Tear stains marked Gu Jianing’s face.
How she wished she could tell her third brother that it wasn’t a dream—it was their past life.
In that past life, it was she who had harmed him, stolen his chance to go to university, and robbed him of his future.
“Third Brother, if—just if—what you dreamed was really our past life…”
“What if, in that past life, I really did those things?”
Gu Yunzhou had originally shared his dream with his little sister as if it were just a joke.
He never expected that instead of making her laugh, it would make her cry.
And her emotions were so intense.
This left Gu Yunzhou at a loss.
Now, hearing her question, he couldn’t help but wonder: the way she asked, anyone would think it really was their past life, that she actually remembered it.
But the thought flashed through his mind only briefly.
Gu Yunzhou didn’t dwell on it.
He felt her hypothetical was too extreme—was there even a need to answer?
But seeing her grip his sleeve, her teary eyes stubbornly fixed on him as if demanding a response, Gu Yunzhou thought for a moment and said, “If you really did that, I still wouldn’t blame you.”
Gu Jianing froze. She had assumed that if she’d done such a thing, her third brother would have hated her forever.
Gu Yunzhou patted her head—a gesture he’d often done when she was little.
After she married, it had stopped.
Now, as he ruffled her hair, he said earnestly, “If it’s something that belongs to Gu Yunzhou, no one can take it unless I’m willing to give it up.”
“And if I’m willing to give it up, then there must be something even more important to me.”
His meaning was clear: in his heart, his little sister Gu Jianing was far more important than a university spot.
Without a doubt, in both lifetimes, Gu Yunzhou cherished family above all else.
And Gu Jianing held an irreplaceable place in his heart.
“So, if my dear little sister—who means more to me than a university spot—asked for it, and I gave it to her, how could I ever blame her?”
His words shattered Gu Jianing’s composure, and she burst into tears again.
She knew her third brother meant every word.
But if possible, she wished he would resent her.
Maybe then, her guilt would ease.
Gu Yunzhou comforted her, both amused and helpless. “If I’d known a silly dream would make you cry like this, I wouldn’t have mentioned it.”
“My bad, I shouldn’t have said anything.”
“Don’t cry anymore. If your husband and the kids come back and see you like this, they’ll think I bullied you. They’ll kick me out for sure.”
Gu Jianing glared at him but finally stopped crying.
Gu Yunzhou didn’t stay much longer before leaving.
Later that evening, when Sheng Zexi returned, he noticed Gu Jianing’s unusual mood and asked what was wrong.
She had already told him about their past life, so she didn’t hide it now.
She recounted her conversation with her third brother.
After listening, Sheng Zexi frowned in frustration. “Even your brother had a dream about the past life. Why haven’t I?”
Gu Jianing shot him a look.
Sheng Zexi: Fine.
Even though he hadn’t dreamed of it, she had told him everything.
After learning from her that in their past life, he had never married, had always loved her, and had even insisted on being buried with her after death, Sheng Zexi was satisfied.
Though he did think his past self’s approach—not fighting or competing for her—was a bit unlike his usual style during the early stages of pursuing her.
However, staying chaste and loyal did align with his principles.
Sheng Zexi hugged Gu Jianing and said, “Ningning, don’t dwell too much on the past life.”
“Remember, you’re living in the present now, in this lifetime.”
“You can treat the past life as just a dream.”
“You shouldn’t let a dream affect who you are today.”
“Just know that now, whether it’s your family or us, everyone is doing well.”
“So, all we need to do is work hard and live this life to the fullest.”
“Overthinking the past is meaningless—it only brings unnecessary pain.”
Gu Jianing knew Sheng Zexi was right. She shouldn’t keep tormenting herself over it.
Otherwise, the only one suffering would be her.
Besides, some things from the past couldn’t be undone.
They could only be made up for.
And now, she would do her best to make amends.
With Sheng Zexi’s reassurance, Gu Jianing gradually calmed down and stopped obsessing over it.
Slowly, she returned to her usual self.
Life settled back into peace.
While their days in the courtyard house were tranquil, the outside world was anything but.
The scandal of imposters stealing college admissions had erupted nationwide, stirring up a storm.
Those who had stolen others’ identities, along with their accomplices, were being arrested one after another.
They would face severe punishment without mercy.
Meanwhile, the victims whose futures had been stolen finally reclaimed what was rightfully theirs and returned to their universities.
Standing at the school gates, gazing up at the institution’s name, many of them burst into tears—cherishing this hard-won opportunity more than ever.
Wang Weiqi, naturally, also returned to Beijing University.
It was only after the police rescued her that her village learned the truth about her suffering—how the couple who had “adopted” her had hidden such monstrous intentions.
The villagers condemned Wang Meiqi’s family and worked with the authorities to recover everything that belonged to Weiqi—her parents’ house, their savings, and more.
The police arrested Wang Meiqi’s entire family, locking them behind bars to await trial and punishment.
Now, Wang Weiqi felt as though her once-dark future had suddenly brightened.
Staring at the university’s name before her, she thought—her future was finally full of promise.
But…
Weiqi knew she still had someone to thank.
She had learned from the police that the only reason her stolen identity was uncovered, the only reason she was rescued so quickly—
Was because of one person.
A doctor named Gu Jianing.
After looking into her, Weiqi realized just how remarkable this Dr. Gu was.
Despite her youth, she was already a professor at Beijing University and the chief physician at Beijing First Hospital.
She had even helped design the college entrance exam questions the year Weiqi took them.
Now, Weiqi held an old newspaper clipping featuring Gu Jianing.
She was in awe of her brilliance—
And her kindness.
If not for Dr. Gu’s intervention, the Wang family’s scheme might never have been exposed.
And Weiqi herself might have been violated by the Sun family, trapped forever in that remote mountain village.
She decided—she had to find time to thank Dr. Gu properly.
She’d heard that Dr. Gu’s brother was currently studying at Beijing University.
Maybe she could start by looking for him.
Leave a Reply