“Hmm.”
“I promise, I’ll definitely take you back to Huaihua Village for New Year’s this year. No matter what obstacles we face, I’ll overcome them.” Sheng Zexi knew that Gu Jianing missed home the most.
“Alright, I’ll hold you to that. You’d better keep your word.”
“I will.”
Soon, the family arrived at the department store to shop.
As soon as Yueyue entered the store, she dashed straight to the clothing section. Despite being just over two years old, this little girl already had a strong love for beauty.
She adored pretty dresses, clothes, shoes, hair clips…
As for Xingxing, this little boy seemed more interested in practicing martial arts.
Even when Sheng Zexi was busy with training, he would wake up early every morning to practice military-style boxing in the yard.
One day, Xingxing happened to wake up early and suddenly saw his father practicing in the yard. He was instantly captivated.
Now, at just over two years old, the tiny little boy would sometimes join his father in the yard, squatting in horse stances and mimicking the punches. The sight of his serious little face always made Gu Jianing find him utterly adorable.
Perhaps because he had taken the Body Strengthening Pill right after birth, Gu Jianing noticed that Xingxing had exceptional physical fitness. Even Sheng Zexi praised his natural talent for martial arts, saying he was born to be a soldier.
Whenever Sheng Zexi took Xingxing out, his senior officers adored the boy, often wishing he were their own grandson.
Today, Gu Jianing’s main purpose for visiting the department store was to prepare for their departure. She felt it was only right to host a farewell meal and invite their closest friends.
The family of four, all strikingly good-looking, always drew plenty of attention whenever they went out.
“Oh, Dr. Gu, Deputy Regiment Commander Sheng, you’ve brought Xingxing and Yueyue out shopping?”
Hearing the voice, Gu Jianing looked up and saw Peng Wenjing.
“Wenjing!” Gu Jianing greeted her with a smile.
Sheng Zexi nodded in acknowledgment, while Xingxing and Yueyue called out, “Auntie Peng!”
At that moment, Peng Wenjing was holding her one-year-old daughter in her arms.
Back when Peng Wenjing saw how deeply in love Sheng Zexi and Gu Jianing were, she wisely gave up on Sheng Zexi and instead agreed to a blind date with someone introduced by her brother.
They married that same year and had a very happy relationship.
However, after over a year of marriage, she still hadn’t gotten pregnant.
Worried, Peng Wenjing sought out Gu Jianing.
Gu Jianing didn’t hold any grudges against her, so she examined her and prescribed some medicine to regulate her body. Three months later, Peng Wenjing was pregnant.
From then on, Peng Wenjing took the initiative to grow closer to Gu Jianing, and their relationship improved significantly.
Of course, what truly brought them even closer was when Peng Wenjing’s six-month-old daughter once had a high fever that wouldn’t subside. It was Gu Jianing who saved her.
From that moment on, Peng Wenjing regarded Gu Jianing as her savior and treated her with immense gratitude. Whenever she had something good, she would share it with Gu Jianing.
Now, the two could be considered friends.
After getting to know her better, Gu Jianing realized that Peng Wenjing was actually a rather genuine person.
Noticing the items in Sheng Zexi’s hands, Peng Wenjing asked, “Dr. Gu, are you really leaving?”
“Yes, we’re hosting a gathering the day after tomorrow. You and your family must come.”
“Alright.” Though Peng Wenjing agreed, her eyes were filled with reluctance.
She truly considered Gu Jianing a friend, and Peng Wenjing had always been sincere in her friendships. Now that Gu Jianing was leaving, she couldn’t help but feel heartbroken.
Yet, no matter how much she wished otherwise, she couldn’t say anything.
Everyone has their own path to follow in life.
Partings are an inevitable part of the journey.
After saying goodbye to Peng Wenjing, the family of four continued their shopping at the department store.
The day of the gathering arrived, and everyone who had a good relationship with Gu Jianing and Sheng Zexi was invited.
The meal lasted two to three hours.
During that time, everyone reminisced about their years of friendship, their words filled with emotion and reluctance.
By the end, some were even moved to tears.
“Ningning, once you and Deputy Regiment Commander Sheng leave, who knows how long it’ll be before we see each other again.” In the room, Zhang Shuwan threw her arms around Gu Jianing, her voice choked with sorrow.
“Shuwan, I’ll miss you too.”
If there was one person in the Northwest Military District whom Gu Jianing was closest to, it was Zhang Shuwan.
Whenever Gu Jianing needed anything, Zhang Shuwan was always the first to help.
Xingxing and Yueyue also adored “Auntie Shuwan,” as well as her daughter Guoguo and her twin boys.
“Shuwan, don’t cry. I believe that as long as people care enough, no matter how far apart they are, they’ll meet again someday.” These were Gu Jianing’s heartfelt words.
She truly believed that distance was no barrier—it all depended on whether people were willing to make the effort.
“You’re right. We’ll definitely see each other again.”
“Jianing, you must call me often and write to me. And if you ever face any difficulties, you have to tell me—I’ll help however I can.”
“Mm, I will.”
…
While Gu Jianing and Zhang Shuwan were lost in their bittersweet farewell, Xingxing and Yueyue were equally reluctant to part with Guoguo and the twin boys.
Perhaps because of her fondness for Gu Jianing, Guoguo had always treated Xingxing and Yueyue with the same care and affection as her own brothers.
The twin boys, only a month older than Xingxing and Yueyue, saw themselves as their protectors. Though their “care” as two-year-olds was often clumsy, they never hesitated to share their favorite toys, snacks, or pretty things with “Auntie Gu” and the adorable Xingxing and Yueyue next door.
Now, upon hearing that Xingxing and Yueyue were leaving, the twins were heartbroken. They clung to the two little ones and burst into tears.
Yueyue, ever the sweetheart, patted her “brothers” on the back and comforted them in her tiny, milky voice, telling them not to cry.
Xingxing, however, was a neat freak who hated mess. Watching snot and tears drip onto his shoulder, he grimaced but endured it without pushing them away.
Only for Guoguo and the twins would Xingxing tolerate such a breach of his personal space. Any other kid, and he would’ve stormed off long ago.
In the end, the twins cried themselves to exhaustion and had to be carried home by Zhang Shuwan and Battalion Commander Lin.
The next day was the family’s departure—they were set to take the train to the eastern island.
But when Gu Jianing opened the door, she was stunned to find a crowd waiting outside.
“Dr. Gu…”
Looking around, Gu Jianing recognized nearly all of them—patients and their families she had treated over the years in the Northwest Military District.
“Dr. Gu, are you really leaving?”
“Dr. Gu, you’re resigning?”
“Dr. Gu, we can’t bear to see you go.”
“You saved my daughter last time—I was just about to invite you for a meal, and now you’re leaving.”
Their voices were thick with emotion, and many held gifts in their hands.
“Dr. Gu, these are just some small things from our family—you must take them.”
“This is a home-raised hen, perfect for making soup.”
“Here’s…”
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