Chapter 161: Rumors

“Sister-in-law, don’t worry. What exactly happened?” Gu Jianing asked.

Jiang Baihe, still catching her breath, replied, “Do you know Qi Yuancheng, Captain Qi?”

Gu Jianing was puzzled. “Yes, I know him. He’s my patient.”

“That’s it then! Jianing, you have no idea—someone in our family compound is spreading rumors about you and Captain Qi, saying that you and he…”

She trailed off, “Anyway, they’re saying some really nasty things.”

Jiang Baihe didn’t finish her sentence, but Gu Jianing could already guess what she meant.

There are actually rumors about her and Captain Qi?

Could this be the reason why Qi Yuancheng stopped coming for treatment?

But Qi Yuancheng didn’t seem like that kind of person.

And who started these rumors? What’s their purpose? Gu Jianing frowned, deep in thought.

“Sister-in-law, tell me exactly what happened.”

Soon, Jiang Baihe explained everything to Gu Jianing.

Here’s what happened: Just now, Jiang Baihe went out planning to buy some things at the supply store. She hadn’t even left the family compound when she overheard some women chatting while doing laundry in the courtyard.

Normally, that was nothing unusual.

Jiang Baihe hadn’t intended to eavesdrop—she was in a hurry to get to the supply store.

But as she passed by, she heard Gu Jianing’s name.

Since it was about Gu Jianing, Jiang Baihe couldn’t help but listen.

And what she heard was shocking.

Those women were gossiping about Jianing and Captain Qi Yuancheng, saying that Gu Jianing and Qi Yuancheng were having an affair, that Qi Yuancheng used his medical appointments as an excuse to secretly meet with her at the hospital.

They even claimed that the child Gu Jianing was carrying was actually Qi Yuancheng’s.

In short, they were accusing the two of having an illicit relationship.

They even said Gu Jianing was seductive by nature, the type who would tempt men.

Jiang Baihe was furious when she heard this.

She hadn’t known Jianing for long, but she prided herself on being a good judge of character.

Jianing was indeed beautiful, but since when was being pretty a crime? Did being attractive mean you were bound to seduce others?

Jiang Baihe knew Gu Jianing’s character—she was pure and kind-hearted.

Besides, she and Deputy Commander Sheng were deeply in love, inseparable.

Jiang Baihe had already considered Gu Jianing a good friend, not to mention that Jianing had cured her illness and helped her get pregnant.

So, aside from being friends, Jianing was also her benefactor.

She absolutely wouldn’t allow anyone to slander Gu Jianing like this. So, Jiang Baihe immediately forgot about shopping and confronted them.

“What nonsense are you spouting? Believe me, I’ll tear your mouths apart!”

“Come on, let’s go see the leaders, let’s see Deputy Commander Sheng. I want to see how you plan to slander people then!”

Seeing Jiang Baihe, heavily pregnant, insisting on dragging them to see the leadership and Sheng Zexi, those women panicked.

They claimed they’d only heard it from someone else, but as for who that someone was, they didn’t know.

“Jianing, I’m afraid this rumor has already spread throughout the whole compound.”

“I believe you, but this concerns your reputation. You need to think of a solution.”

Gu Jianing nodded. “I understand, Sister-in-law. Thank you for looking out for me.”

Just then, a man’s voice called from outside, “Doctor Gu, Doctor Gu…”

Gu Jianing looked up to see Qi Yuancheng and Qin Rou, whom she hadn’t seen for several days.

Both of them looked anxious.

Qi Yuancheng stepped forward and saluted. “Doctor Gu, we’re here about the rumor.”

Qin Rou quickly nodded. “Yes, Doctor Gu, I believe in you and Ah Cheng. Someone is definitely slandering you.”

Gu Jianing wasn’t particularly bothered by the rumors.

She asked, “Captain Qi, is this why you haven’t come for treatment these past few days? Or is it something else?”

As a doctor, she was annoyed when patients skipped appointments without notice.

Qi Yuancheng hurriedly apologized. “No, it’s because my mother came to visit with my nephew…”

He explained that his mother and nephew had come to stay, so he’d been busy at home and couldn’t make it for treatment.

The rumors had only started spreading today, so it wasn’t related.

After Qi Yuancheng finished, Jiang Baihe kept winking at Gu Jianing.

Gu Jianing frowned slightly. Was there something else going on? She didn’t ask, but said, “So, are you still continuing treatment?”

“Yes, yes, Doctor Gu, we definitely want to continue,” Qin Rou answered before Qi Yuancheng could.

“Alright. But if you can’t make it in the future, please let me know in advance. Treatment requires consistency—if it’s interrupted, it’s much harder to get results.”

“Yes, Doctor Gu, we understand.”

Gu Jianing turned to Qi Yuancheng. “Captain Qi, what do you think about these rumors?”

She wasn’t too concerned, but she wasn’t about to let herself be bullied for no reason.

Who was behind these rumors?

Qi Yuancheng looked at Gu Jianing and asked, “Doctor Gu, do you have any suggestions?”

Gu Jianing replied, “It wouldn’t be appropriate for either of us to handle this directly. Why don’t we report it to the leadership and let them investigate?”

Qi Yuancheng nodded. “I was thinking the same thing.”

“Then let’s not delay. Let’s go report it now.”

Soon, the group arrived at the office of the political officer and explained the situation.

“There’s actually something like this? This can’t be tolerated.”

“Alright, I’ll have someone look into it. We’ll make sure your names are cleared.”

If this had only involved Qi Yuancheng, it wouldn’t have been a big deal. But since it involved Gu Jianing, the leadership had to take it seriously.

Not only was Gu Jianing an important doctor in the Northwest Military District, but she was also Sheng Zexi’s beloved. The leadership couldn’t afford to ignore it.

Otherwise, if Sheng Zexi lost his temper, not only would the rumor-mongers suffer, but even the leadership would be in trouble.

So, as soon as Gu Jianing and the others left, the leader wasted no time and immediately assigned people to investigate.

He wanted to see who was so reckless as to provoke someone under Sheng Zexi’s protection.

Back in the traditional medicine department, Gu Jianing figured that since Qi Yuancheng was here, she might as well treat him.

That afternoon, while seeing patients, Gu Jianing did notice some strange looks, but she ignored them.

In the evening, after finishing his training, Sheng Zexi returned home and immediately sensed the odd atmosphere in the compound.

But whenever he looked over, those people quickly averted their eyes.

It wasn’t until he got home and heard about the rumors from Gu Jianing that his face instantly darkened…"