Back when her father was still healthy, Qin Honghua never thought much of it.
There were even times when her father would nag, and she would find him annoying, thinking he was overreacting.
But now, upon learning that he was nearing the end of his life, Qin Honghua felt as though the sky was collapsing.
Only at this moment did she realize just how important her father was to her.
No—more than important. He was the most important person in her life.
After all, they had relied on each other to survive through the hardest of times.
Qin’s father looked at his weeping daughter, tears welling up in his own eyes.
“Honghua, even after I’m gone, you still have Junjun. Live well with her.”
“But… just don’t trust men so easily in the future.”
“Dad…”
…
Wen Zhuqing was arrested.
The crimes he had committed were uncovered.
First, he had left the labor farm without authorization. His original sentence required him to remain there for ten years, but with Qin’s father’s help, he had escaped.
Of course, Qin’s father was also held accountable for this.
So, despite his critical condition, Qin’s father was also arrested.
Second, Wen Zhuqing had assumed the identity of Zhang Yutang. Zhang Yutang had died of natural causes, but impersonating someone else was a crime in itself.
Additionally, Wen Zhuqing’s academic achievements were stolen from someone else.
This, too, had been facilitated by Qin’s father.
The matter would undoubtedly be rectified.
Lastly, there was the charge of Wen Zhuqing’s attempted murder of Qin’s father.
With Qin’s father’s testimony and the arrest of the man at the train station, the evidence was irrefutable.
Taking everything into account, Wen Zhuqing was sentenced to death for his combined crimes.
Qin’s father was also sentenced, though for him, it hardly mattered—his body likely wouldn’t last another week.
Still, knowing that Wen Zhuqing had been given the death penalty brought Qin’s father peace.
At least that scoundrel wouldn’t be able to harm his daughter anymore.
When Wen Zhuqing learned of his death sentence, he slowly lifted his head, his eyes icy and his lips curling into a faint, eerie smile.
“You can’t execute me,” he said, his voice dripping with cold amusement. “Because… I have memories of my past life.”
This was Wen Zhuqing’s final card to play.
He believed that as long as he had value, he wouldn’t be killed.
And indeed, his scheme wasn’t entirely without merit.
But when the others heard his words, they found them utterly absurd.
“Memories of a past life? If you really had them, would you have ended up like this?”
“It’s true, I swear!”
Desperate, Wen Zhuqing began recounting everything he had dreamed of.
However, the content of his dreams was extremely limited—almost entirely centered around himself and Gu Jianing.
He had no knowledge of events outside his own narrow experiences.
Thus, he couldn’t provide any truly valuable information.
The things he described about his “past life” with Gu Jianing sounded more like the delusions of a madman weaving fantasies.
“It really does just sound like a dream.”
And what a wishful dream at that.
After all, everyone knew who “Dr. Gu” was—the wife of Sheng Zexi, a renowned physician, a state employee, and someone under the protection of the nation.
No matter how hard Wen Zhuqing tried to convince them, no one believed him.
Frustrated and frantic, he muttered feverishly, “A dream, yes—if I could just dream more, see more, I could provide useful information to the country!”
He sounded like a man on the brink of insanity.
Although the authorities believed Wen Zhuqing seemed insane, they still gave him a chance.
Unfortunately, from that day onward, Wen Zhuqing never had another dream.
The dreams he’d had about his “past life” were all about his relationship with Gu Jianing—everything else was blurred, with no useful details about the outside world.
Thus, he could provide almost no valuable information.
“Wen Zhuqing, stop wasting your breath.”
“No…” Wen Zhuqing shook his head, his eyes bloodshot. Was he really going to be executed like this?
Why? Why did they both have dreams of the past life, yet he ended up in such misery while Gu Jianing thrived?
He couldn’t accept it. He refused to accept it!
Suddenly, he lunged forward, gripping the iron bars of his cell.
“Gu Jianing! That’s right—Gu Jianing! She also had dreams of her past life! After she was rescued from the river, she must have remembered everything! She must know more about the future! Go ask her—go ask her!”
His eyes burned with madness.
No matter what, he would drag Gu Jianing down with him.
There was no way he would suffer alone—no way he would die while she lived in comfort, high above him.
The interrogator frowned but remained silent for a long moment.
…
Gu Jianing was summoned.
Sheng Zexi, unwilling to let his wife face this alone, accompanied her.
The interrogators repeated Wen Zhuqing’s claims to Gu Jianing, carefully observing her reaction.
Gu Jianing remained composed throughout, only occasionally furrowing her brows.
“Dr. Gu, we called you here because Wen Zhuqing has been demanding to see you—to confront you face-to-face.”
“Would you be willing to meet with him?”
Before Gu Jianing could answer, Sheng Zexi’s anger flared.
But just as he was about to speak, a stern, authoritative voice cut in from behind them.
“Since when does a criminal get to demand an audience with my daughter-in-law?”
“Do you think just because he asks, she has to comply? Have you forgotten that my daughter-in-law is a nationally protected individual?”
Gu Jianing and Sheng Zexi turned to see Sheng Xinhao striding in, his military uniform immaculate, his expression severe as he glared at the interrogators.
They were well aware of Gu Jianing’s connection to Sheng Xinhao—but they hadn’t expected him to show up in person!
Though he had recently retired, his status remained formidable.
Immediately, the interrogators straightened, their demeanor turning deferential.
“Sir, there’s been a misunderstanding. We’re just following procedure.”
“You’re absolutely right—if Dr. Gu doesn’t wish to see him, then she doesn’t have to.”
“I’ll meet him,” Gu Jianing said suddenly.
“Ningning…” Sheng Zexi looked at her, concerned.
She met his gaze with a reassuring smile. “Don’t worry. It’s fine.”
Sheng Zexi knew just how extraordinary his wife was—that was why he had insisted on coming with her.
And now, seeing the certainty in her eyes, he thought—maybe she had a plan.
“Daughter-in-law, don’t force yourself. If you don’t want to see him, you don’t have to,” Sheng Xinhao said firmly.
Gu Jianing hadn’t expected him to come.
Her opinion of him rose slightly.
“It’s alright. It’s just a meeting.”
Whether it was the preparations she had made against Wen Zhuqing long ago, or the current situation—she needed to see him.
She had to put an end to his claims. Otherwise, even if she left today, suspicions would linger.
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