After all, Qin Tian was active in the capital.
This arrangement also helped Qin Tian expand his network.
Qin Zhihong and his wife understood Gu Jianing’s thoughtful intentions and were deeply grateful to her.
As a result, they made time to treat Gu Jianing to several more meals.
In fact, there had been people who wanted Gu Jianing to take on apprentices.
Becoming Gu Jianing’s apprentice wasn’t just about being her student—it also meant becoming the grand-disciple of Elder Chen.
With that, one’s future would be secure.
But Gu Jianing made it clear that she would not take on any more apprentices.
Thus, Qin Tian, her only disciple, became the envy of many.
Recently, while assisting his master with lectures, Qin Tian had noticed the admiring and even jealous gazes from those around him.
Qin Tian straightened his back with pride—his master was Gu Jianing, and he was proud of it.
He would study medicine even harder, ensuring he never tarnished his master’s reputation.
His eyes were filled with determination.
After finishing her exam preparations and leaving the courtyard house, Gu Jianing learned from Grandma Sang that her father-in-law, Sheng Xinhao, had been visiting the Sang family frequently—either bringing gifts for Xingxing and Yueyue or taking them out to play. She even saw Sheng Xinhao teaching Xingxing martial arts.
Regarding this, Gu Jianing adopted an attitude of neither interference nor excessive enthusiasm.
She hadn’t forgotten that Sheng Xinhao had never approved of her marriage to Sheng Zexi.
He had even wanted her to leave him.
Why would she, someone without a masochistic streak, actively seek the approval of someone who had never acknowledged her and had even looked down on her?
However…
Gu Jianing couldn’t help but feel that this father-in-law of hers seemed to have changed quite a bit.
At the very least, the arrogance and disdain in his eyes from their first meeting were gone.
Sometimes, when he looked at her, his gaze even held complexity and admiration.
During Gu Jianing’s lectures, she noticed that Sheng Xinhao often brought Xingxing and Yueyue to listen.
Though the two little ones couldn’t understand the content, they were simply happy to see their mother on stage and remained well-behaved.
As for Sheng Xinhao, while he didn’t fully grasp the lectures either, he could clearly sense the admiration and praise the audience had for Gu Jianing.
He had to admit that despite Gu Jianing’s rural background, she was exceptionally talented—far more outstanding than many in the city.
His rebellious son had made an excellent choice in marrying her.
After a week of lectures at the capital’s hospital, it was almost time for Gu Jianing to return home.
On the night she planned to leave for Huansha Island, as she slept soundly, she suddenly sensed movement beside her.
At first, she thought Xingxing and Yueyue had woken up and were stirring.
After all, the two had been sleeping with her recently.
But when she opened her eyes, she didn’t see the children on the bed. Instead, she was met with the sight of someone entirely unexpected.
The moonlight streaming through the window fell on the man’s figure, illuminating his handsome, chiseled features.
It also revealed his phoenix-like eyes, soft and tender as they gazed at her, filled with longing and affection that seemed ready to overflow.
“You—”
Before Gu Jianing could finish her surprised exclamation, the man leaned in and sealed her lips with his own.
Perhaps it was the intensity of his longing.
His kiss carried a domineering, irresistible force.
Did Gu Jianing miss him?
Of course she did.
Unable to resist, she reciprocated.
…
A few minutes later, Gu Jianing finally pushed the man away, gasping for breath.
“You came?” Her eyes sparkled with delight.
The man before her was none other than Sheng Zexi.
“How could I not come when you’re pregnant, taking care of Xingxing and Yueyue all by yourself?”
That day, as soon as he hung up the phone, he had immediately applied for leave.
Later, he completed a short mission and finally managed to secure the time off.
And so, Sheng Zexi rushed over without delay.
By the time he arrived, it was already midnight.
The guard had let him in.
He quietly entered, then carried Xingxing and Yueyue to sleep with their grandparents.
After that, he lay down beside Gu Jianing. He hadn’t intended anything more—he simply wanted to hold his wife and sleep.
Unexpectedly, despite moving carefully, he still ended up waking her.
Once Gu Jianing was awake, Sheng Zexi’s emotions became even harder to restrain.
Now, holding his wife, Sheng Zexi felt an unprecedented sense of peace.
The couple lay in bed, wrapped in each other’s arms, their sleepiness gone as they whispered about how much they had missed each other over the past two months.
Gu Jianing nestled against Sheng Zexi’s chest, her eyes filled with tenderness and dependence.
She thought Sheng Zexi was truly an extraordinary man.
They hadn’t even been married for many years, yet they already had children. Still, Gu Jianing felt she could never leave him in this lifetime.
He was just too, too good.
Sheng Zexi rested one hand on Gu Jianing’s belly, asking about the baby’s condition.
They talked for who knows how long, until finally, Gu Jianing could no longer stay awake and drifted into a deep sleep in Sheng Zexi’s arms.
He lowered his head, kissed her gently, then closed his eyes and fell asleep as well.
The next morning, when Xingxing and Yueyue woke up, they realized they weren’t in their mother’s bed but in their grandparents’.
The siblings exchanged a glance, already guessing what had happened.
Sure enough, as soon as they stepped out of the room, they saw their father, Sheng Zexi, practicing martial arts in the courtyard.
“Dad…”
Though Sheng Zexi was usually strict with them, the two children still missed him dearly.
Now, seeing him here, they immediately ran over and hugged him.
“Xingxing, show me how your training has been going lately.”
“Okay!”
So, Xingxing began demonstrating his recent progress in the courtyard.
The little guy was barely over two years old, with tiny arms and legs—the sight was undeniably adorable.
Yet, his small face was full of seriousness.
As Sheng Zexi watched Xingxing practice, an unexpected memory surfaced.
When he was a child, that old man had taught him the same way.
From Xingxing’s movements, Sheng Zexi could see traces of the old man’s influence.
Clearly, Xingxing had improved—the old man had been teaching him earnestly.
“Breakfast is ready!” Grandma Sang’s call interrupted Sheng Zexi’s thoughts.
Though Sheng Zexi had managed to get leave, it wasn’t for long.
So, the family decided to take the train back to Huansha Island the next day—it was more convenient, and besides, with Sheng Zexi present, along with Grandpa Sang’s guard accompanying them for safety, there was nothing to worry about.
Once the arrangements were settled, Sheng Zexi immediately asked someone to help buy the tickets.
“Dad, should we tell Grandpa we’re going back?” Xingxing suddenly looked up and asked.
After spending so much time together, both Xingxing and Yueyue had developed some affection for Sheng Xinhao.
Though they had initially been wary of him because of past events, the old man had genuinely treated them well over the past two months.
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