Of course, it was only slightly better than the other dishes.
Gu Jianing was quite picky about food, so even she wasn’t entirely satisfied with her own cooking.
But this man—no matter what she made, he ate it with gusto and genuine delight.
And Gu Jianing could tell that his praise came from a place of sincerity, that he truly found it delicious.
This left her both amused and exasperated.
“I wonder if Xingxing will be able to sleep soundly tonight…” Sheng Zexi muttered between bites of noodles, recalling the scene he had witnessed when he arrived earlier.
When he had rushed to the scene, the first thing he saw was the tall, thin man plunging a dagger into Xingxing’s body.
No one could fathom the emotions that had surged through Sheng Zexi at that moment.
His heart had nearly stopped.
His vision had blurred with rage.
He couldn’t bear to imagine—if something had happened to Xingxing, how could he ever face Ningning again?
How could he endure such grief?
In his panic, he had even forgotten that Gu Jianing had long ago given him and the children protective talismans.
She had explained their purpose to him.
It wasn’t until he saw that Xingxing was unharmed and noticed the broken red thread that he suddenly remembered.
And then, relief flooded him.
He knew how miraculous these talismans were.
And he knew that this miracle came from his wife.
In the past, he had worried about these extraordinary abilities of hers.
He feared they might harm her in some way.
He also worried that if these abilities were ever exposed, what would become of her?
But now, he realized just how much protection and help these miracles had brought their family.
Sheng Zexi even felt as though there was a “presence” he recognized, silently watching over their family from the shadows.
This thought filled him with profound gratitude.
And he hoped this protection would continue forever.
“What exactly happened back then? I sensed Xingxing’s talisman breaking,” Gu Jianing pressed anxiously.
Sheng Zexi was surprised—Ningning had been at the military compound, yet she could still sense the talisman shattering.
She must have been frantic with worry.
He reached out and took her hand. “Don’t worry, everything’s fine now.”
“Then tell me what really happened. I asked Xingxing, but he was evasive.”
Sheng Zexi understood—the little rascal must have downplayed things to keep his mother from worrying.
Of course, Sheng Zexi didn’t want Ningning to worry either.
But given her insistence, he had no choice but to explain.
So he gave her a brief account of what had happened, careful not to go into too much detail to spare her further distress.
Gu Jianing could read between the lines.
She sighed softly.
These two—father and son.
Though exasperated, she was also deeply moved.
She knew they were just trying to protect her from worry.
Since both of them were safe and sound now, she decided not to press further.
Seeing that Gu Jianing didn’t ask more, Sheng Zexi relaxed.
If she had probed deeper, he wouldn’t have known how to respond.
He didn’t want to lie to her, but he also didn’t want her to fret.
Fortunately, she let it go.
To divert her attention, Sheng Zexi brought up what had happened afterward.
After all, it was Ningning who had first shown him the future newspaper.
Moreover, those “contact lenses” were also given to him by Ningning.
Gu Jianing listened as Sheng Zexi recounted how all the bombs had been successfully dismantled and the group of drug lords captured.
She let out a sigh of relief.
Thank goodness. The casualties reported in the newspaper from their past life would not happen this time.
That was truly a blessing.
It’s just…
“You’re saying you used the contact lenses to spot more bombs hidden underwater, and then you went diving to retrieve them?” Gu Jianing asked in astonishment.
“Mhm. You’ll never guess what we found…”
When Gu Jianing heard that they had salvaged dozens of large crates—filled with military supplies and gold bars left behind by the retreating R-country army—she was stunned.
“It’s a good thing you found them.” She truly hadn’t expected such a discovery.
“We owe it all to the contact lenses you gave us. Otherwise, we might never have noticed.”
If they hadn’t found them now, who knew how long it would have taken—or if they would have ever been discovered at all?
“You’ve accomplished something truly remarkable this time.”
“Xingxing and Yueyue really stumbled into this by sheer coincidence.”
“Yeah.”
Both Gu Jianing and Sheng Zexi couldn’t help but marvel at how things had unfolded.
If Xingxing and Yueyue hadn’t decided to sneak out of the military compound to buy a birthday gift for their mother, they wouldn’t have encountered the drug lords, nor would Leiting and Hongying have caught the scent of drugs and explosives on them.
And none of the subsequent events would have happened.
As for the future newspaper Gu Jianing had obtained, it was pure coincidence that the system had upgraded that very day.
Had it been delayed by even a day, or had she chosen a different reward…
The outcome might have mirrored their past life.
So despite the dangers they had faced, the current result was the best possible one.
Sheng Zexi then brought up the matter of Lin Chushi and his father.
He mentioned it because he wanted Gu Jianing to stay vigilant—after all, Zhang Qiumei was now married to Lin Chushi.
Given the circumstances, it was clear that if Lin Chushi and his wife ever got the chance, they wouldn’t hesitate to strike.
So he had to remind Ningning to be cautious.
“Don’t worry, I know.” Gu Jianing was well aware of the hostility Zhang Jianjun and Zhang Qiumei harbored toward her. Their malice had even triggered the Malice Detector—of course, she would be on guard.
Since it was already very late, the couple didn’t talk much longer.
After Sheng Zexi finished eating, he sat for a while to let his food settle before heading to bed with Ningning.
However, that night, Sheng Zexi brought both children into their bed, letting them sleep between him and Ningning.
He was worried that after the day’s events, the kids might not sleep well.
Especially Xingxing, who had faced the drug lord’s dagger head-on—that image alone was enough to make Sheng Zexi’s blood run cold.
And Xingxing was only a two-year-old child.
As it turned out, their concerns were justified.
In the middle of the night, Xingxing began having nightmares.
Not only that, but he also developed a fever, murmuring incoherently for Mama, Baba, Yueyue, and Leiting.
Gu Jianing quickly gave him medicine.
Sheng Zexi kept wiping him down with a damp cloth to lower his temperature.
Then, he cradled Xingxing in his arms, pacing around the room to soothe him.
Only when held securely did the feverish Xingxing seem to regain a sense of safety, his breathing and body gradually calming.
But the moment he was put down, the nightmares would start again.
So Sheng Zexi continued to carry him, walking back and forth, whispering comforting words.
Ningning offered to take over, but Sheng Zexi refused.
“You should sleep. I’ve got him,” he said softly. “You’re pregnant, and you have work tomorrow. Go rest.”
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