Sheng Xinhao could hardly bear the thought. Just this morning, he had confidently declared that he would never beg for that woman’s help. Yet now, he had sent his wife to plead with her. Not only did his hand ache, but his chest also throbbed with pain.
Sheng Xinhao was furious!
As for how angry Sheng Xinhao was, Gu Jianing neither knew nor cared.
In any case, her lecture had been a resounding success.
That same day, newspapers in the capital and across the nation published glowing reports about her, showering her with praise.
Gu Jianing immediately called her family back home to share the good news.
“What? Ningning, you’re in the newspapers? And you gave a lecture? You’re about to become a professor?!”
On the other end of the line, Yao Chunhua felt as though a series of enormous surprises had fallen straight from the sky, landing right on her head. She was so stunned that she couldn’t react at first.
When she finally regained her senses, she grabbed her husband in excitement and shared the news.
“…Old man, our Gu family’s ancestral graves must be emitting green smoke!”
Old Man Gu was equally moved. “Yes, yes, our Gu family’s ancestral graves is emitting green smoke.” Only then could someone as promising as Ningning be born.
“Ningning, can we buy those newspapers here? I want to get a copy and keep it as a keepsake.”
“Of course. Many national papers covered it,” Gu Jianing replied.
“Good, good, that’s wonderful!”
Yao Chunhua then asked what the lecture was about. When she heard it was on how to treat tuberculosis, she was utterly shocked.
“What? Tuberculosis?!” Heavens above! My Ningning can actually treat tuberculosis? And she gave a lecture to doctors from all over the country? No wonder she made the papers!
That’s tuberculosis we’re talking about!
Back in the village, there had been people who contracted tuberculosis. But once diagnosed, the only fate that awaited them was death.
And now, her daughter could actually cure it.
How could Yao Chunhua not be amazed?
She didn’t doubt Gu Jianing’s words in the slightest.
Whatever Gu Jianing said, they believed without question.
“Mom, Dad… am I your pride?” Gu Jianing asked softly over the phone.
“Yes! Absolutely! Without a doubt!” Yao Chunhua affirmed three times.
Old Man Gu chimed in, “Ningning, I’m so proud of you too. You’ve outshone all your brothers.”
“But you must take care of yourself as well.”
“I will,” Gu Jianing replied, her voice trembling slightly.
It was truly wonderful. She had finally become her parents’ pride. They could finally boast about her.
Unlike in her past life, where she had only caused them worry and ultimately dragged them down to their deaths.
This was so much better.
Gu Jianing’s heart swelled with emotion, her eyes reddening.
Yao Chunhua and Old Man Gu continued to fuss over her, reminding her to take care of herself.
“Ningning, once your sister-in-law gives birth and I’ve helped her through her confinement, I’ll come to the Northwest Military District to help you.”
“Mom, there’s no rush. Brother Xi’s grandmother will be accompanying me to the Northwest Military District soon.”
“Oh, and I’ll send some milk powder and supplements home. The milk powder is for Zhuangzhuang and the new baby. As for the supplements, save some for sister-in-law for her confinement, and the rest can be used for the whole family. You and Dad should have some too—it’s good for your health. Stay strong and healthy.”
“Yes, yes, we will,” Yao Chunhua replied, her heart warmed by her daughter’s thoughtful words.
Meanwhile, Old Man Gu quietly wiped away his tears.
At the same time, the village party secretary, who had unintentionally overheard their conversation, could hardly wait.
He hadn’t meant to eavesdrop.
But the telephone was in the village committee office, and he happened to be working there when he caught snippets of the call.
What he heard, however, left him stunned!
Gu Jianing—the most accomplished girl from their village, who had married an officer from the capital—could actually cure tuberculosis, that deadly disease with such a high mortality rate!
Not only that, she had given a lecture, made national headlines, and was practically on her way to becoming a professor.
Incredible. This was beyond impressive!
She was the most outstanding child their Huaihua Village had ever produced!
So he waited anxiously, planning to ask the couple as soon as they hung up.
But Yao Chunhua and her husband just kept talking to their daughter, giving endless reminders and reassurances.
The village secretary understood, though.
If it were his own precious daughter, he’d do the same.
Fortunately, mindful of the expensive phone bill, Yao Chunhua and her husband reluctantly ended the call.
The village secretary immediately asked, “Old Gu, Sister Chunhua, I couldn’t help but hear—Ningning gave a lecture? And she can cure tuberculosis…?”
Yao Chunhua and Old Man Gu were still reeling from the excitement, but seeing the secretary’s eager expression, they quickly snapped out of it and shared the good news.
“Wonderful, absolutely wonderful! Our Ningning is so accomplished!”
“I’m heading to the county town right away to check the latest newspapers.”
“Great, we’ll go with you!”
That same day, Yao Chunhua and her husband returned home and relayed the news to the rest of the family.
The entire Gu family was overjoyed for Jianing.
The next day, they accompanied the village secretary to the county post office, where they found newspapers from different regions—all featuring front-page headlines about Gu Jianing’s lecture, where she taught doctors nationwide how to treat tuberculosis.
The articles even mentioned that she would receive commendations from the authorities.
“Old man, look—that’s our Ningning!”
The newspaper included a black-and-white photo of the lecture hall, and Yao Chunhua instantly recognized her precious daughter standing at the podium.
“It’s been so long since I last saw Ningning.”
Who would’ve thought the next time she’d see her would be in the newspapers?
Yao Chunhua scrutinized the photo, trying to gauge Jianing’s condition—had she lost weight? Was she doing well?
No matter how much their children reassured them over the phone, parents could never truly rest easy without seeing them in person, especially when they were so far away.
But from the photo, Gu Jianing seemed to be in good spirits.
Still, Yao Chunhua’s eyes reddened.
“Chunhua, don’t cry. Our daughter has achieved greatness—she’s a nationally renowned doctor now. We should be happy,” Old Man Gu said, his own eyes glistening as he comforted her.
“Yes, yes, we should be happy.”
Just then, others nearby overheard their conversation and noticed the front-page news.
“Wait—that Dr. Gu in the paper is your daughter?”
“My goodness, you two must be so proud! Raising such an accomplished daughter!”
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