After returning to the Northwest Military District, Sheng Zexi called the Sang family to inform Gu Jianing that he had arrived safely.
“By the way, Elder Chen seems to have something to discuss with you. I gave him the Sang family’s phone number, so he’ll probably call you,” Sheng Zexi said on the other end of the line.
“Alright, I understand.”
That afternoon, after returning from the Hua family where she had been treating Hua Zhenrong, Gu Jianing received a call from Elder Chen.
“Ningning, remember the lecture on tuberculosis we were planning to hold? It’s been finalized now. The first session will take place at Beijing Middle School. What do you think?”
“If you’re available, could you spare one of the days in the next few days to attend the lecture? Once you confirm the date, I can send out invitations to the other doctors.”
“You know, ever since word got out that you can treat tuberculosis, those doctors have been eager to learn from you.”
After listening, Gu Jianing thought it over and agreed.
After all, she was currently in Beijing.
As for Hua Zhenrong’s treatment, she could reschedule that day’s daytime session to the evening.
It might be a bit more exhausting, but Gu Jianing felt she could handle it.
“Master, how about three days from now, on Sunday? Will that be enough time?” Gu Jianing suggested.
“Yes, yes, let’s set it for that day.”
“By the way, Master, do I need to prepare anything?”
“No, just show up. But since you’re pregnant and quite far along, you’ll need to take extra care. It’d be best if a family member accompanies you.” Elder Chen was very concerned about his disciple’s well-being and gave her detailed reminders.
“Alright, Master, I understand.”
After hanging up, Gu Jianing told Grandfather Sang and Grandmother Sang about the lecture.
“Oh, our Ning is so amazing! She’s actually hosting a lecture now!”
“Don’t worry, Grandma will go with you that day.”
Grandfather Sang couldn’t attend, but he said, “I’ll have Xiao Zhang accompany you for safety.” Xiao Zhang was Grandfather Sang’s guard.
With an elderly woman and a pregnant woman going out, he couldn’t help but worry. Having the guard along would put his mind at ease.
Neither Grandmother Sang nor Gu Jianing objected.
As preparations for the lecture got underway—perhaps because Elder Chen was involved, or because the speaker was his disciple, or perhaps due to the topic of tuberculosis treatment—
Beijing’s newspapers immediately began extensive coverage promoting the event.
Meanwhile, doctors who were interested in attending the lecture rushed in from all corners of the country upon hearing the news.
After all, this was about tuberculosis treatment.
In this era, tuberculosis had an extremely high fatality rate.
How could they miss such a lecture?
The only issue was the tight schedule. Doctors from the most remote regions could only sigh in frustration—there simply wasn’t enough time, and the journey was too far.
They would have to wait for another opportunity.
The authorities placed great importance on this lecture.
Thus, they provided conveniences for doctors traveling from across the country, such as subsidies for train tickets and meals, as well as priority accommodations in Beijing’s hotels upon arrival.
On Gu Jianing’s end, she received another call from Elder Chen.
He asked her to write down her tuberculosis treatment methodology.
“Once submitted, the higher-ups may specially grant you a professorship title and honorary recognition.”
Gu Jianing blinked. “Does that mean my salary will increase when I return to the Northwest Military District?”
Elder Chen was both amused and exasperated. “You silly girl, always focused on the salary. Don’t you realize how significant the professorship and honors are?”
Gu Jianing: They are important, but so is the salary.
Still, she understood how rare and valuable the professorship and honors were.
After all, without her tuberculosis treatment, given her relatively short tenure as a certified physician, it would have taken her many more years to earn such a title.
It was only because tuberculosis was practically a death sentence in this era—and she could cure it—that the authorities were making an exception.
On the other end, Elder Chen seemed to relent. “Don’t worry, your salary will definitely increase. And this time, there’s also a big reward for you.”
“What big reward?” Gu Jianing’s eyes lit up.
“That… you’ll find out when the time comes.” Elder Chen deliberately kept her in suspense.
Gu Jianing: Fine then.
Back in the Northwest Military District, after hanging up, Elder Chen was in high spirits.
After all, Gu Jianing was his disciple. Her success reflected well on him as her master.
…
At the Li family residence, Li Tingxuan stood up abruptly upon hearing that Hua Zhenrong from the Hua family—who lived in the same compound—had shown significant improvement, and that the doctor treating him was a young woman.
A flash of surprise crossed his eyes, and a faint suspicion stirred in his heart.
After a moment, as if remembering something, Li Tingxuan said, “Go and find out whether that female doctor was the one who treated Hua Zhenrong that day—and what her name is.”
Soon, Li Tingxuan received an answer from the guard at the gate.
Indeed, that had been the day the female doctor first arrived at the Hua residence to treat Hua Zhenrong.
Gu Jianing…
When Li Tingxuan heard that name, his heart skipped a beat.
Then it began pounding wildly.
It’s her! It’s really her!
This was the name—the one that had appeared in his dreams. Yet, every time he woke up, he could never quite remember it.
He had thought that perhaps the right trigger was needed.
But Li Tingxuan had always believed that if he ever heard her name in reality, he would recognize it instantly.
And now…
Every fiber of his being was screaming that Gu Jianing was the person he had been searching for.
Of course. Who else but her could have cured Hua Zhenrong’s illness?
Recalling the glimpse he had caught of her figure at the gate that day—no wonder she had felt so familiar.
Now, Li Tingxuan was filled with regret. Why hadn’t he gotten out of the car to meet her?
If he had, they would have crossed paths much sooner.
“Keep watch on the Hua residence. The moment Dr. Gu arrives, notify me immediately.”
Suppressing his impatience and the excitement surging in his chest, Li Tingxuan forced himself to stay composed.
Back then, since she had been facing away, he hadn’t seen her face clearly. And though he had been in the car, he had vaguely noticed a man standing beside her—but his attention had been entirely fixed on her, so he hadn’t paid much mind.
And because of the angle, he had also missed the visible curve of her pregnancy.
Unbeknownst to Gu Jianing, there was someone eagerly waiting to meet her.
Today, she was scheduled to visit the Hua family again for Hua Zhenrong’s treatment, but their car hadn’t arrived yet.
The lecture was set to begin tomorrow. Though it was her first time speaking at such an event in either of her lifetimes, and she felt a little nervous, she was still confident.
She already had a clear idea of how to structure her talk. After all, in the Divine Doctor’s space, she had been taught by countless mentors—she could always draw inspiration from their methods.
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