else happened.
Thirty hours later, the train finally arrived at Beijing Station.
“Deputy Regimental Commander Sheng…” As Sheng Zexi carefully helped Gu Jianing disembark, he heard someone calling him.
Looking up, he recognized the guard from his grandfather’s side.
Sheng Zexi guided Gu Jianing over, and the guard saluted him. “Deputy Regimental Commander Sheng, Elder Sang sent me to pick you up and take you home.”
“Understood. Thank you for your trouble.”
“Ningning, Grandpa sent someone to fetch us.”
“Mhm.”
The guard had driven a car, so the two boarded the vehicle right after getting off the train.
The car carried them all the way to the military compound.
Due to Grandpa Sang’s status, the Sang family lived inside the compound, which was heavily guarded with sentries at every checkpoint.
Most of the residents in this compound were researchers from the weapons institute and their families.
After the necessary checks and registration at the gate, the car drove in and soon stopped in front of a two-story Western-style house.
Just as Sheng Zexi helped Gu Jianing out of the car, she heard a somewhat aged yet gentle voice call out—
“Ning, my dear…”
Gu Jianing looked up and saw Grandma Sang standing outside.
“Grandma!” Gu Jianing waved and smiled.
That smile seemed to unlock something in Grandma Sang, who immediately hurried toward her.
“Grandma, slow down!” Sheng Zexi was startled—and rather shocked—to see her running over.
You see, in Sheng Zexi’s eyes, his grandmother had always been gentle, elegant, and soft-spoken—no matter the situation, her demeanor was refined.
Nothing like now, rushing over in such a hurry.
Truthfully, Sheng Zexi understood that she was just overjoyed to see them return.
But Grandma was elderly—he was afraid she might trip if she ran too fast.
If Grandma Sang heard her eldest grandson’s thoughts, she’d probably grumble to herself: *I even scolded your father not too long ago—where’s the elegance in that? Right now, all I care about is seeing my precious granddaughter-in-law!*
Soon, Grandma Sang reached Gu Jianing and immediately grasped her hands, her gaze intently scanning her up and down. Seeing Gu Jianing’s rosy complexion and the absence of any distress in her expression, she felt reassured. When her eyes landed on Gu Jianing’s rounded belly, her gaze softened even more. “Ning, dear, how have you been lately? Are you eating well? Sleeping alright? Is the little one giving you any trouble…”
“Grandma, you’re asking so many questions at once—how can Ningning answer them all?” Sheng Zexi teased from the side.
Grandma Sang shot him a glare.
Gu Jianing, however, smiled and said, “Grandma is just worried about me.”
Then she gently squeezed Grandma Sang’s hands in return. In that moment, even without looking, she could feel the wrinkles on those hands—yet they were so warm.
These hands hadn’t reached for her grandson Sheng Zexi first, but for her.
The instant Gu Jianing’s hands were enveloped in hers, warmth spread through her fingers and into her heart.
Without hesitation, Gu Jianing stepped forward and wrapped her arms around Grandma Sang. “Grandma, I’m doing great. Everything’s fine.”
Grandma Sang froze for a second, then her smile deepened. “Good, good. As long as everything’s alright.”
When they pulled apart, she discreetly turned her head to wipe the corner of her eye, hiding the redness from Gu Jianing and Sheng Zexi.
“Come, come—no need to stand around here. Let’s go inside.”
“Your grandfather was supposed to stay home today to wait for you with me, but an urgent matter came up and called him away. He probably won’t be back until this afternoon.”
As Grandma Sang led them inside, she explained the situation.
“Here, this is the room we prepared for you.” The moment they entered, she guided them to their quarters so they could set down their luggage.
“This room used to be A’wan’s.”
“Xiao Xi stayed on the second floor whenever he visited before.”
“But since you’re pregnant and already far along, I thought it’d be better for you to stay on the first floor. Aside from our own room, A’wan’s is the largest and nicest down here.”
Looking at the furnishings, not much had changed from how A’wan had left them.
Grandma Sang’s eyes brimmed with nostalgia as she took in the familiar setup.
She thought that if A’wan were still here, she would surely agree—and even be comforted—to see Xiao Xi and Ning now living in this room.
“Grandma, thank you for being so thoughtful,” Gu Jianing said, her eyes brimming with gratitude.
She would never resent staying in her late mother-in-law’s room.
She understood that Grandpa and Grandma Sang had prepared this room for them out of deep affection.
And just from a quick glance, she could tell the room was lovely—spacious, well-equipped, and meticulously arranged.
Sheng Zexi also studied the room quietly.
He had seen his mother’s room before. During past visits, his grandparents had even asked if he wanted to stay here.
But he had always refused.
He didn’t want to disturb its preservation.
Now, however, Sheng Zexi felt that his grandparents’ arrangement might be the best way forward.
True remembrance of someone didn’t rely solely on clinging to relics of the past.
Allowing her belongings to continue serving new life—that, too, was a form of love.
He believed his mother would have approved and been happy with Grandma’s decision.
So, he set down their luggage without hesitation.
By the time they stepped out, Grandma Sang had already prepared two cups of malted milk, handing one to each of them.
“Here, warm yourselves up—hands and all.”
“Thank you, Grandma.”
Gu Jianing settled onto the sofa, aware that malted milk was considered a luxury treat in this era.
She took a sip—the sweet, creamy warmth spread through her, comforting not just her body but also her heart.
Perhaps worried she might feel reserved, Grandma Sang sat beside her, holding her hand and chatting warmly.
Noticing the fatigue on Gu Jianing’s face, she quickly said, “Oh, look at me—you’ve been on that train for so long, you must be exhausted. Go rest in your room, especially you, Ning. Carrying a baby is hard work—you need all the rest you can get.”
“Alright.” Neither Sheng Zexi nor Gu Jianing objected.
Long train rides really were draining.
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