The lesson plan had already been written by Gu Jianing.
However, what she was working on now was something else—a book on the psychological treatment of PTSD.
Whether it was Amber’s situation or Hua Zhenrong’s recent case, Gu Jianing knew that this field was lacking in domestic healthcare. No one recognized it as PTSD, dismissing it instead as mere “madness.”
Without the right diagnosis, proper treatment was impossible.
And in this era, as well as in the years before, peace was not always guaranteed. Many soldiers and police officers suffered from this condition.
Yet, these were the very people who had dedicated themselves to protecting the nation.
They deserved honor and, in their later years, a peaceful retirement—not a life of confusion and instability.
She could treat them, but her abilities alone were limited.
So, just as she had done with tuberculosis treatment, Gu Jianing was willing to share her theories and techniques for treating PTSD, allowing more doctors to learn and more patients to benefit.
However, she hadn’t yet discussed this with her mentor, Elder Chen.
She planned to jot down her ideas first and then present them to him later.
As she was writing, Grandma Sang’s voice came from outside.
“Ning girl, the Hua family’s car is here.”
“Alright, coming!” Gu Jianing responded, tucking the notebook she had just started into her medical kit. She intended to work on it whenever she had time.
“Ningning, you’ll have to go alone today. Be careful.” Originally, Grandma Sang would have accompanied her as usual, but this morning, she had woken up feeling unwell, slightly feverish.
Gu Jianing insisted she stay home and rest.
“Grandma, I’ll be fine. The car will take me there and back. After I leave, take your medicine and get some rest.”
“Alright.”
After saying goodbye to Grandma Sang, Gu Jianing got into the car.
The vehicle made its way to the Hua residence.
Soon, they entered the compound and arrived at the Hua family home, where she began another day of treatment.
Meanwhile, Li Tingxuan had also received word that Gu Jianing had arrived at the Hua family’s.
He immediately grew restless, his steps hurried as he headed out.
Sitting in the living room, Elder Li narrowed his eyes slightly, watching his eldest grandson’s retreating figure with a trace of puzzlement.
This grandson of his had been raised under his watchful eye, and he prided himself on understanding him well.
In the past, the boy had always carried himself with composure, his emotions carefully guarded, never easily revealed.
There was a time when Elder Li could still glean some insight from his demeanor, but over the past six months, his grandson had grown increasingly reserved and inscrutable, making it hard to discern his thoughts.
Such a transformation usually followed some major upheaval.
Yet, as far as Elder Li knew, his grandson had lived almost entirely under his supervision, untouched by any significant misfortune. And Elder Li himself had been in good health, so he couldn’t fathom what had spurred this sudden maturity.
Still, he didn’t consider it a bad thing.
Growth was necessary for maturity, and only with maturity could one walk further in life.
What Elder Li didn’t know was that while this lifetime’s Li Tingxuan had indeed experienced no major upheavals, in his dreams, he had lived through two lifetimes—both marked by significant trials. Though they were just dreams, they felt utterly real, as though he had lived them himself.
Thus, Li Tingxuan’s state of mind was no longer the same.
Only today, with news of Gu Jianing, had he been unable to sit still.
Elder Li mused aloud, “What—or who—could have caused my grandson to reveal such rare emotion?”
Still, despite his curiosity, Elder Li didn’t press for answers.
At this moment, Li Tingxuan had already arrived at the Hua residence.
“You’re saying Li Tingxuan from the Li family is here?” Madam Hua had just welcomed Gu Jianing when, unexpectedly, another visitor arrived—and an unexpected one at that.
In their compound, Li Tingxuan of the Li family was practically a household name.
He was an exceptionally outstanding young man, the heir meticulously groomed by Elder Li himself. Of course, Li Tingxuan wasn’t just blessed with good looks—he was also remarkably capable.
Within their elite circle in the capital, countless families dreamed of marrying their daughters or granddaughters to him.
However, though Li Tingxuan appeared gentle and refined, there was an innate aloofness beneath his demeanor.
Rumors said he had always maintained a spotless reputation—no romantic entanglements, no engagements.
Though the Hua and Li families lived in the same compound, aside from the occasional interaction between Hua Zhenrong’s father and Elder Li, the two families were not close and rarely visited each other.
Li Tingxuan himself had almost never paid a visit before.
His sudden appearance left Madam Hua both puzzled and surprised.
Still, she invited him in.
Taking in the sight of the tall, poised young man before her—his features as flawless as carved jade, his bearing as composed as bamboo—Madam Hua was immediately impressed.
“Aunt Hua.”
“Tingxuan, you’re here! Please, have a seat.”
Madam Hua promptly had tea served for him.
“Tingxuan, is there something you needed today?” After exchanging a few pleasantries, Madam Hua cut to the chase.
Truthfully, she couldn’t fathom why Li Tingxuan had come.
At the moment, aside from her, no one else from the Hua family was home.
Hua Zhenrong’s father held a high-ranking position and was extremely busy with work. His presence on Gu Jianing’s first visit had already been a rare occurrence.
As for her other two sons and their wives, they were also usually occupied.
They had only been frequently returning home out of concern for their youngest brother’s condition.
Now that Hua Zhenrong’s situation had stabilized, they had relaxed somewhat and could focus on their own work and families again.
“Aunt Hua, I heard a Dr. Gu has been treating Zhenrong. I have a comrade suffering from a similar condition—I was wondering if I might speak with her.” Since Madam Hua had asked directly, Li Tingxuan went straight to the point.
Of course, the story about a comrade needing treatment was just an excuse.
The truth was, he simply couldn’t wait to see Gu Jianing right now.
Madam Hua’s expression cleared in understanding. So that was it.
She wasn’t surprised that Li Tingxuan knew about Gu Jianing. Though the Hua family had tried to keep it quiet, the Li family, living in the same compound, was bound to have caught wind of it.
Nor did she suspect Li Tingxuan of lying.
After all, he had the kind of face that naturally inspired trust.
Besides, with this explanation, his visit finally made sense to her.
“Of course. Right now, Dr. Gu is in Zhenrong’s room treating him. Would you like me to take you upstairs?” Madam Hua suggested.
She assumed that, upon hearing Gu Jianing was in the middle of a session, Li Tingxuan would decline and choose to wait downstairs.
But she had underestimated just how desperately he wanted to see Gu Jianing.
So the next moment, she heard him agree without hesitation.
Madam Hua: Well, if he’s that eager, fine.
And so, she led Li Tingxuan upstairs.
Upstairs, Gu Jianing was indeed in the midst of treating Hua Zhenrong—this time with psychotherapy.
Due to propriety concerns between men and women, unlike the first session when Sheng Zexi had been present, the door was left open this time.
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