Although Hua Zhenrong wasn’t very interested in joining the military, since he was already there and had Sheng Zexi motivating him by his side, he trained diligently and seriously. Combined with the genes inherited from Uncle Hua, Hua Zhenrong’s performance was outstanding—truly living up to the meaning of his name, “Zhenrong” (to revitalize the military).
At first, Hua Zhenrong wasn’t keen on being a soldier, but gradually, he grew to love it. Later, the two of them fought side by side on missions, taking down enemies together. It could be said that they were the perfect partners—comrades who could trust each other with their lives without hesitation. In the military district, they were famously known as the “Twin Heroes.”
“But later, that man deliberately transferred me away from the Northwest Military District…” Sheng Zexi gritted his teeth, his eyes filled with a trace of hatred.
That man, of course, was Sheng Xinhao.
Because Uncle Hua had helped Sheng Zexi, Sheng Xinhao took out his anger on him. However, Uncle Hua’s status and position were no lower than Sheng Xinhao’s, so he couldn’t retaliate against Uncle Hua—or even Hua Zhenrong. He could only bully the weaker one.
And so, Sheng Zexi was transferred to another military district.
Military orders were absolute. No matter how unwilling Sheng Zexi was or how hard he fought against it, he had no choice but to obey. Just like that, a perfectly matched pair of combat partners was forcibly separated.
“…By the time I fought for a year to finally secure a transfer back to the Northwest Military District, Zhenrong was nowhere to be found.”
It wasn’t until he went to the Hua family in the capital and saw Hua Zhenrong—bound and completely deranged—that he understood what had happened.
Half a year earlier, during a mission, enemy spies had leaked information, leading to an ambush that nearly wiped out their entire unit. In the end, only one comrade survived, carrying the severely wounded Hua Zhenrong back.
Hua Zhenrong was eventually saved, and his body recovered, but his mind seemed to have shattered.
He had turned into a mentally deranged madman.
No one could imagine how Sheng Zexi felt when he couldn’t find Hua Zhenrong in the Northwest Military District, rushed to the Hua family in the capital, and saw him tied up, no longer recognizing anyone.
Sheng Zexi was consumed by guilt.
“At that time, I thought—if I hadn’t stubbornly insisted on joining the military, Zhenrong wouldn’t have begged Uncle Hua, and he would never have become a soldier. Then maybe none of this would have happened…”
Gu Jianing looked at the sorrow and self-blame in Sheng Zexi’s eyes, her heart aching. She stood up and pulled him into her embrace. “No, don’t think like that. I believe Comrade Hua wouldn’t want you to blame yourself like this if he were conscious.”
Sheng Zexi hugged her back, burying his face in her arms so she wouldn’t see his reddened eyes or his vulnerability.
The truth was, it wasn’t just him who blamed himself—Uncle Hua did too. His hair had turned white overnight, and he seemed to have aged ten years in an instant.
Uncle Hua had said that since Zhenrong hadn’t been interested in the military back then, he shouldn’t have forced him.
Was inheriting his aspirations and legacy really more important than his own son?
Of course not!
But what was done was done, and there was no way to undo it.
“Ningning, Zhenrong’s condition is getting worse. I heard he frequently suffers from unbearable headaches and even tries to bang his head against the wall. I’m really afraid…”
He was terrified that the next time he returned, he’d hear even more devastating news.
“I know, I know. Don’t worry, I’ll help you treat Comrade Hua’s illness. He will get better.” Gu Jianing held him tightly, soothing him over and over.
Gu Jianing had always felt that the name “Hua Zhenrong” sounded familiar.
Now, she finally remembered.
In her past life, after her death, her soul had lingered beside Sheng Zexi, witnessing the details of his life.
Now that she had been reborn, those memories suddenly became crystal clear at this moment.
She recalled that in her previous life, Sheng Zexi would visit the grave of a special comrade every year.
That comrade was his closest friend, his sworn brother.
But he had died young—by suicide.
Zhenrong…
Yes, that was the name Sheng Zexi had called out in front of that tombstone.
She remembered clearly the grief on his face at the time.
So, in her past life, Hua Zhenrong had died young?!
Had it been because of his PTSD?
When exactly had he died?
Gu Jianing frowned, trying to recall the birth and death dates engraved on Hua Zhenrong’s tombstone.
The next second, her pupils dilated slightly as it came back to her.
July 23, 1975.
Yes, that was the date.
That was this year.
And now, it was March.
That meant there were less than five months left before Hua Zhenrong’s suicide.
He had to be saved-no question about it.
Hua Zhenrong was Sheng Zexi’s sworn brother, his closest friend, and a lifelong regret from his past life. He absolutely had to be saved.
Of course, even if Hua Zhenrong weren’t Sheng Zexi’s brother or friend, the fact that he had suffered PTSD in the line of duty, defending their country, was reason enough for Gu Jianing to step in without hesitation.
They would be going to the capital in a month to pay respects to her mother-in-law’s grave-that would be the perfect time to treat Hua Zhenrong. There should still be enough time.
When Sheng Zexi heard Gu Jianing say she would treat Hua Zhenrong, his heart swelled with warmth and sweetness, as if filled with something indescribable.
“Ningning, thank you. I’m so lucky to have married you.”
“But don’t put too much pressure on yourself.”
“Don’t worry, I know my limits.”
Since she had promised Sheng Zexi to treat Hua Zhenrong, Gu Jianing took it seriously.
From then on, aside from her regular shifts at the TCM department, she spent all her free time studying PTSD treatment courses in her space.
This particular subject involved psychology, which was both novel and challenging for her. The coursework was extensive, so it took her longer to study.
Interestingly, the course covered PTSD not just in humans but also in animals.
Gu Jianing started with the animal section first. After completing it, she immediately applied what she learned to treat Amber.
Time passed quietly as Gu Jianing balanced work and study.
Recently, Old Man Chen, who had rarely visited the TCM department before, started dropping by frequently.
Whenever he saw that Gu Jianing’s office had no patients, he would engage her in discussions about medicine or difficult cases.
Gu Jianing didn’t mind his visits-in fact, she welcomed them.
Every time they talked, she gained new insights.
To her, Old Man Chen was like a mentor. In fact, during their discussions, he guided her patiently, no different from a real teacher.
Though Gu Jianing had memorized countless medical books, she never considered herself a miracle doctor.
She knew that memorizing knowledge and knowing how to apply it were two entirely different things.
Moreover, healing wasn’t just about textbook knowledge-experience was just as crucial.
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