Chapter 186: Awakening

As noon approached, the Hua family hurriedly prepared lunch and invited Sheng Zexi and Gu Jianing to eat with them.

The Hua family’s hospitality was hard to refuse, and since they were waiting for Hua Zhenrong to wake up anyway, the couple accepted the invitation.

During the meal, the Hua family members couldn’t help but be surprised at how attentive Sheng Zexi was to Gu Jianing.

This gentle side of Sheng Zexi was something they were seeing for the first time.

Sheng Zexi had been close friends with Hua Zhenrong since childhood. Whenever he argued with Sheng Xinhao or ran away from home, he would come stay at the Hua house.

In a way, Sheng Zexi had grown up under the Hua family’s watchful eyes.

Back then, Sheng Zexi was rebellious and untamable, as if no one could control him. His eyes always sparkled with defiance, and his words could be sharp and biting—if you crossed him, he’d have you doubting your own life choices.

But now…

Sheng Zexi was so gentle, especially towards Gu Jianing.

So gentle, in fact, that it was almost as if he’d melted into water.

Just watching him was a novelty for the Hua family.

It turned out that even the most unruly person could be tamed by someone.

They thought this was a good thing.

The old Sheng Zexi was brash and unrestrained, like a hedgehog covered in spikes, keeping everyone at arm’s length.

But now, all those sharp edges had softened into tenderness.

He had finally found someone he loved—and who loved him in return.

As elders, they were genuinely happy for him.

Sheng Zexi didn’t seem to notice the occasional glances from those around him, focusing on eating and taking care of Gu Jianing.

Gu Jianing, on the other hand, noticed everything.

She shot Sheng Zexi a playful, slightly embarrassed glare.

Sheng Zexi, after being glared at: …

Wife, why are you glaring at me? Did I do something wrong?

No, that can’t be it. Is she flirting with me? Yes, that must be it. Oh dear, how can my wife be so bold in someone else’s house? She should really hold back a little.

Sheng Zexi decided he’d have to talk to his little wife about this when they got home.

Just after they finished eating, the housekeeper came to say that Hua Zhenrong had woken up.

The Hua family rushed to Hua Zhenrong’s room…

Inside, Hua Zhenrong felt as if he’d just awakened from a long dream.

In the dream, he relived the loss of his comrades during a mission, and his own descent into madness…

Now, it was as if he’d finally woken up from a nightmare.

He realized he was lying in bed, and as he looked around, he saw he was in his own room at home.

He tried to sit up, only to find his hands and feet restrained by cloth strips tying him to the bed.

What was this?

As Hua Zhenrong tried to recall what had happened, he heard movement at the door.

He looked up and saw his family standing there.

“Dad, Mom, Big Brother, Second Brother, Sisters-in-law…”

The Hua family couldn’t remember the last time they’d seen Hua Zhenrong so lucid, calling them by name.

Madam Hua was so overwhelmed with joy that tears streamed down her face.

She rushed over and hugged Hua Zhenrong tightly. “My son, you’re finally awake, you’re finally awake. I thought, I thought…” I thought I’d lost you.

The rest of the Hua family came in too, all with red eyes or tears on their faces, but unable to hide their happiness.

Seeing their expressions, Hua Zhenrong’s memories gradually returned.

He remembered.

He remembered going on a mission, but because someone leaked information, all his comrades except for one other and himself were killed.

Some even died saving him.

He was brought back, badly injured.

His physical wounds healed, but the psychological trauma did not.

…

He was consumed by guilt and self-blame, nearly driving him mad, reliving the mission over and over again, until—

His last memory was of losing control and injuring his big brother.

After that, everything was a blur, his mind muddled and his body in agony.

But now… it was as if he’d finally woken up from a long nightmare.

“Big Brother, your injury…” Hua Zhenrong asked.

His eldest brother hadn’t expected his little brother to still remember accidentally hurting him, and quickly replied, “I’m fine.”

Just then, there was another commotion at the door.

A familiar figure appeared.

“Zexi…” Hua Zhenrong called out, a little surprised.

Sheng Zexi was supporting a beautiful, heavily pregnant woman with such care and gentleness—something Hua Zhenrong had never seen before.

When Sheng Zexi heard Hua Zhenrong call his name, his eyes reddened with emotion.

After Gu Jianing sat down, Sheng Zexi stepped forward. “Do you know how long it’s been since I last heard you call my name…”

Hua Zhenrong was taken aback.

With his family’s explanations, Hua Zhenrong finally pieced together everything that had happened.

He’d fallen ill.

That much he knew.

He also knew his condition had gotten worse.

He was aware that things were bad, and had a feeling that if he didn’t get proper treatment, he wouldn’t last much longer.

He would die in confusion and madness.

But now, he was awake and had been treated.

And the person who treated him was Sheng Zexi’s wife.

He hadn’t expected that, after just one sleep, Sheng Zexi would be married, and his wife would be so far along—he’d be a father in a few months.

He also hadn’t expected Sheng Zexi’s wife to be so young, yet so skilled in medicine.

So many renowned doctors had declared his illness incurable, practically giving him a death sentence.

But with just one treatment, she had brought him back to consciousness after months of delirium.

With such talent and beauty, it was no wonder Sheng Zexi, the perennial bachelor, had finally fallen.

He used to think Sheng Zexi would be alone forever.

But this was much better.

“Comrade Gu, thank you.” After his family untied him and helped him sit up, Hua Zhenrong thanked Gu Jianing solemnly.

Gu Jianing replied, “You’re Zexi’s comrade and close friend. As his wife, if I have the ability to help, of course I can’t just stand by.”

“But for now, you should eat something. This was just the first treatment. Although you’re awake, you probably won’t stay lucid for long.”

“Alright.” For the first time in a long while, Hua Zhenrong actually felt hungry.

The Hua family quickly brought him some easy-to-digest noodles.

Hua Zhenrong tried to eat by himself, but he was too weak, so his second brother fed him.

After he finished eating and took his medicine, about half an hour passed.

Then, Hua Zhenrong slipped back into unconsciousness. Gu Jianing gave him acupuncture and let him sleep.

“This time, he’ll sleep for a while—probably until tomorrow morning,” Gu Jianing said."