That very day, they moved.
The whole family relocated to the courtyard.
To take care of Tuantuan and to more conveniently teach Yueue how to paint, Grandma Sang also packed her clothes and moved into Gu Jianing’s courtyard.
Grandpa Sang: Why am I left alone again? No, semi-retirement just won’t do. I need to fully retire so that wherever my wife goes, I can follow. That way, I can also devote myself to teaching Xingxing.
After testing Xingxing, Grandpa Sang was pleasantly surprised to discover that the child had an extraordinary talent for mechanics and research, along with a remarkably high IQ.
“Our Xingxing is a genius!”
“This is wonderful—I finally have a worthy successor.”
“Xingxing, what do you want to do when you grow up?”
“I want to build airplanes and fly them!” came Xingxing’s childish voice.
“Good! Great-Grandpa will teach you. In the future, our Xingxing will be able to fly the super advanced airplanes he builds himself. How does that sound?”
“Okay!” Xingxing replied with determination.
After settling into the courtyard, Gu Jianing asked Auntie Chen to take charge of preparing three meals a day again and gave her a raise.
Auntie Chen happily agreed.
Gu Jianing’s family officially took up residence in her very own courtyard.
There was something different about living in a courtyard compared to a regular house.
The classical elegance and serene atmosphere made it feel like living beyond the mundane world, free from all trivial worries.
That night, Gu Jianing slept soundly.
As for Xingxing and Yueyue, the siblings shared a room with separate beds, keeping each other company.
Since Grandma Sang would be taking care of Tuantuan from then on, the baby now slept with her.
Fortunately, Tuantuan no longer needed to breastfeed and only drank formula.
Moreover, Tuantuan was very well-behaved, hardly ever waking up or crying at night.
The next morning, Grandma Sang praised, “Our Tuantuan is such a beautiful and well-behaved child. Great-Grandma adores you so much.”
While washing up, Gu Jianing looked through the carved window and saw Sheng Zexi—who had woken up at some unknown hour—leading Xingxing in martial arts practice in the courtyard.
By the time she finished freshening up, Auntie Chen had already prepared breakfast.
After the meal, Gu Jianing and Sheng Zexi took Xingxing and Yueyue to the cemetery.
Since they were in the capital, it was only right to pay respects to Sheng Zexi’s late mother.
Xingxing and Yueyue should also visit their grandmother’s grave.
Unexpectedly, when the family arrived at the cemetery, they encountered a familiar figure.
Seeing the man’s silhouette, Sheng Zexi pursed his lips. Though his expression wasn’t as dark as before, his eyes carried complex emotions.
“Grandpa~”
Xingxing and Yueyue were the first to call out.
Sheng Xinhào, who had been cleaning his wife’s tombstone, suddenly heard the voices.
Turning around, he saw Xingxing and Yueyue.
A smile instantly spread across his face.
Sheng Xinhào stood up and lifted both Xingxing and Yueyue into his arms at the same time.
Despite his age, Sheng Xinhào was, after all, a military man with outstanding physical prowess.
Moreover, after Gu Jianing’s surgery on his hand, it had healed perfectly and was now fully functional.
Thus, he could effortlessly hold both sturdy Xingxing and Yueyue at once.
“Are you here to visit your grandmother?”
“Yes!”
“Good, good.”
At the same time, Sheng Xinhào noticed Sheng Zexi and Gu Jianing and spoke first, “You’re back?”
Though the father and son were no longer as tense as before, their interactions remained somewhat awkward.
At this moment, facing Sheng Xinhào’s inquiry, Sheng Zexi responded with a faint “Hmm” and said nothing more.
“Good, good. Focus on your career at the Capital Military District from now on.”
“As for me… I might be stepping down soon.”
Sheng Zexi frowned. “You’re stepping down?”
Wasn’t this man always obsessed with power?
Back when his hand was injured, didn’t he try to hide it as much as possible, afraid he’d have to retire?
And though his age was approaching retirement, someone in his position could easily continue if he wanted to.
Sheng Xinhào nodded. “I’m old. It’s time to step down and make room for the younger generation.”
Sheng Zexi pressed his lips together, suddenly understanding.
In families like theirs—
If the younger generation was exceptionally capable and wanted to rise, the older generation had to step aside.
Otherwise, promotions would always be suppressed.
And Sheng Xinhào’s retirement would directly benefit Sheng Zexi.
For a moment, Sheng Zexi’s emotions grew even more complicated.
What was this? Back then, he had suppressed Sheng Zexi’s promotions, and now he was retiring for his sake?
Was this sudden remorse?
Or an attempt at making amends?
Sheng Xinhào didn’t elaborate further. Instead, he guided Xingxing and Yueyue in paying respects to their grandmother, saying, “I’m old and don’t want to keep struggling. A peaceful life sounds nice. If you ever need help, I can even take care of the kids for you.”
Then, he turned to Gu Jianing.
“Xiao Ning, I owe you an apology.”
“I shouldn’t have said those things to you back then.”
“I was too narrow-minded, too controlling.”
“Of course, I’m not saying this to ask for your forgiveness—I just want to acknowledge my mistakes.”
Gu Jianing stayed silent. Honestly, she didn’t know how to respond.
Forgive him?
But back then, her cheap father-in-law’s words had been truly unforgivable—
Demanding she leave Sheng Zexi and abandon her two children.
But if she didn’t forgive him?
Now, it seemed like he had genuinely repented. And when they needed help, he had stepped up.
No matter what, at least this father-in-law now acknowledged her as his daughter-in-law.
Not that Gu Jianing particularly cared, but being accepted was still better than being rejected.
As for the future… they’d see.
When the visit was over and they were about to leave, Sheng Xinhào said, “If you have time, bring Xingxing and Yueyue back to the old house for a visit.”
“After all… that’s still your home.”
Sheng Zexi paused mid-step. “We’ll see.”
Then he left with his wife and children.
Sheng Xinhào watched their retreating figures before turning back to the photo on the tombstone—the image of a graceful, delicate woman.
“Ah Wan, I’m sorry. I failed to take good care of our son.”
“You must hate me over there, don’t you?”
“Now that I’ve realized my mistakes… is it too late?”
“Ah Wan, you never appear in my dreams. Are you still blaming me?”
In the cemetery, Sheng Xinhào let out a long, heavy sigh…
…
[Host, Host, I’ve Applied for Your Reward~]
When Gu Jianing returned to the courtyard, she heard the system’s usually mechanical voice now sounding oddly cheerful.
Gu Jianing’s eyes lit up. “What reward?”
Ever since she received the offer to become a professor at Capital University and was about to take up her position at Capital First Hospital, the system had proactively mentioned that her mission progress was fast and of high quality.
So, it had applied for a special reward from the main system on her behalf.
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