Chapter 180: Husband and Wife Arrive in Beijing

Of course, it was also because there were no high-speed trains in those days.

As for airplanes, back then, flying was simply not something ordinary people could afford.

So when people needed to travel long distances, most would choose the slow green trains.

Because Gu Jianing was pregnant, this time Sheng Zexi took even more meticulous care of her than before.

Fortunately, nothing unexpected happened on the journey.

Well, except for one incident—a senior passenger had a heart attack midway.

The train staff urgently called for a doctor, and Gu Jianing, believing that saving a life was more important than building a seven-story pagoda, used her silver needles to save the person.

Other than that, the trip was uneventful.

After 30 hours, the train finally arrived at Beijing Station.

“Deputy Commander Sheng…” As always, Sheng Zexi was shielding Gu Jianing as they got off the train, when he heard someone calling his name.

Looking up, he saw it was his grandfather’s personal guard.

Sheng Zexi led Gu Jianing over, and the guard saluted him. “Deputy Commander Sheng, Old Mr. Sang sent me to pick you up.”

“Thank you for your trouble.”

“Ningning, Grandpa sent someone to pick us up.”

“Mm.”

The guard had come by car, so as soon as they got off the train, the two of them got into the car.

The car drove them straight to the compound.

Because of Grandpa Sang’s position, the Sang family lived in the compound, which was heavily guarded at the entrance.

Most of the residents here were researchers from the weapons institute and their families.

After their documents were checked at the gate, the car drove in and stopped in front of a two-story Western-style house.

As Sheng Zexi helped Gu Jianing out of the car, she heard a slightly aged but very gentle voice calling her.

“Ning girl…”

Gu Jianing looked up and saw Grandma Sang standing outside.

“Grandma!” Gu Jianing waved and smiled.

That smile seemed to unlock something in Grandma Sang. She hurried over to Gu Jianing.

“Grandma, slow down!” Sheng Zexi was startled to see her running and a little shocked.

To him, Grandma had always been gentle, elegant, and soft-spoken, her manners graceful at all times.

He’d never seen her so flustered.

But Sheng Zexi understood—she was just overjoyed to see them back.

Still, she was an elderly lady, and he worried she might fall if she rushed.

If Grandma Sang could hear her eldest grandson’s thoughts, she’d probably grumble: “I even scolded your father the other day—where’s the elegance in that? Of course I’m excited to see my eldest grandson’s wife!”

Soon, Grandma Sang reached Gu Jianing, grabbed her hands, and looked her up and down with concern. Seeing that Gu Jianing looked healthy and cheerful, she was relieved. When she noticed Gu Jianing’s pregnant belly, her gaze grew even softer. “Ning girl, how have you been? Are you eating well? Sleeping well? Is the baby giving you any trouble?”

“Grandma, you’re asking so many questions at once—how can Ningning answer them all?” Sheng Zexi joked beside them.

Grandma Sang shot him a glare.

Gu Jianing smiled. “Grandma’s just worried about me.”

She squeezed Grandma Sang’s hand in return. Even without looking, she could feel the warmth in those wrinkled hands.

The first thing these hands did was not to hold her grandson’s, but to hold hers.

The moment Grandma Sang held her hand, Gu Jianing felt a wave of warmth in her heart.

She stepped forward and hugged Grandma Sang. “Grandma, I’m fine. Everything’s great.”

Grandma Sang was stunned for a moment, then her smile grew even brighter. “Good, good. As long as you’re well.”

After letting go, she quietly turned away to wipe her eyes, not wanting Gu Jianing or Sheng Zexi to see her tears.

“Come, come, don’t just stand out here—let’s go inside.”

“Your grandpa was supposed to be off work today and waiting at home with me for you, but something urgent came up and he was called away. He probably won’t be back until the afternoon.”

Grandma Sang explained as she led them inside.

“Here, this is the room I’ve prepared for you.” As soon as they entered, she took them to their room so they could put down their luggage.

“This room used to be Xiao Wan’s.”

“Xiao Xi used to stay here when he came back, but he stayed upstairs.”

“I thought, since you’re pregnant and quite far along, it’s better for you to stay on the first floor. Besides our own room, this is the biggest and nicest room on this floor.”

Looking at the furnishings, it was clear that not much had changed since Ah Wan lived here.

Grandma Sang’s eyes were full of nostalgia as she looked around.

She thought, now that Xiao Xi and Ning girl could stay here, if Ah Wan were still around, she’d surely approve and be happy too.

“Grandma, thank you for being so thoughtful,” Gu Jianing said, deeply moved.

She didn’t mind at all that this was her mother-in-law’s old room.

She knew that Grandpa and Grandma Sang preparing this room for them was a sign of their love.

Besides, even at a glance, the room was spacious, well-furnished, and comfortable.

Sheng Zexi was also looking around the room.

He’d been here before, when his grandparents had suggested he stay in his mother’s old room, but he’d refused.

He hadn’t wanted to disturb it.

But now, Sheng Zexi felt that this arrangement was perhaps the best.

To truly remember someone, you didn’t have to just look at their things and feel sad.

Letting their things continue to be used and passed on was another kind of love.

He believed that if his mother knew about Grandma’s arrangement, she’d agree and be happy too.

So, Sheng Zexi put down their luggage.

When the two of them came out, Grandma Sang had already made two cups of malted milk and handed one to each of them.

“Here, warm yourselves up—your hands too.”

“Thank you, Grandma.”

Gu Jianing sat on the sofa. She knew that malted milk was the best treat people could offer in those days.

She took a sip—the sweet drink warmed both her body and her heart.

Perhaps worried that Gu Jianing might feel awkward, Grandma Sang sat beside her, holding her hand and chatting warmly.

When she noticed the fatigue on Gu Jianing’s face, she quickly said, “Look at me, you must be exhausted after such a long train ride. Go get some rest, especially you, Ningning—you’re pregnant, it must be even harder on you. You need to rest more.”

“Alright.” Sheng Zexi and Gu Jianing didn’t refuse.

After all, long train rides really were tiring."