It had been nearly half a year since Leiting and the others left for the military dog training base.
Over these six months, news of them had come from time to time.
But so far, they hadn’t gone to visit them.
As a mother, Amber never said it out loud, but of course, she missed her four pups.
The military training base was quite a distance from Huansha Island—a one-way trip alone would take a full day by car.
Still, traveling from Huansha Island was much closer than it would be from the capital later on.
If they were to go from the capital, it would probably take three or four days.
By then, the chances of visiting Leiting and the others would be slim.
So, why not take the opportunity now, while they still had time, to go see them together?
After Gu Jianing made the suggestion, she looked at Sheng Zexi, and so did Xingxing, Yueyue, and Amber—all waiting for his response.
Sheng Zexi found it both amusing and exasperating.
“Actually, visiting Leiting and Shandian was already part of my plans. I just hadn’t had the chance to mention it yet.”
“Yay, that’s great!” Xingxing and Yueyue cheered.
Amber barked happily, wagging her tail and running circles around the room.
Sheng Zexi thought to himself—how could he, as someone who had raised these dogs as part of the family, not miss Leiting and the others?
He had heard that Leiting and the others would soon complete their training and be assigned to various posts.
Once that happened, it would be much harder to see them all together.
So now was the best time to visit.
That same day, the family packed their luggage.
The next morning, it was time to leave.
Zhao Weiguo and Huijuan, along with their family, including Goudan, came to see them off.
“Just like when you first arrived—I escorted you onto the island back then, and now I’m seeing you off as you leave.”
“A year has passed so quickly.”
Zhao Weiguo was deeply moved.
At first, he hadn’t thought much of Sheng Zexi and Gu Jianing’s arrival on the island.
But as it turned out, this couple had done so much for Huansha Island.
Whether it was Gu Jianing’s work as a doctor saving lives, her accurate prediction of the severe typhoon, or Sheng Zexi’s identification and capture of the drug cartel and the Lin family—R country spies—their contributions over the past year had been immense.
Without them, the losses on Huansha Island would have been unimaginable.
Thinking back to when he had gone to pick up Sheng Zexi’s family, Dr. Gu had warned against entering the island due to the impending storm.
At the time, he hadn’t believed her and insisted on proceeding—only to be taught a harsh lesson.
Now, looking back, he realized how reckless he had been and how little he had understood Dr. Gu’s abilities.
After all, she was the one who had accurately predicted a severe typhoon three days in advance.
And Sheng Zexi’s capabilities in every aspect were equally outstanding.
He had heard that after Sheng Zexi’s transfer to the capital’s military district, he would directly assume a brigade-level position.
And he was only in his thirties!
To reach such a rank at that age—his future was truly boundless.
Though Zhao Weiguo knew Sheng Zexi had a high-ranking father, he also understood that everything Sheng Zexi had achieved was earned through his own abilities and merits.
So this couple was truly exceptional!
How could Zhao Weiguo not admire them?
Now that they were leaving, he couldn’t help but feel reluctant.
“If the islanders knew you were leaving, they’d surely try everything to convince you to stay,” Zhao Weiguo said.
Whether it was Gu Jianing’s life-saving medical work or her prediction of the severe typhoon that led to timely evacuations and rescues, the islanders of Huansha Island were deeply grateful to Sheng Zexi and Gu Jianing.
Back then, after the typhoon had passed, the islanders had organized themselves, bringing gifts from their homes and gathering at the military base to present them to the couple. They wanted to express their thanks for predicting the typhoon’s arrival, which had saved their lives and property.
Meanwhile, Xingxing and Yueyue were also reluctant to part with Goudan and his family.
Ever since staying at the Zhao household, they had grown very close to Goudan, who was honest, kind, and always looked out for them.
“Xingxing, Yueyue, will you ever come back?” Goudan asked, his eyes reddening.
“We don’t know,” Yueyue shook her head.
“I used my New Year’s money to buy you gifts. Whenever you see them, you’ll think of me.”
Goudan pulled out two brand-new green tin wind-up frogs—a luxurious toy for children in those days.
The fact that Goudan had spent his savings to buy two for Xingxing and Yueyue showed just how much he cherished them.
Naturally, Xingxing and Yueyue had also prepared gifts for Goudan. Yueyue gave him a beautiful pencil case, while Xingxing presented him with a blue schoolbag.
Goudan had already started school, and they had noticed that his old backpack was worn out and that he didn’t even have a pencil case.
So they had decided to buy these gifts for him before leaving.
However—
Zhao Weiguo and his wife felt the gifts were too extravagant and hesitated to let Goudan accept them.
Gu Jianing quickly interjected, “Why shouldn’t he take them?”
“They’re tokens of the children’s affection, carefully chosen after much thought. If you refuse them, the kids will be heartbroken.”
“Gifts aren’t about value—they’re about sentiment.”
“Don’t let the children’s sincerity go to waste.”
After Gu Jianing’s persuasion, Zhao Weiguo and his wife finally allowed Goudan to accept the gifts.
Clutching the brand-new schoolbag and pencil case, Goudan was moved to tears.
In the end, the children hugged each other tearfully, reluctant to let go, promising to write letters and call often.
They vowed to meet again whenever possible.
Huijuan and Goudan naturally wouldn’t be leaving the island—only Zhao Weiguo accompanied Sheng Zexi and Gu Jianing’s family to see them off.
“Dr. Gu, do you think the weather’s suitable for leaving today? We won’t run into a storm, will we?” Zhao Weiguo joked as he helped them with their luggage.
Gu Jianing checked the weather forecast and smiled. “So now you trust my judgment, Comrade Zhao?”
“But today’s weather is perfect—clear skies and a gentle breeze.”
“That’s good, that’s good. Let’s board the boat and set off, then.”
As the boat sailed away, Gu Jianing watched Huansha Island grow smaller in the distance, her heart filled with emotion.
Though they had only spent a year on the island, so much had happened.
In the end, everything had passed safely.
“What are you thinking about?” Sheng Zexi asked, wrapping an arm around her.
“I was just wondering what awaits us in the capital.”
Sheng Zexi gently tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “No matter what happens, as long as we’re together as a family, united and supporting each other, things will only get better.”
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