While Gu Jianing was conducting her free clinic, Gu Baozhu and her daughter were still in the hospital.
After hearing Gu Jianing’s advice, Wu Meili learned that Baozhu needed to stay in the hospital for a few more days.
“Mom, has the hospital been lively these past couple of days?” Gu Baozhu asked, feeding her child and then sipping the chicken soup her mother had brought her.
“Yes, these past two days, Ningning has been holding a free clinic at the hospital. They say it’ll last a month. A lot of people from Qingshan County have come, and I’ve heard that many from neighboring counties have also traveled here after getting the news.” Wu Meili thought Gu Jianing was truly a skilled, ethical, and compassionate doctor.
A doctor like her was the best kind.
Yao Chunhua was so lucky to have raised such a beautiful and capable daughter.
“So that’s what’s going on,” Gu Baozhu said, suddenly understanding.
Naturally, Gu Baozhu was grateful to Gu Jianing—she was the savior of both her and her daughter.
“Mom, since Jianing saved me and my baby, we should properly thank her.”
“Of course, but I’ll need to think about how best to do that.” For the moment, Wu Meili couldn’t come up with anything.
“Mm. By the way, Mom, have Yang Guangming and his mother been sentenced yet?” Gu Baozhu’s expression darkened as she mentioned her heartless husband and mother-in-law.
She truly hadn’t expected the pair to be so cruel.
First, Yang Guangming had an affair with a city girl and pushed her down when she found out.
Then, her mother-in-law, to ensure her son could marry a city girl, ignored her during childbirth.
The mother and son were so ruthless that they locked her inside the house.
If it hadn’t been for Niu Niu calling her mother, and if her mother hadn’t brought Gu Jianing, both she and her baby would have died.
“Not yet, but it won’t be long now. Not only that heartless pair, but that woman has also been arrested.”
“Baozhu, I’ve already applied for a divorce on your behalf. Once you’re discharged, you’ll take Niu Niu and the baby back home to live with us.”
As for the divorce, Gu Baozhu had no objections.
She’d have to be insane to stay with such a scumbag family.
But…
“Will Dad and my brothers and sisters-in-law agree?”
Wu Meili’s eyes immediately widened. “How dare they disagree?”
Thinking about this made Wu Meili angry.
Her husband and sons were all weak-willed. Despite her daughter going through such a terrible ordeal—nearly losing her life—they had done nothing but worry, without any other thoughts or actions.
But precisely because of their meekness, Wu Meili had always been the one in charge of the household.
“Baozhu, your mother runs this house.”
“As long as I’m here, there will always be a place for you in this home.”
“As long as I have food to eat, my Baozhu will never go hungry.”
Hearing her mother’s unreservedly protective words, Gu Baozhu couldn’t hold back her tears.
“Mom, why are you so good to me?”
“If only… if only I were as capable as Jianing.”
Wu Meili quickly patted her shoulder and scolded, “Silly girl, what are you crying for? You mustn’t cry during your postpartum month, or you’ll ruin your eyes.”
“I admit, Ningning is talented, but my Baozhu is also outstanding.”
“You’re one of the few high school graduates in our village, and your grades were excellent. You have no idea how proud I was of you back then.”
“If only the college entrance exam hadn’t been canceled—my Baozhu would definitely have been a college student.”
A college student?
Gu Baozhu thought to herself—she had wanted to take the college entrance exam too.
Over the years, even though she had gotten married and had children, she had kept all her textbooks and would often take them out to review.
Even though Yang Guangming would frequently mock her, saying how many years it had been since the college entrance exam was canceled, and that going to university was just a ridiculous dream.
But Gu Baozhu stubbornly kept reviewing from time to time.
She dared say that if the college entrance exam were to be held now, she had a very good chance of passing.
But…
It had been so many years since the exam was canceled—how could it just suddenly be restored?
She should focus on figuring out what to do after her postpartum recovery.
Although her mother could let her and her two children stay at their maternal home, she couldn’t just rely on her parents to support them without doing anything.
Over time, even if her parents didn’t mind, her brothers and sisters-in-law would surely have objections.
Besides, she would look down on herself if she did that.
If Gu Jianing knew what Gu Baozhu was thinking,
She would definitely say—Soon, soon. It’s late September now, and by the end of October, the college entrance exam will be restored!
After three days in the hospital, Gu Baozhu was taken back to her parents’ home.
Wu Meili had considered many ways to thank Gu Jianing, but in the end, she decided to spend a good sum of money to prepare a lavish meal, inviting Gu Jianing and her husband, as well as Yao Chunhua and her husband.
Gu Jianing and the others still attended.
Although Gu Jianing believed that treating illnesses and saving lives was simply a doctor’s duty,
In Wu Meili’s eyes, Gu Jianing was their family’s benefactor, and since they owed her a debt of gratitude, they had to express it.
Gu Jianing figured that by accepting this meal, Wu Meili and Gu Baozhu wouldn’t keep dwelling on the debt of gratitude.
Not only that, Wu Meili even managed to get a bottle of liquor.
Through this meal, Yao Chunhua and Wu Meili seemed to grow closer. By the end, the two of them had even drunk a little.
Now, neither of them had a high alcohol tolerance, and after a few drinks, they were already tipsy, chatting nonstop.
“Yao Chunhua, how did you get so lucky? You have such a wonderful daughter like Ningning and such a fine son like Gu Yunting.”
“Of course, my children are naturally outstanding.”
“You know, if my Baozhu had married your eldest son back then, she would’ve been really happy.”
“My eldest son is indeed a good man—he dotes on his wife. I know you’ve held a grudge against me all these years over this, but feelings and marriage can’t be forced.”
“I know, I know. I just wanted my Baozhu to marry a good man. My Baozhu is really wonderful—you saw how smart she was in school. She’s so outstanding.”
“Baozhu really is outstanding. I’ve always despised those who think girls aren’t as good as boys. Look at how amazing my Ningning and your Baozhu are.”
“Exactly. See, we’re the ones with the best judgment.”
As the conversation went on, the two of them began admiring and praising each other, even calling each other sisters.
In the end, when Old Man Gu helped his wife home, Yao Chunhua was still reluctant to part with Wu Meili, wanting to keep chatting with her.
Before leaving, Gu Jianing went to Gu Baozhu’s room.
She checked on her and the baby and found that both mother and child were doing well.
Knowing that Gu Baozhu had gotten divorced, Gu Jianing asked about her plans for the future.
“If only the college entrance exam could be restored—I’d definitely pass and become a university student,” Gu Baozhu sighed.
Gu Jianing was momentarily stunned, then said with certainty, “It’s definitely possible. Who knows? Maybe the exam will be restored in the near future.”
Gu Baozhu stared at Gu Jianing, sensing an unusual certainty in her words.
Had she heard some news?
If the college entrance exam could really be restored that would be great.
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