Some things are special, but once they become too special—
They turn into a deadly blade.
So, Gu Jianing would never reveal this uniqueness, nor would she let the sharp edge of this blade point at herself or her family.
“Don’t worry, it’s fine. Wen Zhuqing is just a madman. No one would believe the words of a madman,” Gu Jianing reassured Sheng Zexi.
Wen Zhuqing was a madman?
Sheng Zexi silently repeated the words in his heart, pondering their meaning.
He figured Ningning must have some plan.
“Alright,” Sheng Zexi agreed.
In the following days, their small family seemed to settle into peace.
As for Wen Zhuqing, there were no further rumors or news about him for the time being.
Gu Jianing busied herself between Jing City University and Jing City First Hospital.
Sheng Zexi also returned to the military district.
After informing Sheng Zexi about the incident that night, Li Tingxuan went back to the Li family.
His grandfather’s health had deteriorated recently, requiring him to stay in bed. The doctor said the old man’s condition wasn’t looking good—
He likely only had a few years left.
Li Tingxuan also knew how much that incident from back then had devastated the Li family—and his grandfather.
At that time, his grandfather had been in good health and high spirits.
But now, he was no longer the same.
Still, the old man was overjoyed to see Li Tingxuan return, and his spirits lifted somewhat.
Except…
“Tingxuan, aren’t you planning to get married yet?” the old man asked.
Li Tingxuan froze, unsure how to respond.
For as long as he could remember, he had always wanted to marry someone he truly loved.
But after recovering memories of his past life, his heart had been completely devoted to Gu Jianing.
Though over the years, he had tried to let go of his feelings for her and accepted that there was no future between them—
Still…
So far, apart from Gu Jianing, he had never met anyone else who made his heart flutter, someone he could truly love.
If there was no love, how could he spend a lifetime with someone?
A trace of bitterness flickered in Li Tingxuan’s eyes.
This hint of sorrow did not escape the old man’s notice.
Having weathered countless storms in life, his perception was sharp.
“Is there someone you love but can’t be with?”
Li Tingxuan was stunned—he hadn’t expected his grandfather to see right through him.
“Grandfather, I…”
He wanted to deny it, but he knew he couldn’t deceive the old man.
“Yes, Grandfather. She’s already married, with children, a stable career, and a loving marriage.”
Under such circumstances, how could he possibly interfere?
The old man hadn’t anticipated such a situation.
“So, you plan to stay unmarried for the rest of your life?” The old man’s tone remained calm.
“Grandfather, I… As I’ve told you before, I’ve always wanted to spend my life with someone I truly love.”
The old man sighed.
After a moment of silence, he said, “Fine. Do as you wish. If you don’t want to marry, then don’t. I won’t force you.”
Li Tingxuan was taken aback. “Grandfather, shouldn’t you be saying that, as the only remaining heir of the Li family, I should marry early to continue the family line?”
The old man chuckled, his laughter tinged with a hint of sorrow. “In the past, I would have thought that way. But now, I’ve come to understand—some things can’t be forced.”
“Tingxuan, I raised you. I know how much the Li family means to me.”
“But do you think I have no feelings for you?”
“Whatever choice you make, I only hope for your happiness. If staying unmarried brings you joy, then so be it.”
Since the Li family began to decline, the old man had come to terms with many things.
Now, the Li family only had him and Tingxuan relying on each other—why make life harder by forcing things?
“Grandfather, don’t worry. If I meet a girl I like in the future, I won’t avoid it,” Li Tingxuan said.
But whether he would ever meet such a person was uncertain.
It all depended on fate.
“Alright.”
After spending time with his grandfather, Li Tingxuan went out to run some errands.
Just then, he heard a somewhat familiar voice.
“Brother Tingxuan, is that you?”
Li Tingxuan turned and saw the person who had spoken.
It was Fang Manping.
Not only Fang Manping—standing beside her was a young man, and the two looked quite close.
“It’s you, Miss Fang.”
“Yes, Brother Tingxuan. It’s been a long time. Have you returned to Jing City recently?” Fang Manping asked.
“Yes, I’m back to visit family. I’ll be leaving again soon.”
“Oh, this is my husband, Chu Cheng.”
Fang Manping introduced them.
Li Tingxuan and Chu Cheng exchanged nods.
“Brother Tingxuan, you must be busy. I won’t keep you. Maybe we can catch up another time?” Fang Manping said.
“Sure.” Li Tingxuan studied Fang Manping and remarked, “It seems you’ve been doing well these past two years. That’s good.”
Fang Manping thought back to the past, feeling as though it had all faded like smoke.
A faint smile touched her lips. “Yes, I’m living well now.”
She was studying a major she loved at university, had a husband who cherished her, and her life was peaceful yet sweet.
This kind of life was truly much better than before.
“I should thank you for your advice back then, Brother Tingxuan.”
Back then, she had recklessly confessed her feelings to Li Tingxuan.
Though he had rejected her, his rejection had been so gentle that even if Fang Manping had been unwilling, she had no choice but to let go.
Moreover, his words at the time had given her clarity—helping her understand what she truly wanted.
She realized that to live well and to be loved by others, one must first love oneself.
So, she was grateful to Li Tingxuan.
Because of him, she had corrected the mistakes she’d made in the past.
And now, she was living the life she had always wanted.
Though she had once been deeply infatuated with Li Tingxuan, over the past two years, she had moved on.
And she had met someone she truly loved.
Still, she remained grateful to Li Tingxuan.
Li Tingxuan shook his head, said nothing more, and left.
Fang Manping watched his retreating figure, silently hoping that this man who had once helped her would also find happiness.
“You seem very grateful to this Brother Tingxuan?” Her husband, Chu Cheng, noticed her emotions and couldn’t help but ask.
“Yes.” Fang Manping admitted openly. “If not for his guidance back then, I wouldn’t be who I am today…”
She candidly shared the past with her husband, knowing he was an understanding man, not the petty type.
Of course, she also told him about Li Tingxuan’s rejection and the words he had said to her.
Chu Cheng truly didn’t mind.
He just hadn’t expected that his wife and this soldier named Li Tingxuan had such a history.
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