As soon as Gu Jianing returned home, she heard Zhang Shuwan calling from the other side of the wall, insisting on returning the roast duck and roasted chicken she had given them.
“Sister Shuwan, just keep it and eat it. I bought two whole ones. I still have plenty left. Once I’ve given something away, I don’t take it back. Otherwise, I’ll get upset.”
She actually bought two whole ones!
Zhang Shuwan was shocked—how much must that have cost?
But hearing what Gu Jianing said afterward, Zhang Shuwan found it amusing yet had no choice but to keep them.
She carried the bowl back inside, and as soon as she turned around, she saw Guoguo staring at it intently. Zhang Shuwan’s heart softened. Her daughter had never had the chance to eat these kinds of ready-made foods before.
“Guoguo, do you want some?”
Guoguo hesitated, her eyes practically glued to the food. She even pressed her lips together, trying to swallow her saliva, but in the end, she shook her head and said, “Guoguo won’t eat yet. I want to wait for Daddy to come home and eat with Mommy and Daddy together.”
“What’s this about waiting for Mommy and Daddy to eat together?” Lin Xing asked as he walked in and heard his daughter’s words.
“It’s roast duck and roasted chicken. Jianing sent them over.”
Lin Xing stepped inside and took a look. Sure enough, it was roast duck and roasted chicken. “These things are quite expensive and rare. Why did you accept them?”
Zhang Shuwan quickly explained the situation to him. Lin Xing thought for a moment and said, “Alright, since we’ve already accepted them, let’s just keep them. Next time we have something good, we can send some to Jianing.”
“That works.”
And so, Lin Xing’s family of three also got to enjoy the fragrant roast duck and roasted chicken.
“Guoguo, is it tasty?”
“Delicious! So delicious!”
“Honestly, this is the first time I’ve had such amazing roast duck and roasted chicken.”
“Me too. It tastes different from what I’ve had at the deli—it’s definitely better.”
(A delicatessen, often shortened to “deli,” is a shop that sells a variety of prepared and high-quality foods, including cheeses, cold meats, and sometimes sandwiches, often with an emphasis on ethnic or specialty foods.)
Meanwhile, Gu Jianing and Sheng Zexi were also eating their meal atop the heated brick bed, enjoying the roast duck and roasted chicken along with a tomato and scrambled egg dish and stir-fried greens that Sheng Zexi had prepared.
As she ate, Gu Jianing talked about what had happened at the hospital that morning.
Upon learning that his young wife had successfully operated on Cui Bin and earned recognition from the hospital director and so many doctors, Sheng Zexi felt a sense of relief. At the same time, he realized he might have underestimated her.
Ningning’s talent in medicine, as well as her skills, were truly extraordinary!
Sheng Zexi had thought he understood Gu Jianing completely, but just when he believed he had figured her out, she surprised him again.
It felt as if Gu Jianing were a book full of hidden treasures. Every time he turned a page, he discovered new gems, making him both delighted and increasingly captivated by her.
Gu Jianing, engrossed in her storytelling, didn’t notice the growing tenderness in Sheng Zexi’s gaze—his eyes filled with affection and indulgence.
She also mentioned that the military hospital wanted to collaborate with her on the development of stomach-protecting pills and rheumatism ointment.
“…Zexi, if they come to negotiate, what should I do?”
Gu Jianing wasn’t entirely sure how to proceed with the collaboration.
She had considered simply donating the two formulas outright, but in the end, she rejected that idea.
It wasn’t that she lacked patriotism. Well, she did have patriotic feelings, but perhaps not overwhelmingly so.
She could afford to give away the formulas.
As long as she wanted to and had enough points, she could buy any formula she needed from the system’s exchange store. She wasn’t lacking formulas.
But she still didn’t want to give them away for free.
Perhaps it was because she understood the saying: “A favor of a cup of rice is remembered, but a favor of a bucket of rice breeds resentment.” People tend to take things for granted when given too much.
She feared that if she offered something now, they might expect her to always contribute freely. And if she refused in the future, would that make her the bad one?
Once she figured this out, the decision was easy. She could collaborate at a low cost, but not for free!
Besides, she needed money. She planned to save up and, when the opportunity arose, use it for charity and donations.
Being able to live a second life and having the fortune of being bound to the childbirth system—
Gu Jianing always felt that this was a chance given to her by the heavens.
So, if she had the ability, she would also do good deeds and give back.
“Ningning, you’ve already made up your mind. Just follow your heart. I believe in you,” Sheng Zexi said. He never interfered with any of Gu Jianing’s decisions. No matter what she chose, he would always stand by her and support her unconditionally.
“Alright. Thank you, Zexi.” Gu Jianing’s beautiful almond-shaped eyes sparkled as she looked at him.
She felt that Sheng Zexi was truly wonderful—kind to her, thoughtful, caring, and not domineering. He was the perfect man.
In her previous life, she had not chosen Sheng Zexi. Instead, she had foolishly been infatuated with Wen Zhuqing. She must have been blind.
After dinner, Sheng Zexi cleaned up the dishes, washed them, and heated water for Gu Jianing to wash up.
Later, as they sat on the heated bed, Gu Jianing soaked her feet in the hot water that Sheng Zexi had brought her and brought up Peng Wenjing.
“…Sister Yu said that Peng Wenjing has liked you and pursued you for years. This time, she might have targeted me because of you.”
Gu Jianing playfully poked Sheng Zexi’s chest with her slender finger, pouting slightly and glaring at him as if accusing him. “Tell me, did you have any entanglements with that Wenjing person? Be honest!”
It was rare for Sheng Zexi to see her acting so lively—like an angry little kitten. Amused, he grabbed her delicate finger, his eyes burning with intensity as he looked at her, and instead of answering, he asked, “Ningning, are you jealous?”
Jealous?
Gu Jianing’s eyes widened. “I’m not jealous at all!”
Sheng Zexi studied her carefully and realized she truly wasn’t jealous. His excitement dimmed, and his eyes, once filled with heat, darkened slightly.
He could tell—Gu Jianing really wasn’t jealous.
“What’s wrong?” Seeing his mood suddenly drop, Gu Jianing was puzzled. She had been the one questioning him, so why did it feel like she was the one in the wrong?
Sheng Zexi suddenly pulled her into his arms, resting his chin on her shoulder like a dejected puppy. “Ningning, are you not jealous because you don’t like me yet?”
Huh?!!
Blinking in confusion, Gu Jianing finally understood his logic and couldn’t help but laugh. She reached out to pinch his waist, but with the thick winter clothing, she couldn’t quite get a grip.
Just as she regretted missing her chance, the next second, Sheng Zexi grabbed her hand and stuffed it under his clothes, pressing it against his waist. Looking at her pitifully, he said, “Go ahead, pinch me.”
Gu Jianing found this even funnier. She didn’t pinch him, but her palm, now touching his bare skin, felt warm. She tried to pull away, but he held her hand in place.
She said, “I trust you.”
“I know. When you love someone, you love them completely. You don’t change or get involved with other women.”
“I was just joking earlier.”
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