Almost everyone was holding various gifts, all insisting that Gu Jianing accept them.
Watching this scene, Gu Jianing thought to herself that perhaps this was the true meaning of healing and saving lives.
Of course, it wasn’t about gratitude—it was about recognition.
That kind of recognition was even more fulfilling than material rewards.
“Everyone, healing and saving lives is a doctor’s duty. Besides, we’re about to embark on a long journey, so I really can’t take these things with me.”
“Please take them back.”
“No, Dr. Gu, you must accept them!”
“Dr. Gu, my canned fruit is easy to carry—please take it!”
…
In the end, it was Sheng Zexi who stepped forward and persuaded everyone, finally dissuading them from their insistence.
Though over the past two years, Sheng Zexi had earned a reputation in the family compound as a good father and devoted husband—often seen strolling through the military base with his wife and child in tow—no one had forgotten that he was still the “Jade-Faced King of Hell,” the man whose sharp tongue could wither anyone with a single remark.
So when Sheng Zexi spoke up, no one dared push further.
“Dr. Gu, you must take care of yourself!”
Thus, everyone switched to words of blessing instead.
Gu Jianing waved at them. “I will take good care of myself.”
“Deputy Commander Sheng, you must take good care of Dr. Gu too!”
Sheng Zexi nearly laughed in exasperation. He took Gu Jianing’s hand and said, “Of course I’ll cherish my own wife.”
Then, everyone’s attention turned to the two-year-old Xingxing and Yueyue.
Though the little ones were only toddlers, they were remarkably clever.
They quickly raised their chubby little hands and chirped in their sweet, childish voices, “We’ll take care of Mommy too!”
The moment they spoke, everyone burst into laughter.
In the end, no matter how reluctant they were to part, under everyone’s watchful eyes, Gu Jianing’s family of four finally boarded the car.
“Dr. Gu, you must come back and visit when you have the chance!”
As the car moved forward, the voices behind them could still be heard, fading only after they had driven some distance.
Gu Jianing’s heart was filled with emotion.
Hearing her soft sigh, Sheng Zexi, sitting beside her, pulled her into a comforting embrace, while the two children nestled against their mother, offering their own form of solace.
“Alright, I’m fine.”
“After all, as long as we have the heart, we’ll surely meet again someday.”
“Mommy, are we going to ride the green train now to see Grandpa, Grandma, Uncles, and Aunties?” Yueyue asked, lifting her little head, perhaps trying to distract Gu Jianing from her emotions.
Gu Jianing gently touched the little girl’s twin braids and said tenderly, “Yes, we’re going back to Mommy’s hometown, a place called Huaihua Village. There, we’ll find Mommy’s parents, brothers, sisters-in-law, nephews, and nieces…”
As she spoke of her family, Gu Jianing’s delicate features softened even further.
After more than three years of marriage, she was finally going home.
This trip was made possible because of Sheng Zexi’s reassignment and Gu Jianing’s resignation from her post.
Sheng Zexi had always remembered Gu Jianing’s wish to visit her family, so he applied for a month and a half of leave.
Excluding travel time, Gu Jianing would be able to stay at home for over a month.
The approval had only come through yesterday.
She hadn’t had time to inform her family yet.
So Gu Jianing decided not to say anything—she would surprise them when they arrived.
“Mommy, will Grandpa, Grandma, Uncles, and Aunties like us?” Yueyue asked again.
Xingxing also looked at his mother curiously.
Although Grandma Yao Chunhua had taken care of them for two months, Xingxing and Yueyue were only two months old at the time—no matter how clever they were, they couldn’t possibly remember her.
So they had no recollection of it.
Even though they didn’t remember, their mother often showed them photos.
The Gu family, afraid that Gu Jianing would miss them too much, had specially gathered for a family portrait and mailed it to her.
Gu Jianing would frequently take out the family photo and tell Xingxing and Yueyue stories about each person.
“Of course they will. Your grandparents, uncles, and aunties love Mommy very much, and since you’re Mommy’s children, they’ll love you too.”
That’s right—the Gu family was the type to love others for the sake of those they cherished.
On the journey, Gu Jianing told the two children about each member of the Gu family, and they listened attentively.
Her longing for her family and the anticipation of their reunion temporarily eased the sadness of parting.
As Gu Jianing spoke to the children, Sheng Zexi watched her with tender affection in his eyes.
Just then, Sheng Zexi noticed a gaze fixed on them.
He looked up and met the eyes of the person in the driver’s seat—Xie Ze.
Yes, the driver was Xie Ze.
Over the past three years, Xie Ze had risen from a low-ranking soldier to a squad leader.
In these two-plus years, he had grown close to Gu Jianing and Sheng Zexi.
Gu Jianing treated Xie Ze like a younger brother, always including him in everything. When she learned he was an orphan, she invited him to their home for New Year’s Eve dinner.
Not long ago, Xie Ze had formally acknowledged Gu Jianing as his older sister, making Sheng Zexi his brother-in-law.
Naturally, Xie Ze was reluctant to see Gu Jianing’s family leave.
In his eyes, they were his family—the loving family he had chosen for himself.
Now, they had to part, and he couldn’t bear it.
Unfortunately, as a mere squad leader, he still had to remain stationed in the Northwest Military District.
Today, Xie Ze wasn’t actually on leave, but he had insisted on taking a day off to drive them to the station, unwilling to miss this final farewell.
No matter how much he didn’t want to let go, the car eventually arrived at the train station.
The moment of separation had come.
Gu Jianing looked at Xie Ze. More than two years ago, he had been a sixteen-year-old boy. Now, after three years, he had shed his youthful immaturity, becoming more mature and steady.
Except…
Right now, his eyes were red.
Tears welled up at the corners, and he occasionally wiped them away, not daring to let himself cry aloud.
Gu Jianing stepped forward and hugged him.
“Wuwu… Sis…” Xie Ze could no longer hold back and burst into tears.
“Little Uncle…” Seeing Xie Ze cry, Xingxing and Yueyue each clung to one of his legs, their own eyes red with sadness.
Xie Ze had always been incredibly kind to the two children.
He had a salary, and aside from saving some of it, he spent much of it buying snacks, toys, and clothes for Xingxing and Yueyue.
The children had a keen sense for people’s sincerity—they knew very well how much Xie Ze cared for them.
So now, having to part with him, they were just as reluctant.
“Ah Ze, take good care of yourself from now on, understand?” Gu Jianing reminded him.
Xie Ze nodded tearfully.
“And remember, the protective charm I gave you—you must carry it with you at all times. Never take it off, okay?” That charm was her way of keeping him safe.
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