Li Tingxuan knew that even if he came now, he couldn’t stay for long.
Otherwise, if his grandfather found out…
Li Tingxuan was well aware of his grandfather’s capabilities.
He was afraid that if his grandfather investigated, he might discover Gu Jianing and treat her poorly.
Unwilling to bring unnecessary trouble to Gu Jianing, Li Tingxuan forced himself to leave after just half an hour, even though he wanted to stay longer.
Gu Jianing noticed Li Tingxuan’s departure.
On stage, she had a clear view of the audience below. Though the crowd was large, someone as tall and handsome as him naturally stood out.
While speaking, Gu Jianing had caught a glimpse of Li Tingxuan in the corner with just a casual glance before shifting her attention back.
Although they had met before, Gu Jianing didn’t consider herself familiar with him. As for why he had come today, she didn’t know—nor did she dwell on it.
Her focus remained on the lecture.
By the time she looked up again, someone else had taken Li Tingxuan’s spot.
But Gu Jianing paid it no mind.
The lecture lasted three hours in total, with the final half-hour dedicated to Q&A. Many of those asking questions were decades older than her, some with graying hair.
Yet no one minded.
After all, knowledge trumped age. Talent, not seniority, determined who stood on that stage.
The lecture concluded amidst enthusiastic applause, though the audience was left wanting more.
They longed to discuss further medical topics with Gu Jianing but understood that three hours of speaking—especially while heavily pregnant—must have exhausted her.
So, even those eager to engage refrained from approaching her after seeing the fatigue in her expression.
As Gu Jianing gathered her notes, preparing to find Grandma Sang, someone suddenly approached.
“Hello, Dr. Gu.”
Gu Jianing looked up to see a graceful middle-aged woman smiling warmly at her.
She didn’t recognize the woman. “Hello, may I ask who you are?”
“Dr. Gu, my surname is Fang. I have a patient I’d like you to examine.”
Ah, a patient.
But Gu Jianing didn’t agree immediately.
Instead, she asked, “What kind of patient? Where are they? What are their symptoms?”
In such a public setting, Fang Wanrong couldn’t divulge Sheng Xinhào’s condition. “Dr. Gu, this isn’t the best place to discuss it. Why don’t you come home with me?”
Then, lowering her voice, she added, “The patient is my husband.”
Gu Jianing wasn’t about to follow a stranger home without caution. “As you can see, I’ve just finished a long lecture and am quite tired. How about you leave me your address, name, and contact details? We can arrange another time.”
After three hours on her feet, even someone as resilient as Gu Jianing felt physically and mentally drained.
Unless it was an emergency, she preferred to rest first.
Fang Wanrong frowned at Gu Jianing’s hesitation.
What’s wrong with this woman? she thought. I, the wife of a high-ranking official, waited all this time just to invite her to treat my husband as soon as possible.
Yet she actually refused.
This displeased Fang Wanrong greatly.
As the crowd thinned, Fang Wanrong decided it was time to reveal her status.
She stepped forward, tilting her chin slightly, and said in a low voice, “I suppose Dr. Gu doesn’t know who I am.”
Gu Jianing: ? Do I need to know who you are?
That tone, that attitude—was this woman out of her mind?
Under Gu Jianing’s gaze, Fang Wanrong continued, “My husband’s surname is Sheng. I assume you know which family in the capital holds the highest status with that surname.”
Hmm?
Gu Jianing blinked.
A high-status family surnamed Sheng?
She actually did know.
“Could it be… the Sheng family? The one with Sheng Xinhào?” Gu Jianing asked.
Fang Wanrong nodded, pleased that Gu Jianing had guessed correctly.
Now she’ll surely come with me, she thought smugly.
After all, how could a mere doctor pass up the chance to curry favor with the Sheng family?
Even though Gu Jianing had just given a lecture, in Fang Wanrong’s eyes, she was still just a small-time doctor—utterly insignificant compared to her husband’s status.
Just as she expected Gu Jianing to immediately pack up and follow her, she noticed the doctor looking at her with a strange expression.
Then, Gu Jianing asked, “Madam, did your husband, Sheng Xinhào, personally send you to invite me?”
Gu Jianing studied the woman before her.
If she wasn’t mistaken, this had to be Brother Xi’s hypocritical stepmother—the one with honeyed words but a venomous heart.
And now she was here to ask Gu Jianing to treat Sheng Xinhào?
Though puzzled by the question, Fang Wanrong nodded. “Of course.”
You should feel honored, she thought. Not only has a high-ranking official extended an invitation, but his wife has come in person.
In Fang Wanrong’s mind, this was already an immense show of respect.
Had she not wanted to play the devoted wife to earn Sheng Xinhào’s affection, she would’ve just sent a guard to fetch Gu Jianing.
After all, she believed no one would refuse an invitation from the Sheng family.
“So, the patient is your husband, Sheng Xinhào?” Gu Jianing pressed.
“Yes,” Fang Wanrong replied impatiently. “Dr. Gu, enough questions. Let’s go.”
To her surprise, Gu Jianing smiled—a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “I’m sorry, Madam Sheng, but I can’t go with you.”
“Why not?!” Fang Wanrong’s eyes widened in shock.
“I think you should go back and ask your husband,” Gu Jianing said lightly.
After all, just this morning, that very man had sworn that he’d rather die than ever beg for her help.
And now, mere hours later, he sent his wife to invite her?
This…
Gu Jianing nearly laughed. Was this slap in the face coming too soon?
Just as Fang Wanrong, baffled, was about to question her further, a sharp voice cut in.
“Fang Wanrong, what are you doing here?”
“Why are you bothering Ningning?”
Fang Wanrong was taken aback. Who dared address her so boldly?
But the voice sounded oddly familiar.
She turned and saw a figure approaching.
The moment she recognized who it was, her face stiffened.
The newcomer was none other than Grandma Sang.
Fang Wanrong certainly knew her—she was Sheng Xinhào’s late-wife, Sang Yuwan’s mother!
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