The village party secretary’s son happened to have a Junior high school education. After failing the college entrance exam twice, he gave up, knowing his limitations. Now, being able to buy Gu Yunting’s job wasn’t a bad deal.
After selling the job and completing the handover, Yang Manman and Gu Yunting began preparing for their move to Haicheng. By the end of August, they bid farewell to their parents and boarded the train to Haicheng.
On the train, Gu Yunting’s eyes held a trace of uncertainty. Going to Haicheng meant stepping into the unknown. Yet, amid that uncertainty, there was also determination. He tightly grasped his wife’s hand beside him—he would work hard to carve out a future for them in Haicheng.
Meanwhile, the third brother, Gu Yunzhou, also took a train to attend university in the capital. Everyone had their own journey in life, and each was striving to move forward, hoping to go further and achieve better things.
By early September, Gu Jianing was nearing her due date. Out of the blue, Sheng Zexi received a call from the capital.
Seeing Sheng Zexi return from the call with a furrowed brow, Gu Jianing asked, “What’s wrong? Did something happen?”
Sheng Zexi took her hand and sat down, gazing at her large belly. “Ningning, Grandpa just called. Grandma might not be able to come this time.”
Gu Jianing’s heart tightened. “What happened to Grandma?”
“She had a fall and is now in the hospital…”
Gu Jianing’s eyes immediately filled with worry. Clutching Sheng Zexi’s hand, she asked urgently, “How did she fall? Is it serious? Is she in critical condition?”
She asked this because Grandma Sang was getting on in years. Though she usually seemed healthy, elderly people were particularly vulnerable to falls. Many seniors who appeared fine otherwise could take a turn for the worse after a fall. So, Gu Jianing was genuinely concerned.
Sheng Zexi quickly held her hand to reassure her. “Don’t worry, Grandma’s life isn’t in danger.”
“She drank too much water at night and slipped on her way to the bathroom.”
“But the guards at home noticed right away and took her to the hospital.”
“She passed out briefly after the fall, but she’s awake now and fine overall.”
“Her foot is injured—fractured—so she’ll likely need to stay in the hospital for a while.”
“As soon as she woke up, she was worried about not being able to help with your postpartum care. She felt guilty and asked Grandpa to call and explain.”
Originally, Grandma Sang was supposed to arrive at the Huansha Island military base in the next few days to help Gu Jianing during her postpartum period. They had already made preparations for her arrival.
But now, this had happened.
After hearing about Grandma Sang’s condition, Gu Jianing sighed in relief.
“As long as her life isn’t in danger, everything else is manageable.”
Sheng Zexi squeezed her hand, sounding somewhat helpless. “It’s not a small matter. Your postpartum recovery is important.”
“Grandma can’t come, and your mother can’t either. What are we going to do?”
“Well, there’s still you. How about you take care of me during my confinement?” Gu Jianing said offhandedly.
“Right! I’ll take care of you!”
Gu Jianing had only said it casually, but Sheng Zexi’s eyes lit up as if he’d just stumbled upon a brilliant idea!
Gu Jianing: ???
Sheng Zexi continued persuading her: “I don’t have much going on lately, so I’ll try to request leave from my superiors and see if it’s approved.”
“If it is, I’ll take care of you during your confinement.”
Seeing the look on Sheng Zexi’s face, Gu Jianing realized he was dead serious.
She couldn’t help but ask, “Are you really serious? Don’t you think taking care of a woman during her confinement is troublesome or… damaging to your masculine image?”
It wasn’t that Gu Jianing actually believed this.
But in this day and age, that was just how things were.
It was practically unheard of for a man to personally care for his wife during her postpartum recovery.
That was why Gu Jianing had only tossed out the suggestion casually, never expecting him to take it seriously.
To her surprise, Sheng Zexi frowned at her words. “Don’t tell me that’s what you think?”
He gently tapped her forehead. “Comrade Gu Jianing, how could you have such outdated ideas?”
“You’re my wife, and you’re carrying my child.”
“You’ve already worked so hard. Me taking care of you during your confinement is only right and proper.”
“If a man feels ashamed to care for his own wife postpartum, then he doesn’t deserve to be a husband or a father,” Sheng Zexi declared righteously.
Gu Jianing: “……”
Well, I underestimated Comrade Sheng Zexi. No wonder he’s famously known throughout the military district as a model husband and father!
Seeing her silence, Sheng Zexi worried she still disagreed and quickly added, “Are you afraid I won’t do a good job?”
“Don’t worry—I’ll take care of you like royalty. Just say the word, and I’ll be there.”
Gu Jianing burst into laughter and patted his shoulder. “Alright, alright, of course I believe in you.”
“Fine, since you’re so sincerely offering to take care of me, let’s give it a try.”
“Go request leave. If your superiors approve, then so will I.”
“Deal!” Sheng Zexi agreed immediately.
That very afternoon, he went to submit his leave request.
Chen Han was aware that Gu Jianing—Sheng Zexi’s wife—was nearing her due date.
Because of this, she had already taken leave from the county hospital some time ago.
Unexpectedly, even though she was on leave, patients still sought her out at the military base due to her reputation as a skilled physician.
After all, everyone knew Dr. Gu was a military spouse.
But what truly surprised Chen Han was Sheng Zexi’s request to personally care for her during her confinement.
The idea was… bold, to say the least!
Then again, wasn’t that just like Sheng Zexi? Bold, unyielding, and unafraid to challenge conventions.
“Let me think…”
“There really aren’t any urgent missions lately.”
“Considering the significant contributions you’ve made recently, fine—I’ll approve your one-month leave!” Chen Han agreed.
Sheng Zexi was overjoyed. “Thank you, sir!”
That evening, he shared the good news with Gu Jianing.
“Alright then, I’ll be counting on you for my confinement,” she said.
As she gazed at the clear blue sky outside, she silently wished: I hope everything goes smoothly over the next month.
Unfortunately, no sooner had she made this wish than fate decided otherwise.
That morning, after breakfast, Gu Jianing watched Xingxing and Yueyue head off to daycare and was walking home when her system suddenly blared an urgent alert.
[Warning! Warning! A Category 13 typhoon will make landfall on Huansha Island within the next three days!!! Host, please take precautions immediately!]
Gu Jianing’s footsteps froze, her heart leaping into her throat!
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