“She’s probably spending the New Year in the military district. With her husband there, he’ll take good care of Ningning,” Yang Manman reassured, her hands never stopping as she knitted.
In her heart, she thought that since her sister-in-law had gotten married, none of the family members had quite adjusted to it.
Her own husband was no exception—no matter what he had, he always saved a share for his little sister.
Yang Manman didn’t feel jealous, though, because her husband treated her extremely well too. Besides, ever since her sister-in-law woke up after nearly drowning last time, she had become better and better.
Especially after she treated her with acupuncture for her uterine cold—Yang Manman couldn’t be more grateful to her sister-in-law.
She even had a strong premonition that she would soon have a child.
“Do you think we should send Ningning and Zexi some things?” Yao Chunhua asked.
As a mother, she always felt she hadn’t given her daughter enough.
“Mom, Ningning specifically emphasized in her letter that you shouldn’t send anything. I think she’d be much happier if you ate more yourself.”
Yang Manman said this not because she was reluctant to give things to Gu Jianing, but because she understood her sister-in-law. If she said she didn’t need anything, then she truly didn’t.
Yao Chunhua sighed. Deep down, she knew it too, and after being persuaded by her daughter-in-law, she dropped the idea.
“Ningning is used to my cooking. I don’t know if she can adjust to the food over there or even get enough to eat.”
“I wonder when we’ll get her next letter.”
For the first letter, the Gu family had considered that there wasn’t much to say, so they temporarily held off on replying. The journey was long, so they planned to wait until Gu Jianing’s second letter arrived before writing back.
So, Yao Chunhua had been eagerly waiting.
Over in the Northwest Military District, Gu Jianing had no idea her mother was anxiously awaiting her second letter.
However, she had already finished writing two letters and packed parcels for both her family and her grandparents. She was just about to head out to mail them.
She didn’t need to go to the county town or anywhere else—the Northwest Military District had a dedicated communications office that could handle her mail.
The only problem was…
The parcels were a bit heavy.
“Sister-in-law, let me help you carry those!”
Just as Gu Jianing stepped out, feeling a little worried, Xie Ze ran over and effortlessly lifted both parcels for her.
What had been heavy for Gu Jianing was nothing for Xie Ze.
“Oh, it’s you, Comrade Xie Ze. Thank you.”
Naturally, she was glad to have help, even though Xie Ze looked about her age.
But because of the way he called her “sister-in-law” and the fact that he was one of Sheng Zexi’s soldiers, she saw him as a junior.
Moreover, from Sheng Zexi, she had learned Xie Ze’s story, so she felt a special fondness and protectiveness toward this warm-hearted young soldier.
“Sister-in-law, no need to thank me. It’s nothing.”
“If we’re talking about thanks, I should be thanking you! Last time, you even had Battalion Commander Sheng bring me a big bowl of food—it had so much meat!”
Thinking about that bowl of meat, Xie Ze’s eyes still lit up, his tanned face glowing with happiness.
Then, a little shyly, he added, “Actually… that day was my birthday.”
“It was the first time I ever received a birthday gift. Sister-in-law, I really can’t thank you and Battalion Commander Sheng enough.”
Seeing the pure smile on Xie Ze’s face, Gu Jianing was momentarily stunned, her heart softening.
So that day had been Xie Ze’s birthday? If she had known, she would have invited him to join the housewarming celebration. She could easily imagine him spending his birthday alone, with no one knowing.
Just a casually given bowl of meat and vegetables, yet he had treasured it as a birthday gift…
This Xie Ze really was…
For a moment, Gu Jianing felt a complicated mix of emotions, unsure what to say.
Soon, they arrived at the communications office. Gu Jianing handed over the letters and parcels, and they were done.
On the way back, she asked and found out that Xie Ze had been given a day off from training as a reward for his good performance.
Xie Ze had deliberately wandered around the family quarters, hoping to run into her. After that bowl of food and his growing fondness for her as a sister-in-law, he always wanted to help her however he could.
To his surprise, he actually did meet her. Though all he did was carry some parcels to mail, every little bit counted.
Besides, Xie Ze genuinely enjoyed talking with Gu Jianing. She made him feel comfortable, like he had an older sister—someone he couldn’t help but want to be close to.
“Sister-in-law, I’ll head back now.” Though reluctant, he had already walked her to her doorstep. Still, he couldn’t resist adding, “Sister-in-law, if you ever need anything, just call for me. As long as I’m not training or on a mission, I’ll come right away.”
The sincerity and purity in the young man’s face made it impossible to refuse. Gu Jianing nodded. “Alright. But wait here a moment.”
Without waiting for his response, she hurried inside.
Huh?
Xie Ze stood at the door, puzzled, but he didn’t leave.
Soon, Gu Jianing returned and handed him a small triangular fruit cake. “Here.”
Xie Ze cupped the little cake in his hands, staring at the small but exquisitely decorated treat in confusion. “Sis-sister-in-law, what’s this?”
“It’s a cake!”
“Birthdays should be celebrated with cake. I didn’t know it was your birthday that day, so this is a belated birthday cake for you.”
This little cake was something Gu Jianing had just exchanged for 0.1 points in the system’s shopping mall.
She had bought five in total—the other four were for her and Sheng Zexi to enjoy over the next couple of days.
So birthdays were supposed to be celebrated with cake?
Xie Ze knew of egg cakes but had never heard of just “cake.” Even egg cakes were something he had never tasted—he only knew they were delicious and expensive.
This cake, even more delicate and beautiful than an egg cake, must be even pricier. And it had fruit on it—fruit was expensive these days too!
“N-no, sister-in-law, I can’t accept this.”
He hadn’t done much to help her—how could he take something like this? He didn’t deserve it.
“If I’m giving it to you, take it.” Once Gu Jianing decided to give something, she never took it back.
In the end, Xie Ze accepted the little cake.
When he returned to his secret spot, carefully cradling the cake and eating it with the utmost reverence, his eyes reddened again.
So sweet, so fragrant, so delicious!
It was the most delicious thing he had ever eaten in his life!
If before, Xie Ze had admired Sheng Zexi and extended that goodwill to Gu Jianing, now his fondness for her had surpassed even that of Sheng Zexi.
Xie Ze silently vowed to himself: From now on, he would treat sister-in-law as his own blood sister. No matter what happened in the future, he would always help and protect her!
…
Not long after Gu Jianing saw Xie Ze off, Sister Yu came to her door with gifts—a token of gratitude for her surgery on Cui Bin.
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