With many children in the family, there’s always the worry of not being able to care for them all adequately or the possibility of ill-intentioned individuals causing trouble.
But with Amber and her puppies guarding the home, there’s an extra layer of protection.
So, whether it’s Amber or her pups, being stronger and smarter is definitely a good thing.
“Ningning, it’s still early before dawn. Let’s go back to sleep,” Sheng Zexi said as he returned after pouring water.
“Okay.”
Although Amber’s delivery was relatively quick, the whole process still took about an hour.
With her big belly in the late stages of pregnancy, Gu Jianing had been feeling tired more easily lately.
She needed to be extra careful.
After one last glance at Amber and her four little pups sleeping peacefully in the doghouse, Gu Jianing and Sheng Zexi went back inside to rest.
The next day, everyone in the military housing complex learned that Gu Jianing’s dog, Amber, had given birth to four puppies—the first two were male, and the last two were female.
Though Amber was just a dog, her smooth delivery seemed to set a positive tone.
Not long after, Gu Jianing’s system suddenly popped up with a notification.
The message indicated that Yang Manman, whom the system was bound to, was in labor.
“Sister-in-law is giving birth?”
Even though Gu Jianing was far away in the northwest, thanks to the system’s binding, she could still monitor her sister-in-law’s condition.
Seeing that all her vital signs were stable, Gu Jianing felt relieved.
Three hours later, the system notified her that Yang Manman had safely delivered the baby.
Gu Jianing let out a sigh of relief.
“I’m sure Mom and Dad will call me soon with the news.”
Sure enough, that evening, Gu Jianing received a call from her hometown.
“Ningning, your sister-in-law gave birth to a healthy baby boy! Both mother and child are doing well,” Yao Chunhua’s excited voice came through the phone.
“Sister-in-law gave birth? That’s wonderful!” Though she already knew from the system that her sister-in-law had safely delivered a boy, hearing her mother’s joy and excitement over the phone made the happiness feel even more real, as if it were being transmitted directly to her.
“Mom, do you have enough formula at home? If not, I can send more. Don’t hold back,” Gu Jianing asked.
“No need, no need! Every time you send a package, there’s formula in it. We have plenty at home,” Yao Chunhua said truthfully.
Not just in their village, but even in the city, no one had as many cans of formula as their family.
No other child could enjoy formula from the moment they were born.
All of this was thanks to her daughter.
“Ningning, your eldest brother and sister-in-law asked me to thank you.”
After all, Yang Manman and her husband had struggled with infertility for a long time. It was only after Gu Jianing treated Yang Manman that she was able to conceive and give birth to a son.
“Mom, we’re family. There’s no need for thanks.”
“Besides, eldest brother and sister-in-law have always been so good to me.”
Gu Jianing believed in repaying kindness. Such a wonderful eldest brother and sister-in-law shouldn’t have to live with regrets.
“Oh, how are second brother and third brother doing at their jobs?”
At the mention of her sons’ work, Yao Chunhua beamed with joy. “They’re doing great!”
And it was true.
The jobs had been arranged by the county officials, and whether it was the supply and marketing cooperative or the grain station, everyone knew the connections behind the two brothers, so no one dared to mistreat them.
Especially since Gu Yunnan and Gu Yunzhou’s younger sister was Gu Jianing—a highly skilled doctor, a professor, someone who had been featured in the newspapers, and who was even married to an officer from the capital.
That kind of backing was solid.
How could they not want to be on good terms with Gu Jianing’s family?
So, the two brothers were doing quite well at the supply and marketing cooperative and the grain station.
Of course, it was also because the brothers were capable and had excellent character.
“You have no idea—back when your third brother was just the village record-keeper, there were already plenty of girls wanting to marry into our family.”
“Now that he’s working at the supply and marketing cooperative with an iron rice bowl, even more families are coming with marriage proposals. Our doorstep is practically worn out from all the visitors!”
Yao Chunhua chuckled as she spoke.
Gu Jianing wasn’t surprised by this.
After all, in these times, a stable job was a prized possession—monthly wages, fixed benefits, and holiday perks.
What girl wouldn’t want to marry someone with an iron rice bowl?
Besides, all the siblings in their family were good-looking.
Gu Jianing herself had taken the “Nation’s Beauty Pill,” so she was exceptionally beautiful now.
But even before that, her looks had always been striking.
So, her three brothers were also quite handsome.
“The marriage proposals aren’t just from the village—there are plenty from the city too.”
Gu Jianing could understand why.
Aside from the fact that the Gu family still lived in the countryside, everything else about them was impressive.
Her father was the village chief, her mother managed the village’s pig farming.
All three brothers had stable jobs, and she—their younger sister—was a doctor, a professor, married to an officer from the capital, and even featured in the newspapers.
Their family background was undeniably solid.
And as parents-in-law, her mom and dad were also very easygoing.
Aside from spoiling their daughter a bit, they were practically flawless.
Just look at how Yao Chunhua never once complained about Yang Manman’s years of infertility and even fiercely defended her when others gossiped.
What daughter-in-law wouldn’t love a mother-in-law like that?
“Does Third Brother have anyone he likes?” Gu Jianing asked.
Thinking about it, in her past life, her third brother had remained alone his entire life—a regret that still weighed on her heart.
“Your third brother… he’s sharp in everything except matters of the heart.”
“He’s not seeing anyone and isn’t in a hurry to get married.”
“That rascal doesn’t even realize how old he is—already twenty! At his age, other men are fathers of several kids by now.”
Gu Jianing fell silent for a moment before saying, “Mom, there’s no need to rush Third Brother into marriage.”
“Marriage should only happen when he’s truly ready.”
“I think Third Brother has his own ideas about life.”
“Maybe… he still wants to study…”
“Study?”
Yao Chunhua paused.
“He’s already graduated from high school. What more can he study unless—”
Unless the college entrance exams were reinstated, and he could take them to go to university?
But was that even possible?
Yao Chunhua seemed to catch on, her eyes lighting up before she lowered her voice and asked, “Ningning, are you saying the college entrance exams might…?”
She didn’t finish the sentence, but Gu Jianing understood.
“Mom, who can say for sure?”
“But I think with the country developing like this, it’ll definitely need more talent. And universities are where talent is nurtured, so… it’s very possible.”
“You should tell Third Brother to start preparing.”
Preparing for what?
Of course, reviewing his studies so he’d be ready if the exams returned.
Gu Jianing did a quick mental calculation—the reinstatement of the college entrance exams was only about a year away.
Starting preparations now would be perfect timing.
“I hope this time, Third Brother can fulfill his dream of going to university—the one he couldn’t achieve in our past life,” she thought to herself.
Hearing Gu Jianing’s confident reply, Yao Chunhua grew even more excited.
“Alright, I’ll tell him as soon as he gets home from work. He’ll be thrilled!”
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