When Sheng Zexi came to, he found himself sitting in an office, dressed in a military uniform.
Looking at the uniform he was wearing, Sheng Zexi recalled that he hadn’t worn one in over thirty years.
In his previous life, Sheng Zexi had reached the highest position in his forties and remained in power until he retired at sixty.
In the decades following his retirement, he had traveled the world with Gu Jianing, who had also retired by then, visiting nearly every corner of the globe.
He had lived until the age of ninety-five.
After his death, Ningning must have been very sad.
But Sheng Zexi hadn’t expected that when he closed his eyes before death and opened them again, he wasn’t dead—he was in a different place.
After accessing the memories of this body, Sheng Zexi realized that after death, his soul had returned to his past life.
At this moment, he was in his thirties and already a division-level cadre.
In his previous life, after regaining his past life memories, Sheng Zexi had often wondered if he could return to that past life. He had wanted to save Ningning. Unexpectedly, after his death, that wish had come true.
Looking through the memories of this body now,
he discovered that many things were different.
For example, in this past life, he had always believed his mother, Sang Yuwan, was dead.
The fake brother, Sheng Zherui, was only discovered to be an impostor and arrested in his twenties.
At the same time, the fake Li Shuyao was also arrested. But too many bad things had happened in the interim because of these two.
In this past life, Sheng Zexi’s relationship with Sheng Xinhao had always been strained.
Sheng Xinhao had not divorced Fang Wanrong, and he still staunchly defended her.
Also…
The disasters on Huansha Island that had been averted in his previous life due to Ningning and the children’s discoveries had occurred here.
And so much more…
Sheng Zexi realized that in his previous life, with Ningning’s changes, that world had become truly wonderful.
But this past life, the one he was in now, was fraught with devastation.
Now, Sheng Zexi’s only question was: Where is Ningning?
Soon, Sheng Zexi made calls, ordering people to quickly investigate the current whereabouts of Wen Zhuqing and Gu Jianing.
With his current authority and position, he got the information swiftly.
She was in Haicheng.
Without delay, Sheng Zexi boarded a plane bound for Haicheng.
—
Haicheng, inside a small Western-style house.
Coughing could be heard from within the room from time to time. Numerous medical books were placed by the bedside.
The house was empty, with only Gu Jianing inside.
Gu Jianing looked around the unfamiliar place.
This was not her home. She had been forcibly brought here by Wen Zhuqing and imprisoned, unable to leave even a single step.
Her gaze fell on the newspaper by the bedside.
It featured a photograph of Wen Zhuqing, looking proud and ambitious, standing next to a young, beautiful woman. They looked like a married couple, holding a pair of twin sons in their arms.
The last time Wen Zhuqing came, he had brought the newspaper specifically to show her.
It was to make her understand her place.
The reason Wen Zhuqing hadn’t yet married that woman was because she, Gu Jianing, was still in the picture.
Just then, there was a click at the door as the lock was opened.
Wen Zhuqing, dressed in a sharp suit, walked in.
Gu Jianing looked at the man entering. On the surface, he appeared refined, even gentle as jade, but these were all facades—pretenses Wen Zhuqing used to deceive people.
And she had been fooled by this very exterior.
That was why she had ended up like this today.
Wen Zhuqing slowly sat down by the bedside, his gaze toward Gu Jianing carrying a hint of scrutiny and coldness, as if he were scheming something.
That look made Gu Jianing’s heart tremble involuntarily.
“Wen Zhuqing, since you want to marry someone else, then divorce me. I can leave,” Gu Jianing said, coughing a few times.
Wen Zhuqing’s lips curled into a smile. “Xiao Ning, how can you say such things? Weren’t you deeply in love with me back then? Weren’t you even willing to die for me?”
Gu Jianing laughed, tears streaming down her face.
“Then, can you, in light of how much I loved you back then, let me go now?” As Gu Jianing spoke the word “love,” she found it utterly ironic.
“I have nothing left now. My family has been completely used by you. What more do you want?”
Gu Jianing regretted it. She truly regretted it.
For Wen Zhuqing, she had sacrificed far too much—even losing the right to become a mother. And her family, the ones who loved her so deeply, she had dragged them down with her. Her mistakes were too many.
“Xiao Ning, since you’ve helped me so much already, help me one more time,” Wen Zhuqing said meaningfully.
“What do you mean?”
“You’ll find out soon enough.”
With that, Wen Zhuqing prepared to leave.
Just then, a commotion suddenly arose outside.
Then, a tall figure in a military green uniform appeared at the doorway.
Wen Zhuqing frowned at the man before him. “Who are you?”
Gu Jianing, however, stirred a faint, distant memory. She remembered this man. She had once saved him, and he had even stayed at her home. His name was…
“Sheng Zexi!” Sheng Zexi announced his name.
When he saw Gu Jianing on the bed, frail and sickly, like a withered, dried flower, a sharp pain pierced his heart.
He strode forward immediately, bypassing Wen Zhuqing, and lifted Gu Jianing into his arms.
As he held her, her light weight made his heart ache.
“What are you doing? She is my wife!” Wen Zhuqing tried to stop him but was blocked by the men Sheng Zexi had brought.
Sheng Zexi’s gaze fell on the bewildered Gu Jianing. “Ningning, I’m here to save you. Don’t be afraid. I won’t let those who hurt you get away.”
Then, his eyes shifted to Wen Zhuqing. “Prepare for my retaliation.”
—
Gu Jianing never expected that when she was desperately hoping to be rescued, someone would truly appear like a savior and save her.
Due to Gu Jianing’s condition, Sheng Zexi took her directly to the hospital, arranging for doctors to provide comprehensive treatment.
“Thank you. Could you please let my family know I’m safe?”
“Of course.”
Sheng Zexi remembered that in the previous life, Ningning had said that during this period, she was missing as far as the Gu family knew. They had been frantically searching for her, which ultimately led to tragedy.
So, it was essential to let them know Ningning was safe.
When Old Man Gu and Yao Chunhua in Huaihua Village heard that Gu Jianing had been found, they immediately said they would come.
However, traveling to the city by train would take at least several days.
During those days, besides starting his retaliation against Wen Zhuqing, Sheng Zexi also took care of Gu Jianing.
This care, this kindness, left Gu Jianing feeling overwhelmed.
Moreover, Gu Jianing noticed that Sheng Zexi seemed to understand her deeply. It gave her the strange feeling that they had lived together for many, many years.
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