This kindness must never be forgotten.
Qin Tian didn’t stay long before leaving.
By noon, when Sheng Zexi returned, Gu Jianing told him about Qin Tian’s visit.
In the afternoon, while Sheng Zexi was at home, Lin Xing brought his wife and daughter over. Today was the day they had agreed upon to formally recognize their godparent relationship.
Guoguo had been well-taught by Zhang Shuwan. She respectfully served tea to Gu Jianing and Sheng Zexi and addressed them as “Godfather” and “Godmother.”
Sheng Zexi and Gu Jianing accepted the titles, drank the tea, and each gave Guoguo a red envelope.
With that, the godparent relationship was officially established.
During this visit, Lin Xing also sincerely expressed his gratitude to Gu Jianing—both for saving Guoguo in the past and for helping his wife conceive. This kindness must never be forgotten.
Thus, Lin Xing brought many gifts this time and insisted that Sheng Zexi and Gu Jianing accept them.
Gu Jianing knew that refusing would only make them feel uneasy, so she accepted.
In the end, the two families gathered for a meal and chatted for a long time before Lin Xing’s family of three finally left.
“Jianing, would you like to go to the county town in a couple of days?” Zhang Shuwan asked before leaving.
Spring had arrived, and the heavy snow that had blocked the mountains was about to melt.
Over the past couple of days, the snow had stopped falling.
The military base had even organized teams to shovel snow in various areas. Though it was no longer snowing, the temperature remained very low.
However, as the days passed, the temperature had risen slightly.
In a couple of days, it might be even warmer and not as bitterly cold.
At that time, the military procurement department would drive to the county town to restock supplies. If any military wives wanted to go along, they could hitch a ride for the round trip.
So, Zhang Shuwan invited Gu Jianing to join her.
Gu Jianing loved outings, and with spring here, many of their food supplies were running low, so it was a good time to restock.
“Sure, let’s go together in two days.” Coincidentally, the training class would also be on break that day.
“Great!”
In the blink of an eye, it was the morning two days later.
When Gu Jianing woke up, the man beside her was already gone, as usual. After getting dressed and washing up, she went to the kitchen and lifted the lid of the steamer on the stove. Inside, she found warm congee, side dishes, a bowl of goat’s milk, and an egg.
The goat’s milk was something Sheng Zexi had specially arranged after hearing it was beneficial for pregnant women and children.
The military base had an arrangement with nearby villagers to supply it. Some families in the residential compound also subscribed. As long as there were orders, the villagers would deliver the milk to the base every morning.
It was quite expensive, and not every military family could afford it.
But Sheng Zexi didn’t mind. He wasn’t short on money and was willing to do anything that was good for Ningning and their baby.
Gu Jianing drank the goat’s milk first. It was warm, and she’d heard it had been sterilized at high temperatures before delivery. The taste had also been treated well, with no strong gamy flavor. After finishing the milk, she ate the small bowl of congee with the side dishes and then the egg.
Perhaps because she was pregnant—though not yet showing any morning sickness or other symptoms—her appetite had increased.
In the past, this portion would have been enough for two meals, but now, it was just right.
But Gu Jianing understood. After all, there were two little lives quietly growing inside her.
After eating, she left the dishes aside and didn’t wash them.
Sheng Zexi had repeatedly warned her not to do any household chores. These tasks were to be left for him to handle when he returned.
Before getting pregnant, Gu Jianing could still help with small tasks she was capable of—though she wasn’t particularly skilled, she could at least lend a hand. But ever since her pregnancy, Sheng Zexi wouldn’t let her lift a finger.
Being pampered like this was truly blissful.
Originally, Sheng Zexi hadn’t been entirely in favor of her going out today. But he also felt he shouldn’t confine her to the house just because she was pregnant, so he ultimately agreed—on the condition that she be extra careful.
After eating and resting for a while, Gu Jianing heard Zhang Shuwan next door calling out to ask if she was ready to leave.
After all, the military procurement department had a set departure time for supply runs.
“Ready, I’m coming!” Gu Jianing replied.
She put on a hat, wrapped a red scarf around her neck, and covered most of her face.
It wasn’t vanity—she knew that if her face were exposed in the county town, it would attract too much attention. To avoid unnecessary trouble, it was better to stay covered.
Though she loved looking beautiful, she genuinely disliked complications.
She hoped this trip would go smoothly. Otherwise, “Brother Xi” might never let her go out alone again.
Soon, Gu Jianing locked the door and boarded the truck with Zhang Shuwan, heading to the county town.
Inside the vehicle, she saw other military wives. The heavy snow over the past two months had kept everyone confined to the base, so now that they finally had a chance to visit the county, nearly all of them had seized the opportunity.
Even though Gu Jianing was bundled up tightly, glimpses of her snow-white skin still peeked through. And despite her thick coat, hints of her graceful figure were faintly visible.
Compared to when she first arrived at the military base, Gu Jianing’s reputation had improved significantly. Some had heard she was attending medical training and might later work at the military hospital. Others whispered about her extraordinary medical skills—not only saving Battalion Commander Cui but even supposedly helping women conceive (though no one knew if that was true).
Whatever the reason, the other military wives on the truck were exceedingly friendly and enthusiastic toward her, chatting so much that even Zhang Shuwan struggled to get a word in.
Gu Jianing wasn’t good at socializing, especially with strangers—and these women were still strangers to her. Though she remained reserved, she couldn’t escape their overwhelming warmth.
It wasn’t until they arrived in town and she stepped off the truck with Zhang Shuwan that she finally exhaled in relief.
When the others asked where they were going and if they wanted to join, Gu Jianing quickly made excuses to decline.
Once they were alone, Zhang Shuwan couldn’t help but laugh. “You looked like you were facing a battlefield just now.”
Gu Jianing sighed. “I’m really not cut out for socializing.”
Moreover, she didn’t see the point in superficial friendships. She believed one or two close friends were enough—she had no interest in meaningless connections that wasted time.
“Alright, let’s go. We’ll explore the county first,” Zhang Shuwan said, linking arms with her.
“Sure.”
As they strolled and shopped, noon arrived before they knew it.
“Let’s eat at the state-run restaurant—it’s just ahead,” Zhang Shuwan suggested.
“Sounds good.”
So the two entered the restaurant and each ordered a plate of dumplings. To eat, Gu Jianing had no choice but to remove her scarf…
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