“What’s the big deal? One of you is elderly, and the other is pregnant. If I let you two go alone, not only would I worry, but even Xiao Xi wouldn’t feel at ease.”
“It’s fine. Let Xiao Zhang accompany you so we can all feel more reassured.”
Gu Jianing didn’t say anything more.
Indeed, having a strong young man along would definitely make things safer and easier.
“Ningning, are you free tomorrow? How about accompanying your grandma for a stroll around the capital?” Grandma Sang suggested.
From Gu Jianing, Grandma Sang had learned that in the Northwest Military District, Gu Jianing had formed good relationships with some of the military wives.
She felt that, as Gu Jianing’s grandmother, since she was going to the Northwest Military District, she should help her granddaughter-in-law maintain these connections.
So, she planned to buy some local specialties from the capital to bring along.
She also wanted to see if there was anything suitable for the in-laws’ family to gift them.
“Sure,” Gu Jianing said, linking arms with Grandma Sang. “Then tomorrow, we’ll go out together.”
Although she had been in the capital for half a month, Gu Jianing had been extremely busy and occupied during that time, with no opportunity to explore the city.
Now that things had settled down, a little sightseeing sounded perfect.
“Alright, it’s settled then.”
That afternoon, Madam Hua and Hua Zhenrong came to visit, bringing gifts.
They mainly wanted to express their gratitude to Gu Jianing for curing Hua Zhenrong’s illness.
Perhaps having heard somewhere that Gu Jianing liked houses and shops, Madam Hua’s gifts included a small villa in the Second Ring Road.
“This… this is too generous. I can’t accept it.”
Although houses weren’t as expensive in this era as they would be in the future, for people of this time, property was still a significant expense.
And this was a villa in the Second Ring Road! In the future, its value would skyrocket.
Gu Jianing felt she had only done her duty as a doctor and couldn’t accept something so valuable.
“No, Dr. Gu, you must take it. This house means nothing to us, but Zhenrong is our youngest son. We absolutely cannot lose him,” Madam Hua said, wiping her tears.
No one knew how many times the Hua couple had secretly cried over the past two years of Hua Zhenrong’s illness.
Nor how much the Hua family had worried.
To them, Hua Zhenrong was far more important than any material possession.
Back when Gu Jianing hadn’t yet appeared to treat Hua Zhenrong, when other doctors had all but pronounced a death sentence, their despair and grief had been unbearable.
So, to them, Gu Jianing was a lifesaver—a benefactor to the entire Hua family.
A small villa was truly nothing in comparison.
“Sister-in-law, please accept it. Only then will my parents feel at ease,” Hua Zhenrong chimed in.
Gu Jianing: Fine then.
In the end, Gu Jianing accepted it.
And just like that, her real estate holdings in the capital increased by one.
Not bad, not bad. In the future, she could live comfortably just by collecting rent.
The next day arrived with the dawn.
Gu Jianing and Grandma Sang headed out to explore the capital.
They had shopping to do, but Grandma Sang, thinking Gu Jianing had never properly toured the city, decided to accompany her sightseeing first.
Gu Jianing truly hadn’t had the chance to explore the capital in this lifetime.
As for her past life… well, that was best left unmentioned.
Though they were out for leisure, the capital already had buses at this time, and since it wasn’t rush hour when they set out, the two managed to get seats.
Sitting on the bus, Gu Jianing gazed out the window from her seat, while Grandma Sang pointed out notable landmarks and beautiful scenery along the way, sharing stories with her. Gu Jianing listened attentively.
But then—
“Hey, aren’t you Dr. Gu, the one who gave that lecture at Beijing Middle School?”
“I remember you! You must be Dr. Gu. You’re even prettier than in the newspaper!”
“My husband had tuberculosis, you know? Thanks to your lecture, he got the treatment he needed. You’re our family’s savior!”
“And a savior to so many others too!”
Gu Jianing hadn’t expected that, even weeks after her lecture, the moment she stepped out, people in the capital would recognize her—on a bus, no less.
The way everyone looked at her now was as fervent as fans gazing at a celebrity in her past life.
The compliments poured in, each one more effusive than the last.
Truthfully, Gu Jianing had underestimated both her own influence and her beauty.
Her striking looks alone would draw attention wherever she went, so the moment she boarded the bus, eyes had already been on her.
Moreover, her lecture had been groundbreaking, covered in national newspapers and causing a sensation in the capital.
Even those who hadn’t attended the lecture could recognize her from the photos in the papers.
Hence, this situation.
Faced with so much praise—admiring, affectionate, even awestruck gazes—Gu Jianing felt a momentary daze.
She had to admit, in both lifetimes, she enjoyed being the center of attention. It was a bit of vanity, perhaps.
But in her past life, she had taken the wrong path, believing that beauty and wealth alone could fulfill her.
Now, she realized that wasn’t the case.
Being recognized like this—for contributing to her country, to society—was far more meaningful.
And her mindset had shifted, too.
In her past life, such attention would have been a source of pride and pleasure.
Now, she felt a deeper sense of calm. She wanted to remain humble, to think about how she could do more for the wonderful people around her.
Yes.
Perhaps this was one of life’s true purposes.
Finding fulfillment in purpose, becoming a better person through it.
In that moment, Gu Jianing had an epiphany, her perspective subtly transforming.
[Ding! Congratulations, Host, on gaining enlightenment.]
In her mind, the system celebrated with bursts of dazzling fireworks.
Gu Jianing smiled.
“Thank you, System.”
Meanwhile, after showering Gu Jianing with praise, the crowd turned their attention to Grandma Sang beside her.
“Oh my, are you Dr. Gu’s grandmother?”
“No, Ningning is my granddaughter-in-law.”
“Ah! Then you’re truly blessed to have such a beautiful and talented granddaughter-in-law!”
“Absolutely! My Ningning is the best there is…”
…
Grandma Sang happily joined in the praise, her face beaming with pride.
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