Gu Jianing returned to her dormitory, her brows furrowed tightly the entire time.
“What should I do? There’s no way to contact the outside world.”
“I also don’t know what methods Fang Wanrong will use to target Xingxing and Yueyue.”
It seemed impossible to notify anyone outside through the exam-question drafting team.
The only solution now was…
Gu Jianing opened the exchange shop of the Childbirth System.
She was immensely grateful for the existence of this exchange shop—otherwise, she’d be left helpless with anxiety.
[Host, let me help you filter some options.] The system suddenly spoke up.
“Okay, System, thank you.”
With the help of the Childbirth System, she quickly found a few useful items.
One was the “Messaging Paper Mouse.”
It was similar to the one she had used back in Huaihua Village.
Just write the message on paper, state the recipient, and the paper mouse would deliver the message before self-destructing.
But as soon as it appeared, Gu Jianing dismissed it.
This was only suitable for short distances, but the capital and Huansha Island were too far apart, separated by waterways.
If she wanted to notify Grandpa Sang and Grandma Sang, who were also in the capital and closer, Gu Jianing wasn’t sure the paper mouse could safely leave the courtyard where she was currently staying.
Right now, there were countless security personnel stationed outside the exam-question drafting team’s compound.
They weren’t just there for protection—they were also monitoring.
If the paper mouse were discovered, it would be disastrous.
Gu Jianing browsed through several items, none of which satisfied her.
Finally, her gaze landed on the last option.
“Couple’s Dream Message?”
Gu Jianing read the description. As the name suggested, it could only be used between spouses.
One partner could send a dream message to the other, with two uses available, lasting three minutes each!
“This is perfect.”
A dream message was ideal—no risk of being discovered.
And three minutes was enough time to say a lot.
As for whether Sheng Zexi would believe the content of the dream…
Gu Jianing thought that since Brother Xi already knew about the extraordinary aspects of her, he would likely at least partially believe the dream.
Even if just as a precaution, he would send someone to protect Xingxing and Yueyue.
Having made up her mind, Gu Jianing decided to use the “Couple’s Dream Message.”
She checked the required points—10 points. Not much.
With tens of thousands of points at her disposal, she didn’t mind spending 10.
She then checked the time. It was around 4 p.m.
“Looks like I’ll have to wait until tonight when Brother Xi is asleep to send the dream message.”
…
Huansha Island.
As evening fell, some families took a stroll after dinner.
At this moment, Niu Cui was walking around the residential compound with her daughter, Zhang Qiumei.
Zhang Qiumei had arrived on Huansha Island just two days ago.
She was Niu Cui’s late-life daughter, so Niu Cui doted on her immensely.
Zhang Qiumei was only 19 this year and had just graduated from high school two years prior.
Originally, Niu Cui had planned to have her eldest son, Zhang Jianjun, arrange for her daughter to meet a suitable military officer.
And Zhang Jianjun had indeed introduced a few candidates.
But Niu Cui was never satisfied.
Either the officer’s rank was too low (like a deputy battalion commander), or Zhang Qiumei would see the photo and think the officer wasn’t good-looking.
So, after several introductions, not a single one worked out.
Just as Niu Cui was worrying that her daughter was already 19 and at risk of becoming an “old maid,” the college entrance exam was suddenly reinstated.
“Mom, I want to take the college entrance exam.”
“I want to be a university student.”
“Once I become a college graduate and a city girl, why would you still worry about finding me a good son-in-law?”
Niu Cui thought it made sense—her daughter was a high school graduate, a top student who was sure to get into university.
Once that happened, why would they worry about finding a good son-in-law?
Originally, she had planned for her daughter to take the college entrance exam back in their hometown.
But not long ago, Niu Cui heard that if her daughter took the exam on Huansha Island, there might be some favorable policies—maybe extra points or priority admission.
After confirming with her eldest son, Zhang Jianjun, that this was true, she immediately had her daughter come over from their hometown.
Over the past two days, Niu Cui had taken Zhang Qiumei around the residential compound multiple times, telling everyone they met that her daughter was going to university, that she was a future college student, and that she would even become a doctor.
Yes, Zhang Qiumei wanted to study medicine.
Now, after yet another meal, Niu Cui took her daughter out again.
But…
Chun Xing watched as her mother-in-law left with her sister-in-law, then turned to her daughter, Zhi Zhi, who was helping her wash dishes.
One of the reasons Chun Xing had married Zhang Jianjun was because his sister, Zhang Qiumei, was a high school graduate.
And because of how much Niu Cui doted on Zhang Qiumei.
She had thought that a mother who loved her daughter so much and let her study all the way through high school couldn’t possibly favor sons over daughters.
She had imagined the family atmosphere would be good—at least good enough for her Zhi Zhi to get an education.
But reality proved her wrong.
Someone who could love their own daughter didn’t necessarily love other people’s daughters.
Niu Cui was willing to let her own daughter study but refused to let Zhi Zhi go to school.
“No matter what, I must make sure Zhi Zhi gets an education!” Chun Xing’s eyes burned with determination.
…
Meanwhile, as Niu Cui strolled through the compound with her daughter, her expression darkened when they passed a certain courtyard, and she spat on the ground.
“Mom, what’s wrong?” Zhang Qiumei asked, puzzled.
Niu Cui, still haunted by the memory of being chased by a dog and wetting herself, scowled.
She didn’t hold back, explaining how this house should have been allocated to their family but was instead given to an officer transferred from another region.
“Oh, so that’s what happened.”
Just then, there was movement at the gate of the courtyard they were standing near.
The door suddenly opened from the inside.
Zhang Qiumei looked up and saw a man stepping out with several dogs.
The light outside the gate fell on him, illuminating his sharp, striking features—his well-defined brows, piercing eyes, and a faint air of rebelliousness in his expression.
He was tall and broad-shouldered, standing over 190 cm, exuding an overwhelming sense of security.
His legs were long and straight as he leaned lazily against the wall, waiting for the dogs to come out, radiating effortless ease.
“Hongying, you’re the only one left. Hurry up—no more snacks,” the man said.
His deep, magnetic voice sent a shiver down Zhang Qiumei’s spine.
Finally, the last dog dawdled out.
The man closed the gate and turned, his gaze briefly sweeping over Niu Cui and Zhang Qiumei standing nearby.
Sheng Zexi always took Amber and her family for a run half an hour after dinner—it was a habit.
Tonight was no exception.
He didn’t recognize Niu Cui or her daughter, nor did he care to. After a fleeting glance, he turned away and left with the dogs.
But Zhang Qiumei stared at Sheng Zexi’s retreating figure, her heart pounding wildly.
At that moment, she knew—she had just met her true love!
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